Mohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins. / Final Memoirs of a Staff Officer Serving in Virginia. from the Mss. of Colonel Surry, of Eagle's Nest.

by John Esten Cooke

“If he keeps his appointment, colonel.”

“You have an appointment?”

“Yes, colonel.”

“In this house?”

“To-night.”

“With what object, in heaven’s name!”

Nighthawk hesitated for some moments before replying.

“The fact is, colonel,” he said, “that I inadvertently mentioned my appointment with Swartz without reflecting how singular it must appear to you, unless I gave you some explanation. But I am quite at my ease with you—you are a friend of Colonel Mohun’s—and I will explain, as much of my business as propriety will permit. To be brief, I am anxious to procure a certain document in Swartz’s possession.”

“A certain document?” I said, looking intently at the speaker.

“Exactly, colonel.”