“Well, general,” croaked Mr. Alibi, with a smile, and in a nasal voice, “wha—a—t’s the news?”
“I am only a lieutenant-colonel, Mr. Alibi.”
“Well, colonel, any thing stirring?”
“Nothing, I think. Any news with you, Mr. Alibi? I have heard of you from a friend of yours.”
“Eh! And who mout that be, colonel?”
“Mr. Nighthawk. Have you seen him lately?”
“Na—a—a—w,” said Mr. Alibi, with a prolonged drawl through his nose, and flapping his arms in an uncouth fashion, “I ain’t seen him for a long spell now.”
“Nor Swartz, either?”
Mr. Alibi looked keenly at me.
“Na—a—a—w, nor him nuther, leftenant-colonel.”