“Decidedly, these are curiosities, this man and this woman!” I said; “they are two bottomless pits of daring and depravity. Mohun has escaped them heretofore, but now, when the enemy seem driving us, and sweeping every thing before them, will not Darke and madam attain their vengeance, and come out winners in the struggle?” With that reflection, I dismissed the subject, and pushed on, over the narrow and winding roads, to make my inspections. The day was cold and brilliant; the winds cut the face; and I rode on steadily, thinking of many things. Then the desire to smoke seized upon me. General Fitzhugh Lee had given me some excellent cigars, captured from the enemy, and I looked around to find some house where I could light my cigar. None appeared; but at two hundred yards from the road, in a hidden hollow, I thought I perceived the glimmer of a fire--probably made by some straggler. I rode toward it, descended into the hollow, approached the fire, beside which crouched a figure, wrapped in an overcoat. The figure raised its head--and I recognized Nighthawk. He rose and smiled benignantly, as he shook hands with me. “An unexpected meeting, Nighthawk,” I said, laughing. “What on earth makes you come out and camp in the woods?” “A little fancy, colonel; you know I am eccentric. I like this way of living, from having scouted so much--but I came here with an object!” “What?” “To be private. I thought my fire could not be seen from the road.” “Why should it not be?” “Well, perhaps I exaggerate danger. But I am on an important scouting expedition--wanted to reflect, and not be seen--I am going, to-night, through the lines on a little affair of which you know something.” “Ah, what do you refer to?” “That paper,” said Nighthawk, succinctly. “It is in the hands of Alibi--there is a Yankee picket at his house--but I am going to see him, and force him to surrender it.” “Is it possible he has it! Do you know that?” “Strangely enough, colonel. Do you remember that woman, Amanda?” “Perfectly. I visited her with Mohun.” “He told me of your visit. Well, you no doubt remember also, colonel, that he offered her a large sum to discover the paper--that she offered to try and find it, or give him a clue to its whereabouts--he was to return in ten days, and hear her report.” “Yes,” I said. “Well, he returned, colonel, but Amanda could tell him nothing--which you no doubt have heard.” “Yes, from him.” “I have been more successful, at last, in dealing with this strange woman. I do not know if she is a witch or an epileptic, or what--but she has convinced me that Alibi has the paper we want.”