Allan Pinkerton, The spy in the rebellion; being a true history of the spy system of the United States Army during the late rebellion, revealing many secrets of the war hitherto not made public, compiled from official reports prepared for President Lincoln , General McClellan and the Provost-Marshal-General .

[450] now approached the terminus of the lane, still buried in thought, when his horse, becoming frightened, shied slightly to one side; hastily raising his eyes, he saw, to his amazement, the object of his thoughts standing by the roadside.

He checked his horse, and, in a tone that betrayed his astonishment, exclaimed, “You here, Miss Mary!”

“Yes,” she answered, evidently a little confused, “I wanted to see you a little while alone. I trust you will pardon me for adopting the means I have to secure a short talk with you.”

By this time Curtis had dismounted, and was standing at her side.

“ Well, what is it, Miss Harcourt? I am happy to be at your service in any way in my power.”

“Thank you,” she answered, hastily, “you have placed me under obligations to you, but I venture to night to ask one favor more.”

“It is granted already,” said Curtis.

Thanking him again, she proceeded: “You know my brother is in the Union army, and I have not heard from him for several weeks; I wish you would try to get this letter to him, and, if it is not asking too much,” she added, hesitatingly, “will you kindly bring me his reply, or at least some word that I may know he is safe and well?”

Curtis took the letter from her hands, and. depositing it safely in an inside pocket of his coat, he