Beadle's Dime Novels No. 298: The Hussar Captain — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

PROBING. 87 “Indeed, my lord, I had not heard of his capture,” said the Hermit, with surprise. Lord Howe smiled anc returned: » “Then there are some things which even you do not know, Hermit ?” “T confess it, my lord.” “ Well, I wish you to go to the prison, taking with you a Bilrong guard, and seek an interview with Putnam in his cell. Make known to him that you are in Washington’s service, and endeavor to make him believe you are probing me, and - thereby gain from him all the information you can of the in- - tended movements of the rebels. “Tf you do not succeed, you —_ bring Putnam from the prison and conduct him here to me.’ “T will do so, my lord; doubtless you can alae from him -much ipportant fed taintion “ Doubtless,” dryly said Lord Howe, and. he ses contin- ved “ Now, Hermit, you know your instructions ?” “Fully, my lord, and I will depart at once.” “ No haste, so that you return in an hour or so,” and Lord Howe seated himself at his table to write the pass for the Hermit, to get a guard, and permission to visit the rebél Puat- nain in his cell. ; Armed with his passes and inwardly rejoiciag over the f lucky accident that placed it in his power, as he supposed, to release the famous patriot officer ffom an English prison, ° the Hermit bade adicu to Lord Howe and quickly departed upon his errand to the barracks, where, having had. four sol- diers detailed to accompany him, he wended his way to the prison, anxious to hasten the undertaking, for he feared his waiting friends would be nervously expecting bis coming to conduct t em to the boat, as it was then the time appointed to meet them. Arriving at the prison, the Hermit bade the guard await him outside, and exhibiting his pass to the keeper, was usb- ‘ved through a long, narrow passage-way down several flights of stairs, until te came to a heavy ouken door, which the Jailer at once 6 opened. “ Entering the large but uncomfortable cell, the Female be- held, by the light of the keeper’s lamp, a man of Leavy frame, "" commiclooolkks.conn