ening our pickets--or rather some partisan scouts
near Newtown--captured a British officer, in field uniform, on his way
from New York to Sir William Howe in Philadelphia. The prisoner was
brought here, and on examination proved to be Lieutenant Edgar Fortesque
of the 42nd Regiment of Foot. These troops came over with the last
detachment, and arrived in New York less than a month ago. On searching
Fortesque's clothing we found this despatch," holding out the sealed
paper, "which we opened. It is not of any great military importance,
being merely an order for Howe to proceed at once to New York, taking
with him certain officers of his staff, and placing a naval vessel at his
disposal."

He paused, turning the paper over in his hands.

"However," he went on slowly, "it affords us the opportunity we have long
been seeking of getting a competent military observer into Philadelphia.
Now that Sir Henry Clinton is in command of the British forces directly
opposing us, it is necessary that we know accurately their number, state
of discipline, guns, and any point of weakness in the defences of the
city. We require also information regarding the division of troops under
Sir Henry's command--the proportion of British, Hessians, and Tories,
together with some inkling as to Clinton's immediate plans. There is a
rumor abroad that Philadelphia is to be evacuated, and that the British
forces contemplate a retreat overland to New York. Civilian fugitives
drift into our camp constantly, bearing all manner of wild reports, but
these accounts are so varied as to be practically valueless. We must
possess accurate details, and to gain these a man would need to be in the
city several days, free to move about, observe, and converse with the
officers of the garrison. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir; you propose forwarding the despatch by an officer who shall
impersonate this captured Lieutenant."

"Exactly. Fortesque is a young fellow about your age, and build. He has
been in the army only eight months, and in this country less than thirty
days. It is scarcely probable he is known personally to any of the
present Philadelphia garrison. There is a risk, of course, but in this
case it would seem to be small." He picked up a paper from off the table.
"Here is an officer's roster of the 42nd Regiment. It might be well for
you to familiarize yourself with a few of the names."

I studied the list a moment, bending down closer to the nearest c