.
Every fiber within him thrilled with energy. The road was dusty and hot,
and his pace grew very strenuous and fervent. There was no breeze;
there was no sound of wheels; all was quiet as the bells tolled out the
hour of six. Nevertheless he trudged along with great haste without once
stopping until he had reached the door of his lodgings.

He turned the key and entered, closing the door behind him and taking
the greatest of care to see that it was properly bolted. Flinging his
hat into a chair as he passed, he went immediately to the table which
served as his desk. While he pulled himself close to it, he reached into
his pocket for the letter. He opened it before him and read it. Then he
sat back and read it again; this time aloud:

Co. 13

Headquarters, New York.
15 July, 1778.

Madame:--I am happy to have this opportunity to once again express my
humble respects to you and to assure you that yourself together with
your generous and hospitable friends are causing us much concern
separated as we are by the duress of a merciless war. We lead a
monotonous life, for outside of the regularities of army life, there is
little to entertain us. Our hearts are torn with pangs of regret as we
recall the golden days of the Mischienza.

I would I could be of some service to you here, that you may understand
that my protestations of zeal made on former occasions were not without
some degree of sincerity. Let me add, too, that your many friends here
present unite with me in these same sentiments of unaffected and genuine
devotion.

I beg you to present my best respects to your sisters, to the Misses
Chew, and to Mrs. Shippen and Mrs. Chew.

I have the honor to be with the greatest regard, Madame, your most
obedient and most humble servant.

W. CATHCART.

Miss Peggy Shippen,
Philadelphia.

His face was working oddly, as if with mingled perplexity and pleasure;
and he caught his lip in his teeth, as his manner was. What was this
innocent note? Could it be so simple as it appeared? Vague possibilities
passed through his mind.

The longer he gazed at it the more simple it became, so that he was on
the point of folding it and replacing it in his pocket, sadly
disconcerted at its insignificance. He had hoped that he might have
stumbled across something of real value, not only