The Germantown road was a favorite ride with them, and this day they stopped often to exclaim over the spaciousness of the landscape which the leafless trees admitted to their view. “Do you think that I will hear to-day, Peggy?” asked her cousin wistfully after one of these stops. “I know not, Harriet. John will let thee know as soon as he can, for he promised. I would not think so much anent it, if I were thee. What is the saying? ‘A watched pot never boils.’ Is not that it?” “I can’t help it, Peggy. If Clifford were not a prisoner I would not care so much. Just as soon as I find where he is I must try to secure his release. I know that Sir Henry Clinton would get him exchanged if I should ask it. I will write to him.” Instantly Peggy was troubled. She feared Harriet’s activities. The council of the state was alert and watchful, and would tolerate no communications of any sort with the enemy. In fact, several women, wives and relatives of Tories in New York and other points within the British lines, had recently been arrested for this very fault. So it was a very grave face the maiden turned to her cousin. “Harriet,” she said, “does thee remember the trouble that we got into at Middlebrook by trying to pass letters to Sir Henry? Thee must not try to pass any letters here.” “But this is different, Peggy,” protested the other girl eagerly. “I’m not going to do any spy work. I learned a lesson at that time that I shall never forget. You have my word, Peggy. I shall not break it. The only thing I should write would be but a line to ask for Clifford’s exchange. There could be no harm in that.” “If thee sends a letter of any sort, Harriet, thee must first take it to Mr. Joseph Reed, the president of the council. If he sees no objection to it then he will send it through for thee. If thee does not care to go to him, mother would attend to it for thee. ’Twould be best to leave the matter with her in any case. She would do everything that could be done.” “But the army is not here,” expostulated Harriet, who evidently had the matter strongly in mind. “I see no reason why I should submit my letter to Mr. Reed. There could be naught to report of war matters from Philadelphia. ’Tis not as it was at Middlebrook.” “Is it not?” queried Peggy. “Why, Harriet, the enemy want all knowledge that can be had of the movements of Congress. Philadelphia is the center of the government. Whatever transpires here is of great interest to Sir Henry. Therefore, the rules regarding letters are rigid. Thee must not attempt it, Harriet.” “Well, well, have it your own way,” returned Harriet lightly. “I think you make too much of such a small thing, Peggy, but the affair can be arranged when Clifford’s whereabouts become known. So we will say no more about it.”