“I lock hit wid a padlock,” declared Tom. “Dey wuz both fasten’d, Marster Dale. ‘Clare ter goodness dey wuz! I did it my own sef. I fastens de inside doah on de inside, an’ de outside one on de outside. De front one wuz locked dis mo’nin’, but de back one wuz wide open.” “Then some one must have been hiding inside,” declared Robert. “I will take a look through the barn.” With Sally’s arm about her, Peggy and her friend followed the youth to the stables. The lad mounted the ladder that led to the mow, and presently called down excitedly: “There hath been some one here of a truth. Here is a place where he hath lain concealed in the straw, and the remnants of food that hath been eaten. ’Tis all as plain as day!” “But Star?” questioned Peggy with quivering lips as Robert descended the ladder and stood once more beside them. “We’ll do everything we can to find her, Peggy,” answered the boy as cheerfully as he could. “Now let us tell the others. They will be wondering what the matter is.” “Oh, Peggy, what will you do for a horse to go with us?” cried Betty Williams as the party of young people heard the news. “She may take mine,” suggested Robert. “I will stay here to see what can be done about Star.” “That is good of thee,” said Peggy, wiping her eyes. “Do thou, Sally, and all the others go on as planned. If Robert will stay to do whatever can be done there is no need of any one else. ’Twould be mean to spoil thy pleasuring just for my sake.” And so, despite their protests the young people were sent on, and Robert turned to Peggy. “Weep no more,” he entreated, “but give me your aid in writing an advertisement. This we will put in ‘The Packet,’ as that paper will appear before ‘The Gazette,’ and that may bring some result. That will be the best thing to do, will it not, Madam Owen?” “I think so, Robert. And offer a reward also. It may meet the eye of the person who took the mare and induce him to return her. I like not to think of any taking her, though. Philadelphia is changed indeed.” “It is, madam. Naught is safe though General Arnold strives to enforce strict military rule. War doth indeed cause sad havoc with the morals of people. How much shall the reward be?” “One hundred dollars,” answered the lady, after a moment’s calculation. “What a help thou art.” “’Tis a pleasure,” returned he gallantly. “Beside, is not your husband in the field while we who dally here have naught to do? ’Tis good to have something beside pleasuring to divert the mind. And the advertisement? ’Tis highly fashionable to have it writ in verse. I like it not, but anything in the mode commands more attention. If you will help me, Peggy, perhaps I can compass it, though straight prose is more to my liking.” So, drying her eyes, Peggy brought forth inkhorn and quills, and the two evolved the following advertisement, which followed the fashion of the day: ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD!