"And pray what was your business, Master Jonathan Elmer, if I may make so bold as to inquire," said André, somewhat suspiciously; "and how did you come hither without a pass?" "My business here is to look after a debtor who I have reason to think means to run away," answered Jonathan, with the same calmness. "As to my pass, I have shown it to thy commanding officer, and will do the same for thee if thou wilt, taking the freedom at the same time to observe that the fire is wasting and this friend who has thy work in charge is growing impatient." "And that is true," said Major André. "Go about your work, and you shall be well paid, both of you." The two smiths went to work with a will, and Caspar found his new acquaintance an intelligent assistant, though he talked as much as he worked and asked a great many questions—so many that Caspar's suspicions began to be aroused. "What does thee mean to do when this war is over?" asked Jonathan Elmer as the two together were fixing in its place a bit of iron railing. "Go home to my family, if they will let me," answered Caspar, shortly. "I have heard that many of the Hessians did not come of their own accord?" "Very few of them did.—Take care; that beam is loose." "And I have heard that a great many of them have deserted. Is that true?" "So they say." "And is it true that there is talk of evacuating Philadelphia?" "You ask too many questions, comrade," said Caspar, but not unkindly, for something in the young man's manner drew him toward the stranger in spite of himself. "You will be in trouble if any one hears you." "Thank thee for the caution," said Elmer. "It is indeed not wise to give way to unrestrained curiosity, and for my wife's sake as well as my own, I should not like to get into trouble." "Then you have a wife?" asked Caspar. "Yes, indeed—as fair and good as lives—and three promising children, though I say it that shouldn't. And you—There! I beg your pardon," said Jonathan Elmer. "I see I have touched a sore spot. Pray forgive me." "There needs no forgiveness," answered Caspar, choking down his emotion. "I left a wife and four children at home without even a leave-taking." "You did not desert them, surely?" "Heaven forbid! but I was carried away without the chance of speaking a word to my family.—Is that firm, think you? I am not sure of it." "As firm as it can be made with the stupid work of these British carpenters. 'Tis a wonder if the whole is not down when any weight comes on it. Take care!" As he spoke, the whole ornamental work of the screen on which they were engaged cracked and fell with a tremendous crash. A large beam fell just where Caspar had been standing, and but for his companion's quick sight and sudden action in drawing him away would have crushed him to the earth. Some of the light lattice-work grazed his cheek as it was. "You have saved my life," said Caspar as soon as he could speak for the lime-dust which filled his mouth and eyes. "But what—"