"Fiddle-de-dee!" said André, who stood in no awe of his big companion. "Don't try to pick a quarrel, man. I have no time for such frolics at present. Come, let us go and look at our arch of triumph. Do you know what old Von Falkenstein said when I told him about it? 'More arch than triumph,' he growled; and, faith, I think, between ourselves, the old man was right. It must be confessed we have not made a very brilliant campaign." Two or three days after the Mischianza had gone off in grand array, a messenger came to Caspar Reinhart as he was reading beside his forge in one of the intervals of his work. "You are to go to headquarters directly," said the messenger. "General Clinton has sent for you." Greatly wondering, Reinhart made himself tidy, put his book in his pocket, and presented himself in due time before General Clinton, who, with several officers about him, was examining a rough map of the shores of the Delaware below Philadelphia. Captain Burger was in attendance, and his eye met Reinhart's with a look which the latter did not understand. "Here is the man I mentioned to Your Excellency," said he. "Oh yes! Your name is—" "Caspar Reinhart, Your Excellency." "And I hear you speak English very well and are skilful at your trade?" "It is not for me to say, Your Excellency," answered Reinhart, with a beating heart. He had heard a rumour that he was to be transferred to the artillery—a change which would have been greatly to his liking. "Ah, well, you are just the man I want," said Sir Henry. "It is very desirable that we should know the state of things in West Jersey, and you are the very one to obtain information for us. We have reason to think that some forces are gathering there, and that there is a design for attacking the forts." The general proceeded to explain his plan. Reinhart was to be taken down to the fort below the city. Here he was to take a boat, slip away by night down the river, and land somewhere on the Jersey shore. From thence he was to proceed inland in the character of a smith seeking work, communicating cautiously with loyal inhabitants and gathering all the information possible. Again Caspar saw the glance of gratified malice in Burger's eyes, and he understood at once that he was caught in a trap from which there was no escape. His habit of silence served him in good stead; and though every vein and nerve was tingling, he simply saluted and said nothing. "You will come here at four o'clock to receive your final instructions and money," continued Sir Henry. "I shall furnish you with a pass to help you in your return, although you are not to use it except in case of utmost need. You must make your wit save your head, as the saying goes." "Or his neck, rather," said Burger, with a sneer. "I shall try to do so, Your Excellency," said Caspar, with the same gravity, thinking, at the same time, that the pass would most likely be unnecessary.