Officers from Philadelphia, with messages for his excellency," replied the foremost.

"Don't you recognize me, my man ?" "Why, it's Lieutenant Talbot! Pass in, sir, and these other gentlemen with you," answered the soldier, saluting.

"It's glad the general will be to see you." Without further preliminaries the young man opened the door and entered, followed by his three companions.

A cheerful fire of logs was blazing and crackling in the wide fireplace in the long low room.

On the table before it stood a great bowl of steaming punch, and several officers were sitting or standing about the room in various positions.
The uniforms of all save that of one of them were scarcely less worn and faded, if not quite so tattered, than were those of the escort; the same grim enemies had left the same grim marks upon them as upon the soldiers.