When Jeremy returned to the Wyndam home, he rushed up stairs to change into the full dress expected of the higher society of Philadelphia: a matching coat, waistcoat and breeches, stockings and shiny buckled shoes with a white lace cravat at his neck. When he returned downstairs, he found Harry in the parlor with two young ladies. Harry excitedly introduced Jeremy to the girls.
"These lovely ladies are friends of the family Jeremy. They have just stopped in to chat." Harry first introduced Jenny Dansfield and then her sister Emily. Jeremy was suspicious of Harry's motives but he tried to look interested.
Jeremy sat down next to Harry facing the two girls on the opposite sofa. Looking at the girls, Jeremy suddenly had an urge to laugh but he managed to squelch it. Both girls were dressed in the latest fashions with hoop skirts that took over the whole sofa in their seated positions. Their hair was mounded up such that it appeared to Jeremy that each girl and a small dog sitting on her head. The mounded hair was adorned with models of detailed ships in full sail highlighted by colorful British flags. Jeremy said, "What a lovely sight Harry."
Harry moved his eyes to look at Jeremy. When their eyes met, Jeremy knew that Harry wanted to laugh as well. They both sat with gentle smiles looking at the girls.
The girls talked fast. Jeremy could not keep up with them. They flitted from one topic to another like butterflies. He was lost in minutes and hoped they wouldn't ask him to remember anything they had said. Jenny and Emily managed to take turns with each other, without ever giving the young men an opportunity to speak. During one of Emily's one sided discourses she excitedly said all in one breath, "I just heard this morning from Mary Becken who heard from Peggy Shippen, and we all know Peggy has her ear to the keyhole of British activities, that General Howe has sent out invitations to all the important ladies of Philadelphia for a dinner and reception at which they will meet none other than…," she took a deep breath, "...the Marquis de Lafayette..."
On hearing this, Jeremy nearly jumped out of his skin. Jeremy held up a finger to stop the girl's rambling, and then he asked, "Miss Dansfield? How can that be if the Marquis is in the American encampment at Valley Forge? Surely this is just a prank, someone dressed up as the Marquis pretending to be hanged no doubt."
The girl took a deep breath and explained, "Peggy Shippen was told by Major John Andre, whom she is sweet on, that the British knew beforehand that Lafayette was going to be sent out with an advance force towards Philadelphia a couple of days ago. Apparently, they have spies at Valley Forge. Isn't that an intrigue?"
Jeremy smiled and said, "Oh yes, it certainly is."
Emily continued, "The British generals are going to capture him and make him the 'piece de resistance' of the festivities this week."
Jeremy smiled sweetly at the girl and tried to show no interest, but Harry's glee soon had the girls giggling. Jeremy couldn't bring himself to fake a happy response.
Harry said, "Think of it Jeremy, the Marquis de Lafayette in British hands. You see, this is the place to be this week."
Suddenly the war returned to this happy reunion like a lead brick. Jeremy knew he had to get this information to Henry or Isak immediately. Once the British troops began to move towards Lafayette, they would not be able to get through to him.
Jeremy waited until the girls left and then excused himself to visit the privy. When he got out of the house, he quickly made his way to the street and the Gray Fox Inn.
At the Inn, Jeremy saw Henry watching his approach from a third story window. Jeremy ran upstairs to find his room. He knocked. Henry opened the door and Jeremy rushed into the room shutting the door quickly behind him. Jeremy told Henry what the loose-tongued girl had said. Henry turned white, horrified by the news. Jeremy could see panic rising in his friend.
Henry said, "What are we do to Jeremy? What can we do at this point? The general is doomed!"
Jeremy grabbed Henry by both arms and replied calmly, "Henry just because they know Lafayette is coming doesn't mean they know where Lafayette is." Jeremy released Henry. "Where is Isak?"
Henry replied, "He is purchasing supplies and seeing what he can do to steal some of the fireworks stored on the dock."
Jeremy suddenly looked aggravated with Henry. "Fireworks! What the hell is that about Henry?"
Henry looked sheepishly at Jeremy. "They are huge Jeremy. I thought we might use them on a mission at some point."
"So you risk this mission to steal them?"
"Jeremy, before you brought this news, our assignment was to loiter in Philadelphia listening to the gossip. It has only become critical now."
Jeremy took a deep breath and sighed deeply trying not to be upset with his friend. "Right…it is possible that Lafayette already knows that his mission is known to the British.
"I think he would have said so if that was the case so that we would not mistake it for news. If Howe actually did send out invitations to meet Lafayette he must be very sure…."
"Perhaps you and Isak should go to Lafayette with the wagon and not return tonight. He may be able to use you more effectively than I. Wait for Isak to return, and then leave by different roads again as we did this morning. Be very careful to avoid being followed. It is likely that the British don't know the exact whereabouts of Lafayette. We don't want to take them to him."
"All of the British generals will be at the party tonight, right? That probably means they aren't planning immediate action."
"Let's hope that is the case Henry."
Jeremy left Henry and returned to his friend's house just as guests were beginning to arrive.