The times., 1897-04-11

Here, SIR
why, are you here, baron?'' he added.
81 have an order to carry from Gen. Ar
mold to a post down the river" replied
Won Wadom.
/ saw he risked Col. Hamilton's ignor-
ance of Gen. Arnold's flight, and, indeed,
Hamilton at that moment did not know
that Gen. Arnold was not at West Point,
for he had left the chief on the road.
Il stopped here to inquire about Mrs.
Arnold" the baron continued.
Immediate Col Hamilton muttered,
looking ut the paper.
..De la Rcnne, / shall remember you,'
the baron said in a low tone.
lie went out, ana 4 heard ms horse beat
inc down the road Hamilton was read
ing, his face pale.
II wonder if l would better go to West
Point, he began, more to himself than to
me; but l ventured an answer.
His eXcellency will be here before you
can reach there. You may as well walt.
What do you know?'' he cried, looking
at me eagerly.
Much" p"
What that I don't?'
THAT there may be much in the plot.
But how do you know?'
81 can explain that only to his eX-
cellency,''I said decisively.
but the latter part of the plot viii not
be carried out, because l have frightened
the conspirators, | added.
should you have done it? Could they
not be trapped 0therwise?'
He was staring at me now his handsome
face declaring his agitation.
~ suppose you must know of what you
are talking. Whom can we trust?' he
added, wildly. The treachery was so I'M
expected that it shook mems faith In
nearest friend, and no one could tell Tor q
long time after how far it reached; main
tain even to this day its extent is un-
known.
leaned toward him.
You can trust me, Col Hamilton
"You may as well tell all that you know
as / represent his excellency,' he said,
looking at me keenly.
Il cannot; it must reach his excellency's
ear alone
He suddenly seemed to have resou-
ton: for he took quill, and scribbled a
hasty note:
Listen: this reads: Arrest Gen. AR
mold at all hazards. Hamilton for his ex-
cellepcy.' Spur down to yerplanck Point,
| Can't. de la Renne. He must have gone
| that way Then return here, and report
what you know to the general, whom L
will wait y
left him pacing impauently, and peer
| ing anxiously from the window, while l
| hasteped for my horse, which was stabbed.
| "nont wait, but take mine,' came his
voice from the raised window
| 49,, ,l.arr Ia rsAa
the one with which was familiar-all the
| surprising occurrences presented them
selves again did not dare-I tried not
| to think; and yet, despite all was think
| ing-of it all had declared against the
| conspirators shortly l was to tell all 1
knew to Gen. Washington; feltthis meant
| nothing less than lasting disgrace; perhaps
| even spys death, and yet am glad 10
| say personal consideration was not much
| then. That chiefly troubling was the
| thought of the money 1 owed De Vitry- L
had accepted his proposal of my own free
| will I had let him eXtricate me from the
bond OF debt, only to tie me with these
| far worse. / was resolved at once TO write
| him, declaring what L had done,
| though he probably would know
| from Won Wadom-s should Won wa
| dom get away-before L should be
| able to write that defiant letter in which
l would say / would pay him back, sou
for sou, though Heaven knew how. At that
moment his money jingled in my pocket.
Could l thwart the plot which had in IL
many did not know which had succeed
ed in gaining me, by powerful means, po-
sition near Washington? | only knew then
that the next for me to do was to tell his
excellency. I would leave 1t TO his wit
| tn disentangle the meshe and then 1 felt
easier for q moment. / did not regret
| at all what l was now doing. l thought
of what Louise Moncrieff had said, and
knew she was behind my present action.
| / did not spare Hamilton's horse, which
was near dead as / drew rein before
| the V er planck 2 Pointcommandant's squarters
He luckily knew me. for without WORD
| he read Hanlilbon's note and doubtless
knew that he would not have written il
not sure OF his authority.
"Gen Arnolds barge passed hall
hour ago. he cried
And why did you let it?'' l asked.
He displayed a white handkerchief.
supposed he was on official business. AnC
by this time he is on the Kings slooI
Vulture. which is only three miles dowl
stream he added
"He has escaped then?" said 1, NOR
to myself than to him.
what does this mean, Capt. de Ii
Renne?'
"obey Col Hamilton's order if you can,
/ said: "you viii know later. Now Civ
me fresh horse to carry my report
Presently ! was In the saddle, and {
| little way up the road ran on Col. Hamil
ton on my mount.
''wen?'' he said refining.
"He Is on the Vulture."
He bit his lips till they bled-
"In see for myself. Do you report t.
the general at the Robinson house.
And SO my explanation was nearer witt
every rod / covered But did not care
/ would out with 1t bluntly, and had M
other way.
The general was at dinner, the man toll
me at the door. l entered without cert
mony.
Its too late,' said, breathless
All looked up. The marquis was pale an
agitated Gen Knox uttered an oath. Blu
the general was unmoved; and not a vesig
| of agitation was on that calm face, ma
state here.
: "Oh, well, Capt de la Renne, will sc
| to your matter. We are dining here b
ourselves, the general being absent, an
D Mrs. Arnold in thought there lay pa'
, sion in Gen Arnold being absent
"Step into the room across the hall.
} will be there presently
1t was fully five minutes before he joine
e me. He closed the door, turning the Ike,
: "Well, he reached the Vulture?'