Charlevoix county herald., 1917-10-12


mistakable. ! laid II down.
II am sorry. your excellency. that
did not receive this in time" said
1T 10 not yet too late, sir. providing
can see my way to putting perfect
faith in you, captain. l had selected
you only after a secret and rigid ex.
animation Of : your character and
record. But"
He was interrupted by Knock on
the door and the entrance OF . very
giant OF q soldier. The man appeared
frightened as he clicked his heels and
ssluted.
Sergeant Kelly" said Washington.
giving him his immediate attention.
"Yis. sor." returned the Irishman,
his eyes rolling as he again saluted.
You will exactly describe the one
to whom you delivered the letter for
Captain Dresslsr last night"
The man appeared relieved. and wet
his lips with his tongue. 'Yis. sor.
He was dressed like any man not
s05sr. yer honor. an he had black eyes
an black hair He was a surly chap
wild bitin' way about him, an towld
me he was the captains man. sor; but
/ thought his hands bit white for
hard work. We had some words be-
chune us. an"
did he show his teeth|
Faith. he daren't show his teeth to
me. sor."
How tall was he!"
He was about the height an heft
o. this gentleman, sor. an"
',rhat viii be all, sergeant. Return
y quarters.
The man saluted and went out.
Washington turned to me. | exoner.
ate you, Captain Dressler. and relieve
you from arrest. The man you for.
'fanately caught Ia undoubtedly Brit.
ish spy. whom l will deal with later"
A weight rolled from me.
Draw up q chair, captain" said
Washington. reseating himself. Il
wish to have a confidential talk with
you. the nature OF which. il you di.
vulse, will cause you to be hanged
with sesnt ceremony II you are within
my reach"
IMAGE no reply. but wondered what
Was coming as ] took seat by the
table.
Captain Dressler." said Washing.
ton. drawing q folded paper from
drawer OF his desk and holding it un.
opened in his hand, 'the day before
yesterday. Sergeant John Champe. Of
To-
Cavalry. stationed at Paulus Hook. de.
serted to the British in New York, tax.
ing with him his orderly book"
"Yes. sir" interjected, my heart
beginning to quicken as ] thought
saw my errand.
"You are wrong" said Washington.
reading my mind. "He Is not to be
recaptured. He was prevailed upon
to desert by General Lee himself, and
at my suggestion, and he narrowly es.
capped through our lines with his life.
Can you guess the purpose?"
Il cannot" ! replied, thoroughly
puzzleet
ut Is for nothing less than the cap
ture OF the person of General Benedict
Arnold"
"The Traitor?" l exclaimed.
Precisely. He is in New York.
Sergeant Champe was given to under.
stand that he would at once receive
the assistance OF q competent man.
He is waiting for him. / have selected
you to be that man. / cannot order
you to go. but ask you to volunteer
for this errand of the greatest import.
Are you equal to taking the risk-to
all that the action may entail--to the
obliQuy of apparent desertion-to the
danger of entering the enemy's lines?"
my God!" exclaimed, ashast at
the prospect.
ut is well to think of Him." said
Washington soberly. Il know what ]
ask-that no greater danger can be
incurred; but I am prepared TO reward
success"
He opened the paper he held and
handed II to me. II was commission
in form from Congress, signed by It's
president. and was for the rank OF
colonel: but the name of the ohcer
was let blank. as was the place for
the signature of the commanding gen
eral st its foot.
II shall fill In your name and place
ny own at the bottom Of this paper. II
YOU are successful" he continued. IL
havesthe right, but It 10 all the reward
I eaJ offer. You will be furnished
with money for expenses. Think
quickly. sir: there is hardly an hour
to be lost"
I was not prepared to answer. Il
Il How shall know Sergeant
Champe?" I stammered.
"On your consent you shall have
the secret by which to identity your
self and him. You win have to find
Him. I believe he has plan for Ar,
nold's capture You are young man.
strong, self.reliant. and you have no
kin to mourn your loss II you are IN
fortunate. Your knowledge OF French
and German will assist you. Come,
sir. would have your answer before
saying more"
BY then my heart was fairiy rip
nIna. and seemed TO be looking into