Putnam patriot., 1925-04-10

matters ana give nm encouragement and respectful admiration that he did not receive elsewhere, not even from his suave and assiduous aide.
 Frequently. the Major General talk ed over his plans with his temporary ward and her superlatives of admira- ton for his military genius pleased him immensely. Probably, if he had observed the fidelity with which she set these plans down in cipher for transmission to the British, his pleas. ure would have waned somewhat.
 In addition to the reports which the girl transmitted to Corporal Hickey, she made clever sketches of the for tifications, painted these over in water color, with flowers or fruit, to conceal their outlines, and smuggled them out to her fellow spy.
 Brilliant Social Figure
 Thus, day after day, she, acted her role. She was brilliant newcomer in New York Society; a poor little motherless thing to the Putnams; an alluring, intoxicating companion to the aide-de-eamp, and the most valu- able spy in New York to the British
 
 land for the great concentration of troops which would smash the de- moralized rebels when their comman- der had been captured and hanged.
 Early in June, Margaret Moncrieffe informed her fellow conspirators that Washington was returning to New York to reassnme command Of it's de- lenses. Plans for his capture were ready.
 A strong force of Tories was to assemble at Corbie's inn, there to await the signal from Corporal Hiek- ey that Washington had retired for the night. The conspirators were then to rush the house, overpower all who resisted, drag the Command er-in-Chief from his bed and carry him to the river through that under ground route that the unhappy Seth Adams had already traversed. Wash. ington was to be taken aboard the Duchess of Gordon" tried and hang ed for treason as an example to those who had dared to rise against His Most Christian Majesty.
 Such was the plot laid down by Corbie, Matthews, Forbes and their associates. IL was endorsed by Try on and contributed to by the slender little mistress of the art of treachery in the Putnam household.
 Meantime. sn board the Duchess of Gordon" the unguarded conversa- tion of his captors had brought en- lightcnment to the imprisoned Seth Adams. Worry over the future of the cause to which he had pledged himself combined with starvation and suffering to wear him down. He be- came emaciated and the gyves that had clasped snugly over his we'll aeshed wrists grew looser daily. Al length he discovered that he could work his skinny hands free of his suackles. That night. he slipped through an open port and into the waters of the bay.
 The tide aided his weak swimming and carried him to the shore of Sta ten Island. What the skeptic calls Tuck" arranged that he should fall into the hands of friends there. They fed and clothed him and ferried him over to the Jersey mainland.
 Putnam Leaves Command
 Washington was back in his head quarters at Richmond Hill. Putnam had relinquished supreme command, probably with an inward feeling, of relief. The conspirators were ready to act. Hickey had informed them that that night would be a propitious time. There was a sparkle of excite ment in the dark eyes of Margaret Moncrieffe, when she appeared at breakfast that morning, which her guileless hosts took for innocent, girlish gayety.
 In his own quarters, Major Aaron Burr had arisen from ambitious dreams and was clothing his elegant person in the uniform that became him 60 we'll when his orderly ushered into the room. lean, pallid youth in ili-fitting clothes. Burr blinked twice before he recognized Seth Adams.
 He hailed the soldier as one re- turned from the dead and listened to the story Seth bsbbled with amaze- ment and incredulity.
 "It can't be true" he insisted. "There is honor among soldiers. Shy, General Putnam is acting as foster father to the daughter of one of His Majesty's officers even now"
 My Gawd, Major" Adams gasped, ''She ain't what you think she is. She's a spyw
 Burr laughed indulgentiy. Then. as Adams repeated snatchess of the conversations he had overheard on the man-of-war, the laugh died away. Against his viii, chili feeling of conviction erept over Aaron Burr.
 'It can't be-" he reiterated. but in his heart he began to believe that 1t was true.
 Aaron Burr Duped
 He, Aaron Burr, the soldier, the man of the world, who prided himself on his knowledge of war and of wo- men, had been duped. A sixteen year-old girl had betrayed his thick witted commander and-infnitely worse-had hoodwinked him, himself Secondarily. he may have considered the harm she had done the cause. But primarily, he thought of the po- sition in which she had placed him. They would tell this tale from one end of the country to another. He would be the laughing stock of the entire army There was only one thing to do if he were to save his face now--meet betrayal with be- trayal :. aGo to General Putnam's head quarters" he ordered Adams, "and wait for me there"
 He mounted his charger and trotted doxru the Hroad Way toward Put