d have been done in a manner
consistent with his public duty. The only way to accomplish that was
by exchanging him for Arnold, and holding the latter responsible for
the acts of his victim. A formal proposition of the kind would not
answer,--Washington could not make, nor Clinton accept it,--but a plan
to attempt such an arrangement was decided upon. A trusty officer of
the New Jersey line, Captain Aaron Ogden, was given a packet of papers
by Washington containing an official account of Andre's trial, the
decision of the board of inquiry, and Andre's letter to his general.
Ogden was told to choose his escort of men known for their fidelity,
then go to Lafayette for further instructions.

"Lafayette was in command of the light infantry and stationed nearest
to the British. He instructed Ogden to travel so slowly that he would
not reach Paulus Hotel till near night, and he would be invited to
stay there till morning. He was then to get into talk with the
commandant of the post about this affair of Andre, and suggest that it
would be well to exchange him for Arnold if it could be done.

"It all occurred just as planned: the commandant received Ogden
courteously, sent the package across the river, invited him to stay
all night, and in the course of conversation Andre's case was
introduced.

"'Is there no way to spare his life?' asked the commandant.

"'If Sir Henry Clinton would give up Arnold, Andre might be saved,'
replied Ogden. 'I have no assurance to that effect from General
Washington, but I have reason to know that such an arrangement might
be effected.'

"'On hearing that the commandant left the company immediately,
crossed the river, and had an interview with Sir Henry Clinton. It
availed nothing, however. Sir Henry at once refused compliance; honor,
he said, would not allow the surrender of Arnold--a man who had
deserted from the Americans and openly espoused the cause of the king.

"When Ogden mustered his men at dawn the next morning a sergeant was
missing. He had deserted to the enemy during the night. There was no
time to search for him, and they returned to Tappan without him."

"Did he go over to the British, papa? Oh, what a naughty man!" cried
Ned.

"That was what his fellow-soldiers thought," returned the captain with
a smile. "But he was really obeying Washington, who wanted him to
obtain in that way some very important information. A paper had been
intercepted in which was the name of General