Arnold got command of that post with all its dependencies; that is,
including everything from Peekskill to Kings Ferry. His instructions
were dated at Peekskill on the 3d of August, 1780. He went at once to
the Highlands and established his quarters at Colonel Robinson's
house.

"At this time Arnold had been in correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton
for eighteen months. Both wrote over fictitious names, and Clinton did
not know who his correspondent was; at least, for a great part of the
time he was ignorant of his name and character, the letters passing
through the hands of Major Andre. During the previous winter Arnold
had had some connection with a British spy--Lieutenant Hele--in
Philadelphia, where he had been sent with a pretended flag of truce in
a vessel afterward wrecked in the Delaware, when he--Hele--was made
prisoner by Congress."

"I think there was something known of Arnold's plot in England at that
time; was there not, captain?" asked Mr. Leland.

"Yes," replied Captain Raymond; "and great hopes were built upon it
long before it was to take place. Some of the officers who returned to
England in 1780 were often heard to declare that it was all over with
the rebels; that they were about to receive an irreparable blow the
news of which would soon arrive. But they had no more to say on the
subject after the account was received of the plot and the discovery
of the traitor. To resume: Arnold wrote his letters in a disguised
hand and ambiguous style, affixing to them the feigned signature of
'Gustavus.' Andre signed his 'John Anderson.'"

"He wasn't so bad a man as Arnold, was he, uncle?" asked Eric.

"I think not, by any means," replied Captain Raymond. "He was a fine
young man who enjoyed the unbounded confidence of Sir Henry Clinton.
He had been an aide-de-camp of the commander-in-chief, and was now
adjutant-general of the British Army.

"Before Arnold's trial by a court-martial Clinton had come to the
belief that he was his correspondent. That trial made him seem of less
value; but when he got command of West Point his traitorous advances
to his country's foes assumed increased importance. So their plans
were made. Clinton was to send a strong force up the Hudson at the
moment when the combined American and French forces should make an
expected movement against New York. That last was one of Washington's
plans which Arnold had revealed to the British general. It was
thought that West Point would be