uired advice. At a late hour, after taking affectionate leaves, the
families parted. Peggy and her husband now abandoned themselves to their
destiny--to glorious triumph or to utter ruin.

They closed the door upon their kinsfolk and faced the situation.
Westminster Abbey or the gallows loomed before them.

IV

Late that same evening, alone before his desk, General Arnold penned the
following ambiguous letter to John Anderson. West Point it was. That was
settled. Still it was necessary that General Clinton be appraised
immediately of the change of command together with some inkling of the
military value of the new post. The business was such that he dared not
employ his true name; and so he assumed a title, referring to himself
throughout the note in the third person. The meaning of the message, he
knew, would be readily interpreted.

Sir:--On the 24th of last month I received a note from you without date,
in answer to mine; also a letter from your house in answer to mine, with
a note from B. of the 30th of June, with an extract of a letter from Mr.
J. Osborn. I have paid particular attention to the contents of the
several letters. Had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer
sooner. A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.
I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you an
interview with Mr. M--e, when you will be able to settle your commercial
plan, I hope, in a manner agreeable to all parties. Mr. M--e assures me
that he is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means
unreasonable, and makes no doubt, that, when he has a conference with
you, you will close with it. He expects when you meet you will be fully
authorized from your House and that the risks and profits of the
co-partnership may be fully and clearly understood.

A speculation might at this time be easily made to some advantage with
ready money, but there is not the quantity of goods at market which your
partner seems to suppose, and the number of speculators below, I think,
will be against your making an immediate purchase. I apprehend goods
will be in greater plenty and much cheaper in the course of the season;
both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this juncture. Some
quantities are expected in this part of the country soon.

Mr. M--e flatters himself that in the course of ten days he will have
the pleasure of seeing you. He requests me to advise you that he has
ordered a dr