,
and in the postscript he added, 'I expect General Washington to lodge
here on Sunday next, and I will lay before him any matter you may wish
to communicate.' It was an ingenious and safe way of informing the
enemy just when the commander-in-chief would return from Hartford."

"That looked as though he wanted to put Washington in peril," said
Lucilla.

"I think it did," said her father. "That letter was sent to Sir Henry
Clinton, and the next morning Andre went to Dobbs Ferry. Clinton had
given him positive instructions not to change his dress, not to go
into the American lines, not to receive papers, or in any other way
act the character of a spy.

"It was expected that Arnold would visit the _Vulture_ and there hold
his interview with Andre. But Arnold had arranged a plan which would
be safer for himself, though a greater risk for Andre.

"About two miles below Stony Point lived a man named Joshua Hett
Smith, who had been employed by General Robert Howe, when in command
of West Point, to procure intelligence from New York. Which--as Howe
was a loyal American officer--would seem to be good reason for
supposing that Smith was esteemed a patriotic citizen. Lossing tells
us that Smith occupied a respectable station in society, and could
command more valuable aid in the business in question than any other
person. Arnold went to him and told him he wanted his services in
bringing within the American lines a person of consequence with
valuable intelligence from New York. It would seem that Arnold had
resolved not to adventure himself on the British ship, but to have
Andre take the risk of coming on shore that they might hold their
contemplated interview. Arnold seems to have expected it to prove a
protracted interview, and arranged with Smith to have it take place
partly in his house. Therefore Smith took his family to Fishkill to
visit friends, and on his return trip stopped at the Robinson house
and with Arnold arranged the plan for getting Andre on shore for the
desired interview.

"Arnold gave Smith the usual pass for a flag of truce, and an order on
Major Kierse at Stony Point to furnish him with a boat whenever he
should want one, and he directed Smith to go to the _Vulture_ the next
night and bring ashore the person who was expected to be there.

"Smith did not succeed in getting such assistance as he needed in
boatmen, so failed to visit the _Vulture_ at the appointed time. He
sent a messenger to Arnold with