well the need of a person of
influence, which thought urged me to ask such a statement from you."

He looked at him savagely.

"Do you think I'm a fool?"

"'The fool knows more in his own house than a wise man does in
another's.' I merely suggest, that is all."

"My answer is,--absolutely, No!"

There was silence.

"I know that Roman Catholic influence is beginning to reveal itself in
the army. Washington is well disposed toward them and they are good
soldiers. Time was when they were less conspicuous; but nowadays every
fool legislature is throwing public offices open to them and soon France
will exercise the same control over these states as she now wields
across the seas."

"Would you be in league with France?" asked Anderson with a wavering
tremor in his voice.

"God knows how I detest it! But I have sworn to defend the cause of my
country and I call this shattered limb to witness how well I have spent
myself in her behalf. I once entertained the hope that our efforts would
be crowned with success, nevertheless I must confess that the more
protracted grows the struggle, the more the conviction is forced upon me
that our cause is mistaken, if not entirely wrong, and destined to
perish miserably. Still, I shall not countenance open rebellion. I could
not."

"You will continue to advise me. I am little acquainted with the city,
you know, and it would be difficult for me to avoid dangerous risks."

Arnold thought for a minute, his features overcast by a scowl which
closed his eyes to the merest chinks.

"I shall do no more than I have already done. I cannot permit myself to
be entangled. There is too much at stake."

He was playing a dangerous game, inspirited by no genuine love for
country but by feelings of wounded pride. He was urged on, not through
any fears of personal safety but through misguided intimidations of a
foreign alliance; not because of any genuine desire to aid or abet the
cause of the enemy but to cast suspicion upon a certain unit within his
own ranks. To be deprived of active duty in the field was to his warm
and impulsive nature an ignominious calamity. To learn subsequently of
the appointment of Gates to the second in command, the one general whom
he despised and hated, was more than his irritable temperament could
stand. The American cause now appeared hopeless to him, nevertheless he
entertained no thought of deserting it. He had performed his duty in its
behalf, as his wounded