one, having been forced to surrender with his entire army
at Charleston only six weeks before. Green was engaged with the army in
the Carolinas; Gates was a coward; Lee, a traitor. In the important
operations which were soon to take place with the main army in the
vicinity of New York, Arnold was the leader best qualified for the task.
Washington took extreme delight in appointing him to the command of the
Right Wing of his own army and the Second in Command of the Continental
forces.

It was with genuine reluctance that he consented to listen to the
strange story as unfolded by his aide-de-camp, Captain Meagher. That
General Arnold should openly countenance rebellion was preposterous; to
become a party to it was incredible. Yet the veracity of his aide was
unquestionable, and the wealth of evidence which he had presented left
little room for doubt. Still Washington's faith was unshaken. He felt
assured that his favorite General would redeem himself when the proper
time came. And every encouragement for this redemption would be afforded
him.

West Point was open. He would recall the order appointing him to the
command of the army and make him commander of the fortification there.
The exigencies of the times required a man of rare ability and genius at
this post. Should there prove to be a shadow of truth in the allegations
of his aide, the change of command would simplify the situation from
whatever viewpoint it might be regarded. The country might be preserved,
and Arnold's ambition at the same time given another opportunity.

Stephen ruminated over these events as he rode leisurely along. A
genuine satisfaction was derived from the knowledge that his chief's
confidence in him was still unshaken. He felt that he had effected a
change of post for the man whom, above all other men, Washington most
admired and respected; nevertheless he felt that at the same time he was
only executing a service which would ultimately prove to be of
incalculable value to the army and the nation. Arnold troubled him, but
in command of a fortress he would occasion infinitely less worry and
apprehension than in a responsible position in the field.

Marjorie delighted him. At Morristown he had found her letter; and his
plans for the immediate present underwent a decided alteration. He had
been ordered to make the journey to Hartford in attendance upon General
Washington, who had already completed arrangements with Count Rochambeau
and Admi