Their suspicions aroused, they ran outside.  A messenger, with a despatch from Colonel Jameson, awaited Washington’s arrival.  Hamilton tore open the paper.  It contained the news that a British spy had been captured within the lines.  In an instant Hamilton and M’Henry were on their horses and off in pursuit of the fugitive.  That Arnold was a traitor and had fled to the British war-ship, Vulture, hovering in Haverstraw Bay, a slower wit than Hamilton’s would have assumed.  The terrified scoundrel was too quick for them.  He had ridden over a precipice to the shore below, and under protection of a flag of truce was far down the river when his pursuers sighted him.  They returned with all speed.

I shall not repeat the oft-told tale of Andre’s capture, trial, and death.  Nowhere has it been so well told as by Hamilton himself, in a letter to Laurens, printed at the time and universally read.  It is only necessary here to allude to his share in that unhappiest episode of the war.  When Washington reached the house his aide was engaged in consoling Mrs. Arnold, who was shrieking and raving, weeping and fainting; imposing on Hamilton a task varied and puzzling, even to one of his schooling.  But she was very young, very charming, and in a tragic plight.  Washington himself wiped away a tear, and for a moment forgot the barely averted consequences of her husband’s treason, while he assisted Hamilton in assuaging a grief so bitter and so appealing.  As soon as was possible he sent her through the British lines.

But Hamilton quickly forgot Mrs. Arnold in his sympathy and admiration for the unfortunate Andre.  He conceived a quick and poignant friendship for the brilliant accomplished young Englishman, with the dreamy soft face of a girl, and a mettle which had brought him to destruction.  Hamilton did all he could to save him, short of suggesting to Andre to ask Sir Henry Clinton to offer Arnold in exchange.  He enlisted the sympathy of the officers at West Point in the prisoner’s behalf, gave up his leisure to diverting Andre’s mind, and persuaded Washington to delay the execution and send an indirect suggestion to Clinton to offer the exchange himself.  When all hope was over, he personally begged Washington to heed Andre’s request for a soldier’s death, and not condemn such a man to the gibbet.  Washington gladly would have saved his interesting prisoner’s life, and felt deeply for him, but again those motives of policy prevailed, and Andre was executed like a common malefactor.

VIII

Washington was in temporary quarters—­a cramped and wretched tavern—­at Liberty Pole, New Jersey.  The inaction being oppressive, Hamilton concentrated his thoughts on the condition and needs of the country.