"Not so; it is never too late for a great nation to rectify a wrong done to even the humblest of its subjects, let alone a man of such undoubted courage and rectitude as Gen. Arnold." "I am not a general, but only a captain--in this adventure only a private." "You should be a general. If the king knew you as well as I have learned to do in these few hours, you most likely would have the control of the army in the colonies." "But the king will never have an opportunity to know me." "Why not?" "Only success can make me known to the king." "Or failure; and then it would be too late." "You see how impossible it would be for the king to know me." "If I speak confidentially will you treat it as sacred to you alone?" "Certainly." "Pledge me your honor that you will never divulge what I am going to say." "I am a soldier and a gentleman. My word is enough." "Then I will accept your word. If I were free I could gain the ear of the king's advisers." "But you are not free yet, and it may be some time before an exchange can be made." "Exchange! Do you not know that there will be no exchange possible? If any of the rebels fall into the hands of the English they will be shot or hanged at once." "In that case you would stand a poor showing." "How so?" "Because the first man taken by your side and hanged would lead us to hang an equal number of your men, and officers would have the first piece of rope." Delaplace had not expected to hear such strong sentiments from Arnold, but he laughed and said that a soldier dealing with rebels knew that he took great risks, and that he must be prepared for them. "But," he added, in a whisper, "if I could slip out of this fort and gain the English lines----" "But you cannot slip out." "If you were to help me I would guarantee that you would be a general of the English army in less than forty-eight hours, and, once gain that position, there is no limit to your success." Arnold listened. It was wrong of him to do so. There was a temporary hesitation, but in a few seconds of time that passed. "Captain, you have dishonored yourself by suggesting treason, and I have dishonored myself in listening. Know this: I have given my allegiance to the cause of the Provincials, and I will rise or fall with them." "Be it so. I shall live to see you hanged as a rebel." Arnold bowed very low in acknowledgment of the kindly expression of opinion. "Thank you, Capt. Delaplace. I have no wish to see you hanged, but should the English hang even a private in our ranks, I should have no hesitation in hanging you with my own hands." Questionable sentiments on both sides, but Arnold felt strongly at that time, and expressed himself as he thought. He left the room and called the sergeant on guard. "Double your guard. If Capt. Delaplace escapes I shall hold you responsible, and your neck will feel the effects of a tightened noose."