"No. A bedraggled loafer, gifted with more talk than occupation. He was acquainted with the whole scheme from beginning to end, and worked upon their feelings with evidences of treason. The sudden mention of my name in connection with the plot threw cold water on the whole business. They were on their feet in an instant." "You are quite popular," was the taunt. "Evidently. The pass inspired them. It would defeat any purpose, and Anderson must have sensed it and taken his hurried departure. No one has since heard or seen aught of him." "He was a fool to drag you into this, and you were as great a fool to allow it." "Margaret, don't chide me in that manner. I did what I thought best. But I'm through now with these cursed Catholics and with France." "You are a free man now," she murmured. "What do you mean?" "I mean that this court-martial relieves you of any further obligation to the colonies," was the answer. "But I may still be Second in command." She paused to regard him. Did he continue to cherish ambitions of this nature; or was he attempting to jest with her? "You seem to forget Gates and the Congress," she said with manifest derision. "No. In spite of them." She lost all patience. "Listen! Don't flatter yourself any longer. Your cause is hopeless, as hopeless as the cause for which the stupid colonists are contending. You are now free to put an end to this strife. Go over to the enemy and persuade Washington and the leaders of the revolt to discuss terms." "Impossible!" "What is impossible? Simply announce your defection; accept the terms of His Majesty's government; and invite Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton and Washington to meet you. There is the assurance of all save complete independence." "I shall wait." "For what? The court-martial will be against you from the start. Mark my words. You will be found guilty, if not actually, at least technically. They are determined upon revenge and they are going to have it. You saw the paper?" "I did." "You read the list of charges?" He did not answer. He had sunk into his chair and his hands were clasped before him. He was engaged in a detailed series of thought. "How many of them were artificial? Except for the first, that about the pass, none are worth the reading, and the first never can be proved. They have no evidence apart from the fanatical ravings of a drunken Catholic. But wait! You shall be adjudged guilty in the end. See if I am not correct." "I have the right to question the composition of the court!" "What matter! You know the people detest you. They have hated you from the moment you set foot in this city. Every issue of the paper found some new grievance against you. And when you married me the bomb was exploded. You yourself know that it was the mere fact of your participation in this scheme that quelled it. They loathe you, I tell you. They hate you."