CHAPTER X
I
A fortnight later there came to the Allison home a messenger fromStephen in the person of Sergeant Griffin. He appeared at the doorwayjust as the shroud of eventide was being enfolded about the landscape,changing its hues of green and gray to the more somber ones of blue orpurple; just at the time when the indoor view of things is about to bemade apparent only by the artificial beams of the tallow and dip.
"Hail!" he said; "I have business with Matthew Allison."
"From Stephen?" Marjorie asked with evident interest.
He shook his head.
"The trial----"
"Oh!" exclaimed Marjorie. Plainly she was relieved at the nature of themessage. Then she turned.
"Father!" she called.
"I am coming directly," cried Mr. Allison from the rear.
She had clear forgotten to invite the sergeant into the room, soabsorbed was she in the nature of the business at hand. Expectancybreeds cowardice. When great issues are at stake every act wears anawful meaning. For this reason she stood transfixed at the threshold,before this unexpected arrival, whom she associated with the image ofStephen. With the sudden and delightful lessening of her anxiety,however, she bethought herself.
"Won't you come in? It was stupid of me not to have asked you before."
The sergeant acted promptly. Marjorie followed at a little distance, buthad no sooner entered the room herself than her father came through theother door.
"What news? Arnold?"
"Found guilty," was the response.
"The court-martial has come to an end?" asked the girl.
"Yes, Miss. And he has been found guilty," he repeated.
"I thought so," muttered Mr. Allison.
They were seated now in the parlor, the two men at opposite ends of thetable, the girl at the side of the room.
"They met at Morristown?" asked Mr. Allison.
"Yes. At Norris' Tavern. Major-General Howe was chairman of the court.Only four charges were pressed for trial: the matter of the pass; theaffair of the wagons; the shops; and the imposition upon the militia."
"And Arnold?"
"He managed his own trial, and conducted his own cross-examination. Hemade an imposing spectacle as he limped before the court. The swordknots of Washington were about his waist and he took pains to allude tothem several times during the defense. It was astonishing to hear hisremarkable flow of language and his display of knowledge of militarylaw. He created a wonderful impression."
"He was found guilty, you say?" interposed Mr. Allison.
"Technically guilty of one charge and imprudent in another," was thedeliberate reply.
"And sentenced?"
"To receive a reprimand from the Commander-in-chief."
Mr. Allison assented by a move of his head.
"How did he take it?" he then asked. "I cannot imagine his proud natureto yield readily to rebuke."
The visitor thought for a moment.
"His face was ashen pale; there was a haggard look upon it; the eyeswere marked with deep circles and his step faltered as he turned on hisheel and, without a word, made his way from the court room."
"Were you present at the trial?" Marjorie inquired.
"Yes, Miss Allison."
"Was Stephen?"
"No." The sergeant answered mildly, smiling as he did so.
Marjorie smiled, too.
"Tell me," Mr. Allison asked. "Was the evidence conclusive?"
"The _Isis_ occupied the court to some length. It was contended thatGeneral Arnold had issued the pass with evil intent. The affair of theregiment was referred to in connection with this, but no great stresswas brought to bear upon it because of the fear of arousing a possibleprejudice in the minds of the court. That fact was introduced solely asa motive."
Allison shook his head again.
"It was proved," the sergeant continued, "that the _Isis_ was aPhiladelphia schooner, manned by Philadelphia men, and engaged in thecoastwise trade. The pass itself was introduced as an exhibit, tosupport the contention that the General, while Military Governor, hadgiven military permission for the vessel to leave the harbor ofPhiladelphia for the port of New York, then in possession of the enemy."
"That was proved?"
"Yes, sir."
"Was the Regiment alluded to?"
"Yes. But at no great length."
"And the pass?"
"It was there. The Regiment was the motive for the pass. The affair ofthe recruiting was scarcely mentioned."
There was an abrupt silence.
"What was the next charge?" Mr. Allison asked.
"That of the wagons."
"Yes."
"The prosecution made a strong point. Jesse Jordan was introduced.Testimony was given by him to the effect that he himself had drawn backa train of twelve wagons loaded with stores from Egg Harbor."
"Where?"
"Egg Harbor. Where the traffic between the British Army and the Toriesof the city was carried on."
"Was this sustained?"
"The General denied most of the accusation, but he was found imprudentin his actions. In regard to the other two charges, that of the shopsand that of the militia, absolute acquittal was decided. The verdict wasannounced the following morning and the sentence was publishedimmediately after adjournment."
"He was sentenced to be reprimanded, you tell me?"
"Yes. By General Washington."
"That will break Arnold's heart. He will never endure it."
"Others were obliged to endure it," sounded a soft voice.
"Yes, I know," replied the father of the girl. "But you do not knowGeneral Arnold. Undoubtedly the city has the news."
"Yes," said the sergeant. "I have told several. All know it ere this."
II
And what subject could possibly afford more of concern or consequence tothe city folk than the court-martial of General Arnold! Those of theupper class, because of their intimate association with the man; thoseof the middle class, interested more or less in the great significanceattached to the event itself and the influence it would exert upon thefuture; those of the lower class because of their supreme contempt forthe erstwhile Military Governor and the biased manner of hisadministration, all, without exception, found themselves manifesting anuncommon interest in the progress and the issue of the trial.
It was commonly known that General Arnold had requested a court-martial;but it was not so commonly understood that the matter of his guilt,especially his collusion with the Catholic Regiment and the matter ofits transportation, was so intricate or profound. Stephen's speech atthe meeting house had given the public the first inkling of theGovernor's complicity in the affair; still this offense had beencondoned by the many, as usually happens with the crimes of great menwho occupy stations of honor, whose misdemeanors are often enshroudedand borne away into oblivion beneath the veil of expediency and interestof the common weal. A court-martial would indeed take place; but itsverdict would be one of absolute acquittal.
To hold court at some neutral post was just. No charge of unfairnesscould then be lodged. Nor could the personnel of the court be regardedas hostile to the accused, for the latter had already raised anobjection to its composition which had been sustained and heeded. Thecharges were dealt with fairly, only four of the eight counts in theoriginal indictment being allowed to come within the jurisdiction of amilitary tribunal. Even the General was permitted to conduct his owntrial and every courtesy and attention was granted him.
Only two charges bore any evidence of guilt. The pass was issued withdeliberate intent. That was proved by the testimony of several witnessesas well as by the introduction of the pass itself. Arnold defendedhimself on the ground that there were no authorities in the city of NewYork to be offended by the entrance of the vessel, and also the factthat since the Commander-in-chief had lodged no complaint over thealleged offense to his dignity, it was logical to infer that HisExcellency took no offense at the order. In regard to the charge
ofmisuse of the government wagons, it was revealed that traffic had beencarried on between Egg Harbor and the city of Philadelphia, and thatfull loads had been delivered to several private families of the city.Arnold denied any knowledge of the destination of these wagons, althoughhe was aware that they were being used.
His defense, it was learned, consisted of a long plea, in which herehearsed in detail the leading events of his life. He was fond ofalluding to his past and entertained no diffidence whatsoever in regardto his own abilities. He hoped thereby to impress the court and tointimidate them.
The charges he denounced as false, malicious, and scandalous, inspiredsolely by motives of animosity and revenge. He was not accustomed tocarry on a warfare with women, he told the court, nor did he ever baskin the sunshine of any one's favor. Honorable acquittal of all thecharges brought against him was pleasantly expected by him and he lookedforward to the day when he might share again with his fellow-soldiersthe glory and the dangers of the war.
But he was not acquitted, and the verdict of the court came no less as asurprise to the people of the city and of the nation than to the Generalhimself. The following morning they met to pronounce the verdict andthey found that on the first charge Major General Arnold had exceededhis rights in giving permission for a vessel to leave port without theknowledge of the City Authorities or of the Commander-in-chief; and assuch he was found to have violated technically Article Five, SectionEighteen of the American Articles of War. The second and third chargeswere dismissed, but he was found to have been imprudent in his temporaryuse of the wagons. Because of his guilt on these two counts he wassentenced to receive a reprimand from His Excellency, theCommander-in-chief.
He left the court room without a word.
III
"It is precisely what I fear most," Mr. Allison said. "If he curriedless the favor of the public, little or naught would come of it, and thereprimand would end the case. But you know Arnold is a conceited man;one who carries his head high. Better to deprive him of life itself thanto apply vinegar and gall to his parched lips."
"His return will be hard," Sergeant Griffin observed. He, too, knew thecharacter of the man.
"I doubt if he will return. He has resigned, you know, and may dislikethe sight of the city which witnessed his misfortune. Still this is hishome and a man's heart is in his home regardless of its environment."
"Do not forget Peggy," Marjorie reminded them. "I know she will neverconsent to live in the city. I know it. Dear me! The shame of it allwould confuse her."
"She might become accustomed to it," replied her father. "All schoolthemselves to the mutations of life."
"Not Peggy. I know her. She will not forgive. Why, I recall quitevividly the violence of her temper and the terror of her wrath. Her ownaunt, with whom she was staying for a brief space, took occasion toreprove her for a slight indiscretion. Peggy resented the correctionfiercely, and leaving the house at once vowed she never would set footinto it again. That was seven years ago. She has, to my knowledge, neverviolated that pledge."
Her father shook his head.
"I see it all quite clearly," continued Marjorie. "The General willresent the wrong; Peggy will nurture a fierce indignation. Whateverthoughts of revenge will come to his mind she will ably promote. Have acare to her; her wrath will know no mitigation."
"He never expected the verdict," the sergeant remarked.
"How did he appear?" asked Mr. Allison.
"Splendid. As he entered the court he laughed and jested with severalofficers with all the self-possession of one of the eye-witnesses.Flashes of the old-time energy and courage were manifest at intervals.There was jubilation displayed on his every feature."
"He was jocose, you say?"
"Extremely so."
"Was this before the trial?"
"Yes. As he entered the Tavern."
"Was Peggy with him?"
"No, indeed. It was not permissible for her to enter. She awaited himoutside."
"And yet he maintained his composure throughout."
"He seemed to take delight in relating the resolutions of Congress, itsthanks, its gifts, for the many campaigns and the brilliant servicesrendered his country. His promotions, his horse, his sword, his epauletsand sword-knots, all were recounted and recited enthusiastically."
Mr. Allison looked at Marjorie and smiled.
"Only once did he lose his self-possession. Near the end of his plea heforgot himself and called his accusers a lot of 'women.' This produced asmile throughout the court room; then he regained his composure."
He paused.
"That was all?" asked Mr. Allison.
"I think so. The court adjourned for the day. On the following morningthe verdict was announced. I came here direct."
When he had finished he sat quite still. It was approaching a late hourand he saw that he had overstayed his leave. Still the gravity of theoccasion required it.
It was these thoughts regarding the future, far more than any greatpoignancy of grief respecting General Arnold and his present misfortune,that affected this small group. It seemed to them that the events whichhad of late happened were not without grave and serious consequence.General Arnold was a man of prominence and renown. To lead such a figureto the bar of justice and to examine and determine there in a definitemanner his guilt before the whole world was a solemn piece of business.It meant that the new republic was fearless in its denunciation ofwrong; that it was intent upon the exercise of those precepts of justiceand equity which were written into the bill of rights, the violation ofwhich by a foreign power had constituted originally a set of truegrievances; and that it was actuated by a solemn resolution never topermit within its own borders the commission of any of those wrongswhich it had staked its life and consecrated its purpose as a nation todestroy. General Arnold was a big man, generous in service to hiscountry, honored as one of its foremost sons, but he was no bigger thanthe institution he was helping to rear. The chastisement inflicted uponhim was a reflection upon the state; but it also was a medication forits own internal disorders.
The fact that the ruling powers of the city were bitterly opposed to theMilitary Governor was not wholly indicative of the pulse of the people.General Arnold was ever regarded with the highest esteem by the membersof the army. A successful leader, a brave soldier, a genial comrade, hewas easily the most beloved general after General Washington. With thecitizen body of Philadelphia he was on fairly good terms,--popularduring the early days of his administration, although somewhat offensiveof late because of his indiscretion and impetuosity. Still he was notwithout his following, and whereas he had made himself odious to a greatnumber of people by his manner of life and of command, there were agreater number of people who were ready to condone his faults out ofregard for his brilliant services in the past.
His enemies gloated over his misfortune. Everybody believed that, and itwas commonly understood that General Arnold believed it, too. But wouldhe overcome his enemies by retrieving the past and put to shame theirvulgar enthusiasm by rising to heights of newer and greater glory? Orwould he yield to the more natural propensities of retaliation ordespair? A man is no greater than the least of his virtues; but he whohas acquired self-control has founded a virtuous inheritance.
With thoughts of this nature were the trio occupied. For several minutesno one spoke. Mr. Allison leaned against the table, his right armextended along its side, playing with a bodkin that lay within reach;the sergeant sat in silence, watching the face of his entertainer; whileMarjorie lolled in her great chair, her eyes downcast, heavy, like twogreat weights. At length Sergeant Griffin made as if to go. Marjoriearose at once to bid him adieu.
"You said you came direct?" she reminded him.
"Yes, Miss Allison."
"You saw----" she hesitated, but quickly added, "Captain Meagher?"
She would have said "Stephen" but bethought herself.
"No, Miss. Not since the trial."
"He was not present?"
"No.
He is with His Excellency. Several days ago I saw him and he bademe come here with the report of the finding."
"That was all?"
"Yes, Miss."
"Thank you. We can never repay your kindness."
"Its performance was my greatest delight."
"Thank you. Good night!"
She withdrew into the hall.
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