Your most obedient humble servant,
GUSTAVUS.
Maj. John Anderson.
The descendant of the gallant revolutionary soldier trembled like a coward. The name of John Anderson and Gustavus were well-known to him as those assumed by Andre and Arnold in the great conspiracy. The hand-writing was, undoubtedly, Arnold's; he had letters in his own home written by the infamous general to Col. DePuyster, his great grandfather—letters written years before the treason—and the writing was identical.
"What—what will you take for this letter?" asked DePuyster.
"It will be sold at auction in two weeks' time," the clerk answered, politely.
"But I would like to purchase it before the sale."
"Sorry, sir, but its owner will sell only at public sale. The competition will cause it to bring a high price."
"Who is the owner?"
"I don't know."
"Can't you find out?"