Summary

Chapter 41 is titled “Papers of a Dangerous Tendency” and is dated September 23-September 25, 1780. Andre was very near the British territory when he passed Tarrytown where Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart stopped him. Andre said he was a British officer on official business. He offered his watch as “a token to let you know I am a gentleman.” When the men said they were Americans, Andre said he was American and presented Arnold's pass. Paulding later said that he would not have held Andre if he had handed over the pass first. The three men demanded money. When Andre said he did not have any, they made him strip and found the papers in Andre's sock. When Paulding read Arnold's notes, he realized Andre was a spy. The three men considered Andre's offer of a bribe, but were afraid of the risk. They believed...