He then dismounted and said, " Gentlemen, you had better let me go, or you will bring yourselves into trouble." Paulding then told him that he hoped he would not be offended, as they did not mean to take anything from him, that there were a great many bad people going the road, and they did not know but he might be one, and then asked him if he had any letters about him; to which Andre answered "No." They then took down the fence and led him and his horse into the woods. They told him to take off his clothes, which he did, and,

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

continensearching them, they found nothing- except eighty dollars in then told tal money, which had been given him by Smith. Paulding him to take off his boots. This he was very backward about doing, but when he had done so, Paulding felt of his feet and found the papers which Arnold had delivered to him in his stockings. Upon examining these, Paulding, who was the only one of the captors who could read, said, " This man is a spy." He asked Andre where he had obtained the papers, and he replied of a stranger at Pine's Bridge. He was then ordered to dress himself. " While he was doing so," Williams says, " I asked him how much he would give to let him go; he said any sum. I then asked if he would give up his horse, saddle, bridle, watch, and one hundred guineas; he said yes. I asked him if he would not give more, and he said he would give any quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any place we might pitch on so that we might get it." Upon which Paulding answered: " No, by God, if you would give us ten thousand guineas you shall not stir one step!