There is not a scintilla of testimony, direct or circumstantial, except Andre's, to suggest even a suspicion that the young men, when they found that a questionable character had fallen into their hands, wrere ruled by speculative considerations. They were by the roadside on guard in the American interest, to do whatever chance might put in their way as patriotic inhabitants of the Neutral Ground. Before Andre came along several men passed who were known to them as patriots, and whom they permitted to go about their business without so much as accosting them. Then came Andre, a stranger on horseback, of doubtful appearance. They intercepted him, shrewdly interrogated him, and found that he was a man attempting to play a double part. They searched him. In his pockets they found, besides a valuable watch, what to them was a considerable sum of money. But this did not content them. They wauted to know whether he had any hidden papers, and pulled off his boots and stockings. They found papers and at once realized that he was a spy. Now came the crucial test. He offered them very large bribes -- any amount of money and merchandise, -- promises which, from the whole personality of the man and the vital character of the secret documents he bore, they must have known he could make good. The cleverness with which they questioned him in the first place shows that they were men of alert perceptions and not dull country hinds. At least they could not doubt that here was a decidedly promisingchance for a splendid financial speculation, without the least risk. His proposal that two of them should hold him hostage while the third should go to New York and get the ransom was capable of easy execution. It was early in the day.