The Spy Who - The Spy Who Betrayed the American Revolution | The Hangman’s Noose | 4

Episode Date: July 7, 2026

With his plot to hand West Point to the British unravelling fast, Benedict Arnold is running for his life. And if George Washington’s men can’t stop him in time, Benjamin Tallmadge’s New York spy ring will be in grave danger.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of The Spy Who, add-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. Please be advised. This episode contains depictions of violence. September 25th, 1780. America's commander-in-chief, General George Washington, steers his horse down the track towards a large, two-story wooden house. Accompanying him are his entourage, also on horseback. including his aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton.

They're fresh from inspecting the defences at the crucial fort of West Point. Benedict Arnold, the commander of West Point, told Washington that he was improving its defenses. Instead, there are a shambles. And Washington's irritation is compounded by Arnold's failure to meet him there. So now, he's headed to the house Arnold uses at his headquarters to get some answers. Washington turns to Hamilton. General Arnold better have a good explanation for his absence. The state of the defences is unacceptable.

Washington and his entourage arrive at the house and dismount. The guard outside salutes. General Washington, sir. Is General Arnold here? Is General Arnold here? No, sir, not since breakfast. He said he had urgent business to attend to. Washington scowls and enters the house. Arnold's not at West Point.

He's not here either. Something is wrong. Through the window, Washington sees a messenger arrive and hand to Hamilton a bundle of papers. From upstairs, he hears a baby's cries. He's about to investigate when Hamilton enters the house. Sir, these documents have been sent for your urgent attention. They were found on a suspected British spy. Washington tears open the bundle and examines the papers.

The documents detail the defences at West Point. It is information that could help the British take the fault with ease. Hamilton hands Washington another letter. The suspect also had this on his person. A letter of safe passage signed by General Arnold. Cold dread seizes Washington. Arnold's strange absence suddenly makes sense, but his mind recoils from the truth.

Why would Arnold betray him? He always defended the hot-headed. yet brilliant general. When he asked for command of West Point, he made it happen. If Arnold would betray him, then who can he trust? General? Washington snaps out of his thoughts. Colonel Hamilton, it appears that General Arnold has betrayed us. They must be found before he reaches British lines. Yes, sir. I will order a search immediately. The cries from the baby upstairs interrupts Washington's thoughts. Arnold's wife and child are still here.

Maybe she knows something. He turns to the nearest officer. Have Mrs. Arnold come downstairs immediately. The officer hurries upstairs, leaving Washington to contemplate why one of his best generals would switch sides. Many said Arnold would do anything for gold. Maybe they were right. His officer returns from upstairs.

Sir, you had better speak to Mrs Arnold yourself. The doctor is with her. He says she's suffering hysteria. Please sit down, Ms. Donald's must rest. You must protect me, my child. Don't let them kill my baby. Please, don't let them kill my baby. Washington follows his officer upstairs to the bedroom.

Inside, Arnold's wife Peggy is pacing the room, wringing her hands while her baby cries. On seeing Washington, she rushes to the crib, standing in front as if to defend from attack. Who are you? You know who I am, Mrs Arnold. I am General Washington. No, no, you're not.

Or else my husband would be with you. Where is your husband, Mrs. Arnold? Gone. Gone, never to return. Adam, you would be advised to tell me all you know of this plot. No, no, you're here to kill my baby. Please don't kill my baby. Washington's jaw clenches.

He suspects Peggy's hysteria is nothing more than an act to avoid his questioning. But the doctor looks concerned. General, this woman is in grave distress and has been this way since I arrived. If you cannot find her husband, I fear she may die. Washington gives the doctor a withering glance. Doctor, if we cannot find her husband, we might all die. I heard a rumor that the CIA poisoned my granddad. Gordon Banks, the world's number one goalkeeper.

It happened in Mexico, supposedly, at the World Cup in 1970. Sounds crazy. I'm an investigative journalist on the hunt for evidence. We needed to do some extraordinary things to counter these audience. This is foul play, an unbelievable tale of sports, spies and family secrets. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or early and ad-free on Audible. I'm Raza Jaffrey, and this is The Spy Who, an audible original. In the last episode, disgruntled patriot hero Benedict Arnold turned traitor and offered to surrender West Point to the British.

But the plot unraveled when his co-conspirator, Britain's spy chief John Andre, was caught trying to return to British territory. Now, Andre is a prisoner and Arnold a fugitive. But if George Washington's men failed to catch him in time, He may reveal enough secrets to help Britain win the war. You're listening to the spy who betrayed the American Revolution. This is episode four, The Hangman's Noose. September 25th, 1780, shortly after George Washington confronted Peggy.

General Benedict Arnold stands on his barge as it slides through the water of the Hudson River. His eyes are on the horizon, searching for a ship. Go faster, boys, and there'll be a gallon of rum for each of you. He looks back upriver for signs of a pursuit. Since learning of John Andre's arrest, Arnold has had just one goal in mind to reach the HMS vulture before the Patriot Army catches up with him. But his barge is slowing. His men have been rowing for hours, and exhaustion is setting in.

Two flaggons of rum for each of you if you reach the vulture in the next half hour. The bribe works. The men, sweat dripping, grimace against the pain as they propel the boat forward. As they round the next bend, Arnold almost cries out with relief. There, far ahead in the distance, is the majestic bulk of the British warship. Got it, lads! Well done. He waves a white flag signalling truce as they approach the ship.

British sailors help them tie up alongside, and Arnold clambers of the rope ladder. He is met by the vulture's confused captain. Sir, what do you want? Captain, I cannot tell you why, but I must see General Clinton immediately. It's about Major John Andre. The captain flicks a glance at the crew of Arnold's barge. Very well, what about your men? I'm not inviting a load of rebels onto my ship without an explanation.

There will not be a problem. Please, allow me. Arnold leans over the side of the ship and calls down to his crew. Boys, come aboard and rest before we return. The men smile in gratitude and climb up the ladders. As the last one arrives on deck, Arnold whips out his pistol and points it at them. But now, gentlemen, I'm afraid he were all prisoners of his majesty. The bargemen are aghast as Royal Marines surround them with bayonets

and prepare to put them in chains. Three days later, the American-controlled western shore of the Hudson River. On a road running alongside the river, a knot of US cavalry soldiers surround John Andre. The British intelligence chief has been charged with spying, and is being taken to the village of Tupin to stand trial. Riding beside him is Patriot Spymaster, Major Benjamin Talmudge. Talmudge sees Andre looking wistful. On spotting Talmud's inquiring look, he gives a quizzical smile.

Oh, think what anxious moments pass Between the birth of plots And their last fatal periods Talmadge is taken aback The lines are from a play That he used to perform at university With his friend, Nathan Hale He responds with the next line

Oh, it is a dreadful interval of time Filled up with horror all And big with death For you know, Cato He was a favourite of a friend of mine. He reminded me of him. And I suppose you've heard of Captain Nathan Hale. I have.

By all reports, he was brave and honest. Too honest for the work he was doing. But surely you don't compare our cases. Talmadge frowns. Yes, I do. The court in civilian clothes spying in enemy territory, just as Hale was. Fear flickers across Andre's face

But I'm the adjutant general of the British army Spying is a hanging offence No matter who doesn't You know that as well as I do Andre looks away Talmadge feels sorry for him Against all his instincts he likes Andre He sees his friend hail again in his mind's eye

In a just world Neither of these men deserve to hang But they are at war The justice has nothing to do with it. Two days later, the village of Tupin, on the New York side of the border with New Jersey. In his headquarters, George Washington hands Talmud an open letter, and then paces the room with his hands clasped behind his back. As you see, the British have refused the exchange.

Yesterday, Andre was found guilty of spying and sentenced to death. but Washington sent a secret communicate to the British commander-in-chief, General Clinton, offering to exchange Andre for the traitor, General Benedict Arnold. Talmadge feels a weight settle into his stomach as he reads the British response. In it, Clinton pleads for Andre's life, but refuses to hand over Arnold.

Talmadge lays the letter on the table. I can't see, I'm surprised. handing over such a high-profile defective would discourage others from switching to the British. Yes, I know. But this means Andre must hang, I'm afraid. I know. Still, Major Andre's a rare man

and understands duty and loyalty. Unlike General Arnold. Yes. Speaking of Arnold, how much does he know of the culpers? Talmud is obsessive about protecting the culper spireing he runs in New York. But in a letter to Arnold, he alluded to its existence.

He never imagined such a highly regarded general will betray the revolution. Now, that one small slip haunts him. No names or locations, but he does know we have agents there. I've told them to do nothing to arouse suspicion for the time being. Washington looks pained. The culprit spiring provided vital insight into what the British are doing. Now, that supply of intelligence will dry out. I understand.

Arnold will doubtless want to make himself useful to his new masters. Uncovering our spies would be a valuable prize. Four days later, Tuppen. Talmud arrives at the house where Andre has been kept prisoner during his trial. The condemned British officer emerges. He is pale, but impressively dressed in his regimental uniform. The two spy chiefs nod to each other, then turn and descend the stairs side by side. A drama leads the way through the village.

Straight-backed, one in Patriot Blue, the other in British Red. They follow the drama through the muddy streets. Villagers strained to get a glimpse, but are held back by soldiers. Most shuffle and mutter, but some bow as Andre passes. Turning a corner, the gallows suddenly loom. above them atop a small hill. Andre stopped short. No firing squad then.

Talmadge shakes his head. Andre requested an honorable death by firing squad, the method of execution reserved for soldiers. But Washington refused. He decreed that Andre's fate should match that of hails and all other spies to be hanged like a common criminal. Andre attempts to smile. Oh well

It will soon be over They stop at the foot of the gallows Andre holds out his hand I'm glad you are here with me at the end Talmadge I thank you for your conversation In your company I wish we had met

Under better circumstances Talmage grips his hand As to why God save you Andre smiles Then turns and mounts the steps. As the hangman places the noose around Andre's neck,

Talmud feels emotion, choke him. Tears well up and cloud his vision. He has grown used to death, yet he cannot watch this. He turns and walks away, stumbling slowly. He hears silence, then the grotesque sounds of a man choking to death.

Women in the crowd gasp and sob. Talmudges his fist. riled by the injustice. It should be the traitorous Arnold at the end of that rope. Not Andre. A few days after the hanging of John Andre, early October, 1780, lower Manhattan. Benedict Arnold marches with an escort of armed British soldiers

towards a tailor shop. He now lives in the safety of New York and wears the red uniform of a British Brigadier General. Arnold and the soldiers stop outside the tailors. It's been used by many British officers since the war began. Now, it's under suspicion as part of Benjamin Talmudges, spiring. Open up! In the name of the king! There's no response from inside.

Arnold gives his men a nod. The soldiers crowd into the shop, panicked customers huddling the corner. The tailor behind the counter backs away. What is the meaning of this? Hercules Mulligan, you're under arrest on suspicion. spy. Awesome. Must be some mistake. I'm loyal to the king. Take him away. As the soldiers march the tailor out of the shop, Arnold begins rifling through his office documents. From the scraps of information he gleaned before defecting, he has deduced

some of Talmud's intelligence came from the tailor. Now he's looking for clues as to the identity of the rest of the Patriot Spies. If he can smash Talmud's mysterious New York spy ring, that will surely prove to the British it was worth protecting him, even at the expense. of Andre's life. A few days later, the town of New Windsor, seven miles up river of West Point. Candles burn low and flicker, as General George Washington sits with one of his generals late into the night. Arnold must pay for his treachery. How easy would it be to kidnap him in New York and bring him back here?

The General Gapes had the audacity of the proposal. We would need a double agent inside New York. Can tell much help? No, it's too risky. Arnold is hunting those and aspiring. I need someone Arnold has no reason to suspect. The general purses his lips. Perhaps pretend defector.

They could say they've been inspired to defect by him and use that to get closer. Do you have anyone suitable? I have a man in mind. Two weeks later, New Jersey. Patriot Sergeant John John. Champ moves in the shadows of his own camp, ducking behind barrels and sneaking behind tents to evade detection. His mind is still spinning from his new, top-secret orders. His mission is to pretend to defect to

Britain, then find and kidnap Arnold. Champ has no idea how he'll do this, but he'll have to figure that out later. Right now, he needs to build his cover by escaping the camp without being caught by his own side. He reaches the stables and quietly saddles his horse, wrapping heavy cloth around its hooves to muffle the sound. He then leads it through the darkest parts of the camp and slips past the centuries. After reaching the cover of a forest, he mounts his horse and trots off into the night. A few miles on, he judges it safe enough to remove the cloth from his horse's hooves. But as he does, he hears a sound that chills him. It's a patriot patrol. They will know nothing about his secret mission.

They will think he's a real deserter. He swiftly remounts and pushes his horse into a counter. Aye, who goes there? It's too late. He's been seen. Champ digs his spurs in and his horse bounce forward into a gallop. Hours later, Champ is still being pursued by the patrol. He reaches the outskirts of Bergen, New Jersey.

He can see New York just across the Hudson River, but those chasing him know this area better than he does. Cut him off on the bridge. We'll take the fort road. Champ panics as his pursuers move to block off his escape routes. One group gallops towards the road leading to the nearest British fort. The other heads to the only bridge in the area. He's now trapped on the marshy peninsula with no way out. With no other choice, he wheels his horse around and rides into the town itself.

Without any plan, he heads to the shoreline. shuts onto Newark Bay. He sees British ships at anchor only a mile away. It's his only hope. In desperation, he forces his horse down the marshy bank and frantically shouts and waves his hat at the ship. Hey, hey, I want to fight for the king! Help me! A sentry on the deck of the ship spots him, but the Patriots chasing him have also heard his shouts. He's trying to reach the ship! Stop him! Champ abandons his horse, wrenches off his boots and throws his sword and hat away. He dives into the cold water and strikes out towards the ship.

Around him, the air zings as shots hit the water. Then he hears the Royal Navy firing from the ship at his pursuers. Finally, he's pulled aboard by the British sailors. Well done, son. That was close. Thank you for me. Get him into the war. The world was done for.

I wish to join you and fight for the king. Like General Arnold. To his relief, there's not a flicker of suspicion on the sailors' faces. The sight of his own side trying to kill him has convinced them that Champ is a genuine defector. Two weeks later, Broadway, New York City. Champ crouches in a small, dark alleyway behind Arnold's grand house. It's late at night, and peering through the wooden slats of the fence, he can see Arnold limping around his garden deep in thought.

Champ's been watching Arnold for days and now knows that he always takes a stroll in his garden just before midnight. After Arnold retires to bed, Champ sets to work on the fence palings. He needs to loosen enough of them so that a man can get through when the time comes to kidnap him.

A month later, December 1780, New York. In his barracks, champ gets out of bed slowly and quietly, taking care not to wake the sleeping soldiers around him. It's 11pm, and Arnold will soon be taking his midnight stroll. But tonight, Champ won't just be watching the traitor. A Patriot boat will be waiting on the shore to take him and Arnold to U.S. territory.

All that's left to do is taking prisoner. Champ picks up a cloth gag and retrieves a strong, bludgeoning stick from under his mattress. Then he creeps to watch. towards the door. But before he can reach it, it slams open. A sergeant holds a lantern above his head. Everybody up!

New orders. We're heading south with General Arnold, the march of the docks in one hour. Champ stands frozen in the middle of the room, hiding the stick and gag behind his back. The sergeant narrows his eyes at him. Where do you think you're going, champ? Didn't you hear me?

Get your kit ready! Kid ready. Yes, sir. Champ feels horror. Tonight he was to kidnap Arnold. Now he won't get his chance. Instead, he will be heading to the battlefields in the south to fight for the king against his own side.

Three months later, mid-March, 1781. Horsmouth, Virginia. In the British Army camp, Patriots by James Stans, as soldiers hurry around him without a second glance. He walked unchallenged into this camp a few minutes ago, but no one here is worried about the enslaved black man with torn clothes and a sack over his shoulder. Nearby, James hears General Benedict Arnold shouting orders.

Gather a raiding party and report to my office for orders. James joined the Patriot Army earlier this month with permission from his slave master, William Armistead. In return for his service, he's been promised as freedom after the war. But instead of sending James into battle, the Marquis de Lafayette, the French commander leading the effort to counter Arnold's raids, saw another use for him as a spy. So now James is here, inside the enemy camp, gathering intelligence. He crouches behind a tent and removes a pair of love.

long black leather boots from his sack. They've been polished to a high sheen. He adopts a stoop and approaches the guards outside Arnold's headquarters. Excuse me, sir. I was told to bring these boots here after I polished them up. The guard waves in past indifferently. James loiter is in the central hallway, acting as if he's unsure of where to go.

In reality, he's listening to Arnold briefing a group of soldiers in a nearby room. Lafayette's on the move. He's possibly going to join Bonn-Stuburn in Williamsburg. We need to burn the cross from here to here. Like way we make it unfeasible for him to count there. A British soldier walking through the house stops and frowns at James. You boy, are you lost? Yes, sir.

I was told to bring these shoes to the general's quarters, but I don't know where I'm going. Up the stairs and to the right. Thank you, sir. Thank you. James walks up the stairs and locates Arnold's quarters. He places the boots outside the door and memorizes the upstairs layout so he can draw it later for the Marquis de Lafayette.

Then he hurries down the stairs and out of the house, unnoticed by anyone. Five months later, late August 1781, the north shore of Long Island. In a secluded inlet close to a paper mill, James Rivington lurks in the trees as a rowboat closes in on his position. Rivington is the New York publisher of the Royal Gazette, a loyalist newspaper. The British trust him. So much so, they use him to print copies of secret military documents. But what they and his newspaper's readers don't know is that Rivington is really part of Benjamin Talmudge's Culper spy ring.

And today, he's got an especially important piece of intelligence to hand over. The boat reaches the shore, and Rivington steps out of his hiding place. The boat's passenger, a continental army officer, greets him. Mr. Rivington, I presume. Yes, we shouldn't linger. I saw your signal in the newspaper. What do you have for us? Rivington checks around and then hands over a small booklet.

This is the Royal Navy's signal book. It should give the French fleet an edge at sea. The American officer's eyes light up. Received with thanks from General Washington himself. Anything else? Only that Arnold has returned to New York. The British believe Washington intends to attack the city, so men are being recalled from the south.

A sly smile creeps on the American officer's face. Well, that's annoying about it. Arnold, but good to hear they're preparing to defend New York. Until next time. Then he gets on the boat to take the naval signals back to the French fleet, as fast as possible. It's the following month, and at his headquarters near York River, Virginia,

the Marquis de Lafayette is briefing Patriot Spied James for his next mission. I need you to return to Yorktown, to the camp of Lord Cornwallis. There, you were to report. that two more garrisons of French troops have arrived. Following Arnold's return to New York, James spent months winning the trust of British officers stationed at Yorktown.

They now believe he's a runaway slave and have recruited him to spy on the Americans. So now, James is a double agent, pretending to spy for Britain while feeding false reports to Lord Cornwallis and supplying Lafayette with real intelligence. James repeats back the key points from the briefing. Yorktown, Lord Cornwallis,

two French garrisons, several thousand soldiers. Lafayette nods. Correct. I need Cornwallis to think he is outnumbered. I can't afford for him to attack us now. We need to convince him to draw his troops back into Yorktown and stay put until Washington arrives.

That will enable us to surround them and lay siege to the city. Lafayette lifts up his wine bottle. Will he take wine, Judge? Thank you, my lord, but no. Lafayette is young, exuberant, and believes in freedom for all men. But while James appreciates the recognition,

he also worries it will blow his cover. After all, he might not be the only spy the British have sent into this camp. Lafayette hands James a bundle of letters. Also, present these papers to the British. What are they? Papers that support you. your story, tell them you found them on the roadside. James nods. He knows what he needs to do.

Later that day, James shrinks back to the bush to get out of the path of the British scouting party travelling the pitted road to Yorktown. Once silence returns, James squats down in front of a muddy puddle. He takes the letters Lafayette gave him from out of his pocket. They are now quite crumpled. But if he is to convince the British he picked them up off the road, he needs to do more. He floats them in a muddy puddle, just long enough for the dirty water to stain the paper, but not enough to smudge the ink. Then he smears mud on the outside of the letter and crumples it back into his pocket before continuing to Yorktown. A few hours later, the camp of the British Southern Army at Yorktown, Virginia. James keeps his head bowed as Lord Cornwallis reads the mud-stained letter.

Where did you find this? On the road to Yorktown. I can't read, but I looked at them and I thought they looked important. Did I do good, sir? Cornwallis gives James a brief, condescending smile. Yes, you did well. They're important. Very important. He gives a distracted wave of dismissal before returning to the letter. Where the hell is the Royal Navy?

James allows himself a small, private smile. He was taught to read and write by... by his master, but the British expect him to be illiterate. So he plays the fool and helps sell the lie. Cornwallis now believes he is outnumbered by Patriot troops, and the trap is set. Two weeks later, off the coast of Yorktown, the Admiral of the French Fleet uses his telescope to watch one of his ships exchange fire with the British ship. The French fleet arrived in Chesapeake Bay this morning, and has already unloaded supplies

and weapons to help Lafayette's troops take Yorktown. But then, a forest of masts was spotted on the horizon, announcing the arrival of the Royal Navy, bringing reinforcements. The Admiral ordered his fleet to block them. Now, the two rows of huge warships face each other across five miles of churning sea. The Admiral watches a French ship close in on the weakest British ship. Rows of lethal black cannons begin firing at each other. Orange and yellow flashes strobe through thick clouds of white smoke.

Wood splinters. Men fall from masts and decks. Blood mixes with seawater. The Admiral watches it tenly. The British rule the waves. Their huge warships are powerfully armed and their crews well disciplined. But he is a plan.

The British like to keep their ships in tight, single-file formations where the full power of their cannons can form a wall of death. The Admiral has kept most of his fleet out of range and instead sent in just one ship to engage the enemy. And while the British are firing in the French ship's hull to try to sink it, his ship is firing at the enemy's masts and sails. And that's because a ship that cannot steer is an easy target. The mast of a British ship topples and crashes into the deck below. Its sails now flat, shredded and useless in the wind. the British ship veers away from the fight.

The French Admiral smiles and swiveles his telescope towards the British vanguard ship. As he hoped, new signal flags are being raised. Quig, hand me the British Signals book. One of his lieutenants hands over the book of Royal Navy signals that Benjamin Talmudge's spies smuggled out of New York. The Admiral flicks through its pages and smiles. The codebook has revealed the British order for their ships

to break formation and attack. Now he knows what's coming, he can order the French fleet to counterattack and gain the upper hand. And no matter what the British do next, his fleet will remain one step ahead. Almost a month later. In a tent outside of Yorktown,

George Washington is with the Marquis de Lafayette, marking out the British defences on a map. Yorktown is now surrounded after the French fleet thwarted the Royal Navy's attack, to bring reinforcements. Washington and his troops arrived 10 days ago, having marched day and night on an epic journey of almost 700 miles. It was completed in a month instead of the three it would normally take.

Despite his men's exhaustion, he immediately had them dig a one-mile-long defensive trench, stretching inland from the York River. To maintain the element of surprise, he had them do it in a single rain-sovereign night. Now, they're using those trenches to bring their siege cannons within firing range of Yorktown. Lord Cornwallis and his thousands of troops are trapped inside the town and outnumbered. Washington nods to Lafayette.

It's time we begin this. Washington steps out of his tent and mounts his horse. He knows this is his best and possibly only chance to defeat the British. The Patriot Army is running out of men, money and morale. But victory here could leave the British too weakened to mount a large-scale campaign to regain lost territory. He must win this siege and quickly. Soldiers cheer Washington as he trots down into the six-foot deep trench. The heavy black muzzles of the siege cannons all point towards the rooftops of Yorktown.

Whispy shadows of chimney smoke show the town's residents are preparing for dinner. Washington dismounts and approaches the first cannon. greeting the soldiers next to it. I want the artillery blasting night and day. It will be hard and dirty work, but it is the grit that victory is based on. I promise you. The gunners puffed their chests out and salute.

Then they rush to prepare the first cannon to fire. No! Washington stands back and holds his hands over his ears. It is the signal that ignites a thundering wave of cannon fire that echoes down the length of. the trench. As the cannonballs find their marks, dense clouds of black smoke billow up over Yorktown, replacing the gentle chimney smoke. Two days later, inside Yorktown. Sitting at his writing table, Lord Cornwallis tries to ignore the hail of enemy cannonballs

crashing all around him. Cornwallis is in a drastic situation and knows it. The French defeat of the Royal Navy has cut off any hope of retreat or resupport. His troops are surrounded on all sides and fast running out of food and omissions. He writes to the British Commander-in-Chief, General Clinton, who previously denied his requests for more men, citing intelligence of a likely attack on New York. It is now clear the bulk of Washington's army is camp outside of town. On the evening, their batteries open. Their batteries opened and have since continued without intermission.

We are losing many men, and our fortifications are considerably damaged against so powerful resistance. He signs it with a flourish. Just as a cannibal crashes into the house here, Cornwallis is thrown to the floor as the building shakes and the windows smash. He gets up. irritated and brushes the plaster of the letter. He folds it and seals it, just as an aide runs to his room. Sir, you're right.

Of course I am. Get this letter to General Clinton. Now. Eight days later, an American soldier fires his musket at the defenses on the outskirts of Yorktown. In front of him, other Patriot troops are using axes to hack and sharpened with stake surrounding the outpost. But then, the soldier realizes the British are no longer shooting back. He stops firing.

Then, he hears another sound. Hey, stop! Do you hear that? The American soldiers lower their weapons and peer through the swirling smoke and dust. A small drummer boy emerges, dirty and terrified, beating out the tune for a parlay. Behind him, a red-coated officer marches slowly, holding his sword up high in the air. At its tip, a white flag flutters.

More than two years later, December 4th, 1783, New York City. In France's tavern, Patriot spy chief, Benjamin Talmadge, is gathered with other officers. They're here to mark the retirement of George Washington as commander of the U.S. military. The War of Independence ended three months ago. After the defeat at Yorktown, the British agreed to a ceasefire and began peace talks in Paris.

Now the last British soldiers have left New York and the United States of America is a free republic in charge of its own destiny. Talmudge sees Washington making his way towards him. The two move to a private corner. Talmud. Tell me, are all the men safe? Talmuch pleaded to be one of the first patriot officers to enter New York, so he could protect the members of the culp aspiring for many revenge taken on those thought to be loyalists. They are, sir. Thank you for your concern. I only wish we could have caught General Arnold.

Shortly after the American victory at Yorktown, Benedict Arnold left North America for London with his wife Peggy. Washington smiles. Forget him. He's just one man, Talmudge. We won the war. Revenge is no substitute for freedom. Talmudge nods reluctantly. And what's of you, sir?

We've become our new king, as the rumors say, Go God, no. I'm glad to enjoy my retirement and my plantation. Perhaps you could ask our printer friend if he knows of any good books on agriculture. Convertly, I'm sure he'd be honoured to supply them, sir. No questions asked. Early 1784.

At a theatre in London's West End, Peggy and her husband Benedict Arnold enter their private box. Their appearance causes a ripple of attention. At one time, Peggy would have enjoyed such attention. Now, she dreads it. She and Arnold expected a warm reception in Britain. Instead, they'd been shunned by London society and attacked in the newspapers.

A voice shouts up from the stalls. Another man joins in. You shouldn't mind if they hang you. After all, you didn't mind them doing it to Major Andre. Peggy looks at Arnold with concern. He sits Ramrod straight, his bad leg jutting out at an angle. André's ghost seems to follow them wherever they go. But the hatred directed at them isn't just about their role in his death.

It's about their decision to betray their own side. They are seen as untrustworthy people, devoid of honour. And that's ruined Arnold's career prospects, leaving them heavily in debt. Tears spring to beg his eyes. She takes Arnold's hand. Shall we go, my love? He looks at her gratefully. and they rise to leave.

That's right. Run away, Callet. Peggy wonders what their life would be like if they hadn't plotted against Washington. She closes her eyes. She can't bear to imagine it. Benedict and Peggy Arnold lived unhappily ever after. Ostracized in London,

they moved to the British colony of New Brunswick in the mid-1780s. There, Arnold tried unsuccessful. successfully to rebuild his career as a trader. He died in 1801, aged 60. Peggy spent the next few years settling his debts before dying of cancer in 1804. Arnold is now remembered as the most infamous traitor

in American history. American spymaster Benjamin Talmudge became a successful banker and politician, serving eight terms in the House of Representatives. He died, having never publicly revealed anything about the spies he managed during the war. After the war, James was forced back into slavery. The promise of freedom for slaves who fought for American independence

only applied to those who carried arms, and so excluded spies. He continued to push for his freedom, and aided by testimony from the Marquis de Lafayette. He finally became a free man in 1787. He took Lafayette as his surname. surname and became a farmer in Virginia. In 1821, John Andre's remains were exhumed and taken to London, where they were reburied in Westminster Abbey with full honours, and a memorial remains there to this day. In 1879, a memorial to Andre was also erected in Tuppen, New York. Follow the Spy Who on the Audible app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all

episodes of The Spy Who, add free by joining Audible. You have been listening to The Spy Who, an Audible original. Next time on The Spy Who, Charlie Higson explores the mystery behind the identity of one of the American Revolution's most secretive agents. The woman, known only as Agent 355. Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to The Spy Who at Audible.com. A quick note about our dialogue. We can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, particularly far back in history.

But our scenes are written using the best available sources. So even if a scene or conversation has been recreated for dramatic effect, it's still based on biographical research. We use many sources in our research for this season, including spies, patriots and traitors by Kenneth Daedler, George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmead and Don Yeager, and Washington's spies by Alexander Rose. The Spy Who is hosted by me, Raza Jaffrey. It's a Yellow Ant production. This episode was written by Judy Cooper. The senior producer was Jay Priest. The sound designer was Damian Pace. The lead sound designer was Joshua Morales. Music supervision by Scott Velasquez for Friss and Sing. For Yellow Ant, the story editor and executive producer was Tristan

Gronovan. For Audible, the executive producers were Estelle Doyle and Theodora Leludis.