Over the following days, Sophia receives no word of Townsend’s whereabouts. She meanwhile studies some maps in John André’s office to make sense of West Point’s location. She also remembers Townsend mentioning Oyster Bay, and finds that location on the map, too. Still, she worries about Mr. Moore and his alleged plans “to give West Point to the British” (187).

Towards the end of July, Sophia discovers another letter in John André’s office from Mr. Moore, detailing plans related to the surrender of West Point. Reading it, she discerns that “Anderson” is in fact André’s code name. Not long later, she runs into Mistress Lorenz, who informs her that Benedict Arnold is in command of West Point. Sophia cannot reconcile this information given what she knows of the fort; she realizes Arnold must be Mr. Moore.

Reeling from her revelation, Sophia is desperate to contact Townsend. Then she remembers Tallmadge and determines to find and give him the information herself.

A week or so later, she discovers another letter between Anderson (André) and Moore (Arnold), which outlines their plans to meet and finalize their deal. Sophia wonders if she might intervene but is temporarily reassigned to Beekman Mansion. In bed that night, she cries herself to sleep, terrified that her spying efforts are all a waste.

At Beekman Mansion, Sophia is relieved to discover that General Clinton and Major André are there. She listens to their conversations with a Colonel Beverly Robinson while serving them coffee, horrified when they allude to capturing General Washington. She struggles to maintain her composure. That night, she lies awake worrying over what to do with the information she knows. She reminds herself it is her duty alone to inform the patriots of the British plans.

Sophia addresses the reader directly, explaining that the following sequences will include information she didn’t experience firsthand, but only learned about later.

Sophia learns that the planned meeting between Arnold and André at Dobbs Ferry does not happen. The meeting was so secret that the British troops intervened and disrupted the plan. From there, André returns to Beekman Mansion and makes a new plan to liaise with Arnold on the Vulture, “a British armed sloop that patrolled Hudson’s River” (202). Sophia worries over how to stop the plan, but soon learns that the meeting again does not take place. She understands that she must act now if she hopes to stop André and Arnold for good.

One September night, Sophia sneaks out of Beekman Mansion and heads out to West Point on foot. When she reaches Hudson’s River, she encounters a Dutch couple with a boat and secures passage across the water. Meanwhile, André is making plans to sail to the Vulture, where a Mr. Smith plans to retrieve him and deliver him to Arnold.

On her way across the river, Sophia struggles to divert the couple’s questions about her loyalties. However, she accidentally shows fear when they row past the Vulture. Sophia realizes she will have to be more careful, as she has no choice but to rely on the couple’s help to complete her mission.

While Sophia continues crossing the river, General Clinton makes plans to attack West Point. Arnold and André meanwhile prepare for their meeting. Finally, Sophia reaches land and parts ways with the couple. On shore, she sets off towards her destination.

Sophia wends her way along the river. She is unsure if she is going the right way or if she’ll make it in time to stop André and Arnold.

Meanwhile, André and Colonel Robinson discuss the prospect of meeting Arnold. Robinson assures André the plan will go through, and its success will bring André the greatest military honor.

As Sophia continues north, André departs from Beekman Mansion. He and Robinson arrive at the Vulture around seven. Arnold is meanwhile waiting at his comrade Mr. Smith’s home, some miles outside West Point. Arnold tasks Smith with hiring two rowers to transport André from the Vulture to land. This task proves difficult, and André is forced to wait on the Vulture longer than expected.

Sophia finally reaches the Vulture. She stares at the ship from shore, trying to determine if André has left the boat yet or not. Desperate to intervene, Sophia finds a group of American soldiers and explains that she has vital intel for their commander. Finally, they agree to give her an audience with Colonel Livingston.

Sophia tells Colonel Livingston some of what she knows. She does not inform him that Arnold is a traitor because he reports directly to Arnold. Livingston listens to her but is skeptical of her assertions and insists there is nothing he can do without evidence. He gives her food and a bed for the night but doesn’t take action. Meanwhile, André continues waiting for Smith to bring him ashore.

In the morning, Livingston informs Sophia that he is sending some troops to keep an eye on the Vulture. She insists on going with them to see if her intel was correct. He reluctantly gives in.

Meanwhile, Smith finally convinces two rowers to take André to shore. Sophia watches from the bank as a rowboat with three men rows to the Vulture and rows back with another man in tow. She assumes the fourth man is André.