NEW. My dear Mrs. Graham, you are morbid. A colonel's life is at hazard as well as that of a private. Why could not the shot from an enemy's rifle have done the work? RUTH. Impossible! the enemy were in front. Only a coward would do so contemptible a deed. NEW. True, there are some without honor, Mrs. Graham. Your brother, Roger Carruth, for instance. RUTH (_rising_). How dare you, Mr. Newcomb, in my own home, speak so slightingly of my brother? Why have you turned against him? When he was first accused of the crime, you acted as his friend. Since his escape, you never lose an opportunity to taunt me with his downfall. NEW. Because the evidence against him has strengthened. RUTH. Mr. Newcomb, you call yourself friend. I do not believe you. Roger is as innocent of that crime as I am, and you know it. Not content with attempting to overturn my faith in my brother, you have spared no time or trouble to turn the colonel against him. He believes in your friendship so thoroughly, he never thinks to doubt your word. NEW. That is as it should be, Mrs. Graham. And, I hope, some day, the colonel's wife will favor me with her confidence. RUTH. Never. Your very presence is hateful to me, and could I have my wish you would never again cross this threshold. The time will come when Roger's innocence will be proved, and woe to those who are his accusers. (_Enter_ POLLY, R.) POLLY. If you please, Mrs. Graham, the colonel is asking for you. RUTH. Very well, Polly. (POLLY _exit_.) I fear the walk has been too much for the colonel. Will you excuse me? NEW. Certainly. (RUTH _exits_, L.; NEW. _laughs_.) It will be a long time before that day, my dear Mrs. Graham. The plot cannot so easily be unravelled. Suspects some foe of the colonel's, does she? She shall have a better cause. The shot will be more telling next time. (_Goes to window._) (_Enter_ ROGER, _disguised as_ GIBBS.) GIBBS. Is the colonel at home? (NEW. _turns, sees_ GIBBS, _and gives a surprised whistle_; GIBBS _looks at_ NEW., _and whistles_.) NEW. (_coming down_). What business brings you here? GIBBS (_coming down_). To inquire after the colonel's health. NEW. I can give you full information. He has quite recovered, and is to rejoin his regiment to-day. What next? GIBBS. To ascertain if he has ever found a clew to the perpetrator of the foul outrage. NEW. If not, to turn traitor. (_Enter_ DOR. _in house gown, and sees_ NEW. _and_ GIBBS. _She is about to retire, but stops upon hearing_ GIBBS'S _speech_.) GIBBS. Yes, for I can give him the name of the man who planned his murder. (DOR. _crosses to stage_ C. _and hides behind portière_.) NEW. And what do you expect to get for this startling piece of news? GIBBS. Well, say fifty dollars. NEW. I will give you a hundred to say nothing about it, on one condition, that you yourself try your hand. That man Dowling was worse than nothing. It was a bad shot; we need better marksmen in our armies. GIBBS. You are bound to murder him?