“Was it just neighborhood gossip?” asked Elizabeth. Her cheeks were pale, but her eyes held the old gentleman’s bravely. “Was it confirmed in any way?” Colonel Thomas opened his large book. “Unfortunately a few months ago this book was published, ‘The Recollections and Letters of General Adams,’ a reliable witness. He describes the approach of Lee’s troops to Gettysburg and says this”--Colonel Thomas found the place and read--“‘From John Baring we secured information about roads leading to Gettysburg.’” “May I see it?” asked Elizabeth. Colonel Thomas laid the book on Elizabeth’s knee. She read in silence, with bent head. “You see how the neighbors felt about him. He could not have done much harm, of course, because there were few roads and these were easy to find, and they could have got the information in other ways. He went away with the Confederate army and never came back. He was never seen here again, but it is not impossible that he lived for many years.” Elizabeth sat motionless. “I remember now that his wife died after some years and his daughter married a stranger and went away.” Still Elizabeth did not move. “It seemed kinder to tell you and prepare you to protect yourself against rudeness. Unfortunately, some local editor read this book and copied this letter and it has revived an old story which had better been forgotten. I fought against the Confederates, but I am willing to forgive. Perhaps there is some other place where you could make a home.” “Thank you,” said Elizabeth. “You have done me a very great favor.” She rose and handed Colonel Thomas his book. Colonel Thomas grew more and more disturbed. “Won’t you partake of some refreshment?” he offered in his old-fashioned way. “I will call my daughter.” “No, I thank you. I have a long journey and I must start.” She looked up at the old gentleman for a single brave instant; then her eyes dropped. “We can’t be blamed for the sins and mistakes of our ancestors,” said he unhappily. “No,” agreed Elizabeth. “That is true.” But she could not fail to see that, consciously or unconsciously, he glanced toward two old swords crossed above his mantelpiece. “Good-bye,” said she. But her farewell was not final. She had driven only a short distance when she turned old Joe round, facing him the way he had come. Her cheeks burned. Now she looked upon the marauders on her land in a new light. “They probably think they can do as they please because we are despised!” Colonel Thomas welcomed her. “I’ll always be glad to see you.” “I’ve come back to ask another question, which has to do with the present instead of the past. We have a good deal of woodland back of the house and men prowl about there constantly with guns and dogs.” “I know them!” said Colonel Thomas excitedly. “They have a settlement up in the woods.”