“Yes, I have a plan. To-morrow I am going to Gettysburg and I am going to call upon the old gentleman and ask him what is the matter with us.”
“The old gentleman with the book?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you going to ask him?”
“Because he is old and kind and because he probably knows all about the neighborhood. We seem to have some kind of a bar sinister on our escutcheon.”
Herbert looked sidewise at Elizabeth. Thank fortune she could still joke!
“If we committed murder or theft or any other base crime, I want to know it.”
“Elizabeth!” protested Herbert. Then he asked a little faintly, “Don’t you want me to go with you?”
Elizabeth’s eyes hardened. She had thought, of course, that Herbert would go with her.
“No; it isn’t necessary. There is a great deal to be done at home and Joe will travel better with a light load.”