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.