Then, impulsively, Elizabeth told him what she had been doing. He shook his head.
“Oh, young lady, you’ll find it a wild-goose chase!”
“They think he burned Chambersburg,” said Elizabeth with a faint smile. “The situation has a gleam of humor, hasn’t it?”
“Why, the burning took place a year after he had disappeared!”
“I’d like to ask you some questions about the battle,” said Elizabeth. “When I was a child, it was my dream to come here.” Tears dimmed her eyes. The old gentleman saw them and looked away.
“I’ll be up here again one of these days, then I’ll bring you some books.”
“And will you stop and visit with us for a while?”
“Yes. You’ll not take any risk with those rascals beyond you, will you?”
Elizabeth promised.
“They have only one accomplishment and that is shooting, but I don’t believe you need be afraid of that.”