The old gentleman leaned against the door frame.
“Is it true?” he asked of Sheldon and Black Smith.
“It was before my time,” answered Sheldon.
“But is it true?”
The men saw prison yawning.
“Yes,” said Sheldon; “he lies buried yonder.”
Elizabeth sat on her doorstep at twilight. Her body was weary, but her mind was alert. She had shown Colonel Thomas the old map and he had looked at it with tears.
“Slashed it out so they couldn’t get it, evidently with the first knife at hand!”
Then Colonel Thomas had gone, his hand itching for his pen. Relieved of fear of punishment, Sheldon and his mates had told all they knew. Their bravado had vanished; they looked browbeaten and ashamed and even apologized for using the flag for a target. The constabulary had given back their guns and had smiled at Elizabeth’s gratitude.