Part 1, Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Summary

Charles stays in Connecticut to run the Trask family farm after Adam goes away with the army to fight in the Indian wars, and Cyrus leaves for Washington D.C. to assume his duties as Secretary of War. One day while attempting to move a boulder from the land, Charles is injured on his forehead when his tool strikes his head. The injury and lingering scar make Charles even more of a recluse, and he hopes for Adam's return from the army even though Adam has not indicated that he will be returning.

In 1894 Charles receives a letter notifying him that Cyrus has died and left a fortune of $100,000 to his sons Charles and Adam. Charles' suspicious nature leads him to believe that Cyrus has amassed this large sum through some illegal or dishonest means. Charles shares the news...