The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-12-05
Chapter Is BEHIND LOCKED DOORS

impatiently for Obadiah to arrive with the locksmith as he had promised.
 The Sabbath quiet of the day be- fore had been exhilarated by her trip to Sundown's camp with Chase and Evans They had stayed as long as Peggy dared but the half breed had not shown up.
 Peggy seated herself at her un- cle's desk in the living room. She must reply to her fathers frantic cable and calm his fears for her.
 Peggy finished the letter and signed her name with pen that sputtered and scratched on the paper, making unSightly blots here and there. She was too tired, however, and too anxious to get the letter off, to rewrite it. She sealed it and placed it where 1t would be in plain sight for Julia. Voices came to her through the or1en window to the west and sprlnging up, she hastened to the front door
 Here we are at last"
 Obadiah turned on the threshold and putting his hand on his com panion's shoulder, showed the lock- smith into the living room.
 s.Carter, Miss Prescott and con- sidering the formalities attended to- Obadiah paused to shake her grave ly by the hand.
 Nov, if you'll lead the way, Car ter can work while there's still daylight"
 aIt's very curious that the cleo trician who wired this house ne glected to put a light outlet here, commented Peggy, as they gropee about the cellar while Obadiah lighted the candles left there CT Saturday night. 5e4r
 only a trace of daylight camt from the windows under the vera;l- da. giving an eerie appearance te the place.
 Garter. in no sense disturbed by his surroundings, went carefully to work to fit key to the paddock. Finally picking up his oil can Carter spirited some inside the paddock, gave his key final polish with dirty rag and slipped 1t into the lock. A turn of his wrist and the lock sprung, releasing the bow in the staple.
 It was Obadiah. however, whc drew open the door and snatchine up a candle, strode through tht opening, Peggy a second behlni hin.
 sGood gracious, it's a bedroom! she calculated. Just a servant, room in the basement'-and sh broke into laughter-the mirth o one keyed to the point of mysteries It was, as Peggy had observed, bedroom, whether for servant o not it was impossible to tell.
 A mahogany sleigh bed, re duced to a three-quarter size to Il the dimensions of the space It oc cupied; a high-backed armchair high dresser, on which stood shaving mirror, table and a was stand, with running water, com prised the furnishings of the plac' while the square window, somewna high from the floor, had both sas curtains and Holland shade.
 Peggy was the first to common "A bedroom, she repeated, slow ly "only an ordinary bedroom why, then, was it so securely pao locked and bolted on the outside sA sick mans fancy"
 The suggestion came from ops diah; his eyes were drawn hs r{aanets to the candlestick on u taIde-wax had run down on u otbSr sides of the holder, but on a. tiny portion of the wick II r1aihed within it's rounded sides He turned abruptly to Carter.
 ADon't wait if you are in hu ". Carter; I'll walk back to u farm"
 Carter's relief was plain.
 Don't bother to pay me no Miss" he protested, as Peggy opel Cd her handbag. I'll send n bill. Good night" and he made I the stairway Peggy, however, reacl ed there first.
 Julia" she called.
 sYassum."
 Julia's voice grew clearer as s cautiously appeared again at ' head of the stairs, up which s had fled unseen second before.
 ~Give MT. Carter a glass of gi ger ale. You must be tired al thirsty" addressing the locksmi and thereby shutting off his pas f,,li thanks. Perhaps you prel coffee-no? The ginger ale, tne Julia" elevating her voice as Ca ter disappeared up the steps a into the kitchen, give MT. Car the letter left on the desk the living room and ask him mali 1t in Litchfield."