New Britain herald., 1929-12-30
Chapter SC
RETROSPECT

RETROSPECT
 Quiet returned to the living roo,
 as the sheriff departed with nj
 deputies to take Philander Chase t
 the Litchtield county jail to awal the action of those charged with ad ministering justice.
 The shock of the sudden turn 9 events that lifted the cloud tha had hung over the Lodge since Peg Gy had become its mistress wa. written on the faces of the littit group.
 Peggy shuddcrod as she though of the moments she had been alont with Philandcr Chase. She might have met the same fate as her un. cle and Edgar Stanton. How easily she had been fooled by the mans fciGncd fricndlmcss. But there was q distinct note of relief to Peggy in the revelation that Phi. lander Chase had slain Stanton fol she had been worried to the last Ky the suspicious circumstances that pointed to Jim.
 "Whew. | can breathe easier now he's gone" Obadiah exclaimed breaking m on the thoughts of the others. Julia, where did you get that gold money you were handling when you thought people weren't looking?"
 Julia's mouth dropped open and she stared abashcd at Peggy and Opadlah. Jim came 10 her rescue.
 T gave it to her" he said. "Ju- lia recognized me as Jamieson Sin clair from a photograph my sister had of me"
 Obadiah chuckled, and Peggy with feigned sternncss turned ca her maid.
 "So you took hush money and didn't tell me who Jim was" Peggy said.
 "No maam, A1istah Jim asked m. not to- Julia answered, and thorr was a contrite note in her voice.
 Turning to Jim. Obadiah sobcrcd. Knowing your cause to hate Stan ton I feared you might be involved, Jim,' Peggy looked up quickly; so ~hers had had the same thought You were everlasting hanging around here, l know now" as Jim started 10 interrupt him. you were after the copperheads put out at PreScotts request to kill frogs: when you said on the phone t'olhar night you'd got 'em both. I was some relieved.
 You gave me another start the night l was coming back from Sun downs camp with Aquila Chase and saw you iii the base ment bedroom when l thought you were in Litcn- field"
 T was searching for Sundown." Jim explained. T twice caught him hanging around the place. "Ha turned to Peggy. Your uncle gave Top key to the house so he could Kind of look after things and" with ghost of a smile, T appropriated it"
 And thereby upset my foolish ideas" declared Obadiah. As Il matter Of further foolishncss I pu. another paddock on the room down. | stairs so you couldn't get in there i again"
 "Oh, l thought you did that 10 | bar me out" broke in Peggy. "So | that was the milk in the cocoanut ," ! No. ma'am, Miss Peggy. I put dat dar fo' de cat I borrowed fun . Miss Deborah" explained Julia. "I was mo feared ob rats den vo' am ob cats, Miss Peggy; and I done took de cat back and 10th 10 Echo Farm when yo' all wasn't Iookin'" Obadiah tramp"d about the room and stopped before the opened door or the secret passage that Peggy had found.
 I'm dumbed if I know how yo1 located that as he turned wiib admiring eyes to Peggy.
 Tt is quite q long story: I'll tru you some time. Do you sec the dr. row in the woody ork that opens the door"
 Jim, have ?ou told Peggy thit all Of her uncle's wealth WAS founl In the vault in the secret roomo"
 T haven't had time yet" Jim ..,- pHed' and unseen by Peggy h.. -nrned his thumb srEgcstivcIy to- ward the door, Obadiah took tho hint.
 "Debby's atr,n' up waitin'." lo 'aId' as he started toward the doa,. Jim an I'll camp out or yorr avn, same as We did the night you 'n' Julia most drowned in the ponJ. SO we wouldn't make you forfeit