The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-12-30
Chapter 36
RETROSPECT


 to the Litchfield county jail to await the action of those charged with administering justice.
 The shock of the sudden turn of events that lifted the cloud that had hung over the Lodge since Peggy had become its mistress was written on the faces of the little group.
 Peggy shuddered as she thought of the moments she had been alone with Philander Chase. She might have met the same fate as her un- cie and Edgar Stanton. How easily she had been fooled by the mans felgned friendliness. But there was distinct note of relief to Peggy in the revelation that Phi lander Chase had slain Stanton for she had been worried to the last by the suspicious circumstances that pointed to Jim.
 "Whew, I can breathe easier now he's gone" Obadiah exclaimed, breaking in on the thoughts of the others. Julia, where did you get that gold money you were handling when you thought people weren't Iooking?"
 Julia'5 mouth dropped open and she stared abashed at Peggy and Obadiah. Jim came to her rescue. Hs'I gave it to her" he said. "Ju- Ha recognized me as Jamieson Sin clair from a photograph my sis ter had of me-
 Obadiah chuckled, and Peggy with feigned sternness turned on her maid.
 'So you took hush money and didn't tell me who Jim was" Peg gy said.
 s' "No, ma'am, Mistah Jim asked me not to- Julia answered, and there was contrite note in her voice. Turning to Jim, Obadiah sobered Knowing your cause to hate Stan- ton Ixfeared you might be involved. Jim. T Peggy looked up quickly; so others had had the same thought lsssYou were everlasting hanging around here. | know now" as Jim started to interrupt him, you were after the copperheads put out at Prescotts request to kill the frogs; when you said on the phone t'other night you'd got 'em both, I was some relieved
 .ssYou gave me another start the night I was coming back from Sun downs camp with Aquila Chase and saw you in the basement bedroom when I thought you were in Litch- field"
 T was searching for Shutdown" l" Jim explained. T twice caught him hanging around the place" He turned to Peggy. Your uncle gave Pop key to the house so he could kind of look after things and I appropriated it.
 s.And thereby upset my foolish ideas declared Obadiah. "As a matter of further foolishness I put another paddock on the room down. stairs so you couldn't get in there again"
 .fOh, I thought you did that to bar me out" broke in Peggy. 50 that was the milk in the cocoanut?' ( sNo, mann. Miss Peggy. I put dat dar fo' de cat I borrowed fun Miss Deborah explained Julia. T was mo feared ob rats den yo' am ob cats, Miss Peggy, an I done took de cat back and foth to Echo Farm when yo' all wasn't lookin'.'
 Obadiah tramped about the room and stopped before the opened door cf the secret passage that Peggy had found.
 ~I'm dumhed if I know how you located that and he turned with adtniring eyes to Peggy.
 1t is quite a long story; I'll tell yoli some time Do you see the ar row in the woodwork that opens the door9"
 Ns.Jim, have you told Peggy that all of her uncle's wealth was found in the vault in the secret room?"
 Y" ! haven't had time yet" Jim re- piled, and unseen by Peggy he turn Cd his thumb toward the door. Oba- diah took the hint.
 3..Debby's I sittin' up waitin'," he sadu, as he started toward the door. AJin an I'll camp out on your lawn, same as we did the night you m Julia most drowned in the pond, So we wouldn't make you forfeit your inheritance by bein' here as 1l1sts."
 And I never knew" Peggy said. .f.did want you to stay; was so Afrnid that night, but I didn't want f3 jeopardize my chance of forfeit thg the estate to-to-Jamieson Sihclair," and she smiled at Jim AkSd know who he was, I might hkye given in to my fears and had y6f stay"
 eggy sprang up and threw her