New Britain herald., 1929-12-07
Chapter IS FURTHER COMPLICATIONS
Pop. Where are you?"

- 'eep-seated armchair just as Jim
 appeared from the hall.
 What's wantcd?"
 'You," answered the young man
 tcrsely. Lets have a talk, I'm agreeable" acknowledged Obadiah genially, sitting back n
 his chair. Well, vhat1I we talk about - Miss Prescott?" and the { twinkle in his eyes was unmistak- able.
 But there was no lovity in either ], Inns expression or manner. k'. Miss Prescott was here this Nnoon-"
 home.' Obadiah asked
 MT. Chase hadn't left: he brought her here after she spraincd her ankle.''
 Jim strode over to the mantel shelf and fingered the ornaments {. there. Suddenly he faced about, cropping his shoulders against the mantel.
 Our mail got mixed" he began. ., and the fool put a letter to you m .he Prescott box
 Well. what of it?" questioned Obadiah. 'Tisn't nothing to get mad about - my mails innocuous. : Let's have the letter." and he cx ended his hand.
 T haven't it."
 Didn't Miss Prescott give it 10 ..- you?"
 No she lost it."
 Obadiah eyed Jim through . cloud of tobacco smoke; he was ac- customed to the latter's irrtability, put not to his unnatural pallor
 Sick, son?' he asked, bcndjne 'crward in genuine concern, to hc yebuffed instantly by Jim's uncom- promising No"
 Then what in tarnation aiIs Nou"' he demanded with some heat,
 amt fussing cause Miss Pres ' rott lost the letter; shes welcome 10 all of mine" This" Jim spoke slowly, inn prcssiyely, this letter was from commander Sinclair, and it fell into Miss Prescotts hands, 80 that's it." Obadiah laid down his pipe. And Miss Prescott knows-" ' Nothing" harshly. She lost the letter unopened" Jim took an envelope from his pocket and tossed it in Obadiah's lap.
 Ben picked it up on the way here from Ycw Lodge and took t 10 her-empty." After one comprehensive look at V the envelope, Obadiah twisted it into cooked hat and threw it into the fireplace. Haven't you anything to say" demanded Jim, with rising ire Don't you realize that letter is floating around somewhere, nvolv- ing you" , Stop right therc." Seldom hal Jim seen Obadiah moved to wrath. The look in his eyes was indica- live of his feelings and the young CT man paused, startled. What had his incautous words provoked? ? The veins in Obadiah's lean hands, clenched around the arms Of his cahir, stood out like whipcords. ~~ Suddenly he relaxed his grasp and lay back panting.
 Wait" as Jim made a nasty mo- ton in his direction. Let me think. You say Miss Prescott lost the letter between here and Ycw Lodge-''
 Yes" as Obadiah paused, cvi- ~ dently expecting a reply. And | when the envelope vas picked up | by Ben it was found to be empty"
 Hold hard,' cautioned Obadiah | quickly. Did Ben find it cmpty?" He declares he found it in the l condition in which he gave it ,o Miss Prescott in my presence"
 Well" Obadiah drew in his /. breath and let it out slowly, "Ben's statement gives the lie to Miss Prescott"
 Jim's start almost upset the lamp.
 What do you mcan"" he demand cd harshly.
 If Ben picked up an empty en- i Nclope Immediately after Miss Pres '.% CCtt lost the letter. she must have removed it's contents before that Ictorted Obadiah dryly You over look the obvious, I'm thinking, same gas Ben"
 Ben is the liar" Jim's protest rang out hotIy, and not Miss Pres cott." He sprang to his feet. "I'l swring his neck
 GO to it!' exclaimed Obadiah with whole-hearted encouragement "Bens been courting trouble for some time, snooping around where he oughtn't to be. Stop minute" and Jim, alrea 1y at the door, paused reluctantly. If Ben has the letter, we'll and good, get it; if not he Shestated, stroking his chin with ccld fingers, It'll be time to reckon with Miss Prescott"
 Jim swung lack, his eyes bla3- ing: No thre4ts-"
 Obadiah regarded him stead fastly.
 If I'm not here when you get back, don't wait up for me-" an1 f~so saying the farmer, ignoring the others presence, took up the Litch- field Inquirer and holding it spread l out before his face, proceeded to ,peruse the editorial page.
 But Obadiah made no sense of the printed words, and as the front , door slammed on Jim's departing { r figure, he let the newspapcr/ fall ( hnheeded to the floor. {
 Time passed and still he sat, l head back, eyes half closed, his ac- I tive sBrain busy with many prob Mems. A bedroom door closed up 2