The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-07-04
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER III

A menacing chill seemed to
glip the room, focusing upon Dan
Dallas who held the dead dog in
his arms. Why should anyone kill
the watch dog? The answer sud
denly seemed closely connected
with the log across the road. EvI-
IDENTIFY someone else was interest
ed in the House of Long Shadows.
Why?
In spite of Claire'S effort to
shake off the sinister impression,
she felt a Shudder of inexpilcable
terror.
Bob Steele looked at her anX-
iously and then said. Il think we'd
better give things the once over,
and the sooner we start the bet
ter"
Susie was sobbing softly. "Poor
Trigger. The poor old dog! Then
she wiped her eyes. Come on,
Dan. Get q lantern and help m"
bury him. Wen dig grave down
i'm the aspen grove.
'Tf YOU don't mind, Miss Spratt'
i / think you'd better not do any
thing about the dog tonight. 1t
might be just as well for YOU to
stay inside until tomorrow Sug-
gested Pat.
The woman turned with sur
prised expression. what do you
mean? Of course it was an acct
dent, Just like the log falling
down on the road. Probably some
hunter took the dog for a wild
animal
Were not so sure of that,
Susie" answered Claire.
For a minute a look OF fear
showed on Susie's tear-streaHed
face. Then she shook her curl
papers unbelievingly. $50 on now,
Claire. You'll be sayn' next that
Eb and me amt very good care
takers. You haven't found any
thing wrong, have YOU? ..
"Not a thing. Susie, and | don't
expect to- Claire assured her
"But I agree with Mr.. Magyar.
You'd better not 60 out to bury
the dog until morning" -,
"Just as you say, CLAIRE:
Susie's tone showed she was still
nnconvinced. But that log Just
banpened to fall down and it must
have been a mistake about Irlg-
ger. I'm sure of that.
As the door closed behind Susie
u - Won Rob Steele turned
70 Claire. "This dame with the
compelling eycs-you don't figure
she'd lie to you. do you, Clare /!
She rather overdoes the protest
ing act" -, +,
owe never known her to lie.
Claire answered. "Susie's inclined
to be Eighty at times, but her
brother keeps firm hand on her.
She's been with the family ever
since she was a very young girl
except three years when, She
worked in the city. We've always
trusted her implicitly"
Pat laughed. "Pull up, BOD;
Faithful family retainers and all
that stuff. No good trying to work
M any case against them. Come
on, let's shove off.
s.
The next hour was spent in go
ing over every inch of the old
house, much to Ed Spratt's dis
gust. In his opinion, night was
the time for sleeping, not prowl-
80. ~, rapd dOyUn -St1irS
ats bad for my rheumatic" he
grumbled to Susie in the privacy
of the kitchen, this stayin' up
It'll all hours just because a lot O.
Youngsters don't know enough to
90 to bed. Why do they want to
pick this time O. night to look the
place over?"
The tall old clock in the library
was striking midnight when final
ly the three young people decided
to cali halt in the unsuccessful
search.
Pat threw himself into big
chair , and wiped his forehead.
"WhewI III begin to sprout side
burns myself if / stay here long.
All this old-fashioned grandeur.
I'll bet if anyone should try to
horn in here, it would be some
nut on the track of a carved wal
nut bedStead or something"
Probably it's too dark to make
it worth while looking around
. outside tonight, isn't it?' asked
Bob.
Goodness yes" anSw er e d
Claire. "We'd better call it day
and get a fresh start in the morn
ing" Ode.
Accordingly, rooms were as