The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-29
Ramon lighted cigaret before he

Ramon lighted a cigaret before he
answered, and Bob noticed that now
every trace Of his nervousness had
disappeared. Then you think Pearl
Pierre Is deliberately holding us here
for some purpose Of his own, do
you? How about the younger broth
er?"
Hes a regular fellow in my opin-
ion," Bob answered, "and I believe
he'd do everything he could to help
get us and the girls out Of here.
II necessary, we might be able to
force them to send someone down
The words froze on his lips as
Pearl Pierre's voice broke in from
the doorway. mot at all necessary
to do that, my dear Mr.. Graham.
Everything has been attended to, I
assure you, and the officers will be
here before long"
He looked at the two younger men
for minute, as though he were en-
joying their embarrassment. Then
he walked away.
"A tricky devil, If one ever lived"
muttered Ramon Vasquez furiously.
Hes certainly not doing the griev-
ing act over his brothers death, Is
he? Nor Pearl John either. I think
they're both relieved that he's out Of
the way, If you ask me-"
An odd chuckle, coming from one
Of the chairs In front of the fire,
made both men turn with a start.
Professor Shaw peered at them
around the high back of one of the
seats. Pardon my interruption"
he said, "but, young man, you were
SO right about that that it amuses
me. Both the de Forest brothers
are relieved that Pearl Sam is gone
but for different reasons"
Ramon strobe over to the pro-
lessor, his face dark with rage.
What do you mean, Professor
Shaw, hiding there listening to what
we were saying?"
The older man rose deliberately
and faced him, holding up long
thin hand. Nov, now, young man
don't go flying of like thatl I
was here first, doing little research
work." He pointed to several books
on small table nearby. II wasn't
even conscious that anyone else had
come into the room. concentrate
rather deeply, you know. When
Pearl Pierre spoke from the door
way I realized, for the first time,
that was no longer the sole occu-
pant of the room. That was when I
overheard your last remark"
Ramon looked at the older man
for minute without speaking.
Then he turned, with an express
sive shrug. "Of course we have no
choice but to accept your story, Pro-
fessor Shaw" He took quick turn
or two about the room, then adj
dressed the archeologist again. "Just
how do you happen to know so
much about things here, Professor?
And just what did you mean by say
ing the de Forests had different
reasons for being relieved at Pearl
Sans death?"
I'LL answer your questions in Or
der, Mr.. Vasquez," Professor Shaw
replied. ITO the first, I'll remind
you that it's my profession to no
tice things. A trained scientific |
man picks up details that others
might consider worthless. And,
I have been here on the
mesa for several weeks. About the
de Forest brothers, am certain that
Pearl Pierre Is enjoying his new po-
sition as head of the family"
And Pearl John?" asked Bob.
you can't say he wanted to stay
here with this crew."
That's just It," the professor
went on. "He most assuredly did
not. But Pearl Sam held him
against his wishes. More than once
since I've been here the young man
has threatened to take the bit IN
MS teeth and bolt"
"Since you seem to know so much,
Bob said, moving a step
nearer, "how about that Indian
who's always at the top of the trail?
That queer looking knife that was
sticking out of Pearl Sans throat
wasn't a white mans knife, you
1now."
"Ah, the sacred obsidian knife!
The professors eyes glowed with
sudden interest. 1T was most an
Gent. Perhaps the most ancient OBJ
ect on this continent. A very, very
I'D Indian artifact, which was prob
ably used SCIENTIFICALLY in the kivas OF
,ome forgotten race. That knife
was the reason for my being here.
knew Pearl Sam had it, and was