The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-12-26
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It's locked" his host replied.
Bat Bob had, the distinct feel
inc. that Pearl John was none toe,
wei, pleased that the door had
heen mentioned For that reason
Bob turned and looked back at II
curously. It had an ANTIQUE
brass knocker, carved in the shape
Of a lions head that seemed 20
Siara at him with baleful, sight
i H ewes. Bob wondered what
MYSTERY NV, was concealed behind the
door, and why there should be a
knocker on an inside door, BUT
Pearl John hurried on. as though
ne did not wish to talk. 90, F.,
The servants quarters hummed
with activity; very much in con-
trast to the empty silence OF the
rest of the house. Soft.voiced
MEXICAN women padded to and
fro, and several dark-skinned chill
dren played quietly near the Dig
cook stoves. Rows Of shining pots
hung on the, walls, and long
strings of gaily.colored dried pep
pers were festooned. from the
rafters. A stout refeetory table
stood in the center OF the room,
with the evening meal set upon it.
There were no men in sight. Con-
versation ceased as Pearl John
and Bob came into the room. 49,
where are Agapito and jesus
asked Pearl John Of the woman
who was the head. cook.
"Senor Pearl Pierre send them
burn Christmas" she answered..
"They not yet come back" -
az want to see them when they
do" Pearl John told her. send
them to my room"
As the door closed behind them,
Bob heard the conversation re:
sumo Immediately, and imagined
he detected a new note OF sup
pressed excitement in it, but Since
Pearl John did not seem to notice,
he said nothing about it.
"The family sleeping quarters
are on that side, so well cross the
patio here" remarked Pearl John,
opening a heavy door. -,
In a minute they were outside
on the snowy veranda, and Bob
shipered as the cold strcuk him.
They passed several lighted win.
dows where the curtains were
tightly drawn, and made directly
for, another door nsthe opposite
sfde ofrthe yard. Z Suddenly, Pearl
John; grasp6dE Bob's sleeve : and
drew him into the shelter of "a
huge ;pillar..of the porch. 60 :
I : Tante Josephihe's high-pitched
voice ,came TO-. them plainly and
Bob could see that one.of the win
dows was open. The Indian who
had guarded the trail; down the
canyon was standing on the porch
outside. 8 = e. =: = - - ..
"Proniise me you'll do IT. Bro.
ken Shield".iTante Josephine was
saying. her voice showing more
!, than. her usual. excitement. Z
The Indian seemed,:to hesitate
and again came. the insistent de-
'mand, Promise me-" "
The two young men strained
forward and heard him reply, Isl,
Sen6ra, ] promise" The window
slammed shut then and the Indian
hurried away. '- =.
"l'm going to Tante Josephlne's
room. You can come" Pearl
John said with sudden. decision.
He ~slked to the window and
knockn6 80 ~ - = -, -,
- The, old. lady s. wizcned face .ap-
peared almost at once, but when
she. saw. bel nephew she turned
pale. .!r,Whft, do, you want?n she
demapdet kisibly trying To regain
her Usual R,atriafchal manner,
.%:GlYhAt did, that cursed Indian
OF yours promise ito do, Tahte
Josepffne2h, Pearl John asked
\ sterhly.' "What do Sou know about
the !. things I that are happening
fhe old lady shook her treaa-
bling fist and her voice rose to n
shrek. Listen to the boy! Listen
to him! Yon, will dare threaten
your. old : aunt, will ydu?. Oh,
why must | live on in this. den
of cut:throats and liars? My, hfe's
not safe. TIL be, shuffed out any
minute. III be murdered In my
bed! Betty, where are You? Betty,
|; sayw - g.
l. Her fury. brought running foot.
steps. Quickly Pearl John closed
the window. = / - ~
TO-. 49, - ..r... -:
49,. CHAPTER Y 49, =
THAT. was acting" declared