The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-12-23
RECIN-HERE TO-DAY

Rob Graham, tire salesman
driving over desert road m Ne"
N-x;eo during n snow storm IS
halted by an accident to has car
Two strangers, Ramon Easquez
and Angcliquc Abcyta, invite him
10 go with them. Ramon and An
sel;oue are on their way to the dc
Forest hacienda, Thunder Mesa
for a Christmas party.
They reach the hacienda ana
are welcomed by Pearl John de
Fors,t. Youngest OF three broth.
er.. Pearl Sam is the oldest ana
Pearl Pierre next. BOB wonaeES
about these curious names. Other
members of the household arc
T.nte Josephine. old and an an
valid: Betty Weleh, her eompan-
ion; and Professor shaw, arehe'
olosist. Bob senses something
strange about the place. Alone IN
hi. room. he is startled to hear a
noise at the window. He orens u
and finds Betty WEIGH outs dc.
She saws, Can you take me away
with you? I'm afraid.
NOW co ON WITH The STORY
CHAPTER VII
The next morning showed the
house on Thunder Mesa almost
snowbound. Bob ate his breakfast
i'm silence. after trying unSucccSS-
fully 10 find out about the condi-
tion of the roads from the tlozcn-
faced Mexican who served nm.
Rob had made up his mind that
somehow. he would get into com,
munication with the outside world
that day.
Being shut up on this mesa,
with a household of eccenulcS ana
possible murdererS. was unoeaE'
atle. When the sheriff and coIo'
ner came to see about Pearl Sam :
body. Bob had decided he would
take things into his own hands.
A. least. he was determined 10
oct Betty away. Those eerie cries,
coming across the courtyard the
night before in the darkness, had
unnerved him more than he cared
70 admit. He knew now that TINS
girls safety was becoming ire
mendously important TO him.
Rob went down the corridor TO
find Ramon NaSqucz and Pearl
John and see if they knew when
the Officers Of the law would ar
rive.
But young dc Forest was no
where 10 be found, and. after
wandering aimleSSly about the BIC
rooms for several minutes With
outseeing even 4 servant, Eoo
stepped into a small library. The
room was lined with books. from
floor % ceiling, and had TWO mas
siye carved chairs facing the fire
place. These chairs had very hgh
backs. Ramon NaSqucz was stand
ing by a window, looking Out
glumlv at the piles of snow that
shrouded the mesa. Al the SCUM"
of Bob'S step, young \aSPNe%
whirled nervOuSly.
%ookS like a long session. even
if we weren't held here by what
happened last night, doesn't II
Bob asked,
The other man nodded, then
scowled darkly. "IeS-but if they
wanted TO. they could get those
McxicanS 20 work clearing a path
for car. Has anyone come trom
down below yet, do you know
They might get through on horse
back"
"Are YOU sure Pearl Pierre sent
for anvone?" Bob asked. HE
seems 10 have his own ideas OF
handling this affair without much
concern about the law.
Ramon looked up sharply. fou
mean YOU don't think Pearl Pierre
wants the outside world TO know
about this.
"What do you think Bob
countered. "He was certainly ar
britrary about things last night.
Made it very plain ne was han
ding the case TO suit his own
ideas. And this mesa makes 4
rather effective prison If anyone
should want 10 use it for that.
Ramon lighted a eigaret be-
fore he answered. and Bob noticed
that now every trace OF his nerv-
business had disappeared. Then
you think Pearl Pierre is deliber-
ately holding us here for some
purpose Of his own. DO you? How
about the younger brother"
"He'S a regular fellow in my
opinion Bob answered. "and |
believe he'd do everything he