The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-02

about this and we're both mighty
interested. Also, I'VE an idea 1t
might explain a lot Of things that
have happened since we came"
''You mean. Ramon, has It any
thing to do with the MURDER" she
asked.
II don't know, for sure" He
slipped an arm about her and drew
her nearer. But DO know this
anything is better than Just sitting
here. doing nothing, Especially
when there's the dangeE that some
thing else mlS.ls happen any min
ute"
Ramon, I'm afraidp the girl
walled softly, hiding her face on his
shoulder. Ramon, what could hap
pen now?"
I'm not saying anything will"
His tone vas a little harsh. "Its
just that there Is a possibility, and
Pierre what want TO know, It
If you could find out from Pearl
might help prevent 1t. See?" His
fingers caressed her soft cheek. Say
you'll do this for me, Angelique. We
all want to get away from here,
don't we?"
Eyes, Ramon. Yesl Though it's
nice to be any place with YOU"
Her companion smiled in spite OF
himself and instead Of answering,
raised her pretty face and pressed
his lips on her red mouth. She re-
turned his caress so eagerly that he
rose quickly and led her out Of the
chapel.
ut looks clearing. How about a
walk to the edge of the mesa?" he
asked, glad of an excuse to change
the subject. Get your coat. III
be waiting for you"
When she rejoined him, warmly
wrapped in her furs, they started
out at brisk pace through the
snow. Evidently Angelique was still
thinking over their conversation, for
she asked, Ramon, what If Pearl
Pierre does know Of hidden places
in this house? Do you think that's
where the body went?"
Perhaps" he answered. But
let's not talk any more about it,
dear"
For several minutes they walked
in silence. Then Ramon caught the
girls arm and pointed to where
solitary figure stood out against the
skyline. THE Indian still seems to
be on the job, watching the top OF
the trail" he said with tight lips,
THAT means that no one is sup
posed to come up or go down with
out the permission Of the people
here. Do you see, Angelique, why I
think it's high time we were taking
a hand In this ourselves?"
Eyes, Ramon" She gazed, big
eyed, at the quiet sentinel and shiv-
cred a little in spite of her warm
furs.
Veering away from the trail road,
they tramped on along the oppo-
site side of the mesa, stopping now
and then to peer curiously over the
steep snowy sides. Boul6ers thrust
black crests above the snow here
and there, for even the soft white
ness of the icy blanket could MOI
completely cover the rugged sides OF
the mesa. In most places 1t was q
sheer drop of great depth to the
fiathess of the plains below, and
they realized more completely than
ever how great their isolation really
was. SYss1,
Anything could happen up here. |
and nobody ever be the wiser" Ra-
mon said through gritted teeth.
Then he pulled her back suddenly |
behind boulder Someone else was |
walking along the edge Of the mesa.
AS they waited, Pearl Pierre came |
swiftly toward them. At first Ra-
mon thought he had seen them, but
he passed by and made his way to-
ward the blackened place among |
some rocks where the Christmas
green's had been burned.
"Why Is he going there?" asked
Angelique, surprised.
"Sh!" Ramon laid his fingers on
her lips. "Look-someone else is
wondering, too" He pointed to an
other outcropping of rock farther
on. The Indian guard was intently
watching Pearl Pierre from behind
that.
HE cut across that end Ramon
indicated the route. But why all
the secrecy?"
For several minutes Pearl Pierre
poked about in the blackened heap
of cinders, apparently unaware that
he was being watched. Then he
gave sudden start, and for an in