The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-08-03
SERIAL STORY
MYSTERY AT THE LAZY R
BY CLARKE NEWTON S E0'9 sss1Tcs ,I ne
CAST OF CHARACTERS

CAST OF CHARACTERS
NIkkI JEROME, hero N e.:
blond, popular, is engaged to six
foot, black-haired
STEVE MALLORY, hero; who
is accompanying her on trip to
Nikkis aunt and uncle on Wyo-
ming dude ranch. Nikkis father,
PETER JEROME is a wealthy,
New York jewel merchant.
Yesterday: Returning to the
clearing, Steve ami Nikki are held
Up by Ssrto. He pats his pistol.
II don't miss with this" he warns.
.- CHAPTER MI
As Nikki and Steve moved over
into the center of the clearing
under the waving directions OF
the black automatic in Sarto :
hand, they heard 4 rifle Shot IN
the distance. 1t was followed by
a second and a third and the
sounds dotted a Semicircle IN the
direction Steve and Nikki and
Woody had taken when they left
camp the day before.
Three shots. thought Steve.
meant Uncle Jim, Rance and
Woody were searching separately.
FiSke probably was with one OF
them. He wouldn't be alone. One
shot meant, of course. they hadn't
found anything. They couldn't
very well when the persons they
hunted were safely back in camp.
Wen. they were back in camp
anyway. thought Steve. if not too
safe.
He glanced at Sarto. The man
was backing toward the cabin
against which a rifle stood.
OF course. thought Steve, he II
complete the signal system. He
watched Sarto jab the pistol into
his hip pocket and Stoop for the
rifle and for moment thought OF
making a break. II he made tho
trees he could al least warn the
others. Then he u quickly dis
carded the idea. Nikki would be
lett alone with the gunman.
Sarto'S thoughts had gone along
the same line.
Don't try it," he said with an
evil grin. "I'll get one OF you and
it might be the girl"
He picked uU the rifle and fir
ed. not once but twice in the air.
That will bring the others back.
thought Steve. startled. II one
shot meant no luck. certainly two
shots would mean he and NIkEl
had been found. Before he had
time 10 go further along the mem
tai tangent. Surto spoke.
"Yuu two sit over by that tree.
Face toward the fire and don't
try anything. II wouldn't be
healthy. When the others come
in" he waved casual arm in the
direction from whence the shots
had come. "don't try to give EN-
any signs. III do the talking
They sat down. their backs to
the tree. facing the clearing and
the cabin at their right. Sarto
placed the rifle on the bench by
the cabin and sat down also. the
pistol held carelcSSlv in his two
hands.
whats he going TO do" whiS-
pered Nikki.
ambush the others when they
come in | suppose" Steve whrS-
pered back. And then as he found
the answer:
Hell need someone to guide
him back to the ranch
They sat quietly for several
minutes. Nikki shifted uncom-
fortably. After Sarto had am
pushed the others. then what? He
had murdered Bancroft. A man
who had killed once probably
wouldn't worry very much about
repeating the crime. She remem-
bered. suddenly. the day they had
walked through Grand Central.
she and Steve and her father. No
hint of tragedy i'm the bright sun
shine Of that day, no warning OF
the things ahead. Then the money
on the train and the realization
that her father was somehow in
volved with the sinister Bancroft
and his companion. She looked at
the hunched figure on the bench.
No, no. Her father couldn't be
to blame for all this. He Just
couldn't. But BancrOft'S refer
ence to the jerome affair kept
coming back.
Hungry" asked Steve, with a
quick glance at the gunman.
81 guess so" said Nikki. 81
hadn't thought about it,"
"Sarto." called Steve. 1--WE
haven't eaten much lately.
Couldn't we have a little food
while we're waiting?"
shut up" said Sarto. you'll