The Ghost of St. Elmo

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  SECRET PACT

  Suddenly, there was no snow falling, and the raw winds subsided. I looked high above my head and saw a natural archway of rock that touched both sides of the narrow canyon and acted as a huge umbrella. No snow and only slight winds blowing…boy, was that a welcome relief. We decided we needed to be out of the bad weather for a rest and decided to eat the lunches Mrs. Mac had prepared. We all collected pieces of wood and started a fire to keep warm. As we sat eating our lunches, we discussed how to proceed from here, knowing we were still about five miles from the ranch. After an hour we smothered the campfire, tightened the cinches on our saddles and headed out, feeling a lot warmer and drier.

  As we left the protection of the canyon’s canopy, we were surprised at the dramatic change in the weather. Now, it was still cloudy, but the snow had all but stopped, and it was a little milder and much calmer. Mr. Mac had told me how fast the weather could change, and this was certainly the proof. We resumed our journey from Brice’s Canyon and went down Coyote Gulch toward the old cabin where we had discovered the mystery men and the secret room. Suddenly, we encountered the most terrifying storm I had ever seen. Here we go again, I thought. Dark clouds once again appeared in the sky, and distant thunder seemed to growl a warning. We lost no time in changing our plans, and we made a run for it toward Lost Gorge. Rain and small hail fell in torrents to the degree our words to each other couldn’t be heard through the deafening cracks of thunder. To make matters worse, each clap of thunder was preceded by blinding flashes of lightening that terrified our horses, as well as us. The storm lasted the entire ride home.

  Finally! We had reached the barn. I was so exhausted that I could scarcely dismount and stand up. We pulled open the huge barn door and quickly ran in while leading our horses behind. There were a few men at the other end busily engaged in brushing some horses and cleaning the mud from their hooves. We walked slowly in their direction and stopped behind them.

  “Hi, Slim!” Katie blurted out, tapping him on the shoulder. Slim whirled around astonished to hear her voice. His eyes grew wide, and his mouth dropped in disbelief. He said nothing, but the look on his face told the story. “Have a good day, Slim?” Katie continued, with a smile on her face. “Take care of our horses. That’s an order! We’re going to the house.” She hesitated for a few moments staring intensely at Slim and then turned and headed toward the warmth of the ranch. Zack and I looked at each other, smiled and headed into the downpour, trailing closely behind her.

  We had galloped through the cold, blinding snow and the driving, icy rains mile after mile. We drove our horses with gentle coaxing; at last, we would be enjoying the warmth and safety of our rooms. “I’m hungry and thirsty,” Zack said politely to Katie. “How about you? Do you think it’s time to eat yet?”

  “Follow me, first,” Katie responded. “We have to talk.” We followed her through a small side door where boots and coats of all kinds lined the walls. She cautiously glanced around outside before she quickly closed the door behind her and switched on a small table lamp. “Let’s all make a pact,” she whispered. “We can’t let anyone know about what happened today or say anything about Slim and those other riders.”

  “What are you planning to do next?” I asked rather puzzled.

  “I think there’s a connection between Slim and those guys in the old cabin,” she said excitedly, “and we’re going to find out what it is. What I’ve been wondering is where do the other guys disappear to, and what are they hiding? Why are there hidden rooms in the old cabin? What about the ink and paper we found hidden under the trap door? Why do they want to get rid of us? We have to be getting very close to something they’re hiding. But, what?”

  Zack and I exchanged glances and then I said, “I agree, but shouldn’t we go to the sheriff or at least tell your dad?”

  “No!” Katie shot back emphatically. “We’ll solve this ourselves.” You could sense her determination and excitement, so Zack and I both agreed not to say anything to anyone. Katie grabbed both our arms tightly. “You have to promise me…both of you,” she implored.

  “We promise,” I assured her, wondering what we were getting into.

  Suddenly the door flew open letting in the bright light from the large living room. Mr. Mac gave us a start as he peered into the darker room we were in. “Well, hello. Where have you been all day? You look like a bunch of drowned rats,” he smiled. We all looked at each other. He was right. We looked pretty pathetic. Katie’s long, blond hair hung straight down to her shoulders, and her clothes were soaked and filthy. Zack and I were in just as bad a condition. “You better get upstairs and get out of those clothes and take a warm shower,” he suggested. “Dinner will be ready in about an hour.” We didn’t have to be told twice. We moved past Mr. Mac and headed upstairs.

  “Remember,” Katie shouted out as we climbed the stairs.

  “Don’t worry,” we answered back. “See you at dinner.” We pushed open the door and fell exhausted onto our beds…wet clothes and all. What a day this had been, and what a vacation this was turning out to be.