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THE SECRET OF SHADOW RANCH
NANCY DREW arrives in Phoenix, Arizona, eagerly looking forward to a fun-filled vacation at Shadow Ranch, but abruptly finds herself involved in a baffling mystery. The ranch is being haunted by a phantom horse and maliciously damaged by an unknown enemy. Local people believe that the ghostly animal is carrying out the curse of Dirk Valentine, the romantic outlaw who was killed many years ago at Shadow Ranch, where he had gone to fulfill a promise to his sweetheart.
Suspecting that a treasure hidden by Valentine may be at the root of the Shadow Ranch mystery, Nancy undertakes a challenging search, aided by her friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne. The first vital clue is found in an antique watch and sparks a series of clever deductions and dangerous developments. While seeking further clues, the girls investigation in a ghost town ends in near disaster when Nancy is trapped inside a building that is toppled by a rockslidea rockslide which is deliberately caused. But the pretty titian-haired detective remains undaunted in her determination to solve the mystery.
For those who enjoy a suspenseful thriller, Nancy Drews first Western adventure makes truly fascinating reading.
Nancy, be careful! Bess cried fearfully
CHAPTER 1
A Curious Stranger
HERE I am, girls! exclaimed Nancy Drew as she hugged her two best friends. All set for an exciting vacation at Shadow Ranch.
I hope you had a good flight, said Bess Marvin. The pretty, slightly plump blonde was not smiling as usual. Nancy wondered why.
Are we glad to see you! remarked George Fayne, an attractive tomboyish girl with short dark hair. She glanced anxiously around the crowded waiting room in the Phoenix air terminal. Lets go where we can talk.
Nancy looked at the cousins with keen blue eyes. Whats the matter? Is something wrong?
Bess bit her lip, then burst out, Oh, Nancy, we cant stay! We all have to go home tomorrow!
But why? asked Nancy, astonished.
Because theres a mystery at the ranch, George said bluntly, and Uncle Ed thinks its not safe for us to be here.
Bess put in, But, Nancy, if you could convince Uncle Ed you can solve the case, maybe hed let us stay. However, Im not so sure I want to. Itsits really pretty frightening.
I cant wait to hear what the mystery is, Nancy said excitedly.
George insisted on collecting Nancys suitcases at the baggage-claim section. But save the mystery until I come back! George said and hastened off. Bess led Nancy toward an attractive sandwich shop in the air terminal.
On the way, admiring glances were cast at the two girls. Titian-haired Nancy was a trim figure in her olive-green knit with matching shoes. Beige accessories and knitting bag completed her costume. Bess wore a pale-blue cotton which showed off her deep suntan to advantage.
While they walked, Bess explained that her uncle had decided at breakfast to send the girls home. At his insistence, George had made reservations for a flight the next day.
We told him what a wonderful detective you are and begged him to let you try to solve the mystery. He said it was too dangerous for a girl. George phoned you, but youd already left. Bess sighed. Its a shame! We could have had a super vacation!
The three girls had grown up together in River Heights, and had shared many exciting adventures.
Several weeks before, Bess and Georges aunt and uncle, Edward and Elizabeth Rawley, owners of Shadow Ranch, had invited them to spend the summer in Arizona. The Rawleys had easily been persuaded to include Nancy in the invitation.
Nancys father, Carson Drew, a famous lawyer, had given his consent to the trip, but had asked his daughter to delay her departure for a week in order to do some work for him.
Previously Nancy had helped him solve The Secret of the Old Clock. It was her first case and had led to many other dangerous assignments, the most recent of which was The Mystery at Lilac Inn.
Now the young sleuth was eager to hear about the mystery at Shadow Ranch. She and Bess strolled into the sandwich shop and made their way among the crowded tables to a small one in a corner.
As they seated themselves, a slender gray-haired man in a tan suit sat down at the next table. Nancy placed her knitting bag on the floor between his chair and her own.
What are you making? Bess asked, nodding toward the bag.
A sweater for Dad, Nancy replied. I hope to finish it for his birthday. Originally I bought the wool for myself, but he admired the color, so I decided to surprise him and knit a sweater for him. Do you think hell like the style?
Hell love it. Not to change the subject, but there are some handsome cowboys at the ranch, Bess remarked. As she told Nancy of the fun she and George had been having, Bess grew more cheerful.
Just then George joined them. Besides the brown linen purse that matched her dress, she now carried a big Thermos jug.
I had a porter put your bags in the car, she told Nancy, and I brought this Thermos back. We have to fill it with water for the drive across the desert. We started with two jugs. Bess and I drank up the water in one on the way here.
When the waitress came to take the girls order, Nancy and George chose soft drinks, while Bess studied the menu.
This mystery has me so upset, she declared, that my appetite is gone. Then she added, Ill have a double chocolate sundae with walnuts.
Nancy and George grinned. Poor girl, said George, shes wasting away.
Bess looked sheepish. Never mind me, she said. Start telling Nancy about the mystery.
George tugged her chair closer and bent forward. About two months ago, she began, Uncle Ed and Aunt Bet acquired Shadow Ranch in payment of a debt. Theyd always wanted to be ranchers, so they moved there and began working the property. But for the past month there have been so many accidents that theyve decided the ranch is being sabotaged.
At first they werent sureBess took up the storybut after last night, Uncle Ed said there was no doubt.
What happened? Nancy asked.
The phantom horse, appeared, replied George.
Nancys eyes sparkled with interest. A phantom! Tell me!
Bess shivered. Its the weirdest thingall glowing white and filmy! We saw it running across what we call the big meadow.
George added, Shorty Steelehes one of the ranch handssays its supposed to be the ghost of the horse which belonged to Dirk Valentine, an old-time outlaw.
Theres a very romantic legend about him, Bess said. He was the sweetheart of Frances Humber, daughter of the local sheriff, who was the original owner of Shadow Ranch. One night when Dirk Valentine came there to see Frances, the sheriff shot and killed him. As he lay dying, the desperado put a curse on the Humber property, vowing that his horse would haunt Shadow Ranch. And whenever it appeared, destruction would follow.
That curse came true, George said grimly. This morning Uncle Ed found one of his wind-mills had been pulled down.
Nancy looked thoughtful. Did the phantom horse make any sound?
