The Mystery of the Singing Serpent - M. V. Carey [0]
OF
THE SINGING SERPENT
Text by
M. V. CAREY
A Short Preview by Alfred Hitchcock
Welcome, mystery lovers! We are gathered together again for another stimulating case of The Three Investigators, whose official motto is “We Investigate Anything.” If they had known what they were getting into when they tackled the curious case of the singing serpent, they might have changed their motto!
Be that as it may, they find themselves this time drawn into the dark world of witchcraft, where mystery and intrigue lead them from one enigma to another until — but I am not a blabbermouth. I promised faithfully not to tell too much, and I shall keep my promise.
Indeed, I shall only say that The Three Investigators are Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews, who all make their home in Rocky Beach, a small municipality in California a few miles from Hollywood. Their Headquarters is a mobile home trailer in The Jones Salvage Yard, a super-junkyard owned by Jupiter’s aunt and uncle.
The boys make an excellent team, Jupiter has a quick mind and is adept at deductions.
Pete is less intellectual but sturdy and courageous. Bob is somewhat studious and an excellent researcher. Together they have solved some very unusual mysteries indeed.
Which is all I shall say at this time, for I know you are eager to dispense with this preview and get to the main feature!
ALFRED HITCHCOCK
Chapter 1
The Girl on the Appaloosa
“I WOULD BE HAPPIER, Jupiter, if you didn’t come to breakfast in your swimming trunks,” said Aunt Mathilda Jones.
Jupiter Jones pushed back the sleeves of his sweat shirt and reached for his orange juice.
“I’m going swimming with Bob and Pete,” he said. “They’ll be here any minute.”
Across the table, Uncle Titus Jones brushed a crumb from his big black mustache. “Don’t eat too much,” he warned Jupiter. “You’re not supposed to swim on a full stomach.”
“You don’t want to get a cramp,” said Aunt Mathilda. She then moved her coffee cup to one side and began to page through the Los Angeles Times.
Jupiter took a single slice of toast.
“Well, my gracious to Betsy!” said Aunt Mathilda. Then she sighed.
Jupiter looked up in interest. Aunt Mathilda was not much given to sighing.
“I was seventeen the year that movie came out,” said Aunt Mathilda. “I saw it at the Odeon.”
Uncle Titus looked blank.
“I don’t think I slept for a week after,” said Aunt Mathilda. She passed the paper across the table to Uncle Titus. Jupiter stood up and looked over his uncle’s shoulder at the picture of a thin man with high cheekbones, pinched nostrils and piercing, dark eyes. In the photograph, the man stared intently into a glowing crystal ball.
“Ramon Castillo in The Vampire’s Lair,” said Jupiter. “He was a great master of make-up.”
Aunt Mathilda shuddered. “You should have seen him in Cry of the Werewolf.”
“I did,” said Jupiter. “It was on television last month.”
Uncle Titus finished reading the news story that accompanied the photograph of the late great character actor.
“It says here that the auction of Castillo’s estate will be held on the twenty-first,” said Uncle Titus. “I think I’ll go.”
Aunt Mathilda pondered this, frowning slightly. She knew that Uncle Titus dearly loved auctions. She also knew that The Jones Salvage Yard, which she and Uncle Titus owned, was famous for its stock of hard-to-find items. People came to the yard seeking everything from steel beams and old bathtubs to antique sundials. Nevertheless, some of Uncle Titus’s more unusual purchases had been difficult to sell. Aunt Mathilda was a firm believer in making a profit.
“They’re selling the entire Castillo collection,” said Uncle Titus. “All of his costumes and even the crystal ball he used in The Vampire’s Lair.”
“There are dealers who specialize in that sort of thing,” Aunt Mathilda said. “Besides, the bidding will be high.”
“I suppose so.” Uncle Titus put the paper aside. “The collectors will be out in droves.”
“I’m sure they will.” Aunt Mathilda stood up and began to clear the table. Halfway to the sink she paused and listened. From