Richard and the Vratch — Beatrice Gormley

Exploring the hills near his house, Richard sees an odd drawing and hears eerie sounds: "vratch, vratch." Is a strange animal hiding in the sagebrush, or is it Richard's imagination? What's the matter with Richard's new dog? And why is that creepy scientist Dr. MacNary so interested in him? By the time Richard learns the answers, only he can save his beloved hills -- and the vratches.