"Arden, William - The Three Investigators 26 - The Mystery of the Headless Horse" - читать интересную книгу автора (Arden William)

"You will take back what you said," Diego demanded.

Skinny flushed. "If it means that much to you, okay, I guess I take it back. I . . ."

"Then I am satisfied," Diego said. He turned his back on Skinny and walked away.

"Hey, now--" Skinny began. Then he saw Bob, Pete, and Jupiter grinning. His narrow face turned red with anger. He hurried towards the ranch wagon. "Cody!" he called to the cowboy. "Let's get out of here!"

The cowboy looked at Diego and the fierce stranger, who now stood beside the boy.

"You two just made yourselves a lot of trouble," Cody said.

Then he got into the ranch wagon beside Skinny and drove away.





2

The Alvaro Pride



AS CODY'S MENACING WORDS echoed in their ears, the Three Investigators saw Diego stare after the ranch wagon in dismay.

"My stupid pride!" Diego wailed. "It will ruin us!"

"No, Diego!" the tall stranger snapped. "You did well. For an Alvaro, pride and honour come first always."

Diego turned to the boys. "This is my brother, Pico. He is the head of our family. My brother, these friends are Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews."

Serious and formal, Pico Alvaro bowed to the boys. He was no more than twenty-five, but even in his old jeans, battered boots, and worn black shirt he seemed like some old Spanish nobleman.

"Seсores. We are honoured that you meet with us."

"De nada." Jupiter said, and bowed in return.

"Ah?" Pico smiled. "You speak Spanish, Jupiter?"

"I read it," Jupiter said, a little shamefaced, "but I can't really speak it. At least, not the way you speak English."

"You have no need to speak two languages," said Pico politely. "We are proud of our heritage, so we speak Spanish. But we are Americans, as you are, so English is our language also."

Before Jupe could respond, Pete burst out impatiently, "What did that Cody guy mean when he said you'd made yourselves a lot of trouble?"

"An empty wind without meaning," Pico said scornfully.

Diego said uneasily, "I don't know, Pico. Mr Morris . . ."