"Dixon, Franklin W - Hardy Boys 043 - The Mystery Of The Aztec Warrior" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dixon Franklin W)

"Yes. My abductors threatened to harm me if I tried to escape, so I used that method to warn you that you were being followed."

While the chief took a phone call, the pilot added in a whisper, "The gang is after the Aztec warrior object, and my kidnapper tried to find out from me where it is. He said it's worth a fortune."

When the chief finished his call, Jack went on, "The kidnapper - I never did learn his name - directed me to land on a field at an abandoned farm outside this city. A group of masked men met us and put me in a car. Then we came into the city, and I was forced into a house. There I was made to answer a lot of questions about you Hardys. I probably shouldn't have bragged that I knew you would come after me.

"Then the hijacker took me out to a taxi, and we drove to the big airport to watch you come in. We kept you in sight to find out where you were going. Suddenly the traffic forced us to pass your taxi. I decided to try that handkerchief signal to alert you."

"It did," said Joe. "And that man with a badge who jumped into our taxi - we thought at first he was a detective - probably intended to kidnap us too."

"I know about him," said Jack. "He's one of the gang. He was in another taxi. As soon as he saw my warning signal to you, he got out of his taxi and stopped your driver. I was looking back and sure was glad when I saw you fellows hop out."

"Why were you taken to the Lagunilla Market?" Joe asked.

"So you wouldn't be able to pick up our trail and find out where I was being held," the pilot replied. "The men thought you'd probably quiz our driver, so we changed taxis at the Lagunilla Market. While we were there, the kidnapper purchased one of the wickedest looking knives I've ever seen.

"I managed to persuade him to let me buy the bracelet. I wore it, hoping you fellows could trace me." Jack gave a broad grin. "And you did, thank goodness!"

Chet, who had been silent up to this time, reminded the pilot that he had said he knew only his kidnapper. "Would you recognize the man who got in our taxi if you saw him again?"

"I couldn't see his face," said Jack. "By the way, the hijacker told me he had tried to break into Mr Moore's home, but that you'd stopped him."

"We didn't get a very good look at him," said Frank. "He's short and dark. What else can you tell us about him?"

"The outstanding thing about him is that his teeth are quite crooked and overlapping."

The Hardys and Chet further learned that a man referred to as Jimenez seemed to be the leader of the group.

Chief Diaz spoke up. "He and his friends may be hard to capture. I feel sure none of them will return to the house where we found you, Seсor Wayne. The gang probably had a look-out, and when we tracked you down, he no doubt warned those scoundrels and they got away in a hurry."

The officer promised that his department would continue their search. In the meantime, if the pilot was ready, they would drive him to his plane, which the police had learned was still where it had landed. "I understand you wish to get back to Bayport as soon as possible."

"That's right," Jack replied.

While the chief was making arrangements, the pilot whispered to the boys, "I'm sorry I couldn't find out more about the Aztec warrior - both the thing and the man."

Frank spoke up, "Jack, you've done a great job and given us some important clues. It's too bad you had to be kidnapped in the process, but it sure is paying off."

After Jack had left in the police car, the boys talked over what their next move should be. They decided to go at once to the University of Mexico and try to talk to someone connected with the archaeological department about Seсor Tatloc. Since the buildings were some distance out of town, they took a taxi.

On the way they passed beautiful new homes, most of them a delicate shade of pink concrete. All were set among rolling lawns and gardens of profuse, brightcoloured flowers.

As the taxi drew near the university buildings, Chet leaned out of the window and gaped in amazement. "Boy, look at that!" he exclaimed, gazing at the beautiful, intricate mosaic work which formed the walls of the huge library.

One side showed a gigantic figure - half of it representing the Indian background of Mexico, the other its Spanish influence.

At the administration building Frank asked the driver to stop while he went inside to inquire if he could talk to a staff member of the archaeological department. He was given directions to the nearby home of Professor Rincon. The boys found it and requested the taxi driver to wait for them.

Professor Rincon was a friendly, scholarly person who said he knew Seсor Maxli Tatloc well, and identified him as one of the two men in the photographic prints. "I have not seen him for a long time, however. Tatloc is a very retiring person and moves often. I believe he has no permanent residence.