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

To the Hardys' surprise, the episode took away Chet's appetite. He not only did not finish the food in front of him, but refused dessert.

"Players shouldn't eat much before a game, anyhow," Joe remarked. "Let's go!"

The three boys had barely reached the pavement when the four men from the booth started after them. Chet and the Hardys walked fast, thinking that if they could reach the car, then they could make it safely to the hotel.

The men behind them apparently anticipated the boys' plan and decided to act in a hurry. As the young sleuths reached an alleyway, the four men converged on them. Instantly the Americans were forced into the dark alley!




- 9 -

Iguana Scare



TO THE surprise of the Mexicans, the Hardys and Chet instantly turned round and rushed at them like battering rams. Chet knocked out one man, and he fell to the cobblestone road.

The Hardys' fists flew and their arms flailed with telling blows. The other three Mexicans were so thunderstruck that within seconds they gave up the fight and fled down the dark alley.

Joe started after them, but Frank grabbed his brother's arm. "We don't know what's down there. The men may have reinforcements."

Joe paused. "Anyway, we have one captive for the police."

By this time a small crowd had gathered, and an officer pushed his way through. Frank explained what had happened.

The man on the ground, who was beginning to regain consciousness, was dragged by his arms out to the pavement. Under the street lights the policeman recognized him.

"This man is a wanted local criminal," the officer said. "He and his friends prey on tourists." Looking at the Hardys and Chet, the policeman added, "You boys certainly defended yourselves well." He smiled. "You are athletic - maybe you should train to become matadors!"

The three boys laughed and Chet said, "No thank you. I'll stick to football. I don't want to ram into anything with horns."

The dejected criminal, still in a somewhat groggy state, was marched to a police car. Frank, Joe and Chet were requested to go along in their own car and tell their story to the officer in charge.

When the boys arrived at headquarters, Chief Diaz was there. He was not on duty but had dropped in to pick up some papers. When he had heard the story of the encounter, he beamed at them.

"Bravo!" he said. "We could use more of your kind here to help us discipline our lawbreakers."

Chief Diaz waited until the boys had made a formal charge against their attackers, then he walked outside with them.

"I have been trying to reach you boys on the phone to tell you something," he said. "A few hours ago I heard a rumour that an archaeologist had just made a great discovery at Monte Alban. I wondered if he might be the man you're looking for."

"Seсor Tatloc?" Frank asked.

"No one knows," the officer answered. "The report was that a traveller had arrived in town with the information. He said the archaeologist did not wish to be identified. I'm inclined to think he may be Seсor Tatloc."

"Then we shouldn't waste any time getting down to those ruins and looking for him," Joe said eagerly.

The Hardys questioned the chief further about what the discovery was. His information was scanty. The traveller who had reported the news had not revealed the nature of the find.