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

Joe changed the subject and asked how early they might eat dinner. "Six o'clock," was the reply.

At once Joe proposed that the boys eat early and then drive out to the Monte Alban ruins to search for Tatloc. "It doesn't get dark until late. What say?"

The others agreed and by seven o'clock the three sleuths were on their way. Unfortunately, they were not familiar with the road and presently found themselves off course. To get back in the right direction, they took an unpaved and rather desolate side road.

Chet, who was riding in the back seat alone, began to complain. "My supper's going to be shaken down in twenty minutes at this rough rate," he said, almost hitting the top of the car as Frank drove in and out of deep ruts.

To Frank, the pace seemed very slow. "I hope this won't last long," he said worriedly.

"Good place for a blowout," Joe remarked.

"And a-a holdup!" Chet added.

Fortunately, the boys reached a paved road without any tyre or engine trouble. Frank put on speed, and the car climbed the mountain to the ruins. The delay had been costly in terms of time, and when they reached the summit of Monte Alban, the sun had set and the moon had already come out.

"We mustn't forget our torches," Frank reminded the others. "And, Chet, look out for ghosts!"

The stout boy gave a grunt. "No ghost's going to come after me. He'll be looking for two guys named Hardy who are searching for an Aztec warrior."

"Okay, Chet, you win," Frank conceded.

In the moonlight the great pyramidal temples, tombs and palaces of Monte Alban looked ghostly and weird indeed. The boys found a tremendous esplanade with giant structures surrounding it. Frank parked the car at one of the openings between the buildings, and the boys proceeded on foot. All of them felt a sense of awe at the immensity and silence of the area where once there had been so much activity.

"What's the history of this spot?" Chet asked, as he looked warily from left to right.

"I understand that during the early fifteen hundreds it was a city," said Frank, "but after the place was captured by the Spanish, the new owners built another city and used this one just to bury their great leaders and to hold religious ceremonials."

"Then it is a ghost city," said Chet. They were passing a stone wall on which were carved life-sized figures of dancers. "Wow!" Chet cried out, pushing against the Hardys. "Look!"

Frank and Joe turned. "What's up?"

"They're - they're alive!" Chet murmured.

The brothers began to laugh. "You're going loco!" said Joe. For fun he went up to the wall, pretended to put his arm around one of the figures, and performed a few dance steps.

Chet did not join the hilarity. "I don't care what you fellows say, I think there are ghosts around here. It's too spooky for me. Let's go!"

"Not on your life!" said Frank. "Have you forgotten why we came? We're looking for Seсor Tatloc."

"But you're not going to find him," Chet predicted. "Even if he does work on the ruins, why would he stay at night?"

Chet had almost convinced the Hardys he was right when suddenly Joe cried softly, "Look!"

At the top of a pyramid just ahead was a flickering light, like that of a lantern.

"We're in luck!" Joe said excitedly. "That might be Seсor Tatloc up there."

Frank looked doubtful. He suggested that the whole story of the archaeologist's being at the ruins might have been a hoax. He reminded his brother that the hotel manager had not heard of the great discovery.