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

"But why would anybody make up such a story?" Joe asked.

"It's a long guess, but it might even have been done to lure us out here," Frank answered. "Our enemies would know that we would be sure to investigate. We'll go up that pyramid and see what the light's all about. But we'd better be on our guard."

This latest thought of Frank's did not please Chet. He said he wished the three of them had never come and why didn't they go home at once?

The Hardys did not answer. They were already scrambling up the steps at a fast pace. Chet remained below, debating with himself what to do. He did not relish running into Wayne's kidnapper or the mysterious Mexican named Jimenez. On the other hand, he did not want to be left alone.

Frank and Joe, eager to get to the top, had not noticed that Chet had stayed behind. Suddenly their chum let out an agonizing yell.

"Look out, fellows! There are-"

At that moment something hit Chet hard on the head. He blacked out!




- 11 -

Yankee Warning



HEARING Chet's warning, Frank and Joe turned abruptly. Two shadowy figures had sneaked up near them. Each held a raised club, about to descend on the Hardys' heads!

With quick reflexes, Frank and Joe struck out and sent their assailants spinning down the steps. Then the brothers raced for the top of the pyramid.

As they ran Frank gasped, "Maybe we're running into a trap! The light on top may belong to the gang that's after us!"

"You mean we'd better not take a chance?" Joe asked.

Frank continued to dash upwards, saying, "I don't think we have any choice. We know there are enemies below and-"

He suddenly stopped talking and stood still. After gazing all round, he said worriedly, "Where's Chet?"

Joe looked about him. The moonlight was bright enough for him to get a clear view of the steps. Chet was not on them.
"I guess he didn't follow us," Joe said finally. "When Chet saw those men, he ran away."

"But where is he?" Frank persisted. "He may have been attacked!"

Their eyes roved slowly across the great plaza below them. There was no sign of their friend.

Panic seized the Hardys. "Those gangsters we knocked down probably got him!" Frank gritted.

"But Chet warned us," Joe reminded his brother. "Why wouldn't he have run away?"

"The men who tried to club us probably had pals with them," Frank reasoned. "They nabbed Chet!"

The Hardys wasted no more time in conversation. Abandoning the plan to find out who had been using the light at the top of the pyramid, they hurried down to the base. Without depending entirely on moonlight for their search, the brothers swung their torches in great arcs. They failed to pick up any trace of their friend. Sure now that he had been kidnapped, the boys berated themselves for failing to check on him when they had started up the steps.