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

"We sure are," Frank told him. "Aren't you coming along?"

"Now listen," Chet said, "I'm not chicken, but I don't aim to walk right smack into the middle of big trouble. I got a pretty bad whack on the head, don't forget. You haven't mentioned my goose egg, but believe me, it's pretty sore. Tell you what. Why don't I stay in town and go to the State Museum? I might see something in their collection that would give us clue."

"Okay," Frank agreed. "See you later."

After he left, Frank and Joe decided to telephone their father and give him a full report. They also wanted to find out how he had progressed with his end of the case of the Aztec warrior.

"Hello, Dad!" said the brothers, taking turns with the phone in their bedroom.

Frank brought the detective up to date on what had happened in Mexico, then Joe asked what luck their father had had.

"Practically none," Mr Hardy replied. "Sam Radley and I have been over the grounds of the Moore estate several times but haven't found anything to help solve the case." Sam Radley, Mr Hardy's assistant, was an ace detective himself.

Frank and Joe learned that the only new thing which had been found was another marking on the same tree where the boys had found the carving of the Aztec warrior's head.

"There was a tiny arrow - barely noticeable - near the base of the trunk," Mr Hardy explained. "Sam and I assume that it might be a guide to something Mr Moore had buried. We dug pretty deep in several places, but we didn't find anything." The detective chuckled. "We're not giving up, though!"

Frank asked whether there had been any more intruders at the Moore home. The answer was no. "So far as we can discover, there has been no disturbance at the estate, but the police are keeping a close watch. As you boys know, sometimes a criminal will lie low, hoping to discourage his pursuers. When he thinks he's safe, he'll strike again. Well, watch your step, boys. If you turn up anything worthwhile, give me a ring right away."

The brothers promised they would and hung up. After purchasing a booklet on Monte Alban at the hotel news-stand, they set off for the ruins.

In the daylight they could see that the ancient city was even more extensive than they had realized the night before. Of particular interest was an astronomical observatory, around which were grouped a series of mammoth structures containing immense palaces and courtyards.

A court the size of a football field on the far side of the central plaza caught the boys' attention. To reach it they had to climb up and down a series of steps.

"According to this guide book, the Indians played a game called tlachtli - a combination of our basketball and soccer," said Frank. "They never touched the ball with their hands, only with their shoulders, knees and feet. The ball had to go through stone rings built high in the side walls."

"Boy, that would really take some doing!" Joe exclaimed.

"Listen to this," Frank went on, "and be glad you didn't live when that game was played. Members of the losing team were put to death!"

"Wow! Sounds more like a battle!" Joe commented. "Well, I've had enough sightseeing. Let's go back to that building where we saw the light last night."

When the brothers reached it, they looked all around for lurking figures, but spotted no one. Quickly they zigzagged to the flat top and scanned the level area below. Nothing extraordinary met their scrutiny.

"If anybody was here," said Frank, "he has certainly packed up and left."

Joe remarked, "Do you suppose those men who tried to attack us came and kidnapped the person?"

Frank did not reply. He had suddenly seen something unusual lying not far away and hurried over to it. Joe followed, and the boys walked round the object - a broken-off chunk of stone. It measured about two feet by three, and was four inches thick. The slab had once been a perfect oblong, but now the upper right-hand corner was gone. On the stone was a carved figure wearing quilted armour, feathered head-dress and ear and lip ornaments. Beneath this was picture writing.

"That's an Aztec warrior!" Joe cried excitedly.

"Exactly!" Frank agreed. "I wonder if it has any significance for us and how valuable it is."

"Say, Frank!" his brother exclaimed. "Maybe this is the valuable find the traveller reported!"

"Could be. But if Seсor Tatloc discovered this, why would he have gone away without it?"