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

The young man looked at him, then said, puzzled, "You seem surprised."

Immediately Joe asked the matador if he knew a Mr Moore in the States. "No, I don't. I never heard of him."

The Hardys were disappointed. For the second time their hopes of finding the right Roberto Hermosa were dashed. They now wondered whether Hermosa was the name of the man they sought.

"Do you know an archaeologist named Tatloc?" Frank questioned him.

Again the matador shook his head. "I spend most of my time training to be a bullfighter. I would have no opportunity to come in contact with a man like that."

Chet now asked, "Is there any shop about here that sells antique weapons?"

"Yes. It's not far away," Roberto replied, and gave the address.

"Thanks," said Chet. "And good luck to you in your bullfights!"

As the boys walked away, the Hardys beamed at Chet. "You're really becoming quite a sleuth," Frank said, and added, "If you find a dagger with an Aztec head on the handle, I'll buy you a good dinner!"

Chet patted his stomach and grinned. "I'll start planning what I'll order!"

When the boys reached the shop they found it to be an amazing place full of almost every kind of olden fashioned weapon. Glass cases were filled with pistols and daggers. Walls were covered with helmets, suits of armour and many varieties of swords and sabres.

A pleasant, middle-aged man emerged from a back room. He said the owner was on holiday, but could he help them? Frank told him that they were interested in trying to find an antique dagger with the head of an Aztec warrior on the handle.

The clerk beamed. "You are in luck. One was brought here less than an hour ago."

The Hardys were almost speechless. Chet was grinning broadly. "What did I tell you?" he asked.

The clerk went to the back room, and returned in a moment with a dagger which he laid on top of the counter. The boys could hardly believe their eyes. The dagger looked just like the one Chet had brought to the hotel!

The stout boy picked up the weapon and examined it. He gave the Hardys a significant look, confirming that it was the same dagger.

"How old is this dagger?" Frank asked the man.

"Quite ancient," the shop assistant replied. "It was found in one of the ruins by two men. The museum didn't seem to want the dagger, they said. I'm sure that it's authentic. Anyway, I paid the men who came in here a good price."

"I'm afraid you've been swindled," said Chet. "That dagger belongs to me. I had it made and it's not old - at least the handle isn't."

The assistant stared in astonishment, then a frightened look came over his face. "If you're right, I've spent an awful lot of my boss's money for nothing!"

"That's too bad," said Frank. "But the story's true.

Could you tell us what the men looked like?" The description that followed exactly fitted that of Jack Wayne's kidnapper and the phoney detective. Joe then explained how the boys had been robbed.

"I shall get in touch with the police at once," the man said nervously.

The boys wanted to take the weapon with them, but knew the police would have to examine it first. They told the shop assistant they might return, and he feebly said goodbye. The man stood staring after them, chagrined and unhappy.
The boys felt nonplussed. Their sleuthing for the afternoon had yielded little except to prove that the men they were after had quickly realized they had obtained the wrong dagger and sold it under false pretences to the unsuspecting assistant.

"Here comes the matador!" Joe announced suddenly.