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

On a hunch Joe walked up to the young man and asked if he knew of anyone else in Mexico having the name Roberto Hermosa.

The matador replied, "Yes, I have heard of such a man. I have never met him, but I understand he lives out near the Tule Tree. He is an authority on Mexican ruins."




- 15 -

The Tule Tree Discovery



THE Roberto Hermosa for whom they were looking might be an authority on Mexican ruins! This, thought the Hardys, was certainly a connection with Seсor Tatloc!

The boys thanked the matador for his information and returned to the hotel. After consulting his map, Frank remarked that the Tule Tree was on the way to the Mitla ruins. "We may as well keep going and take in the ruins while we're at it." He added excitedly, "Remember the picture we found at Mr Moore's house of the man under the giant tree?"

"You think maybe you'll find Seсor Tatloc near there?" Chet questioned.

"Possibly. Or at Mitla which is not far from it."

Joe, who had been looking at the guide book, asked, "Did you know the Tule Tree is three thousand years old? It's supposed to be the oldest living thing on the American continent!"

"What kind of tree is it?" Chet asked.

"A green cypress."

"Imagine living all that time and growing bigger every year!" Chet exclaimed.

Joe began to laugh, "Pal, you'd better not live so long!"

The stout boy took the remark with a grin and said, "I'm not worried. The needles you're always putting into me will keep me from expanding."

The following morning Chet decided to go back to the weapon shop and retrieve his dagger. "The police must have finished with it by this time," he said.

"Okay," Frank agreed.

When the boys stopped at the shop, the assistant said they would have to go to headquarters to claim the weapon. He confided that he had not slept a wink all night. "When I told the police about those thieves they looked at me as if I were stupid. Well, maybe I am. I'm certainly out a lot of money - I know. I'll have to make it good."

The three boys felt sorry that the assistant had been duped, but had no solution to offer for his mistake.

"Maybe you'll get a break and make a lot of big sales today," said Frank, as the boys walked towards the door.

"I hope so. I'll have to do something," the assistant said dolefully. He began to mutter distractedly about "cheats and hoodlums".

The boys slipped out quietly and climbed into the car. After Chet had retrieved his warrior dagger from the police, Frank drove in the direction of the Tule Tree. A few miles beyond town they came upon the tall, stately cypress standing majestically in a park area. The three boys stepped from the car and gazed in amazement at the mammoth trunk.

"It's astounding!" said Joe.