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

A sign nailed to the trunk said that the tree was one hundred and sixty feet in circumference. Its branches spread out gracefully over a tremendous distance.

Frank walked round the base of the giant tree. As he gazed upwards, thinking how symmetrical the branches were, his foot kicked something. Looking down Frank saw that he had dislodged a small stone. In the small depression lay a metal object. Frank stooped and picked it up.

"Find something?" asked Joe who had followed his brother.

"Yes. This looks like a belt buckle."

"Valuable?" Chet asked, grinning.

Frank, intent on scrutinizing the buckle through his magnifying glass, did not answer immediately. "Valuable!" he exclaimed finally. "I'll say! Just look at this!"

Engraved on the back of the buckle was the name Maxli Tatloc. On the face was an ornate engraving of an Aztec warrior standing in the centre of a circle formed by a coiled serpent.

The fangs of the serpent formed the initial M and the tail the initial T. Excitedly Frank suggested the meaning. The serpent signified time with the Aztecs. So the warrior, encircled by time, could mean that Maxli Tatloc was a direct descendant of an Aztec warrior.

"Wow-eee!" Chet exclaimed. "That museum curator - back at Oaxaca - sure has competition."

Suddenly the three noticed a Mexican boy of about twelve who had come up silently and stood eyeing the visitors. Frank smiled and asked him, "Can you tell us something about this tree?"

"For a few pesos I will give you whole history."

Frank dug into his pocket and extracted some coins. The lad's face broke into a flashing grin. He said, "My name is Carlos."

After relating the facts which the boys already knew, Carlos added that the great Spanish conqueror Cortes had rested under the tree on his way to Honduras.

Frank asked the boy if he knew anyone named Maxli Tatloc. "No, I do not. But I have learned in history that in ancient times Maxli was a great Aztec warrior."

His listeners exchanged excited glances. This bit of information seemed to lend credence to the idea that Seсor Maxli Tatloc was the Aztec warrior whom they sought!

"Does anyone round here dig in the ruins?" Chet asked Carlos.

The boy replied with a grin, "Everybody does! We all hope to find treasures and sell them to our government."

"Have you ever heard of a Seсor Tatloc?" Joe queried.

"No."

"How about Roberto Hermosa?" Frank asked.

The boy's eyes lighted up. "Yes, Seсor Hermosa live nearby. If you wish to see him, drive straight down this road" - he pointed in an easterly direction - "turn left on first street, and stop at house with high white wall round it."

Joe pressed another peso into the boy's hand. "Can you tell us anything about this Seсor Hermosa?"

"He is a fine digger," Carlos replied. "He go sometimes on long trips with professors."

The Hardys were delighted with this revelation. They hardly dared hope their search might soon be ending, but they had strong hunches it was. The Roberto Hermosa whom they were going to seek out must have knowledge of the whereabouts of the Aztec warrior descendant for whom they were looking.

The youngster accompanied the three sleuths to their car and waved goodbye. In a few minutes Frank drew up in front of the house where Roberto Hermosa lived, and the boys hopped out. Joe knocked and soon the door was opened by a plump, elderly housekeeper wearing a black dress and a flat piece of black lace on her grey hair.