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

Mary O'Brien nodded. "It was sad, his death. Such a fine person. I enjoyed workin' for him. I was just relivin' those nice times."

Frank and Joe asked the woman if she had worked there recently. "Not for a couple of years," Mary O'Brien answered. "Lately Mr Moore wasn't here much - he travelled a lot - so he didn't have any regular help."

"Miss O'Brien," said Frank, "did you ever hear Mr Moore mention an Aztec warrior?"

A blank look came over the woman's face. "I never heard of such a thing."

"Mr Moore travelled a lot in Mexico, didn't he?" Joe questioned.

"Oh my, yes - several times. He was a great one for bringin' back souvenirs from there."

"What did he do with them?" Frank queried.

"Well, some he kept and some he gave away."

The boys asked her if Mr Moore had ever mentioned any friends in Mexico or people with whom he had travelled there. Mary O'Brien shook her head. "To tell you the truth, Mr Moore didn't talk a whole lot. He did say one time, though, that he was lookin' around Mexico for Indian weapons for his collection. A man travelled with him. But I'm sure he never mentioned his name."

"You say Mr Moore had a collection of weapons?" Frank asked.

"He did have," Mary O'Brien answered. "He was talkin' about givin' the weapons to a museum. I wish you could've seen them. I used to have to dust every one, and some of the old pieces were pretty deadly lookin'."

"And you never heard Mr Moore use the word `Mexico' or `Aztec' in connection with any of the weapons?" Joe questioned.

"No, he never did. The pieces came from Europe and Africa. Well, I got to be goin'. Goodbye, boys."

The same thought was running through the minds of the brothers. Could the mysterious property of the Aztec warrior be some kind of weapon?

Frank and Joe walked silently across the lawn, past the front of the large house. As they looked down the right side of it, each gave a start.

Standing on a box, a man was trying to get in through a window!




- 3 -

A Mysterious Companion



AT ONCE Frank and Joe sped towards the intruder. Unfortunately, the stranger spotted them. Jumping quickly from the box, he picked up a rock and threw it at the boys. Then he turned in the opposite direction and fled. The boys dodged the rock.

"Stop!" Joe yelled, although he knew the command was useless.

The brothers turned on their torches and dashed after the short, dark-haired figure, but he apparently was familiar with a rear exit from the grounds and disappeared among the shadows. Frank and Joe searched thoroughly, but the beams revealed only a series of dim footprints which faded out on a concrete path.

"I suppose we should report this," said Frank as they gave up the chase. "I'll stay here and keep watch. Joe, you go and phone the police."