The Mystery of the Aztec Warrior Read Free Page B

sill and said they would take along the box with the shoe prints on it.
    â€œThanks for the tip, boys,” the driver of the patrol car said as the officers started away. “If you see any more burglars, let us know.”
    After the men had gone, Frank and Joe began their search for possible clues to the Aztec mystery. Beaming their flashlights around, they looked for some time with no success.
    Then suddenly Frank exclaimed, “I think I’ve found something!”
    Joe ran to his brother’s side as Frank focused his light on a large tree. Crudely carved into the trunk were the head and shoulders of an Indian.
    â€œIt’s hard to tell what he represents,” Frank remarked, “but he could be an Aztec warrior.”
    The boys examined the whole tree trunk, looking for more clues. Another carving? A hollow spot? Nothing came to light.
    â€œMaybe something is buried in the ground near here,” Joe suggested.
    There seemed to be no place within a radius of five feet of the tree trunk which looked as if it had been dug up. The ground was level, and the grass was the same color and texture as the surrounding area.
    â€œIf something’s buried here we can’t dig it up tonight,” Frank said practically. “Let’s get Mr. Weaver’s permission to do some digging here in the morning.”
    â€œI’m with you,” his brother said.
    Frank and Joe returned home and reported their discovery to Mr. Hardy, telling about the collection of weapons.
    â€œThat’s very interesting,” the detective said. “I’ll ask Mr. Weaver about it. And I agree with you there’s a good possibility an object is buried near the tree.”
    He phoned Mr. Weaver, who consented to having the area spaded up. He said he would meet the Hardys at the Moore estate about nine the next morning.
    In answer to a question about the weapons collection, the lawyer said, “Mr. Moore gave it away a year ago. I came across the list of items. None of them had anything to do with the Aztecs.”
    As soon as Mr. Weaver and the Hardys arrived at the Moore estate the next day, Mr. Weaver produced spades, a shovel, and pickax from the garage. During the next hour, sod was carefully lifted, then deep holes were made in the ground. There were no signs of anything having been buried. Disappointed, Frank and Joe filled in the holes and patted the squares of sod back into place, got the garden hose, and sprinkled the grass generously.
    Mr. Hardy said, “Otis, if you can take the time, I’d like to go into the house and search through Mr. Moore’s letters for clues to both Aztec warriors.”
    The attorney consented, saying he would help, although Mr. Moore’s more recent correspondence had already been read.
    Frank asked, “How about Joe and me looking through some more of those slides?”
    â€œGood idea,” said Mr. Weaver. “By the way, the police told me this morning that the fingerprints of that would-be intruder last night aren’t on record, so he’s not a previous offender as far as they can ascertain.”
    â€œAnd how about Mr. Brower—has he regained consciousness?” Frank asked.
    â€œNot yet,” replied Mr. Weaver, unlocking the house. “But his condition is better, and the doctors expect him to become conscious soon.”
    The boys hurried inside. They immediately set up the projector and screen and brought out more boxes of slides. It was some time before they came across a second box of Mexican pictures, but in a few minutes Joe exclaimed excitedly:
    â€œHere’s a real clue!”
    The picture had been taken in front of a pyramid and showed the mysterious companion of Mr. Moore in the full costume of an ancient warrior.
    â€œHold everything until I get Dad and Mr. Weaver!” Frank said.
    He ran off to the library, where the men were going through old letters and memorandums, and asked them to come look at the