That rear guard fell back before them, scrambling hastily to the sides
that they might pass. Bob, Frank and Ferdinand felt sore from restrained
laughter, and this new evidence of the panic they had created amused
them and made restraint even more difficult.
Jack, however, had fallen back beside Mr. Hampton and Don Ernesto, and
was bringing up the rear. His sharp eyes had discerned something which
caused him grave concern, and he spoke of it in a quick whisper.
"Cinto has disappeared," said he. "I have a hunch it means no good."
"Ah," said Don Ernesto, shrugging, "these soldiers, they are frightened
of us. The Golden Palace Guard is trembling in its armor. We have
nothing to fear."
"That's just it," said Jack. "Maybe Cinto realizes he cannot trust to
these soldiers to attack us, and so he has gone to get others who have
not fallen under our spell."
"We'll keep our eyes open, Jack," said his father. "That's a hunch worth
attention."
"By golly, Dad, the Inca is following us all right. They're bringing up
a litter for him. Four bearers are carrying it."
"We won't look back, Don Ernesto," said Mr. Hampton. "It would injure
our dignity to do so. Don't stare, Jack. Thank heaven, the old boy is
coming. That means not only that we have got him on the run, but also
that Cinto won't attempt any demonstration against us while the Inca is
present, in all likelihood."
The terrace was reached, and Jack and Frank at once began setting up the
aerial. They had brought along a second umbrella aerial similar to that
set up on the battlement of the Acropolis, which had been included in
the outfit, and this they proceeded to set up. Then the three, Jack, Bob
and Frank, connected up batteries, tube transformer and headphone.
Meanwhile Mr. Hampton was staring covertly at the battlement of the
Acropolis, towering high on the distant side of the square opposite.
Would Michac fail them? Or would he carry out his part in the plot
successfully? Mr. Hampton was thankful to think that, even if Michac
should fail them, they were out in the open where they stood a better
chance for their lives in a fight, and, also, that they had already
roused a wholesome respect for their power in the breasts of their
enemies.
The boys worked with lightning swiftness. They were grateful for the
delay in the arrival of the Inca, whose movements were attended by so
many ceremonies that it was a considerable time before he had reached
the terrace and was ensconced in a great chair brought out for him by
other bearers.
"Put on the headphone, Jack, and try it. See whether our friend Michac
is at his post," whispered Mr. Hampton, when the last connections were
completed.
Jack complied, adjusting the tuner to the meter wave length at which he
had set Michac's instrument. A smile broke over his face, and he nodded
to his father.
"Senor Jack, I am ready. My man at the parapet tells me you are at the
'phone. Thanks be to the gods, that you are safe out of that trap. I
have been in agony, lest you be overcome and go to your death. I saw the
soldiers move into the palace behind you. Now, if you let me speak to
the Inca, I shall do my part."
"Good man," whispered Mr. Hampton, when Jack repeated the conversation.
"I'm beginning now really to hope for success. If he scares the Inca
badly enough, we may hope for Prince Huaca's relief."
Approaching the Inca, Mr. Hampton bowed. Then he gestured toward the
radio instrument, the installation of which had been watched with
absorbing and breathless interest by soldiers, courtiers and
counsellors.
"The Lord Beyond the Mountains would speak to you in your own tongue, O
Inca," said he. "Will you deign to approach so as to put to your ears
this instrument even as the young man has done."
He indicated Jack, who at his father's direction, continued to wear the
headphone and smiled invitingly. This, Mr. Hampton had felt, would help
to assure the Inca no evil would come to him from acceptance of the
invitation.
"I assure you no evil will come to you thereby," Mr. Hampton added.
The Inca regarded him with impassive face. His shrewd eyes sought to
read the countenance of this strange magician and to detect whether he
spoke in good faith or was attempting deception. He decided Mr. Hampton
was honest. Moreover, it would not do for him to show fear.
"Ambassador from the Lord Beyond the Mountains," said he. "I will listen
to your master's voice, if, indeed, he can speak to me across the
forests and the mountains, and in my own tongue. But woe betide you if
this be false."
Signing to the bearers, he was lifted, chair and all, and set down where
Jack indicated. Then Mr. Hampton took the headphone, while a noble, at
the Inca's command, stepped forth and, after prostrating himself,
removed his crown. Thereupon Mr. Hampton placed the headphone upon the
Inca's head.
Stepping back quickly, he raised his hands aloft and looked to the
heavens, as if indicating to some unseen spirit overhead that the time
to speak had come. In reality, this was a signal to Michac's spy at the
parapet of the Acropolis battlement to pass word to Michac to speak.
The next moment, Michac's voice, sonorous and deep, was heard in the
receivers.
"Great guns," whispered Frank, in English, "what a wonderful radio
speaker he is. Why, you can hear him plainly."
"Wish I could understand what he's saying," said Jack, excitedly. "Look
at these counsellors and courtiers, will you? They get him, and, boy,
they're scared stiff."
It was true. Michac had one of those rare voices with a bell-like
quality that carries beautifully by radio. And he was obeying to the
letter Jack's hasty instructions as to where to place his mouth near the
transmitter so as to get the best effect. He spoke in the Inca tongue,
and, of course, the boys could not understand what he said.
Nevertheless, that it was having a powerful effect, not only on the
courtiers and nobles surrounding the Inca, but on the Inca himself, was
apparent.
What Michac was saying, the boys knew in general, for he had been
instructed to demand the release of Prince Huaca under threat of dire
catastrophes to be visited upon Cusco Hurrin otherwise. But Michac had
said that he would make his commands intimate, employing his knowledge
of the Inca and the affairs of Cusco Hurrin. And, quite evidently, he
was doing so.
The Inca's face became white, his eyelids fluttered, and then his head
fell forward.
"Great guns," cried Bob, "he's fainted. The shock was too much for him."
Jack sprang forward and snatched the headphones from the Inca's head.
The audience gasped, and then its fear of these strangers, created by
their marvels piled upon marvels, gave way before the deep-seated
instinct of reverence for their ruler, the personal representative of
their god. Hoarse cries of rage arose, and courtiers, nobles and
soldiers, all jumbled together, began to surge forward toward them.
Affairs looked bad, indeed.
At that moment a shot sounded from the direction of the Temple of the
Sun. Another followed. All spun about. Down the broad steps of the
Temple came flying a familiar figure. It was Prince Huaca. Behind him
was Cinto, followed by a detachment of the Palace Guard. The soldiers
were armed only with sword and lance. Whence, then, came the shots?
That was apparent the next instant. For, pausing in his flight, as with
one great bound he reached the bottom of the steps, Prince Huaca faced
about, leveled his arm, and fired.
"The automatic," cried Mr. Hampton. "I forgot I had given him one."
Cinto stumbled and fell in a crumpled heap on the steps.