suggestion to make. By air it’s in the neighborhood of three thousand
miles to Cuzco from here. Lay to quietly today, get your crate in
order, and start tomorrow morning about three o’clock, then make it
a non-stop. That will put the kibosh on any plan to get you between
here and your destination. It is possible that I’ll get some word by
wireless if the dwarf is picked up, but from what you say of your
position at the time, the fellow was a bit out of the track of usual
travel. However, boats do go roaming about all over the sea, and one
might have been on the spot.”
“I thought he might have planned to drop off where someone was waiting
for him,” Jim suggested.
“That’s possible. Also, he may have been sure that he could force
you to turn back to Jamaica. That would explain the fact that he was
not prepared for a fall into the sea. Too bad his backer didn’t take
the drop with him. You say you have some reliable friends who are
associated with you in this business. I might get a message through to
expect you tomorrow afternoon some time if you care to have me.”
“I think it is an excellent plan,” Mr. Austin answered. “How about it,
boys?”
“Suits me,” Jim answered.
“I haven’t a single amendment to offer,” Bob added.
“Very well. Then make yourselves at home, get all the rest you can
before you start. I’m mighty glad you dropped in on me, and when I
write Allen, I shall take pleasure in telling him that I have met The
Flying Buddies.”
XI
AT CUZCO
As far as Seaman could learn no wireless message was picked up
regarding the fate of the dwarf, but the officer promised the Texans
that he would notify them if he got any information.
“I doubt very much if the fellow is alive but some people are born
lucky; you never can tell what they will come through. A decent man
hitting the water from that distance would have the life knocked right
out of him and sink like lead to the bottom. We have your description
of the pair, so I’ll send out some quiet inquiries. I’d like to pick up
that man who hauled your gas for you at Montego.”
“Hope you do,” Jim said earnestly.
“We may. It’s amazing how that sort of riffraff drifts about. Well,
now, you fellows turn in. The guard will call you in time to start,
and if you are ever in the neighborhood again, pay us another call.”
“Sure, we will. Perhaps when we’re coming back we’ll have time to
spend a day and see this part of the world. It sure looks interesting;
something like the level parts of Texas,” said Bob.
“You are a confirmed Texan,” Seaman smiled as he withdrew, and
presently the weary travelers had drifted off into the land of dreams,
and not even the heat disturbed them. When the guard finally knocked
softly at the door to let them know it was time to get up, the air was
chilly, and they yawned vigorously.
“Captain Seaman said to tell you that our chemist couldn’t find out
what was in that broken tube. He applied all the tests we have, but
it’s something he doesn’t know anything about,” the man explained.
“Thank you very much.”
“He sealed the rest in a container because he thought you might like to
keep it, or send it to another analyst.” The soldier produced a tube
and Jim took it thoughtfully.
“Could you send it by air mail for us from here?”
“Yes sir, certainly.”
“I’m going to send it to the Don, Dad. Perhaps he can have it analyzed
by some one.”
“That’s a good plan. Anyway, it will be well to preserve it.”
Jim took a few minutes to get the tube ready to mail, then dressed
quickly, and joined his father and buddy, who were already being
served a good breakfast in the great empty mess-hall. Before they had
finished, Captain Seaman appeared in his pajamas and bathrobe.
“Rest well?” he asked.
“Never better. Sorry to get you out at such an ungodly hour.”
“That’s all right. I thought I’d like to see you off safely so I told
the guard to call me.” He sat down and chatted with them until they
had finished, then went to the “Lark” about which a sentry marched in
perfect military fashion and very businesslike. He saluted the captain,
seemed relieved at the sight of the travelers, and stood respectfully
while the party prepared to leave.
“We owe you a great deal, Captain Seaman,” Mr. Austin declared holding
out his hand.
“Glad we could do anything for you.”
The three climbed into their places, Jim at the controls, and in a
moment the engine was roaring. Except for the camp lights, the night
was pitch black but they all knew that the dawn would be breaking
before very long. The travelers and the soldiers waved farewells, then
the “Lark” gave a gay little hop, and raced into the air. She seemed
to realize that she had a great deal to do before she came down again,
so she set to work with a good will. Jim climbed her thirty thousand
feet before he leveled out, set his course, and shot forward like a
star through the blackness. Twice Bob called through the speaking tube
to the passenger in the rear, and Mr. Austin assured them he was quite
safe and comfortable.
“I find that by sitting low my hands come close to the bulb, my boy, so
that I can signal you the instant I scent danger, and as long as I can
catch an occasional glimpse of your heads I am assured that all is well
up front,” he told them.
“Corking idea. Do you see that morning star? Isn’t she a beauty?”
“She certainly is magnificent, but she will not shine very much longer
for I believe that I see a sign of light in the distance.” After that
chat they flew in silence, then Bob set himself to studying, while
Jim continued to keep to his task of piloting. It seemed to him that
Captain Seaman’s suggestion to continue the trip without a break was
a very sensible one, and as he considered the matter he thought that
Panama, where they had intended to make a stop might have proved
another unlucky spot for them. There was no doubt now that someone
was making a strenuous effort to prevent them from reaching Cuzco,
and whoever was organizing the movement against them would have given
Belize small consideration.
An hour later daylight was well on its way and the morning was
glorious. The sun rose like a brilliant ball of color which reflected
in numberless dancing shades on the vast expanse of water that was
so much greater in proportion than the bits of land it surrounded.
The “Lark” was going at top speed and never did the boys see the world
roll under them so swiftly. It hardly seemed possible that an airplane
could fly so fast, but the miles were clicking off on the indicator
and the wind screamed sharply as they cut through it. Austin wondered
if anything would happen that would necessitate carrying them along by
the force of the central power and then he recalled that Don Haurea had
said that one of the stations was in South America. The “Lark” must
even now be in touch with it and the boy wished he had remembered to
ask exactly where it was located. Staring ahead toward the distant land
to which he was going he thought again of those ancient Spaniards and
he tried to visualize the years that had passed, if the intellect of
those adventurers would have been as highly developed as their brute
courage. Into his mind came the recollection of the bitterness in the
voice of the dignified Don when he spoke of the Pizarros, then through
it flashed a vague idea. He wondered if the Haureas were descendants of
those Yncas. It made him gasp.
Almost immediately came the recollection of that day in Vermont when
he and Bob had gone to the little island in Lake Champlain to find
Corso and his young nephew. How they had found the boy garbed in the
exquisite robes of royalty, and how they had listened as Yncicea had
told them of the ancient race which had preserved itself through the
centuries. The youngster looked every inch a prince as he made his
explanation simply, the chest of precious jewels at his feet. As a
token of appreciation the Flying Buddies had each received two very
valuable emeralds beside the rings they wore on their fingers.
“What a blue-ribbon turnip I’ve been. Yncicea is Don Haurea’s son.
Ynca--that’s part of the title of the children of The Sun. Great Scott,
of course--they are descendants of the Yncas--the real ones. Well,
gosh, I’m glad of it. It’ll take more than a bunch of ignoramuses to
ride rough shod over them again. Gee, I wonder how many there are now;
some tribe, I’ll bet--”
“Talking in your sleep?” Bob demanded. He had happened to look up and
saw Jim’s lips moving.
“I just had a great idea.”
“Cherish it, Old Timer, you may never get another,” Bob taunted.
“I shall,” Jim chuckled. Caldwell returned to his notes while Jim’s
mind was filled with the wildest fancies. He was mighty glad that Her
Highness had come down on the Box-Z that day when they were out of gas.
It seemed as if it must have occurred years instead of months ago. So
much had happened; so much that was thrilling; and so much that was
perfectly fascinating. The possibilities for the future had opened out
swiftly, there seemed to be no limit to what could be accomplished.
Toward the middle of the morning Bob looked up again.
“Remember when we ate?”
“Haven’t the faintest recollection,” Jim admitted. The younger boy put
away his work and attacked the hamper. He called to Mr. Austin, who
declared that all was well with him.
“I have a book, a sandwich, a piece of cake and a bottle of coffee
right this minute,” he announced.
“You’re getting ahead of us,” Bob laughed. Presently he had eaten all
he wanted, then he turned to Jim. “Now, bring that idea of yours over
here and don’t eat so much, you’ll crowd it out.”
“Don’t you worry, I hog-tied it,” Jim retorted. They changed seats and
Austin looked into the basket. “You ate it all,” he bellowed.
“Did not, there’s half a chicken and all the trimmings,” Bob grinned.
“Maybe so much brain work has affected your eyesight.” Austin produced
the chicken and trimmings and set to work on them, then, after a chat
with his father, he got at his books. The “Lark” soared along steadily,
smooth as silk. They were over the Andes now and as Caldwell glanced
at them his mouth opened in awe and wonder. He hoped hard that the
business which was bringing them would not be concluded too quickly
for he longed to fly over those long jagged ridges, to explore their
dark forests and follow some of those rushing streams that glistened
in the valleys. Far away the boy could see the edge of the Pacific
Ocean. Occasionally he caught a glimpse of a great ship, then he saw
numberless small boats bobbing on the waves. Although he scanned the
air for a plane no one seemed to be flying, and he wondered at that,
for he was sure that pilots would be crazy about the land. Along the
coast were numerous towns, inland they were more scattered, and they
seemed to be perched on the mountain sides. Further south began the
deserts, arid and barren, their hot shifting sands looking exactly like
set waves.
“We ought to be almost there, Buddy,” Jim remarked as he looked up
from his work and glanced at the chart. “That must be Lima beyond us.
Suppose you shoot over east a bit.”
“All right.” Bob changed the course and turned the plane’s nose in
toward the mountains.
“Want to change?”
“Don’t care if I do. The sun has been kind of glaring.” They shifted
places again and Caldwell heaved a sigh of relief.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were getting fagged?”
“Didn’t think of it. This surely is some country.” They drove on
swiftly, and finally Mr. Austin flashed the signal.
“My friend’s home is east of the city. He wrote me that one of his
neighbors has a plane, so there must be a landing space near by.”
“We’ll look for it, Dad.” By that time the mountain city and the great
lake Titicaca came into view. Bob pulled down his cap glasses and did
some close observing, and finally he pointed out a place which should
be convenient for landing. It was after two o’clock when they brought
the “Lark” down on a broad field which looked as if it were a part of a
plantation. They waited a few minutes to glance around, and presently a
young man came striding toward them.
“May I serve you gentlemen?” he asked politely.
“Are we near the Pedro De Castro place?” Mr. Austin inquired.
“You are on it, sir. The house is on the terrace. You can taxi your
plane quite close. The avenues are wide enough so that you can drive
over them easily.”
“Thank you very much.” Jim started the last lap of the trip, and he
wondered if anything could possibly happen now to prevent the proper
promotion of the business to be settled. They had barely swung around
toward the house, when he saw a tall man come quickly from the veranda
and hurry to meet them.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is a pleasure. I received word that you
were on your way but I calculated that you could not possibly reach
here before evening. You must have a very good plane and pilot.” He
was a dark-eyed and pleasant faced chap and he went at once to the
rear cock-pit where he and Mr. Austin shook hands cordially. “Alight
at once. It is an inactive time of day. Do come and make yourselves
comfortable.”
“You must meet the boys. My son Jim and Bob Caldwell.”
“Did I not meet this one years ago, and do I not remember his tow-head,
but he has forgotten me I am sure. Run your bus in the shade, boys, and
come into the house. You can care for it later.” He shook hands all
round, and the boys grinned uneasily, but soon they were inside, where
they were introduced to Carlos, dark-eyed like his father, but his hair
was brown and he was nearly sixteen years old.
“I wish you would tell me at once about this business, Peter. I am
anxious to know what has been happening,” Mr. Austin urged.
“Come into the gardens. May I bring my son? He is getting to be a man
and he must begin to learn things.”
“By all means. I’ve been shifting responsibilities on the shoulders of
my boys and while they do not know much about this project, I should be
glad to have them sit in. We old fellows never know when we may have
to leave the reins in younger hands and I think it wrong not to let
them have as much experience as possible.” They made their way to a
beautiful portico which reminded the Sky Buddies of Don Haurea’s home,
only this was much more pretentious. Comfortable seats were placed, and
when they were settled a servant came with cool drinks in iced glasses.
“You were wise to come, Austin. I felt sure that I could depend upon
your co-operation, and now that you are here we can conclude the matter
without delay,” De Castro told them.
“That is good. What has been going wrong?”
“More than we thought. You know that much of the management has been
left in the hands of Vaca Alonzo and his brother, Silvester. While
the work was being developed they both devoted themselves to it
tirelessly, then I noticed a change in Silvester, he seemed less
open and responsive. He is the older man. One or two others in the
company mentioned several slight discrepancies, so we started a quiet
investigation. We found that they are maneuvering to gain control of
the business. Several outsiders have been admitted, one at a time,
unobtrusively, and these men have been making an effort to increase
their stock. You understand the sort of thing that can be--as you say
in the United States--put over, when the heads of an organization are
not alert?”
“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Austin answered.
“Well, you are here, two other men will arrive later, one is already
on his way from Lima. At the regular meeting tonight we will out-vote
them, and under the circumstances I am in favor of changing officers,
giving the Alonzos less influence. It is good that you arrived so
promptly for we had planned to seek an adjournment tonight, but that
will not be necessary. We can conclude the matter immediately, and it
is possible that we can rid ourselves of the undesirable element.”
“I am certainly in favor of that,” Mr. Austin declared. “Now, I should
like to ask you something. Are the Alonzos very widely connected?”
“Why yes, they are, I should say. They have interests in several
enterprises. That is one reason why we wanted them to join with us.
While they were not what you would call enormously wealthy, they have
been very successful in the past two years. May I ask why you inquire?”
“Your letter by air mail reached me in good time and we started within
the week, as you know. We have made the trip in excellent time and as
far as we can tell you, only our immediate families were aware we were
coming here to Cuzco. I did not even send you a message because it
occurred to me that someone might investigate your mail.”
“When I did not hear from you, I felt positive that you were coming,”
De Castro smiled.
“That’s what I expected you to do. Texas, our part of it, has been
under a blanket of snow for several weeks, so we have seen little of
our neighbors, and I doubt if any of them know that we are not at
home,” Mr. Austin explained carefully.
“Yes, it is well to be cautious; there is much at stake.”
“To shorten the story, one attempt was made on my life, possibly two,
but the one came very nearly being accomplished. I wondered if the
Alonzos are sufficiently powerful to have an organization which could
be responsible for those attempts.”
“Humph. Well, I believe they are. And, since you mention it, two of
our important directors were mysteriously ill at the time of the last
meeting. They recovered in a day or so, but their medical men are still
at a loss to know what was the matter with them. They have been taking
every precaution since, in fact, they have had themselves and their
homes strictly guarded,” De Castro announced, then added, “But there is
no one they suspect, and as far as I know, there seems to have been no
way to connect their illness with the Alonzos.”
“But the fact that the men were ill is in itself suspicious.”
“I should say that it is, very. May I ask what happened on your way
here, and how you escaped?”
“I escaped because of my son’s promptness in acting, and Bob’s
co-operation.” Mr. Austin went on to tell the story since the arrival at
Miami where the supposed Marine tried so hard to be taken to Havana,
and the discovering of the dwarf after he had attempted to drug the
flyers. The De Castros listened tensely during the recital, and at
its close, the older man got to his feet and paced up and down in his
agitation.
“Barbarous, simply barbarous. The assassins. You say the chemist was
unable to classify the drug?”
“He didn’t know it. We sent the tube north and hope to get it analyzed,
but he had no idea what it contained.”
“Great guns, you boys must have had a wild time fighting that dwarf,”
Carlos exclaimed.
“Jim did the fighting. I was frozen to the controls,” Bob answered.
“Sure he was, but I’d have gone into the briny with a bumped head if
he hadn’t kept the “Lark” doing stunts. When we did slide off, he dove
down under me so that I dropped on top of the wings. They sure did
look good to me,” Jim declared.
“You didn’t look around for the dwarf?”
“As soon as a chute opens a man begins to fall slowly, and if he has
his wits about him, he can guide himself in any direction. I knew that
when Jim saw the plane coming under him, he’d make for it even if I
didn’t get in exactly the right position. We were in a fog, and the
dwarf just went tumbling on, going faster and faster. He was out of
sight before I had picked up Buddy, then we were getting pretty low, so
I began to climb. I didn’t know anything about what the water was like,
so I didn’t dare go down. I might have landed on it half a mile from
where the dwarf dropped,” Bob told them simply.
“And with the force the fellow would keep dropping.”
“Yes.”
“Well, my boys, you tell it as if it were a mere incident, but I
know those were anxious moments for you all--ah, here are our two
associates. Now, I am sure that we shall have things in our own hands
and that all will be well after the meeting. Carlos, do take the boys
where they can rest, and tomorrow perhaps you can show them something
of our land. We think it very marvelous.”
“I say, maybe they’d like to fly to Amy-Ran. That’s mighty interesting
and I’ve always wanted to get there in a plane. It’s an old Indian
place, I won’t tell you anything about it, you can see for yourself. No
one ever goes near it much, but there’s an Indian woman, no one knows
how old she is, who lives near by,” Carlos told them.
“That surely sounds as if it would be worth seeing,” the Buddies agreed
heartily. “Suppose you’ll be staying over tomorrow, Dad?”
“I believe that I may have to,” Mr. Austin answered.
“Stay over the day! Indeed you are, you shall stay several days,” De
Castro announced emphatically.
XII
AMY-RAN FASTNESS
The meeting that evening at De Castro’s became, before its close, what
the Flying Buddies and Carlos termed a “hot session.” It was held
in one of the huge cool rooms and the three young fellows stationed
themselves on a balcony which gave them an excellent view without
revealing their presence. The Alonzos and their faction arrived
promptly, were greeted with great politeness by a young man secretary,
and took their places around the heavy table with expressions of grave
importance. To Jim, the younger man seemed to squirm a bit uneasily in
his chair but every other face registered imperturbability. However,
there were hastily exchanged glances when a second group of three
men entered, but their appearance seemed to cause no special alarm.
Courteous pleasantries were passed back and forth as all were seated.
Eight men were assembled, there was no show of impatience, but an
occasional glance toward the door through which they expected the elder
De Castro to enter. The secretary had arranged a neat pile of notes and
books at the head of the table, where was the only empty chair. Then
the portieres, rustled slightly, the tall Peruvian stepped forward,
with Mr. Austin and two other gentlemen beside him.
As if they had suddenly discovered something extremely hot on their
seats, the Alonzos sprang to their feet, but they promptly recovered
their poise and concealed their chagrin with effusive welcomes.
Soon the meeting was called to order, more chairs brought in, and
preliminaries started.
“Looks like a disarmament conference,” Bob whispered, and his buddy
nodded assent. The Texans were watching with cool interest, but Carlos
was quivering with excitement.
“They may try to do harm to my father,” he said softly.
“We’ll keep an eye on them,” Jim promised firmly. He realized that
Carlos was more familiar with the details of the business and that
his anxiety was probably warranted. They watched the meeting proceed,
could see the strained tension as more and more important matters were
brought up, and finally heard the younger Alonzo burst out angrily.
“He is declaring that there is an attempt to--what you call--deposit
two crosses on him.” Jim frowned, then smothered a chuckle as he
understood the boy meant “double cross.”
“Perhaps he’ll find, before the evening is over, that he’s been branded
with a flock of crosses,” Austin answered.
“Let us hope so.” After that there was a heated discussion. De Castro
and his side remained calm, and finally, when a vote was taken, it was
discovered that two of the opposition had changed their tactics and
were uniting themselves with the stronger, safer side. That infuriated
both Alonzos and three of their men, but when they saw that four
servants who entered unostentatiously with trays and glasses, were
powerfully built fellows, they lowered their voices and sat back in
their seats.