Ai..plak. . ,. Plati.,m ...,r w . "Qty N‘ ' ~ _ Ii THE AIRPLANE BOYS SERIES by E. ]. CRAINE %&09 Zoom into the cloud: with the Airplane Bayx and enjoy their Jky-lurking adventure: aver South America. THE AIRPLANE BOYS ON THE BORDER LINE THE AIRPLANE BOYS AT CAP RLIMA THE AIRPLANE BOYS DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF CUZCO THE AIRPLANE BOYS FLYING TO AMY-RAN FASTNESS THE AIRPLANE BOYS AT PLATINUM RIVER THE AIRPLANE BOYS WITH THE REVOLUTIONIST? IN BOL. - '1 K | I "3 J‘ “ii §‘_£ Y w___§__u _\._ r . _ ‘ , ‘. .. X T I < . ‘,1 '-. - \ I ‘"52. "H §"----.‘-.._.gf ’ ‘ -' ‘I ‘ -__¢ M ~ /' 1:1.} . ' =5 "'..".1’..- , /1, - W 14 4/ . 5. k_,L .1.5.. \ \ I \ I .lly hf '_‘- L g 7 {W [ J \ 7‘ I . “vi aw/_ . . ~¥ 1/ f. J '1 Q /U . .w Aw I} F A 4 Donated by the Grand Rapzds PllbllC L1brary The May G Qulgley 1 Collectlon of Chlldren s Literature December 2001 YT ‘I 1 The Umverslty of Mxclugan-Dearbom Mardlglan Llbrary -N 3‘; ‘2} AIRPLANE BOYS AT - Copyright. 1931 5: THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING COMPANY a,; l- II \‘:\-\JIm/ Printed in the United State: of America ..l ‘ - ' L1 i- lit‘ df %o In this fifth book of the Airplane Boys, Jim Bob risk their lives to help a worthy family out their difficulties. .¢ —-.- ‘,‘‘ . _ .. . . la _r‘f_€! :5. Ft‘ k ...'._.r. . . __ . ‘..J“ - . ; : .1‘ ‘ ...._'‘_) .. ....- -. v ;...,i ‘ XI XII I. An Old Enemy II. III. IV.. V. . VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. =1: __"'z~.,¢~_, ~- V :4/wt aw ¢ Delayed Return 25 Unidentified 41 ~ADistress Call 56 Platinum River 75 Captured 91 Through Space I07 The Air Battle 123. Taken foraRide.............. I38 Shivering Rocks I54. Treasure 170 A Gross Exaggeration .. . . . 187 - _ . if -1-r ~i . .. *6» -If." *=*"""-~ H4 91 1}, 'i*aen.,*"§'*R5i]>1¢J-'-‘~'.‘l'Ll'_ Q )'< zfiffl. E‘ l\'",II;' IF éinui 4 I..1’ "‘- -. .,.. . 8 ¢.r‘.w.'- :"~J‘‘o-H '1.‘; If Y...” ‘I.-- -. - lvé" _ I - ‘II I P .:‘ Q4 “I say, Buddy, my esophagus feels as if my pharynx is severed,” Robert Caldwell remarked very soberly to his step-brother, Jim Caldwell, as the pair made their way among the gay crowd attending the Spanish- Peruvian fiesta near Cuzco. “That’s right serious, old man. Think somebody shot an arrow into the air while you were asleep with your mouth open and it dropped in?” the older boy inquired with equal gravity. “Is that any way to treat a fellow who is empty to his boot tips and just when I am beginning to discard vulgar slang for some- thing real cultured in the way of language?” Bob demanded. _-..e-—=;; '.F..‘-, -'u . . .- ""i‘- -) I . I-" i ii mud?_ " F :'1':~'%§=2.i~-, Sm, ¢uzi'q0U 9 this reversion to days when -knighthood was budding?” He took one of the seats and Cald- well the other. “I’m letting Spanish manners get under my skin-” “L0oks more like wood-ticks—” Austin interrupted. “They make a horse skid around just that way.” . “And I want to impress Mom when we get home, old man. Have you forgotten that we take the air at crack of dawn to- morrow and our bird is to set us down on the *K-A ranch before the sun’s evening rays can reach the peak of Cap Rock?” “Sure I know.” _Iim’s eyes glistened. “It’1l be greatto safl through space hke that and so high that no one will see us, but just the same, me Flying Buddy, if you go acting like that around your nunheg shedl dunk that something is the matter with you, and it will be a dose of oil for yours.” At that the two laughed heartily, but their merrimenttwas cut short by the appearance of the vvaher with huge platters of mighty good-looking food, so they proceeded to do it justice. “The meals in Peru are almost as good as in Texas,” Bob remarked after he had helped himself and made his first attack.. “Right-O, but it will be grand to get home,” Jim declared. They did not talk I.I :- 1 ‘.._a .... .....‘..1 ._ ---i-n, -. ..‘.~ U -.. _.. ..‘ v.‘-Q ran“ ::.'-.3';._.-'2‘ii4-i0"" no aw ~nm Ht ..1.i.13°j“*l’ I-1v’ .II- it “." '” jh--» Y-#11 1-1 to their own food as quietly as possible but every faculty was alert. Aside from noticing that the two men seemed an ill-assorted pair Jim had not been greatly interested, but now that Bob thought he recognized one of them, he was anxious to learn more. The Flying Buddies had managed to get into so many adventures since the summer months when they had dropped Her Highness down in Canada almost at the feet of a Royal Mounty and had offered to help the patrol man cap- ture border-runners, that caution was a fixed habit with both of them. They had found that it paid. “Now, look here,” the stout man began aggressively, “I ain’t a part of your outfit -~see!” “I observe, but you have worked—not too successfully—with us.” “Yah. I went into that fool Don business with Lilly Boome.” - “Why broadcast?” “Well, I did, and it wasn’t my fault it didn’t come out so good.” “That has been admitted by the chief him- self. The Don is a very clever man.” “Yah, he is. I went there like I owned the place, and he put it all over us, like a crab-net, see? Now, I’-m told you’re wanting 14 I~ — - ~1~, Z i me to get work in this new power works down here—” “It will not be difficult—” “You haul in your horns. If it’s so easy why don’t you do it yourself? Now listen, I told you I don’t belong to your outfit and I ain’t taking orders from your chief—not me. See? I heard on good authority that there are some of the Don’s own tribe in that works—and I’m not buttin’ in against any of them. That’s flat and final,” he declared emphatically. Then, into Jim’s mind flashed the recol- lection of the evening he and Bob had dined with Don Haurea at the Box Z ranch, which adjoined the K-A along Cap Rock in Texas. They were so well entertained by their new friend that they failed to note the passage of the hours and it was quite late when an automobile brought a former housekeeper of the ranch, a lawyer with a brief-case full of legal documents, and a man whom they claimed was a son of Don Haurea’s father. The Don had made short work of them, and now, Jim was sure that he recognized the broad back of Ollie, who had posed as the son. Even to the boys the scheme had seemed too stupid for anyone with a grain of sense to take part in or try to put over, but later the Don had explained that it was an attempt Is I C - v-._.... ._.‘..__ .._. . '."'.'?.‘":Y":."7.. :.0.- - 1; “ .'.‘:j.'§;~:.‘7_',z_.1vj_>'.1.'T‘)"‘ A - ,,,4,4,_, T if? i7'iiftflt< it i '.';'.f'3 ' ’ |51" I - |*!'.I I1. .-'1Y-g.0i‘ ‘Fl. "1' "%? z. -‘f:-‘’; $=l.-.,J ‘Q Dr .,_,, .___zf__- 1! it; l[§» #42:» 1 -.,..-_ ,~ E ..a.. v‘ {:5 I ,l;.§.: " ;‘*'~fi-.: #-.z.- ~ - ,-...-_, . ‘_-‘..-., m;T-¢'L'T'_ _a-1 to get ‘him and his property tied up by law. While there could be no possible doubt as to the outcome of the suit if the matter ever got as far as that, the rogues expected to have an uninterrupted opportunity to ferret out ancient secrets and perhaps find great wealth which they thought was concealed somewhere about the Box-Z Ranch. The Flying Buddies exchanged surprised glances, but neither moved nor spoke as they sat listening. “You should not be afraid—” the man sneered. “Afraid, that’s good! Well, big boy, maybe I am afraid, but I’m not touchin’ the job, see! I got something myself that ain’t such little potatoes as blowing up a power plant or putting a crimp in the works. That’s my answer.” . “In your answer I am interested.” “Maybe you are, and maybe you ain’t, but if you knew what it was, you would be-— and how,” Ollie retorted. “You have perhaps discovered a gold minel” the man suggested. “I ‘have, perhaps, and perhaps it’s some- thing better than gold. Now, you listen. You know I was flying with another guy to Cuzco to meet you, and we came down like a thousand bricks,” Ollie said. " 16 I 5 1 l “That I have heard. I watched the funeral of the pilot and I sent to you flowers and jelly and wine to the hospital,” the other man answered casually. “Yah. Well, I crawled out of the wreck after somebody else had picked up the pilot and took him to the hospital. Then I tried to make a fire to keep warm by and signal, and while I was asleep it burned up what was left of the plane. I had to get a move on or be cooked myself, and I nearly was. I found some berries and roots that I ate and days afterward I managed to drag myself to a trapper’s hut, and the man took me to the nearest settlement. N ow—when I was crawl- ing from that bon-fire, I found something swell—swell.” He straightened his back and cocked backhis head. “Waiter,” he shouted. “More wine—plenty more.” “You -should be moderate with wine after having been ill,” the other man reminded hhn. “Yah. Maybe I should. Not because I've beenh ill’, but because ‘I might talk too inuc —- - “You’re not fexactly tight-mouthed at the moment.’ “Think you’re funny, don’t you? Well, you trot back to your High Chief, or whatever he is, and tell him if he’s interested I’ll go fifty- 17 l ‘.77¢ 11+: .‘.¢:-_. =Ta:;r:r Q--... ll a'ién’fi”'i 3:75-:F.t*1 . ucfifla .. ;. ; 1'» V ‘' -‘E eff. liel ll \ hill mmt ‘Z7! ~~ 1~_ fifty with him. He can divide his share anyway he likes, but fifty per cent is mine and no questions asked.” “Probably you have found an ancient Ynca treasure hole. They are being found every day, and when investigated—nothing more valuable than a crumbling mummy is re- vealed,” the other told him. “You ain’t no good at guessin’. If I hadn’t cracked the plane I’d go back and get the whole works myself, but you tell your chief that’s my proposition,” Ollie answered in- solently. “A lot of guys will jump at the chance the minute I spring it, but you fellows get first crack.” “Very generous of you.” “Sure, I’m generous.” “Should I have the great audacity to re- turn to my ‘chief’ as you call him, he would think me crazy, my friend. You’ll have to give me something more than vague phrases to repeat to him. In the first place, your story is not convincing, regardless of what you found. You were injured, it was days before you reached the trapper’s cabin, you could not return to the spot,” the other objected. “I ain’t such a nut as I look. I can go right back to that spot, and don’t you forget it,” Ollie boasted. “Did you make a map of the locality?” I8 “Ain’t you cute? Why don’t you ask if I have it with me?” - “You are too quick, my friend. It is un- fair to be so sensitive. As a man of the world you are perfectly aware that no one would consider any proposition unless he knew what he is going after.” . “All right, I’ll tell you. It’s platinum—” Ollie spoke more softly, but Bob understood what he said. “My friend, there has been no platinum giscovered in Peru in hundreds of years. here was, -at one time, a small amount of it, but never a very great quantity. Not enough to make it worth thinking about. The world gets it in quantities from Russia, and t:)hesehAndes1ha1vehbeer,1, searched diligently, - ut t ere 1S 1tt e ere. “That’s where you are wrong.” “How do you know it was platinum?” “Listen, big boy, during the war we had to have it, and I flew Wll%7'1vSOII'16 other lads into Russia to et it see? e came out with it— I got morg thaii any other man in the outfit, and I brought it back. I know what I’m talking about.” “That is indeed interesting.h I sha1llIpre- sent your proposition to the c ief an am sure that he will be most happy to discuss the matter with you.” He extended his I 9 I :1: 1-T£1T.I-~1 -11; ~ -\ | .2 l:l 1.d-s-<.''.;,;a-2-t ....-a -._r e. P. D-‘- 3 1 ' 1 M; E I " I I ‘A II} 5'55- _l~“rr H ft! . if in e.» 1 hand with a smile and Ollie accepted it with a swaggering toss of his -head. “I knew I’d get you on the run. Come on, I want to have a dance with one of those Spanish girls—they sure have pretty girls here.” The pair rose quickly and a moment later strode off toward the dancing pavilion. “Wthew! Wouldn’t that rattle your great- aunt’s false teethl” Bob whistled. “Or make the dear lady do a Highland Fling,” Jim added. “So, this is where little Ollie took himself after he left the Don’s that night. Guess the United States got kind of hot for ‘him. Wonder if he has discovered platinum?” “Well, if he has, he’ll never see a flake of it,” Bob remarked soberly. “That Chief, or whatever he is, will get the whole shoot- ing match away from him so quickly it’ll make his head spin.” “Let’s have some dessert and if Carlos doesn’t show up by the time we’ve finished, we’d better go .home. The mail will be in and there will be letters from Dad and your mother.” “Suits me,” Bo‘b agreed. They motioned to the waiter and ordered a pastry, but be- fore it was half finished, Jim happened to look up. “Here comes Carlos now. Somebody is 20 with him.” Bob glanced around and then they saw that a man was following Carlos, on rather walking close behind him. “Senors, I have searched for you,” Carlos called, then he stopped as the man came closer. “Pardon, senor. You picked up a wallet which was dropped by my friend who was taken ill,” he said very politely. “Yes, I did pick up some sort of case, but I don’t know. about handing it over to a stranger,” Carlos answered good-naturedly. “My friend was taken ill and is now on the way to the hospital,” the man urged. “I am distressed and would go to him at once.” “Yes, of course,” the young fellow hesi- tated, then the man stepped close and one hand was pressed against Carlos’ side. The Flying Buddies saw the move, and sprang up. “I say, old thing, what’s the idea?” Bob demanded. “Sure you are not off your wave length?” Jim added. Four fists were clenched hard and two pairs of eyes flashed angrily. “Keep your hand in your pocket, old timer.” They shoved in between their pal and the chap who accosted him, but just as they did so, two huge men leaped from the background and one of them caught Carlos on the chin 21 Em 5 ‘ .¢-“J=X€iI v 1 J. A I_ . lief“ ‘‘ - ‘- --H.""-Hi?' . '- ill“ 8 Ul t~.t‘»'# ’ 1 with such a crack that he dropped to the floor, but he rolled over on his face before the fellow could put a hand into his breast pocket. In a moment fists and feet were flying in a grand free-for-all, and someone, probably the manager of the place, pranced about trying to round up the fighters into a shed or anyplace out of sight of the crowd. “My business, my business,” he wailed, then, almost as suddenly as the scrap had started, the three boys were yanked to their feet and they found themselves in a huge kitchen. “He stole a wallet that belongs to my friend,” the first chap accused. “Search him and you’ll find it.” A very tall man in a clean white suit stepped forward as if to carry out the request, but Jim quickly put a detaining "hand on the fel1ow’s arm. “I say, listen—” he urged. The man looked down at the boy and for the briefest instant his eyes rested on the green emerald ring he always wore. “That chap is lying—” “Put them out,” he snapped to a huge attendant, who looked more like a great gorilla than a human being. “Si.” “I tell you—” “Depart.” In less time than it takes to tell it, the assaulting lparty were kicked out of / ' 22 the kitchen, down a pair of slippery stairs and into a shallow hole used for slop water. They cursed and ‘sputtered alternately, but the bouncer raised his foot again, so they scrambled away from the vicinity as fast as they could go. “Your names, young gentlemen,” the tall chap said politely. " “I’m Jim Austin,” the Flying Buddy be- gan and proceeded to introduce his com- panions. “And I am Alonzo de Zimmon. I regret that you should ’have had such an unpleasant experience in my establishment.” He held out his hand to Bob, who promptly accepted it, and his eyes rested on the mate to Cald- well’s ring. “It has given me great pleasure to meet you young Americans. And you, also, Senor de Castro. Your father I know well.” “Of course, I’ve heard him speak of you, Don de Zimmon. We certainly are obligated to you for helping us,” Carlos replied. “My father will come and thank you just as soon as I tell him how greatly we are indebted to you.” “It will give me great pleasure to take you home in my car,” the Don answered. “I am about to drive your way.” “Thanks a lot,” Jim accepted. Z3 l L. '1' I" ' l| .LTT"f(_‘~ ft; lg .5, ll i- J . 1 hi-a,I_qu 'ii'!'Ftn . - fiifzu t G _.-L. !‘ i A uzfn llid ul ..,.s&ti vii '9 W-*¢;Ii2 _ i»- T": *7!-" _ “We do not wish to inconvenience you, sir,” Carlos said quickly. “Not at all,” answered the Don, then added, “Unless you desire to remain longer at the festival.” “Reckon we’re willing to call it a day,” said Bob ruefully looking at their clothes, which were rumpled and dusty. “Even so, you are not so disheveled and unpresentable as your late opponents,” the Don smiled. '24‘ II DELAYED RETURN When Don de Zimmon’s limousine drew up before the palatial home of the de Castros, there was real concern on the face of Pedro de Castro as he came to greet them. “My old friend, Alonzo, it is indeed a great pleasure to see you but your looks are all so grave that I am anxious to know if trouble has befallen any of you.” . “A little scrap, Padre, that’s all. We were so mussed, that is, our clothes, that Senor de Zimmon generously gave us a lift, which we accepted instead of waiting for the car.” Carlos spoke lightly. “Your son, my friend, is not unlike we were, you and I, in long past days when adventure made our blood hot, but although we thought nothing of facing danger, we carefully concealed details from families if we were able. He is only partly correct in 'his statement. It was because I felt that something more serious might occur that I . 25 urged an immediate return home. I should ‘have been most distressed had I permitted them to come unattended ” the Don replied. “Many exploits we sha,red, my old friend, but it was always you who faced the greatest ganger anld yvhpse deeds were mostf (fitting. n your ee s was a courageous e ow— ready to attack a lion-——but alone—” he shrugged his shoulders, “alone I was given to going the long way around.” ‘ “You do not do yourself justice. Once I recall that your sword saved me when my ?wl'll£13.(lf})€€l'lll broken ankd another time you 0“It his n2bthLilrIi§2”sol1d Iedro said quickly. th“Notlging, Eadre? Yopnnever told me any- fillgefihaplst stodistae dlagrlexfve will talk of them. Tell me this moment, what danger threatened thtge sons of fiy friends in the United States, an my own oy “They were attacked at the fiesta by a lot of ruffians and came rolling into the kitchen of the Santa Maria just as. I entered to speak to my manager. My first impulse Eras to have them kicked out.” As he spoke is eyes rested a moment on Jim then he proceeded, “but I saw that they we,re not all of the same breed, so I had the scum booted and brought these boys home to you because 26 matter because I’d come by that route my- self.” “Yes?” “The car was being driven very slowly as if the chauffeur expected to pick up some- one he had not located. Then, as I hurried along, I saw two men coming rather quickly, supporting a third man between them. His feet rather dragged but not as if he was drunk and his hands, or one of them, was fumbling in the front of his coat. His hat was on the back of his head, which was mov- ing from side to side, and just as they drew close, it was knocked off. One of the men bent and picked it up and then I caught a glance of the sick man’s face. It was very flushed, but his eyes looked as if he was perfectly aware of what was taking place. They put his hat on, the chauffeur blew ‘his horn softly, and in a moment the three got into the car and it was driven away quickly.” “Extraordinary!” - “I didn’t think much about that at the moment, then it dawned upon me that the man’s eyes were more fearful than ill. I paused at the spot where his hat dropped wondering if I should. report the matter, then, right at my feet I saw a wallet. I supposed it belonged to the third man, so I picked it up, determined to hand it over to 28 - 1 1. 1.*/I the police as soon as possible. Then I hur- ried to join our friends, and had just suc- ceeded in finding their table and calling a greeting when a stranger touched my arm rom behind and begged that I return the wallet which he was going to take to his sick friend.” “That’s when we saw him,” Jim put in. “Ordinarily I should -have done so with- out a question, for the chap was gentlemanly enough, but the look in that man’s eyes sort of got me, so I told him I was not sure that I should. Immediately his face got ugly and he poked his fingers into my ribs and demanded that I hand it over at once and from right behind him jumped two huge fellows. One of them landed his fist on my jaw, then I believe the Flying Buddies came on with their engines wide open. I felt one of the men make a dive to my pocket, so I managed to roll over and keep my coat closed tightly. After that I felt as if I’d landed in a hive of mad bees and I couldn’t get up until the chief dragged me to my feet. One of the men accused me of stealing the wallet and demanded that I be searched, but the Don stepped in and took command. That’s all I know.” “What sort of looking men were they, my son?” l van. /5 t l -hill 5- r*~.§-+- ~ lift: i%?&‘ A 29 “The two who supported him were tall, well-built fellows. The sick man was quite stout and wore a dark suit. I should say that he was an American; he was quite fair.” Although this description was not very com- plete, the Flying Buddies exchanged glances. “Wonder if it was Ollie?” Bob ventured. “]And who is this Ollie?” the Don asked wit interest. _ “He’s—I don’t know much about what he IS, really, but we saw him the first time in Don I;Ialil1rea’n)lhome la year ago, and godayhhe was a t e ta e nearest to ours on t e ot er side of the hedge,” Bob replied, then pro- ceeded with an account of the affair to which the gentlemen listened attentively. “And you are guessing that this so-called sick man may be this one to whom ou listened?” Y “It popped into my head, sir. I just thought that if his companion at the table wanted to get information from him, he might have arranged to take him off the grounds in some way,” Bob answered. “They must have worked fast ” Jim added “Those fellows aren’t exactly’ slow motion movers,” said Bob. “No, they are not.” “Have you heard anything of recent platinum discoveries?” the Don inquired. _i- .~ 30 “No, I have not, but according to this ‘Ollie’s’ statement, he had kept the secret to himself,” Pedro de Castro reminded them. “We all know that the Andes are rich with treasure of one sort or another and many expeditions have been financed to search for the precious metal, but I under- stand that our geologists agree that while there may be small quantities of it in differ- ent sections it is of a poor quality and in places where getting it out would cost more than it is worth,” the Don told them. “That is quite true. I have seen the re- port. When the Spaniards came to this land there was a good deal, or rather the Indians had quantities of it; they called it ‘frog gold’ but at that atime the white -men knew nothing of its value and would not have it. Latera great deal was accumulated and shipped to Spain, then the supply diminished until now it is almost gone. Now it is Russia that is rich with the mineral,” Senor de Castro explained. ' “Well, I say, Carlos, we can soon settle if the chap was Ollie. Perhaps the name is on his wallet,” Jim suggested. “I never thought of that.” Carlos grinned and produced it from his inside pocket. He -handed it to his father and the older man turned it over carefully. It was as long as 31 I aw-: ,‘ ’ t H e-.3-.PE ~r::; .;.~. h. .,._ in’ , “ _ - ‘ at ~ -W e \.;;'.i%’Ui;?tfi‘ffil‘:l'\ ..1a.2iTl‘;€\.i‘t"i bill .. _ if . J~,v-3_-'r‘.w. !:' -mp!--.2 .-* w-‘rt 3;? I 41?.- 1--..l!$|H V8 ¢i. _ 1 up-as-@: au-=.>--.4t.-.--a@. .-___._. __ mighty fine man. You must have had some wonderful times when you were growing up,” Bob remarked. “We had some wonderful times, but We did not grow up together. The Don is Peruvian, although he speaks little of his forefathers. He came here with his family when he was a lad in his teens and we at- tended the same school; also we went off to college and after that we drifted apart. The Don traveled extensively in the Orient, and -a few years ago he returned to Cuzco with his wife and children. They are Ia fine family, splendid citizens,” Senor dc Castro explained. “Tell us about that -‘shark business, Padre,” Carlos insisted. “You have forgotten that your suits need to be changed,” his father reminded him. “That’s so,” they had to admit, so they could not press the man for the story, al- though it sounded mighty thrilling. When they returned, ready for dinner, a cable was handed to Jim, who opened and decoded it quickly. “We miss you much, but I wish that you would stay until the analysis is made and bring the report with you. I shall feel safer than trusting it to the regular carriers. All well here. Dad.” 34 . X l l . “It Wlll. give us pleasure to have you re- main,” \Carlos chuckled when the message was read to him and his father. “It will take perhaps two days to get the report and I believe that. Senor Austin’s caution is very wise,” the older man declared. Although the Flying Buddies were anxious to get home and the message gave them a deep feeling of disappointment, they kept it to themselves, and grinned as if delighted at the postponement. “Doubtless you will learn more of the mystery of my sick friend, or your Ollie,” Carlos suggested.’ . “It’ll be great to know what the answer is,” Jim responded cheerfully. Later that evening when they were in Jim’s room, Caldwell lingered at the door. “I say, we were lucky that Don de Zimmon could tell us from the roughnecks.” Austin looked at him -a moment. “It was lucky that we were wearing the green emerald rings that Yncicea Haurea gave us that day. we rescued him off the Island in Lake Champlain,” he replied softly. “The rings?” Bob glanced at his. ‘ “Sure. The Don saw mine first then had a look at yours when he shook hands with you. Guess he’s one of the Ynca descend- ants.” 35 —=, ,1 — “I might have known he couldn’t pick us out of that mess. Gee, Buddy, what a lot of things we have nose-dived into since the boy gave us those rings. I am rather glad we are staying over, perhaps we’ll see the Don again and I’d like to know if that sick lad was Ollie.” “Me too- Suppose we better get to bed now, I’m tired as the very dickens,” Jim remarked. “So am I, in a way, but I’m kind of hank- erin’ to have a look at the ‘Lark’—” “You mean that yotnwant to go joy“riding along die milky way, Jémf gr1nlned.bWell, rec on ’m not too tire or t at, ut we don’t want to overdo it—just a little hop or the De Castros will be worried stiff.” “Just a little one,” Bob nodded eagerly. They did not wait to do more than slip into light jackets, then they went quietly out of the house and made their way unnoticed to the new hangar where they found the “Lark” resting as if poised for immediate flight into the starry heavens. She was a beautifully built plane with all known and several as- yet-unknown, modern imprhvements, for it was a gift from Don Haurea in grateful acknowledgement of services rendered him and his immediate family by the Flying Buddies. Their first plane had proudly 36 borne the name of Her Highness, but some enemy bent on revenge had ruined her, and had almost killed Bob too. “She does look good. Let’s not light up this place; it may attract attention from the ‘house and Senor de Castro will think some- thing is wrong,” Jim proposed, as he opened the door to the cock-pit. “Suits me.” Bob climbed into the pilot seat and while he adjusted the parachute, Austin glanced at the radio instrument then suddenly switched off the light on the con- trol board. “What’s~ up-” “I don’t know. Look at the dials," Jim Whispered, and then Bob noticed an odd green light playing about the rims of the instrument. “It’s the signal from the Laboratory,” Bob said softly. “Green means anger. Some one who is hopping mad is around here, Buddy. Scru- tinize your process, old timer.” “Perhaps you’d better see how things are in the back,” Caldwell said aloud, quite as if they had no warning of danger. “All right, but why the heck didn’t you look before you climbed in?” Jim grum- bled. Instead of jumping out of the cock- pit in the normal fashion, he leaped over the \ 37 “You ha>ven’t anything on me as a de- ductor. Now, all we have to do is eliminate all but one, and there we are with the an- swer,” Bob grinned. “Right-O. Any ideas on which to elimi- nate?” “My dear step-brother, companion of my youth, I can argue with fervor for each and every one of them, or, with equal conviction against them.” “We’re equally dumb. Let’s form a trust. Sure you didn’t forget to tell Senor de Castro that we were going up for a bracer this morning? We don’t want him to think that some doo-doo kidnaped us.” “I told him. Said that we’d be ‘here in time for breakfast, so let’s get a move on. Ah, ‘Lark,’ I hear you calling me!” A bit later the Flying Buddies were again in the hangar beside the graceful little plane. This time they took the precaution of having a good look about the place to make sure that no one was hanging around ready to th{ow a monkey wrench at their heads; or concealed in the “Lark” itself. On the trip from the United States they had found a stowaway while flying above the Caribbean Sea and the vicious brute had fought sava- gely to bring them down. A few days after their arrival, enemies of Mr. Austin had '4-2 _. .-at. i secreted a huge poisonous snake in the com- munication tube between the two cock-pits. It had crawled leisurely out over the nearly paralyzed Bob who was taking pictures of the coast from the back. With the settlement of the Power-Plant difficulties and the ap- prehension of the ring-leaders, the boys had felt safe from further attempts, but it was now evident that their association with Carlos de Castro had started a new string of enemies on their trail. Although the men had been captured the night before, there were proba- bly others on the outside who would seek revenge because of the failure of the attack, or make further efforts to get possession of the mysterious wallet. “All’s well that ends well,” Bob called when his share of -the inspection was finished. “Here too. Hop in,” Jim urged. Presently they were both ready and Austin took the controls, the engine started a cheering roar, the propeller whirled, and the plane rolled lightly along the run-way, curved a bit, her nose lifted and she began to climb eagerly into the air. The Flying Buddies grinned atleach other and their eyes glistened hap- P1 Y- “This is the life,” Bob bellowed, and Jim nodded. It was a clear, beautiful morn- ing. The sky in the east was tinted with long -"p :- - - I 1 I ii':';-1;: emmmi ' 1'."- fi?¢‘”F7“ I,-all-‘:|Y':§'-JI'|i\ .""j!l""l!.'T"11? :1..- '.:- 3;.‘ iuu.'l1_'u:'lii ‘1’ r - 0 I :I-.:3."F.“ r;?.,-g,,“i.‘. 511'-.ai.i5% Kl in -‘L171 M~ -1 43 I pinkish grey streaks which announced the coming of the sun from beneath the horizon. They had made no plan as to where they would go, but just started with the un- conquerable desire to fly, and as the plane scrambled into the heavens they filled their lungs with deep breaths of pure joy. Up and up they raced until the altitude meter read three thousand feet, then the pilot leveled off, made la wide circle, and flipped her into a double loop just to relieve their feelings. He pulled her out with nicety, then leveled ofi‘ and shot forward. “Let’s go over Amy-Ran,” Bob proposed. “Right-O.” The course was quickly calculated and the plane’s nose pointed in the direction of the ancient fastness which was still the property of the descendants of the famous Yncas, whose people had once inhabited the vast empire which was the world’s most civilized -and prosperous government. Jim increased the speed and the plane roared through the sky above the magnificent Andes Mountains with their numberless spurs and beautiful valleys, which looked as if only the greatest of nature’s artists had been entrusted to shape their perfect outline. Here and there were high plains whose smooth surfaces looked as if they were set with glistening opals, while 44 others were dark-wooded with forests which were broken only by lovely lakes of crystal- clear water that reflected the sky above them like wonderful mirrors. The sun, rising with a splendid burst of brilliance, sent its rays flashing until every inch they touched leaped to life and color. The Flying Buddies took in all of the marvelous scenes rolling beneath them, and were intensely sorry for grounded chaps who had never experienced the thrill of viewing such a panorama to the accompaniment of wind singing through the wires of an airplane carrying them swiftly through space between the earth and sky. Finally, in the distance, they made out the S-shaped plateau of Amy- Ran, whose edge was rimmed like a crown with the giant stone that had once formed a section of its inaccessible fortress. In a few minutes the “Lark” was circling like a bird above one end and as Jim cal- culated "his landing he recalled the day Carlos de Castro ‘had brought them to the spot, the day that young Arthur Gordon had so mysteriously appeared and assaulted them. There ‘had been no means of escape from the precipitous rock or the murderous attack of the Texas outlaw and Austin had been sure that it was only a matter of minutes before their three lifeless bodies would be "I 'I'-F- - 1-1.nIn:> ‘iii ' 1' mi. ~ its fig‘ .1 1- =..-:.-are: :':._,-L- ea" at 1.1? l:;i..-ili‘.1i‘tiH.i1-fifi’5‘§.hli up it :5‘: 1:‘ -="- ! .- -1 £- .h 2' 2- ,-3'31.’ M~ ~ 45 get above the danger zone several of them had been killed. “Give a calf enough rope and he’ll hang himself,” Caldwell remarked as the plane’s wheels touched the chosen landing spot and rolled a few feet. “Queer how many of those guys have eliminated themselves in one way or another.” “Yes. I should think hey’d begin to tumble to themselves that they are amateurs and quit trying to get the better of the men they are so intent on robbing,” Jim answered. The plane rolled beneath the shelter of the fortress wall and when she was in a position where she could not be seen by curious flyers, he ‘brought her to a stop. “I have a hunch that some bright lad in that gang may come flying about to have a look at the remains of the volcano.” “Well, Won’t ‘he get the jolt of his gay careless youth when he can’t find a crater as big as a hole in a tooth?” chuckled Bob. “Any hunches that we’ll find a Lab. man around?” “Thought we might,” Jim admitted. “And presto, I appear!” It was Ynilea, who smiled broadly. “I too am becoming subject to attacks of hunch and when we found that you were not going to go home this morning under central power I observed -.;rtam x ab 47 your hilarious flight and was delighted when you determined to pay Amy-Ran another visit." “Gee, did you see the party they tried to pull last night?” Bob demanded quickly. “Not the ‘party’ but the records this morn- ing.” “A man called Ollie had a plane smash-up somewhere in the Andes /and thinks he dis- covered a rich deposit of platinum,” Jim explained. “Where?” Ynilea was interested. “I don’t know,” the boy answered, then went on and told of the conversation they had overheard in the Santa Maria and the later attack of the chap who wanted the wallet. “We don’t know yet if it is the same man but it looks as if it might be,” Bob put in. “I say—” He stopped abruptly, for their quick ears had caught the unmistakable hum of an airplane motor, “that one of your crates?” “No.” Ynilea listened intently. “No.” They sat very still as the sound grew in volume, then the Lab. man stepped cautiously toward the place where the boys had run the “Lark” under cover. Quickly the Flying Buddies jumped out of straps and parachutes and hurried after him. In a moment they were making their way along the outer edge 4.8 of the great wall, much as Carlos had said he did when he came there as a small boy and thought he saw an opening into a court. They proceeded carefully, keeping out of sight of the approaching airman, until sud- denly Ynilea held up his hand. Just ahead of them they saw the Indian woman whose age no‘ one could ever guess, coming very slowly from the opposite direction. She was wearing a robe which hung in folds from her shoulders, a loose hood covered her head, and the material looked so exactly like the stones beside which she walked that if she had not moved she could not have been distinguished from one of them. -She seemed to be aware of their presence, for in a mom- ent she stopped, made a slight movement of her head, and Ynilea instantly went to her, the boys close at his heels. “Come,” she said softly. Her hand, still concealed by the folds of her sleeve, moved over the nearest stone, and after an instant, during which the Flying "Buddies almost held their breaths, the great mass moved. It slipped back about three inches, then slid along like a folding door, leaving an opening wide enough for them all to enter. The boys drew quick breaths of astonishment as they found themselves in a good-sized room which was cut out of the . 49 I I 1 --n-1--0-Q.‘-~_ _-3 _ ~,-. J "-,1 :4*;§.=;§- ;.t.;.1 mt 1 @;=~ ii?-" 1.L i ---‘ 15> -1:»-"1 |igi. :f!" wi-. ‘Ii; '7' ...-‘=§1€$‘| _'-I‘ I I-.9-. If ti - in"-+". '- E‘--u- - .... -.- 1.; — \ I L l l I J 1 I | Y“ T ' -._“ ,\__.;--,--_.. »>r-.- - __. _.; solid rock of the mountain. The heavy panel returned to its place, and a moment later they stood close together on another rock which dropped with perfect smoothness about ten feet, then admitted them into another small room This seemed to be in the section near the edge of the cliff. Ynilea moved back a part in one corner, and through a clever screen of foliage they could get a good view of the sky. - “My gosh, Carlos was right, he did see an opening in the wall,” Bob said softly, and Ynilea turned a questioning glance toward He and some boys were here, I mean on top, years ago, and the little fellow declared he saw an opening in the wall. He was sepaiated from his fellows, but when he found them and wanted to show it to them, he y | couldn’t locate it again and they thought ‘ over-time,” Jim explained. “His story was not credited?” Ynilea was adjusting a sort of periscope. he was dreaming, or his imagination working ~ No. He was such a little fellow they were sure he was mistaken.” ‘ Oh, there she is,” the tall Indian an- nounced. He turned a wheel in the instru- ment and the boys could easily see the plane they had heard circling in a wide loop over ~J 50 did not require the glasses, and again he stared with a puzzled scowl toward the cliff which was supposed to have erupted. Then his machine began to rock crazily and bump as if it were riding deep, choppy waves, and for the next few minutes he had to give his undivided attention to maintaining his equilibrium. As he attended strictly to his job they could no longer see him, but they could see that he had struck something which threatened to end his flight in a wreck. He banked, curved, climbed, and dived in a desperate effort to force himself out of the pocket, or whatever it was that hehad struck, but it wasn’t until he was almost a speck in the sky again that he really recovered his balance. A momen't;later, the-"glass was pressed to his eyes and he stared through space as if determined to solve the mystery. Twice he descended quickly, but each time the plane misbehaved, so at last he gave it up, circled once more, then leveled off and shot away in the direction from which he had come. “Pleasant entertainment while it lasted,” laughed Bob. “Thought for a while we’d have him on our piazza.” “Sorry he didn’t stick long enough to give you a really good time,” laughed Ynilea. “One reason I wanted "to see you boys today is to tell you that we have a small television 52 we’ll attach to the ‘Lark’s’ radio. We were going to wait until you landed back in Texas to have it installed, but since you are stay- ing over, we’ll fix it in a set and exchange it for you as soon as it’s ready. You can pay a visit to the Lab. to learn how it works." “Oh, that will be great. I say, you’ll soon have -that plane so we won’t need to come to the ground at all,” announced Bob. “Should you like that?” . “And howl But, Buddy we’d better get home or the De Castros will think we’re lost—or never coming down,” Jim warned. “Too true,” agreed Bob. Presently the'“Lark” was again in the air, but no “pockets or bumps” interfered with her flight when she leveled off, her nose pointed toward the De Castro home, and she rushed swiftly to the music of singing engine and whistling wind. The boys were perfectly satisfied with their morning adventure, but when they lighted on the runway, they saw Carlos waiting for them on the piazza. “My father was getting distressed,” he told them soberly. “Sorry we over-stayed,” Jim apologized. “You are not so very much behind time, but there is some surprising news. Will you join us as you are? It’s quite all right if you care to do so.” S3 *7 J‘ '3?'?‘7!-T*T“-‘=r-I-:0-011“-*r“,Tr“= _iiVUEfl:§§T¢-0iIU'TIj‘ifll' " ' 1. K ~ -- .-.“"'i~?7ri' H3“ I-.271 Vt 55:10.4-: if-‘...- -t _t. ....,. .11.""]| §€‘;I:.TZ *1. s 1'1 " ' 7 .:. 1 l i ~:-1'4"!‘-'9' _4 “We’ll get there more quickly,” Bob an- swered, so they ‘hurried to the cool breakfast room ofi‘ the portico, where they found Senor de Castro pacing the floor. “I beg your pardon, sir—” Jim began. “That’s all right, my boy, breakfast is a movable feast. Did my son tell you the news?” “N 0 sir.” “Well, the man you call Ollie was found late last night. He had been beaten and his skull crushed to a pulp. He is dead.” “As Hamlet’s cat,” Carlos added, glancing at Bob. “Padre is a bit anxious about you— and me too-and he wants us to be mighty careful.” . “We will, senor,” Jim assured him. “It seems that the police have traced the man’s movements, questioned persons who saw him, including the attendants at the fiesta. N o one seems to know who was with him when he had refreshments. As I- re- member that was when you boys overheard "his conversation about the platinum.” “That’s right,” answered Jim. “In such a case suspicious characters are rounded up and held until their innocence is established. They have several of these men and ask you to come to the detention quarters and see if you can identify any of them.” .’ 54 thul-Iave ypti fey idea whlen they picked up ose men im inquire . “Very early this morning.” - “Then they have the wrong fellows.” “How do you know?” “Because I saw the man in an airplane this morning. He was flying very much higher than we were, and looking over the side. I saw him quite plainly, sir.” “Was that the lad?” demanded Bob. “I’m sure of it,” Jim nodded. “Could you describe the plane?” Carlos wanted to know. “I could do that,” Jim answered, then he frowned thoughtfully. “If he’s a member of the gang we’ve ‘been ‘having all the fire- works with he or some of his gang may try to waylay us on the way home. Could the information be given to the police confiden- tially?” “That shall be attended to, my boy. You early birds do manage to——” “Gobble the worms,” Bob suggested. 55 ~--. i .._..._.. _._...-.. ';£..:w a - \"& ‘MIN? 0‘; j. P’ ti: we ti \ U .3 Id -'5 .T _L? *1 a. ii. . I "11.’?! iii it ‘8 we-0 n - -.. .-I.'_. - .2! .4: ‘M wwwe . |l ~ Q4t- € .,... _.;.. '. clfl ""“ l IV A DISTRESS CALL Immediately after breakfast the Sky Bud- dies, Carlos and Senor de Castro went to the office of the Detention Bureau where, with- out being observed themselves, they took a good look at several men held under sus- picion as implicate-d in the murder of Ollie Boome. Although the three boys were mighty careful in the scrutinizing they agreed they had never seen any of the prisoners before. Then Jim wrote a detailed description of the airplane they ‘had seen hovering over Amy- Ran fortress, also as good an account as pos- sible of the pilot, for police broadcasting /through North and South America. Where and -how this information was obtained was to be kept a strict secret. That was arranged by Senor de Castro without difficulty. “Any time you young travelers desire to pay us a visit and go through the prisons, we shall be most delighted to have the pleasure of escorting you,” the official promised elaborately. The Flying Buddies had caught 56 I glimpses of the pens,‘cells, yards, high wall and guards which were sufficient to satisfy their‘ natural curiosity. “Thank you very much,” Jim said politely. “Next time we come to Peru we’ll not for- get,” Bob added. He was thinking at the moment that if men and boys could get a peek at the place they would turn their talents toward something which would keep them out of jails. It seemed strange that any- one should risk freedom, liberty and the re- spect of his fellows by breaking laws which were made for the general good'of all in order to get possession of something which did not belong to him. They were very thoughtful as they drove home and when the Flying Buddies stood on the broad piazza overlooking the beautiful land, Jim drew a deep breath. “Tough luck, isn’t it?” “What.” “Those fellows held in there until we could come and look them over. Imagine being on that platform, made to stand up, turn around, put their heads up and down, show their hands and walk before a thick curtain. Of course they knew that someone, or maybe a dozen people were back of it examining them as if they were bugs under a glass, and whoever those people were would 57 . I I 4I—' jli " - I1 ll flit! § 21.1.2‘ - : ff? 2' i;'.T"l'~".-"'i'iz'*‘ ; k:ie?1i\IfiiiuL:“ifi5‘Jhf< ;..ms\fit *- 2' jr.. Ii‘: _ id igli- :\'-.15.; -1.1: .!::‘ " i5':'IT !='*.¢; I ~ J l.l..-t 31 ._..-.._ -I course from the Laboratory in Texas. Dur- ing their absence from home he had con- tinued his studies, and since the return was delayed for a while, Don Haurea had some of his scientific men forward things which could be tried out without elaborate equip- ment. “I say, old man, look.” Bob held out his message eagerly, for making things grow and improving the land on the ranches in Texas was his chief ambition. “Come along—” - “Wait a minute. I’ve got something I can Work on here. Suppose you take the plane and look after the onions, or whatever it is. I’ll stay and see if I can get any re- sults with this. You don’t mind flying alone, do you? They’ll keep their eyes on the “Lark.” The radio-television can be installed and when you get home you can show me the works.” “Suits me, but Jim, bet you are going to miss something great—why, you know farmers—” “Sure I do. They have no idea how much more they could do with their land. I know your whole spiel, old hayseed,” Jim laughed. “If it wasn’t for the farmers you wouldn’t -‘r .:-1-:<.-: 4.. .;;- ._..~,. -......_. ._. . - -:- . .,' . -. -;¢ 1-Y ' . I. - ii‘; 315 ‘” it ll.‘ . $1 - 1?" F§?""EP'f"*'F!*‘.’"‘f '?.'i'5f"'*'~'i"' ,1 ="»’.€=’.=r=s\ trim unfit raw: .2..l "-J1“: . - ._1i.-i-‘-"-‘R iii"- i'~r""-Iii? 7: LAIBIII yr 5' *1-I =-.-\-- It Kiri *"' ‘I 59 H get anything to eat, Bob retorted good- naturedly. “That’s why I like them so well. Fly away, little boy, fly away,” Jim urged, and a few minutes later he was in his own room, his coat ofi‘ and an array of books opened before him. Carefully he removed the apparatus and set to work. He glanced up as the plane thundered into the sky, and although he would have enjoyed going along, he was even more familiar with the great Laboratory and its workers than Bob was, so he did not mind remaining behind. He was so ab- sorbed in what he was doing that the hours slipped by and it wasn’t until a servant brought in an attractive looking lunch tray that he remembered the two De Castros had said they would not be home for the mid- day meal. They had made the trip to the power-plant in the huge limousine because it would be most convenient that day, and their own private plane was left in the han- gar, which was built to accommodate three machines. Of course the plane was not so well equipped as the “Lark,” but she was the last word in flying machines as modern in- ventors could make them. The night of the “stage volcano” the family’s first plane had been stolen, but it had proved so useful 60 that Senor de Castro immediately purchased another. This one he kept under guard both at home and at the works so that her instru- ments could not be tampered with and her fliers could not get into such dangerous situa- tions as that stormy night when the compass had played them false because the needle hand had been deflected. For no reason at all those things slipped through Jim’s mind as he ate his solitary lunch, but when it was finished he turned his attention to the task at hand, and everything else was dismissed. “Senor, please—” Jim looked up and saw the servant, his face deeply anxious and through his mind flashed an idea that some- thing had happened to Bob. “What is it?” he demanded quickly. Glanc- ing at his watch he noticed that it was nearly the middle of the afternoon. “A gentleman—most urgent,” the man apologized. Instantly the boy was on the alert. “Who is it?” Through his brain raced the several unpleasant episodes of the past two days and he wasn’t taking any chances. “I do not know. He begs to see you.” “All right, come along down.” The two went to the front of the house where the boy saw a man who seemed very much distraught. He was pacing the floor 61 in quick nervous strides, and as he held his hat in his hand, with his other hand he kept brushing back his hair, and jerking his arms as if the passing moments were matters of life and death. When Jim and the servant en- tered, the chap spun around on his heel. “Pardon, pardon, senor—I am as one mad. You are not a father, you cannot know. I beg of you to help me—Please come—” The sentences were chopped off incoherently. h“T