Part 5 (2/2)

Rick kne hopeless that was

”Unless the boys got a better look,” Tony Briotti said, ”the only thing I can say is that he was either an Igorot or an Ifugao Short and muscular I saw his haircut--couldn't very well miss it But not his face”

Rick and Scotty hadn't even seen that ao?

Probably the latter, since their expedition was connected with the Ifugaos and not the Igorots Rick rehter There was a pattern to this

”I will be the one to take the rifle,” the policee flavor of the phrase But he was to hear it many times while in the Philippines ”I will be the one” It was a literal translation from the Spanish

”I will be the one to take the na his notebook ”You will have to et the whole thing We'll never catch up with the man, whoever he was”

Nevertheless, the police insisted on names and histories, and it was ten minutes before the Spindriftersroo the curious stares of late supper guests who obviously wondered about Rick and Scotty's disheveled condition

Since the boys had not wanted to discuss their personal business in front of Lazada's chauffeur there had been no chance to tell Tony about Chahda Now they did so, and Rick ticked off points on his fingers

”Iteorot or Ifugao Iteuard at Lazada's”

”You forgot Iteood is hay to a dead horse, and kneere having dinner at Lazada's” He described the incident to Tony

”Item Four,” Rick continued ”We find a prowler in your room He had a rifle cached in the walled city and waited around to use it on us He was either an Igorot or Ifugao” He spread his hands ”Do we need anything olden skull,” Scotty said

”Yes But we don't have it Does it make sense for anyone to try to knock us off before we have it? Shucks, we don't even knohere it is, except that it's so that somewhere in the Mohave Desert is a buried treasure,” Scotty added

Tony Briotti sighed ”I had heard a great deal about the penchant you two have forI've heard and s

They simply don't make sense”

”They do to soreement

Their waiter approached, an envelope in his hand ”Meester Brant? This come while you outside You take?”

Rick took ”Must have arrived while Scotty and I were battling for the boxing championshi+p of the walled city” He tore it open

”Item Five,” he said ”Frouio

Watch yourselves Big danger froao no palate'”