Part 7 (1/2)

”But Tizoc was clever, the way he slipped out of sight,” returned Mike. ”That's the kind of thing Ra-monez does. Posing as a mariachi player is smart business, too.”

”The next time we meet Tizoc, let's hold on to him,” Biff said. ”Then we could see the face behind the mask.”

”If we live long enough to get a look at him. I am afraid we must find some other way, Biff.”

The next day brought interesting developments. Dr. La Vega was resting nicely, but was still in no condition to talk. Chaco, however, was up from the 98 .

village with much to tell. El Cielo was in a furore. Tizoc himself had stalked the streets and had been seen by dozens of the natives.

”They have declared a holiday,” stated Chaco. ”A great fiesta will be held in Tizoc's honor. They are telling stories now, of the great things Tizoc did when he lived here many years ago and fought whole armies single-handed.”

”Kirby's work,” declared Professor Bortha, between gritted teeth. ”There will be no excavating done now.”

”But there will be,” Chaco a.s.sured him. ”Things are very good now, professor. It will take time to plan for the fiesta. n.o.body will leave town until then. So they will work for us instead of going to the mines.”

”But aren't they afraid to work for us after the cave-in?”

”Why should they be?” Chaco was puzzled. ”None of the workers was hurt, because Tizoc warned us. They say that if there is new danger, Tizoc will warn us again.”

As soon as Chaco had gone, Professor Bortha was triumphant.

”We've caught Kirby now!” he gloated. ”If he tries to stop our work by coming there as Tizoc, we can trap him. If he never shows up, our work will proceed without interruption. Either way, we win!”

”Kirby knows these workers,” objected Mr. Brew-ster. ”I should think he would have guessed what their reaction would be.”

DANGER BELOW! 99.

”You are right,” Bortha admitted. His face became solemn. Then, brightening, he added: ”But if we are dealing with Ramonez, it will work out the same. Do you still think that Ramonez is behind this Tizoc business?”

”I have met Ramonez,” replied Mr. Brewster, ”and I feel that he could be. Until I meet Kirby, I cannot be sure. So I would like to meet Kirby.”

Mr. Brewster did, the very next day.

A big man riding a little mule stopped in front of the Hotel Pico, swung from his saddle, and strode into the patio where Mr. Brewster was winning from the twins in their favorite word game. The big man grinned as he swept aside his ranchero hat and mopped his forehead with a blue bandana handkerchief. He asked: ”You're Thomas Brewster?”

Mr. Brewster nodded.

”I'm Justin Kirby,” returned the newcomer. ”I guess you've heard of me. First, tell me: How is Dr. La Vega?”

”He is doing nicely,” said Mr. Brewster, as he rose to accept Kirby's hearty handshake. ”The doctor was just here-”

”You mean the village medico” interrupted Kirby. ”Maybe he isn't the right man. I have a doctor down at the big mine who takes care of such injuries. Maybe I should send him up here.”

”When are you going down to the big mine?”

100 .

Kirby turned to look at the sun, which was just coming over the roof on the east side of the patio.

”Today,” he replied, ”if I can get started within the next hour. Would you like to ride along? I have plenty of mules. Too many. We are sending out a lot of silver, but not bringing in enough machinery.”

”Do you have three spare mules?”

”Why, yes.” Kirby looked at the twins. ”They are coming with you?”

”No, I have two other customers.” Mr. Brewster turned to Ted and Monica. ”Run out to the corral, please,” he said. ”Tell Biff and Mike I want to see them.”

By the time they reached the corral, the twins were breathless, not just from their run, but because of the news that they brought.

”He's here!” Monica said emphatically. ”The man with the red face and the big hat. The one I saw in Mexico City. He looked at me like this.”

Monica gave her head a tilt, and Ted nodded.

”Now I can believe you, sis,” he said. ”He looked just the way you said he did.”

”Justin Kirby!” exclaimed Biff. ”What does he want?”

”He wants to lend you a couple of mules to ride down to the valley,” said Ted. ”Dad talked him into it. He will tell you all about it.”

Amazed, Biff turned to Mike. ”Let's go,” he said.

DANGER BELOW! 101.

When they reached the patio and saw Kirby seated there, Mike whispered: ”Uno tortuga grande.”

Biff smiled. Mike was referring to Kirby as ”one big turtle” and Kirby looked the part. But despite his careless way, Kirby had a keen eye. He studied Biff sharply, the moment they were introduced. Then Kirby appeared to relax, but Biff doubted that he really did. He was sure that the big man had appraised him and had decided that he was not the youthful visitor who had made the inquiry at the village inn.

Kirby's expression showed a sudden change as he tilted his head toward Mike. Instantly, Biff knew that Kirby had tabbed the Mexican youth as the one that the innkeeper had mentioned. Almost as quickly, Kirby was all smiles again as he shook hands with Mike and learned that this was Miguel Arista, nephew of one of Mexico's most famous judges.

Professor Bortha came from his room just then. He stared at Kirby in brief surprise, then came over and shook hands in an easy, gracious manner. Kirby's round face formed a grin.

”Good digging, professor,” he said. ”If you need more men to help you, I can send some up from the valley.”

”But I thought,” returned Bortha rather coldly, ”that you were hiring all you could get.”

”Not now,” declared Kirby. ”It takes money as 102 .

well as men to mine silver. Things have been getting slack lately.”

Two hours later, Biff and Mike were riding patient mules down a corkscrew trail that made Biff feel shaky when he found one foot dangling ”a mile above nothing” as Mike had put it. At one spot, they were forced over to the very edge so that other mules could trudge up past them on the inner side of the trail, bringing oranges, bananas, and other tropical products to El Cielo.

Biff turned his head away from the huge gulf that yawned below and looked back at Mike, who was on the next burro.

”I was wrong about Kirby,” confided Biff. ”He seems to be a pretty good sort. You must be right; Ramonez is probably behind this Tizoc game.”