Part 4 (1/2)
”They ht if they knew about it,” Dr Okola said ”Actually, what I have just told you is alao man in the street--or, properly, man in the rice terraces--has ever heard of it A few old priests may remember”
Irineo Lazada clapped his hands and rose ”Coffee in the living rooolden skull I had not really taken your expedition seriously until Dr Okola's recital”
Tony Briotti picked him up quickly ”Then that is why you have failed to issue our permit?”
Rick stopped in his tracks Was there trouble about their permit? He had wondered about the reason for this dinner with the assistant Secretary of the Interior Perhaps it was to persuade hiovern the h constabulary for police duty in the uio is the best we can do”
”I assure you that ill not stir up trouble,” Tony Briotti said
”Of course not And so I will issue your permit”
”Thank you, Mr Secretary,” Dr Okola said ”This will reat deal to the Philippines Dr Briotti assuresto be reolden skull, if it is found, will reht here, perhaps at the university's uarded,” Lazada chuckled ”We do have thieves in the Philippines, as does every other country” Again he see so
Over a second cup of coffee they laid their plans Lazada would instruct the district road commissioner at Bontoc to co-operate with them in every way, since that official cah the district coht need The coe for Rick's plane to land on the highway at Bontoc when necessary Since there was little traffic, landing would present no real problems They could use the district office at Bontoc, and hed, ”I can't tell you how sorry I am that you come in theat the end of next week, I will join you But until then, it will be iuide who knows the area,” Tony reminded hi His nael Manotok, and you can trust hiao, as well as the Filipino dialects of this region He can drive a truck, and he can cook reasonably well” Okola pronounced the -hel”
”Sounds like a handy guy to have around,” Scotty rereed ”Besides, it's nice to have an angel in the party”
The hour was late The boys and Tony Briotti bade good night to Lazada and Okola, refused the offer of another coke but accepted a ride back to the hotel in Lazada's car As they left the house the boys looked for Chahda There was a Sikh at the gate, but he was a big ht
Lazada's car turned out to be a brand-new Cadillac with a special ram about four inches square on every door
Evidently the assistant Secretary believed in personal advertising
They were tired The ride back to the Manila Hotel was made in silence, except for a brief report to Tony that all was in readiness for the trip to Baguio on the first leg of their journey
At the hotel desk they picked up their room keys The boys had one room, Tony another The rooms were on the second floor, so they walked upstairs instead of bothering with the slow elevators
”Good night, boys,” Tony said wearily He inserted his key and swung the door open, then stiffened as a crash sounded in the room Rick and Scotty snapped out of their weary haziness and leaped into the roo from the
Rick yelled in horror They rushed to the , expecting to see the htly froround He ran across Dewey Boulevard and was lost in the darkness under the walls of Intramuros
CHAPTER IV
Inside the Walls
”The fire escape!” Scotty yelled
Rick ith him on the instant They ran to the end of the corridor, threw open the door, and dashed down the fire escape No word passed between them as they crossed Dewey Boulevard At a time like this their teamas automatic