Part 3 (2/2)

”He's down there, if you want to knohere_ he disappeared to,”

broke in Hank, practically

”It is no one,” went on the Spaniard ”But I do not comprehend--assimilate--no, comprehend--that is it I do not comprehend what you mean when you say we are at our journey's end”

”I'll tell you,” exclailanced at Joe and Blake in a manner that caused them to wonder ”You said you wanted to find--”

”Pardon le of white on which was engraved the naues Alcando_

Blake took it, and, as he did so, from the pocket whence the Spaniard had extracted the card, there fell a letter Joe picked it up, but, to his surprise it was addressed to himself and Blake jointly, and, in the upper left hand corner was the ian Joe ”This is for us! Look, Blake!”

”For you! That letter for you?” cried Mr Alcando ”Are you thepicture boys?”

”That's what they call us,” answered Joe ”This is Blake Stewart, and I'm his chum, Joe Duncan”

”Is it possible--is it possible!” cried Mr Alcando ”And you have savedso! You are--you are--!” He put his hands to his head and see to fall!” warned Blake, springing forward to catch the Spaniard

CHAPTER IV

A DELAYED LETTER

But Mr Alcando, to A uncertainly for a htened up, and stood rigid

”I--I beg your pardons,” he said, faintly, as though he had coether myself”

”Shouldn't wonder but what you were a bit played out,” put in Hank ”What we've just gone through as enough to knock anyone out, to say nothing of the crack you got on the head Maybe we'd better get a doctor?” and his voice framed a question, as he looked at Joe and Blake

”No, no!” hastily exclaih born in South America, as the boys learned later

”I do not require the services of a physician,” went on Mr

Alcando, speaking rapidly ”I aht now--or, I shall be in a few moments If I had a drink of water--”

His voice trailed off feebly, and he looked about rather helplessly

”There used to be a spring hereabouts,” said Hank, ”but I haven't been this way in some time, and--”