Frank did not mind the Dutch lad's question, but bowed his head on his hand, and fell to thinking.
"We must have horses, and we must follow. 'Remember Jack Burk.' Surely the professor put that part of the letter in of his own accord. He did not speak of the Silver Palace, but he wished to call it to my mind. That palace, according to Burk, lies directly west of Zacatecas, somewhere amid the mountains beyond this place he has mentioned. The professor meant for me to understand that I would be proceeding on my way to search for the palace. Perhaps he hopes to escape."
"Yah," broke in Hans, "berhaps he meant to done dot, Vrankie."
"We would be very near the mountains—it must be that we would be in the mountains."
"I guess dot peen shust apoudt vere we peen, Vrankie."
"If he escaped, or should be rescued or ransomed, we could easily continue the search for the palace."
"You vos oxactly righdt."
"We must have horses and a guide."
"We can ged dem mit money."
"We had better proceed to Zacatecas, and procure the animals and the guide there."