There, the Scouts were astonished to see that the walls had been severely cracked. Plaster still lay untouched on the carpets.
“The quake which was so severe where you were, also struck here,” the missionary disclosed. “The mission as you have noted, suffered some damage. In taking down a wall here in the library, another door, which had been plastered over, was revealed.”
“And from this original door, one would gaze directly toward the treasure mountain!” exclaimed Jack. “No wonder so many explorers were thrown off the track!”
Mr. Livingston told Father Francisco that he and the Scouts planned to return to the United States as soon as flight tickets could be obtained. Burton Monahan would remain a few weeks longer to assist government officials in cataloging the treasures taken from the Inca city.
Mr. Monahan turned gratefully to the Scouts. “I can’t thank you fellows enough for undertaking a dangerous mission in my behalf,” he told them. “If it hadn’t been for you, I’m afraid Captain Carter would have accomplished his evil purpose. Alone, I’d never have been a match for him.”
“It was Mr. Livingston’s trick with the cigarette lighter that proved his undoing,” Ken chuckled at the recollection. “’Course, the earthquake helped. Even now, the natives can’t be convinced that Carter didn’t set off the earth tremors with those grenade explosions.”
“All in all, it’s been a real trip of exploration,” Jack contributed. “One we’ll never forget. After Peru though, it will be hard to tame ourselves down enough to schedule a canoe trip to Minnesota.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” drawled War. “Right now, I can’t imagine anything that would be more fun than to hit white water.”
“Or a quiet fishing trip,” added Ken.
“Depends on the kind of fish you go after,” declared Willie with a grin. “Perch or cannibals?”