“The Andes are vast,” Arto reminded him, and Jim nodded. There was no telling where they were. All they knew was that the Boss had ordered that they be brought at once, and it was apparent that no harm was to be done any of them for the present.
“Must be that he wants to try and pump me,” was Austin’s mental decision, and he shut his lips grimly determined to keep them closed and retain the secret this hated gang leader was determined to discover, regardless of the cost in money or men. He glanced curiously about the dim place but it was so dark and shadowy that he could not even be sure now exactly where the narrow entrance was that had admitted them. He wished that he could go to sleep and he saw Pedro trying to coax his wife to get some rest, but she was terribly frightened and her great brown eyes were wide open as if their lids would never close again. Just at that moment there was a slight stir near the fire, and in a couple of seconds the boy saw three men move quickly across the dark space and into the rim of light. Their backs were to the prisoners, and after a few words were exchanged in undertones which could not be understood by the captives, two of the men turned slightly, and then Jim almost jumped out of his skin.
“It is Cardow,” Arto whispered, scarcely above his breath.
“And the fellow Gordon,” Jim added. His mind was busy, and then he recalled that the gang lieutenant had said that he expected to go to Amy-Ran fastness by midnight. Surely it was long past that, but Jim’s wrist watch was under his shirt cuff where he kept it while he was flying because there was a clock among the instruments of the dial-board.
“Bad men! I regret for my brother—”
“Yes. Any idea what time it is?” Jim asked.
“Nearly two o’clock when we arrive. Perhaps a little after now, ten or fifteen minutes. The night is very long,” he sighed.
In that case, Jim calculated, they couldn’t be near the fastness unless something had gone wrong; there had been delay in setting off the dynamite. Perhaps Cardow and Gordon had just returned from the blowing-up of the enormous rocks intending to report their success to the Boss. He glanced toward the two faces but there certainly was no trace of rejoicing in the expressions the men wore. Cardow was calm enough, but Gordon and the other chap puffed furiously at cigarettes and acted as if they anticipated something not altogether pleasant. It might be that they were in for a grilling from the Boss and did not look forward to the interview with any great relish. Then Cardow said something, and one of the men came toward them, spoke a sharp word to the guards, who straightened quickly.
“Get up, all of you, and come on,” the General ordered.
“And no funny stuff,” added the Admiral in a growl.