“Very much so,” was the answer. “In fact, they are code copies of private papers taken from deposit box A, showing the plans made in New York for the South American aeroplane journey.”
“And showing stops and places to look through and all that?” asked Ben. “If that’s the kind of information the telegrams contained, I guess the Redfern bunch in this vicinity are pretty well posted about this time!”
“I’m afraid so,” the millionaire replied gloomily. “Well,” he continued in a moment, “we may as well get ready for our journey. I remember now,” he said casually, “that Sam said last night that we ought to proceed on our way without reference to him this morning. His idea then was that we would come up with him somewhere between Quito and Lake Titicaca. So we may as well be moving, and leave the investigation of the fraudulent or copied telegrams to Mr. Mellen.”
“Funny thing for them to go chasing off in that way!” declared Ben.
But no one guessed the future as the aeroplanes started southward!
CHAPTER XVIII.
JIMMIE’S AWFUL HUNGER.
“You say,” Sam asked, as Pedro crouched in the corner of the temple where the old fountain basin had been, “that the Indians will never actually attack the temple?”
“They never have,” replied Pedro, his teeth chattering in terror. “Since I have been stationed here to feed and care for the wild animals in captivity, I have known them to utter threats, but until to-night, so far as I know, none of them ever placed a foot on the temple steps.”
“They did it to-night, all right!” Jimmie declared.
“Felix could tell us about that if they had left enough of his frame to utter a sound!” Carl put in.