“No,” said Perry quickly. “He has not told me. Why do you think he’s going?”
“Prospecting. To search out a good place for a mine.”
Perry looked at him eagerly.
“The Andes are full of places where there might be mines. There’s gold, and silver, and quicksilver, and precious stones. Lots of treasures never been found yet.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that there are plenty of minerals,” said Perry thoughtfully.
“And besides,” said Cyril, grinning, “there’s all the gold and silver that belonged to the Incas. The Indians buried it, and they have handed down the secret of the different places to their children.”
“Who have dug it up and spent it,” said Perry.
“No. They’re too religious. They dare not. They keep the secret of the places till the Incas come again to claim their country, and then it will all be dug up, golden wheels, and suns, and flowers, and cups, and things that the Spaniards never found. That’s it; your father’s going after the treasures. But if he is, you’d better look out.”
“Why?”
“Because if the Indians thought you were after that, they’d kill you in no time.”