“Treachery or not, Senor Hampton,” he said firmly, “I believe we should make the attempt to save Prince Huaca. Honor demands it.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Hampton, firmly. “I too, have decided in favor of it. We shall keep our eyes open and be on our guard.”
“Dad,” interrupted Jack, “remember what I said about the ring radio? Well, I’ve got another idea. Let us give the Inca a present. That will be only natural. Now the box containing the tube transformers is a handsome piece of work, and will look impressive. Let us take it and the batteries and present it to him, string up an aerial and tell him the Lord Beyond the Mountains is so great he can speak and make his voice heard, although he isn’t present. Then we’ll get the Inca to put on the headphone and give him an earful from the battlement.”
“But who will speak from the battlement, Jack?”
“I’ve thought of that, too, Dad. Of course the Inca understands this archaic Spanish that the high nobles speak. One of us might stay behind and spring Spanish on him. But I’ve got a better plan. Wouldn’t it impress him to tell him that our Lord Beyond the Mountains is so powerful that he speaks all tongues, even that of the Incas—the most isolated people in the world?”
Mr. Hampton nodded. Frank interrupted eagerly.
“You mean——”
“Yes, sir, I mean Michac,” said Jack. “He isn’t going with us. He can stay here and act the part of the Lord Beyond the Mountains, and speak to the Inca. Besides, that will be all the better. For he knows all about conditions here and knows everybody by his first name. He can show such familiarity with the Inca’s affairs as to dumbfound the old boy. As for the generator, a couple of these husky soldiers can turn the handles and give him the juice. Now I know what you’re going to say, Dad. You’re going to object that Michac won’t know when the Inca puts on the receivers, aren’t you?”
Mr. Hampton nodded, smiling slightly, for Jack’s enthusiasm amused and warned him, and he could see his son had a plan already worked out.
“Suppose, too,” he said, “that the Inca refuses to don the headphones? What then?”