“No use, I’m afraid,” he said at last, disappointedly. “May as well ease up, fellows. They’re all asleep, as I expected.”
“And that’s the nearest radio station, too,” said Frank. “There isn’t another within our radius.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow, that’s all,” added Bob.
The matter was explained to Prince Huaca, who was disappointed greatly, and wanted the boys to make another attempt to raise the monastery. Jack complied, but again without success.
“Ah, well,” said the prince, resignedly. “It is in the hands of God.”
Don Ernesto glanced at him in quick surprise, and the prince rightly interpreted the look.
“Nay,” said he, “I am not as my people in religion, for I have read much in the Holy Book left by the holy men who came hither centuries ago with de Arguello. But of that we shall speak, perhaps, some other time. Let us now decide what shall be done with this radio tonight, and then return to my apartments.”
It was hardly likely that anything untoward would happen to the outfit, yet sentries were placed on guard from among the awed torch bearers. Then the party returned below. Instead of dismissing them to their quarters, along with Pedro and Carlos, Prince Huaca invited Mr. Hampton, Don Ernesto and the boys to enter his apartments again. When they were back in the inner room, he ordered the prisoner brought before him.
Escorted by two guards, whom Prince Huaca dismissed to the anteroom during the examination, the prisoner was brought in. Of the examination itself, which was brief, and was conducted in the unknown Inca tongue, the others could make nothing. It appeared to all, however, that the man was visibly frightened, although he cloaked his fear under a mask of stoicism. Several times they heard the name of “Cinto” uttered by the prince. At length, the guards were resummoned and the prisoner led away.
For a time after his departure, Prince Huaca sat silent, elbows planted on the table, his head in his hands, lost in thought. That it was none too pleasant could be seen from his expression.