"He came on business," Scotty said slowly. "But what kind of business would he have with the lieutenant governor?"
"That," Rick said grimly, "is what we need to find out."
CHAPTER VIII
The Governor Vanishes
Far below the surface of San Luz, white-hot rock, flowing like incandescent molasses, forced its way upward under enormous pressure. Sometimes the magma remained quiet for hours, pulsing slightly like a living thing. Then it would melt its way through to a weakness in the earth's structure, creating a new channel for its upward flow.
In one new channel was basaltic rock with a higher moisture content than the magma had encountered before. As the moisture turned instantly to steam, it expanded with sudden violence, and the earth shook with the force of the explosion.
Far above the pocket, Rick Brant felt the earth tremble, and shook his head. The temblors were increasing in frequency, although none had been as violent as that first day's earthquake. The boy looked at Scotty. His pal's face was grim.
The scientists around the worktable had paused, too, as they felt the earth tremble.
Esteben Balgos said quietly, "El Viejo is getting ready. If we are going to act, it must be soon."