“Why?” questioned Mr. Lewis, sensing that something was in the wind.
“Because,” Fekmah said gravely, “it a large well, and should not go dry much easy. Tishmak think it been covered up.”
There were exclamations of surprise from the Americans.
“You mean,” began Mr. Holton, beginning to catch the point, “that someone did it to keep us from continuing the journey?”
“Yes. I think it might have been the two thieves who stole my map. They did it to keep us away from hidden treasure.”
There were cries of astonishment from the others. For the past few days the thought of the thieves had been absent from their minds. Now they began to realize that at last they had probably come into the region in which were the hidden riches.
“Then the rascals must be around here some place,” said Joe, looking about sharply. “Perhaps they’re right around here.”
Fekmah got out the map he had made from memory after the original one had been stolen. He studied it closely for a few minutes.
“Hidden treasure still great distance away,” he said at last. “We not find it till several days pass. I think the two thieves not here but somewhere near treasure.”