Finally the old man continued.
“This cave is so large that it occupies the entire mountain,” he went on. “It is lighted with a strange brilliance, that comes mysteriously from the outside. But ah! The Incas were marvelous inventors. They could do many things that we Americans cannot do.”
“Then you are an American?” inquired Bob quickly.
The old man nodded.
“I spent my early years in the United States,” he explained. “Graduated from college and set out to be a scientist. Then I became interested in Inca ruins and came here to look for them. My entire lifetime I have spent in these mountains, looking for ruins and treasure.”
“Treasure?” cried Joe. “Is there treasure here?”
“Undoubtedly there is,” was the answer. “In fact I believe I have found some.”
The young men were all excitement.
“Tell us about it!” begged Joe.
“I am not certain that I have found any,” the stranger said. “But I came across a sort of bin that is covered with a heavy stone block. Alone I am not able to lift it off. I firmly believe that in the bin is something valuable. This is in that cave I told you about.” He stopped and glanced about; then, satisfied that no one else was near, he continued: “It is a long, hard journey to this wonderful place. There is a secret trail, that is known only to myself. And to add to that, there is a single entrance to the cave. It cannot be opened until you press a hidden button.”