“We’ll let you know a little later, if that is all right,” said Bob. “Where can we get in touch with you?”
Dr. Rander explained that he was staying in a little adobe hut at the other edge of Cuzco and that he had a sufficient number of mules to carry the provisions needed.
“How soon do you want to start?” inquired Joe, who was anxious to make the trip.
“I am ready any time,” the old man said. “If you wish, we will start tomorrow.”
Bob explained that they would talk it over with their fathers and call on their friends that night. With this, the youths headed back to camp, not desiring to lose more time even in seeing the ruins at the top of the hill.
“What do you think of it?” asked Bob a little later, as he and his friend came in sight of the monoplane.
“I think a lot of it,” Joe answered. “Why, it will be wonderful!”
“Don’t be too sure that we can go,” Bob reminded him. “It all depends on what our dads think. If they’re afraid to let us leave the expedition and start out with this Dr. Rander, why, I suppose that will end it all. And the old man won’t let anyone else go with us.”
“Funny he’d tell us about that secret, isn’t it? If he had kept still, he’d have had all the treasure for himself. But then, I suppose he was so glad you saved his life that he was more than willing to let you in on it. Then, too, he’s not sure of finding it.”