“The Incas,” returned Dr. Rander. “Perhaps it was an Inca king. At any rate it was someone who was wealthy.”
They looked about for any other treasure that might be in the room, but found none. At last they left the cave, closing the stone door behind them.
Led by Dr. Rander, they climbed the ladder, and then passed through the great room that was filled with the stone statues.
“We must hurry before it gets dark,” said Dr. Rander, closing the secret stone wall by pressing the hidden button. “It will not do to cross that river at night.”
“Bad enough in the daytime,” added Joe, as they made their way through the dark tunnel.
When at last they reached the outside they saw that they had but a few minutes before the sun would sink from sight.
Down the steep slope they climbed until at last they reached the cliff which protruded over the roaring river.
“How are we going to get the jewel box across?” asked Joe. “It isn’t large, but it’s too big to put in our pockets.”
“Use a rope, I suppose,” was the answer from Bob. “We’ll tie it tightly across somebody’s back.”
This suggestion was followed, and before long the three were on the other side of the rapids. They were relieved to find that the mules were resting peacefully.