“How can you find out about the secret pass if you don’t know already?” asked Tom.
“Don’t be too inquisitive,” reproved Mr. Whitley. “If she can find out that is enough for us.”
“But in trying to find out she might blunder,” Tom urged. “Huamachaco, for example, might grow suspicious and watch us all.”
“I tell you my way,” she said eagerly. “I do not make danger. In the mountains are great herds of vicuna—small cattle—sheep.”
“And you know one of the shepherds?” Cliff saw the truth.
Caya looked down bashfully “Yes.” She was shy as she spoke. “One comes at night. We walk and talk. Late tonight I will come to you and I will know the way.”
They glanced at one another dubiously.
“‘Late tonight’ won’t be too late, will it?” Tom wondered.
“They won’t disturb us until they learn what I used on the corn field,” Mr. Whitley said. “We surely have the rest of the day and the coming night, because they must finish the feast.”
“That makes you safe,” Bill said. “I guess the rest of us can stay quiet and keep out of mischief.” If he said mischief they all knew that he meant “danger.”