Then Cliff did demand silence. He fell back into an easy position with one leg made shorter than the other, as though he were “at ease,” and clasped both hands hanging loosely before him. That was the Mystery Boys’ signal, “Do not speak!” Nicky saw it and Tom nodded.
“Oh,” answered Cliff, with assumed lack of interest, “they’re where they can do more good than here——”
“I hope so. Seems like I never hoped anything so much, seems like,” Mort declared. “That’s so.”
“’Cause why?” Henry declaimed. “’Cause we’re in the sacred circle of the Chucunaque Indians—and who-so gets in may never get out. And yet we do all that for you. Now, tell us how you got here?”
“The Indians brought us, I tell you,” Tom answered.
“But, for why?”
“To see their chief.”
“Well, that’s something. It’s more than we are able to do.” Henry turned to Mort for sanction and Mort nodded.
“Seems like he won’t see us, seems like,” he acknowledged.
“Have you seen anything of my sister—had any clues?” demanded Tom.