Free The Mystery of the Aztec Warrior by Franklin W. Dixon Page A

up?”
    â€œThey’re—they’re alive!” Chet murmured.
    The brothers began to laugh. “You’re going loco!” said Joe. For fun he went up to the wall, pretended to put his arm around one of the figures, and performed a few dance steps.
    Chet did not join the hilarity. “I don’t care what you fellows say, I think there are haunts around here. It’s too spooky for me. Let’s go!”
    â€œNot on your life!” said Frank. “Have you forgotten why we came? We’re looking for Senor Tatloc.”
    â€œBut you’re not going to find him,” Chet predicted. “Even if he does work on the ruins, why would he stay at night?”
    Chet had almost convinced the Hardys he was right, when suddenly Joe cried softly, “Look!”
    At the top of a pyramid just ahead was a flickering light, like that of a lantern.
    â€œWe’re in luck!” Joe said excitedly. “That might be Senor Tatloc up there.”
    Frank looked doubtful. He suggested that the whole story of the archaeologist’s being at the ruins might have been a hoax. He reminded his brother that the hotel manager had not heard of the great discovery.
    â€œBut why would anybody make up such a story?” Joe asked.
    â€œIt’s a long guess, but it might even have been done to lure us out here,” Frank answered. “Our enemies would know that we would be sure to investigate. We’ll go up that pyramid and see what the light’s all about. But we’d better be on our guard.”
    This latest thought of Frank’s did not please Chet. He said he wished the three of them had never come and why didn’t they go home at once?
    The Hardys did not answer. They were already scrambling up the steps at a fast pace. Chet remained below, debating with himself what to do. He did not relish running into Wayne’s kidnapper or the mysterious Mexican named Jimenez. On the other hand, he did not want to be left alone.
    Frank and Joe, eager to get to the top, had not noticed that Chet had stayed behind. Suddenly their chum let out an agonizing yell.
    â€œLook out, fellows! There are—”
    At that moment something hit Chet hard on the head. He blacked out!

CHAPTER XI
    Yankee Warning
    HEARING Chet’s warning, Frank and Joe turned abruptly. Two shadowy figures had sneaked up near them. Each held a raised club, about to descend on the Hardys’ heads!
    With quick reflexes, Frank and Joe struck out and sent their assailants spinning down the steps. Then the brothers raced for the top of the pyramid.
    As they ran Frank gasped, “Maybe we’re running into a trap! The light on top may belong to the gang that’s after us!”
    â€œYou mean we’d better not take a chance?” Joe asked.
    Frank continued to dash upwards, saying, “I don’t think we have any choice. We know there are enemies below and—”
    He suddenly stopped talking and stood still. After gazing all around, he said worriedly, “Where’s Chet?”
    Joe looked about him. The moonlight was bright enough for him to get a clear view of the steps. Chet was not on them.
    â€œI guess he didn’t follow us,” Joe said finally. “When Chet saw those men, he ran away.”
    â€œBut where is he?” Frank persisted. “He may have been attacked!”
    Their eyes roved slowly across the great plaza below them. There was no sign of their chum.
    Panic seized the Hardys. “Those hoods we knocked down probably got him!” Frank gritted.
    â€œBut Chet warned us,” Joe reminded his brother. “Why wouldn’t he have run away?”
    â€œThe men who tried to club us probably had pals with them,” Frank reasoned. “They nabbed Chet!”
    The Hardys wasted no more time in conversation. Abandoning the plan to find out who had been using the light at the top of the pyramid, they hurried down to the base. Without depending entirely