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

go to the State Museum? I might see something in their collection that would give us a clue.”
    â€œOkay,” Frank agreed. “See you later.”
    After he left, Frank and Joe decided to telephone their father and give him a full report. They also wanted to find out how he had progressed with his end of the case of the Aztec warrior.
    â€œHello, Dad!” said the brothers, taking turns with the phone in their bedroom.
    Frank brought the detective up to date on what had happened in Mexico, then Joe asked what luck their father had had.
    â€œPractically none,” Mr. Hardy replied. “Sam Radley and I have been over the grounds of the Moore estate several times but haven’t found anything to help solve the case.” Sam Radley, Mr. Hardy’s assistant, was an ace detective himself.
    Frank and Joe learned that the only new thing which had been found was another marking on the same tree where the boys had found the carving of the Aztec warrior’s head.
    â€œThere was a tiny arrow—barely noticeable—near the base of the trunk,” Mr. Hardy explained. “Sam and I assume that it might be a guide to something Mr. Moore had buried. We dug pretty deep in several places, but we didn’t find anything.” The detective chuckled. “We’re not giving up, though!”
    Frank asked whether there had been any more intruders at the Moore home. The answer was no. “So far as we can discover, there has been no disturbance at the estate, but the police are keeping a close watch. As you boys know, sometimes a criminal will lie low, hoping to discourage his pursuers. When he thinks he’s safe, he’ll strike again. Well, watch your step, boys. If you turn up anything worthwhile, give me a ring right away.”
    The brothers promised they would and hung up. After purchasing a booklet on Monte Alban at the hotel newsstand, they set off for the ruins.
    In the daylight they could see that the ancient city was even more extensive than they had realized the night before. Of particular interest was an astronomical observatory, around which were grouped a series of mammoth structures containing immense palaces and courtyards.
    A court the size of a football field on the far side of the central plaza caught the boys’ attention. To reach it they had to climb up and down a series of steps.
    â€œAccording to this guidebook, the Indians played a game called ‘tiachtli’—a combination of our basketball and soccer,” said Frank. “They never touched the ball with their hands, only with their shoulders, knees, and feet. The ball had to go through stone rings built high in the side walls.”
    â€œBoy, that would really take some doing!” Joe exclaimed.
    â€œListen to this,” Frank went on, “and be glad you didn’t live when that game was played. Members of the losing team were put to death!”
    â€œWow! Sounds more like a battle!” Joe commented. “Well, I’ve had enough sightseeing. Let’s go back to that building where we saw the light last night.”
    When the brothers reached it, they looked all around for lurking figures, but spotted no one. Quickly they zigzagged to the flat top and scanned the level area below. Nothing extraordinary met their scrutiny.
    â€œIf anybody was here,” said Frank, “he has certainly packed up and left.”
    Joe remarked, “Do you suppose those men who tried to attack us came and kidnapped the person?”
    Frank did not reply. He had suddenly seen something unusual lying not far away and hurried over to it. Joe followed, and the boys walked around the object—a broken-off chunk of stone. It measured about two by three feet, and was four inches thick. The slab had once been a perfect oblong, but now the upper right-hand corner was gone. On the stone was a carved figure wearing quilted armor, feathered headdress, and ear and lip ornaments. Beneath this was