The Stone Idol by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

until we could go on.”
    â€œIt was too dangerous,” his companion declared.
    Frank and Joe could hear his footsteps as he came closer to the cave. Then they saw the outline of his figure through the brush. He stretched out his hand and the Hardys froze in terror.
    Had he discovered their hideout?
    But the man only plucked a few berries from a bush, popped them into his mouth, then said, “What will you do now, Julio?”
    â€œI will return to Santiago with the idol and hide out at Ernesto’s until you are ready. The Hardys will search the village and the mountains for me and they will never suspect I went back to the city. ”
    â€œGood,” the other man agreed. “I will find you at Ernesto’s when the time comes.”
    Both men walked off. Frank and Joe remained in their hiding place for a long time. Then they finally emerged cautiously, hoping that all the Indians had returned to the village after their futile search.
    â€œNow what?” Joe asked.
    â€œLet’s go back to our car and drive to Santiago,” Frank advised.
    â€œToo bad we can’t follow Santana,” Joe said. “But I’m sure he’s left already. I wonder where he plans to go with the other fellow.”
    Frank shrugged. “I have no idea.”
    The boys followed the return route along the ledge and through the mountain pass. They hurried to the Indian village without encountering any hostile natives, and quickly made their way to Ata Copac’s house, where they told him what happened.
    â€œI am sorry you did not catch the thief,” the village leader said.
    Frank nodded. “Well, at least we know he’s headed back to Santiago,” he said. The boys thanked Ata Copac for his help and washed off the dark dye they had used to disguise themselves. Then they exchanged their Indian garments for their regular clothes, said good-bye to their host, and drove off with Joe at the wheel.
    As they reached the steepest segment of the mountain road, he stepped on the brakes to slow their speed. Nothing happened. The car careened crazily forward!
    â€œThe brakes don’t work!” Joe shouted.
    â€œAnd we’re going too fast to jump out!” Frank judged. “Keep steering, Joe!”
    Gripping the wheel, the boy struggled to stay on course. Rocky walls threatened the Hardys on one side, plunging cliffs on the other! Joe veered around curves at top speed, dodging boulders and potholes, while the speedometer of their car went up and up!
    As he rounded one corner, Joe saw another car racing directly toward them. Realizing there was no room for both, he made a split-second decision. Wrenching the wheel to one side, he steered off the road and the other car whizzed past.
    The Hardys bounced into an open area and slowed down as the wheels became entangled in grass and bushes. Joe swung around in a circle, and his vehicle gradually came to a stop.
    Bruised and shaken, the young detectives stared at one another. Joe mopped his forehead with a handkerchief.
    â€œThat was a close call,” he said in a trembling voice.
    Frank nodded. “I want to look at those brakes. I bet—”
    Just then a familiar voice called out, “Are you boys all right?”
    Gloria Nemitz came running up, followed by Professor Yates. Without realizing it, the Hardys had reached the area of the American archeological dig.
    â€œI saw you drive off the road,” Gloria continued. “It looked like you were in trouble. ”
    â€œWe were,” Joe admitted, as he and Frank climbed out of the car. “Our brakes didn’t work. ”
    â€œYou can get them repaired here,” Yates declared. “We service all our own vehicles.”
    â€œThanks. That’s great, Professor,” Frank said. “But first I want to find out what went wrong. ”
    He crawled under the car and inspected the machinery. Then he emerged with a grim face. “The connecting rod is nearly