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

I’ll buy you a good dinner!”
    Chet patted his stomach and grinned. “I’ll start planning what I’ll order!”
    When the boys reached the shop they found it to be an amazing place, full of almost every kind of old-time weapon. Glass cases were filled with pistols and daggers. Walls were covered with helmets, suits of armor, and many varieties of swords and sabers.
    A pleasant, middle-aged man emerged from a rear room. He said the owner was on vacation, but could he help them? Frank told him that they were interested in trying to find an antique dagger with the head of an Aztec warrior on the handle.
    The clerk beamed. “You are in luck. One was brought here less than an hour ago.”
    The Hardys were almost speechless. Chet was grinning broadly. “What did I tell you?” he asked.
    The clerk went to the rear room, and came back in a moment with a dagger which he laid on top of a counter. The boys could hardly believe their eyes. The dagger looked just like the one Chet had brought to the hotel!
    The stout boy picked up the weapon and examined it. He gave the Hardys a significant look, confirming that it was the same dagger.
    â€œHow old is this dagger?” Frank asked the man.
    â€œQuite ancient,” the shop clerk replied. “It was found in one of the ruins by two men. The museum didn’t seem to want the dagger, they said. I’m sure that it’s authentic. Anyway, I paid the men who came in here a good price.”
    â€œI’m afraid you’ve been gypped,” said Chet. “That dagger belongs to me. I had it made and it’s not old—at least the handle isn’t.”
    The clerk stared in astonishment, then a frightened look came over his face. “If you’re right, I’ve spent an awful lot of my boss’s money for nothing!”
    â€œThat’s too bad,” said Frank. “But the story’s true. Could you tell us what the men looked like?”
    The description that followed exactly fitted that of Jack Wayne’s kidnapper and the phony detective. Joe then explained how the boys had been robbed.
    â€œI shall get in touch with the police at once,” the man said nervously.
    The boys wanted to take the weapon with them, but knew the police would have to examine it first. They told the shop clerk they might return, and he feebly said good-by. The man stood staring after them, chagrined and unhappy.
    The boys felt nonplused. Their sleuthing for the afternoon had yielded little, except to prove that the men they were after had quickly realized they had obtained the wrong dagger and sold it under false pretenses to the unsuspecting clerk.
    â€œHere comes the matador!” Joe announced suddenly.
    On a hunch Joe walked up to the young man and asked if he knew of anyone else in Mexico having the name Roberto Hermosa.
    The matador replied, “Yes, I have heard of such a man. I have never met him, but I understand he lives out near the Tule Tree. He is an authority on Mexican ruins.”

CHAPTER XV
    The Tule Tree Discovery
    THE Roberto Hermosa for whom they were looking might be an authority on Mexican ruins! This, thought the Hardys, was certainly a connection with Señor Tatloc!
    The boys thanked the matador for his information and returned to the hotel. After consulting his map, Frank remarked that the Tule Tree was on the way to the Mitla ruins. “We may as well keep going and take in the ruins while we’re at it.” He added excitedly, “Remember the picture we found at Mr. Moore’s house of the man under the giant tree?”
    â€œYou think maybe you’ll find Senor Tatloc near there?” Chet questioned.
    â€œPossibly. Or at Mitla which is not far from it.”
    Joe, who had been looking at the guidebook, asked, “Did you know the Tule Tree is three thousand years old? It’s supposed to be the oldest living thing on the American continent!”
    â€œWhat kind of tree