001

TableofContents

TitlePageCopyrightPageCHAPTERI-FleetfootJoeCHAPTERII-SafariPlansCHAPTERIII-VanishedGuestsCHAPTERIV-TheWiretapperCHAPTERV-TheFakeTabletCHAPTERVI-TheDangerousHoleCHAPTERVII-PetroglyphsCHAPTERVIII-SayItinCodeCHAPTERIX-TheWeirdValleyCHAPTERX-CallforMissAntlerCHAPTERXI-NewCluesCHAPTERXII-ADeadlyNecklaceCHAPTERXIII-TelltaleWalletCHAPTERXIV-HiddenRiverCHAPTERXV-Gold!CHAPTERXVI-ASkeletonDanceCHAPTERXVII-ACaptureCHAPTERXVIII-SurpriseGiftCHAPTERXIX-NancyDisappearsCHAPTERXX-AFagotofTreasure

THESECRETOFTHEFORGOTTENCITY

Gold! There are rumors that long ago a treasurewas hidden in a city nowburiedundertheNevadadesert.

Nancyandherfriendsplantojoinadigsponsoredbytwocollegestohuntfor the gold. Before she starts, the young sleuth receives an ancient stonetabletwithpetroglyphsonit.Withthisamazingclue,however,comeathreatanddangerfromathiefwhoalsowantsthetreasure.

Oneharrowingadventureafter anotherbesetsNancy,Bess,George,Ned,Burt,andDave in102-degree temperaturesas theypursueNancy’shunchesabove and below ground. They are assisted by a fine Indianwoman and ayounggeologystudent,butbothareunwillingparticipantsinastrangeplot.

In the end Nancy and Ned nearly lose their lives, just after she hasdiscoveredthepricelesshiddentreasureofgold.

“PerhapsIcantranslatewhatthesemenaresaying,”Nancysaid.

Copyright©1977,1975,1947bySimon&Schuster,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.,amemberofThePutnam&

GrossetGroup,NewYork.PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.S.A.NANCYDREWMYSTERYSTORIES®isaregisteredtrademarkofSimon&Schuster,

Inc.GROSSET&DUNLAPisatrademarkofGrosset&Dunlap,Inc.LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:77-76129

eISBN:978-1-101-07753-52008Printing

http://us.penguingroup.com

CHAPTERI

FleetfootJoe

“Au!Au!Au!”criedNedNickerson,asheeasedhimselfoutofhiscarandhurriedtowardtheopenfrontdooroftheDrewhome.

Nancy,whowaswaitingforhim,leapedtohisside.“Ned,whathappened?You’rehurt!”

Thetalldark-hairedathleteburstintolaughterandkissedher.“Nohurtsatall.Ididn’tsay‘Ouch,ouch,ouch!’Isaid,‘Au!Au!Au!’”

“Whatdoes thatmean?”asked theattractive strawberryblond,as she ledhimindoors.“Pleasestoptalkinginriddles.”

Thecouplesatdownontheliving-roomcouch.“Well?”Nancyprompted.

“Aurefers toa treasureburieddeepunderground,”Nedreplied.“Want tohelpfindit?”

“Ofcourse,”Nancysaid,excitedatthethoughtofamystery.“Whereisitandwhatisit?”

Nedgrinned.“I’llgiveyouahint.Thinkofsomechemistrysymbols.”

AtonceNancyguessedtheanswer.“Howstupidofmenottohavethoughtofgold.Auisthesymbolforit.Tellmewhereandwhatthistreasureis.”

“Notuntileveryonegetshere,”Nedreplied.

“Everyone?Whoiseveryone?”Nancyasked.

Ned’seyestwinkled.“Firstthereweretwo.Thentherewerefour.Nowwenumbersix.”

“You’rebeingexasperating,”Nancysaid.“ShallIguessagain?”

When he nodded, she mentioned her closest friends, Bess Marvin andGeorgeFayne,whowerecousins.ThethreegirlslivedinRiverHeightsandhad been friends for years. Then she named two boyswhowere fraternitybrothersofNed’satEmersonCollege.

“Right,”Ned replied. “YourDad,who, by theway, is enthusiastic aboutyour recovering this gold, invited them here to dinner tonight. Your kindhousekeeper,HannahGruen, knows the secret and is preparingmy favoritedish.”

“Which is—hot-pepper salad,” Nancy teased. “But tell me, why all thesecrecy?It’snotmybirthday!”

Nedansweredwithagrin.“Wewantedtoseeifwecouldkeepourplanasecretfromtheworld’smostfamousgirldetective.”

Nancyblushed,butbeforeshehadachancetoanswer,sheandNedheardshoutingoutinthestreet.

Nedleapedtoafrontwindow.Nancy,glancingoutofasidewindow,sawamandashingdownthelongDrewdrivewaytowardtherearoftheproperty.

Awoman’slargehandbagswungfromonehand!

“Quick,Ned!”Nancyshouted.“Followme!”

As the couple dashed through the kitchen, she called to the startledhousekeeper, “Hannah, run out the front door. I think a woman on thesidewalkhasjustbeenrobbed!”

NancyandNedrushedfromthekitchendoor in timetoobserve the thiefpausingatthethickhedgethatseparatedtheDrews’yardfromthepropertyattherear.Seeingthecouple,hepushedhiswaythroughthebushes,sincetheyweretoohighforhimtovault.

“Nancy,runtothesidestreet,”Nedsuggested.“Ifthatmantriestoescapethatway,yellandI’llcomerunning.”

AsNed finishedspeaking,hewashalfway through thehedge.Nancy ranbackofthegaragetothesidestreet.Shelookedupanddownthepavement,then into the yard. Suddenly the thief dashedout frombehind a neighbor’shousetowardacarwhosemotorwasrunning.Amansatatthewheel.

“Stop!”Nancycriedout.Whenthesuspectkeptgoing,sheordered,“Dropthathandbag!”

Thestrangerdidneither,butjustashereachedthecar,Nedleapedtowardhim.ThemantossedthebagatNancywithaviciousthrustandjumpedintothecar.Itroaredoff.Nedhadmissedhim,andNancyhadhadtomoveasidetoavoidbeinghitbythecar.

Hermind,however,hadrecordedagoodimageofthesuspectedthief.Hewas five feet ten, rather large-boned, had tanned, tightly drawn skin, black

eyes,andshinyblackhair.

“Part Indian,”Nancy toldherself, as shepickedup thehandbagandwasjoinedbyNed.

“Toobadthatfellowgotaway,”hecommented.“Imemorizedthelicensenumber.”HerepeatedittoNancy.“Themanshouldbeeasytotrace.”

Nancy and Ned walked to the front lawn to find out what Hannah hadlearned.Anoddpicturemet their eyes.A short, stout Indianwoman, aboutfifty years old, sat on the groundwith her legs crossed under her. Shewasstaringintospace,obliviousofHannahGruen,whowastryingtocomforther.

TheIndiankeptmurmuring,“NancyDrew,NancyDrew!”

As thegirlappeared,holding thehandbag,shesaidkindly,“Here isyourbag,andIamNancyDrew.”

Thewomanlookedup,tookherproperty,andwithoutspeakingopenedthebag.Anexpressionofdismaycrossedherfaceandsheutteredaninvoluntary“Oh!”

Awoman’slargehandbagswungfromthethief’shand.

“Issomethingmissing?”Nancyasked.

“Records.Myancestors’records.”

Thenthewomanthoughtofsomething.Sheunzippedapocketintheliningofthebaganddrewoutathinstoneslababoutfivebyseveninches,onwhichseveralcrudefiguresandsymbolshadbeenchiseled.

“Thesearepetroglyphsandveryold,”thewomanexplained.“Thereweresixothertabletsinthebag.Iplannedtobringonlythisone,butIdidn’twanttoleavetheothersunguardedinmyhouse,soIbroughtthem.”

HannahGruenspoke.“Ithinkweshouldallgointothehouseandtalk.”

“Andcall thepolice,”Nancyadded.“I’lldothat immediately.Oh,bytheway,whatisyournameandaddress?”sheaskedtheIndian.

“Mrs.Wabash.MyhomeisinNevada,butIamstayingattheRiverViewMotelacrosstown.Iwalkedoverhere.”

AsMrs.Wabashrose,withNedhelpingher,Nancyhurriedintothehousetophonepoliceheadquarters.Bythetimeshehadgivenallthepertinentfactstothesergeantonduty,theotherthreewalkedinside.Everyonesatdowninthe living room exceptHannah,whowent to get cool drinks and pieces ofnut-coveredspongecakefortheguests.

Mrs.Wabashapologizedprofuselyforall thetroubleshehadcaused,andthankedNancyandNedsincerelyforrecoveringherhandbagandatleastoneofthestonetablets.

“I’m sure the thief will be caught soon,” Nancy assured her. “Anyway,whatcouldhedowiththerecords?”

TheIndianwomansippedthedrinkHannahhadserved.“I’mnotsure,”shesaid.“Ihavestudiedancientstoneswithpetroglyphs—that’spicture-carvingonstone—andmadeasortofdictionaryof theirmeanings.TheonlycopyIhadwasinmyhandbag.”

Therewasapause, thenNancysaid, “It’sa shame thepageswere taken.Hadyoutranslatedthehistoryofyourfamilyorofanytribe?”

“Itisstillapuzzleastowhatthehistoryis,butI’vedonethebestIcould,”Mrs.Wabashreplied.“Manysymbolscouldhavetwoormoreinterpretations.Forinstance,themarkofahandwithtwisting,turninglinesemergingfromitcould have indicated a journey’s end; or it could be the artist’s signature. Ihaveheardyouarecleveratcodesand thoughtmaybeyoucouldsolve thismystery.”

As the Indian finished speaking, the phone began to ring.When Nancyansweredit,aman’sdeepvoicesaid,“IsMrs.Wabashstill there?Yes?Tellher Ihaveher stone tablets andpapersandwon’tgive ’emup.As foryou,Miss Drew, don’t try to help her. You’re quick, but you’re no match forFleetfootJoe.MyspyingonMrs.Wabashhaspaidoff.NowtheGreatFlyingBirdiscarryingmeaway.”Themanhungup.

Nancystoodlostinthoughtforafewmoments,thenreturnedtothelivingroom.“Mrs.Wabash,”shesaid,tryingtokeephervoicecalm,“doyouknowaFleetfootJoe?”

“I’veheardofhimout inNevada.He’sonlypart Indian.Abadman.Hesteals things, then sells them to tourists as old artifacts he claims to havefoundhimself.”

SuddenlyNancyjumpedfromherchair,excusedherself,andhurriedtothetelephone, repeating the words, “‘The Great Flying Bird.’ Surely that’s anairplane.Butisitprivatelyorcommerciallyowned?”

She dialed the number of theRiverHeightsAirport, got the informationdesk,andaskedwhetheraplanehadjustleftforNewYork.

“Yes,”wastheanswer.

“DidanyonemakeareservationforsomeplaceinNevada?”

Nancy waited while the assistant checked. The answer was no, and thewoman could not recall from Nancy’s description any passenger whoresembledthesuspectedrobber.

Theyoungdetectivenowasked,“Didaprivateplanetakeoff?”

Shewas transferred to another office. There she learned that a privatelyownedplanehadlefttenminutesearlier.ItsdestinationwasSt.Louis.

“TheownerisnamedRobertWapley,”thespeakerconcluded.

“Thankyou,”saidNancy.

BeforeleavingthephoneshecalledherfriendPoliceChiefMcGinnisandgavehimaword-for-wordaccountofwhathadhappenedsinceherpreviousreport. He was astounded and said he would get in touch with securityofficersattheSt.Louisairports,publicandprivate.

Then he added, “Great work, Nancy! Well have this Fleetfoot Joe incustodyinnotime!”

OncemoreNancyreturnedtothelivingroom.Everyonewasstanding,andMrs.Wabashwassayinggood-by.

“Mrs. Wabash,” said Nancy quickly, “what was your real purpose incomingtoseeme?”

“It’snousenow,”theIndianwomanreplied.“All thepapersandmostoftheplaquesIplannedtoshowyouaregone.Ihavenocluestooffer.”

“Cluestowhat?”Nancyasked.

Mrs. Wabash looked at the girl with tears in her eyes. “Clues to a losttreasureintheForgottenCity.”

CHAPTERII

SafariPlans

EVERYONE in theDrew living room leaned forward in his chair, eagerlyawaitingmoreofMrs.Wabash’sstory.

“Therearemany,manypicturescutintothestolentablets,”shesaid,“butthemainthemeseemstotellwhenandwhereatreasureofgoldwashidden.Asyouknow,theancientIndiansintheUnitedStatesdidnotusegoldtoanyextent. Probably one reasonwas that itwas too difficult toworkwith, andtheirtoolswerecrude.

“Itisagreatmysteryastotheexactnatureofthistreasure,butfromwhatIcan judge, the tablets depict several golden sheets. How big they are, onecannot tell.Andwhen theyweremadeandwhere theycame from isalsoamystery.”

Just then someone pounded on the front door, and the bell rang loudly.Puzzled,Nancywenttoopenthedoor.

“Hi,Nancy!Surprise!”criedfourvoicestogether.

Nancybeamed.BessMarvin,GeorgeFayne,andtheirdateswerestandingthere,grinning.

“Thesurpriseisgreat,”Nancyreplied.“Comein.Ihaveasurpriseofmyowntoshowyou.”

George, a girl who enjoyed her boyish name, walked in first. She wasslender and athletic looking and wore her hair short. Bess in contrast wasblondwithlongerhair.Shewasslightlyplumpandpretty.

BurtEddleton,George’sdate,wasastockybrunetandonecouldsurmiseataglance thathewas a football player.DaveEvans,Bess’s friend,haddarkhairandeyes,andthoughhetoowasafootballplayer,hehadamuchslighterbuildthanBurt.

TheyoungpeoplewalkedintothelivingroomandwereintroducedtoMrs.Wabash.“Iamverygladtomeetyou,”shereplied.Smiling,sheadded,“IamNancy’ssurprise.”

Nedlaughed.“Well,kids,thejokeisonus.WethoughtweweregoingtokeepasecretfromNancyDrew,andIfindshe’swayaheadofus.Shehasawonderfullead.”

“Whatisit?”Georgeaskedeagerly.

Nancy requested Mrs. Wabash to repeat the part of her story she hadalreadytold,andthentocontinuewiththerestofit.

“You probably wonder how I happened to come to see Nancy Drew. AfriendofminewhosometimeslecturesattheUniversityofNevada,ProfessorDonaldMaguire, has been trying to helpme decipher the petroglyphs. Thetablets came intomy possession a fewmonths ago.We concluded that thepictures indicate that several golden sheets were hidden, probably in thedesert.”

Dave spoke. “Mrs.Wabash, have you any idea how old the gold sheetsare?”

Thewomanshookherhead.“Iamhopingthatwhentheyarefound,theywill contain symbols that will tell us their age and where the gold camefrom.”

ThewholestoryintriguedNancy,whowantedtostartoutatoncetohuntfortheprecioustreasure.EachnewcasefascinatedherfromthetimeshefirstwasaskedtosolveTheSecretoftheOldClockthroughmanyadventuresuptothemostrecentone,MysteryoftheGlowingEye.

Mrs.Wabashwent on, “DonMaguire heard at theUniversity ofNevadathatNancywasgoingonadigoutinthedesert.”

“Iwaswhat?”Nancyinterrupted.

The other young people laughed and Ned said, “That was really thesurprisewehadforyou.SomeEmersonstudentsandtheirfriendsarejoiningagroupfromtheUniversityofNevadaandgoingintothedeserttosearchforaforgottencity,oratleastsomeoftheartifactstheancientpeoplemayhaveleft.”

Nancy’s eyes sparkled. “How wonderful!” she exclaimed. “You all didmanage tokeep the secret, and even though I accidentally cameuponwhatmay be a clue, you did surprise me. I think this is exciting.When do weleave?”

Nedreplied,“Weconsultedyourdadandhesaidyoumaygoanytime,butyouwillprobablywanttofinishalittlejobhehasgivenyou.Hethinksitwill

taketwoorthreedays.”

Mrs.Wabashsaid,“ProfessorDonMaguiretoldmethatNancyisthefinestamateurdetectiveinthecountry,andthatisthereasonwhyIcameallthewaytoRiverHeightstoseeher.”

She informed Nancy’s friends about the theft of her dictionary and herpreciousstonetabletsandconcludedbysaying,“Idon’tknowwhetherIhaveanenemyorthethiefmerelywantedtogetholdofthetablets.Withthemhecouldtrysolvingthemysteryhimselfandfindthegold.

“Inanycase,Ihavedecidedtoleavethisonetabletwithyou,Nancy.Seewhatyoucanfigureout,andifyoucanpossiblytracetheothers,itwillmakemeveryhappy.”

“Thankyou,”saidNancy.“I’llmakeadrawingofthisplaqueandkeeptheoriginalinasafeplace.WhenIcomeouttoNevada,I’llreturnittoyou.”

Before saying good-by the Indian told the young people that a youngwomaninNevadanamedMissAntlermightbeofgreathelptothem.“Trytolocateherwhenyougetoutthere.”

Dave offered to driveMrs.Wabash back to themotel and she accepted.Nancy’sthoughtsreturnedtothetablet,whichshepickeduptostudy.

Suddenly the young sleuth wondered if her eyes were deceiving her. Asmall figure in the lower left-hand corner was glowing. It looked like ascorpion,itsheadraisedhigh.

“Look,everybody!”Nancycriedout.

Asherfriendscrowdedaroundthetablet,thefigurefaded.ThoughNancytriedhardtoexplainwhatshehadseen,theothersthoughtthegirldetectivewasjoking.

“Nancy Drew, you’re imagining things,” Bess said. “I don’t see a thingthere.Allthosefunnylittlepicturesareontheotherpartsofthistablet.”

Nomorewassaid,butNancywonderedaboutthestrangeoccurrence.Thescorpion did not light up again, but through her magnifying glass, Nancycouldseethearachnidplainly.Shecontinuedtostudythescorpion.Hadsometrickofthesunlightcomingintotheroomsuddenlymadeitglint?Shetriedholding the tablet in the exact position she had held it before. Nothinghappened.

“Whatisthethingyousaw?”Bessasked.

Nancyshruggedandsaidshewouldgetabookonwildanimallifeinthe

southwesternUnitedStates.Presently she came to the conclusion thatwhatshe had thought was an arachnid was a chuckwalla, a sixteen-inch lizard,whichwas harmless, although it lookedmenacing. She reported this to herfriends.

“Here’s something amazing about it,” Nancy said. “The chuckwalla canwedge itself into a crevice and then inflate its body. This makes it almostimpossibleforanenemytodragthecreatureout.Bytheway,itsaysherethatatonetimethechuckwallawasusedasfoodbytheIndians.”

“Maybe,” George said, “there was a group who called themselves theChuckwallaTribe.”

Afterward,Nancybeggedher friends to tell hermore about the trip theyhadplanned.Nedexplainedthatitwouldbeacaravan.

“There’llbetrucks,cars,LandRovers,andevenawholekitchenonatruckchassis.”

GeorgegrinnedandlookedatBess.“That’stheplaceforyou,cousin.Youcancookallthegoodiesyouwant.”

“Okay,”Bessretorted.“I’llfixyou.I’llmakeatastydishjustforyouandfillitwithredpeppers!”

Theothers laughed, andBurt remarked, “Iguess thatwillholdyou for awhile,George.”

At thatmoment theyoungpeopleheardacar turn into thedriveway.Mr.Drewwasarrivinghome.Inafewminutesthetall,attractivelawyerenteredthelivingroomandgreetedNancyandherfriends.

When he heard howNancy had received advance information about thetreasurehunt,helaughed.Buthissmileturnedtoafrownalittlelater,whenhewastoldaboutFleetfootJoeandhisattackonMrs.Wabash.

“I’m sorry to hear this,” he said. “Nancy, of course you’ve notified thepolice.”

“Yes,Dad.Theypromisedtocalliftherewereanyleadsonthethief,butIhaven’theardfromthem.”

TenminuteslaterHannahGruencameintothelivingroomandannounceddinner.Everyonewentintothediningroom,wherethehousekeeperhadsetalovelytable.

Nancy gave the motherly housekeeper a hug. “Now I know why youwouldn’tletmeinthekitchen,”shesaid.“Howattractivelyyou’vearranged

theflowers!Andwhatadelicious-lookingsalad!”

Thiswastobethefirstcourse.Aftereveryonewasseated,Mr.Drewsaidgrace,thenthemealstarted.

The group was about halfway through dinner when Togo began to barkfrantically.He raced from thekitchen through thedining roomand into theliving room.Herehe jumpedonto a chair andgave a seriesof short, quickbarks.Thenherantothefrontdoorandbarkedagaininsistently.Nancyleftherchairandfollowedhim.

“What’s thematter,Togo?”sheasked.“Doyouhearanotherdogoutside,orissomebodyatthedoor?”

Thebellhadnotrung,butNancyopenedthedoorandletTogoout.Seeingnoone,shewaspuzzledandranafterTogo.

Suddenly aman’s voice cried out from the darkness, “Don’t followme!Andcalloffyourdog,orI’llshoothim!”

CHAPTERIII

VanishedGuests

WHISTLING loudly and clearly, Nancy hoped Togo would hear her andcomeback.Shecalledhisname,clappedherhands,andwhistledsomemore.Thelittleterrierdidnotreturn.

Suddenly she heard a shot. Nancy’s heart sank. Had the dreadful mancarriedouthisthreat?

“Oh,itjustcan’tbetrue!”shetoldherself.Againshecalledloudly,“Togo!Togo!Whereareyou?”

By this time Nancy’s friends and Mr. Drew had rushed outdoors. Theycould not see Nancy but could hear her, and set off in the direction fromwhichthesoundscame.Finallytheyreachedher.

“Whathappened?What’sup?”Nedasked.

QuicklyNancyexplainedandthereweremurmursofangerandsympathy.Ned and George had brought flashlights, and now everyone searched forfootprints.Apparentlythefugitivehadbeenstandinginmud,anditwaseasyto follow the indentations left byhis shoes.Rightbeside themwereTogo’stinyprints.Thegrouphurriedon.Finallyalltheimpressionsendedatamainroad.

Mr.Drewsaid,“Themanmusthaveenteredacarhere.”

Bess’seyeswerefilledwithtears.“DoyouthinkhetookTogowithhim?”

Thelawyersaidhehadnoidea,buttherewasonethingofwhichhewassure:uptothispointthedoghadnotbeenshot.

“Let’shope,”saidBess,“thatthemandidn’ttakeTogoawayandkillhimsomewhereelse.”

Itwas a doleful group thatwalked back to theDrew home.Hannah hadpreparedadeliciousapple-snowpuddingwithraspberrysauce.Everyoneateit,thoughtherewaslittleconversation.

When everybody had finished, Nancy said she wanted to examine the

man’sfootprints.Fromacasualfirstglanceatthem,shewassuretheywouldmatchthosethathadbeenleftbeforebyFleetfoot.

Mr. Drew said, “After you do that, I think we’d better call the police,especiallyifthefootprintsdomatchthoseinouryard.”

Alltheyoungpeoplewentoutdoors,sometofollowNancyandtheotherstolookattheprintsattherearoftheDrewhome.

“Therearegoodimpressionsnearthehedge,”Nancytoldthegroup,asshebeamedherflashlightonthelatestseries.Shewasconvincedtheybelongedtothesameman,FleetfootJoe.

“I’ll call headquarters,” Nancy said, “and ask if there’s any report onFleetfoot.”

When she reached the phone,Nancy changed hermind and calledChiefMcGinnisathomeinsteadofheadquarters.Hewasastoundedatthelatestbitofnewsandangryaboutthedog’sdisappearanceandpossibledeath.

“We have no leads yet on Fleetfoot,” he told Nancy, “but my men areworkingonit.Uptonowweassumedhehadskippedtown,butevidentlyhe’sstillaround.Whatdoyouthinkhewants?”

“Ibelieve,”Nancyreplied,“he’slookingfortheonetablethedidnottakefromMrs.Wabash’sbag.Wehaveithere.”

During Nancy’s telephone conversation, her friends scoured theneighborhood in all directions. Itwaspossible thatTogohadbeen shot justbeforethemangotintothecarandwastryingtomakehiswayhome.Afteratwenty-minutesearchtheyreturnedtothehouseandreportedfailure.

BessputanarmaroundNancy.“Thisisdreadful,butdon’tgiveuphope.YouknowTogo isaverysmart littledog.Let’shope thatsomehowhegetsawayfromFleetfoot.”

Nancy smiled and gave Bess a hug. “Thanks. You’re sweet to be soconcerned.”

The girl detective felt that with Fleetfoot still in the area, Mrs.Wabashmight be in danger. She decided to alert thewoman to the possibility. ShedialedthemotelwhereMrs.Wabashwasstayingandwasshockedatthereplyshereceivedfromtheoperatorthere.

“Mrs.Wabashcheckedoutandleftnoforwardingaddress.”

Nancywas surprised that the Indianwomanwould leavewithout tellingher,butperhapsshehadreceivedsomemessagefromhomeandhaddecided

togobackat once.Nancy tried to learn from thedesk clerk and theporterwhetherornotMrs.Wabashhadmadeaplanereservation.

“No,shedidn’t,”wasthereply.

She had scarcely put down the receiver, when Nancy heard aggressivebarking at the front door. She literally leaped across the hall and flung thefrontdooropen.Herlittleterrierjumpedintohismistress’sarms.

“Oh, you’re safe!Youweren’t shot after all!” she criedout, huggingherpet.

His responsewas to lickher cheeks, then jumpoutofher armsand racetowardthekitchen.

Hannah greeted him with a joyful, “Togo! You’re back! And you wantsomethingtoeat.Well,Icertainlythinkyoudeserveit.”

EveryonehadfollowedthelittledogintothekitchenandGeorgeremarked,“IfTogocouldonlytalk!”

Suddenly Nancy leaned down and looked at the dog’s collar. “Here’s anote!” she told the others. Quickly she opened it, read the message, thenrereaditaloud:

Leave stonewith pictures by old oak tree at entrance of abandonedmineinIrontonaftersunsettomorrow.

“SoFleetfootwasheretogettheplaque!”Nancyexclaimed.

HannahbeamedatTogo.“Andthislittlefellowscaredhimaway.”

Nancyaskedherfatherwhathethoughttheyshoulddoaboutthenote.HefeltthatitshouldnotbeignoredandsuggestedtheycontactChiefMcGinnis.OncemoreNancydialedtheofficer’shomeandspoketohim.

Uponhearingthemessage,hechuckled.“Youworkfastonyourmysteries,NancyDrew,”hecommented.“Letmesee,now.Iguessthebestthingwouldbe toplayalongwith this fellow.Supposeyou finda stoneabout the samesizeasthetabletandwrapitupinapackage.I’llsendaplainclothesmanforittomorrowafternoon.”

At once Nancy told him that Ned, Burt, and Dave were at the house.“Couldn’ttheyleavethepackage?”sheasked.

Oncemorethemanchuckled.“Wellyou’vemadeprettygooddetectivesofthem,Iadmit,”thechiefsaid.“Allright,youdoitthatwayandletmeknowwhathappens.”

Afterhangingup,Nancyhadasuddenideaandshesaidtoherfriends,“Ifwegivethethiefaplainstone,he’llknowrightawaywedidn’tcarryouthiswishes, andwill probably return to do usmore harm.Whydon’twe try topleasehimandyetfrustratehim?”

GeorgewantedtoknowhowNancyintendedtodothis.

The young detective smiled. “Evidently the series of tablets tell animportantstory,andperhapsevengivedirectionstothetreasure.Onewronglinkinthechainofpicturesmightspoilthewholething.”

Mr.Drew,whowas in the background, listening, grinned. “An excellentidea, Nancy,” he said. “What do you have in mind? Carving somepetroglyphs?”

Nancy replied, “Exactly.” She turned to the boys. “Tomorrow morning,wouldyoumindhuntingforastonethatlooksliketheonehere?”

Theboysagreedand tookagood lookat the tablet.Nancy founda shortrulerandmeasuredthelength,width,andthicknessofthestone.

Bessremarked,“Thisoldtabletisquitereddish.Doyouthinkyoucanfindanythingthatcoloraroundhere?”

Mr.Drewansweredthequestion.“Overinthenextcountytheearthandthestonesarequitered.Isuggestyougothere.”

InashortwhiletheboysleftwithBessandGeorgetoreturntotheirhomesfor thenight.NancyandNed stayedup for anotherhourwhile shemade acarefuldrawingofthetablet thatbelongedtoMrs.Wabash.Thenshebegandesigninganewsetofpetroglyphstoputonthestonetheboyswouldbring.

When the drawings were finished, Ned laughed. “That’s misleading allright,”hesaid.“You’veturnedasheepintoagoat,rainintosunshine,andalonglineturningtotherightdirectlytotheleft.”

Both young people began to yawn. Nancy picked up all her work andheadedforthestairs.“I’llfinishthistomorrow.”

Nedkissedhergoodnightandsaid,“Seeyouinthemorning.”

“Goodnight,Ned.Sweetdreams.”

Soon after breakfast the following day, Ned set off to pick up Burt andDave.InashorttimeGeorgeandBessarrivedattheDrewhome.

Up in her roomNancy showed them the drawings she hadmade for thenewtablet.

“It’ssomuchliketheotherandyetsodifferent,”Bessremarked.

“Thewholething,Ihope,”saidNancy,“willportrayamisleadingstorytobeputonthestonetheboyswillbring.”

Bess lookedat thework, thenasked, “Wouldyoumindexplaining tomewhatallthismeans?It’sworsethanajigsawpuzzle.”

Nancy smiled. “Part of this is guesswork, of course, but here’s myinterpretationoftheoriginalstory.”

CHAPTERIV

TheWiretapper

BESS andGeorge sat on the floor inNancy’s bedroom andwaited for theyoungdetectivetotellherstory.Sheheldupthedrawingandpointed.

“You see this big man here? I believe he was the leader of a grouprepresentedon thisplaque.You’llnoticehehas somethingonhishead thatcould be a fancy headdress. I understand that in ancient times the leaderalwayscoveredhisheadtoindicatethisrank.”

Bessinterruptedtoask,“Andthisstringofsmallerpeople,whoarethey?”

Nancy’sguesswasthattheymightbehisfamilyorhisservants.

Georgeremarkedthatsomeofthehumanfiguresworeskirts.“Didwomenwearskirtsthousandsofyearsago?”

“Apparently,”Nancy replied. “I read someplace that the skirtwas reallylike a working outfit. It may have had pockets or loops through whichcookingutensilscouldbeslipped.”

Bess began to giggle. “Imagine carrying a stone fork and spoon aroundwithyouforcooking!”

George added, “To stir up venison stew, flavored with some bitter treeroots.Probablybetterforyou,Bess,thanthatsweet,gooeygravyyoumakeoutofchicken-leggelatinandhoney.”

Nancy laughed, then said, “Venison is delicious if you have good strongteeth!”

ShenowcontinuedwithherguessaboutthemeaningofthepetroglyphsonMrs.Wabash’s tablet.“Whether itwas theweatheror the longtrekorsomeotherreason,Ibelieveagreatmanymembersofthetribebecameillordied.Thisisindicatedbythefiguresinthelinewhoarelyingontheground.

“Then too some of them may have been attacked by wild beasts orpoisonousscorpionsorviciousbirds.Herearepicturesofallthree.Thisisabuckingram.Overthereisahugeraven.Anddownhereisarockscorpion.”

Georgeasked,“Arethereanypoisonousscorpions?”

“According to thisanimalbook,yes,”Nancyreplied.“Theyhaveslendertails and are yellow in color. It says here that the poison causes pain overone’sentirebody.”

“Ugh!”saidBess.Thensheasked,“Howdoesascorpionstinganyone?”

AgainNancyreferredtothebookandread,“Thestingislocatedattheendofthetail.Itconsistsofaverysharp,curvedtipattachedtoabulbousorgan.Thisorgancontainsglandsthatsecretepoison.It’slikeapoisonreservoir.”

Bess looked alarmed. “And we’re going to find scorpions out at ourcampsiteinNevada?”

“Surething,”Georgereplied.“Ifyougetbitten,it’llbealongwalkforyoubacktotowntoadoctor.Andofcoursetherestofuswillbetoobusytodriveyouthere.”

“You’rehorrid,”saidBess,tossingherhead.“Justthesame,Idon’twantascorpiontobiteme!”

Nancy interruptedGeorge’skidding tosay that thearticleexplainedwhatcouldbedoneforascorpionsting.

“First you tie a tourniquet near the puncture between the sting and thevictim’sheart.Thenputanicepackoverthesting.Evenbetterthanthat,fillavesselwithhalficeandhalfwater,andhavethepersoncompletelysubmergethestungarea.”

“Please,nomore,”Bessbegged.

Nancy changed the subject and went on with her story about the tablet.“See thissymbol that looks likea rake?Mrs.Wabashsaid it is supposed toindicaterain,probablyheavyrain.”

“Iseeit,”saidBess.“Maybethesepoorpeoplewerelostinaflood.”

“That’spossible,”Nancyagreed.“Atonetimetheremusthavebeenplentyofrainbecausethiswholeareawasverylushandinplacesquiteswampy.”

Georgewasskepticalofthis.“Howcantheytellthat?”sheasked.

Nancy saidmainly through the trees. “In theValley of Fire in the desertoutside of Las Vegas, there are pieces of petrified trees. They had to besubmerged in water with chemicals in it for a long, long time before theybecamepetrified.

“Also,byreadingtheringsontreetrunks,asyouknow,onecancountthe

ageof a treebecause each ring represents a year. If the rings arewide thatmeans there was plenty of water. If they’re very narrow, there’s been adrought.

“Apparentlyin theplacewherewe’regoingtocamp, thevegetationwentfromverygreenandwatery,probablymillionsofyearsago,tolessandlessrainfall.TheresultwasthatbytenthousandB.C.,streamsslowlybegantodryup.Finallytheareabecameadesert.”

George asked, “What are these lines for?” She pointed. “They look likestepswithnosidesorsupport.”

Nancynodded. “I think it represents a stone stairway chiseled out of therockbythepeoplewholivedatacertainspot.George,doyouknowwhatthismeans?Thestepsmightevenleaddowntothatburiedgoldentreasure!”

Georgegrinned.“Don’tgetcarriedaway,Nancy.”

Bessinterrupted.“Herecometheboys.”

Thethreegirlsraceddownstairs,andeachasked,“Didyoufindanything?”

Burt took a slabof rockout of his pocket. Itwas a perfect specimen forNancytouseforasubstitutestone.

“That’sgreat!”sheexclaimed.“YouboysaregoingtobewonderfulatthedigintheNevadadesert.”

“Hopeyou’reright,”Nedreplied.

Hetookapackagetiedinclothfromabaghewascarrying.

“Herearesomeup-to-datechippingtoolsforyoutouse,Nancy.But,really,itisn’tfair.YoushouldchipastheancientIndiansdid,withasharpstone.”

Nancylaughed.“I’mafraidIwasborntoolateforthat!Anyway,itwouldtaketoolong,andwemusthurry.”

Before beginning her work, she studied the series of pictures she haddrawn. Some of the figures were like the original but several had beenchanged. Among these were the stone steps. She had substituted pointedspikesjoinedbylines.

Nancyheardthephonering.InacoupleofminutesHannahGruencametotellherthatMrs.Wabashwascalling.

“Good!”thegirlsleuthexclaimedasshelefttheroom.

Mrs.Wabashsaidshehadbeenthreatenedwhilestayingat themoteland

hadbeenintouchwiththepolice.Theyinturnhadadvisedhertomoveoutinconspicuouslyandtoleavenoforwardingaddress.

“Ithoughtofreturninghomeimmediately,”theIndianwomansaid,“butIwantedtoseeyouagainandtalkoverseveralthings.Ihavetakenaroominaprivatehome.It’sverysecluded.”

The thought rushed through Nancy’s head that her own home might bebugged,andshehadbetterfindout.

Quicklyshewroteonapad,“Surroundthehouseincaseofawiretapper.”

Shewavedthenotetowardthegroupinthelivingroom,andNedcametoheratonce.Hereadthewordsquicklyandgaveorderstodifferentfriendstoleavethehousebythevariousexits.Hewouldgooutthefrontdoor.

The group hurried away in all directions, and in less than a minute thehousehadbeensurrounded.Nedspottedateen-ageboyhiddenbehindthickbushesinfrontoftheDrews’brickhome.Hewasholdingalisteningdeviceagainstthehouse.Earphoneswereattachedtothegadget.

“Comeandgethim!”Nedyelledtohisfriends.

Like lightning, he accosted the boy and took the instrument away fromhim.TheyouthglaredatNed.

“Justwhodoyouthinkyouare?”theeavesdropperasked.

“NevermindwhoIam.Whoareyou,andwhatareyoudoinghere?”

Theboysneered.“Idon’thavetotellyouanything.Letgoofme.I’vegotmyrights!”

BythistimeBessandDavehadrunaroundthecornerofthehouseandhadcomeuptotheboy.Hestaredatthemmalignantly.

“Whoishe?”Daveasked.

“Hewon’ttellme,”Nedreplied,“butmaybehe’lltellyou.”

“I’lltellnobodyanything,”theyouthanswered.“Igotmyrights.Youhaveyournerve,grabbingholdofme.”

Ned’seyesblazedattheinsolentyouth.“Iwanttoknowwhyyouthinkyouhavetherighttobeherewithalisteningdevice.Whoputyouuptothat?”

Theboyrefusedtoanswer.

InthemeantimeMrs.WabashwassayingtoNancy,“MynamewhileI’mstayinghereisMrs.MaryMorton,andI’mfromNewYorkCity.”

Nancygiggled.“IsMrs.Mortoncomingoverhere?”

TheIndianwomansaidshewouldnotdaredosoforfearofbeingseenandattacked again. “Could you and Ned possibly come to my place thisevening?”

“Ofcourse.”

As soon asNancy finished her conversationwith the Indianwoman, shehurriedoutthefrontdoor.

WhenNedsawher,hesaid,“Here’syourwiretapper.”

Nancylookedattheboy,whomshehadneverseenbefore,andaskedhimwhohewas.Theyouthrefusedtoanswerthisoranyotherquestions.

“We’lltakehimdowntopoliceheadquarters,”Nedoffered.“Unfortunatelythiswiretappingdeviceisnotarecorder,sowehavenowayofknowinghowmuchofyourconversationwasheard.”

Nancyheavedagreat sigh.Shewassuddenlyworried that theyouthhadheardaboutMrs.Wabash’snewnameandthesubstitutionofthestonetablet!

CHAPTERV

TheFakeTablet

AsNancyandherfriendswalkedtowardthefrontdoor,shesaid,“Insteadofyouboystakingthisyoungmantothepolice,I’dratherholdhimandaskthepolicetocomehere.”

The others looked surprised, and the youth became angry. He shouted,“Youcan’tkeepmehere!Igotmyrights!”

Nedspokeup.“Youdonothave the right tobugaperson’shomeunlessyouhavepermissionfromtheproperjudiciary.”

Theboybrokeaway from the frontdoorbutNed,whowasnext tohim,grabbedtheyouthandyankedhimback.Glaring,theboysaidnomore,andtheyallwalkedintothelivingroomandsatdown.Nancy’sfriendslookedtoherforanexplanationofwhyshewantedtoholdthesuspect.

“Wehavenolegalrighttofriskthisboy,”shereplied,“butthepolicedo.It’s justpossiblehehasa tape recorderhiddenonhim. If so,anofficercanplayitback.I’dliketohearwhat’sbeenrecorded.”

ShewenttophoneChiefMcGinnis.Withinafewminutes,hearrivedwithoneof hismen.They advised the prisoner of his rights and started to friskhim.Heobjectedviolentlyandbegantofight.Buthewassoonsubdued.

“Goodguessing,Nancy,”thechiefsaid.“Here’sataperecorderinapocketofhisjacket.”

Thegadgetwasverysmallbutefficient.ThetapebeganwithdirectionstoMozey from someman to spy on theDrew home.Hewas also tomake arecordingofanyconversationhecouldpickuponthebuggingdevice.Mozeyhadbeentoldtobringitbacktotheboss.

“Whoistheboss?”thechiefaskedhim.

Silence.

ThetapecontinuedwithconversationsinsidetheDrews’house.NancyheldherbreathforfearitwouldcontinuewithMrs.Wabash’sconversation.Butit

ended soon after the telephone had rung andNancy had answered the call.TheyoungdetectivewasrelievedthatithadnotrevealedtheIndianwoman’sassumednameandtemporaryaddress.

Ned said to the chief, “Nancy quickly scribbled a note instructing us tosurroundthehouseandhuntforawiretapper.”

The two officers smiled. The chief patted Nancy on the back and said,“Goodworkagain.”Heturnedtotheteen-ageboy.“Comealong,Mozey,”heordered.

Thetwoofficersleftwiththeirprisoner,takingthetapewiththemtouseasevidenceagainsthim.

“Ifeelpositivelyweak.”Besssighed.“Whataday!”

Nancy smiled. “You can rest while I start chipping the stone the boysbrought.”

Shewentupstairstogetherskigogglessothatnoneofthefinepiecesofstonewouldflyintohereyes.Theotheryoungpeoplewatchedherworkandwereamazedattheprecision.

Firstshetooksomehardwhitechalkandcarefullydrewtheoutlinesofthepetroglyphs on the new tablet. Since the pictures on the stone were verysmall,Nancyworkedslowlyandcarefully.Presentlyshehadfinishedadeer.Afewminuteslatershecompletedashiningsuninsteadoftherakesymbolforrain.

“Anybodyelsewanttotrythis?”sheasked.

The only one who said yes was Dave. He was studying archaeology atEmersonCollegeandcoulddrawverywell.

HeexchangedseatswithNancyandpickedupthetools.Daveusedthetinyhammerandthelittlechiselmeticulously,andafewminuteslaterdisplayedthefigureofasheep.

“They’reperfectimitations,”Nedobserved.“FoxyFleetfootissuregoingtobefooled.”

Davemadeonemorefigure,whichlookedlikeacross.ThenNancywentbacktowork.

Therewas an interruption.A phone call came fromChiefMcGinnis.HesaidthatMozey’sfingerprintshadbeenfoundintheirfiles.

“HishomeisinGadsby,notfarfromRiverHeights.Thepolicetheresaid

hehadarecordofpettythievery,carstealing,andparticipationingangwar.

“He’sonparole,which,ofcourse,hehasbroken,”theofficeradded.“We’llholdhimhere.Bytheway,hestillrefusestogivethenameofhisboss.”

“Ihaveasuggestion,”Nancysaid.“Willyouaskhimifhewassupposedtodoanerrandaftersunsettodayforhisboss.”Sheheldthephoneforafullfiveminutesbeforethechiefreturned.

“I’mafraidmy report isnotmuchhelp,”he said. “Mozey still refuses totellthenameofthemanforwhomhe’sbeenworking.ButwhenIaskedhimyour question, he did look scared. I have a feeling he’s afraid of the boss,whoeverheis,andthatifhesaysanything,he’llbepunishedbyhim.”

Chief McGinnis promised to call Nancy if there were any newdevelopmentsinthecase.

“Andgoodluckonyourprojecttonight,”headded,chuckling.

Nancyreturnedtochipping,whichshefin-.ishedhourslater.

“Nowcomesthetrickypart,”sheannouncedtoherfriends.

Bess giggled. “I’d say thewhole thing is pretty tricky.What’s this littlethingdowninthecorner?”

“You remember the tiny lizard that I thought lighted up at one point?”Nancyanswered.

“Oh,youthinkthat’ssomekindofanidentificationmark?”Bessqueried.

Nancynodded.“That’swhyIdidn’tchangeitfromtheoriginal.If it’sonthe other tablets, the ‘boss’ would notice at once that it was missing orchanged.”

“Isee,”saidBess.“Isthestonereadytobedeliverednow?”

“Ohno,”Nancyreplied.“Nextcomestheagingprocess.”

Besslookedpuzzled.“Butyouhavetodeliveritthisevening.Thatdoesn’tleavemuchtimeforaging.”

Nancylaughed.ShecalledtoNed,whohadjustfinishedwatchingthefinalsceneofanexcitingwesternmovie.

“Yes?”hesaid,reachingherside.

Nancyasked ifhewouldminddoinganerrand.“I’mnotsurewhereyoucanfindgypsum,buttrythelumberyardfirst.Iwantalittlebitofit.”

Nedgrinned.“Iwon’treturnuntilIhaveit.”

Theothersaskedwhattheycoulddotohelp.

Nancy’seyestwinkled.“Wantarealdirtyjob?”sheasked.

“Nothanks,”Bessrepliedpromptly.“Ihaveononeofmybestsuits,andIdon’twanttoruinit.”

GeorgegavehercousinasidelongdisapprovingglanceandsaidtoNancy,“Howdirtyisthejobandwhatisit?”

Nancy told her she needed some lampblack. “Since we don’t have anykeroseneoroillampshere,we’llhavetousesomethingelse.Isuggestblacksootfrominsidethefireplacechimney.”

Burtsteppedforward.“Thatsoundsmorelikeaman’sjob,”hesaid.“Howmuchdoyouneed?”

“Oh, three or four tablespoonfuls. Ask Hannah for an old dish and thescraper.”

Burtwent off to get the articles, then returned, took off his sweater, androlledhisshirtsleevesuptotheshoulder.

AtthatmomentHannahGruenappearedinthedoorwaywithalargecover-allapron.“Putthison,”shetoldtheyoungman.Burtburstoutlaughingbutobeyed.

At once George said, “Nancy, where’s your camera? This picture is toogoodtomiss.”

“Upinmyroom,”Nancyreplied.Georgerushedofftogetit.

Besscameforward.“Nancy,Idon’twanttobeaquitter.Isn’t theresomecleanjobyoucangiveme?”

“Yes. Take some of this chalk out to the kitchen and crush it to a finepowderwitharollingpin.”

By the time the chalk and the lampblackwere ready,Ned returnedwithsome finely powdered gypsum.The youngpeople trooped into the kitchen.Nancywascarryingthetabletwithher.Nowshespreadanewspaperonthekitchen table and mixed the three powders together.When they were wellblended, she added lukewarm water, about a quarter of a teaspoonful at atime.

Georgeheavedasigh.“Nancy,yourpatienceisbeyondme.Let’sget thisjoboverwith.”

Nancy smiled but said nothing.When she hadwhat she thoughtwas theright consistency of paste, she smeared it over the top of the tablet,temporarilyobliteratingthepetroglyphs.

“Thishastoharden,”sheexplained.“ThenI’llturnthetabletoveranddotheotherside.Inthemeantime,howabouta littlemusic?Bess,doyoufeellikeplayingthepiano?”

“Sure.”

The young people gathered in the living room.Nancy opened her guitarcaseandaskedwhowouldliketoplay.TheothersinsistedthatsheandDavetaketurns.

For the next half hour they sang old songs and new.Dave amused themwithanoriginalverse.

“We’reoff,we’reoffTotheForgottenCity.Ifwedon’tfindthetreasure,It’llbeap-i-t-y!”

“I’llsayitwillbe,”Georgeechoed.

Presently,Nancyleft thegrouptoreturnto thekitchen.Shefelt thepasteon the tablet and decided it was hard enough to turn the rock over and“antique” the underside.This took only a fewminutes. Soon shewas backwiththegroup,butkeptoneeyeonherwatch.

Exactly half an hour later, Nancy returned to the kitchen. This time theothersfollowedandwatchedasshewipedoffthepaste.Shesaveditincasethestoneneededanotherlayer.

“Iguessit’sdone,”shesaid.“Nowforthepolishingjob.”

She put a little wax on a cloth, went over the stone carefully until itmatchedtheoriginal.Noneofthe“agingprocess”rubbedoff!

“Thatwasagreatjob,”Nedsaidtoher.

The original and the new tabletswere compared, and it was agreed thatanyoneexceptanexpertonartifactswouldbefooledbythesubstitution.

Theboyscouldhardlywaitforthesuntoset.Assoonasitdid,theyleft.Nedcarriedthenewtablet,wrappedinbrownpaper.Theyrodepartwaytotheoldmine,thenwalkedtherestofthedistancefromthehighway.

Ned was holding the package so it was prominently displayed. After a

whilehesaid,“Iguessthisistherightoak.Wow,it’sawhopper!”

He laid the tablet on the ground beside it; then the boys startedwalkingbacktothemainroad.

In the meantime, Nancy, Bess, and George had followed in Nancy’sconvertible.When they reached the old road that led into themine,Nancystarted up the overgrown dirt path. She stopped the car, and they waited.Therewasaslight jog in theroad,so thegirlsgotoutandwalkedahead inordertoseebetter.

“There’snotasound,”Besswhispered.

Presently they spotted their friends coming from theoldoakand startingalong the road. Suddenly, and without any warning, a gang of boys, whoapparentlyhadbeenhidingbehindtrees,jumpedthethreeEmersonboysandviciouslystartedtobeatthemup!

CHAPTERVI

TheDangerousHole

THOUGH taken off guard, the three football players fromEmerson foughtwellagainst theattackinggang.Nedheavedoneof themto thegroundinafootballtackle.Burtheldtwoofthemandcrackedtheirheadstogether.Davegotoneyounggangsteraroundthewaistandpitchedhimoffinasomersault.

Besswasscreaming,“Stop!Stop!”

Thehoodlumspaidnoattention,andthegirlscouldseethattheratiooftenfighterstothreewasoverwhelming.

“I’mgoingintheretohelp!”Georgedeclared,andshestartedforward.

BothBessandNancyheldherback.

Georgestruggledtogetaway.“Iwanttotrysomejudoonacoupleofthosefellows!”

“Don‘t!”Bessshrieked.“They’ll—they’llmakemincemeatofyou!”

Nancysaidquickly,“Letmetrysomethingelsefirst.Ihaveapolicewhistlewithme.Itmayscarethem!”

Shepulled thewhistle fromherpocket andblewa shrill blast on it.Theeffectwas instantaneous.Theattackinggang,apparently thinking thepolicehadarrived,scatteredinalldirections.

Ned,Burt,andDavelookedstartled.Theblastonthewhistlehadbeensounexpected and authoritative, that they too had stopped fighting. The girlsnowhurriedtowardthem.

“Whoblewthatwhistle?”Burtasked.

Thethreegirlsburst into laughter,andNancyadmitted thatshehad.“It’sthefirsttimeIevertriedtoplaypoliceman,butImustsayitworked.”

“Yes,”Bessadded.“Ineversawpeoplerunawaysofastinmylife.”

The threeboys laughed, andDavedeclared, “Fromnowon I’mgoing tocarryapolicewhistleinmypocket,too.”

Nancygrinned.“Thisisn’tanauthenticpolicewhistle,”shesaid.“Youcanbuyonelikethisinanytoystore,butifyoublowhardenoughonityoucanreallymakealoudnoise.”

“I’llsay,”Nedagreed.

Suddenlythestillnesswasbrokenbyashoutfromthewoods.Theyoungpeople were afraid that the gang, realizing they had been tricked, werecoming back to fight again.Nancy and her friends stood silently for a fewmoments,butnooneshowedup.

“Whowasthat?”Bessasked.

Therewasanothershout,andthenavoicecalledout,“Youwonthistime,butwatchout.We’refriendsoftheguyyouputinjail.We’llgetyouyet!”

After that there was silence. The group remained where they were fornearlyaminute.

FinallyNedsaidhewantedtoseewhetherthepackagewasstillattheoldoaktree.

“Yesitis,”hecalledout.“RightwhereIlaidit.”

George spoke up. “So the gang was not really after the package. Theyfollowedusonlytopunishyouboysforhavingtheirfriendarrested.”

Theyoungpeople returned to the twocars.NancyandNedclimbed intoherconvertible.NedtookthewheelandtheysetofffortheDrewhome.Therestofthegrouprodedirectlybehind.

By this time, nightfall had come and the moon was shining brightly.PresentlyNancydetectedamovingshadowamongthetrees.SheaskedNedtostopandsignaltheothercartohalt.

“Lookoverthere!”shesaid,pointingoutthewindow.

A tall lankyboywaswarily hiking in the direction of the oldmine.Thenextsecondhedisappeared.

Nancyandherfriendsgotoutofthecarsandwatchedforafewminutes,butdidnotseetheyouthagain.Theycouldstillseetheoldoaktree.Noonewasnearit.

FinallyNancyspoke.“Ibelievesomethinghappenedtothatboy.Hemusthavefallenandknockedhimselfout,orperhapsheslippedintoanoldminehole.”

Thoroughlyalarmed,theyoungpeoplewenttowardthespotwheretheboy

haddisappeared,holdingtheirflashlights.

“Watchoutforatrap!”Nedwarned.

Thesearcherswalkedcarefully,surveyingeveryinchofthegroundbeforetheywalkedoverit.

“Listen!”Nancysaidsuddenly.“IthinkIheardacryforhelp.”

Herfriendsstoppedshortandwaitedforanothercall.Therewasnodoubtaboutitwhenanotherfeeblepleacame.

“Help!Help!”

The group swung their flashlights around but could see no one. Nancywalkedforward.

“I’dsaythatcrycamefromdownbelow.Let’slookforahole.”

Thegroupcreptforward,andpresentlyGeorgesaid,“Iseeit!”Sheplayedherlightonthespot.

A tangledmass of vines had apparently covered the opening. Now theywerebroken.Flashlightswerebeameddownintothehole.Itwasdeep.

“Help!Getmeoutofhere!”afranticvoicecried.

“We’lltry,”Nancyshouted.

Sheexaminedtheholeandfoundaricketywoodenladderononeside.Thegirldetectivebeamedherstrong light straightdown into theholeandcouldseethelankyyoungmanlyingontheground.

“Climbuptheladder,”Nancytoldhim.“I’llguideyouwiththelight.”

“I—Ican’tdoit.Myarm’sbroken.It’snouse.”

“ThenI’llcomedownandhelpyou,”Nancyoffered.

Nedsteppedforward.“Don’tyouthinkI’dbettergo?”

Nancy shookher head. “That ladder looksmighty rickety and I’m a fewpoundslighterthanyou.”

“Agoodmany!”hecorrected.“Allright,butbecareful.”

Nancyhadnotroubledescendingtheladderuntilshecametothethirdrungfrom the bottom. Then, without warning, it splintered and threw her offbalance.Shelandedinaheapbesidethestrickenboy.

FromaboveBesscriedout,“Ohgoodness!Nancy,areyouhurt?”

“No.I’mallright,”Nancyshouted,asshescrambledtoherfeet.Thensheleanedovertheboy.“Tellmewhathappenedtoyou.Didn’tyouknowaboutthisplace?”

“No,andIdidn’tseetheholeinthedark,”hereplied.“ButhowamIgoingtogetoutofhere?”

“Can you stand?” Nancy asked, wondering if the boy had any furtherinjuries.

Withherassistancehegotup.“IguessI’mallrightexceptforthisarm.”Ithunglimpathisside.

“I’msosorry,”Nancysaid.Shethenaskedhimtotryclimbingtheladderbyusingonehandforsupport.“I’llhelpboostyou,”sheoffered.

With theoldwooden laddernowgroaning and cracking, shemanaged tohelphimuntilthoseabovecouldgrabhisuninjuredarmandthebackofhiscoatandpullhimtosafety.Nancyscrambledupthefewremainingsteps.

Nedbegantoquestiontheboy,whosaidhisnamewasJimGorgo.

“We’ll take you to a hospital,” he offered. “Have you any choice aboutwhichone?”

“No,” Jim replied. “But I guess theRiverHeightsGeneralwould be thebest.”

Hewas helped into the rear seat. “You’re regular folks,” he commented.“AndI’mmightyluckyyouhappenedtocomealong.”

Nancy spoke to him kindly. “Jim, you’re a very good sport. I know thatyou’reinpain,butpleaseexplainwhyyouwereinthatparticularspotinthewoods.”

Thericketyladdergaveway.

The boy took so long to answer that she andNed thought hewas beingevasive.

Finally he said, “Imight aswell tell you the truth.Aman sentme for apackagethatwassupposedtobeleftattheoldoaktree.IthoughtI’dtakeashortcut,butnowI’msorryIdid.”

Nedaskedhim,“Areyouamemberofthegangwhotriedtobeatusup?”

“Ohno,” Jim replied quickly. “I don’t knowanything about that. I camehereonmyown.Themanwhowantedthepackagesaidhe’dpaymewellforgettingit.Iwasn’tsupposedtotellanybody,butyoufolkshavebeensogoodtome,it’stheleastIcando.”

Jimsuggestedthatmaybeoneoftheboyswouldliketogobackandgetthepackageanddeliverithimself.

“Iguessthemanwouldn’tcareaslongashegetsthepackage.”

Nancy and Ned exchanged glances. She asked Jim, “What’s the man’sname?”

“Idon’tknow.”

“Ohcome,”saidNed,“youmust.Otherwise,howwouldyouknowwheretodeliverthepackage?”

AgainJimtookalongtimebeforeanswering.Thenhesaid,“Honest,I’mtelling the truth. I don’t know theman’s real name.He toldme to call himFleetfoot.”

Fleetfoot!

Nancywas so delighted she could hardly keep from showing it, but shecalmlyasked,“Maybeoneofuscouldmake thedelivery.Wherewouldwefindthisman?”

Jimanswered,“YouknowwheretheWaterfallMotelis?”

“Yes,”Nancyreplied.

“Well,Idon’tthinkFleetfoot’sstayingatthemotel,”Jimsaid,“buthetoldmetomeethiminthegardenthere.”

“Thatsoundseasy,”Nedsaid.“Assoonasweleaveyou,we’lldecide.”

Inafewminutesthegroupreachedthehospital.Neddroveupatoncetothe emergency entrance and went for a nurse, who came outside with awheelchair. Jim climbed into it. Again he thanked the young people forrescuing him; then the nurse opened the door and pushed the new patientinside.

Atthismomenttheothertwocouplesdroveup.“Thatboyislucky,”Daveremarked. “If we hadn’t happened to go out there, he might have died ofstarvationinthatpit.”

The thought sobered the others, and therewas little conversation asNedturnedNancy’scarandtheyallwentbacktothesiteoftheoldoaktree.Thepackagewasstillthere.DavegotoutoftheothercarandbroughtittoNancy.

“Thanks,” she said. “Now which of you boys is going to the WaterfallMoteltodeliverthis?”

Davesaid,“SupposeIdotheerrandalone.Fleetfoothasneverseenmeandwon’tsuspectmymotivesareanythingbutgood.”

The twocars stopped somedistance from themotel.AsDave startedoffwiththepackage,Nancywhisperedtohim,“Don’ttrytocaptureFleetfoot.Iwanthimtogetthefaketablet!”

CHAPTERVII

Petroglyphs

DAVEwalkedslowlyamongthetreesinthegardenoftheWaterfallMotel.Itwas large andwell kept,withmeanderingwalkways among various flowerbeds.Lightfilteredfrommotelwindowsanddoors.

“It’sjustdarkenough,”theEmersonstudentthought,“soitwillbeeasyformenottobedetectedasasubstitutemessenger.”

Clutching the package under one arm, he sauntered along, watching thevariouspathsbutkeepingoutofsight.

“IhopeI’mnottoolate,”hetoldhimself.“IfFleetfootexpectedJimGorgosometimeago,hemayhaveleft.”

At thismoment,Dave saw twomencomingalongawalknearwherehewas standing. Onewas about five feet ahead of the other. Dave wonderedwhetherornottheyweretogether.

“Probably the one behind is a bodyguard for the man in front,” he toldhimself.

Davedecidednottoannouncehimselfbuttowaitforsomesignfromthemen.Tohisdisappointmenttherewasnone.

They walked on for some distance. Then they stopped abruptly, turned,and, taking the same positions, retraced their steps toward the spot whereDavewashiding.Nowhewassuretheyhadcomefor thestonetablet.WasoneofthemFleetfoot?

Whenthemanin the leadreachedDave, theboycalledout,“Pardonme,sir,butareyouwaitingforapackage?”

“Yes,Iam.Haveyougotit?”

Insteadof replying,Daveasked,“What’syourname?Ican’tdeliver it tothewrongperson.It’stoovaluable.”

Thestrangerbecamesurly.“Nevermindwhatmynameis,butifyoursisJimGorgoandyouhavethepackage,handitover.”

Beforethemenhadarrived,Davehadlaidthewrappedstonepetroglyphonthe groundwith a special purpose inmind.As he leaned over to get it, hepulledaminiaturecamerafromhispocket.Itcouldtakepicturesinthedark,withoutaflashbulb.

Thewholeepisodelastedabouttwoseconds.Apicturewassnappedasthepackagewasbeinghandedover.

Apparentlythetwomenwereunawareofwhathadhappened.Oneofthemquicklygrabbedthestonetablet,andthetwohurriedupthewalk.

Davedidnotfollow.Instead,hesetthelittlecamerainmotiontodevelopthe picture.When itwas ready, he tore the paper out andwalked toward alight. He had photographed the faces of the twomen, and theywere clearenoughtobeidentified.Excited,hereturnedtoNancy’shouse.

“Howdidyoumakeout?”sheasked.

Daveworeabiggrin.Hepulledthephotographfromhispocket.“Herearethemenwhocameafterthepackage,”heannounced.

Nancystaredatthetwofaces,thensaid,“NeitherofthesemenisFleetfoot,butthatwasagreatpieceofdetectivework,Dave.”

“Whatwillyoudowiththephotograph?”heasked.

Nancysaidshewouldtakeittopoliceheadquartersatonceandfindoutifthesemenwereamongwantedpersons.“Let’sgo!”

“It’smyturnagain,”Davespokeup.“Theymaywanttoseemycamera.”

Ned grinned and made no protest. Nancy and Dave set off for policeheadquarters.ChiefMcGinniswasnotonduty,but the sergeantat thedeskknewNancyandthestoryaboutFleetfoot.

He looked at the photograph, then sent for a book containing pictures ofwantedpersons.Afteralongsearchheannouncedthattheyhadnorecordofthetwomen.

“TheymustbeFleetfoot’spals,”Nancysuggested.

Thesergeantnodded.HeofferedtohaveduplicatepicturesmadeforDaveandNancy.Hewouldkeeptheoriginal.

Whilea rookiewasdeveloping theextraprints, thesergeantasked to seeDave’scamera.

“Wedon’thaveoneasfineasthisinourdepartment,”hesaid.“Wheredidyougetit?”

Davesaidithadbeenagiftfromhisuncle,whohadpartiallyinventedthecamera.Itwasnotonthemarketyet.

PresentlytherookiereturnedwiththepicturesandhandedthemtoNancyandDave.ThesergeantsaidhewoulddiscussthecasewithChiefMcGinnis,andsomemenwouldbealertedtowatchforthetwosuspects.

NancyandDavewentbacktotheDrewhome,butthegroupsoondecidedtoseparateandreturntothegirls’individualhomes.

“Breakfastateight,”Nancysangout,astheotherswereleaving.

The following morning a phone call came from Chief McGinnis. Hereported toNancy thathismenhadhadno luck in tracing the twosuspectswhohadtakenthepackagethenightbefore.

“I’mafraid,”theofficersaid,“thatFleetfootandhisfriendshadtoomuchofaheadstart.Theyprobablylefttownrightafterthepickup.”

AsNancyfinishedtheconversation,thefrontdoorbellrang.Thepostmanwastherewithaspecial-deliveryletterforNed.Nancysignedforit,thentookthelettertohim.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” he said. “Our tickets! I asked thetravelagenttosendthemhere.”

Nedopenedtheenvelopequicklyandpulledoutplaneticketsforthewholegroup.HeexplainedthattheywouldflyfromRiverHeightstoChicago,thentoLasVegas,Nevada.

“We’llstaytherewithoneoftheboysfromtheUniversity.He’sgoingonthedigwithus.”

“Whendoweleave?”Nancyasked.

“Tomorrowmorning.”

TherewasaloudsquealfromBess.“Whydidn’tsomebodytellme?Imustgorighthomeandpack.Ihaven’tevendecidedwhattotake.”

Nedremindedherthatallshehadtoput inhersuitcasewereherclothes.EverythingelsewastobereadyfortheminLasVegas.

“Iburn so easily,” saidBess, “that I’dbetter takeplentyof suntan lotionandabighat.”

Georgeasked,“Nancy,areyougoingtocarrythepreciousstonetabletwithyouorreturnittoMrs.Wabash?”

“I’llcallMrs.Wabash—ImeanMrs.MaryMorton,anddoasshewishes.”

Nancyphoned thewoman and askedherwhat shewanteddonewith thetablet.AtonceMrs.WabashrequestedthatNancykeepit.

“You have a lot of peoplewith you, so there is less chance of it’s beingstolenfromyouthanfromme.I’llbetravelingalone.”

“Areyougoingbackhomesoon?”Nancyqueried.

“Yes.”

ThegirldetectivenowaskedifitwouldbepossiblefortheIndianwomantocometotheDrewhomeanddecipherthesymbolsonthetablet.“Doyourecallwhatwasontheothertablets?”

“Vaguely,”shesaid.

Mrs.Wabash agreed to disguise herself a bit and take a taxi to Nancy’shome.Whenshearrived,Nancybroughtoutthetablet.Mrs.Wabashbegantoexplainsomeofthesymbols.

“Thiswaveringlinemeansastream.Overhere,nearthedeer,isacloud.”

Nancyasked,“Thesetwomenwithcrudespears—whatdotheymean?”

“Ibelieve,”Mrs.Wabashreplied,“thatitindicatesafightbetweenthemen.By theway, notice that their crude spears are launched from atlatls. Thesewereheavypiecesofnotchedwood.Byputtingthefootofthespearintothis,amancouldlaunchhisweaponmuchfartherthanhecouldwithhishands.”

Therewassilenceforafewmoments, thentheIndiancontinued,“I thinkperhapsthetwomenwhoarefightingrepresenttwotribes.Theyprobablyhadhad a war, but there is nothing here to indicate for certain who won thebattle.”

“Maybethat’sonanothertablet,”Nancysuggested.

“Possibly,”Mrs.Wabash agreed. “The tablets had no marks on them toindicatetheorder inwhichtheyweretoberead.Iwasworkingonthat justbeforetheywerestolenfromme.”

The conversation was interrupted by the telephone, and Nancy left toanswerit.

ChiefMcGinniswascalling.“Ihavealittlenewsforyou,”hesaid.“Idon’tknow how useful it is, though. Two of my patrolmen spotted the men inDave’spicture.Buttheydeclaredtheyhadalreadydeliveredthepackageandwere innocent of any wrongdoing. They would reveal nothing about

Fleetfoot, nor would they identify the man to whom they had given thepackageasbeingthethiefwe’relookingfor.

“Of course,wehad to let themgo,”McGinnis continued, “but they’ll bekeptundersurveillance.Ifanythingelsecomesin,I’llletyouknow.”

Nancythankedhim,thenwentbacktohearmoreofMrs.Wabash’sstory.Sheconfessedtohavingthoughtthechuckwallalightedupbutprobablywaswrong.

Bess had been studying one of the human figures. She giggled. “Thiscreature doesn’t seem to be wearing any clothes but has a very fancyheaddress.”

TheIndianwomansaidshehadtranslatedthistomeanthatthetwofigures,whichshethoughtweremaleandfemale,couldindicateabattlebetweenthechiefandhisleadersandthecommonpeople.

“I believe the common peoplewon,”Mrs.Wabash said, “because of theelaborateheaddress,whichnodoubtwastakenfromthechiefandputontheheadoftherebelleader.”

George remarked, “That’s a fascinating theory. It will be fun to prove itsomeday.”

As they all stared at the other figures, Nancy, who had been using hermagnifyingglass,suddenlyexclaimed,“Lookatthis!”

CHAPTERVIII

SayItinCode

INthelowerright-handcornerof theplaque,Nancyhaddetectedanalmostobliteratedoblongmark.

“Ithasveryfaintpetroglyphsonit,”sheannounced.

First Mrs. Wabash, then Nancy’s friends, looked at it through themagnifyingglass.

Finally Bess said, “What do you think the marks represent, Nancy? Itdoesn’tlooklikemuchtome.”

NancywaitedforMrs.Wabashtoanswerbutwhenshedidnotspeak,theyoungdetectivesaid,“Couldthiscarvingdepictoneofthegoldentablets?”

Nedremarkedthatifitwere,thiswasanamazingdeduction.Nancy,nowthoroughlyintrigued,wentforanevenstrongermagnifyingglass,whichherfatherkeptinadeskdrawer.Shetraineditonthefaintpetroglyph.

“This looks like a man gathering something from a stream. I think thishairlinemarkindicatesastream.Maybehehasfoundgoldnuggetsandwillmakeaplatefromthem!”

Shehandedthemagnifyingglasstotheownerofthetablet.“Whatdoyouthink,Mrs.Wabash?”

TheIndianwomangazedatthesymbolalongtime.“Ibelieveyou’reright,Nancy,”shesaid,smiling.

SheaddedthatNancyhadmadeavaluablecontributiontothemystery.“Iwould even guess that the long-forgotten city ran along the banks of thisstream.Thegoldenplatesperhapsweremadefromnuggetsfoundthere,andtheplatesarehiddeninthatarea.”

Bess sighed. “Do you thinkwe can ever find that city and the sheets ofgold?”

“I’llwager,”saidBurt,“thatifanybodycanfindthemNancyDrewcan.”

Theyoungsleuthgrinned.“It’sabigorder,butIhopeyou’reright.”

Mrs.Wabashrose to leave.Shesaidshewouldmeet theyoungpeople inLasVegas.

“I’llmemorizeyouraddress there,so ifanybody takesmypurseagain, itwon’trevealwhereyouare.”

Nancy thanked her for thinking of this. “Now my friends and I willmemorizeyouraddressandphonenumber.”

Theyallrepeateditseveraltimes,thensaidgood-bytotheIndianwoman.Soonafterwardthethreecouplesseparatedtoattendtotheirpacking.

Early the next morning they gathered again at Nancy’s house, and Mr.Drew said hewould drive them all to the airport. HannahGruen bid themfarewell,hereyesmoistwithaffection.ShepleadedwithNancytobecarefulofFleetfootandofpoisonousserpentsorreptileslikethegilamonster.

“I’lldomybesttoavoidthem,”Nancyagreed.

Shehuggedthehousekeeperaffectionatelyandhurriedtothecar.

On the way to the airport Nancy said to the others, “Don’t you think itwouldbeagoodideaifwehadasignalingsystemincode?”

“Great,”Nedagreed.“Youmeanhandsignals?”

“No, that is too obvious,” Nancy replied. “How about three or foursentences?The thirdword ineachsentencewillbeamessage to therestofus.”

“Giveusanexample,”Davesuggested.

The girl detective thought a few moments, then said, “I always suspectbargains. Sometimes I’m standing near a sales counter. I inspect nearbymerchandisealso.”

Foracoupleofsecondsher listeners lookedblank,butMr.Drewsaid,“Igetit.Themessageis,‘Suspectstandingnearby.’”

“Pretty cool,”Burt commented. “Anybody else smart enough to think ofone?”

Atfirstnobodyanswered,butfinallyGeorgegrinnedandsaid:

Please,Santa,lookinmyemptysock.Fillituprealhigh.Ahole’sinthetoe,butnevermind.

TheChristmastreewon’tsigh.

The others burst into laughter. Dave thought it was a bit corny, butGeorge’smessagewasgood.“Itsaid,‘Lookupintree.’”

By this time, Mr. Drew had reached the airport, and farewells wereexchanged.When the travelers arrived at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, theylearnedthattheplanetoLasVegaswouldbelate.

“Wehavea longwait,”Besscomplained. “I’mgoing fora tall chocolatefloat.”

Thethreeboyssaidtheywouldrathertakeawalk.NancyandGeorgewentwithBess to theconcourseforacooldrink.Onthewayback to thegateatwhichtheywouldboardtheplane,Nancyboughtanewspaper.

She had soon scanned the first page and turned over to the next one.Suddenlysheexclaimed,“Oh!”

“Badnews?”Georgeasked.

“Idon’tknow,”Nancyreplied.Shepointedtoaheadlinewhichread:

RUMOROFGOLDINNEVADADESERTRUSHTOSPOTEXPECTED

“Isitwherewe’regoing?”Bessasked.“Anddotheymeanthegold—”

George grabbed her cousin’s arm before she had a chance to give awaytheirsecrettoanyonewhomightbesnooping.

“Here’samapofthearea,”Nancysaid,pointingitoutinthepaper.

ThethreegirlsstudieditcarefullyandfinallyNancysaid,“Apparentlyit’sintheoppositedirectionfromtheonewe’lltakeoutofLasVegas.”

Besssighedwithrelief.“Thankgoodness.We’vehadenoughtroublewithstrangersalready.”

Ina fewminutes theboys rejoined thegirlsandNancyshowed them thenewspaperstory.

Nedwhistled.“Ihopenoneofthegoldseekerscomeourway.Thatwouldspoileverything.”

As the group walked toward the boarding area, Nancy said suddenly,“Whatnumberarewe?It’slikebeinginamaze.We’dbetterwatchcarefullyforoursign.”

For a coupleof secondsher friends saidnothing.ToanoutsiderNancy’s

conversation would seem perfectly rational. To her friends, using the thirdwordineachsentence,shewassaying,“Arebeingwatch.”

One by one,members ofNancy’s group found an excuse to turn aroundcompletelytoseewhowaswatchingthem.Allagreeduponacasuallydressedyoungman.Heseemedtobewalkingaroundaimlessly,buthealwaysstayedcloseenoughtohearasmuchoftheyoungpeople’sconversationaspossible.Whenherealizedthattheyhaddetectedhispurpose,themanhurriedaway.

“OnethingI’msureof,”saidNancy,“isthatheisnotgoingonourplane.Buthemaywant tomakecertainwe’reaboardsothathecantelephonethenewstosomeoneinLasVegas.”

ThetriptotheSouthwestwasuneventful.Ontheirarrivaltheyoungpeopletaxied into the city in two cabs.They exclaimedover thegarishdowntownarea.

“Theremustbebillionsofelectric lightson thesehotels, restaurants, andclubs,”remarkedBess,whowasridingwithNancy.

Itwasabusycity,withtaxisandprivatecarsgoingupanddownthestreetsin a steady stream. In a little while their cabs reached the residential area,whichwasvery attractive andmuchquieter.Thecabspulledup in frontofNeilAnderson’shome.Itwasspaciousandhadabeautifulflowergarden.

Neil andhisparentswere charmingpeoplewhomade thevisitors feel athomeatonce.Agirlwhowasabout fourteenyearsoldcame into the roomandwasintroducedasDebbie,Neil’syoungersister.

“I’lltakeyoutoyourrooms,”sheoffered.

Onthewaythroughthesplit-levelhouse,theypassedthediningroom.Initwasaverylongtablesetupasifforabanquet.

Debbie saw the looks of surprise on the visitors’ faces. “Big party heretonight,”sheexplained.“TherestoftheEmersongroupisintownandallthepeoplegoingonthedigarecomingheretodinner.”

“That’sgreat,”saidNancy.“Nowwe’llbeabletomeeteveryone.Debbie,Ijustcan’twaittoseeourcaravan.”

“It’sprettysuper,”thegirlsaid.“IwishIcouldgoonthedig,buttheytellmeI’mnotoldenough.IguessbecauseIhavesomanylittleaccidents,theythinkIdon’tknowhowtobecareful.Imightruinsomethingpreciousthat’sdugup.”Shegiggled.

“We’ll take lots of pictures,” Bess said kindly. “We’ll see that you get

some.”

Since the dinner hour was only thirty minutes away, the young peoplequicklybathedandchangedtheirclothes.

By the time they appeared, the other diggers had arrived. There wereintroductions,alotofconversation,andagreatdealoflaughter.

Nancy was thrilled. What fun it was to join this jolly group and to trysolvingthemysteryoftheForgottenCity!

Afterdinner,theyoungpeoplegatheredinthegarden.Agraduatestudentfrom theUniversity ofNevada, namedArchieArnow, immediatelywalkedover to Nancy’s side to speak to her. At first she answered his questionslightly,buteventuallysherealizedthathewastryingtogetinformationfromher.

“I’llpretendnottonoticethis,”shethought,givinghimvagueanswers.

Several times Nancy tried moving away from him so she might talk tootherpeople.Hefollowedherveryclosely,andbeforeshecouldsayanythingtohernewfriends,hewouldaskheranotherquestion.

“Whatapestheis!”shetoldherself.

NancyspottedNeilAndersonatonesideofthegarden.Shemadeasuddenmove,wedgedherway throughagroup,andmanaged toget toNeilbeforeArchie was aware of what had happened. Quickly Nancy asked Neil whatkindofapersonArchiewas.

“Oh,he’s anarchaeologicalwhiz,”Neil replied, “buthe’snotwell liked.He’sveryopinionatedandsecretive.Becareful,Nancy,orhemaytrytosolveyourmysteriesforyou.”

Nancysmiled.“Thanksforthetip.”

She saidArchie had been following her around and asking questions. “Idon’tknowhowmuchhehasheardaboutwhatwe’regoingtohuntforoutonthedesert,soIthoughtitbestnottotellhimanythingIknew.”

“Youwerewise,Nancy,”Neilsaid,“andyou’dbetterwarnyourfriends.”

Nancyalertedeachoneinhergroup.

Georgemadeawryface.“Ididn’tlikeArchiefromthemomentImethim.Iwonderedhowyoucouldbesopatient,talkingtohimaslongasyoudid.”

Nancy chuckled. “I couldn’t get away, but he didn’t learn anything fromme.”

The following morning Nancy telephoned her home in River Heights.HannahGruenansweredandtoldherthatthepolicehadphoned.

“They reported that Fleetfoot Joe had definitely left town,” she said.“McGinnishadphonedtheLasVegaspolicetobeonthealert.Sofarhehasheardnothingandsuggestedthatifyoushouldcall,Ishouldtellyoutophonethepoliceoutthereforinformation.”

Nancydidsoatoncebutwastoldtherewasnonewsoftheelusivethief.

Assheleftthephone,NancysawNedcomingtowardher.Sherelayedherlatestclue.

“Keepyoureyesopen,”heurgedher.

Ned now told Nancy that he and the other boys would be busy thefollowingday,helpingtogetthecaravanready.

“Isthereanythingwecando?”Nancyasked.

Nedshookhishead.“Whydon’tyougirlsgooffanddosomesightseeingintown?”

“I’drathergooutinthedesertandvisittheLostCityMuseum.”

GeorgeandBesswereintriguedbythisideaandimmediatelyagreedtogowithher.Nancyrentedacarthenextdayandthethreesetoff.TheplacewasaboutfiftymilesfromLasVegasandwassituatedinadesolatespot.

Themuseumwasanattractiveoblong tanstuccobuilding. In frontwasabeautifulPaloVerdetree,whichwasunusualbecauseeverythingaboutitwasgreen—bark,stems,andleaves.

Thegirlswerewelcomedbya friendlymanwhosaidhewas thecurator.Heofferedtoshowthemthroughthemuseumandexplainedthateverythinginithadcomefromthesurroundingarea.

“Areyougirlsinterestedinarchaeology?”heasked.

“Yesweare,”Nancy replied.“In fact,we’repartof thegroupofdiggerswhoarecomingouttothedeserttomorrowtoworkforalittlewhile.”

Thecuratorsmiledandsaidhewasgladtohearit.“Whereareyougoingtolocate?”heasked.

“AbovetheForgottenCity,”Nancyanswered.

“Whichone?”themanqueried.“YouknowtheIndianvillageswerestrungalong the Muddy River for some thirty miles. Of course, now they’re all

buried.Infact,youwouldn’tbelieveitbutfourcivilizationsareburiedinthisterritory.”

“Four?”Bessaskedinastonishment.

“That’sright,”hesaid.“Theircivilizationswerebuiltoneontopofanother.The top one was settled by people we here at the museum call the pitdwellers. This is because they built their dwellings or houses partiallyunderground.ComeoutsideandI’llshowyousomethathavebeenrestored.”

Heledthegirlstowardbeehive-shapedclayhuts.Theywerereddishtanincolor.Thevisitorspeeredinsidethefirstone.Inthecenterofthefloorweretheremainsofafire.

“You see there’s a hole in the roof,” the curator explained. “The smokewentupthroughthere.”

“Howdoyougetin?”Bessasked.“There’sadoorwaybutnosteps.DidtheIndiansjumpdown?Iknowfromstudiesthattheywererarelytallpeople.”

“Theymanaged somehow,” the man replied. “But most of them enteredthroughtheroof.Theyclimbedupaladdertogetthere.Whydon’tyoustepdowninside?Ithinkyoucanmakeit.”

Bess grabbed the sides of the doorway and put one foot down onto thefloor.Thenextmoment she skidded, turnedher ankle, andwentdown in aheap.

“Oh,oh!”shecriedout,paincreasingherface.

CHAPTERIX

TheWeirdValley

INSTANTLYthecuratorjumpeddownthroughtheopeningandassistedBesstoherfeet.

“I’mverysorry,”hesaid.“Ishouldhavesteppedinfirstandhelpedyou.”

BythistimeNancyandGeorgehadcomethroughthedoorway.

“Iseewhathappened,”Nancysaid.“Here’salittleroundstone.Bess,youmusthaveskiddedonit.”

ShekneltdowntolookatBess’sankle,hopingitwasnotsprained.

“Let’sseeifyoucanstandonit,”Georgesuggested.

Bessfoundthatshecouldbutsaidithurttodoso.

The curator spoke up. “My wife, daughter, and I live in the houseconnected to themuseum.My daughter has had nurse’s training. Let’s seewhatshecandotohelpyou.”

BessputanarmaroundNancyandGeorge’sshouldersandhobbledononefootbackintothemuseum,thenoutontoaporch.Hereitwasshadyandcoolincontrasttotheheatoutside.

Thecuratorwenttogethisdaughter,whowasverypleasant.InashorttimeshehadbandagedBess’sankletightlyandthegirldeclareditfeltmuchbetter.

“Bess,Isuggest,” theyoungwomansaid,“thatyouleavethebandageonuntilyoucanaskadoctorjustwhatthetroubleis.Mypersonalopinionisthatit’sonlyasprain.”Theotherswererelievedtohearthis.

Nancy andGeorge felt that Bess should remain on the porchwhile theylookedthroughthemuseum.

“Okay,”sheagreedwillingly.

Thefascinatingcollectionofrelicsinthemuseumincludedmanydifferentkindsofobjects.Therewerearrowheads,stonespears,petrogylphtablets,bitsofturquoisejewelry,potterybowls,andscrapsofbasketsmadefromgrasses.

“These baskets are probably the oldest things that have been found,” thecurator said. “TheBasketMakersbelonged to the first civilization thatwashere.”

Nancysaid,“Thensomeofthearchaeologistshavedugthatdeep?”

“It’shardtosay,”themanreplied.“Thisbasketmighthavebeencarriedtothisareainastream,andpickedupbysomeonefromalatercivilization.It’sveryfragile.That’swhywehaveitbehindglass.”

Thegirlsspentalotoftimelookingateacharticle.

Finallythemancalledtothem.“Iwantyoutoseesomethingspecialoverhere.”

Theyhurriedtohisside.Hewasstandingbesidealargecasecontainingacompletehumanskeletonandmanyartifacts.

“Thiswasathirty-two-year-oldwoman,”thecuratorstated.

Georgeremarkedthatthepositionoftheskeletonseemedlikeastrangeoneinwhichtoburyaperson.

“It was the custom,” theman told her. “The Indians always buried theirdeadintheprenatalposition.”

He told thegirls that the causeof thewoman’s deathwas amystery.Helookedathisvisitorswithatwinkleinhiseye.“Perhapsyou’dliketoguesswhatitwas?”

Nancystudied theobjects in thecase.Finallyhereyes settledona smallstone plaque on which two sets of marks, one under the other, had beenpainted.

She said, “These lines are so jagged, they remind me of lightning. Is itpossiblethatthiswomanwasstruckbylightninngandkilled?”

“That’sareasonableguess,”themanreplied.

George,asked,“Doyouhavebadstormsaroundhere? I thought it rarelyrainedinthedesertandthat’swhyit’ssohotanddry.”

Thecuratorsaidshewaspartlyright.“However,wedohavethunderstormsandwhenwedo,they’redillies,letmetellyou.”Hegrinned.“Whenyou’recampingoutinthedesert,andoneofthosestormsiscomingup,youhavetobattendowngoodand stayunder cover.Thewindcanbe fierce, and sandydirtanduprootedweedsblowallovertheplace.”

Georgeaskedif thiswaswhatwascalledtumbleweed,anddiditactually

rollacrossthedesert?

“Someofit,yes,”wastheanswer.

Themanexcusedhimself,tellingthegirlstocontinuelookingaround.Inafewminuteshereturnedwithhiswife.Shewasasmiling,motherly typeofwoman.

“We’dliketohaveyouthreegirlsstaytolunch,”shesaid.

“Thankyou,”Nancyreplied.“I’llacceptforallofus.”

SheandGeorgefollowedthewomanouttotheporch,whereBessandher“nurse”weresittingatatable.Theothersseatedthemselves.ThecuratorsaidgraceandNancywasmuchimpressedwithhisgivingthanksfortheworksoftheDeity,includingthewondersofthedesert.

Afterwardhedescribedthefoodsthatmightbefoundinthearidterritory.“Therearemanyusesforthecacti,evencandy,andofcoursetherearewildanimalsthatcanbeshotandcooked.”

Bess remarked,“Youhavesuchaprettygarden.Wheredoyougetwaterforitandforyourselves?”

“Fromanartesianwell.”

Nancy was intrigued to hear this. So there was water deep under thesurface.MaybeatsometimethishadbeenpartoftheMuddyRiver!

When therewasa lull in theconversation,Nancyasked thecurator ifheknewMrs.Wabash.

“Oh yes,” he answered. “A very fine woman.” He laughed and lookeddirectlyatNancy.“Shehasafantasticsecret.Whydon’tyouaskheraboutitsometime?”

NancyandGeorgewereafraidBessmightsaysomething,butthistimeshekeptquiet.

“I’lldothat,”Nancysaid,decidingtoaskthewomanhowmuchthecuratorknew.

Heinquired,“Whereareyougoingfromhere?”

NancysaidthegirlsplannedtovisittheValleyofFire.

“Yes,dothat.It isafantasticplace—oneofnature’sgreatwonders.AfteryougototheVisitor’sCenterthere,rideonaheadforalittlewayandseetheMouse’sTank.”

Bessgiggled.“Whatafunnyname!WhatistheMouse’sTank?”

Thecuratorchuckled.“Itwasthehideoutofafamousbandit.”

“Withthisbadankle,thatleavesmeout,”Bessremarked.

“I’mafraidso,”thecurator’swifesaid,“Youmustclimbtogetthere.”

The girls learned that at one time the area had been verywild, but nowtherewasagoodroadleadingtoit,andapicnicspothadbeenbuiltbelowtheMouse’sTank.

Whenthegroupfinishedeating,thevisitorsthankedtheirhostandhostessandtheirdaughter,thendroveoff.

ThethreesightseersreachedthefirstpartoftheValleyofFire,wheretheylooked around in awe, for they had never seen such an amazing sight.Enormoussandstonerockswerepiledup,helter-skelter,totheheightofabighill.

Presently Bess cried out, “Look at that rock formation! It’s the perfectimageofanelephant!”

Theydroveonashortdistance,thenGeorgeaskedNancytostop.“Seethatstrangeformationupthere!Iwanttogetapictureofit.”

Therockslookedlikethreehuge,perfectlyformedbirds’claws,attachedtopartofafoot.

“Thisislikeawildanimaljungleturnedtostone!”Bessexclaimed.

“It’stoobadwedon’thavetimetogetoutandwalkamongtheserocks,”Nancycommented.

George returned to the car and a fewminutes later askedNancy to stopagain.Shepointedtoahugerockymoundsurroundedbygreengroundcover.

“That rock looks just like a sleeping cow,” she said. “You can almostimaginethatit’sgoingtogetupsoonandstartgrazing.”

Nancyhadbeensilentforsometime.Bessaskedwhatshewasthinking.

Thegirldetectivesmiled.“Iwasjusttryingtofigureoutthisplace.Perhapsonceuponatimetheareawasfertileandhugebeastsroamedaround.

“Onecouldalmostimaginethattherewasasuddenvolcaniceruptionthattossedoutrocksandatypeofsandstonelava.Thegreatbeastsandbirdsweretakenunawareandhadnochancetoescape.Theydiedfromthegascomingfromthevolcano.”

George lookedat thegirldetective. “Doyoualsobelieve thepoor thingsturnedtostonelikeapetrifiedtree?”

“Who knows?” Nancy countered. “The beasts might have been coveredwithlavathathardened.Isupposeyou’dhavetocracktherocksopentoseeifthere were any bones inside. Of course lava is so hot that it might havedisintegratedthebeasts’wholebodybutleftanoutercoating.”

Besssighed.“Thereare times,Nancy,”shesaid,“whenyour theoriesarewaybeyondme.I’mafraidthisisoneofthem.Wheredowegonow?”

“TotheMouse’sTank.”

The spotwas deserted.The luncheonette-and-gift shop at the base of therockwasclosed,and therewerenocarsaround.NancyparkedandsheandGeorgegotout.

“I’llstayhere,”Besssaid.“Myankledoesn’thurt,butI’dbetternotdoanyclimbing.”

Nancy andGeorge left her andwalked forward.Theywere sorrynoonewasaroundtogivethemdirections,buttheyfinallyfoundtheirwayuptotheentranceofthebandit’scaveandwalkedin.

“Thissureisspooky,”Georgeremarked.“Whataplaceforahuntedmantohide!Iwonderhowdeepthecaveis.”

Nancyremindedherthatsincetheyhadnotbroughtflashlightsanditwaslateintheafternoon,theyhadbetternotwalkveryfarinside.

The words were barely out of her mouth, when the girls heard a faintscream.Bothofthemtensed.

HaditbeenBesswhoscreamed?Hadshebeenattacked,orwasshetryingtowarnthegirlsaboutsomethingorsomebody?

CHAPTERX

CallforMissAntler

“WE’Dbetterrun!”Nancyexclaimed.

She led the way toward the entrance of theMouse’s Tank, with Georgeonlyonestepbehindher.

Attheopening,theypulledupshort.Almostinfrontofthemstoodaman.

“Fleetfoot!”Nancycriedout.

Helookedup,startled.Bothgirlsdivedforhimbutthethiefwasagile.Heturnedquicklyandhurrieddowntherockstotheroadwithlittletrouble.

NancyandGeorgescrambledafterhimasfastastheydared.Apparentlyhewasusedtoclimbingupto thiscaveandknewhowtogetdownsafelyandquickly.NowFleetfootbegantorunandsoonhefaroutdistancedthegirls.

Whentheyreachedtheground,Nancysaid,“Let’schasehiminthecar!”

She and George jumped in, and Nancy started the motor instantly. Sheswungthecararoundandspedoff.

“Whoishe?”Bessasked.LearningthathewasFleetfoot,shesaid,“Oh,becareful,Nancy.Youknowhe’sdangerous.”

Theman leapedalong the road likeadeer.Whenhe realized thatNancywascatchingupwithhim,heveeredoffandscrambledupthesideofahugerock.

“Lettheoldmountaingoatgo!”Besscriedout.

Reaching the top of the rock, Fleetfoot hurried down the other side anddisappearedfromview.

“Ohhypers!”George exclaimed,usingoneofherpet expressions. “Whydidwehavetolosehimwhenweweresoclose?”

Nancyacceptedthemattermorephilosophically.FirstshethankedBessforwarningGeorgeandherofFleetfoot’sapproach.

“ButI’msorrywelosthimjustthesame,”Besssaid.

Nancywenton,“We’veprovedtwothings,andbothareimportant.”

“Likewhat?”Bessasked.

“Oneis thatFleetfootdefinitelyis inthisarea.Theother is thatnodoubthe’susingtheMouse’sTankasahideaway.”

Bess nodded. “So now allwe have to do is notify the police and they’llknowwheretohuntforhim.Thenwewon’thaveanymoretoworryabout.”

George was sure it would not be so easy. “We can look for a lot moretroublefromthatthief,”shepredicted.

Bessadded,“Isupposethere’snousewishing,butIhopeFleetfootdoesn’tfindoutwhereourcampis.”

“I’llbetheknowsalready,”Georgesaid.“Heprobablywatcheseverythingthat’sgoingoninthisdesert.”

“Andstealswhathecan,”Bessadded.

Nancyhadnot spoken for someminutes. She kept looking right and leftacrosstheuninhabitedlandscape.Therewasnotahouseorotherbuildinginsight.

FinallyBesssaid,“Nancy,youlookconcerned.Why?”

Nancysaidshehadbeenwatchingherfallinggasgauge.

“It’s almost on the empty mark,” she said. “I hope that even when it’smarkedempty,there’salittlegasleftinthetank.”

She drove for another tenminutes, then slowly the engine sputtered to ahalt. The car rolled for another hundred feet under its ownmomentum andstopped.

“Oh,don’t tellme!”Besssaid.“It’salongwaybacktotown—milesandmiles.Icouldn’tpossiblywalk.”

Georgesaid,“Idon’trelishahikeoftwenty-fivemilesmyself.”

Nancysuggestedthatiftheycouldgettothemainroad,theresurelywouldbehelp.

“Bess,supposeyousitbehindthewheelandsteer.GeorgeandIwillpushthecar.”

They tried this, but after doing so for a mile, Nancy and George were

exhausted.Besspleadedwiththemtorest.

“Youwon’thavetoaskmetwice,”Georgerepliedwithagroan.

She flopped down on the field at the side of the road and stretched out.Nancy,too,laydown.Thetwogirlsclosedtheireyesagainstthesunlightandsoonwerereadytofallasleep.

SuddenlyBessawakenedthemwithaloudscreamandcriedout,“Nancy!There’sahairyscorpiononyou!”

Nancyjumpedupinstantly,flingingoffthecreature.Itcrawledaway.

“Iguessit’ssaferinthecar,”Georgesaid.“Nancy,let’sgetbackinsideandrestinasafeplace.”

Another tenminuteswentby.Then thegirlsheard the soundof amotor.Nancy and George got out. A car was coming up the road. They wavedfranticallyanditstopped.Ayoungmansatatthewheel.

“Youhavingtrouble?”heasked,leaningoutofhiswindow.

Besscriedout,“Nancy,there’sahairyscorpiononyou.!”

“We sure are,”George responded. “We’reoutofgas.Wedon’t haveonedrop.”

Theyoungmangrinned.“Icansiphonoffenoughtogetyoutothefirstgasstation,”hesaid.“Ican’tgiveyouanymorethanthat.I’mgoingdeeperintothedesertanddon’tdarerunshort.”

Nancythankedhimfor thehelpandsaid,“You’rea lifesaver.Twoofustriedpushingthecarforamileandthatwasenough.Ourfriendinthecarhasasprainedankle.”

“That’swhatIcallhardluck,”theyoungmansaid.

Hehadalreadyhoppedfromhiscarandwasnowopeningthetrunk.InafewmomentshetookoutanarrowpieceofhoseandmeasuredthedistancebetweenNancy’sgas tankandhisown.Thehosedidnotquite reach,sohedrovehiscarcloser,thenmeasuredagain.

“It’slongenoughnow,”hesaid.“Well,heregoes.”Hegrinned.“Openyourtankandwe’llgetstartedwiththislifesavingjob.”

Nancyunscrewedthecapandhedidthesameonhiscar.Thenheinsertedthehoseintohisgasolinetankandsqueezedtheairoutofthehosewithhisfingers.HeputtheopenendintoNancy’stankandthefluidbegantoflow.

HecalledtoBesstowatchthegasgauge.Whenitreachedalittleabovetheemptymark,heremovedthehose.

Theyoungmanrefusedtotakeanymoney,saying,“Thisismygooddeedfortheday.”Hewishedthegirlsluckanddroveoff.

Therestoftheirjourneywasquick.Nancystoppedatafillingstation,thenwentdirectlytotheAndersonhome.

TheboyswerethereandNedsaid,“TheAndersonsaretakingustoahoteltodinner.I’msureyou’llwant toshowerandchangetosomethingsuitable.Seeyoulater.”

Thegirlsscootedofftotheirrooms.Twentyminuteslatertheyreappeared,refreshedandreadyforthedinnerparty.

Thegroupwasgoingtothehotelinseveralcars.Nancyandherfriendssetofffirstintheoneshehadrented.Whentheyreachedthelavishhostelry,theyoungpeoplewaitedinthelargelobbyfortheotherstoarrive.

“This place is ostentatiously furnished,” George said. “I like thingssimpler.”

“It’stoonoisytosuitme,”Besscommented.“Thistownnevergoestobed,Ihear.”

In a fewminutesNancy and her friends noticed that telephone operatorswerepagingvariousguestsandannouncingtelephonecallsforthem.

Bess giggled. “How would you like to have that name?” she asked,

repeatingthecallforMissShirleyRainbow.

Afewmomentslater therewasacallforMr.BillVerythin.ThenextfewweresimplenameslikeSmithandJones.

Presently the operator called out, “Miss Rosemary Bluebird! Call forRosemaryBluebird!”

Nancyandherfriendswerelaughingbythistime.

“I’m sure,” said Ned, “that these are names of people who are hereincognito;perhapsfamouspersonslikemoviestars.”

The others agreed and continued to listen eagerly for the next one.SuddenlyNancy,Bess, andGeorgewereelectrified toheara familiarnamecalledout.

“Phone call for Miss Antler! Important call for Miss Antler. Will MissAntlerpleaseanswerthephonenearesther?”

ThegirlslookedatoneanotherandNancysaid,“MissAntler?Antler?Thatwas thenameof thepersonMrs.Wabash toldus to try to findwhilewe’rehere!”

Ned asked, “Do you suppose she has something to do with the desertsecret?”

“Ithinkso,”Nancyreplied.“Mrs.Wabashsaidshewouldbeveryhelpfultous.Let’shuntforher!”

Thehotelwaslargeandthereweresomanytelephonesthatitwashardtoknowwheretostart.

“Thisisgoingtobearealjob,”Georgecommented.

Nancysuggestedthatthegroupseparateandscattertovariousplacesinthelobby.

“Ifyouseeayoungwomanataphone,trytofindoutifshe’sMissAntler.”

Thesixyoungsleuthshurriedawaytobegintheirsearch.

CHAPTERXI

NewClues

MENweremakingcallsfrommostof thetelephonesinthelobby,but therewere a few women. Bess and George had no luck with the women theyapproached.BurtandDave,too,wereunsuccessful.

Nedwent up to a youngwomanwhowas evidently waiting for a long-distancecallandwasholdingthereceiver.

“Pardonme,”saidNed,“butareyouMissAntler?”

Theyoungwomanbegan to laugh.“No—dear. I’mMissLambkin.Ma-a!Ma-a!WhatcanIdoforyou?”

Nedignoredthecrudehumor.“DoyouhappentoknowMissAntler?”heasked.

Againtheyoungwomangiggled.“Comenow,isthatherrealname?”

Neddecidednottotellher.“Whoknows?”hesaid,walkingaway.Atthatmoment the youngwoman’s call came through, and she began to talkwithsomeone.

A little while later Ned joined the rest of the group, which had alreadygathered.Nancyhad foundMissAntler, andnow she introducedher to theothers.ShewasayoungIndianwoman,veryprettyandcharming.

“I’m so glad you foundme,” she said in amusical voice. “Mrs.Wabashwrote to tell me that you were coming, but unfortunately she did not saywhen.

“I’magraduate studentofgeologyand surveying.This is how Ibecameinterested in the desert area. It was through some experimental work I’vedone here that I met Mrs. Wabash. Unfortunately, I left no forwardingaddress,soshecouldn’tgetintouchwithmeagain.”

Nancy smiled. “Thatwas a lucky telephonecall.Tobe truthful,wehaveheard so many amusing names paged here, we decided all of them wereprobably people who were traveling incognito. We even wondered if you

mightbe.”

“No,”theyoungIndianwomanresponded,herblackeyestwinkling.“It’sreallymynamebutIamteasedagooddealaboutit.”

Nedspokeup.“Mrs.Wabashsaidyoucouldhelpus inour search in thedesert.”

Miss Antler said she believed she could. “I was helping Mrs. Wabashtranslate the petroglyphs on those ancient tablets. Now we can finish thework.”

“Didn’tyouknow,”Nancyasked,“thatallbutonetabletwerestolen?”

“No.Howdreadful!”

Nancytoldherthewholestory,includingthefewcluesthatshehad.

“MyfriendsandIhopethepolicewillpickupFleetfoot.”

“Ihopeso, too,” theyoung Indianwomansaid.“In themeantime, inmyworkIhavecollectedstoriesandlegendsfromtheolderIndianswholiveinthis area. I think there are some good clues in them as to where somerewardingdiggingmighttakeplace.”

“Thatsoundswonderful,”Nancytoldher.

“Terrific!”Georgeexclaimed.“Couldyoudrawusamap?”

MissAntlersmiled.“Iwashopingthatmaybeyouwouldinvitemetogoonthedigwithyou.”

Nancy was excited by this idea. “Could you? We’d love to have youcome.”

“I’dlovetoaccept,”MissAntlerreplied.“Sincewe’llbeworkingclosely,Iwantyoutocallmebymyfirstname.It’sWanna.”

“Whataprettyname!”Bessremarked.

“Ithinkso,too,”Wannasaid.“Whenareyougoingtostartyourtrip?”

“We’replanningtoleavetomorrowmorning,”Nancytoldher.“Couldyoubereadybythattime?”

“Oh yes,” Wanna said. “I’ll bring some special tools and surveyinginstrumentswithme.”Shesmiledbroadly.“I’mreallyveryexcitedaboutthis.WillyoubeintouchwithMrs.Wabash?”

Nancy said she planned to telephone her that evening and hoped the

womanwouldhavereturnedfromhertrip.

“Iknowshe’llbepleasedthatwefoundyou,”Nancysaid.ShegaveWannatheAnderson’shomeaddress;thentheIndianstudentsaidgood-by.“I’llseeyouallinthemorning.”

Besssawtherestoftheirgrouparrivingandsoontheywerealltogether.Abigtablehadbeenreservedforthem,andinashorttimetheywereeatingandwatchinganamusingstageshow.

AftertheyreturnedtotheAndersonresidence,NancycalledMrs.Wabash.

“I’ve justcomehome,” thewomansaid.“Before leavingRiverHeights Ispokewiththepolice.Theyhadheardnothingaboutthestolentablets.”

Nancy surprised the woman by telling her she had seen Fleetfoot at theMouse’sTankandamongtherocksintheValleyofFire.

“We reported the incident to theNevadaPolice, and theyarehunting forFleetfootandthetabletshehas.”

“That’sgood,”Mrs.Wabashsaid.“Whendoyouleaveforyourtriptothedesert?”

Whensheheardthatitwasearlythefollowingmorning,Mrs.Wabashsaid,“ThenIwon’tseeyouforsometime.I’llbeeagertoknowwhetheryoufindanythingofinterest.”

Nancy told her about meetingWanna Antler, and said the young Indianwomanwouldgoonthedesertdigwithhergroup.

“I’m glad,”Mrs.Wabash said, then added, “Good night, Nancy. Have arestfulsleepandawonderfullysuccessfuldig.”

After hanging up, Nancy had a hunch. Could Fleetfoot have hidden thetabletssomewhereintheValleyofFire?

“Or was he just about to secrete them at the Mouse’s Tank when Bessscreamed?”theyoungdetectiveaskedherself.

Shedeterminedthatatthefirstopportunitysheandherfriendswouldgotoinvestigatetheplace.Nancythoughtaboutit longaftergettingintobed,butfinallydroppedofftosleep.InthemorningshewasawakenedbyGeorge.

“Getup,sleepyhead,”her friendsaid.“You’dbetterhurry,or thecaravanwillleavewithoutyou!”

The girlswere downstairs in a littlewhile.Mrs.Anderson had breakfastreadyforthegroup,thentheywentoutsidetoassemble.Ithadbeendecided

thatNancywouldkeep the rentedcar, since shewanted tomake somesidetripsinconnectionwithhersleuthing.

Byeighto’clock,thecaravanwasreadytoleave.Despiteallthatthegirlshadheard, theywerestillamazedat thesizeof thevehiclesassembled,andtheequipmentinthem.Onetruckcarriedtentsforthewholegroup.Anotherwasliterallyakitchenonwheels,withasmilingchefincharge.TherewasalargerefrigeratedcarwithsomuchfoodinitthatBess’seyesbulged.

George teased her. “Watch that waistline, cousin. But then, if you workhardenough,maybeyouwon’tputonanymorepounds.”

Bessmade a face but said nothing. She had a continuous battlewith theproblemofgainingweight.Furthermore,therewasnoadvicethathelped,andeachtimeshebeganadiet,herfriendsteasedher.

Onetruckcarriedallsortsofdiggingtools,shovels,andspades.Onariginonevehiclewasadrillwithelectricmotorstorunit.

WannahadjoinedthegroupandnowsaidtoNancy,“Idon’tthinkthey’llbeusing thatdrillmuch.Archaeological andgeologicaldigging ismostlyamatter of hand labor. I’ve brought some special sieves for our group.Alsosomedrawingpads,pencils,andcrayons.Everythinghas tobeverypreciseandaccuratelyreported.”

NancytookWannaaroundto introduceher toProfessorDonaldMaguire,whowasinchargeofthedig,andtothestudentsfromEmersonCollegeandtheUniversityofNevada.Someofthelatterknewherthroughhergeologicalpapersandlectures.

“Gladtohaveyouaboard,”saidArchie.“IhaveatheoryIwanttodiscusswithyou.”

NedwinkedatNancy.Ifthisshouldhappen,Wannahadhissympathy!

The professor and the students, together withWanna and the three girlsfromRiverHeights,climbedintovariousprivatecarsandtrucks.Thejourneyinto the desert had begun. Wanna was now seated in the car with theprofessor, leading theway to the spotwhere she thought they shouldmakecampandwork.

The trucks rattled along the road, then turned off and clattered over theparched sands far from the roadway. Nancy’s group was intrigued by thebeautiful,statelyyuccaplantswiththeirclustersofwhiteflowers.

“They’re as tall as I am!”Bess said as their car passed a group of three

plantsinfullbloom.

Inalittlewhiletheycametoasmallrockformationfromwhichcactiweregrowing.Ononeofthemwasahuge,beautifulpinkflower.

“OhImustgetapictureofthat,”saidDave.“Ned,pleasestopamoment.”

Davejumpedfromthecarandtooktwoshotsoftheplantswithhisspecialcamera.Afewsecondsaftergettingbackinto thecar, thepictureshadbeendevelopedandheshowedthemtotheothers.

“They’regorgeous,”Nancysaid.“You’llsendthesetoyouruncle?I’dsayhiscameraisperfection,dayornight.”

Duringthebriefstop,acoupleofothercarsgotaheadofNed.Asaresult,theywere almost the last to arrive at the sitewhere apparentlyWanna hadsuggested they camp.They couldhear loud talking and angry shouts at theheadoftheline.

“Iwonderwhat’sthematter?”Nancysaid.“Let’sgofindout!”

Besswas still being careful ofher ankle and said shewouldnot join theothers.Theresthurriedforward.

“What’sup?”NedaskedoneoftheotherEmersonboys.

Hisclassmatepointedaheadtoagroupofangry,gesticulatingmen.“Theycan’tspeakEnglish,butthey’resayingthatwecan’tcamphere!”

CHAPTERXII

ADeadlyNecklace

ITwasevidentfromthestrangers’languagethattheywerespeakingSpanish,butitwassogarbledthatitwashardtounderstand.

Nancy andNedwalked closer to listen.The group of swarthymenwerewaving their arms wildly, indicating that the newcomers were to leave atonce.

When no compromise seemed to be near,Nancywalked up to ProfessorMaguire.“I’vetraveledinMexicoagoodbit,”shesaid,“andpickedupsomeofthedialects.PerhapsIcantranslatewhatthesemenaresaying.”

“Thankyou,”hesaid.“I’llbegladofanyhelp.Thisisabadsituation.”

NancyspoketothemeninthevernacularoftheSpanish-speakingprovincefrom which she thought they had come. At once they quieted down andlistened.

“PerhapsIcantranslatewhatthesemenaresaying,”Nancysaid.

The young detective asked them several questions, then turned to theprofessor.“Theyhaveheardaboutthegoldrushandtheirdirectionsledthemhere.”

“Oh, is that it?”he said. “Well, tell them that it’smanymiles fromhere,probablyahundredinthatdirection.”Hepointed.

NancytoldtheMexicangroupthatitwasunfortunatetheyhadcomesofaroutof theirway.Shepointed in thedirection theyshould take.“Ihopeyoucangetridespartoftheway,”shesaid.

Theleaderofthegrouphadalongblackmustachetwistedattheends.Hewore a sombrero. Theman looked atNancy, puzzled. She knewwhatwasgoing throughhismind.Howcouldayounggirl living in theUnitedStatesspeakhislanguageandalsoknowwherethegoldrushwas,sinceitwassofaraway?

She gave him a big smile. “I am so sorry you made this journey fornothing,andIwishyoulotsofluckinyoursearchforgold.”

“Wewillgo,”hesaidfinally.

Thereweremurmurs from his companions, but they obeyed their leader.Themenpickedupall theirbelongings and started the long trek across thedesert.

Nowwork on setting up camp for the diggers, who hoped to locate theForgotten City, began. A job had been assigned to each of them, and theyworkedwith precision.Twohours later the placewas ready for occupancy.ProfessorMaguireconsultedhischartandcalledoutthenamesoftentmates.Therewould be six in each shelter.Wannawas assigned to the tent whereNancy, Bess, andGeorgewould be, alongwith two lovely girls whowerestudyingattheUniversityofNevada.

ThetentinwhichNed,Burt,andDaveweretosleepwasnotfaraway.TheboyswerewiththreeotherEmersonstudents.

Bythetimecampwassetup,itwasverywarmoutsideandthegroupwasgladtotakeshelterunderthetents.WhenNancyandGeorgearrivedattheirs,theywaitedforBess,butshedidnotcome.TheNevadagirlswereconcerned.

“Onecangetasunstrokeoutinthisdesert,”saidBettyCarr.

“I’llbetIcantellyouwheresheis,”Georgesaid.

“Where?”

“In the kitchen. It’s already past mealtime and if there’s one thing thatbothersBessit’sgoingtoolongwithoutlunch.”

TheNevadagirlslaughed.DorisDunhamsaid,“Ihopeyou’rerightaboutwheresheisbutifyoudon’tfindherthere,comeandtellus.We’llhelpyouhuntforher.”

Thekitchenwassomedistanceaway,butNancyandGeorgetrudgedthere

hopefully.ActuallybothgirlswereworriedaboutBess.Withherbadankle,howcouldshehavewalkedsofar,evenifshewasstarving?

FinallyNancy andGeorge reached thekitchen andwent in.Therewas agreatdealofactivityandamealwasalmostready.Besswasnotthere.Nancyaskedthechefifhehadseenher,buttheanswerwas,“No.”

NowGeorgewassorryshehadbeenfacetiousabouthercousin.“Thepoorgirlmayhaveturnedherankleagainandmaybelyingsomewhereoutthereinthesandanddirt,literallyburningup!”

Nancysaidnothing.Shehadheardacarcoming.WonderingifBesscouldbeaboard,shewalkedovertowhereitwasparked.Toherastonishment,andGeorge’s, the driver hoppedout.Archie!Hewent around to the other side,openedthedoor,andassistedBesstotheground.

“Wherehaveyoutwobeen?”Georgeaskedatonce.

Bessgiggled.“PlayingCowboysandIndians.Onlyweweren’tonhorses.WewereinArchie’scar.”

“That’s right,” theboy said. “Wedecided to see if thoseMexicans reallyleftanddidn’tplantodoubleback.”

“Andtheyhadn’t?”Nancyasked.

Archiesaidpompously,“Well,withmefollowingthem,theydidn’tdare.”

Nancywasdisgusted.Bessthankedhimfortheride,sayingshehadhadalotoffun.Thenshejoinedtheothergirls,whoassistedherbacktotheirtent.

“Ithoughtyoucouldn’tstandArchie,”Georgechidedhercousin.

“Oh,he’sharmlessandhecanbefun.ButImustadmititwasabumpyrideacross thisdesert.ThoseMexicanswereactually running.Canyou imaginethatinthisheat?”

“No,”NancyandGeorgeansweredtogether.

Inashorttimelunchwasbroughtaroundtoeachtent.Theyweretoldthatthe evening meal would be served outdoors, and the whole group was togathernearthekitchen.

Whentheyassembledatdinnertime,NancyaskedWannaifshewouldtellsomeofthestoriesandlegendsshehadheardfromtheolderIndians.

“Gladto,”shereplied.

After dinner she began. “You know, until recently the Indians had no

written language outside of their pictographs and petroglyphs. So a greatmanyofthestorieswerehandeddownjustthroughthetellingofthem.

“When the tribes went to war, mixed marriages usually occurred. Theyoung people and their children adopted the customs of both tribes. So attimesonefindsacombinationofcultures.”

Nancysaid,“ThentheBasketMakerscouldhavejoinedotherpeoples,whowovemoreintricatepatternsontheirproducts.”Wannasaidthiswastrue.

“Whatwerebasketsmadeofbesidesgrass?”Nedasked.

“Yuccaandapocynumfibers.Laterthepeoplemadesandalstoprotecttheirfeetfromrocks,heat,andthethornycacti.”

Wannapausedforadrinkofwater,thenasked,“DoyouknowthestoryoftheGreatDrought?”

“No,”Bessreplied.“OnlythestoryoftheGreatFlood.”

TheIndiangirlsmiled.“Thatwasonlyfortydaysandfortynightsofrain.The drought here lasted for several years. The Indians who settled nearbywerefarmerswhogrewthousandsofbushelsofcorneachyear.However,oneyear’ssupplywouldhavetofeedawholecommunityforperhapsthreeyears.Withoutrainandwithstreamsdryingup,therewasnocrop,yearafteryear.”

“Youmeantherewasnofreshfoodforthepeople?”Bessasked.

“That’s right. Besides the loss of corn for eating, pinon nuts and berriesdriedupordidn’tdevelop.Thewildanimals,too,wereaffectedandwenttolookforfertilelands.”

“Whathappenedtothepeople?”Georgequeried.

“Somedied,I’msure,”Wannareplied.“Butapparentlymostofthemtooktheirbelongingsandtrudgedofftofindanewsettlementalongsomestream.”Wannasmiled.“Well,Iguessyou’veheardenoughlegendsabouttheancientIndians.”

“Oh,no!”Nancyexclaimed.“Pleasetellussomemore.”

“There’stimeforonlyonebeforesiesta,”theIndiangirlsaid.“Thousandsofyearsagothepeopleheredeclaredthatawhitemanhadcomedownoutofthesky,ridinginagiantgourd.Hewassomekindofagodandpromisedtoreturn again. So far he hasn’t come, but——”Wanna grinned. “Maybe themodemairplanethattravelsherehastakentheplaceoftheflyinggourd.”

Nedchuckled.“Thefirstflyingmachine!”

WhenWanna concluded her story, everyonewent to the tents to read orwrite.NancyaskedforanotherlegendabouttheancientIndians.

Wanna thought amoment, then said that turquoisebeads seemed tohavebeenpartofthedressofIndiansfromtheearliesttimes.

“IhaveanecklacethatwasgiventomebyaveryoldIndianwoman.”

Wanna opened her suitcase and pulled out a box, which contained anexquisitenecklacemadeofturquoiseandgoldbeads.

“I have had these beads carbon-dated,” she said, “and they’re probablyfive-thousandyearsold.”

Georgewhistled.“Fivethousandyearsold!”

“That’sright,”Wannacontinued.“ThisnecklacewasgiventomebyanoldIndianwomanwhosesonfellintoadeep,drywell.Whentheyfinallylearnedabouttheaccidentandpulledhimout,hehaddiedofstarvation.Butwhilehewasstillalive,heapparentlyfoundthebeadsandputthemintoapocket.

“The old woman had made the necklace herself from the beads and Iarguedwithherforwantingtopartwithanythingsoprecious.However,sheinsistedthatItakethenecklaceandwearitandkeepitwithmealways.”

All this timeNancyhadbeen thinkingandfinallysaid,“It’spossible thatthe well was at a level where the first Indians lived; in other words, theearliestofthefourcivilizations.”

“It’sanexcellentguess,”Wannareplied,smiling.

A wild idea popped into Nancy’s mind. “Why don’t we find the well,enlargeit,andgodownthereourselves?”

The young Indian woman shook her head. “I’m sorry, but now no oneknowswhereitis.Afreakstormfilleditup,andalleffortstoclearitouthavefailed,accordingtomyelderlyfriend.Nowitistotallyovergrownwithvinesandweeds.”

Wannawentontosay,“I’vehadsomewildideasaboutthatwellmyself.Ibelievethewatercamefromastreamwithaveinofgoldalongsideit.Butthewellwasabandonedyearsago,perhapsbecauseoftheboy’saccident.”

TheIndiangirlsaidthatwhileshecouldnotshowthegirlstheactualwell,shedidwantthemtoseesomethingelse.

“IbelieveIknowwhereanundergroundstreamsuppliesasmallspringthatisaboveground.

“Ithinktheundergroundstreamrunsthroughamountain,butatonetimenomountainwas there.Over thecenturies sandanddirthaveblownacrosstheareaandformedahighcoveringoverthestream.”

Nancywaseagertoseetheplace.“MaybewecanfindcluestothetreasureintheForgottenCity!”shesaid.

Allthistime,Wannahadbeendanglingthenecklaceinherhand.Nowshelaiditdownontopofhersuitcase.George,whowasseatednearher,reachedacrossandidlypickeditup.Shedecidedtotryonthenecklaceandwasabouttoclaspitaroundherneck,whenWannasnatcheditaway.

“Iwasn’tgoingtohurtit,”Georgesaid.

“It’s not that,” Wanna said more-or-less in a stage whisper. “You don’tunderstand.Nowhitewomanmusteverwearthis!Shewillbecomeviolentlyill!”

CHAPTERXIII

TelltaleWallet

QUICKLY George laid the turquoise-and-gold-beaded necklace back ontoWanna’ssuitcase.

She said, however, “I’m not the least bit superstitious. I’m sure nothingwould happen tome if Iwore the necklace, but tellme,why do you thinkso?”

The young Indian woman looked steadfastly at the girl. “I’m notsuperstitiouseitherandIhatedtobelievethestory.ButtwiceI’veletfriendsofminewearitwithnearlydisastrousresults.”

Nancyspokeup.“Whathappenedtothem?”

Wannatoldthegirls thatoneof thefriendshadbeeninabadautomobileaccidentwhilewearingthenecklace.

“The other one developed some strange blood disease, which severaldoctorscouldnotdiagnoseeventhoughtheywerespecialists.”

“Didyourfrienddie?”Bessasked.

Wannashookherhead.“Fortunately,no,butshealmostdid.SincethattimeI’vehadmorerespectforthewarninggivenmebytheoldwomanwhogavemethenecklace.ShesaidnoonebutanIndianshouldwearit.”

Georgeremarkedthatthiswaslikehavingacurseonthenecklace.“Suchbeliefsbelongtowitchcraftandthingslikethat.Sensiblepeopledon’tbelieveinallthosesignsandomensManthinksup.”

AtthatmomentArchiestuckhisheadintothetent.“Whatyou-alldoing?”heasked.

“Come in,”Wanna invited. She told the young man the story about thenecklace.

“But,”saidGeorge,“Ican’tbelieveit.”

Archie lookedatheralmostpathetically.“Mydeargirl,”hesaid,“asyou

get older you will learn that there are many unexplainable things in thisworld.

“Muchofithastodowithobjectsthatforonereasonoranothershouldnotbetouchedbycertainhumans.Inthiscaseithappenstobewhitepeople,andthatremindsmeofEgypt.Haveyoueverheardofall thewhitepeoplewhobecameillaftertheyhaddugintoKingTut’stomb?”

Besssaidno.Theothersremainedsilent.

Archie went on, “It seemed as if the boy king’s tomb was never to beopened.Butarchaeologiststhoughtotherwiseandwentinthere.Theybroughtoutallsortsofobjectsthathadbeenlaidwiththebody.Afterawhileeveryoneofthosewhitemenbecameill.

“Doctorswerepuzzled and came to the conclusion that germs can lingerundergroundforthousandsofyears.IagreewithWannathatnoneofuswhitepeopleshouldtouchthisnecklace.”

Hislistenerssaidnothing.ArchieArnow,havingdecidedhehadmadehispoint,marchedoffpompously.Nowthegirlsburstintolaughter.

“Okay,ProfessorArchie,”saidGeorge,“whatareyougoingtodowhenwedigdownamongtheIndianrelicshere?Areyougoingtotellusnottotouchthem?”

Wannanowlaughedtoo.“Youwin,”shesaid,“butjusttobesafe,supposeIputthisquestionablenecklaceawaywherenobodycantouchit.”Shehidtheancientjewelryinhersuitcase,lockedit,andkeptthekey.

ThenextmorningNancytookNedaside.“Let’saskpermissiontovisittheValleyofFire.Ican’twaittosearchforthemissingtabletsoutthere.Ihaveastronghunchthey’rehiddenamongtherocks.”

NedwaseagertogoandsaidhewouldlocateProfessorMaguireandaskhispermission.Itwasquicklygranted,andthecouplestartedoffinNancy’srentedcar.

Whentheyreachedthefantasticconglomerationofredrocks,theydroveascloseaspossibletoonesection,thenstartedtoclimb.Thecouplefollowedatrail but stopped every few minutes to exclaim over rock formations. Itbecame a game between the two to see who could find the most unusualshapes.

“Here’sonethatlookslikearockcactus,”Nedremarked.“Andsittingontopofitisabigbumblebee.”

Nancylaughed.“Youreallyhavetouseyourimaginationonthatone.”

Afewminuteslater,however,Nedgrinnedatoneshepointedout.

“Soyouthinkthatlookslikeacastleamongtherockswithamoataroundit.” He chuckled. “If I stand up there alongside it, may I be the knight inshiningarmor?”

Nancy laughedand the twowenton.Theyhadcarefully examinedeverycrevice and hole to see if one of the valuable old tablets could have beenhidden in it.They foundnoneandwenton, trudgingupanddownover theunevenpaths.

Afterawhilethecouplesatdowntorest.Nedleanedbackandindoingsohishandcame incontactwithapaper.Turning,hegentlypulled itoutofahole.

“It’sacomicbook!”heexclaimed.“Whywouldanyonestuffthisinhere?”

Nancy answered, “No one is supposed to litter this spot, so what betterplacethanthistohidesomething?”

Shehadbeensmiling.Nowshebecameserious,gotup,andpeeredintotheholeherself.Nancyhadlearnednottoputherbarehandsintosuchplacesincasetherewerepoisonousinsectsorreptilesofanykindrestingwithin.Shebeamedherflashlightinsidebutcouldseenothingalive.Asmallobjectwaslyingatthebackofthehole,however.

“I see something,” she said, reaching in. Nancy pulled out a somewhatdilapidatedwallet.Initwasasmallamountofmoneyandtwodiamondrings!Asshereplacedthem,Nancyturnedthewalletover.Onitweretwoinitials:F.J.“FleetfootJoe!”sheexclaimed.“Whatafind!”

Nedsaidhewas sure the ringshadbeenstolen.Fleetfoothadhidden thewallethereuntilhethoughtitwouldbesafetobringitoutandsellthejewels.

Nancyagreed.Forafewsecondsshesat,lostinthought.Finallyshesaid,“IfthisisoneofFleetfoot’shidingplaces,maybeoneormoreofthetabletsisburiedaroundhere.”

The twobegan a careful search.They scraped away loose sandstone andcleanedoutcrevicesandindentations.

SuddenlyNancycriedout,“IthinkI’vefoundone!”

“FleetfootJoe’sinitials!”Nancyexclaimed.

The flat object,wrapped in a cellophane bag, had beenwedged betweentworocksandcoveredwithsandstonescrapings.

Nedhurried toNancy’s side, and together theypulled theobject from itscover.Therewasnoquestionthatthiswasanotheroneofthetablets.Nancytook her magnifying glass from a pocket in her jeans and examined the

plaque.

“Hereistheidentifyingmarkinthelowerleft-handcorner,”shesaid.“Thefamiliarchuckwallasymbol.”

She handed Ned the magnifying glass. He was intrigued with thepetroglyphsonthetabletbutcouldnotdecipherthem.Hedid,however,spotthe same tiny oblong symbol in the lower right-hand corner that they hadcometobelieveindicatedthegoldentablets.

AsNancysecretedtheancientplaqueunderhersweaterandwasabouttohunt for another matching one, Ned suddenly said in a loud voice, “Run,becauseyoushouldbeintheshade.Desertsunburnsaredeadly.Anypersonbeingcaughthereisatarget.Beonwatchforsunstroke.”

Foran instantNancywaspuzzled, sinceshewasnotparticularlyhotandwaswearingabighat.Then,suddenly,assherepeatedthewordsinhermind,sherealizedthatthiswasacodedmessagetoher.

Itwassaying,“Youarebeingwatch.”

Without question she hurried along after him until he stopped. Hewhispered, “A man suddenly appeared up above us. I’m sure he wasFleetfoot!”

Nancywas aghast.Now that he knew she had the tablet, the thiefmightattackbothherandNed!Thenwhat?

“Wemustn’tlethimharmus,”shetoldNed,fearinghemightthrowalargerockdownonthem.“Andweoughttotakethistabletbacktocampasfastaswecan.”

Therewasafurtherwhisperedconversation.Nedfeltthattheyshouldnotreturntothecarthesamewaytheyhadcome.

“Butwehavetogetbacktoitinordertoescape,”Nancyremindedhim.

Nedthoughthehadtherockyareaprettywellfiguredout.“Ibelievethere’sashortcutwecantake.Itmayberough,butIthinkwe’dbettertryit.”

Thetwoscrambledoffthepath,overaseriesofjaggedrocks,andcametoanother trail. They hurried along this in what they thought was the rightdirection.

Finally Nancy said, “I have a strange feeling we’re going in the wrongdirection.”

“Thenlet’sturnaround,”Nedsuggested.

Thetwohurriedon.Thetrailended.Theylookedfarbelowthembutcouldseeno signof the car.Furthermore, they couldnot seeFleetfoot or anyoneelse.

“Ned,” said Nancy, “don’t you think we’d better keep going down?Eventuallywe’llcometothedesertfloor,andthenmaybewecanfigureouthowtogettothecar.”

“Allright,”heagreed.

Thecouplewenton,firstdown,thenup,thendownagain.Atlasttheysatdowntorest.Theycouldseenothingaroundthembutjaggedredrocks.

Not awordwas said for severalminutes,but finallyNed spoke. “Nancy,I’mafraidwe’rehopelesslylost.”

CHAPTERXIV

HiddenRiver

AFTERNedannouncedthatheandNancywerelostintheValleyofFire,thetwostoodupandlookedaround.Theyweresilentforseveralminutes.Eachwas trying to figure outwhichwaywould lead themout of thismaze, andtheybegantowalk.

Finally,Nancysaid,“IwonderifFleetfootisstillaround.Heseemedtobefamiliarwiththisplaceandprobablywouldn’tgetlost.”

“Butifhetriedtofollowustogetbackthestonetabletyou’recarrying,”Nedsaid,frowning,“hemaynotcarehowfarwego.Intheendhe’lloutwitus.”

The twowalked on. Long shadows began to creep across the landscape.ThestrandedcoupledidnotwanttospendthenightintheValleyofFire.

Nancyhadjustroundedanothercornerbetweentwohugerockformationswhenshecriedout,“Thecar!Iseeit!”

Nedlookedtoo.Thecarwasalmostdirectlybelowthembutfar,fardown.Bothhe andNancywonderedhowmuch theywouldhave to slip and slidedownthesteepinclinetoreachit.

Thetwoheldhands,dugtheirheelsintothesandyrock,andslowlywentdowninazigzagcourse.TheyknewthishadbeenthewayIndiansascendedanddescendedsteepslopes.

“Youallright?”Nedasked,asNancy’srightfootsuddenlyskiddedunderher.

Hekeptherfromfallingandshedeclaredthatthesliphadmeantnothing.At last, to their relief, theywereable to jumpdown the last fewfeet to thedesertfloor.

“Thankgoodness!”Nedmurmured.

Theyhurriedforwardto thecar.Nancywantedto lookat the tabletagainbut thought itmight not bewise. Fleetfoot could be spying on the couple,

evenwithbinoculars.

“Let’sgetbacktocampassoonaspossible,”NancysuggestedasNedtookthewheel.

“Ifyoudon’tmindthebumpsIcangooverthisflatdesertasfastasyouwant. What do you say? One-hundred or one-hundred and fifty miles anhour?”

Nancy laughed and this broke the tension. They stoppedworrying aboutFleetfootandrealizedhowluckytheyhadbeentofindthetablet.

“Onlyfivemoretogo,”Nancysaid.

Nedgroaned.“Onlyfive?”

Barely threeminutes had gone bywhen he andNancy saw the bobbinglightsofacarcomingtowardthem.

“OhIhopeit’snotthatthief!”Nancysaid,worried.

Theotherautomobilebegantoblowitshornincessantly.WasthisasignalforNancyandNedtostop?

“Don’tstop!”Nancybegged.

Nedwasdebatingwhetherornotheshouldshootpasttheothercarwhenhisownheadlightspickedupthelicenseplateoftheoncomingautomobile.

“It’soneofthecampcars!”hesaid.

NancywassureitwasarescuepartyandknewtherescuersmustbeBess,George,Burt,andDave.

“AmIgladtoseeyou’resafe!”Bessexclaimed,asthevehiclespulledupside-by-side.“Youhadusworriedsick!”

“Sorry,”Nancysaid.“Wegotlost!”

Thethreecouplessatandtalkedfromthewindowsoftheircars.

“Didyouhaveanyluck?”Georgeasked.

“I’llsay,”Nedreplied.“Nancyfoundoneofthemissingplaques.”

“Honestly?”Georgeburstout.“Hypers!You’rereallygettingaheadofthatthiefFleetfoot,Nancy.”

“Butwaituntilyouheartherestofthestory,”Nedsaid.HequicklybroughttheotherfouruptodateonwhathadhappenedintheValleyofFire.

“Someadventure!”Burtremarked.“Well,we’llfollowyoubacktocamp.”

ThepersonmostdelightedoverNancy’sfindwasWanna.Shelookedatthetablet,tryingtodecidewhatthepetroglyphsmeant.

Presentlyshesaidexcitedly,“Ibelievethesepicturesprovemytheorythatthereisanundergroundriverwithgoldnuggetsonitsshores.”

Nancysaidshecouldhardlywaittostartasearchforthestream.

Dinner that evening had been delayed because of the camp’sworry overNancyandNed.Butnoweveryonegatheredfortheoutdoorget-together.

Eachcamperwasgivenalargemetalfryingpanwithwoodenhandles,andthedelicioushotmealwasputintothis.

Afterward there was singing and guitar playing. Archie was in the frontrow,makingwise-cracksandtellingsomecornyjokes.Nancy’sgrouphadtoadmit,nevertheless,thattheyoungmanhadaverygoodsingingvoice.

“Heoughttosticktosinging,”Burtremarked,“andnottrytotelljokes.”

Whentheconcertwasover,BesssaidtoNancy,“I’mterriblyworriedaboutyourhavingthetablet.SupposeFleetfootoroneofhisbuddiescomesinhereandtakesit!”

Nedoverheardher.Heansweredthequestion.“Don’tworry.Severaloftheboysbroughtgoodwatchdogsalong.They’lltakecareofanyprowlers.”Bessfeltbetter.

Her thought made Nancy decide to produce a faithful drawing of thepetroglyphsontheplaqueshehadfound.ThensheaskedGeorgetowalkwithhertothekitchenunit.

“There’salwayssomeoneondutythere,andIthinkthey’llletmehidethistabletbehindsomeofthefood,whereitwon’tbenoticed.”

Thechef,whowasjusttidyingup,wasgladtohavehisplaceusedforthehiddentreasure.“Don’tyouworryaboutathing,Nancy,”hesaid.“I’llbelikeawatchdogaroundhere.”

Itseemedtobenomorethanafewminutesbetweenthetimethegirlssaidgood night to one another and the time the alarm went off at five in themorning.Nancy,George,Wanna, and the twoNevadagirlsyawnedbutgotoutofbed.Bessmerelyturnedover.

“BessMarvin,”saidGeorge,“you’llhavetogetup.Wehaveworkaheadofus.”

Bessmerelygrunted.“WhydoIhavetogetupsoearly?”

Georgetoldherthatifshedidnot,shewouldbeleftaloneallday.Didshewantthat?ThethoughtmadeBessclimboutofbedinstantly.

ProfessorMaguire,thestudentsfromtheUniversityofNevada,andalltheEmersonboysexceptNed,Burt,andDave,hadalreadychosenasiteatwhichto start digging.Wanna had received permission to take Nancy’s group toanother location.Bess andDaveborrowed a small sportsmodel andwouldfollowtheothers.

Nancy’s car was crowded, with five people and all their workingequipment.“Isurehopewedon’tgetaflattire!”Nedsaid.

Wannadirected theyoungmanstraightacross thedesert,whichwasonlyreasonably smooth fordriving.Thebumps set themall laughing, andmadethejourneyseemshorter.

“We stop here,” the young Indian student said a little later. “We’ll walkdownthishilltoawaterhole,whichtheIndianssayisaspringbubblingup.”

When they reached the spot,Wanna pointed outwhat appeared to be nomorethanapoolofwaterthatcameoutofthemountainandranbackintoitontheotherside.

Wannasawthe looksofdisappointmenton thefacesofherfriends.“Youexpectedmore,Iknow,”shesaid,smiling.“IbelievethatatonetimethiswasatributaryoftheMuddyRiver.Bytheway,nowit’scalledtheMoapaafterthetribeofIndiansthatlivenearby.

“Ihaven’tquitefiguredoutjustwhathappened.Perhapstherewasagreatlandslide,andtheonlyspotwherethewaterbubbledtothesurfacewasrighthere.But thatwouldn’thavebeenenoughformaybea thousandpeople.Sotheymovedout.”

Nancy asked, “Do you think the Indians needed water badly and mighthavetriedtotunnelintotheriversoitwouldn’tstoprunning?”

“It’sa fascinating idea,Nancy,”Wannareplied.“Maybesomedaywecanfindout.OnethingIdoknowisthatthewellwherethepooryoungmanlosthislifeisveryclose.”

“Let’s not stand around talking any longer,” Ned suggested. “Come on,fellows,we’llbringthetoolsdownfromthecarandseeifwecanunearththisstreamwiththehiddengoldplates.”

Asworkstartedafewminutes later,Nancyremindedtheothers that theywerenottodigfastandfuriously.

“Remember,” she said, “we are to take a shovelful at a time and put itthroughasieve.”

There was complete silence for a while. Bess sat down to work with asieve,sinceherankleachedalittle,whileDavecarriedshovelfulsofearthforhertosift.

An hour went by. Each one in the group hoped to find some ancienttreasure,butsofarnothinghadturnedup.

NancywalkedovertoBessanddroppedtothegroundbesideher.“Wouldyourathergobacktothecarandrest?”sheasked.

“No,no,”Bessreplied,“butwhatIthinkIwilldoisliebackandrelaxforawhile.”

Nancystayedthereandtookuponeshovelfulafteranotherofthesoil.Nointeresting items showed up. She kept digging deeper. In a little while theyoungsleuthreachedaverywetplace.Wasthispartofanundergroundriver?

ShecalledtoWanna,whocameover.Thegeologistwasexcited.

“Nancy,Ithinkyou’vefiguredoutthedirectionoftheundergroundstream.Apparentlyitwasn’tstraight.”

As shewas speaking,Nancydugupanother shovelfulof sandydirt.Sheputitintothesieveandbegantoshakethecontents.

“Oh,I’vecomeacrosssomething!”sheexclaimed.

Nancypickedupasmallroundobjectandcleaneditoffasbestshecouldinthemuddywater.

“It’saturquoisebead!”shecriedout.“Exactlylikethoseinyournecklace,Wanna!”

BeforeWannacouldpickupthegem,Bessscreamed.“Nancy, throwthatbeadaway!Throwitaway!That’sbadluck!”

CHAPTERXV

Gold!

ATBess’sfranticrequest,Nancylaidtheturquoisebeadontheground.NowshelookedtowardWannaandaskedherifshebelievedthelovelylittlelight-bluegemwouldharmher.

TheyoungIndiangeologistsmiled.“No,Ithinknot.Keepit.”

AsNancy slipped the turquoise intoherpocket,Bess set her lipsprimly.ShesaidnothingbutNancyknewshewasworried.

“Pleasedon’tpanic,Bess,”shesaid.“Atthefirstsignofmybecomingilloractingstrangely,youtaketheturquoiseawayfromme.”

“Idon’twantit!”Besssaidfirmly.

The others laughed and finally Bess’s dimpled cheeks broke into a grin.“Youwin,”shesaid.

The little group of young archaeologists continued towork industriouslyforsometimebeforeanythingelsewasfound.

Georgesighed.“Thisisbecomingmonotonous.IfIcouldonlyfindapieceofabowloranarrowheadorsomething,itwouldbemoreexciting.”

Wanna looked at her. “Archaeologists must develop an unbelievableamount of patience. They sometimes work for weeks before making adiscovery.”

Therewas silenceagain for some time.Suddenly itwasbrokenbyBess,whogavealoudsquealofdelight.“Here’sarealtreasure!”sheexclaimed.

Hershovelhadbroughtupasmallclaydoll,whichhadbrokenintoseveralpieces.

“You’relucky,”Daveremarked.“IfyoulikeI’llhelpyouputittogether.”

“Thanksamillion,”Besstoldhim.

Thetwocarefullyworkedonthedollasifitwereajigsawpuzzle.Finallythey figured out exactly how to put it together. Only one small piece was

missing.

“Suppose you hunt for that little piece,” said Dave, “while I go for thecement.It’supinthecar.”

While he scrambled up the hill, Bess took a sieve and carefully put theremainingdirtfromtheshovelintoit.Themissingpiecewasnotthere.

“Too bad,”Wanna remarked. Then she smiled. “Maybe it willmake theclaydolllookmoreauthentic.”

Davereturned ina littlewhilewitha tubeofstatuarycementandhalfanhourlatertheancientdollhadbeenrepaired.

Nancyhadbeenlookingon.Nowshesaid,“Sincethedollwasnotburiedverydeep,itprobablybelongstothefourth,ortop,layerofcivilizationhere—thepeoplewholivedinpithouses.”

Wannanodded. “I’m sureyou’re right.Bess, youmayhave thehonorofpresenting it to the museum. The curator and the state will certainly bethrilled.”

Besswouldhavelikedtokeepherinterestingsouvenir,butsheknewthiswasagainsttherules.Shemustturnitin.

Meanwhiletheothersearchershadbeenconcentratingondiggingstraightdown,withthehopeofeventuallyfindingtheundergroundriver.Bynowtheholewasfairlydeep.

Nancy looked at herwatch. “Time for amid-morning snack,” she calledout.

Everyonewasglad to stopwork in the terrificheat.At thatmomentNedandBurt,suspendedonropes,weredowninthehole,working.

“It’s much cooler down here,” Ned called up. “How about sendingsomethingdown?”

“No,”Nancy said. “Our instructionswere to stopwork at a certain time.Wemusteatandrestawhile.”

Reluctantly the twoboyspulled themselvesup.Everyone satdownwhileNancypassedaroundthefoodthechefhadpackedforthem.

Georgeservedthecolddrinks.Asshewalkedaround,shebeganchanting:

TimetorestandeatIn102degrees,Ohwhereisthereaplace

WhereIcanslowlyfreeze?

Theotherslaughed,andBurtsuggestedthatthenextarchaeologicaldigshewentonhadbetterbeattheNorthPole.

Allof themfound that thegroundwasgettinghotter, and theywonderedhow long they could stand it. While they were discussing this, the groupsuddenlybecameawareofalowroaringsound.

“Whatisthat?”Bessaskedquickly.Itwasevidentshewasnervous.

Thesoundgrewlouder.Then,beforeanyonehadachancetorun,ageyserofwatergushedfromtheholewheretheboyshadbeendigging!Theforceofthewater soaked the young people and knocked some of them down. Theothersscattered.

The water continued to squirt from the hole. Everyone was wet butuninjured.

Assuddenlyasithadshotup,thestreamsubsided.Notanotherdropcamefromthebighole.

“ThankgoodnessNancymadeuscometopside,”NedremarkedtoBurt.

“Yes, we’d have shot into the air like a couple of rubber clowns,” Burtreplied.

“That geyser was the strangest thing I ever saw,” George commented.“Wanna,what’stheexplanationforsuchaphenomenon?”

The geologist said there could be several explanations, but the one shefavoredwasthatthegeyserhadcomefromtheundergroundriver.Somethinghadgivenitgreatimpetus.Thestreammusthavefoundanopening,andtheforcebehindithadsentthewatershootingintotheair.

“Nowthatforceisgone,”shesaid.“It’smyguesstheriveriscontinuingtorunalongpeacefully.”

Nancywonderedifsuchageyserhadevererupteddownatthewaterhole.Perhaps thiswashowithadbeenformedin thefirstplace.Everyone in thegroupcontinuedtotalkforsometimeaboutthestrangephenomenon.

ThenGeorgeremarked,“YouknowIwassingingaboutgivingmeaplacetofreeze.Thatgeyserwaslikeicewater,butitsurefeltgood.”

In the heat not only their clothes but the terrain dried up in a very shorttime.

“I’dliketogodowntothebottomofthatholeandinvestigate,”Nedsaid.

There was a short discussion about this. Some thought it was toodangerous.Theremightbeacave-in,oranothergeysermightshootup.

Nedlaughed.“Let’stakeavote!Everybodyinfavorofmygoing,putupahand!”

BessandDavedidnotraisetheirs,buttheyweretheonlyoneswhowereopposed.Nedwastiedsecurely,andtheotherboysheldtheropetohelphimdescend slowly. George grabbed the end of it to lend extra strength ifnecessary.

Ned reported that while the sides of the hole were muddy and it grewnarrower,hecouldseethebottomwithhisstrongflashlight.

“Itlookslikewaterdownthereallright,”hesaid.

For several minutes there was no report, and the two holding the ropebegantowonderifeverythingwasallright.

FinallyBurtcalleddown,“Youokay?”

Therewasamuffledanswerof“Yes,I’mokay.Thisissomehole.”

Lessthanaminutelater,therewasatugontherope,andslowlyDaveandGeorge pulledNed to the surface.Hewas a sight, and the others began tolaugh.Nedwascoveredfromheadtofootwithmud.

He ignored the laughter and said, “Hewho laughs last laughs best. ThistimeIhavethelastlaugh.Lookhere!”

Nedheldupagoldnugget.

Noweveryonebecameexcited.Nedsaidhewassure thathehadreachedtheundergroundriver.“DiggingalongitsbanksmayrevealanancientIndianvillage—theForgottenCity.”

Nancy’seyeswereshiningwithexcitementassheadded,“Andeventuallythegoldensheets!”

Wannawashappytoo.Butshewaslessdemonstrative.

“Wemustn’tallowourselvestobedisappointedifwe’rewrong,”shesaid,“eventhoughIwanttobelievethisfairytaleasmuchasyoudo.”

Nancyadvisedthatthegroupkeepthewholematterasecret.“I’mafraidifthestoryleaksout,we’llbeoverrunwithgoldseekers!”

Theothersagreed.

Bessgiggled.“Crossmyheart!”

Atthispointthegroupbecameawareofamotor.Theyweresurprisedandlookedup.Comingdowntheslopewasabeachbuggy.

“ThatmustbeArchie,”saidNed.“Hebroughtoneofthosealong.Well,I’dbettergetdowntothatwaterholeandcleanupabitsohewon’tasktoomanyquestions.”

Nedscootedoff,andafewminuteslaterArchiearrived.Hestoppedashortdistancebeyondtheholeandjumpedout.

“Well,Imustcongratulateyouall,”hesaidpompously.“Thislookslikealotofwork.Howdidyougetsomuchdoneinashorttime?”

George spoke up. “Oh, haven’t you heard about thewizards ofEmersonandRiverHeights?”

“Nowwhatkindofanansweristhat?”Archiedemanded.“I’mpartofthisexpedition.Ihavearighttoknowwhat’sgoingon.Didyoufindanything?”

Bessdimpledandsquintedhereyesathim.Inachildishvoicesheasked,“WouldlittleArchielikeababydolltoplaywith?”

The young man was furious. “I don’t deserve such sarcasm,” he saidpettishly.“Bytheway,where’sNed?”

Burtanswered.“Oh,hehasgonetotheRomanbaths.”

ThisremarkwastoomuchforArchie.“I’mleaving,”hesaid.

Inhisangerheputhisbeachbuggyintoreversegearandshotbackward.Thecarbackedintothehole!

CHAPTERXVI

ASkeletonDance

FORTUNATELYthebeachbuggywastoowidetofallintothehole.Therearendhadgonedownbutithitthewallbeyond,andthevehiclenowhungovertherim.

AfterArchie’sfirstlookoffrightandsurprise,heshouted,“Getmeoutofhere!”

“Withpleasure,”saidGeorge,walkingupandofferinghimherhand.

Heignoreditandgotoutofthevehiclehimself,thensurveyedthebuggybitterly.

Finallyhesaidinamoreconciliatoryvoice,“Comeon,fellows.Givemeahand.Seeifwecanpushthisthingovertheedge.”

Nancysuggestedthattheytieseveralropestothefrontbumper.“Someofuscanpull,theotherspush.”

“Okay,”Archieagreed,thenstoodstill,doingnothing.

Theotherstiedtheropes,thenBurtsuggestedthatArchiegototherearandpushashardashecouldwithhim.

“Wannaandthegirlscanpullthebuggyfromthefront.”

This strategy worked, and in a few minutes the beach buggy was safeagain.

Archieclimbedinandstartedthemotor.“Itworks!”hesaid.“Thanksalot,kids.Seeyouatcamp.”

Theothersweregladhewasleavingbuttobesurehewouldnotbealoneshouldhisvehiclegetstuck,Burtofferedtogobackwithhim.

Ned returned fromhis clean-up job.Since itwas time togoback for thenoondaylunchandsiestaperiod,thediggersgathereduptheirtoolsandotherparaphernalia.Theyluggedthemuptothecar.

Whentheyreachedcamp,Wannasuggestedthatsheandthegirlsgoonto

themuseumandturnintheclaydoll.NedandDavesaidtheywouldseethemlater.

WhentheIndiangeologistandthegirlsreachedtheLostCityMuseum,thecuratorgreeted themwithabigsmile.“Ican tell fromyouroutfits thatyouhavebeenworking.Anyluck?”

Proudly,BessopenedacaseinwhichshehadbeencarryingtheclaydollshehadfoundandmendedwithDave’shelp.

Themanblinked.“Youfoundthis?”heasked.

“Yes,Idid,”Bessanswered.“Therewereseveralpieces.Wecouldn’tfindtheonethatbelongedinhere.”Shepointedout theholeinoneof thedoll’sarms.

“It was probably crushed underfoot,” the curator stated. “But it hardlyshows.”

Heacceptedthedollwiththanks,sayingthestateofNevadawouldbeveryhappytoreceivethis.

“Incidentally,” he said, “you did a great job of mending this. Veryprofessionallooking.Itisperfect.”

Bessbeamedhappily, then she said, “Wemadeagreatdiscovery. Idon’tknowwhetherNancywants to tellabout itornot.We’re trying tokeep itasecret.”

“Yes,weare,”Nancy toldhim.She laughed.“But I think it’s safe to tellyou about it.We just don’twant a lot of gold seekers coming to the placewhere we’re working. One of the boys actually found a gold nugget waydownunderground.”

“What!”

“That’s right,”Wanna spokeup. “Asyouknow I have somepet theoriesconcerning the desert. The students seem to be proving that my ideas arecorrect.”

“That’swonderful!”thecuratorsaid.“Doyouwanttodivulgeanymore?”

Nancy told him about the morning’s adventures and the finding of theturquoisebead.

“But thegreatest thingof allwas thegeyser.”As theman’s eyesopenedwiderandwiderinastonishment,shewentontodescribeit.

“This is amazing,” he said. “Why, you know,wemight even be able to

makethisvalleyfertileagain!”

At the remarkGeorgegrinned. “AndbringbackAmerican elephants andcamelsandevengiantsloths.”

“Ohstop!”Bessbegged.

TheotherslaughedandWannasaid,“Alljokingaside,ifwecouldhaveariver running through this desert, it wouldn’t take long before it became agoodplacetolive.”

Sheandthegirlssaidgood-bytothecuratoranddrovebacktocamp.Thecool quarters and hearty lunchwere a welcome change for Nancy and herfriends.

Afterward theothergroupofdiggersdisplayedsomeof their finds.Theyhaduncoveredmanyarrowheads,somestonemallets,andacylindricalstoneabouttwoinchesthickandhighlypolished.

ProfessorMaguiresaid,“Ibelievethiswasarollingpin,whichthesquawsusedtocrushcornintoflour.”

“Whataweapontouseonanenemy!”Georgeremarked.

Nancypickedupthestone.“Um,heavy,”shesaid,puttingitdownquickly.Thenshetriedrollingit.“Inancienttimesitseemstomepeoplealwaysdidthingsthehardway.”

“Theyhadtousewhatwasathand,”theprofessortoldher.

Atfouro’clockthatafternoonNancyandherfriendswerereadytostartoutagain.Theycouldhardlywait tocontinuetheirwork.Everyonehopedtherewouldbenomorevisitors.Archie,meanwhile,hadtoldthewholecampabouttheopeningwhereNancy’sgroupwasdigging.

Itwasdecidedthatthefirstthingsheandherfriendswoulddowouldbetoenlargetheholenearthelowerend.Thediggerswouldtaketurnsgoingdownontheropes,twoatatime.Forawhiletheyturneduponlypiecesofbrokenpotteryandstoneaxes.

“Thismusthavebeenalargepopulatedareaatonetime,”NedremarkedtoNancy,whowashispartner.

Theyoungsleuthdidnotreply,foratthatmomentatrowelshewasusinghitsomethingsolid.Hopingitwasavaluablepieceandnotjustarock,Nancycarefullyworkedaroundit.Sheturnedherflashlightfulluponthespot.

Thensheexclaimed,“Ned,thisisaboneofsomesort!”

“Areyousure?”heaskedashemovedhimselftoapositionalongsideher.Thetwoworkedinsilenceandasquicklyas theydared. Ina littlewhileanelbowbegantoprotrudefromthesand,soil,androckformation.

Nedwhistled.“Ahumanbone!Whatafind!”

Nancy’sheartwasthumping.Shehadneverbeenmoreexcitedinherlife.

“Iwonderhowmuchofthisskeletonishereandhowwe’reevergoingtogetitout.”

Nedadmittedthattheywouldneedhelp.Apparentlytheskeleton,ifitwasallthere,laybesidethehole.

Uptonow,thesmallamountofdirttheyhaddughadfallendownintothestreambelowandhadbeenpartially carried awayby thewater.For furtherdiggingtheyprobablywouldhavetoremoveagoodbitofearth.Shoulditbedroppeddown?

Nancysuggestedthattheytrytotraceanybonestheycouldlocatewithoutdigging.Thisworkedforafewminutes.

Nancyuncoveredahand,whichhadfallenfromthewrist.Nedgotupasfarastheskeleton’sshoulderandfoundthatatthejointitwasloosefromtheupperarm.

“Iguessthereareseveralpieces,”Nedremarked.“We’dbettergetbucketsandmorehelp.”

Nancyagreed.SheandNedpulled themselves to thesurfaceand told theotherswhattheyhadfound.

“We’dliketoseeifwecanfindthewholeskeleton,”sheadded.

Bess said she could not believe such a fantastic find. “It’s utterlymagnificent!”sheexclaimed.

Nedsaidhewouldsuggestthattheytakeanextraropedown,towhichthebucketscouldbetied.ThedirtheandNancytookoutfromaroundtheboneswouldbeputintothebucketsratherthandroppedbelow.Thebucketscouldbehauledupandtheearthdumped.

Burt said, “You don’t knowhowdeep into the side of themountain youmayhavetogo.Whydon’twetaketurnsdigging?”

“That’sagood idea,”Nancyagreed. “It’shardhanging in that rope slingand reaching in todigout thedirt around the skeleton.Theearth ispackedsolid.”

Wannaofferedtobeoneofthefirsttogodown.Shewaseagertoseehowfarabovethewatertheskeletonlay.Thismighttellherwhichcivilizationitmighthavebelongedto.SheandBurtwerethenexttwodown.

Theothers took thebucketsofdirtas theycameup,andcarefullyspreadthe contents on the ground. While waiting for each bucket, they carefullyexaminedthesandysoilformorerelics.

None were found, but Burt called out that he was coming topside andbringingpart of the skeletonwithhim.Heappearedwith an arm, though itwasinthreepieces.

Thenext timeDavewentdownandWannacameup.Georgetooka turn.Theyhadfoundtheleftleg,whichwasalsoinpieces.

Theworkcontinuedforacoupleofhoursuntilfinallyacompleteskeletonhadbeenunearthed.Itprovedtobethatofaman.Wannasaidshebelievedhewasyoungandshejudgedfromanindentationintheskullthathehadbeenkilledbyaspear.

“Ugh!”saidBess,whosecretlywasglad thatheranklewouldnotpermithertogodownintothehole.

She liked the artifacts, but abhorred the idea of finding the skeleton ofsomeonewhohadlivedlong,longago.

“Let’swirethismantogether,”Burtsuggested.“I’dliketotakehimbacktocampinonepiece.Laterthecuratorcandoabetterjob.”

Dave scootedup to the car to find theproperdrilling tools and thewire.Whenhereturned,everyoneinthegroupbecamebusyputtingtheprehistoricskeletontogether.Whenitwascomplete,Burthelditup.

“Hewasveryshort,”Bessremarked.

Wannasaid,“MostoftheIndiansinthisareawereshort.”

Burtbegantojiggletheskeletonandmakehimdance.Theotherslaughed.

Davesaid,“Ihavean idea.Tonight thewholecampis tohaveameetingaroundacampfire.Howaboutourputtingonaspookshow?”

Heoutlinedhisplan.

“We’llallstayinthebackground.Thenjustasthemeetingfinishes,we’llmake queer sounds. Burt, wrapped in a blanket, will come in, holding theskeletonandmakingitdance.”

WhenBurt agreed,Davewhispered something to him and the other boy

noddedandsmiled.

Later, at the right moment, Nancy’s group made low, moaning, cryingsounds.Everyonearoundthefirelookedstartled.ThenBurtsteppedforward,intoningweirdly.Hemade theskeletondance, thensaid inadeepvoice:“Iamfromanothercivilization.Donotdisturbmysleep!”

Thewholeaudienceburstintolaughter.

At thatmomentNancysuddenlyfeltastrongarmaroundherwaistandabig hand was clapped over her mouth. Before she could resist, the girldetectivefeltherselfbeingdraggedaway!

CHAPTERXVII

ACapture

FLAILINGherarmsandstrugglingtofreeherself,Nancytriedhardtoloosenthegripofherabductor.Presentlysherealizedthathewaspowerfulandshecouldnotfighthimphysically.Shewouldhavetooutwithim.

“Imustdosomethinganddoitquick!”shedecided.

AnideathathadworkedbeforecametoNancy.Inafewsecondsshewentabsolutely limp,as if shehad fainted. In surprisehercaptornearlydroppedtheyoungsleuthandrelaxedhisholdonher.

Therusehadworked!InstantlyNancywasfree,andshestartedtorunbacktowardtherestofhergroup.

“Help!Help!”sheyelled.

Her captor, realizinghehadbeenoutwitted, began to run.Several of theboysracedafterhim.OnelankyyouthfromEmersonCollege,whowasastartrackman, sooncaughtupwith the fleeingabductor.Hebroughthimdownwitharesoundingthud.

Withinsecondstheotherboysreachedthemandpulledthesuspectbacktocamp.Nancyandherfriendscrowdedaround.

“Fleetfoot!”criedNancy.

Themanlookedatherwithhatredinhiseyes,buthewouldnotgiveupsoeasily.

“Youcan’tholdme!”heroared.“Ihaven’tdoneanything!”

Nancygazedathimscornfully.“Whatdoyoucallabduction?It’safederaloffense.Ithinkwehadbettercallthepolice.”

Fleetfoot now took another tack.With a forced smile, he said, “Iwasn’tgoingtoharmyou,miss.Ijustwantedtotellyoutostayoutofmyterritory.”

Nancy did not comment. Instead she asked, “Where are the rest ofMrs.Wabash’sstonetablets?”

Therewasnoanswer.

“Okay,” Nancy said. “If you won’t talk, we’ll take you to the police.There’sawarrantoutforyourarrestbackinRiverHeights,andtheLasVegaspolicehavebeenalertedtofindyou.”

Fleetfootlookedsurprised.Heknewhewascorneredandsaid,“Whydon’twestrikeupalittlebargain?Ifyoupromisenottohavemearrested,I’lltellyouwheretherestofthetabletsare.”

Nancytoldhimshehadnocontroloverwhatthepolicemightdo,evenifshedidn’tturnhimin.“Soit’snousetryingtoevadethelaw,”sheadded.

Again Fleetfoot seemed to be thinking about what to say next. Toeveryone’ssurpriseheblurtedout,“Mrs.Wabashhasthetablets!”

Suddenlyavoicebehindtheminthedarknesscalledout,“Thatisnottrue!”

AyoungIndianwomansteppedforward.WannaAntler!

SheturnedtowardNancyandsaid,“AlittlewhileagoIwenttothekitchenand used the shortwave telephone to callMrs.Wabash. She said one tablethadbeenbroughttoherbyamanwhowasnotFleetfootandhadofferedtosellit.

“The price was pretty high, but she decided to buy it. Mrs. Wabashrecognizedthetablet.”

Bessexclaimed,“Sheboughtsomethingthatactuallybelongedtoher?”

Professor Maguire now stepped forward. “I think the sooner the policehavethismanincustodythesaferweallwillbe.I’llcallthematonce.”

Nancywhisperedtohim,“Fleetfootisaslickperson.Don’tyouthinkweshouldtiehimupandputaguardoverhimuntilthepolicegethere?”

Theprofessorsmiled.“Ithinkitwouldbeaverygoodidea.”

WhiletheboystiedupFleetfoot,WannatookNancy’sarmandtheywalkedofftogether.

“Ihaveasurpriseforyou,” theIndiangirlsaid.“ThetabletMrs.Wabashboughtwasthecopyyoumade!”

Nancywasamazed.“EvidentlyFleetfootandhisbuddiesdidn’trecognizeitasaforgery,”shesaid,smiling.“OtherwiseI’msureFleetfootwouldhaveblurtedoutthetruth.”

“Whatabouttherestofthetablets?”Nancyasked.

Wanna replied, “Mrs.Wabash said that the caller had promised to returnand bring them if shewould pay the high price hewanted. Knowing theirvalue,sheagreed,butsofarthemanhasn’treturned.”

“It’smyhunch,”Nancysaid,“thatthismanisabuddyofFleetfoot’s,andFleetfootisn’tgivingthemupthateasily.I’msureifhegivesthemupatall,itwillbeonlyafterhehashadcopiesordrawingsmade.He’llsellthemtoMrs.Wabashonebyone.”

Wannanoddedinagreement.BythistimesheandNancyhadreachedtheirtentandweresoonreadyforbed.

Nancywasveryhappyat the turnofevents.Notonlyhadsheuncoveredsomethingvaluableforthedig,butshehadhelpedtocaptureawantedthiefandwasonestepclosertosolvingthemysteryofthevaluablestonetablets,thegoldenplates,andthelocationoftheForgottenCity.

She consulted Wanna, Bess, and George, asking if they didn’t think itwouldbewisetogobacktotheMouse’sTankandtheValleyofFiretomakeamorethoroughsearchforthemissingtablets.

“Ido!”Georgecalledout.

“Yes,”Bessechoed,yawning.

“Countmein,”Wannaadded.

The followingmorningNancyaskedProfessorMaguire togoalongwithhergroup.Heconsentedeagerly.

Theystartedoff in twocars.Theprofessor rodewithWanna,Nancy,andNed.

He said, “Suppose you call me Don. All year long I’m addressed asprofessoranditwouldbearelieftohearmyownname.”

“Allright,Don,”theotherssaid.

WhentheyapproachedtheValleyofFirearea,Nancysaid,“Let’sstartattheMouse’sTank.WecanseparateandlookinsideandoutsideforanythingFleetfootmayhaveburied.”

Theyreachedtheplacesoearlythattherewerenotouristsatthesite.Theyexamined theground for recent digging and flashed their lights over everyinchofthecave,butfoundnothingsuspicious.

“Iguess,”saidNancy,“thatifFleetfoothadanythinghiddenhere,hetookitawayafterhesawBess,George,andme.”

They joined those in the other car, and together the eight went toinvestigatepossiblehidingplacesforthetabletsintheValleyofFire.

Nancy grinned and said to the other half of her party, “We’ve lost ourprofessortemporarily.MeetDon,everybody.”

Theyalllaughed,andtomakethechangeofnameofficial,Bess,George,Burt,andDaveshookhandswithDon.

Bessspokeup.“I’mgladyouaskedustocallyouDon,”shesaid.“Ifeelmuchmorecomfortablenow.Professorsalwaysscareme!”

Theotherslaughed,thenDonsaid,“Wheredoestheladysleuthwantustostart?”

Nancysuggestedthattheysearchinpairs.Shehandedoutawhistletoeachcouple. “Every ten minutes I suggest we blow the whistles to be sureeveryoneisallright.

“Nedand Iwill be first towhistle, thenGeorge andBurt should answer,nextBessandDave,andfinallyWannaandDon.”

Theystarteduponeof thetrails,eachsearcher lookingcarefully ineverycreviceanddepression for themissing tablets.Nothingwas found,and inafewminutesthegroupseparated,eachpairtakingadifferentroute.

Nancy’s imaginationconjuredupall sortsofossifiedprehistoric animals.ShepointedthemouttoNed,whowasamused.

“Yes,”hesaidatonepoint,“ifIconcentraterealhardIcanfigurethattheformationaheadwasonceawhitepolarbearturnedred.”

Nancyknewshewasbeingteasedandcontinuedhersearchforthestolentablets. Suddenly it occurred to her to glance at her wrist-watch. Fifteenminuteshadgoneby.

“It’s time forus to signal,” she toldNed.“Wouldyou like toblasta reallongsoundonthewhistle?”

Heputthewhistletohislips,andtheshrillsounditemittedmadeNancyputherhandsoverherears.

A few seconds later they heard a blast from another whistle. Severalseconds later there was a third. The couple listened for the fourth whistle.Theyheardnothing.

“That’s strange,” Nancy remarked. “Maybe Wanna and Don didn’tunderstand.Let’stryagain.”

Thesignalwasrepeated,butonlytwomorewhistleswereblown.Nancy’sforehead puckered. “I hope this doesn’t mean Wanna and Don ran intotrouble.”

Still,therewasnoresponsefromthemissingcouple.

“Ned, sound long, short, long on thewhistle.” Thiswas a signal for thegrouptomeet.“Weshouldgettogetherandstartahuntforthefourthcouple.”

Thiswas done, and in a fewminutesBess,Dave, Burt, andGeorge hadjoinedNedandNancy.

“What’sup?”Burtasked.

“Youdidn’thearafourthwhistle,didyou?”Nancyasked

Thetwocouplesshooktheirheads.

“ThenwemuststartahuntforWannaandDon.”

They lookedarounduntilNancy spiedDonhelpingWannaclimba steepincline.

“Areyouallright?”Nancycalleddown.“Youdidn’tansweroursignal.”

Wannareplied,“Sorry.Wedidn’thearit.Butcomedownhere.Wehaveawonderfulsurpriseforyou!”

CHAPTERXVIII

SurpriseGift

RELIEVED that the missing couple were all right, Nancy and her friendsfollowedthemdowntherockyslope.Atthefootofitwasadeeprecess.

“Hereitis,”saidWanna.Shepulledoutapackage.

Nancy’seyesglistened.“Don’ttellme—”

Wanna andDon smiled, and the young Indianwoman said, “Yes it is—anotheroneofthemissingtablets.I’msure.”

Sheunwrappedtheobject,andNancylookedatiteagerly.

“Thiscertainlylooksliketheothers,”shesaid.

Takinghermagnifyingglassfromapocket,shetraineditontheleft-andright-handcornersofthestonetablet.

“This is one of the missing pieces, all right,” she said. “Here’s thechuckwallaintheleft-handcorner,andintheright—”Shestoppedspeaking.

The otherswaited for an explanation. FinallyBess asked, “Did you findsomethingelse?”

Nancy said she had a new theory about the markings in the right-handcorner. She had wondered all along if there were some ancient way ofindicatingtheorderinwhichthetabletsshouldbeplacedtogiveacontinuousstory.

“Thismaybeawildtheory,”shesaidatlast,“butIbelievethatthemoonwasusedasawayofdiscerninghowthispuzzleworked.Sevenphasescouldhavebeenused.Thenewmoonwasnumberone.Numberfourwasprobablythefullmoonandfiveandsixthewaningmoon.”

Nancy’s friendswereused toher logicaldeductions,butWannaandDonstaredatthegirlinamazement.

“That’sveryclever,”Don remarked. “Which tabletdoyou think thisoneis?”

Nancy’sguesswasnumberthree,theonejustbeforethefullmoon.

“The mark on this part of each tablet is so faint, it’s really difficult todecidewhatitwasmeanttobe.ButthepetroglyphsthethreetabletsI’veseensofararesimilartothewaywepicturephasesofthemoon.”

Everyoneinthegroupwonderedifmoreofthetabletsmightbehiddeninthisnicheintherocks.Theyhuntedinsideitandallaroundthearea.Finallytheygaveup,surethattherewasnothingmoreinthatparticularspot.

“IwishwecouldfindMrs.Wabash’sstolendictionary,”Nancysaid.

“Whatdoyoumakeofthistablet?”Nedaskedher.

Shestudieditforaminute,thenreplied,“Possiblyit’stheonerightnexttothetabletthatwasn’tstolenfromMrs.Wabash.AsIrecall,thatonehadafullcirclepicturedonit,whichcouldmeanthefullmoon.

“Alargegroupofpeopledefinitelytrekkedintothisareaandsettledhere.Thensomethinghappenedandmanyofthemdied.Perhapsitwasawaroradroughtorsomeepidemic.”

“Buttheydidn’talldie,”Bessspokeup.

“Ithinknot,”Nancyreplied,“buttheyprobablyfledfromhere.”

She askedDonwhich of the four civilizations he thought hadmade theplaque.

“Ibelieveeverytabletwillhavetobecarbon-datedtofindoutitsage.Theonlythingcertainisthatallofthemcamefromapeculiarsandstonetypeofrockinthisarea.”

Dave noted that it was getting very hot. “And thatmeanswe should gobacktocampandcooloff.”

Besssaidshewouldbeglad togetoffherfeet.“Myanklehurtsa little,”sheadmitted.“MaybeIwon’tjoinyouthisafternoon.”

Nancynodded. “It’s agood idea.Whydon’tyou spendmostof the timelyingdownandreading?”

“IthinkIwill.”

Theyallreturnedtotheircarsandrodeoff.Whentheyreachedcamp,thesearchersfounditbuzzingwithexcitement.Manydiggershadbeenluckythatmorning,findingvariousartifacts.Nowtheyproudlydisplayedthem.

“Oh, see these beautiful shells!” Wanna remarked. “It’s unusual to find

theminthedesert.Iwonderif thesecouldhavebeenbroughtherefromthecoastbyvisitingorwarringIndians.”

Donhadadifferentidea.“Iamprettywellconvincedthatatonetimewhatisnowanundergroundriverwasaboveground.Wouldn’ttherehavebeenallsortsoflittlecreatureswithshellsinthewater?”

LikesomanyofthequestionsthathadbeenbroughtupinconnectionwiththeForgottenCitythisonealsohadtogounansweredforthepresent.

Nancy andNedhadwalkedover to oneof theNevada students.Hewasproudlydisplayinganancientpipe.Itwascylindricalinshapeandhadaholeinthemiddle.

“Not a very interestingway to smoke,”Ned remarked. He picked it up.“Thisweighsaton!”

ThestudentsaidhewonderedjusthowtheancientIndiansusedthepipe.“Iunderstand theydidn’t smoke for pleasure, just for ceremonials.When twowarringfactionsfinallydeclaredatruce,theeldersofthetribewouldgatheraroundapileofburning tobacco.Theneachmanwouldsuck thesmokeupthroughthestemofhisownpipe.”

Nancyrecalledhavingheardthat latergenerationsofIndianshadstoppedwanderingaroundashuntersandhadbecomefarmers.

“Thisgavethemmoreleisuretime,andtheydevelopedreligiouscustoms.Themen had secretmeetings down in great pits, whichwere called kivas.Smokingwaspartoftheirceremonies.”

As the campers were finishing their midday meal, someone called out,“VisitorsforNancyDrew!”

Nancywassurprised.Whocouldbecallingonher?Shehurriedoutsidethetent.OneoftheNevadagirlspointedtoacarstandingnearby.

“Theretheyare,”shesaid.

Nancywalkedover to it.Thecarwas largeandflashy.Thecouple insideweregaudilydressed,whichseemedoutofplaceinthisdesertlandscape.

“You’re Nancy Drew?” the man asked. When she nodded, he went on,“We’reMr.andMrs.HoraceGreenefromLosAngeles.We’vebeenspendingalittletimeinLasVegasand—”

His wife interrupted. “Nancy, it’s very hot out there. Please get into thebackseat,whereit’scool,sowecantalktoyou.”

Nancyclimbedin.Thecarwascool.Itmadehersneezeseveraltimes.

“Oh,I’msorry,”saidMrs.Greene.“HoraceandIdon’tmindthecold,butwepositivelycannotstandtheheat!”

Nancywonderedwhothecouplewere.Beyondthefactthattheyevidentlyhadagreatdealofmoney,shecouldnotfigureoutanythingaboutthem.

Mr.Greeneseemedinclinedtotalkabouttheheat,thelongdrive,andhisannoyancethathecouldnotplaygolf.

Finally hiswife interruptedhim. “Whydon’t you showMissDrewwhatyoucameheretotalktoherabout?”

“Ohyes,yes,”hesaid.“Well,amanwalkedintoourhotel.Hesaidhewasfrom theUniversityofNevadaMuseum.Theyhad toomanyartifacts thereandhehadbeengivenspecialpermissiontosellsomeofthem.”

Mr.Greenepaused andbegan to unwrap a box that layon the front seatbetweenthecouple.

Mrs.GreeneturnedaroundtofaceNancy.“Horacepaidahorriblybigsumofmoneyforthisthing.Butwejustfeltwecouldn’tpassitup.”

By this time her husband had the box open. He unwrapped the objectinside.Nancystaredatitinastonishment.

Anotheroneofthemissingtablets!

“Queerlooking,isn’tit?”Mr.GreeneaskedNancy.“WedroveovertotheLostCityMuseumtofindoutwhatitsaid.Thecuratortherecouldn’ttellusmuch,buthesuggestedthatwecomeouthereandfindyou.My,youlooksoyoung,MissDrew.Areyouaspecialstudentinthiskindofwork?”

Nancytookthetabletandlookedatitcarefully.Therewasnodoubtinhermindbut that thiswasoneof theoriginalcollectionofsixstolenfromMrs.Wabash.

Shelookedupandasked,“YousaythatthemanwhosoldthiswasfromtheUniversityofNevadamuseum?”

“That’swhathesaid,”Mrs.Greenereplied.“Thewayyouaskthatquestionsoundsasifyoudon’tbelieveit.”

“No,Idon’t,”Nancyreplied.“I’msorrytohavetosaythis,butyouhavepurchasedstolenproperty.ItbelongstoawomanIknow.”

“What!”Mrs.Greeneshrieked.

Herhusbandasked,“Howdoyouknowthis?”

Without going into too much detail, Nancy told the couple how shehappenedtobecomeinterestedinthecaseandactuallyhadhelpedtocapturethethief,whowasnowinjail.

“Ibelievehe’sinLasVegas.Ifyou’dlikemeto,Icanverifymystory.”

“Oh,Ibelieveyou,”Mr.Greenesaid,“butIamshockedtothinkthatIwastakeninsoeasily.”

SuddenlyMrs.Greene threw the box andpapers onto the back seatwithNancy.“Horace,don’tyouhaveanotherthingtodowiththat!We’veboughtstolenpropertylWe’reliable!”

Nancygathered thatMr.Greenewasused to takingorders fromhiswifeandthathewouldnowfollowheradvice.

Hesaid toNancy,“Youknowwho the rightfulowner is.Willyoupleasegivethistoher?Wewantnothingmoretodowithit.Pleasewrapthisupandtakeit.Wewilldriveoffatonce.”

Nancywasstunnedbytheannouncement,butshemadenoprotest.Quicklyshegotoutofthecar,takingthetablet,thebox,andthewrappingpaperwithher.Mr.Greenebackedup,turnedthecar,andspedoffacrossthedesert.

Nancy stood looking after theGreenes.What an amazingway to receivestolen propertylWhen she joined her friends and told them the story, theywereperplexed.

“You’resure,”Georgespokeup,“thatthisplaqueisoneoftheset?”

Nancylaughed.“YouthinkImighthavebeengyppedandthisisaclevercopy?Butremember,Ididn’tpayanythingforit!”

AfterlunchWannaandDonjoinedNancyandherfriendsandgazedatthetablet. Nancy pointed out that it was almost entirely covered with wildanimals,largeandsmall,allthewayfromthegiantslothtothelittlechipfox.

She turned to Ned. “I think we should return our two tablets to Mrs.Wabashimmediately.Wanttogototownwithme?Andhowaboutanyoneelse?”

BurtandGeorgedecidedtogo.“Youmayneedmyjudoprotectionincaseofaholdup,”Georgestated,grinning.

“We’llgointhedaylightsoitwon’tbesorisky,”Nancyreplied.“ButI’dlovetohaveyoualong.”

ThefoursetoffinNancy’srentedcar.TheyreachedMrs.Wabash’shousewithoutincidentatfiveo’clock.Shewasoverjoyedtoreceivethetabletsandkeptreiteratinghowamazingthewholestorywas.

“You’regoing to somuch trouble forme,” she told theyoungpeople. “Inevercouldrepayyou.”

Nancy smiled. “Let’s just say that ifwe canbe of use to our country byuncoveringthesecretsofthepast,thatwillbeagreatbigrewardforus.”

“Oh bless you!” the Indianwoman said. “I’m suremy ancestors did notwantthehistoryofthepeoplehereforgottenentirely.Itwaspureluckthatourpathscrossed,butIamveryhappyaboutit.”

“We’veboughtstolenproperty!”thewomanshrieked.

“Weallare,”Georgeassuredher.

Mrs.Wabashinsistedthattheyoungpeoplestaytodinner.Theywereverygladtoandwatchedherprepareit.Later,afterhelpingthewomantidyup,thevisitorssaidtheymustleave.

Burt suggested that theypark thecardowntownandwalkarounda little.

“I’dliketostretchandexerciseafter thatbigmeal,andbeforeourlongtripback.”

Nedleftthecarinaparkinglotandtookthekeytotheattendant.

As theywalked along themain boulevard, he said, “Maybe I should gobackandlockthecar.Iforgotto.”

“Oh, don’t bother,” Nancy told him. “There’s nothing in there worthstealingandwewon’tbegonelong.”

After covering several blocks, the group turned around and started back.Whentheyreachedthecorner,theywereheldupbyaredtrafficlight.

AninstantlaterBurtsaid,“Ireallysuspectwe’dbettergoback.Thistiredmanwantstogotothecar.Pleasewalkbehindme,George.”

Nancy and the others realized that this was a coded message, saying,“Suspectmanbehind.”

Thegroupturnedsosuddenlythattheynearlyknockedthemandown.Hebalancedhimself,thenscootedoffonthecrowdedsidewalk.

“Shallwefollowhim?”NedaskedNancy.

“Idoubt that itwoulddo anygood,” she said. “But I did recognizehim.He’soneofthetwomenwhosepictureDavesnappedthatnightinthemotelgarden.”

“Iwonderwhyhe’shere,”Georgeasked.“I’llbethe’suptosomething!”

Burtlaughed.“Ifheis,we’venippedhisideainthebud.”

The two couples reached their car and climbed in. Again Ned took thewheelwithNancyalongsidehim.

TheyhadgonelessthanablockwhensuddenlyGeorgefromtherearseatcriedout,“Nancy,there’sasnakebesideyou!”

Georgemadealungeforthereptilejustasitsfangswerereadytostrikeherfriend.

CHAPTERXIX

NancyDisappears

AsGeorgegrabbedthebackof thesnake’sheadwithonehand,sheopenedthecardoorwiththeother.

“Stop!Stop!”shecriedout.

Nedpulledupshort,andinstantlyGeorgegotout.Shehadagoodgriponthesnake,whichwaswrigglingand trying to free itself.Thesnakewasnotlargebutitwhippeditstailupoverherhand.

“Turntheflashlightonhim!”sherequested.

BythistimeBurthadclimbedoutofthecartoo.Heheldthelightonthesnake,whichseemedtobeconfusedbyitandstoppedwriggling.

“Wantmetokillit?”Burtasked.

George lookeddisdainful. “Certainlynot.This little creature isneeded inthedesert.Ifheweren’taround,theplacemightbeoverrunwithrodents.”

“Okay,ladyprofessor,”Burtreplied.“Nowtellmewhatitis.”

George admitted shewas not sure, but thought itwas a sidewinder. “I’llknowwhenIputitdown,butI’mnotgoingtodosohereintown.We’lltakeitoutinthedesertandletthepoorthingloose.”

Still grasping the reptile, she got back into the car, and once more Neddrove off. When they reached the turn to go into the desert road, Georgeaskedhimtoletheroutoncemore.

Burt trained his flashlight on the snake as George set it down on theground.Thelittlecreatureseemedstupefiedforafewseconds;thenitbegantomove.Thesnakeprogressedbyloopingitsbodyasitslitheredaway.

“It’sasidewinderallright,”Burtremarked.

Therewasadiscussionastohowthesnakehadgottenintothecar.Allfouryoungpeopleagreeditcouldnothavecrawledinsidebyitself.

“Someoneputithere,”Nancydeclared.“Butwho?”

Nedrecalledthathehadnotlockedthecar,soitwouldhavebeeneasyforanyonetoopenthedoor.

Georgesaid,“Ifsomeoneatcampwasplayingajoke,itwasameanone.DoyouthinkArchiecouldberesponsible?”

“No,”Nancyreplied.“Archie’sanuisancebutheisn’tbad.Besides,ifthesnakewasinthecarwhenweleftcamp,wewouldhaveseenitsooner.”

Burt was more inclined to think that one of their enemies had done it.“Don’t forget that man on the street. Nancy thought he was a buddy ofFleetfoot’s.”

“Andhehadplentyoftimetoputthesnakein,”Nedsaid.“Hemighthavebeenwatchingusall the timeandwas followingusbackhere,expecting towatchthefun.”

Burt remarked that some people’s idea of fun was warped. “Nancy, I’mgladyouweren’tbitten.”

Nedhadanewsuggestion.“Supposesomeonewedon’tknowplayedthistrick. The snake could have been in a torpid state and just revived in theparkinglot.”

Whenthefourfriendsreachedcamp,theyfoundArchiegivingadozenofthediggersalectureonsomethinghehadfoundthatafternoon.Itwasasmallpotterybowl,whichhehadpickedupinpiecesbuthadmendednicely.

The bowl, an attractive one, was light tan in color and had a blackswastika-likedesignon it.Archieclaimed that thishadcomefromtheveryearliestcivilizationoftheMoapaValley.

Nancy and the others joinedBess andDave.After listening for awhile,they looked at one another. All of them knew from their studies and fromwhat they had seen in the museum that this bowl was not that old andprobablyhadbeendroppedrecentlywhereArchiehadfoundit.

“Everythingaroundhereisredincolor,”Nancywhisperedtoherfriends.“LatercivilizationsofIndiansfartothesouthofushadthetanclay,butthereisnoneofitinthisarea.”

SheandherfriendsdecidednottospoilArchie’slecture.Asusualhewasbeingeloquentandpompousandhavingaverygoodtime.

Ned whispered, “I’m sure his listeners will find out the truth sooner orlater,solethimhavefun.”

Nancy and her friends walked off and she said, “Well good night

everybody.Seeyouinthemorning.Ican’twaittogetouttotheValleyofFireagaintomakeanothersearch.”

By four the next morning the searchers were on their way. When theyreached the spotwhere theyalways left their car, theywere startled to findanotherautomobilethere.Mrs.Wabashsteppedout.

“Whatawonderfulsurprise!”Nancysaid,runninguptotheIndianwoman.“Goodmorning!”

Mrs.Wabashgreetedeveryone,thensaid,“Ihavesomeveryexcitingnewsforyouthatyouwon’tbelieve!”

“Fleetfootdidn’tescape,didhe?”Burtasked.

“No,that’snotmynews.”TheIndianwomansmiled.“WhatIhavetotellyouiswhatyoucallabombshell.ThepolicefoundoutwhereFleetfoothadbeen living. In a closet in his bedroom behind his clothes, they foundmymissingpetroglyphdictionary!”

“Howwonderful!”Nancyexclaimed.“Nowwecandeciperwhat’sonthefourstonetabletswehave,andgetaconnectedstory.”

AgainMrs.Wabash smiled. “I have not told you allmy news,” she saidquietly. “Crayoned onto the walls of his closet, Fleetfoot had put marks.Whenthepolicetookmethere,IthoughtatoncetheymightindicateplaceswhereFleetfoothadhiddentherestofthetablets.”

“Doyourememberwhatthemarkswere?”Nancyasked.

Mrs.Wabashsaidshehadnottrustedhermemory.Shehadaskedthepoliceto takeaphotographof themarks.Sheopenedherpurse.“Here isacopy.”ShehandedittoNancy.

Thegirldetectivetookiteagerlyandlookedatthevariousmarks.

Suddenly she exclaimed excitedly, “I’m sure this one indicates the placewhereWannaandDonfoundoneofthetablets.”

“Whichjustaboutproves,”Georgesaid,“thattheothermarksaretherestofFleetfoot’shidingplaces.Let’sstartoursearch!”

Mrs.Wabashsaidthatshedidnotfeelequaltoclimbingaroundtherocks.“I’llwait foryouhere.With thehope thatyoufind the restof the tablets, IbroughtalongtheonesIhave.Ialsohavesomemagazinestoread.I’llbeallright.Don’tworryaboutme.”

Theyoungpeopledecidedtodividetheirforces.WannastayedwithNancy

andNed.Theother twocoupleseachchoseoneof theotherplaces tohunt.Againitwasarrangedforthemtousewhistlesatfifteen-minuteintervalstosignifythateveryonewasallright.

“Let’s change our signaling a little,” Nancy suggested. “If you’re justtellingusyou’reall right,giveonelongblast. Ifyoufinda tablet,give twoblasts.Ifyoufindtwo,useyourwhistlethreetimes.”

“Thisarithmeticistoomuchforme,”Besssaid.“Dave,yourememberit.”

The group separated and climbed to their various positions.Nancy,Ned,andWannahadgone to a rock that looked like a poodle lying down.Theyhuntedassiduouslyallaroundthestoneanimalbutfoundnothing.

Nearly twenty minutes had gone by, and Nancy felt she should startsignaling.Sheblewonelongblastonherwhistle.AfewsecondslaterGeorgeandBurtrepliedwithoneblast.Severalsecondswentby.Then,toeveryone’sdelight,theyheardthethirdwhistlegivetwolongdistinctblasts.

“That’sBessandDave!”Nancysaid.“They’vefoundatablet.”

Sheassumedthat thecouplewouldreturntoMrs.Wabash’scar.BurtandGeorgeandherowngroupwouldcontinuetosearch.

Wanna sighed. “Maybe there’s more than one poodle around here,” shesaid.

Withthisthoughtinmind,thethreesearchersspreadoutalittleandbeganhuntingforanotherrockformationthatresembledthepoodle.Noneofthemfoundoneandtheywerepuzzled.

Nancy sat down on a somewhat flat rock to think. “What does a poodleresemble?”sheaskedherself.

Wanna and Ned came to the girl’s side, and she asked them the samequestion.Whileeachofthemwastryingtoformapictureinhismind,Nancyrealized that itwas time forher toblow thewhistleagain.Shegavea loudblastonit,thenwaited.

The answering signal soon came. To her delight there were two shrillresponses.

“George and Burt have found a tablet!” she announced. “Fleetfoot’sdirectionswereperfect!”

Wanna andNed looked at her and he said, “Sowe get the booby prize.What’sthematterwithus?”

In a flash the answer came toNancy. “Apoodle thathasn’tbeenclippedcouldlooklikeababymountainlambthathasnohornsyet.”

“You’reright!”Nedexclaimed.“Andthere’sonelookingrightatme.”

He climbed to a stone figure that had one paw lifted. Under it was thetablet!

NancyandWannaquicklyjoinedhimandexaminedthestoneplaque.

“It’soneofthemallright!”theyoungIndianstudentsaidgleefully.

Nancycheckeditwithhermagnifyingglass.“Yes,”sheagreed,“andhereisanotherphaseofthemoonpictured.”

“I’m glad the hunt is over,” Ned said. “I’m tired of hunting for wildanimalsthataren’treal.”

The three successful searchers hurried down toMrs.Wabash’s car, Nedwavingtheplaqueintheair.

“Youfoundthelastone!”thewomanexclaimed.“Howwonderful!”

Nancy’s friendswere already there and had handed over the tablets theyhadfound.

Tears formed in the Indian woman’s eyes. “I can’t believe it!” sheexclaimed.“Ohyoudear,dearpeople!”

Ned,whodisliked tears, said, “Let’s try to arrange these stones in order,Mrs.Wabash.Withthehelpofyourdictionarywe’llseeifwecanpieceoutthefullstoryaboutyourancestorsandtheForgottenCity.”

Everyonehelped.WiththeaidofNancy’smagnifyingglass,theywereabletoaccomplishthisbyputtingthetabletscontainingthephasesofthemooninthecorrectorder.

Mrs.Wabashlookedatthefiguresandkeptconsultingherpaper,figuringouttheprobabletranslationofthepetroglyphs.

Afterawhile sheheaveda sigh.“Acompleteanalysisof this isgoing totakesometime,”shesaid.“AsIseeitnow,onemancenturiesagopicturedtheworldofhisday.ItincludedlifealongtheMuddyRiverandthefindingofgold.Hehadgatheredmanynuggetsandfashionedaseriesofgoldplates.Anenemytribecame,sohehidthem.

“Unfortunately I can’t see that he told where they were,” Mrs. Wabashremarked.“Italsosaysherethathehadmadeothermatchingtabletsonwhichfuturegenerationsweretowritetheirhistory.”

“Onethingthatpuzzlesme,”saidNancy,“iswhyyoucall thesedifferenttribesyourancestors,Mrs.Wabash.”

TheIndianwomansaidshefiguredthatwheneveraconqueringtribetookover, therewas intermarriage and part of her family had remained near thesiteoftheForgottenCity.

“Iwonderwhatitsrealnameis,”shemused.

Since itwas becoming hot,Mrs.Wabash said she thought shewould gohome.TheyoungpeoplefeltthattheIndianwomanshouldnottravelwithoutanescort.Nancysuggestedthattheyallgotothecamp.Fromtheretheboyswouldfollowherhome.

“You’reverykind,”Mrs.Wabashsaid.“Iwillacceptyouroffer,sinceIwillbecarryingsuchapreciousloadinmycar.”

Assoonasthegirlswereleftatthecamp,NancysoughtoutDon.Hehadjustreturnedfromhisdig.Shetoldhimoftheirunusualgoodfortuneduringthemorning’sexpedition.

“Magnificent!” he said. “When the story becomes known, what a buzztherewillbeinthescientificworld!”

ItwashardforNancytorelaxduringthehottesthoursoftheday.Havingsolvedpartofthemystery,shewaseagertogoonafurtherhuntfortheplatesofgold.Atfouro’clockhergroupwasreadytostartoutagain.

Whentheyreachedthedeepholethatleddowntothewater,shesaid,“ThistimeI’dliketogodown.”

“Okay,buttakeiteasy,”Nedwarned.

AnunderarmslingwasputoverNancyandtheropeslowered.

“Don’tstaylong,”saidBess,whowasfearfulaboutNancy’sgoingatall.

When the young sleuth reached the bottom, she spotted an object in thewallof thewatery tunneloppositeher.Wonderingwhat itwas, she tried toreachacross.Thiswasimpossible.

“IguesstheonlywayIcangetthereistoletmyselfoutofthisslingandreachover,”shetoldherself,andslippedfromtheropes.

Nancywasinthemidstofwadingacross,whentherewasarushofwaterthroughthetunneltowardher.Itknockedthegirlover,andthecurrentsweptheralongintothefoamingtunnel.

Nancyneverpanicked,butnowsheknewshewasinserioustrouble.Ifthe

tunnelremainedaswideasitwas,shemightbecarriedoutsideandbeabletosaveherself.

“But if the passageway gets too narrow to carry me through—” shethought.Nancyclosedhereyesandprayed.

CHAPTERXX

AFagotofTreasure

ATthetopside,NedandtheotherswaitedforNancytotugtherope.Nothinghappened.Tenmoreminuteswentbyandstilltherewasnosignal.

FinallyNedcalleddown,“Areyouready,Nancy?”

Therewasnoanswer.

“Are you sure she can hear you?” George asked, alarm showing on herface.

Nedgotdownonhisknees,leanedoverthehole,andshoutedatthetopofhislungs.

“Nancy!Nancy!”

Theonlyreplywasthehollowechoofhisownvoice.

“OhIknowsomethingdreadfulhashappenedtoher!”Besswailed.“Whatarewegoingtodo?”

Nedwasgrim.He tugged the ropeand realized therewasnothingon theendofit.

“She’snotthere!”heannounced.

Hoping Nancy had gone adventuring and sent up a note to explain, hepulleduptheropequickly.Nonotewasattached.Bythistimeeveryonewasfrantic,andBesswascrying.

Ned tried to remain calm but was tense. “Nancy got out of this slingdeliberately,” he stated. “I’m going down there to find her! If I have anyinformation,I’llsendupanote.”

He fastened himself into the harness, and the others let the rope down.Whenhereachedthebottom,Nedlookedupanddownthetunnel.Nancywasnowhereinsight.

“Nancy!Nancy!”hecalled.

He repeated her name over and over. There was no sound except therushingwater.

“Imustgoafterher,”hethought,determined.

Nedwondered,however,whichwaytogo.Hedecidedthattherewaslittlelikelihoodthatshehadbattledagainstthestream.

“Shemusthavegonedownstream,”hedecided.

Beforegettingoutof the sling,Nedpulledanotebookandpencil fromapocketandwroteamessagetothewatchersabove.Itsaid:

Nancynothere.Doesnotanswer.Goingdownstreamtotrytofindher.Suggesttwoofyougotowaterholeanddigtunnelincaseshe’sstuck.

Nedtookoff theharness,attachedthenotetoit,thentuggedontherope.Quicklyitwaspulledupandthenoteread.

“We’llfollowinstructions,”Burtcalleddown.“GeorgeandIwillgoovertothewaterhole.Theotherscanstayhereincaseyousendupmorenotes.”Theylettheropedownagain.

George and Burt grabbed picks and shovels and raced off. When theyreachedthespring,thetwostarteddiggingfuriouslytoenlargethehole.Soonalargerflowofwaterwascomingintothewaterhole.

MeanwhileNancyhadbeen swept along the tunnel.Shehadmanaged tokeepher flashlightonandkept looking foraplacewhereshecouldstoporfind something shecouldcling to.At first she foundnothing, andwenton.Thetunnelcurvedandwassonarrowattimesthatshehadtoduckunderthewatertoavoidbeinghit.

“Imustn’tdrown!”shekepttellingherself.

Presently the tunnel widened and the roof sloped upward again. Herflashlight revealed a large square niche on one side. It was slightly abovewaterlevel,andtheyoungdetectivemanagedtodragherselfupintoit.Toherdelightandrelief,theopeningwashighenoughsoshecouldstandupstraight.

“Thankgoodness!”shemurmured.

Insteadofwonderinghowshewasgoing togetback,Nancybeamedherflashlightaroundtheopening.

“Whatarethese?”

At the back of the openingwas a smaller niche,which formed a sort ofshelf.

“Something’slyingonit!”Nancythought,excited.

Acoupleofstepsbroughthertothespot.Onitlayabundlemadeoftightlywoventwigs.Nancyliftedthefagot.Itwassmall,butveryheavy.

Justasthegirldetectivewasspeculatingbreathlesslyonwhetherornotthefagotcontainedthemissingplatesofgold,Nedswamuptoher.

“Nancy! Nancy! How relieved I am to see you!” he exclaimed, pullinghimselfoutofthewaterandstandingbesideher.“Areyouallright?Whydidyoucomeherealone?”

Shetoldhimwhathadhappened,andhefrowned.“Arushofwater!Thatcouldhappenagain.We’dbettergetoutofhere!”

“Not yet, Ned,” she pleaded as she looked at her friend fondly. “I’mterribly glad you came. I think perhaps I’ve made a great discovery.” Shepointed to the bundle on the shelf. “This may be the lost treasure of theForgottenCity!”

Ned’smindwasstillonthedangertheywerein.“Treasureornotreasure,doyourealizewhatcanhappentousifthewaterrises?”

Nancyrealizedthathehadriskedhis life tosaveher.“You’reright,Ned,but justgivemehalf aminute. Idowant to take thatbundlewithus.Thenwe’llgetbacksomehow.”

NedtoldherthatGeorgeandBurtwereprobablyworkingfranticallyatthespotwhere theundergroundrivercameout through thebottomof thewaterhole,whichwasrathershallow.

“Listen!”hesaidtensely.“Doyouhearasoundlikedigging?”

Nancy’sfacelitup.“Icertainlydo.Anditdoesn’tseemfaraway.”

Hand-in-hand the couple waited expectantly. Presently they could hearvoices.

“We’resaved!”Nancysaid.“Yourideawasaninspiration,Ned.”

WithinminutestherewasabreakthroughandtheholewaslargeenoughforNancyandNedtoswimtotheirfriends.

“Let’sgo!”hesaideagerly.

“Canyoupossiblytakethispackage?”Nancyasked,handingittohim.

Nedliftedthefagottohisshouldersandheldittherewithonehand.NowheandNancyletthemselvesbackintothewater,andheswamwithonehand.

Secondslater,thecoupleweresweptouttothewaterhole.

“Thankgoodnessyoutwoareallright!”Georgecriedout.

Burt,mudspatteredbutgrinningsaid,“Whatanexperience!”

“Iconfess,”saidNancy,“thatforawhileIwasscared.Thankyou.Thankyouamillion.”

Burtasked,“Ned,what’sinthatfagotonyourshoulder?”

“We don’t know yet,” Nancy answered. “But I’m wishing it’s the losttreasureoftheForgottenCity.”

“Youmeanthegoldplates?”Georgeaskedskeptically.

Nancy nodded. “I’m hopingmy guess is right, and thatwewon’t all befooled.”

AtthismomentWannajoinedthegroup.

“Nancy,”shesaid,“weweredreadfullyworriedaboutyouandNed.I’msohappytoseeyou’resafe.Telluswhathappened.Andhowdidyougethere?”

Nancypointedtotheirescaperoute.

Wannasurveyedthe largeopeningof theundergroundriverandcriedoutwithjoy.“Mytheoryhasbeenproved!”

The others nodded. Ned smiled. “This should get you an extra collegedegree!”

Wannasmiled.“ButIshallhavetogiveallthecredittoNancyDrew.”

“No,indeed,”Nancyobjected.“Everyoneinourspecialgrouphadahandinthiswholeexcitingadventure.”

Wanna said shewould summonBess andDave to join them.Sheblewaloud blast on her whistle. Within minutes the other couple arrived. BesshuggedNancyandcriedalittle.

“It’ssowonderfultoseeyoualiveandokay!”shesaid.

Burt explained about the opening through which the underground riverflowed.Hesaidthisnodoubtwouldhelpspeedthecurator’sdreamthatthiswouldbecomealushareainthedesert.“OncemoreitcanbeagreatfarmingspotfortheIndians.”

“Let’sopen thebundle!”Nedsuggested.“Iwant to findoutwhether thatgoldentreasureisreallyinit.”

Unwinding the interlaced twigs was a tedious job. The whole group ofyoung archaeologists realized that even the covering was valuable forhistoricalpurposes.

“Thiswascertainlyingeniouslywoven,”Georgeremarked.

“And it’samazing,”Wannaadded,“that it is insuchgoodshape. It’smyguess that these twigs came from bushes by the Muddy River and thedampnessinsidethetunnelwaslikefoodforthem.”

Finallytheoutercoveringcameoffinonepiece.Underneathwereseverallayersofbark.Thesewerecarefullyremoved.

Whenthecontentsofthebundlewerefinallyrevealed,everyonestaredinamazement. There were four oblong plates of gold. They were in perfectconditionandallwerecoveredwithfine-linedsymbols.Hadtheybeendonewithastoneorsomesharp-pointedinstrument?Theanswerwouldtakealotofstudy.

“Thestoryofthegoldentreasureistrue!”Bessburstout.“AndNancyandNedriskedtheirlivestofindit!”

At camp that night, Nancy found a fewminutes to be alone. The usualfeelingofemptinesscameoverherwhenevershehadsolvedamystery.Shelongedforanother,thatcameasTheSkyPhantom.

People at the camp had been hurriedly summoned by telephone. Mrs.Wabashdroveout.Thecurator,hiswife,andtheirdaughterweretherealongwithseveralStatePolicetoguardthevaluablefind.Nowthewholestorywastoldtothegroupofyoungarchaeologists.

ProfessorDonMaguiregotuptospeak.“Everyoneonthisdighasmadeavaluable contribution to science,” he said, “but I think we should have arousingcheerforNancyDrew.Herdiscoveryisinvaluable!”

Nancyblushedattheapplauseandcallsthatfilledthedesertair.