e stony pass was followed to the lower level, and the young
adventurers had drawn fairly near the first buildings ere encountering a
living being; and then ample time was given them for meeting the danger.

A low-voiced call sounded upon the night air, and Ixtli responded in
much the same tone. Bruno, of course, was utterly in the dark as to
what was being said, but he still held perfect faith in his copper-hued
guide, and left all to the son of Aztotl.

The Aztec brave appeared to be explaining his unusually protracted
absence, for he proudly displayed the great grizzly pelt, then exhibited
the spear-head from which protruded the tooth-marked wood.

Like one who was already familiar with the details, Bruno slowly lounged
forward a pace or two, then in silence awaited the pleasure of his
companion on that night jaunt.

Ixtli was not many minutes in shaking off the Indian, and, almost
staggering beneath his shaggy burden, moved away as though in haste to
rejoin his family circle.

Fortunately for the venture, the Aztecans appeared to believe in the
maxim of going to bed early, for there were very few individuals astir
at that hour, young though the evening still was. And by the clear
moonlight which fell athwart the valley, it was no difficult task to
catch sight before being seen, where eyes so busy as those of the two
young men were concerned.

Only once were they forced to make a brief detour in order to escape
meeting another redskin, and then a guarded whisper from the lips of
the Aztec warned Bruno that they were almost at the teocalli wherein the
Children of the Sun made their home and abiding-place.

Leaving the grizzly pelt at a corner, for the time being, Ixtli led his
white friend up and into the Temple of the Sun, pressing a hand by way
of added caution.

Although he had declared that an armed guard was kept night and day over
the Sun Children, and that he hoped to pass Bruno as well as himself
without any serious difficulty, since he had long been a favoured
visitor, and ever welcomed by Victo and Glady, the temple was seemingly
without such protection upon the present occasion.

Ixtli expressed great surprise when this fact became evident, and he
showed uneasiness as to the welfare of his beloved patroness and kindly
teacher.

Surely something evil was impending! His father, Aztotl, was chieftain
of the guards, and wholly devoted to the Sun Children, ready at all
times to risk life in their beha