s slow travelling, the burro had to be brought back to
the trail many times with prods from a heavy stick that the Indian had
given the old man.

After a mile they left the creek and followed a smaller stream that had
no visible trail. They clambered over slippery rocks for another mile
and still another and then the Indian brought him out to a broad shelf
of rock. And there hidden by the hills, was the extensive ruins of the
ancient town.

"The village!" said Mapia with a sweep of his hand.

The professor could only stare. He had no words to express his joy.
Wall after wall of adobe ruins had withstood the weather in this
sheltered spot. And from these walls he could picture the village as
it had once been.

Mapia interrupted his thoughts. "Be careful! The Old Chief's daughter
walks!"

"Are you afraid of the ghost, Mapia?" the professor asked him, looking
steadily into his eyes.

"No, I don't believe! But bad men believe and that is good."

The professor laughed. Years seemed to have dropped from him. He felt
like a boy.

Mapia was talking. "The Old Chief, he's buried there--or maybe over
there. Who knows? It is not good to disturb the bones of the dead!"
he added in a warning voice.

CHAPTER XX

"_COMPLIMENTS OF KIE WICKS_"

The last week in the hills was a busy one for The Merriweather Girls
and their friends.

Professor Gillette worked from early morning until late at night. The
few excavations he made proved beyond doubt that he had found the
ancient village that so many men had tried to locate.

His job was secure. And with his share of the treasure he would be
able to realize his hopes in regard to the invalid daughter. There was
no happier man in the world these days than the old professor.

His time was spent in making a careful map of the village. The ruins
were photographed from every angle by Shirley Williams. Everyone had a
hand in helping their old friend in the realization of his undertaking.

Bet was quiet. Something seemed to be troubling here these days.

"What is it, Bet?" asked Colonel Baxter one morning after his daughter
had been following him around for an hour, with a question in her eyes.

"There is just one thing I want to do more than I anything else in all
the world," she answered.

"Speak, child!" smiled the Colonel indulgently. "What is it that your
heart desires?" he added playfully.

"Let me fly back with you to New York! I've never been