Quickly, he boosted Willie to the top of the sturdy stone barrier. The latter then helped Jack and War, who in turn, pulled Ken to the safety of the ledge.
Just as a group of villagers came pounding up the path, they leaped lightly down into the enclosed garden.
At a table beside an under-nourished, stunted tree sat Father Francisco. The missionary calmly was sipping a cup of tea. He seemed more amused than annoyed by the unexpected intrusion.
“Excuse us, Father,” Jack apologized, brushing dust from his uniform. “We were a little pressed for time or we would have used the door.”
“A mob is after us!” War burst out. “We don’t know why, but the whole village is ready to tear us apart. Hear ’em yell? Any minute, they’ll try to break in here!”
“I think not,” smiled the missionary. “You are quite safe within these walls.”
Summoning his servant, he ordered the woman to bar the mission door. “And bring four cups and a fresh pot of tea,” he added.
The Explorers sat down and tried to relax. As casual as if he were utterly unaware of the shouting crowd on the other side of the wall, Father Francisco told the boys that Mr. Livingston had left the mission only a half hour earlier.
“I tried to dissuade him from starting in search of Burton Monahan and the lost city,” he informed the group. “His mind is made up. So I have agreed to give him what assistance I can. All arrangements have been made for you to leave on the morrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Willie repeated. “Say, that’s great!”
“We’ve worn out our welcome in this village, that’s sure,” Jack added ruefully. “I wonder what stirred everyone against us?”
“Drink your tea,” the missionary urged, “and I will seek the answer.”
Moving painfully with the aid of a cane, Father Francisco went through the patio and thence to the front entranceway where the mob had gathered. When he rejoined the Scouts fifteen minutes later, his face was grave.
“This is more serious than I thought,” he reported. “Lolita has turned the villagers against you.”
“We suspected she was at the bottom of it,” Ken nodded. “What’s it all about?”
“Lolita has convinced the villagers that your expedition is for the sole purpose of obtaining sacred Inca treasure from the ancient temples.”