Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/151

Rh treated me in the same way. So I let them give what explanation they liked, and worked on my own. I speak Quichua like a native now, señor. I also learned Aimara, which is their sacred language in the Guzco and round Titicaca…. That's where they are making for now; some hidden temple, where their priests have been working since the days of the conquest."

Uncle Francis looked at his companion suspiciously. Were they all engaged in a huge practical joke at his expense? This Chief of Police was singularly calm under the circumstances; off-handed, almost gay.

"We are sure to catch them, are we not?"

"Of a surety, señor. Dios mio, be content! We will catch them…. How can they possibly escape? We are on their heels; if they stick to the mountains, they run into our troops; if they go down into the costa, every corregidor (mayor) is at my orders."

There was a moment's silence, and he went on:—

"Will you not put on that cloak at your saddle-bow, señor? The nights are chilly, and we are nearing the cordilleras…. The only road, you see. They must have passed here. At dawn, we shall be able to see their trail distinctly.… If only those crazy people who dashed on ahead do not make fools of themselves.