And yet I can't understand
how they could have come here without our
seeing them," and the professor shook his head
in puzzled despair.
A more detailed search did not reveal the missing
map, and Mr. Damon and his friend the
scientist were on the point of departing for the
camp of their rivals, less than a mile away, when
Tom had what really amounted to an inspiration.
"Look here, Professor!" he cried. "Can you
remember any of the details of your map--say,
for instance, where we ought to begin excavating
to get at the wonders of the underground city?"
"Well, Tom, I did intend to compare my map
with the configuration of the country about here.
There is a certain mountain which serves as a
landmark and a guide for a starting point. I
think that is it over there," and the scientist
pointed to a distant snow-capped peak.
The party had left the low and marshy land
of the true jungle, and were among the foothills,
though all about them was dense forest and
underbush, which, in reality, was as much a jungle
as the lower plains, but was less wet.
"The point where I believe we should start
to dig," said the professor, "is near the spot
where the top of the mountain casts a shadow
when the sun is one hour high. At least that is
the direction given in the old manuscripts. So,
though we can do little without the map, we
might make a start by digging there."
"No, not there!" exclaimed Tom.
"Why not?"
"Because we don't want to let Beecher's crowd
know that we are on the track of the idol of gold.
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