"
"But they know anyhow, for they have the map,"
commented Ned, puzzled by his chum's words.
"Maybe not," said Tom slowly. "I think this
is a time for a big bluff. It may work and it
may not. Beecher's crowd either has the map or
they have not. If they have it they will lose
no time in trying to find the right place to start
digging and then they'll begin excavating.
"Very good! If they do that we have a right
to dig near the same place. But if they have not
the map, which is possible, and if we start to dig
where the professor's memory tells him is the
right spot, we'll only give them the tip, and they'll
dig there also."
"I'm sure they have the map," the professor said.
"But I believe your plan is a good one, Tom."
"Just what do you propose doing?" asked Ned.
"Fooling 'em!" exclaimed Tom quickly. "We'll
dig in some place remote from the spot where the
mountain casts its shadow. They will think, if
they haven't the map, that we are proceeding by
it, and they'll dig, too. When they find nothing,
as will also happen to us, they may go away.
"If, on the other hand, they have the map, and
see us digging at a spot not indicated on it, they
will be puzzled, knowing we must have some idea
of where the buried city lies. They will think
the map is at fault, perhaps, and not make use of
it. Then we can get it back."
"Bless my hatband!" cried Mr. Damon.
"I believe you're right, Tom.
We'll dig in the wrong place to fool 'em.
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