The three controlled their features with commendable gravity, and, indeed, acted as if in fear of Mr. Hampton. Michac paused in astonishment. The soldiers betrayed mingled alarm and curiosity. As for the jailer, he moaned and cowered against the wall. The boys had all they could do to keep from laughing. Then Mr. Hampton made an especially fierce gesture toward Pedro.

"Hocus pocus, abracadabra, pluck out thine eye," he commanded, in Spanish.

Pedro grimaced as if in pain, brushed his hand across his right eye and brought it away with the gla.s.s eyeball in his fingers. He held it out to Mr. Hampton.

The jailer, whose curiosity got the better of prudence, had withdrawn his hands from his eyes. Now he emitted another piercing shriek and once more cowered down, too stricken to move. The soldiers pushed back against each other, making little sounds of fear. Michac held his ground, but he became pale.

"Pull out thy teeth and palate," commanded Mr. Hampton, ferociously, making a pa.s.s with his hands before Carlos.

Out came the false teeth, with the palate of red gum, looking like the roof of his mouth. He opened his mouth wide, exposing the toothless gums.

It was too much for the jailer. He had had enough. He turned and dashed wildly through the group of soldiers, and down the corridor.

"After him, after him, he'll turn the fortress topsy turvy," cried the quick-witted Jack.

Frank, who was nearest the door, was off like a shot. n.o.body attempted to halt him. And he was fortunate enough to come upon the jailer within a few yards, for the latter in his blind haste had stumbled and fallen.

The soldiers were on the verge of panic. Michac, too, was shaken, but held his ground, either out of a fascinated curiosity to see what would occur next, or else in the feeling that he must set an example to his men.

"Now, take this knife and scalp thyself," Mr. Hampton commanded Don Ernesto, extending his pocket knife.

The latter screwed up his face as if in agony, ran the knife blade seemingly around his head, then with a tug lifted off his toupee, revealing his hairless dome.

It was too much. The soldiers fell over each other trying to get away.

There were shrieks and cries, as they darted off with tossing torches.

"Quick," cried Mr. Hampton, seizing Michac's arm urgently. "Command them to return. 'Tis but a trick."

But Michac, although he had resolutely held his ground and refused to flee, was helpless. He was so stupefied that he could not move. He could not even speak. He opened his mouth, but no sound came forth.

"Well, I guess they won't do any harm," said Mr. Hampton. "Let them go.

Jack, get this chap a drink of water from the table."

Michac accepted the cup gratefully, and put it to his lips, but his hand shook so badly that he spilled most of the contents.

"There, you will feel better," said Mr. Hampton. "Now, Senor permit me to explain."

Leading Michac to a couch, he explained as simply as he could how modern surgical science made false teeth and eyes possible, while the toupee was the outgrowth of a demand of fashion. Then he bade the others restore their original appearance, and they complied. In conclusion, Mr.

Hampton explained Frank's idea that they proceed to the Incarial Council, demand Prince Huaca's release on pain of incurring the white man's vengeance, and then proceed to demonstrate their "magic."

"Do you consider it would succeed?" he asked.

Michac, a young man of intelligence and sense, grasped Mr. Hampton's explanation quickly, and his fear disappeared. He smiled broadly and delightedly.

"Succeed, Senor? You will make Cinto and his priests die of envy. No such miracles can they perform."

"Yes, but think you we can obtain Prince Huaca's release?"

"Nay, I cannot say. They will be frightened, yes. Was not I? And I am a man not easily scared. Yet Prince Huaca is bitterly hated by Cinto and the Council. Not willingly will they give him up. I will be frank with you. I would like the attempt made. Yet if you fail, it is death. Have you no other magic greater than these?"

They looked at each other nonplussed. Suddenly Jack's face brightened.

"The radio outfit, Dad. Surely we can do something with that."

Mr. Hampton nodded quickly,

"Good, Jack, good. There must be a way to use it effectively."

Michac, who had not understood the rapid interchange of remarks, looked inquiringly at Mr. Hampton.

"Will you come with us to the battlement, Senor?" Mr. Hampton said, slowly, in Spanish. "Prince Huaca knows of further and greater magic, and left sentries on guard there last night over it."

"I heard a strange tale from those men," said Michac. "For, yes, I found them there upon my inspection of the fortress during the night.

Willingly will I accompany you."

Jack interposed.

"But first, Dad, perhaps Michac ought to round up his escort and prevent them from demoralizing the fortress troops with wild tales of what occurred here."

"Right," said Mr. Hampton, and turning to the young n.o.bleman, he communicated Jack's suggestion. The other nodded.

"Await me."

When he had left, the boys began to laugh over their recent experience, but Mr. Hampton and Don Ernesto were thoughtful. They looked at each other understanding and spoke together, low-voiced. Then Mr. Hampton turned to the lads.

"We're afraid it can't be done," he said. "It was good fun, and all that. But the chances of failure are too great to warrant us in imperiling our lives. It is true, we might go to the Inca as a delegation under a flag of truce, but we have no guarantee its sanct.i.ty would be regarded."

"Oh, Dad, everybody regards the sanct.i.ty of a flag of truce."

Jack's tone was disappointed.

But Mr. Hampton shook his head.

"I'm afraid the risk is too great."

"Look here, Dad, I've got an idea. You know my ring radio set? I've got it with me. We can take that along with us to the audience. Then we'll tell the Inca that the white man's G.o.d wants to speak to him, clap the ring on his finger, adjust the headphone for him, and, from our station on top of the fortress, order him to release Prince Huaca and punish the conspirators against him. Now don't say it can't be done, Dad, for it can, and you know it can. We've got plenty of wire, and can run up all the aerial necessary in a trice, stand the Inca on one of those gold flagstones in his palace and give him what he asks for."

Mr. Hampton laughed.

"Not so bad, Jack, but----"

"Besides, Mr. Hampton," interposed Frank, "remember we have our pistols--and automatics are something these people aren't accustomed to.

That is another marvel."

"But we couldn't take those along under a flag of truce."

"Why not?" asked Don Ernesto. "They would know nothing about them. The weapons could be tucked away out of sight. And, although to carry them would seem a breach of faith, yet if we would save Prince Huaca, the end justifies the means, it seems to me."