Read Online The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon - Free Book Online

Frank and Joe were eating large pieces of cherry pie on the porch. “Go right through,” Joe told their friends. “Aunt Gertrude is ready for you.”
    Chet, Biff, and Tony went to the kitchen and reappeared with slices of pie. Tony sat down in a rocking chair, Biff perched on the porch railing, and Chet reclined in a hammock, balancing the loaded plate on his belt buckle.
    â€œOkay,” Tony said, “let’s have it.”
    â€œIt had better be good,” Biff warned.
    â€œThe cherry pie suits me,” Chet countered. “But I know what the Hardys are up to.”
    â€œWhat?” Biff demanded.
    â€œGold!”
    â€œChet’s right,” Frank revealed. He briefly told them the story of the Wakefield and Scythian gold. “We are working on both cases,” he concluded.
    â€œNext stop—Mexico City,” Joe added. “How about you guys joining the expedition, all expenses paid?”
    â€œWow!” Chet exclaimed, and the other two were equally enthusiastic.
    â€œIt might be dangerous,” Frank warned.
    â€œWe’ll outsmart our enemies,” Tony vowed.
    Chet levered the last piece of pie from his plate into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed with a blissful expression. Then he put out a hand and pushed on the railing, causing the hammock to sway back and forth.
    â€œYou fellows can have the crooks,” he declared. “I’ll stick to archaeology. The Aztecs lived in Mexico City, and had tons of gold. I’d love to see their ancient masks.”
    Frank shook his head. “You may not have a chance, Chet. Our assignments are the Wakefield gold and the horse figurine Orlov wants back.”
    Chet gave in. “Well, as long as I get to see somebody’s gold. Aztec or Russian, it’s all the same difference.”
    The others laughed. They were used to their stout friend making jokes when danger lay ahead.
    The five spent the rest of the evening planning their expedition. The next morning they drove to the airport and caught a flight to Mexico City. Upon landing, Frank proposed that the group split up and see if they could find the plane from Wakefield.
    Chet was to check with the tower, Biff and Tony were to talk to the pilots, and the Hardys would question the mechanics.
    Chet went to the tower and discussed the mystery plane with the dispatcher.
    â€œMexican airlines have many craft marked ‘Mexico City,’ ” the man pointed out.
    â€œThis is a private plane,” Chet replied. “It flew down from the U.S.A. about a week ago.”
    The dispatcher checked. “I have no record of the one you describe,” he said.
    Meanwhile, Biff and Tony had been circulating through the offices of the airlines, questioning pilots. None could tell them anything about an aircraft marked “Mexico City.”
    Frank and Joe had better luck. The fifth mechanic they interviewed had serviced a private plane with that marking. Its pilot was a young man.
    â€œI heard him mention Palango,” the mechanic said.
    â€œPalango?” Joe asked. “What does that mean?”
    â€œI think it’s an archaeological term. Better ask Professor Carlos Alvarez at the university. He can tell you all about archaeological digs around here.”
    â€œThanks for the info,” Frank said.
    He and Joe held a conference near one of the runways. Planes took off and landed, taxiing up to the terminal. Crews removed baggage as lines of passengers alighted.
    â€œIt’s sure noisy here,” Joe said.
    They walked to a hangar servicing private planes. A small aircraft stood near them on the runway, ready for takeoff. They could see the pilot checking his instruments.
    While they were talking, Chet joined them. Biff and Tony came up at the same time.
    â€œNo luck,” Chet reported.
    â€œWe drew a blank, too,” Biff said.
    Frank told them not to worry. “We got a clue from one of the mechanics.”
    â€œThe plane