"Men no work tunnel?" she inquired.
"No, they've all skipped out--vamoosed. Afraid of some
spirit."
The woman looked around, as though in fear. Then she
approached Tom closely and whispered:
"No spirit in tunnel--bad man!"
"What!" cried Tom, almost jumping off his stool. "What do
you mean, Masni?"
"Me tell mighty hunter," she went on, lowering her voice
still more. "My man he no want to tell, he 'fraid, but I
tell. Mighty hunter save Vashni," and she looked toward the
baby. "Me help friends of mighty hunter. Bad man in tunnel--
no spirit!
"Men go. Spirit no take um--bad man take um."
"Where are they now?" asked Tom. "Jove, if I could find
them the secret would be solved!"
The woman looked fearfully around the hut and then
whispered:
"You come--me show!"
"Bless my toothbrush!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is going to
happen, Tom Swift?"
"I don't know," was the answer, "but something sure is in
the wind. I guess I shot better than I knew when I killed
that condor."
Chapter XX
Despair
Calling to a girl of about thirteen years to look after
her baby, Masni slipped along up a rough mountain trail,
motioning to Tom, Mr. Damon and Koku to follow. Or rather,
the woman gave the sign to Tom, ignoring the others, who,
naturally, would not be left behind. Masni seemed to have
eyes for no one but the young inventor, and the manner in
which she looked at him showed the deep gratitude she felt
toward him for having saved her baby from the great condor.
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