Dr. Benevides was beside himself with delight. “This is the most amazing and valuable find of the century!” he said.
Everyone began to talk at once. Did these priceless objects and drawings belong to the Ponces or to the Peruvian government?
Carla’s father said firmly, “No matter whom they belong to, I think they should be shared with the world. These drawings, in particular, should be kept in a fireproof museum.”
“I can assure you,” said Dr. Benevides, “that is exactly what the government will want.”
“Poor Aguilar!” said Bess. “He must have known he was dying and would never get home again. That would explain why he carved the plaque for his family.”
“I think you’re right,” Nancy replied. She gazed out over the desert, trying to imagine the long-ago events. “Maybe after he and the Indian had buried the treasure, they made camp here. Aguilar’s strength was gone, but he managed to carve the plaque before he died.”
Señor Ponce agreed. “And he put the message in code so that if robbers attacked the Indian, they could not learn about the treasure.”
“Probably,” Carla added. “Since the Indian did not speak Spanish, he could not explain anything to the family. He could only leave the plaque with them.”
“How pleased Aguilar would be,” Señora Ponce said softly, “to know that his message has been deciphered at last!”
When the excitement died down, Nancy began to feel rather pensive—a feeling she always had when a mystery was completely solved. She was hoping that another challenging case would come along soon. And it did, when Nancy had the opportunity to solve The Spider Sapphire Mystery.
“One thing we are forgetting,” Carla spoke up, “is that if it had not been for Nancy Drew, this treasure probably never would have come to light.” She turned to her new friend and hugged her. “You are the most wonderful girl in the world. Nancy, you have actually solved a three. hundred-year-old mystery!”
As Nancy blushed at the praise, the men shook her hand, but Señora Ponce and the girls embraced her.
“I didn’t do it alone,” she said. “A lot of credit goes to my very special friends.”
Bess smiled, then began to examine the drawing of Machu Picchu. A minute later she put one finger on a certain spot. “Nancy,” she said, “this is where you almost lost your life.”
George looked disapprovingly at her cousin. “For Pete’s sake, Bess, why can’t you think of something cheerful?”
“Like what?”
“Like—like every time I see a monkey with a spiraling tail, I’ll think of Nancy and her mystery in Peru!”
The Clue in the Crossword Cipher Page 12
