The Stone Idol by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

in a single large room with neither table nor chairs. Stone figures with misshapen features were displayed on shelves along the walls, and a number of hideous masks hung from strings attached to the ceiling.
    A block of black, volcanic stone rose three feet from the floor under one window. On it lay a long stone knife. A primitive fishing spear leaned at an angle against the block.
    There was a musty smell in the room because, despite Easter Island’s warm temperature, all the windows were closed and locked.
    Frank thought to himself, the governor said this guy was a wizard. Weirdo’s more like it!
    Aloud he said, “A man named Julio Santana has the idol we’re looking for. Do you know him?”
    Iko Hiva stroked his chin. “I know him. He used to be an important man on the island, a defender of our gods and our traditions. He left to find work elsewhere. But I have communicated with him recently.”
    The Hardys stared at him. “You’ve corresponded with him?” Frank asked.
    Iko Hiva shook his head. “I spoke to him in spirit. ”
    The boys felt disappointed, but said nothing.
    â€œDo you know the Scandinavian collector who brought the idol from Easter Island?” Joe asked.
    â€œI do not. But so many collectors come to our island that it is possible I failed to notice him. He did not come to me. What is your interest in him?”
    â€œHe sold the idol to South American Antiquities, who commissioned us to find it after Santana stole it,” Frank said.
    Iko Hiva looked thoughtful. “We have many stone idols. Describe the one you are looking for, and perhaps I can help you.”
    â€œWe can do better than that,” Frank replied and took the photograph from his pocket, handing it to Iko Hiva. The wizard frowned as he gazed at the face with the circular eyes, broad nose, and long ears.
    â€œThis is the guardian of the sacred cave!” he cried.
    â€œIs that important?” Joe queried.
    â€œOf course it is! The guardian was on the altar of the sacred cave for centuries. It disappeared but a short while ago!”
    â€œMaybe an Easter Islander sold it to the Scandinavian collector,” Frank suggested.
    â€œNever! No one would touch it!”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œThe aku-aku would take revenge on him!”

16 Guardian of the Sacred Cave
    A strange feeling came over the Hardys as Iko Hiva spoke. A tingling sensation ran up and down Frank’s spine, and the hair rose on the back of Joe’s neck.
    â€œThe aku-aku protects the guardian of the sacred cave,” the man shouted. “None of our people would have taken the idol. It must have been stolen from the altar by an outsider. No one has any right to it. Do you intend to keep it from us?”
    â€œNo, we don‘t,” Frank assured him hastily. “If what you say is true, we’ll see the idol stays on Easter Island. But if the sculpture was legally sold by someone in authority, we have to return it to South American Antiquities.”
    â€œAll we want right now,” Joe put in, “is to find the idol. Since you want to find it too, why can’t we work together?”
    Iko Hiva calmed down. “I will tell you what I will do. I will take you to the sacred cave and you can see for yourselves the altar where the idol used to stand. ”
    The wizard led the boys out the back door to a corral where three horses were grazing. A number of saddles hung on the fence.
    â€œCan you boys ride?” he asked.
    â€œSure. We ride a lot at home in Bayport,” Joe replied.
    â€œWell, then, saddle up and we will go.”
    When the mounts were ready, the old man set out at a quick canter, followed by Frank and Joe. The ride took them about two miles to the coast and then south along a steep cliff where they passed an extinct volcano with stone ruins near the summit.
    â€œThat is Mount Rano Kao,” said Iko Hiva. “The ruins are those of Orongo, the place