Mystery of the Desert Giant Read Online Free PDF Page A

twinkling.
    â€œChet,” Frank said, “you go back. Joe and I will find out what that glittering thing is.”
    Nervously the chunky boy considered the expanse of desert between him and the blue airplane. No telling how many Gila monsters he might meet!
    â€œAlone?” he asked blankly.
    â€œSure. Go on. Wait for us at the plane.”
    Wistfully, Chet considered the distance again. “No,” he protested in a forced hearty voice, “your folks would never forgive me if I let you down.”
    The Gila monster disappeared under a bush and the three boys started forward again. Ahead of them the unknown object flashed in the sunlight. After walking for some time, they did not appear to be much closer. All three boys were wearing moccasins, and the heat from the broiling sand made their feet uncomfortably warm.
    â€œSay, do you think that thing is moving away from us?” Chet complained. He took out a gaudy handkerchief and began to mop his face.
    â€œIt’s tied to the tail of a Gila monster!” Joe teased, and Frank added, “Out here you can see twenty miles instead of two or three miles as we can at home.”
    As the boys finally approached the mysterious glittering object, they saw that it was a twelve-inch, round, metallic rock which caught and reflected the sun’s rays.
    Joe rushed forward to investigate. He found the big rock studded with lovely solid-colored stones. Some were dark red, others a rich brown, a few deep green. Nature had placed these stones in the rock like jewels.
    â€œThat’s beautiful, Joe,” said Frank, as he came up. “What is it? Some kind of quartz?”
    Back in Bayport, Joe Hardy had an extensive collection of rocks and stones. Now he carefully examined their find.
    â€œJasper, I’d say. Very fine specimens, too.”
    As slow-moving Chet joined them, he said, “Say, that stuff looks valuable. Are they precious stones?”
    â€œWell, they’re not exactly diamonds.” Joe laughed. “But they are valuable, and no mistake.”
    After a quick search the boys concluded that there were no similar rocks nearby.
    â€œThat’s strange. Where did this one come from? It doesn’t look as if it belonged here,” Joe mused.
    Meanwhile, Frank had been examining the ground nearby. “You know,” he announced, “this rock might have had something to do with Grafton’s disappearance.”
    â€œHow?” Chet asked.
    â€œThere may be other valuable stones containing jasper around here. Maybe Grafton and Wetherby spotted some from the air and landed to pick them up.”
    Chet nodded. “After they had gathered them, some thugs stole the stones and got rid of Grafton and Wetherby.” The boy looked around him uneasily.
    â€œThat could be,” Joe agreed. “But somehow I don’t think so. However, they may be prisoners.”
    â€œWell, fellows, this sun isn’t growing any cooler while we stand here. I vote we head back to the plane and take this rock along with us,” Frank suggested.
    He hoisted the big stone to his shoulder, and the three started back. Now it was their blue plane that appeared to be much closer than it really was. Again they walked for some time without seeming to make progress.
    â€œI’ll take a turn,” Joe offered.
    The heavy burden was shifted to his shoulder, and they went on. Finally, his face wet with perspiration, he called, “Your turn, Chet. Get a soft spot ready on your shoulder!”
    With sighs and groans, the valuable rock was transferred to the beefy shoulder of Chet Morton.
    â€œWhy did we bring this old thing!” he grumbled. “How do we know it’s valuable?” he demanded two minutes later.
    For answer, Joe simply winked at his brother.
    â€œThis stone weighs twelve tons,” protested the burdened boy. “Isn’t my turn up yet? It’s driving me into the ground!” Chet declared a dozen