The Jungle Pyramid Read Online Free PDF Page A

Orlov,” he introduced himself. “Perhaps you would care to have me describe our Scythian gold.”
    Chet waved a hand. “That won’t be necessary,” he declared. “I’m a pro when it comes to gold.”
    Frank nudged Joe. He concealed his mouth with his hand and whispered, “Chet’s up to his old tricks, telling the experts he knows more about their subject than they do.”
    Joe grinned. “Let’s see if he gets away with it this time.”
    Orlov gave Chet a dubious look. “I do not doubt you, my friend,” the Russian said, “but surely—”
    â€œI’m an adept in golden artifacts,” Chet told him. “And I’ve got a diploma to prove it.”
    â€œI have never heard of such a title,” Orlov said coolly. “But please go inside.” His black ring reflected rays of light as he gestured toward the first room of the exhibition.
    The boys entered, noticing a sign with the words ANIMAL CHAMBER. Large locked cases held gleaming gold figures of horses, dogs, bulls, deer, mountain goats, tigers, and many other species.
    â€œThose Scythians were big on animals,” Chet observed. “They made gold representations of everything that moved.”
    The Bayporters walked through the display, marveling at the high quality of the Scythian art. They stopped before a huge vase ornamented in gold with the figure of a tiger leaping toward the horns of a defiant bull.
    â€œSiberian tiger,” Chet identified the big cat.
    The next case contained nothing but replicas of horses, large and small, reclining and standing, jumping and galloping.
    â€œDon’t tell me, Chet,” Joe said. “Let me guess. The Scythians rode a lot.”
    â€œRight. They were terrific riders.”
    A small figurine in the lower left-hand corner caught their interest. It was a golden horse, rearing on its hind legs. The animal was perfectly modeled with uplifted head and tossing mane.
    â€œI’d like to own that one,” Joe remarked. “I’ll bet Mother would put it on the mantel in our living room.”
    Frank grinned. “Aunt Gertrude would surely keep it polished,” he added.
    While they sauntered around the Animal Chamber another visitor came in and looked at the display with intense interest. He was a middle-aged man with gray hair, dressed in a pin-striped suit. Under his right arm he clutched a leather briefcase, his hand tightly grasping the handle as if he were afraid somebody might snatch it from him.
    As the stranger stepped back to get a better view of the figurine of the rearing horse, he bumped into Joe. The briefcase fell to the floor. The man instantly reached down and picked it up.
    â€œExcuse me,” he apologized in a high-pitched voice tinged with a slight Spanish accent. “I did not see you.”
    â€œNo harm done,” Joe said cheerfully.
    The boys went into the next room, the Ornament Chamber. Every case gleamed with rows of Scythian rings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, brooches, earrings, buckles, and other items of personal adornment.
    In an authoritarian voice Chet told his friends about the dress of the ancient tribe. “The Scythian girls went in for gold in a big way,” he said, “and the men, too. Everybody wore—”
    He was interrupted by a frenzied shout from the Animal Chamber. “Stop, thief!”
    Alarmed, the boys hurried out into the hallway. At the far end they saw the stranger with the briefcase and the Spanish accent push through the revolving door. A guard dashed from the Animal Chamber and ran after him. The three Bayporters joined the chase.
    When they reached the street, however, the fugitive had already hailed a taxi and was speeding away in the traffic.
    â€œWhat luck!” Frank fumed. “And there isn’t another cab in sight.”
    â€œMr. Orlov will be furious,” the guard said, his voice trembling with fear. “But I noticed it