Mystery of the Desert Giant Read Online Free Page B

heat.”
    â€œBecause of Willard Grafton,” Frank reminded him. “He may be in danger.”
    After unlocking the plane, the boys waited for air to circulate in the cabin, which was as hot as an oven. A few minutes later the trim blue craft rose smoothly from the runway. Dipping one wing, Frank banked in a circle over the airport, then headed north for the desert giants.
    The boys enjoyed the scene beneath them. The Colorado River, as blue as the sky itself, was lined with beautiful yellow-leaved tamarisk trees. On the Arizona side were the brown, rugged bad-lands, but the California side was a rich patchwork of growing crops. Each field was a different shade of green.
    â€œSay, I thought this was desert country,” Chet marveled.
    â€œIt was,” Frank answered. “You’re looking at the result of irrigation in this spot. See the little ditch lines? No better soil anywhere. All it needs is water.”
    Farther on, they spotted the desert effigies and Frank dropped down for a landing not far from the knoll on which they had seen the lone giant.
    â€œAssuming this is where Grafton landed,” Joe mused as they piled out of the plane, “what would he have done next?”
    â€œHe’d probably have climbed up onto that knoll to look around,” Frank suggested. “Come on!”
    Eagerly the young detectives scrambled to the top of the steep bank to hunt for clues.
    â€œLet’s just stand here a moment and get our bearings,” Joe suggested when they had reached the top.
    From where the boys stood, the area ahead of them was a dry, pebble-covered expanse and nothing more, with the exception of a small bush here and there. Not far from them, however, they noticed a wide dirt path.
    â€œLooks as if somebody took a broom and swept a walk among the pebbles,” Chet remarked.
    â€œBelieve it or not, that’s one of the giant’s legs,” Joe said.
    Frank looked thoughtful. “I’m wondering,” he said, “if these knolls aren’t man-made. The ancient Indians could have built them and then drawn the effigies on top.”
    â€œYou may be right, Frank,” Joe replied. “It’s a good theory. And the position of the giant may have meant something.”
    The boys tramped around the knoll, gazing in every direction. “Look,” said Joe, desperately seeking a clue, “if Grafton stood here, what would have caught his attention?”
    Suddenly Frank, who stood near the left hand of the giant, gazing down at the desert, cried out, “There’s something glinting out there!”
    â€œWhat is it—a mineral?” Joe asked.
    â€œLet’s find out!” Frank urged, starting down the embankment.
    Joe and Chet, following close behind, saw Frank reach the desert floor, then suddenly skid to a halt and leap backward.
    â€œLook out!” he shouted warningly.

CHAPTER IV
    A Warning
    A HUGE angry lizard, nearly two feet long, had raised its head and was advancing slowly toward Frank. The reptile’s forked purple tongue darted menacingly from its mouth.
    Frank danced back out of reach and waved his companions to a halt. “Nearly stepped on it,” he said, as the lizard, hissing sharply, came on. The thick, dark-purplish body was blotched with bright yellow and covered with warts.
    â€œWow!” Chet’s eyes popped. “What is it—a baby crocodile?”
    â€œGila monster,” returned Frank, still watching the lizard closely. “Stay back. They’re slow as turtles in a race, but I wouldn’t get near those fangs. Their bite is poisonous.” At this news Chet jumped backward an extra yard.
    Finally the monster stopped its advance and stood regarding the boys out of cold, ugly eyes.
    â€œTrying to scare us.” Joe chuckled.
    â€œHe’s succeeding,” declared Chet. “Let’s get out of here!”
    Frank and Joe looked at each other, their eyes