The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-17
Chapter 32 THE THREAT
"EASY, Greene old man," eau
 toned Frank

"LAsY. Greene old man," eau. toned Frank.
 "Pd like to write his obituary" snarled the mild MT. Greene. Adkins voice spoke, flat with fl. nality. "She dies with the others!"
 Greene was breathing rapidly He turned to Frank. T didn't get all that. What did he say?"
 Ortega had spoken to them in English. Frank did not believe that .he high-priest understood the lan- guage. Yet he must have understood the substance of what Don Raoul had told them because his threat against Janice had tied in with their discussion.
 He muttered to Greene, "Pll tell you later. Ortega, listen to me :: You're white man. This native here is mad. You can see it in his eyes. You got her into this-never mind us-get Janice out of this, or by God, if it's the last thing 1 do I'll get you. Get you, hear me! I know a way!"
 Ortega smiled uncertainty. "The girl will be all right" he said in English. "Ahkin is bluffing."
 Again the priest spoke in level tones. She has eaten, with these men, the food of the Gods. She has sinned. Yum Chac will not accept her alive as bride; he will take her dead as food"
 Ortega's face paled slightly. "No," he said. "We did not agree upon that"
 Grahame muttered in English, The man is mad. tell you!"
 The highpriest's glance exam Lied Ortega coldly.
 "Senor Ortega," he said softly in his slurring Spanish. Has it oc- cured to you that your usefulness in this matter is ended? In fact, l am wondering about your future worth to us."
 What do you mean?" Don Raoui moistened his lips.
 Yesterday a runner from Merida told me that the revolution has end ed, unnecessarily. There is a re- ward offered by the new Governor for your capture.
 'I do not care for the money offered" he continued contemptu- ously. "but it seems that your serv- ices have no value to us now" An xin's voice became brittle. Take care, man. Cama-zotz is a thirsty God, and your heart would be as ac- ceptable as those of these others"
 Ortega stepped back into the shadows. As the group filed out of the doorway. his big figure seemed queerly shrunken.
 Greene mopped his forehead.
 "W h e W !" he exclaimed. I'm wringing wet. I wonder if I've got lever. Between that big slob Ortega making me hot, and that wicked looking priest giving me the chills. l shouldn't wonder. What all went on? didn't get half of il"
 Frank considered. He wondered If he should tell Janice's press-agent all the implications. The little fel- low had proved his courage. He was a little ashamed of his former an. noyance with him in Hollywood.
 Hollywood! how remote 1t seemed. He decided to explain the situation to Greene in every aspect. Two heads were needed to pool every scrap of information that might be of possible value to them h their extremity.
 While Greene was excitable, the chance of his flying off the handle must be taken. He said in as light 3 tone as he could muster:
 "Got your notebook, Greene? This is the hottest stuff you've ever heard"
 Greene sighed. "I wish had it 1t that, only" He studied the bars of the window. "-Myberg srobably wouldn't let me use it If could"
 Despite himself Frank smiled slightly. The little press agents ob- session labeled him an artist.
 He spoke to Greene primarily to Inform him of the circumstances and also to piece together and clar. lfy the bits of information that were swarming in his own mind.
 Were in bad spot. Greene" he began. "Pm amazed at just about everything I've seen and heard. The people on the coast call these in- terior Indians sublevados. Uncon- Quered fellows.
 "Dut they've always been report ed as friendly. ignorant lot so long as they were let alone. Occasional ly they drift to the coast with blocks of chicle chewing gum - and