“I sure wouldn’t be surprised!” Bud snapped, dabbing his cheek with a handkerchief. “Maybe our helpful friend here can tell us!” He clenched his fists angrily and started toward Hutchcraft.
“Take it easy, pal!” Tom said, stopping him. “We have enough trouble already.”
“Thanks to Hutchcraft!” Bud stormed. “If you ask me, he knew this would happen!”
The Bostonian looked pale and somewhat frightened by the havoc he had caused. But before he could answer Bud’s charges, Tom intervened.
“We’ll talk about that later,” the young scientist 95
96 ELECTRONIC RETROSCOPE
said firmly. “Right now, it’s more important to help these people who have been hurt I”
Jack Murray and Chow were sent to bring first-aid kits from the vehicles.
Meanwhile, Tom and Ahau Quetzal did their best to calm the excited Mayas.
Fortunately, the only injuries were minor cuts and bruises. As Tom applied antiseptic and bandages, the superstitious victims began to calm down.
When the situation was finally under control, Tom turned back to Hutchcraft.
“Where did that stone come from?” he demanded.
“It wasn’t really a carved stone,” Hutchcraft admitted sheepishly. “I found it in your truck, and thought I’d play a trick on you.”
“Fine trick!” Bud growled. “I suppose if someone had lost an eye, you’d be laughing your head off!”
“I didn’t know the thing would explode!” Hutchcraft said sulkily. “I only wanted to get even for Chow’s nasty attack on me last night. I thought I could fool you fellows into believing your machine wouldn’t work. Just a harmless prank, that’s all.”
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