A Merritt

The Face in the Abyss A Merritt

NICHOLAS GRAYDON ran into Starrett in Quito. Rather, Starrett sought him out there. Graydon had often heard of the big West Coast adventurer, but their trails had never crossed. It was with lively curiosity that he opened his door to his visitor. Starrett came to the point at once. Graydon had heard the legend of the treasure train bringing to Pizarro the ransom of the Inca Atahualpa? And that its leaders, learning of the murder of their monarch by the butcher-boy Conquistador, had turned aside and hidden the treasure somewhere in the Andean wilderness?Graydon had heard it, hundreds of times; had even considered hunting for it He said so. Starrett nodded."I know where it is," he said. Graydon laughed. In the end Starrett convinced him; convinced him, at least, that he had something worth looking into. Graydon rather liked the big man.