hroats of every one we see," Rick said wearily. "Or
maybe if an Ifugao has no palate he wears a sign to say so."

Tony Briotti rose. "That message makes no sense, either. And I make no
sense to myself. It's late. Come on to bed. Maybe everything will clear
up in the morning."

"Go to bed or go nuts," Rick added. "The choice is easy. But let's bar
the windows. Just to keep the night air out."

"Amen," Scotty said. "I think I'll break out my rifle and keep it by the
bed. Just in case some of that dangerous night air gets in."

CHAPTER V

Manotok the Mighty

At breakfast the next morning Rick and Scotty were subjected to an
amused scrutiny by Tony. He ticked off the items on his fingers.

"Rick has a slight mouse under one eye, and his left arm seems a little
stiff. I noticed that he sat down gingerly, and that there is a very
pronounced bruise on the side of his jaw. Hands would indicate that he
has been playing with a rather rough cat, except that I happen to know
he was scrambling around in some cadena de amor.

"Scotty is also wearing a mouse under one eye, perhaps a little more
prominent than Rick's. And he has a long scratch behind the left ear,
obviously caused by some sharp instrument."

The archaeologist grinned. "If you do that to each other, what would you
do to an enemy?"

The boys grinned back. "Can't tell you until we catch an enemy," Rick
replied. "Actually, most of my terrible wounds came from falling down."

"Same here," Scotty agreed. "And that sharp instrument you mentioned was
the edge of a tin can."

Tony spooned succulent orange-colored papaya melon with appreciation.
"Have either of you figured out what our Ifugao friend--let's assume
that he was an Ifugao--wanted in my room last night?"

"The only answer I can think of is the obvious one," Rick answered. "He
probably thought we have a map or something showing the location of the
golden skull. He wanted it."

"I accept the hypothesis only because I haven't a better one," Tony
said. "How about you, Scotty?"

Scotty shrugged. "Can't buy it. But on the other hand, I don't have any
theory. Wish Sherlock Holmes were here."

"We could use him," Briotti admitted. "Well, what's the program for
today?"

"Off to Baguio," Rick replied. "But first, we'll have to rent or buy a
truck. The plane can't carry us plus our gear, and we'll need the truck
to take our stuff into the mountains. Scotty and I can do that. What are
your plans?"