Crossed Trails in MexicoMexican Mystery Stories #3
"Oh, gosh!" Jo Ann ejaculated disgustedly when she realized Peggy had not meant the mystery man but the tall youth with whom she had exchanged smiles the other time she had promenaded.

She was still more discouraged and disgusted after a whole evening of strolling around the Plaza with no sign of the mystery man.

"I'm afraid this trip's going to be a complete flop, after all," she remarked to Peggy. "I might as well have gone to the hotel when Miss Prudence and Carlitos did."

"Miss Prudence was an angel to let us stay so long, wasn't she?" Peggy smiled.

Jo Ann nodded indifferently. Peggy might be thrilled over exchanging smiles with a handsome Mexican boy, but not she.

The next morning, as soon as they left the hotel to finish their shopping, Jo Ann began to search for the mystery man again, but in vain.

"The last thing we'll do is to go to the market," Miss Prudence announced on leaving the department store a little later.

"Let's go to the big market near the center of the city," Florence suggested. "You can buy every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable there."

"The mystery man wouldn't be doing any marketing," Jo Ann thought wearily. "It'll be no use to look for him there."

All at once a sudden thought struck her. If he should have any inkling about the smugglers hiding the dope or gold, or whatever stuff it was, in jars and vases, he might stay around the pottery booths where the pottery could be bought so cheaply. She brightened visibly at this idea.

As soon as they reached the market, she left the others with Miss Prudence in front of one of the vegetable stands and wandered back to where she had remembered seeing the pottery booth. Eagerly her eyes roved here, there, and all around the booths near by. That broad-shouldered man standing----She caught her breath. It was the mystery man!

"He's alive! He's alive!" rang through her mind; then the words, "Now's my chance to talk to him."

All at once it occurred to her that it would be an embarrassing situation all around if Miss Prudence should appear while she was talking to this stranger. "Before I say a word to him, I'll slip back to tell Florence to keep Miss Prudence and Carlitos away from the pottery booth for a 
 Prev. P 54/101 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact