Frank bent down and kissed his wife and children and then left the house. But just as he was going down the steps the mail carrier handed him a letter. Thus it was superscribed: ‪“TO FRANK READE JR., READESTOWN, U. S. A.” Frank glanced at the foreign postmark and then broke the seal and read: “DEAR FRIEND FRANK—I have been thinking of you of late and so feel constrained to write you. Moreover, I have a big scheme in which I want to interest you. While at Campeachy I fell in with a native trader from Valladolid. I was fortunate enough to do him a service and gain his friendship, and as a reward he accorded me a most astonishing tale and secret. “He told me of his travels in the interior through jungle and swamp and forest. Also of the deadly animals and reptiles, the poisonous insects, and all the great dangers and pitfalls of the traveler in those latitudes. “But more than this, he told me a wonderful story of a ruined city far up in the inaccessible table-lands of Tanada. “No doubt you are familiar with the accounts of the ancient cities of Palonque and others. Well, I imagine that this ruined city, Mazendla he called it, is one of the same sort. “But Metlo, which is the name of my informant, described a vast temple in which he said there was vast treasures of gold, silver and jewels. But ever since discovered this temple has been a perfect nest of gigantic anacondas, and none of the natives have ever ventured into the place. “Only one man ever lived to get out of the place, and he brought forth enough gold and jewels to insure his wealth for life. “And there to-day lies untold wealth all in the possession of the anacondas. “Many attempts have been made by the natives to destroy the snakes. A great body of men once attempted it. Six of the snakes were killed, but there seemed to be fully half a hundred left. The place seemed alive with them, and a dozen men falling victims to the monsters the attempt was abandoned. “From that day to this no attempt has been made to recover the wealth. Metlo told me that no white man ever visited the region. “The journey thither is a dangerous one on account of beasts and poisonous reptiles. Yet I believe it can be made. I have thought of you and your wonderful Steam Man and I feel sure that with the aid of you and your wonderful invention the treasure can be recovered. “Now, Frank, I humbly beg of you if possible come down here and embark in this enterprise with me. “Of course I have plenty of money, my father being a millionaire, but I have a powerful desire to visit the ruined city of Mazendla and do battle with those anacondas. ‪“I can do it alone, but I can succeed better with the aid of your Steam Man. As a favor I beg of you to write me at once to Campeachy. And now, my dear Frank, hoping to hear from you soon and favorably, I am as ever your friend.