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he’s brought back an American cougar for the Belem zoo.”
    After they were finished with the formalities at passport control and had claimed their baggage, they caught a taxi and soon arrived at the Excelsior Grao Para, which turned out to be a rather small hotel.
    The desk clerk informed them that Mr. Graham had checked out of his room.
    â€œWhat? He’s left?” Joe asked.
    â€œYes, sir. Mr. Graham has departed.”
    â€œWhere did he go?” Frank asked.
    â€œHe left no forwarding address.”
    â€œThat’s funny,” Frank said, puzzled.
    â€œMaybe he left a message for us in his room,” Joe suggested. “Mind if we have a look?”
    The clerk shrugged. “It’s empty, so go ahead. Number 225. I think it’s open.”
    Frank and Joe left their bags at the desk, took the elevator upstairs, and found the room. It was open and the key was in the lock. They walked inside.
    â€œLet’s give it a thorough once-over,” Frank said.
    They checked the dressers, the desk, and night table. Nothing. Frank searched the wastebasket but found no clues. Joe opened the closet. “Hey, here’s something!” he said.
    Joe brought out a leather jacket. It bore a label from a Granite City store. Methodically he searched the pockets. In one of them was a cigarette lighter.
    â€œLook at this,” Joe said. Out of curiosity he flipped the top open.
    A sharp needle sprang out from a hidden trap.
    It pierced Joe’s thumb. He staggered back with a cry, went rigid for a split second, and then toppled over, unconscious!

CHAPTER VI
Underground Voodoo
    F RANK rushed over to where his brother lay on the floor. “Joe, what happened?”
    Joe made no reply. His eyes were closed, and his face was pale. He breathed heavily as if gasping for air.
    â€œI’ve got to get a doctor fast,” Frank thought desperately. He went to the door, twisted the old-fashioned knob, and jerked hard. It did not budge! He tried shouting for help, but nobody heard him.
    Frank ran to the telephone beside the bed. The desk failed to answer. Frantically, Frank poked his head out the window. There was a fire escape, but his heart sank when he saw that the bottom part of the ladder had been removed, leaving a thirty-foot drop to the pavement. He would need a rope!
    Frank pulled the sheets from the bed, tore them into strips, and knotted the pieces together. Then he started to climb out the window.
    Suddenly a click at the door caused him to turn around. “Hello?”
    The door opened and San Marten stepped in. He looked in amazement at the torn sheets in Frank’s hands and at Joe lying unconscious on the floor.
    â€œWhat’s going on here?” he asked.
    â€œQuick, I need a doctor for Joe,” Frank said “He’s been poisoned.”
    San Marten ran to the phone. The desk answered and he called for the hotel physician.
    While they waited, Frank asked, “How did you get in here, and why did you come?”
    â€œThe key was on the other side and the door unlocked,” San Marten replied. “I was in the neighborhood and decided you might need some help in a strange city. The clerk told me you were up here. How was your brother poisoned?”
    Just then the doctor hastened in. He set down his bag and kneeled beside Joe. After feeling the boy’s pulse, he asked, “What caused it?”
    Frank indicated the lighter. The doctor examined it closely. Then he pulled a syringe out of his bag and gave Joe an injection.
    â€œThe young man will be all right,” he said. “But he could not have lasted much longer. He is suffering from a powerful poison. Fortunately hehas a strong heart or he would be dead by now!”
    â€œThis seems to be a fiendish plot!” San Marten declared. “You will have to take precautions.”
    â€œSomebody in Belem doesn’t like us,” Frank agreed. “I’m glad you do, Mr. San Marten.