The Chi Chaco Mystery — Branton K. Holmberg

The Archeos, 3 cousins that are juniors in high school are still reeling from their astonishing archeological find they named the Valley of the Dwellers. Their grandfather Dr. James Michaels an eminent archeologist, took them with him from the time they were toddlers on what he called his expeditions in time. The Archeos were widely recognized as outstanding young archeologists and were already the envy of seasoned archeologists many years their senior. Their grandfather received a letter from a colleague Dr. Maury Pettit at the University of New Mexico asking him and his grandsons to drop everything and come to Albuquerque as soon as possible. He had in his possession 12 stones covered with symbols he was sure only Jim Michaels could understand. Once Jim had a chance to look at the stones he discovered they gave the directions to Chi Chaco, the fabled lost city of the Anasazi ancients. Not only that they told of the Inca treasures of Montezuma being brought to Chi Chaco to keep them from falling into the hands of the Spanish Conquistadors. Unknown to those planning to search for Chi Chaco and the treasures, they were being watched by a vicious band of artifact thieves with reputations as murderers. They called themselves the Askooks and meant to have what the Archeos and their grandfather were looking for.