summit. He was dressed in a suit and tie and carried a leather attached

case.

At each of the five terraces he stopped for a few moments and peered at

the macabre sculptured friezes decorating the walls.  Human faces

protruded from the gaping mouths of serpents while eagles shredded human

hearts with their beaks.  He continued, passing an altar carved with

skulls and crossbones, symbols used in later centuries by pirates of the

Caribbean.

He was sweating when he finally reached the top of the pyramid and

looked around.  He was not alone.  Two figures stepped forward and

roughly searched him.  They motioned at his attache case.  He obligingly

opened it and the men rummaged through the contents.  Finding no

weapons, they silently retreated to the edge of the temple platform.

Rivas relaxed and pressed a hidden switch on the handle of the case.  A

small tape recorder secreted inside the lid began to roll.

After a short minute had passed, a figure emerged from the shadows of

the great stone statues.  He was dressed in a floorlength robe of white

cloth.  His hair was long and tied at the base, giving it the look of a

rooster tail.  His feet were hidden under the robe, but the moon's light

revealed circular bands around his arms that were carved from gold and

inlaid with turquoise.

He was short, and the smooth, oval face suggested Indian ancestry.  His

dark eyes studied the tall, fair-complexioned man before him, taking in

the oddly-out-of-place business suit.  He crossed his arms and spoke

strange words that sounded almost lyrical.

"I am Topiltzin."

"My name is Guy Rivas, Special Representative for the President of the

United States."

Rivas had expected an older man. it was difficult to guess the Mexican

messiah's age, but he didn't look a year over thirty.

Topiltzin gestured to a low wall.  "Shall we sit while we talk?"

Rivas nodded a "Thank you" and sat down.  "You chose a most unusual

setting."

"Yes, I thought  it appropriate." Topiltzin's tone suddenly turned

contemptuous.  "Your President was afraid for us to confer openly.  He

did not want to embarrass and anger his friends in Mexico City."

Rivas knew better than to be baited.  "The President asked me to express

his gratitude for allowing me to talk with you."

"I expected someone with a higher rank of state."

"Your conditions were you'd speak with only one man.  We took that to

mean no interpreter for our side.  And since you do not wish to speak

Spanish or English, I am the only ranking government official who has a

tongue for Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs."

"You speak it very well."

"My family immigrated to America from the town of Escampo.  They taught

it to me when I was quite young."

"I know Escampo; a small village with proud people who barely survive."

"You claim you'll end poverty in Mexico.  The President is most

interested in your programs."

"Is that why he sent you?" Topiltzin asked.