The next day, Indy was back at the ruins and had been here for several hours. It was hot and humid and the archaeologist was beginning to grow tired and weary. Indiana Jones had been looking extensively for any clues that would lead to the whereabouts of the mask, but to no avail.
To make up for the snake fiasco, Marianne had invited Indy to her mother's house for dinner that evening and Indy agreed.
"Mum has already heard a lot about you and she's excited to meet you", she had told him.
"Really?" he sounded surprised. "I hope it's all good."
Marianne had laughed. "Of course!"
Indy returned once more to the pedestal to look for any markings or writing that might leave a clue, but found nothing.
He wondered how the tiger cub was doing. He had called Angelina at the vet office and the cub had caught an infection which was now being treated.
Indy was just about to leave the site when two men appeared through the bushes.
The first man was tall and in his early to mid-thirties. He wore khakis, a pith helmet and had a dark beard. The second man was much shorter and was also dressed in khakis and was a few years younger. The taller of the two carried a machete.
He stepped forward and stared at Indy.
"My goodness!" he said in a strong southerly American accent. "Doctor Jones! Can it really be you?"
Indy was confused.
"I'm sorry but have we met?"
"No sir, we have not. My name is Morgan Stillwater and this here is my assistant, Julian Marks."
"Pleased to meet you both."
Morgan stepped closer and shook Indy's hand. "The pleasure is all mine. You see Doctor Jones; I have followed your career very closely."
"I hope that's not a bad thing", said Indy.
"No, not at all, in fact…"
Before he could finish, Julian grabbed the machete from Stillwater and flew at Indy. Quickly and without thinking, Indy unhitched his bullwhip and the end of the whip flew towards Julian and grabbed the machete. Indy flung the whip back and the machete went flying off into the scrub.
Julian staggered back in fear and amazement.
Morgan's eyes widened. "Just what in blazes do you think you are doing?!" he yelled. "This here is Doctor Jones, the world-famous archaeologist. Show some respect!"
Indy was now even more confused.
"He has it!" yelled Julian, "and he's not going to tell us where it is!"
Julian then ran off into the bushes.
"Forgive me", Morgan apologised. "My assistant can be quite impetuous at times. You see, Doctor Jones, like you, I am an obtainer of rare antiquities and my assistant here is convinced that there a mask in these here parts somewhere."
Indy didn't quite know what to make of this Morgan fellow, but he didn't have any reason not to trust him. Not yet, anyway.
"I've also heard about the mask but have been unsuccessful in obtaining it", he told him. Indy paused a moment. "If you don't mind me asking, there is something I haven't been able to figure out. If you are also after the mask, how come you haven't tried to kill me?"
"Doctor Jones, I admire you too much to resort to those kinds of tactics. On the contrary, I thought we might be able to work together. After all, it was you and you alone who found the Ark of the Covenant last year, was it not?"
"I'm appreciative of how highly you think of me", admitted Indy, "but I tend to work alone."
"Well, I sure can appreciate that. I'll tell you what. Whoever finds the mask first gets to keep it." He shook Indy's hand. "Let's call it a gentleman's agreement."