As they traipse outside, the group finds themselves in a mulling Mexican town square. Everyone lugged their suitcases towards the town, then they went towards a large plaza and headed inside. "Welcome, welcome!" a jovial voice greets them. The group turns to see a well-dressed lady in a colorful suit and sash approaching them. "I am Mayor Sophia, the mayor of this town, and it is quite a pleasure to meet you."
"Well, it's quite a pleasure to meet you, too, Ma'am," the professor replies, politely shaking Mayor Sophia's hand. "We've come to your fine city for a little vacation."
"Bueno, bueno," Sophia replies. "Our local hotel has the finest accommodations for vacationing familias: soft beds, good food, entertainment, and even a nice swimming pool!"
"Well, that sounds quite nice, Ma'am." the professor replies. As the professor and Mayor Sophia are talking, Arturo gradually becomes aware of some noises emanating from an alleyway behind them. Curious, he traipse over to the edge of the alley, sight unseen, and looks in. He quickly observes three people, a tall man with short black hair and a thin black mustache, wearing a straw hat, a green shirt with a collar, khaki pants, and brown shoes, a tall lady with long black hair, wearing a sparkling red dress and matching high heels, and thick red lipstick, and another lady with shoulder-length curly brown hair, wearing a light blue shirt with a collar, dark blue jeans, white converse, and a white straw hat.
"Heh heh," the man snickers, schemingly rubbing his hands together. "Once the tourists leave we'll sneak in and pilfer every bit of silver from that old mine!"
"Swell idea, Harry," the black haired lady replies. "But how'll we get 'em to leave?'
"Simple, Marie," Harry replies. "Dagmar will sneak into the hotel and masquerade as a singer, then we'll make our way toward the mine. It'll be the heist of the century!"
"Those must be the banditos," Arturo silently mumbles under his breath. "I will have to warn Becca, Mojo, and the others!" No sooner does he begin to hurry off, however, than he trips on a brick lying on the ground and tumbles into the alley, lying flat on his face in front of the crooks. "WHOOOOOOOAAAA! OOF!" Hearing the noise, the smugglers whip around to see Arturo lying on the ground in front of them. Panic pales Arturo's face as he glances up to se them. "Ahhh, hehehehehh..." he nervously laughs as sweat drips off of his face. "Hola, amigos. Wonderful weather we es having..."
"He's seen too much, get him!" Dagmar exclaims, upon which the crooks begin running toward them. Arturo's eyes grow large and he begins sweating even more profusely. "Uh oh..." He then quickly takes to his heels, crying, "HELP! SOMEONE, PLEASE! HELP ME!" Arturo ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but the crooks are gaining on the littlest Gang Green Gang member.
As Arturo rounds a corner, he quickly spots his friends. "HEELP! HEEELP!" he cries as he runs up to Rebecca and Mojo. Alarmed looks cross the girl and the monkey's faces. "Goodness, what's wrong, Arturo?' inquires a very concerned Rebecca.
"The banditos-the silver thieves-I saw them in an alley behind the square-" Arturo puffs, panting and out of breath. "I was hiding just out of sight, but I stumbled into the alley and they found me! Now they es after me!" Rebecca and Mojo exchange angry looks. "Don't worry, Arturo," a determined Rebecca replies. "We won't let them give you any trouble."
"Indeed," Mojo adds. "We shall protect you, which is to say that we shall prevent these scoundrels from troubling you in every way possible, which is to say that we shall keep them from antagonizing you in any way."
"Ohh, muchas gracias Senorita Becca y Senor Mojo," Arturo sighs. "You es good amigos."
"You're quite welcome." Rebecca replies warmly. Just then, the three hear the sounds of footsteps coming toward them and whip around to see the crooks hurrying up to them. "Where did he go? Let's find him!" they exclaim. Arturo's eyes grow large and his knees begin to shake; concerned, Foxy and Roxi give small, worried whimpers. "Oh, we'd better hurry and hide!" Rebecca notes.
"Good idea." Mojo replies, upon which the three friends and two pups quickly take to their heels. Spotting a stack of wooden crates out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca motions, "Quick! We can hide there!" upon which the five quickly duck behind the boxes before the crooks can see them. The baddies pause in their tracks and begin scratching their heads. "Hmm, where could they have gone?" Marie wonders. "They can't be far," Dagmar replies. "We'll have to keep looking." The crooks then set off.
From their hiding place, the five sit, gasping for breath. "That was a close one." Mojo notes. "Muchas gracias for saving me, amigos." says a very grateful Arturo. "You're quite welcome," Rebecca replies. A concerned look then crosses her face. "We should tell Uncle John and the others about this."
"Good idea, Becca Dear," Mojo replies. "The more people who can help, the better." Upon this, the five then set off to find the others.