In the first book of this new series, Larry and Lee Martin live on a ranch outside of Deming, New Mexico, and they are looking forward to summer vacation from high school. Both boys have their own motorcycles and their pilot's licenses. As soon as school is out, they plan a camping trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings near Pinos Altos, New Mexico. While at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, they uncover a buried clay pot, and inside it is a message written in a language they can't read, but it looks like Aztec. They rush into Deming on their motorcycles to seek the archaeology professor at the local college, Dr. Jones.

Dr. Jones realizes what they have discovered, so in order to beat them to the treasure, he sends them on a wild goose chase. Dr. Jones steals their discovery and the boys go on an adventure fraught with secrets and dangers. From an aerial chase, to being kidnapped, to locked in a dungeon and being rescued by their Boy Scout Troop.

After escaping the dungeon, Dr. Jones and his crew of thugs escape capture by heading into the wilderness where the police can't find them. The Boy Scout Troop helps with a manhunt, tracks down the criminals and traps them for the police.