cc.themediterraneancaper2-第16章

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　Slowly；　moving　with　painful　stiffness　from　the　bandages　and　struggling　for　breath；　Pitt　rose　to　his　feet　and　peered　Into　the　expanding　cloud　for　signs　of　the　Albairos。　Shaken　for　a　moment；　his　eyes　darted　too　high；　and　he　could　see　nothing　but　curling　smoke；　the　plane　and　Its　pilot　were　gone。　Then　he　realized　what　had　happened。　The　brief　lag　between　his　shouted　signal　and　the　actual　explosion　saved　the　plane　from　instant　disintegration。　Swinging　his　gaze　down　to　the　horizon　he　spotted　it　The　craft　was　gliding　clumsily　through　the　air；　its　engine　dead。
　Pitt　snatched　at　the　binoculars　and　quickly　sighted　them　on　the　Albatros。　It　was　trailing　smoke　and　fiery　fragments　in　a　meteoric　frail。　He　watched　in　morbid　fascination　as　one　of　the　lower　wings　suddenly　folded　backward　and　fell　away；　causing　the　plane　to　tumble　in　a　series　of　wild　gyrations；　like　a　piece　of　paper　thrown　from　a　high　office　building。　Then　It　seemed　to　bang　suspended　for　a　moment　before　plunging　into　the　sea；　leaving　a　signature　of　smoke　melting　into　the　warm　air。
　〃It's　down；〃　said　Pitt　excitedly。　〃We've　scored。〃
　Gunn　was　lying　against　the　far　bulkhead　corner。
　He　crawled　across　the　deck　and　lifted　his　head　dazedly。
　〃How　far　and　what　heading？〃
　〃About　two　miles　abaft　the　starboard　beam；〃　replied　Pitt　He　lowered　the　glasses　and　looked　at　Gunn's　pale　face。　〃Are　you　all　right？〃
　Gunn　nodded。　〃Just　lost　a　little　wind；　that's　all。〃
　Pitt　smiled；　but　there　was　little　humor　in　his　eyes。　He　was　smugly　satisfied　with　himself；　very　pleased　with　the　oute　of　his　plan。　〃Send　the　double…ender　and　some　men　out　there　to　dive　on　the　wreck。　I'm　anxious　to　find　out　what　our　ghost　looks　like。〃

　〃Of　course；〃　said　Gunn。　〃I'll　personally　lead　the　diving　party。　But；　only　on　one　condition。　。。　you　get　your　ass　down　to　my　cabin　immediately。　The　doc　hasn't　finished　with　you　yet。〃
　Pitt　shrugged；　〃You're　the　captain。〃　He　turned　back　to　the　rail　and　looked　again　at　the　spot　that　marked　the　grave　of　the　yellow　Albatros。
　He　was　still　at　the　rail　ten　minutes　later　when　Gunn　and　four　of　the　First　Attempt's　crew　loaded　their　diving　gear　on　the　double…ender　whaler　and　cast　off。　The　little　boat　made　no　attempt　to　circle　and　search　the　general　surface　area　but　moved　straight　to　the　spot　where　the　plane　disappeared。　Pitt　waited　until　be　could　see　the　divers　drop　into　the　sparkling　blue　water　at　intervals　to　converge　together　underwater　at　the　final　resting　place　of　the　wreck。
　〃e　along。　Major；〃　said　a　voice　at　his　elbow。
　He　slowly　turned　and　looked　into　the　face　of　the　bearded　doctor。　〃It's　no　use　chasing　me　Doc。　I　won't　marry　you。〃　Pitt　said；　a　wide　grin　riding　his　face。
　The　blue…eyed　old　ship's　surgeon　did　not　grin　back。　He　merely　pointed　down　the　ladder　at　Gunn's　cabin。
　Pitt　had　no　choice　but　to　wearily　resign　himself　and　turn　his　battered　body　over　to　the　doctor's　care。　In　the　cabin　he　fought　a　half…hearted　battle　against　unconsciousness；　but　the　administered　sedatives　won　a　beachhead；　and　soon　he　was　sheathed　in　a　deep　sleep。
　　　　9
　Pitt　stared　at　the　gaunt　and　repulsive　face　that　echoed　his　image　from　a　small　mirror；　hanging　in　the　cabin's　head。　The　black　hair　dangled　down　his　face　and　ears；　adding　an　unkempt　crown　above　the　deep　green　eyes　that　were　circled　and　etched　with　jagged　red　blood　vessels。　He　had　not　slept　long；　his　watch　showed　a　time　lapse　of　only　four　hours。　It　was　the　heat　that　woke　him；　the　morning　blanket　of　hot　air；　drifting　across　the　sea　from　Africa　and　digging　its　burning　fingers　into　his　skin。　He　discovered　the　ventilator　that　was　closed；　and　he　opened　it；　but　the　damage　was　already　done。　The　hot　dry　air　had　a　head　start　and　the　air　conditioning　would　never　catch　up　and　cool　the　cabin；　at　least　not　until　early　evening。　He　pushed　the　tap　and　splashed　water　over　his　face；　letting　the　coolness　soak　into　his　pores　as　it　dribbled　down　his　back　and　shoulders。
　He　briskly　dried　his　damp　skin　and　tried　to　recall　in　sequence　what　had　happened　the　night　before。　Willie　and　the　Maybach…Zepplin。　The　villa。　Drinking　with　von　Till。　Teri's　beauty；　her　paled　features。　Then　the　labyrinth；　the　dog　and　the　escape。　Athena；　did　her　owner　ever　find　her？　The　dory；　this　morning；　the　yellow　Albatros　and　the　explosion。　Now　the　waiting　for　Gunn　and　his　crew　to　salvage　the　plane　and　find　the　body　of　its　mystery　pilot。　What　was　the　connection　with　von　Till？
　What　was　the　old　kraut's　motives。　And　Teri。　Did　she　know　about　the　trap？　Was　she　trying　to　warn　him？　Or；　did　she　bait　him　into　being　used　and　pumped　for　information　by　her　uncle？
　He　shook　all　thoughts　and　questions　from　his　mind。　The　bandages　itched　and　he　fought　the　agonizing　urge　to　scratch。　。　。　God；　it　was　hot。　。　。　if　only　he　had　a　nice　cold　drink。　The　only　item　of　clothing　the　doctor　hadn't　cut　off　his　body　was　his　shorts。　He　rinsed　them　out　in　the　basin　and　put　them　on　wet。　Within　minutes　they　were　pletely　dry。
　A　light　knock　came　from　the　door。　It　slowly　swung　open　and　the　red…haired　cabin　boy　poked　his　head　around　the　bulkhead。　〃Are　you　awake；　Major　Pitt？〃　he　queried　softly。
　〃Yes；　but　just　barely。〃　Pitt　replied。
　〃I　。　。　。　I　didn't　mean　to　bother　you；〃　the　boy　said　hesitantly。　〃The　doc　asked　me　to　check　on　you　every　fifteen　minutes　to　make　sure　you　were　resting　fortably。〃
　Pitt　threw　a　withering　stare　at　the　cabin　boy。　〃Who　the　hell　can　rest　fortably　in　this　furnace　with　the　air　conditioning　turned　off？〃
　A　lost　bewildered　look　crossed　the　young　sunburned　face。　〃Oh　my　gosh；　I'm　sorry　sir。　I　thought　mander　Gunn　left　it　on。〃
　〃What's　done　is　done；〃　Pitt　said　shrugging。　〃How　about　something　cold　to　drink？〃
　〃Would　you　like　a　bottle　of　FIX？〃
　Pitt's　eyes　narrowed　sharply。　〃A　bottle　of　what？
　〃FIX。　It's　a　Greek　beer。〃
　〃All　right；　if　you　say　so。〃　Pitt　couldn't　help　but　grin。　〃I've　heard　of　taking　a　fix　before；　but　never　drinking　one。〃
　〃I'll　be　right　back　sir。〃　The　boy　ducked　around　the　bulkhead　and　closed　the　door。　Suddenly　it　jerked　open　again　and　the　young　boy's　flaming　hair　reappeared。　〃I'm　sorry；　Major；　I　almost　forgot。　Colonel　Lewis　and　Captain　Glordino　are　waiting　to　see　you。　The　Colonel　wanted　to　bust　right　in　and　wake　you；　but　the　doc　wouldn't　hear　of　it。　He　even　threatened　to　throw　the　Colonel　off　the　ship　if　he　tried　it。〃
　〃All　right；　send　them　in；〃　said　Pitt　with　impatience。　hurry　with　the　beer　before　I　evaporate。〃
　Pitt　lay　back　on　the　bunk　and　let　the　sweat　roll　down　his　body　onto　the　rumpled　sheets；　sopping　the　areas　that　came　in　contact　with　his　skin。　His　mind　continued　to　turn；　ransacking　every　detail　of　the　past；　assembling　for　the　present；　pushing　ahead；　and　plotting　future　directions。
　Lewis　and　Giordino。
　They　hadn't　wasted　any　time　in　ing。　If　Giordino　received　an　answer　from　NUMA　headquarters；　it　might　help　to　supply　one　of　the　many　missing　pieces　to　the　puzzle。　The　four　borders　were　forming。　but　the　middle　was　a　scattered　conglomeration　of　uncertain　and　unknown　quantities。　Von　Till's　evil　face　leered　from　the　maze；　his　tight…lipped　grin　curling　in　smug　disdain。　Pitt's　mind　raced　on。　The　great　white　dog。　He　tried　to　force　it　into　another　piece　of　the　puzzle；　but　it　wouldn't　fit。　That's　strange；　he　thought；　the　dog　doesn't　correspond　to　the　piece　it's　supposed　to。　For　some　unfathomable　reason　he　couldn't　force　the　animal　between　von　Till　and　Kurt　Heibert
　Suddenly　Lewis　burst　into　the　cabin　with　all　the　finesse　of　a　sonic　boom。　His　face　was　red　and　he　was　sweating。　the　tiny　beads　streamed　down　his　nose　and　into　his　moustache　where　they　were　absorbed　like　rain　in　a　forest。　〃Well　now；　Major；　aren't　you　sorry　you　passed　up　my　invitation　for　dinner？〃
　Pitt　half　smiled。　〃I　admit　there　was　a　time　or　two　last　night　when　I　regretted　turning　down　your　scallops。〃　He　pointed　to　the　gauze　and　adhesive　tape　crisscrossing　his　chest。　〃But　at　least　my　other　dinner　engagement　gave　me　a　few　memories　that　I　can　carry　for　a　long；　longtime。〃
　Giordino　stepped　from　behind　Lewis'　hulking　form　and　waved　a　greeting　to　Pitt。　〃See　what　happens　every　time　I　let　you　go　out　and　carouse　on　your　own。〃
　Pitt　could　see　the　wide　grin　on　Giordino's　face；　but　he　also　noticed　a　fraternal　look　of　concern　in　his　friend's　eyes。　〃Next　time；　Al；　I'll　send　you　in　my　place。〃
　Giordino　laughed。　〃Don't　do　me　any　favors　if
　you're　a　living　example　of　the　morning　after。〃
　Lewis　parked　his　bulk　heavily　in　a　chair　facing　the　bunk。　〃God；　it's　hot　in　here。　Don't　these　damn　floating　museums　carry　air　conditioning？〃
　Pitt　enjoyed　a　tinge　of　sadistic　pleasure　at　Lewis'
　steaming　disfort。　〃Sorry；　Colonel；　the　unit　must　be　overtaxed。　I　have　beer　ing　that　should　help　make　the　heat　a　bit　more　endurable。〃
　〃Right　now；〃　Lewis　snorted；　〃I'd　even　settle　for　a　glass　of　Ganges　River　water。〃
　Giordino　leaned　over　the　bunk　〃For　chrissakes；　Dirk；　what　mischief　did　you　get　yourself　into　after　you　left　us　last　night？　Gunn's　radio　message　said　something　about　a　mad　dog。〃
　〃I'll　tell　you；〃　said　Pitt；　〃But　first　I　need　a　couple　of　questions　answered　myself。〃　He　looked　at　Lewis。　〃Colonel；　do　you　know　Bruno　von　Till？'
　〃Do　I　know　von　Till？〃　Lewis　repeated。　〃Only　slightly。　I　was　introduced　to　him　once　and　have　seen　him　occasionally　at　parties　given　by　the　local　dignitaries；　but　that's　about　all　From　what　I　gather；　he's　something　of　a　mystery。〃
　〃Do　you；　by　chance；　know　what　his　business　is？〃　Pitt　asked　hopefully。
　〃He　owns　a　small　fleet　of　ships。〃　Lewis　paused　for　a　moment；　closing　his　eyes　in　thought。　Then　they　shot　open；　transmitting　a　look　of　sudden　recollection；　〃Minerva；　yes　that's　it；　Minerva　Lines：　the　name　of　the　fleet。〃
　〃I've　never　heard　of　it；〃　Pitt　murmured。
　〃Small　wonder；〃　snorted　Lewis。　〃Judging　from　the　decrepit　rust　buckets　I've　seen　smoking　by　Thasos；　I　doubt　whether　anyone　else　knows　of　its　existence　either。〃
　Pitt's　eyes　narrowed。　〃Von　Till's　ships　cruise　along　the　Thasos　coastline？〃
　Lewis　nodded。　〃Yes；　one　passes　every　week　or　so。
　They're　easy　to　spot；　they　all　have　a　big　yellow　'M'
　Painted　on　the　smoke　funnels。〃
　〃Do　they　anchor　off　shore　or　dock　at　Liminas？〃
　Lewis　shook　his　head。　〃Neither。　Every　ship　I've　bothered　to　notice　came　from　the　south；　circled　the　island　and　reversed　course　south　again。〃
　〃Without　stopping？〃
　〃They　lie…to　for　perhaps　half…an…hour；　no　more；　right　off　the　point　by　the　old　ruins。〃
　Pitt　raised　up　out　of　the　bunk。　He　looked　questioningly　at　Giordino；　then　Lewis。　〃That's　odd。〃
　〃Why？〃　asked　Lewis　lighting　a　cigar。
　〃Thasos　is　at　least　five　hundred　miles　north　of　the　main　Suez　Canal　shipping　lanes；〃　Pitt　said　slowly。　〃Why　should　von　Till　send　his　ships　on　a　thousand　mile　detour？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　Giordino　said　impatiently。　〃And　frankly；　I　could　care　even　less。　Why　not　stop　this　verbal　screwing　around　and　tell　us　about　your　nocturnal　escapades？　What　has　this　von　Till　character　got　to　do　with　last　night？〃
　Pitt　stood　and　stretched；　wincing　from　the　stiff　soreness。　His　mouth　had　a　sand　and　gravel　taste；　he　could　not　recall　when　his　throat　had　been　so　dry　before。　Where　was　that　dumb　kid　with　the　beer？　Pitt　caught　sight　of　Giordino's　cigarettes；　and　he　motioned　for　one。
　He　lit　it　and　inhaled；　increasing　the　rotten　taste　in　his　mouth。
　He　shrugged；　smiling　wryly。　〃OK；　I'll　give　it　to　you　from　beginning　to　end；　but　please　feel　free　to　star