cc.themediterraneancaper2-第34章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


h　and　flashed　into　a　protective　rock　fissure。
　For　several　moments；　Pitt　took　in　the　breathtaking　scene。　Then　suddenly；　he　started　as　a　foreign　hand　grabbed　his　leg。　It　was　Ken　Knight；　and　he　was　motioning　toward　the　surface。　Pitt　nodded　and　swam　to　the　top。　Again　he　was　greeted　by　the　heavy　mist。
　Pitt　spit　out　his　mouthpiece。　〃What　do　you　make　of　it？〃　he　asked。　The　rock　walls　amplified　his　voice　to　a　roar。
　〃A　fairly　mon　occurrence；〃　Knight　answered；　roaring　back　matter　of　factly。　〃Every　time　a　swell　hits　the　entrance　outside；　the　force　runs　like　a　piston　through　the　tunnel；　pressing　the　air　already　trapped　in　the　cavern。　When　the　pressure　recedes；　the　expanded；　moisturized　air　cools　and　condenses　in　a　fine　mist。〃　Knight　paused　to　blow　some　mucus　from　his　nose。　〃The　swells　are　running　at　about　twelve…second　intervals；　so　it　should　start　to　clear　up　at　any　time。〃
　No　sooner　had　he　said　it　than　the　mist　disappeared；　revealing　a　dim　cavern　that　arched　to　a　dome　sixty　feet　overhead。　It　was　a　drowned　grotto　and　nothing　more；　no　traces　of　man…made　equipment。　Pitt　felt　as　though　he　had　entered　a　deserted　cathedral　whose　spires　stood　in　ruined　desolation　from　a　World　War　I　artillery　shelling　or　a　World　War　II　aerial　bombardment　The　walls　were　twisted　and　broken　in　jagged　fissures；　and。　the　shattered　rocks　at　their　base　showed　that　another　rock　fall　could　e　at　any　time。　Then　the　mist　returned　and　smothered　all　vision。
　Pitt；　in　the　few　seconds　it　took　to　survey　the　cavern；　was　conscious　of　nothing　but　the　gnawing　fear　of　self…doubt。　Then　came　a　creeping　wave　of　numbed　disbelief；　then　the　chagrin　that　he　had　bungled　it。
　〃It　can't　be；〃　he　muttered。　〃It　just　can't　be。〃　Pitt's　free　hand　curled　into　a　white　knuckled　fist；　and　he　pounded　the　water　in　an　outburst　of　temper　and　despair。　〃This　cavern　had　to　be　von　Till's　base　of　operations。　God　help　us　from　the　mess　that　I've　surely　caused。〃。
　〃I'd　still　vote　for　you；　Major；〃　Knight　reached　out　and　touched　Pitt　on　the　shoulder。　〃The　geology　bears　out　your　hunch。　This　would　seem　the　most　logical　spot。〃
　〃It's　a　dead　end。　Except　for　the　tunnel；　there's　no　openings；　anywhere。〃
　〃I　saw　a　ledge　on　the　far　end　of　the　cave。　Maybe　if
　I…〃
　〃No　time　for　that；〃　Pitt　interrupted　impatiently。　〃We　must　get　back　out　as　fast　as　we　can　and　keep　searching。〃
　〃Excuse　me；　Major！〃　Hersong　had　caught　Pitt's　arm；　an　action　that　surprised　Pitt　by　seemingly　ing　out　of　nowhere。　〃I　found　something　that　might　be　of　interest。〃
　The　mist　went　through　its　cycle　and　then　cleared　again；　revealing　a　peculiar　expression　on　Hersong's　face　that　caught　Pitt's　attention。　He　grinned　at　the　lanky　botanist。
　〃OK；　Hersong。　let's　make　it　quick。　We　hardly　have　time　for　a　lecture　on　marine　flora。〃
　〃Believe　it　or　not；　that's　just　what　I　had　in　mind；〃　Hersong　grinned　back；　the　glistening　water　trickled　through　the　strands　of　his　red　beard。　〃Tell　me；　did　you　notice　that　growth　of　Macrocystis　pyrifera　on　the　wall　opposite　the　tunnel？〃
　〃I　might　have；〃　Pitt　answered　flatly；　〃if　I　knew　what　you　were　talking　about〃
　〃Macrocystis　pyrifera　is　a　brown　algae　of　the　Phaeophyta　family；　perhaps；　better　known　as　kelp。〃
　Pitt　stared　at　him；　considering；　and　let　him　continue。
　〃What　it　boils　down　to；　Major；　is　that　this　particular　species　of　kelp　is　native　only　to　the　Pacific　Coast　of　the　United　States。　The　water　temperature　in　this　part　of　the　Mediterranean　is　far　too　warm　for　Macrocystis　pyrifera　to　survive。　On　top　of　that；　kelp；　like　in　land　plant　cousins；　needs　sunlight　to　provide　the　process　for　photosynthesis。　I　can't　imagine　kelp　thriving　in　an　underwater　cave。　Nope；　if　you'll　forgive　the　vernacular；　it　just　ain't　done。〃
　Pitt　was　slowly　treading　water。　〃Then　if　it　isn't　kelp；　what　is　it？〃。
　The　mist　was　back；　and　Pitt　couldn't　see　Hersong's　face。　He　could　only　hear　the　botanists　rumbling　voice。
　〃It's　art；　Major。　pure　art。　Without　a　doubt；　the　finest　plastic　replica　of　Macrocystis　pyrifera　I've　ever　beheld。〃
　〃Plastic？〃　Knight　boomed；　his　tone　echoing　around　the　cavern。　〃Are　you　sure？〃
　〃My　dear　boy；〃　Hersong　said　disdainfully。　〃Do　I　question　your。　analysis　of'　core　samples　or…〃
　〃That　red　slime　on　the　tunnel　walls；〃　Pitt　cut　in。　〃What　do　you　make　of　that？〃
　〃Couldn't　say　for　sure；〃　Hersong　said。　〃Looked　like　some　type　of'　paint　or　coating。〃
　〃I'll　back　him。　Major。〃　The　face　of　Stun　Thomas　suddenly　materialized　out　of　the　fading　mist。　〃Red　anti…fouling　paint　for　ship　hulls。　It　contains　arsenic；　that's　why　nothing　grows　in　the　tunnel。〃
　Pitt　glanced　at　his　watch。　'Time　is　running　out。
　This　must　be　the　place。〃
　〃Another　tunnel　behind　the　kelp？　Knight　asked　in　a　careful　sort　of　voice。　〃Is　that　it；　Major？〃
　〃It's　beginning　to　look　encouraging。〃　Pitt　said　quietly。　〃A　camouflaged　second　tunnel　that　leads　to　a　second　cavern。　Now　I　can　see　why　von　Till's　operation　was　never　discovered　by　any　native　of　Thasos。〃
　〃Well；〃　Hersong　purged　the　water　from　his　mouthpiece。　〃I　guess　we　keep　going。〃
　〃We　have　no　other　option；〃　Pitt　said。　〃Are　we　all　ready　for　another　go？〃
　〃All　present　and　accounted　for；　except　for　Woodson；〃　Spencer　answered。
　Suddenly；　at　that　instant；　a　flashbulb　flooded　the　cavern　in　a　bright　blue　light
　〃Nobody　smiled；〃　Woodson　observed　sourly。　He　had　drifted　off　to　the　far　wall　of　the　cavern；　trying　for　the　widest　possible　lens　angle。
　〃Next　time；　yell　sex。〃　Spencer　joked　back。
　〃It　wouldn't　matter；〃　Woodson　grunted。　〃None　of　you　know　what　it　means　anyway。〃
　Pitt　grinned　and　moved　off。　He　rolled　forward　and　jackknifed。　diving　to　the　bottom　like　an　airplane　on　a　strafing　run。　The　others　followed；　spaced　out　at　ten…foot　intervals。
　The　forest　of　counterfeit　kelp　was　thick　and　nearly　impenetrable。　Thin　branches　rose　from　the　bottom　to　the　surface；　flaring　into　a　wide；　spreading　canopy。　Hersong　was　right：　it　was　a　work　of　art。　Even　at　arm's　length　Pitt　couldn't　have　told　the　plastic　from　the　real　thing。　He　unsheathed　the　knife　and　began　slicing　his　way　through　the　brown　swaying　stems。　Working　his　way　forward；　stopping　only　to　untangle　his　air　tank；　he　finally　broke　into　another　tunnel。　The　second　had　a　larger　diameter　than　the　first　but　was　much　shorter　in　length。　After　four　stout　kicks；　Pitt　surfaced　in　a　new　cavern；　only　to　be　enveloped　in　the　unending　white。　mist　Every　few　moments；　the　splash　of　a　head　breaking　the　water；　announced　the　arrival　of　another　member　of　the　team。
　〃See　anything？〃　The　voice　was　Spencer's。
　〃Not　yet；〃　Pitt　replied。　Mechanically；　his　eyes　strained　unblinkingly　into　the　damp　gloom。　He　thought　he　saw　something　now；　something　more　imagined　than。
　real。　Gradually；　he　became　aware　of　a　dark　shape；　materializing　out　of　the　fog。　And　then　suddenly；　it　was　absolutely　and　concretely　there　the　smooth；　black　metal　hull　of　a　submarine。　Pitt　spat　out　his　mouthpiece；　swam　over　to　the　sub　and　grabbed　hold　of'　the　bow　planes；。　pulling　himself　onto　the　deck。
　Pitt's　mind　became　absorbed　in　the　submarine。　At　least　ten　times　he'd　wondered　how　he'd　react；　how　he　would　feel　when　he　finally　touched　the　heroin's　underwater　carrier。　Elation　at　being　proved　right…that　and　more。　Anger　and　disgust　flooded　over　him。　If　they　could　only　talk；　what　tales　of　insidious　tragedies　these　steel　plates　could　relate。
　〃Please　drop　your　spear　on　the　deck　and　keep　very；　very　still。〃　The　voice　behind　Pitt　was　hard；　and　so　was　the　gun　barrel　that　dug　into　his　spine。　He　eased　the　pole　spear　slowly　to　the　wet　deck。　〃Good。　Now　order　your　men　to　drop　their　weapons　on　the　bottom。　No　tricks。　A　concussion　grenade　in　the　water　can　turn　a　swimmer　into　an　ugly　mass　of　jelly。〃
　Pitt　nodded　at　the　five　floating　heads。　〃You　heard　the　man。　Drop　the　spear　guns　。　。　。　the　knives　too。
　There's　no　sense　in　antagonizing　these　nice　people。　I'm　sorry　men。　It　looks　like　I've　blown　it。〃
　There　was　nothing　else　left　to　say。　Pitt　had　led　these　five　men　into　a　trap　from　which　they　might　never　escape　alive。　All　emotion　left　him；　he　was　conscious　now　only　of　time。　On　cue；　Pitt　raised　his　hands　over　his　head　and　slowly　turned　around。
　〃Major　Pitt；　you　are　an　unmonly　aggravating　young　man。〃
　Bruno　von　Till　stood　on　the　deck　of　the　submarine；　grinning　like　Fu　Manchu　about　to　feed　a　victim　to　the　crocodiles。　His　eyes　were　narrowed　slits　beneath　the　skin…topped　head；　and　he　seemed；　at　least　to　Pitt；　to　radiate　a　personal　and　long…practiced　repulsiveness。　But　something　was　wrong；　terribly　wrong。　The　old　German　had　both　hands　in　his　jacket　pockets；　he　carried　no　gun。　It　was　the　man　beside　him　who　held　the　gun…a　mountain　of　a　man　with　a　face　of　carved　stone　and　a　torso　like　a　tree　trunk。　Von　Till's　eyes　fully　opened；　and　his　voice　rose　in　a　mocking　tone。
　〃Forgive　me　for　not　offering　introductions；　Major。〃　Von　Till　gestured　toward　his　panion。　〃But　I　understand　that　you　and　Darius　have　already　met。〃
　　　　17
　　〃You　seem　surprised　to　see　me；　Major；〃　Darius　murmured　satanically。　〃I　can't　tell　you　what　a　great　pleasure　it　is　to　meet　you　again　under　more　favorable　terms。〃　He　jammed　the　nasty　looking　Luger　against　Pitt's　throat　〃Please　do　not　move　and　force　me　to　kill　you　prematurely。　Your　quick　and　sudden　death　would　only　cheat　me　out　of　a　great　deal　of　personal　satisfaction　and　pleasure。　I　said　I　had　an　account　to　settle　with　you　and　your　ugly　little　friend；　now　the　hour　has　arrived　to　repay　my　debt　for　the　pain　I　have　suffered　at　your　hands　or　more　correctly　feet。〃
　Pitt　did　his　damnedest　to　look　casual。　〃Sorry　to　disappoint　you　but　Giordino　stayed　home　this　trip。〃
　〃Then　his　punishment　shall　be　added　to　yours。〃
　Darius　smiled　pleasantly。　then　lowered　the　gun　and　calmly　shot　Pitt　in　the　leg。　The　sharp　crack　of　the　Luger　amplified　to　a　thunderclap　within　the　rock…walled　cavern。　A　blow…like　the　thrust　of　a　red　hot　poker…jerked　Pitt　sideways　and　knocked　him　backward　two　steps。　Somehow；　he　never　really　knew　how；　he　managed　to　remain　on　his　feet　The　nine　millimeter　bullet　had　torn　through　the　fleshy　part　of　his　thigh。　missing　the　bone　by　a　scant　quarter　of　an　inch　and　leaving　a　neat　little　reddish　hole　at　the　entrance　and　a　slightly　larger　one　at　the　exit。　The　burning　sensation　quickly　left；　and　his　leg　became　numb　with　shock；　the　real　pain；　he　was　sure；　would　soon　follow。
　〃e　now；　Darius；〃　von　Till　spoke　reprovingly。
　〃Let　us　not　over…indulge　ourselves　in　crudity。　We　have　more　important　matters　to　resolve　before　you　pursue　your　little　'eye…for…an…eye'　sport。　My　apologies；　Major　Pitt；　but　you　must　admit；　you　have　only　yourself　to　blame。　Your　well…aimed　kick　in　such　a　delicate　location　will　require　Darius　to　limp　for　at　least　another　two　weeks。〃
　〃I'm　only　sorry　I　didn't　boot　him　twice　as　hard；〃
　Pitt　said　through　clenched　teeth。
　Von　Till　ignored　him。　He　said　to　the　men　in　the　water：　〃Drop　your　diving　equipment　on　the　bottom；　gentlemen。　Then　climb　up　on　deck。　Quickly；　we　have　little　time　to　waste。〃
　Thomas　raised　his　mask　and　threw　an　if…looks…could…kill　stare　at　von　Till　〃We're　damn　well　fortable　right　where　we　are。〃
　Von　Till　shrugged。　〃Very　well；　it　seems　you　need　an　incentive。〃　He　turned　and　shouted　into　the　dim　shadows　of　the　cavern。　〃Hans；　the　lights！〃
　Suddenly；　a　string　of　overhead　flood　lights　burst　on；　illuminating　the　cavern　from　ceiling　to　water。　Pitt　could　now　see　that　the　submarine　was