cc.themediterraneancaper2-第38章

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n　his　face　spoke　for　him；　and　Pitt　braced　himself　for　the　almost　certain　blast　from　Darius'　gun。
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　A　gun　roared：　not　the　sharp　bark　of　a　Luger；　but　the　heavy；　ear…stunning　roar　of　a　big　bore；　forty…five　Colt　automatic　Darius　shouted　in　pain　as　the　Luger　flew　from　his　hand　into　the　water。　Giordino；　in　a　uniform　at　least　two　sizes　too　large。　nimbly　leaped　off　the　dock　onto　the　sub　deck　and　shoved　the　Colt　into　von　Till's　left　ear。　Then　he　turned　to　admire　his　marksmanship。
　〃Well；　what　do　you　know；　I　even　remembered　to　remove　the　safety。〃
　〃Nice　going〃　Pitt　said。　〃Errol　Flynn　couldn't　have　made　a　more　dramatic　entrance。〃
　Their　faces　confused　and　unprehending；　von　Till　and　Darius　stood　frozen　in　mute　shock。　The　hot　flood　lights　glazed　through　the　mist；　burning　it　away　pletely；　and　the　guards　on　the　ledge　could　see　that　something　totally　unexpected　had　occurred　on　the　sub's　deck。　As　if　drawn　by　one　string；　all　five　men　raised　their　machine　pistols　and　aimed　them　directly　at　Pitt。
　〃Keep　your　fingers　off　the　triggers。〃　Giordino's　voice　boomed　against　the　rock　walls　〃Shoot　Major　Pitt　and　I　splatter　your　boss's　brains　half　way　to　Athens。　Shoot　and　you　all　die。　There　are　guns　trained　on　your　hearts…　I'm　not　bluffing。　Look　at　the　tunnel。〃
　If　there　was　one　thing　in　the　cavern　whose　supply　outdistanced　its　necessity；　it　was　the　machine　pistol。　There　were　ten　more　of　them　in　the　bands　of　the　toughest　bunch　of　men　Pitt　had　ever　seen。　They　were　grouped　in　loose　formation　around　the　tunnel　entrance；　four　in　the　prone　position；　three　kneeling　and　three　standing。　Pitt　almost　had　to　look　twice　to　make　them　out　clearly；　their　black　and　brown　camouflaged　field　dress　blended　perfectly　into　the　craggy　shadows。　Only　their　maroon　berets；　the　hallmark　of　an　elite　outfit；　betrayed　their　presence　to　the　casual　eye。
　Giordino　continued：　〃Now　please　turn　your　attention　to　the　submarine　at　my　rear。〃
　It　wasn't　exactly　the　straw　that　broke　the　camel's　back；　but　it　was　the　ugly；　air　cooled　machine　gun；　gripped　by　a　fiendishly　grinning　Colonel　Zeno　on　the　I…Boat's　conning　tower；　that　broke　the　bodyguards'　will　to　fight　Slowly　they　lowered　their　guns　and　raised　their　hands　in　the　air；　all　except　one；　he　hesitated　and　paid　the　price。
　Zeno　fanned　the　trigger　of　his　weapon。　Two　bullets；　no　more。　spat　from　the　air…cooled　barrel　in　one　brief　blast　The　unthinking　unfortunate　guard　slumped　soundlessly　to　the　ground　and　rolled　limply　into　the　water；　staining　the　brilliant　cobalt　blue　with　a　growing　cloud　of　red。
　〃Now　walk；　don't　run　to　the　nearest　exit；〃　Giordino　said　casually；　〃your　hands　clasped　on　your　heads。〃
　Pitt；　the　tired　expression　on　his　face　reflecting　the　gnawing　pain　in　his　leg　said　to　Giordino：　〃You　sliced　your　timing　pretty　thin。〃
　〃The　capital　of　Italy　wasn't　constructed　in　twenty…four　hours；〃　Giordino　paraphrased　pontifically。　〃After　all；　swimming　ashore；　finding　Zacynthus；　Zeno；　and　their　roving　band　of　mandos；　and　then　leading　them　through　that　godawful　labyrinth　on　the　run　wasn't　the　most　leisurely　of　chores。〃
　〃Did　you　have　any　trouble　with　my　directions？〃
　〃No　problem。　The　elevator　shaft　was　right　where　you　said　it'd　be。〃
　Von　Till　moved　close　to　Pitt；　his　eyes　cold　as　ice。　〃Who　told　you　about　the　elevator？〃
　〃No　one；〃　Pitt　replied　tersely。　〃Wandering　through　the　labyrinth；　I　accidentally　took　a　side　corridor　that　ended　at　a　ventilator　shaft。　I　heard　the　sound　of　generators　somewhere　beyond　the　opening。　Their　purpose　came　to　me　when　I　was　sure　of　the　sea　cavern。　Your　villa　sits　on　a　near　vertical　line　above　the　shoreline　cliffs。　An　underground　elevator　had　to　be　the　only　means　of　moving　from　the　villa　to　the　cavern　without　detection。　The　shaft；　the　cavern；　and　passageways　were　a　made　to　order　arrangement　for　smuggling。　courtesy　of　the　Phoenicians　over　two　thousand　years　ago。〃
　〃Wait　a　minute；〃　Giordino　cut　in。　〃Are　you　suggesting　that　somebody　was　smuggling　out　of　here　before　Christ？〃
　〃You　didn't　do　your　homework；〃　Pitt　grinned。　〃If　you'd　read　the　brochure　that　Zeno　handed　out　before　we　started　on　the　tour　of　the　ruins；　you'd　know　that　Thasos　was　originally　settled　by　the　Phoenicians　to　exploit　its　gold　and　silver　deposits。　The　tunnels　and　shaft　are　part　of　an　ancient　mine。　Eventually　it　was　worked　out　and　abandoned。　The　Greeks　discovered　it　a　few　hundred　years　later　and　thought　it　was　some　kind　of　mysterious　labyrinth　built　by　the　Gods。〃
　A　movement　on　the　dock　attracted　Pitt's　attention　and　he　looked　up。
　Zacynthus　appeared　seemingly　out　of　nowhere　and　stood；　staring　down　at　Pitt　for　several　long　moments。　Finally　he　asked：
　〃How's　the　leg？〃
　Pitt　shrugged。　〃It'll　probably　smart　a　bit　when　the　barometer　drops；　but　it　shouldn't　slow　up　my　sex　life。〃
　〃Colonel　Zeno　sent　two　of　his　men　after　a　stretcher。　They　should　be　here　in　a　few　minutes。〃
　'Were　you　able　to　overhear　any　of　our　enlightening　conversation？〃
　Zacynthus　nodded。　〃Every　word。　The　acoustics　in　here　would　do　credit　to　Carnegie　Hall。〃
　〃You'll　never　prove　any　of　it；〃　von　Till　said　in　contempt。　His　lips　curled　in　a　sneer；　but　there　was　a　trace　of　desperation　in　his　eyes。
　〃As　I've　said；〃　Pitt　murmured　tiredly；　〃I　don't　have　to　prove　anything。　At　this　minute；　four　war　criminal　investigators　are　flying　here　from　Germany；　courtesy　of　the　United　States　Air　Force；　who　were　only　too　happy　to　lend　a　helping　hand　after　your　little　shooting　party　at　Brady　Field。　Each　one　of　those　four　men　is　a　specialist。　They　know　every　hidden　identity　trick　in　the　book。　Plastic　surgery；　a　different　voice；　your　advanced　age；　nothing　will　fool　them。　I'm　afraid　it's　the　end　of　the　voyage　for　you；　Admiral。〃
　〃I　am　a　Greek　citizen；〃　von　Till　said　arrogantly。
　'〃They　have　no　legal　right　to　abduct　me　to　Germany。〃
　〃Cut　the　masquerade；〃　Pitt　lashed　back。　〃Von　Till　was　the　Greek　citizen；　not　you。　Colonel　Zeno；　will　you　please　explain　the　facts　of　life　for　the　Admiral。〃
　〃With　pleasure；　Major。〃　Zeno　had　left　the　conning　tower　of　the　Japanese　I…boat　and　was　now　standing　next　to　Zacynthus。　He　grinned　broadly　under　the　big；　flowing　moustache　and　eyed　von　Till　with　piercing　scrutiny。　'We　take　a　dim　view　of　anyone　who　enters　our　country　illegally　and　we　greatly　dislike　playing　host　to　a　wanted　war　criminal。　If　you　are　indeed　Admiral　Erich　Heibert；　as　Major　Pitt　claims；　I　shall　personally　see　to　it　that　you　are　turned　over　to　the　war　criminal　investigators　and　placed　on　the　first　plane　back　to　Germany　and　the　gallows。〃
　〃A　most　appropriate　and　convenient　ending；〃　Zacynthus　said　slowly。　〃It　saves　the　taxpayers　the　expense　of　a　long；　drawn…out　trial　for　narcotics　smuggling。　On　the　other　hand；　we　lose　the　opportunity　to　bag　half　the　illegal　drug　buyers　in　North　America。〃
　〃Aren't　you　forgetting　that　opportunity　makes　the　thief；〃　Pitt　grinned。
　〃What　do　you　mean　by　that？〃
　〃Simple　arithmetic；　Zac。　Now　you　know　how　the　heroin　drop　is　made　and　where。　It　would　be　an　easy　matter　to　take　over　the　Queen　Jocasta；　keep　the　crew　Inmunicado；　and　deliver　the　goods　in　person。　I'm　certain　the　proper　authorities　could　hush…up　Heibert's　capture　until　you　can　spring　your　trap　at　the　cannery　in　Galveston。〃
　〃Yes；〃　Zacynthus　said　consideringly；　〃yes　by　god；　it　just　might　work。　Providing　I　can　find　a　crew　to　operate　the　ship　and　submarine　on　short　notice。〃
　〃The　Mediterranean　Tenth　Fleet；〃　Pitt　offered。　〃Use　your　influence　and　make　an　urgent　request　to　our　navy　for　an　emergency　crew。　They　can　be　airlifted　into　Brady　Field。　Time　wise；　it　shouldn't　set　the　Queen　Jocasta　off　schedule　for　more　than　five　or　six　hours。　If　you　push　the　old　tub　you　can　make　that　up　in　a　day　and　a　half。〃
　Zacynthus　surveyed　Pitt　with　mixed　curiosity　and　admiration。　〃You　certainly　don't　miss　much；　do　you？'
　Pitt　shrugged；　retaining　his　grin。　〃I　try。〃
　〃There　is　one　thing　I　wish　you'd　explain。〃
　〃Name　it。〃
　〃How　did　you　know　Darius　was　an　informer？〃
　〃I　smelled　a　rat　when　I　searched　the　Queen　Artemisia。　The　transmitter　in　the　radio　cabin　was　set　on　the　same　frequency　as　the　set　in　your　office。　I　must　confess；　at　the　time　I　thought　it　might　be　any　one　of　you。　The　field　narrowed　down　to　Darius　after　I　swam　ashore　and　met　Giordino。　He　said　that　Darius　had　been　stationed　on　your　radio　during　the　entire　time　between　the　arrival　and　departure　of　the　Queen　Artemisia。　It　was　a　cozy　arrangement。　While　you　and　Zeno　were　on　a　wild　goose　chase；　keeping　an　eye　on　the　villa　and　battling　mosquitoes；　Darius　was　fortably　sipping　his　Metaxa　and　notifying　Heibert　of　your　every　move。　That's　why　I　had　the　ship　all　to　myself。　The　crew　members　were　all　busy　down　in　the　bilges；　releasing　the　sub。
　The　captain　hadn't　bothered　posting　a　lookout　because　Darius　had　assured　him　all　was　clear。　What　Darius　didn't　know；　and　even　you　didn't　know；　Zac；　was　that　I　Intended　to　swim　out　and　scout　the　ship　from　the　water。　You　suspected　nothing　when　Giordino　and　I　volunteered　to　watch　the　ship　from　the　beach。　It　was　only；　at　the　last　minute；　when　I　saw　no　sign　of　the　Queen　Artemisia's　crew；　that　I　decided　to　sneak　on　board　for　a　closer　look。　My　apologies　for　not　clearing　my　actions　with　you；　but　I　was　certain　that　you'd　have　raised　hell　and　tried　to　stop　me。〃
　〃I'm　the　one　who　should　offer　apologies；〃　Zacynthus　said。　〃I　deserve　the　dunce　award　of　the　year。　God；　how　could　I　have　been　so　blind？　I　should　have　guessed　something　was　wrong　when　Darius　was　never　able　to　intercept　any　messages　between　the　passing　Minerva　ships　and　the　villa。〃
　〃I　could　have　relayed　my　suspicions　to　you　on　the　road　this　morning。〃　Pitt　said。　〃But　it　hardly　seemed　the　right　time　or　place　particularly　In　front　of　Darius。　Secondly；　without　one　hundred　percent　proof　I　doubt　seriously　whether　you　or　Zeno　would　have　believed　my　accusation。〃
　〃You　were　quite　right；〃　Zacynthus　admitted。　〃Tell　me　this。　Where　did　you　find　out　about　the　Queen　Jocasta？〃
　〃The　Air　Force　has　a　funny　habit　about　loaning　out　their　vehicles；　sooner　or　later　they　want　them　back。　After　Giordino　and　I　left　you；　we　stopped　off　at　Brady　Field　and　returned　the　truck　to　the　motorpool。　Colonel　Lewis　was　waiting　for　us。　It　was　he　who　alerted　me　to　the　Queen　Jocasta。　One　of　his　morning　patrols　sighted　her　cruising　north　toward　Thasos。　The　next　step　was　to　check　the　ship's　cargo　and　destination　with　the　Minerva　Line's　agent　in　Athens。　His　reply　added　to　an　interesting　coincidence。　Not　only　were　two　Minerva　ships　passing　by　the　villa　Within　twelve　hours　of　each　other；　but　both　were　headed　for　ports　in　the　United　States。　I　began　to　get　the　picture…von　Till；　or　rather　Heibert；　Intended　to　switch　the　sub　and　the　heroin　from　the　Queen　Artemisia　to　the　Queen　Jocajta。〃
　〃You　might　have　let　me　in　on　your　secret；〃　Zacynthus　said　with　a　noticeable　trace　of　bitterness。　〃I　came　within　a　hair　of　locking　Giordino　up　when　he　bounded　into　my　headquarters；　demanding　that　I；　together　with　Colonel　Zeno's　men；　follow　him　into　the　labyrinth。〃
　Pitt　studied　him。　The　inspector's　face　was　grim。　〃I　considered　it；〃　Pitt　said　honestly。　〃But　I　figured　the　less　everyone　concerned　knew；　the　less　chance　there　was　for　Darius　to　get　suspicious。　I　also　purposely　kept　the　girl　in　the　dark　because　it　was　essential　that　her　message；　warning　your　headquarters　of　my　plans　to　search　for　the　cavern；　reek　with　serious　intentions　when　Dari