cc.themediterraneancaper2-第4章

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　The　Hawk　of　Macedonia
　Lieutenant　Kurt　Heibert；　of　Jagdstaffel　91；　attained　32　victories　over　the　　allies　on　the　Macedonian　Front；　one　of　the　outstanding　aces　of　the　great　war。　　Presumed　shot　down　and　lost　in　the　Aegean　Sea　on　July　15；　1918。　For　some　time；　Pitt　lay　staring　in　the　darkness。
　There　would　be　no　more　sleep　tonight　he　thought。　Sitting　up　and　leaning　on　one　　elbow；　he　reached　over　a　bedside　table；　groped　for　his　Omega　watch　and　held　it　　in　front　of　his　eyes。　The　luminous　dial　read　4：09。　Then　he　sat　up　and　dropped　　the　bare　soles　of　his　feet　on　the　vinyl　tile　floor。　A　package　of　cigarettes　sat　　next　to　the　watch；　and　he　pulled　out　one　and　lit　it　with　a　silver　Zippo　lighter。　　Inhaling　deeply；　he　stood　up　and　stretched。　His　face　grimaced；　the　muscles　of　　his　back　stung　from　the　back　slapping　he　had　received　from　the　cheering　men　of　　Brady　Field　right　after　he　and　Giordino　had　climbed　from　the　cockpit　of　the　PBY。　　Pitt　smiled　to　himself　in　the　dark　as　he　thought　about　the　warm　handshakes　and　　congratulations　pressed　upon　them。
　The　moonlight；　beaming　in　through　the　window　of　the　Officers'　Quarters；　and　the　　warm　clear　air　of　early　morning　made　Pitt　restless。　He　stripped　off　his　shorts　　and　rummaged　through　his　luggage　in　the　dim　light。
　When　his　touch　recognized　the　cloth　shape　of　a　pair　of　swim　trunks；　he　slipped　　them　on；　snatched　a　towel　from　the　bathroom　and　stepped　out　into　the　stillness　　of　the　night。
　Once　outside；　the　brilliant　Mediterranean　moon　enveloped　his　body　and　laid　bare　　the　landscape　with　an　eerie　ghost…like　emptiness。　The　sky　was　all　studded　with　　stars　and　revealed　the　milky　way　in　a　great　white　design　across　a　black　velvet　　backdrop。
　Pitt　strolled　down　the　path　from　the　Officers'　Quarters　toward　the　main　gate。　He　paused　for　a　minute；　looking　at　the　vacant　　runway；　and　he　noticed　a　black　area　every　so　often　in　the　rows　of　multi…colored　　lights　that　stitched　the　edges。　Several　of　the　lights　in　the　signal　system　must　　have　been　damaged　in　the　attack；　he　thought。　However；　the　general　pattern　was　　still　readable　to　a　pilot　making　a　night　landing。　Behind　the　intermediate　　lights；　he　could　make　out　a　dark　outline　of　the　PBY；　sitting　forlornly　on　the　　opposite　side　of　the　apron　like　a　nesting　duck。　The　bullet　damage　to　the　　Catalina's　hull　turned　out　to　be　slight　and　the　Flight　Line　Maintenance　crew　　promised　that　they　would　begin　repairs　first　thing　in　the　morning；　the　　restoration　taking　three　days。　Colonel　James　Lewis；　the　base　manding　officer；　　had　expressed　his　apologies　at　the　delay；　but　he　needed　the　bulk　of　the　　maintenance　crew　to　work　on　the　damaged　jets　and　the　remaining　C…133　　Cargomaster。　In　the　meantime；　Pitt　and　Giordino　elected　to　accept　the　Colonel's　　hospitality　and　stay　at　Brady　Field；　using　the　First　Attempt's　whale　boat　to　　mute　between　the　ship　and　shore。　The　last　arrangement　worked　to　everyone's　advantage　since　living　quarters　aboard　the　First　Attempt　were　cramped　and　at　a　　premium。
　〃Kind　of　early　for　a　swim；　isn't　it；　buddy？〃
　The　voice　snapped　Pitt　from　his　thoughts；　and　he　found　himself　standing　under　　the　white　glare　of　floodlights　that　were　perched　on　top　of　the　guard's　shack　at　　the　main　gate。　The　shack　sat　on　a　curb…lined　island　that　divided　the　ining　　and　outgoing　traffic　and　was　just　large　enough　for　one　man　to　sit　in。　A　short；　　burly　looking　Air　Policeman　stepped　from　the　doorway　and　eyed　him　closely。　〃I　couldn't　sleep。〃　As　soon　as　he　said　it；　Pitt　felt　foolish　for　not　being　more　　original　But　what　the　hell；　he　thought；　it's　the　truth。
　〃Can't　say　as　I　blame　you；〃　said　the　AP。　〃After　all　that's　happened　today；　I'd　　be　real　surprised　if　anyone　on　the　base　was　sound　asleep。〃　The　mere　thought　of　　sleep　triggered　a　reflex；　and　the　AP　yawned。
　〃You　must　get　awfully　bored；　sitting　out　here　alone　all　night；〃　said　Pitt。
　〃Yeah；　it　gets　pretty　dull；〃　the　AP　said；　hooking　one　hand　in　his　Sam　Browne　　belt　and　resting　the　other　on　the　grip　of　a　。45　Colt　automatic；　clinging　to　his　　hip。　〃If　you're　going　off　base；　you'd　better　let　me　see　your　pass。〃
　〃Sorry；　I　don't　have　one；〃　Pitt　had　forgotten　to　ask　Colonel　Lewis　for　a　pass　to　　get　on　and　off　Brady　Field。
　A　swaggering；　tough　look　crossed　the　AP's　face。　〃Then　you'll　have　to　go　back　to　　the　barracks　and　get　It。〃　He　swatted　at　a　moth　that　flapped　by　his　face；　toward　　a　floodlight。
　〃That　would　be　a　waste　of　time。　I　don't　even　own　a　pass；〃　said　Pitt；　smiling　　helplessly。
　〃Don't　play　dumb　with　me；　buddy。　Nobody　gets　in　or　out　of　the　gate　without　a　　pass。〃
　〃I　did。〃
　The　AP's　eyes　became　suspicious。　〃How　did　you　manage　that？〃
　〃I　flew　In。〃
　A　surprised　look　bit　the　AP。　His　eyes　beamed　in　the　brightness　of　the　floods。　　Another　passing　moth　lit　on　his　white　cap；　but　he　did　not　notice　it。　Then　it　　burst　from　him。　〃You're　the　pilot　of　that　Catalina　flying　boat！〃
　〃Guilty　as　charged；〃　said　Pitt。
　〃Say；　I　want　to　shake　your　hand。〃　The　AP's　lips　opened　in　a　big　tooth　displaying　　smile。　〃That　was　the　greatest　piece　of　flying　I've　ever　seen。〃　He　thrust　out　a　　massive　hand。
　Pitt　took　the　outstretched　hand　and　winced。　He　had　a　strong　grip　of　his　own；　but　　it　seemed　puny　pared　to　the　AP's。　〃Thank　you；　but　I'd　have　felt　a　lot　better　　about　it　if　my　opponent　had　crashed。〃
　〃Oh　hell；　he　couldn't　have　gone　far。　That　old　junk　pile　was　smoking　up　a　storm　　when　it　crossed　over　the　hills。〃
　〃Maybe　It　crashed　on　the　other　side？〃
　〃No　chance。　The　colonel　had　the　whole　Air　Police　squadron　chasing　all　over　the　island　in　jeeps；　looking　for　it。　He　searched　until　dark；　but　didn't　spot　a　　thing。〃　He　appeared　disgusted。　〃What　really　pissed　me　off　was　getting　back　to　　the　base　too　late　for　the　chow　line。〃
　Pitt　grinned。　〃It　must　have　gone　down　in　the　sea；　or　else　made　the　mainland　　before　falling。〃
　The　AP　shrugged　his　shoulders。　〃Could　be。　But　one　thing's　for　sure；　it　ain't　on　　Thasos。　You　have　my　personal　guarantee　on　that。〃
　Pitt　laughed。　〃That's　good　enough　for　me。〃　He　swung　the　towel　over　his　shoulder　　and　pulled　at　his　swim　trunks。　〃Well　it's　been　nice　talking　to　you　。　。　。〃
　〃Airman　Second　Class　Moody；　sir。〃
　〃I'm　Major　Pitt。〃
　The　AP's　face　went　blank。　〃Oh；　I'm　sorry；　sir。　I　didn't　know　you　were　an　　officer。　I　thought　you　were　one　of　those　civilians　with　NUMA。　I'll　let　you　out　　this　time；　Major；　but　I'd　appreciate　it　if　you　got　a　base　pass。〃
　〃I'll　see　to　it　first　thing　after　breakfast。〃
　〃My　replacement　es　on　at　0800。　If　you're　not　back　by　then；　I'll　leave　word　so　　he'll　let　you　in　without　any　trouble。〃
　〃Thank　you；　Moody。　Perhaps　I'll　see　you　later。〃　Pitt　waved　and　then　turned　and　　walked　down　the　road　towards　the　beach。
　Pitt　kept　to　the　right　side　of　the　narrow　paved　road　and　in　about　a　mile　came　to　　a　small　cove　that　was　flanked　by　large　craggy　rocks。　The　moonlight　showed　him　a　　path；　and　he　took　it　until　his　feet　crunched　softly　in　the　sandy　beach。　He　　dropped　the　towel　and　walked　to　the　tide　line。　A　wave　broke；　and　the　white　of　　its　crest　slid　smoothly　across　the　packed　sand　and　licked　his　feet　The　dying　　wave　hesitated　for　a　moment　and　then　fell　back；　forming　the　trough　for　the　next　　crest　There　was　barely　a　breath　of　wind；　and　the　glistening　sea　was　relatively　　calm。　The　moon　cast　its　glow　on　the　dark　water　and　left　a　shaft　of　silver　that　　traveled　over　the　surface　to　the　horizon　where　the　sea　and　sky　melted　together　　into　absolute　blackness。　Pitt　soaked　up　the　warm　stillness　and　moved　into　the　　water；　swimming　along　the　silver　shaft
　An　inner　feeling　always　overcame　Pitt　when　he　was　alone　and　near　the　sea。　It　was　　as　though　his　soul　seeped　out　of　his　body；　and　he　became　a　thing　without　　substance；　without　form。　His　mind　was　purified　and　cleansed：　all　mental　labor　　ceased　and　all　thoughts　vanished。　He　was　only　vaguely　aware　of　hot　and　cold；　　smells；　touch；　and　all　the　other　senses；　except　hearing。　He　listened　to　the　　nothingness　of　silence；　the　greatest；　but　most　unknown；　treasure　of　man。　　Forgotten　for　the　moment　were　all　his　failures；　all　his　victories　and　all　his　　loves；　even　life　itself　was　buried　and　lost　in　the　stillness。
　He　lay　dead　and　floated　in　the　water　for　nearly　an　hour。　Finally；　a　small　swell　　slapped　at　his　face　and　he　unwittingly　inhaled　a　few　drops　of　salt　water。　He　　snorted；　dispelling　the　disfort　and　again　became　aware　of　his　bodily　　sensations。　Without　watching　his　progress；　he　effortlessly　backstroked　toward　　　the　shore。　When　his　hands　arched　and　touched　the　dense　sand；　he　stopped　swimming　　and　drifted　onto　the　beach　like　a　piece　of　flotsam。　Then　he　dragged　himself　　forward　until　he　was　only　half…out　of　the　water；　letting　it　swirl　around　his　　legs　and　buttocks。　The　warm　Aegean　surf　rose　out　of　the　dim　light　and　flooded　up　the　beach；　caressing　his　skin；　and　he　dozed　off。
　　　The　stars　were　beginning　to　blink　out　one　by　one　with　the　pale　light　of　the　　approaching　dawn　when　an　inner　alarm　sounded　in　Pitt's　brain；　and　he　suddenly　　became　alert　to　a　presence。　Instantly　he　was　awake；　but　he　made　no　movement；　　other　than　peering　through　half…open　eyes。　He　barely　could　make　out　a　shadowy　　form　standing　over　him。　Focusing　and　straining　his　eyes　in　the　faint　light；　he　　tried　to　distinguish　a　detailed　shape。
　Slowly；　an　outline　materialized。　It　was　a　woman。
　〃Good　morning；〃　he　said　and　sat　up。
　〃Oh　my　God；〃　the　woman　gasped。　She　threw　a　hand　to　her　mouth　as　if　to　scream。
　It　was　still　too　dark　to　see　the　wild　look　in　her　eyes；　but　Pitt　knew　it　was　　there。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　he　said　gently。　〃I　didn't　mean　to　startle　you。〃
　The　hand　slowly　dropped。　She　just　stood　there　looking　down　at　him。　Finally　she　　found　her　voice。　〃I。。。　I　thought　you　were　dead。〃　She　stammered　the　words　softly。
　〃I　can　hardly　blame　you。　I　suppose　if　I　stumbled　on　someone　sleeping　in　the　tide　　at　this　time　of　morning　I　would　think　the　same　thing。〃
　〃You　gave　me　quite　a　frightful　shock；　you　know；　sitting　up　and　talking　like　　that。〃
　〃Again；　my　sincere　apologies。〃　It　suddenly　occurred　to　Pitt　that　the　woman　was　　speaking　English。　Her　accent　was　decidedly　British；　but　it　had　a　trace　of　　German。　He　rose　to　his　feet。　〃Please　allow　me　to　introduce　myself；　my　name　is　Dirk　Pitt。〃
　〃I'm　Teri；〃　she　said；　〃and　I　can't　tell　you　how　happy　I　am　to　see　you　alive　and　　healthy。　Mister　Pitt〃
　She　didn't　offer　her　last　name；　and　Pitt　didn't　press　for　it。
　〃Believe　me；　Teri；　the　pleasure　is　all　mine。〃　He　pointed　to　the　sand。　〃Won't　you　　join　me　and　help　raise　the　sun？〃
　She　laughed。　〃Thank　you；　I'd　like　that　But　then　again；　I　can　hardly　see　you。　For　　all　I　know　you　might　be　a　monster　or　something。〃　There　was　a　note　of　whimsy　in　　her　tone。　〃Can　I　trust　you？〃
　〃To　be　perfectly　honest；　no。　I　think　it　only　fair　to　Warn　you　that　I've　　assaulted　over　two　hundred　innocent　virgins　right　here　on　this　very　spot。〃　Pitt's　humor　was　overly　forward；　but　he　knew　it　was　a　good　system　for　testing　a　　female's　personality。
　〃Oh　blimey；　I　would　dearly　loved　to　have　been　number　two　hundred　and　one；　but　　I'm　not　an　innocent　virgin。〃　There　was　enough　light　now　for　Pitt　to　see　the　　White　of　her　teeth　arched　in　a　smile。　〃I　certainly　hope　you　won't　hold　that　　against　me。〃
　〃No；　I'm　very　broadminded　about　that　sort　of　thing。　But　I　must　ask　you　to　keep　　secret　the　fact　that　two　hundred　and　one　wasn't　pure　as　the　driven　snow。　If　it　　ever　le