inca.gold-第25部分

快捷操作: 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! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


the　United　States　Customs　Service。　I　have　an　authorized　federal　court　warrant　to　search　the　premises。〃
　　　　Rummel　indifferently　slipped　on　a　pair　of　rimless　glasses　and　began　reading　the　warrant　as　if　it　were　the　morning　newspaper。　Up　close；　he　looked　a　good　ten　years　younger　than　seventy…six。　And　although　he　had　just　e　out　of　bed；　he　appeared　alert　and　quite　meticulous。
　　　　Impatient；　Gaskill　moved　around　him。　〃Pardon　me。〃
　　　　Rummel　peered　up。　〃Look　through　my　rooms　all　you　want。　I　have　nothing　to　hide。〃
　　　　The　wealthy　scrap　dealer　appeared　anything　but　rude　and　irritable。　He　seemed　to　take　the　intrusion　in　good　grace　with　a　show　of　cooperation。
　　　　Gaskill　knew　it　was　nothing　but　an　act。　〃We're　only　interested　in　your　foyer。〃
　　　　He　had　briefed　Swain　and　Pottle　on　what　to　search　for　and　they　immediately　set　to　work。　Every　crack　and　seam　was　closely　examined。　But　it　was　the　mirror　that　intrigued　Swain。　As　a　woman　she　was　instinctively　drawn　to　it。　Gazing　into　the　reflective　backing；　she　found　it　free　of　even　the　tiniest　imperfection。　The　glass　was　beveled　around　the　edges　with　etchings　of　flowers　in　the　corners。　Her　best　guess　was　that　it　was　eighteenth　century。　She　could　not　help　but　wonder　about　all　the　other　people　who　had　stood　in　front　of　it　over　the　past　three　hundred　years　and　stared　at　their　reflections。　Their　images　were　still　there。　She　could　sense　them。
　　　　Next　she　studied　the　intricately　sculptured　frame；　crowded　with　cherubs　overlaid　in　gold。　Keenly　observant；　she　noticed　the　tiny　seam　on　the　neck　of　one　cherub。　The　gilt　around　the　edges　looked　worn　from　friction。　Swain　gently　grasped　the　head　and　tried　to　turn　it　clockwise。　It　remained　stationary。　She　tried　the　opposite　direction；　and　the　head　rotated　until　it　was　facing　backward。　There　was　a　noticeable　click；　and　one　side　of　the　mirror　came　ajar　and　stopped　a　few　centimeters　from　the　wall。
　　　　She　peered　through　the　crack　down　the　hidden　stairwell　and　said；　〃Good　call；　boss。〃
　　　　Rummel　paled　as　Gaskill　silently　swung　the　mirror　wide　open。　He　smiled　broadly　as　he　was　swept　by　a　wave　of　satisfaction。　This　was　what　Gaskill　liked　best　about　his　job；　the　game　of　wits　culminating　in　ultimate　triumph　over　his　antagonist。
　　　　〃Will　you　please　lead　the　way；　Mr。　Rummel？〃
　　　　〃The　apartment　below　belongs　to　my　attorney；　Sidney　Kammer；〃　said　Rummel；　a　shrewd　gleam　forming　in　his　eyes。　〃Your　warrant　only　authorizes　you　to　search　my　penthouse。〃
　　　　Gaskill　groped　about　in　his　coat　pocket　for　a　moment　before　extracting　a　small　box　containing　a　bass　plug；　a　fishing　lure　he　had　purchased　the　day　before。　He　extended　his　hand　and　dropped　the　box　down　the　stairs。　〃Forgive　my　clumsiness。　I　hope　Mr。　Kammer　doesn't　mind　if　I　retrieve　my　property。〃
　　　　〃That's　trespassing！〃　Rummel　blurted。
　　　　There　was　no　reply。　Followed　by　Pottle；　the　burly　Customs　agent　was　already　descending　the　stairway；　pausing　only　to　retrieve　his　bass　plug　box。　What　he　saw　upon　reaching　the　floor　below　took　his　breath　away。
　　　　Magnificent　pre…Columbian　artworks　filled　room　after　room　of　the　apartment。　Glass…enclosed　Incan　textiles　hung　from　the　ceilings。　One　entire　room　was　devoted　solely　to　ceremonial　masks。　Another　held　religious　altars　and　burial　urns。　Others　were　filled　with　ornate　headdresses；　elaborately　painted　ceramics；　and　exotic　sculptures。　All　doors　in　the　apartment　had　been　removed　for　easier　access；　the　kitchen　and　bathrooms　stripped　of　their　sinks；　cupboards　and　accessories　to　provide　more　space　for　the　immense　collection。　Gaskill　and　Pottle　stood　overwhelmed　by　the　spectacular　array　of　antiquities。　The　quantity　went　far　beyond　what　they　expected。
　　　　After　the　initial　amazement　faded；　Gaskill　rushed　from　room　to　room；　searching　for　the　piece　de　resistance　of　the　collection。　What　he　found　was　a　shattered；　empty　glass　case　in　the　center　of　a　room。　Disillusionment　flooded　over　him。
　　　　〃Mr。　Rummel！〃　he　shouted。　〃e　here！〃
　　　　Escorted　by　Swain；　a　thoroughly　defeated　and　distraught　Rummel　shuffled　slowly　into　the　exhibition　room。　He　froze　in　sudden　horror　as　though　one　of　the　Inca　battle　lances　on　the　wall　had　pierced　his　stomach。　〃It's　gone！〃　he　gasped。　〃The　Golden　Body　Suit　of　Tiapollo　is　gone。〃
　　　　Gaskill's　face　went　tight　and　cold。　The　floor　around　the　empty　display　case　was　flanked　by　a　pile　of　furniture　consisting　of　a　couch；　end　tables；　and　two　chairs。　He　looked　from　Pottle　to　Swain。　〃The　movers；〃　he　rasped　in　a　tone　barely　audible。　〃They've　stolen　the　suit　from　right　under　our　noses。〃
　　　　〃They　left　the　building　over　an　hour　ago；〃　said　Swain　tonelessly。
　　　　Pottle　looked　dazed。　〃Too　late　to　mount　a　search。　They've　already　stashed　the　suit　by　now。〃　Then　he　added；　〃If　it　isn't　on　an　airplane　flying　out　of　the　country。〃
　　　　Gaskill　sank　into　one　of　the　chairs。　〃To　have　e　so　close；〃　he　murmured　vacantly。　〃God　forbid　the　suit　won't　be　lost　for　another　seventy…six　years。〃

IN　SEARCH　OF　THE　CONCEPCION
October　15；　1998
Callao；　Peru

　　　　Peru's　principal　seaport；　Callao；　was　founded　by　Francisco　Pizarro　in　1537　and　quickly　became　the　main　shipping　port　for　the　gold　and　silver　plundered　from　the　Inca　empire。　Appropriately；　the　port　itself　was　plundered　by　Francis　Drake　forty…one　years　later。　Spain's　conquest　of　Peru　ended　almost　at　the　spot　where　it　had　begun。　The　last　of　the　Spanish　forces　surrendered　to　Simon　Bolivar　at　Callao　in　1825；　and　Peru　became　a　sovereign　nation　for　the　first　time　since　the　fall　of　the　Incas。　Now　joined　with　Lima　as　one　sprawling　metropolitan　area；　the　bined　cities　host　a　population　of　nearly　6。5　million。
　　　　Situated　on　the　west　bank　of　the　Andes　along　the　lowlands；　Callao　and　Lima　have　an　annual　rainfall　of　only　41　millimeters　（1。5　inches）；　making　the　surrounding　land　area　one　of　the　earth's　chilliest　and　driest　deserts　in　the　lower　latitudes。　Winter　fog　supports　thin　ground　cover　and　mesquite　and　little　else。　The　only　water；　besides　excessive　humidity；　flows　down　several　streams　and　the　Rimac　River　from　the　Andes。
　　　　After　rounding　the　northern　tip　of　San　Lorenzo；　the　large　offshore　island　that　protects　Callao's　natural　maritime　shelter；　Captain　Stewart　ordered　slow　speed　as　a　launch　came　alongside　the　Deep　Fathom　and　the　harbor　pilot　jumped　onto　a　boarding　ladder　and　climbed　on　board。　Once　the　pilot　steered　the　ship　safely　inside　the　main　channel；　Captain　Stewart　took　mand　of　the　bridge　again　and　adroitly　eased　the　big　research　ship　to　a　stop　beside　the　dock　of　the　main　passenger　terminal。　Under　his　watchful　eye　the　mooring　lines　were　slipped　over　big；　rusty　bollards。　Then　he　shut　down　his　automatic　control　system；　rang　his　chief　engineer；　and　told　him　that　he　was　through　with　the　engines。
　　　　Everyone　lining　the　ship's　rail　was　surprised　to　see　over　a　thousand　people　jamming　the　dock。　Along　with　an　armed　military　security　force　and　a　large　contingent　of　police；　TV　news　cameras　and　press　photographers　quickly　began　jockeying　for　position　as　the　gangway　was　lowered。　Beyond　the　news　media　stood　a　group　of　smiling　government　officials；　and　behind　them　the　happily　waving　parents　of　the　archaeology　students。
　　　　〃Still　no　Dixieland　band　playing　‘Waiting　for　the　Robert　E。　Lee；'　〃　Pitt　said；　feigning　a　disappointed　tone。
　　　　〃Nothing　like　a　cheering　populace　to　snap　one　out　of　depression；〃　said　Giordino；　gazing　at　the　unexpected　reception。
　　　　〃I　never　expected　so　grand　a　turnout；〃　murmured　Shannon　in　awe。　〃I　can't　believe　word　spread　so　fast。〃
　　　　Miles　Rodgers　lifted　one　of　three　cameras　hung　around　his　neck　and　began　shooting。　〃Looks　to　me　like　half　the　Peruvian　government　turned　out。〃
　　　　The　dock　was　filled　with　an　air　of　excitement。　Small　children　were　waving　Peruvian　and　American　flags。　A　roar　came　from　the　crowd　as　the　archaeology　students　climbed　out　on　the　bridge　wing　and　began　waving　and　shouting　as　they　recognized　their　parents。　Only　Stewart　looked　uneasy。
　　　　〃My　God；　I　hope　they　all　don't　expect　to　storm　aboard　my　ship。〃
　　　　〃Too　many　boarders　to　repel。〃　Giordino　shrugged。　〃Better　to　haul　down　your　flag　and　plead　for　mercy。〃
　　　　〃I　told　you　my　students　came　from　influential　families；〃　said　Shannon　happily。
　　　　Unnoticed　by　the　crowd；　a　small　man　wearing　glasses　and　carrying　a　briefcase　expertly　squeezed　through　the　milling　throng　and　slipped　around　the　cordon　of　security　guards。　He　bounded　up　the　still…lowering　gangway　before　anyone　could　stop　him　and　leaped　onto　the　deck　with　the　elated　expression　of　a　running　back　who　has　just　crossed　a　goal　line。　He　approached　Pitt　and　Giordino　and　grinned。
　　　　〃Why　is　it　prudence　and　discretion　are　beyond　your　talents？〃
　　　　〃We　try　not　to　fly　in　the　face　of　public　opinion；〃　Pitt　said　before　smiling　broadly　and　embracing　the　little　man。　〃Good　to　see　you；　Rudi。〃
　　　　〃Seems　we　can't　get　away　from　you；〃　said　Giordino　warmly。
　　　　Rudi　Gunn；　the　deputy　director　of　NUMA；　shook　Stewart's　hand　and　was　introduced　to　Shannon　and　Rodgers。　〃Will　you　excuse　me　if　I　borrow　these　two　rogues　before　the　weling　ceremonies？〃　he　asked　graciously。
　　　　Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　he　stepped　through　a　hatch　and　walked　down　an　alleyway　with　ease。　Gunn　had　helped　design　the　Deep　Fathom　and　was　very　familiar　with　the　ship's　deck　layout。　He　stopped　before　the　doorway　to　the　conference　room；　opened　it　and　entered。　He　went　directly　to　the　head　of　a　long　table　and　fished　through　his　briefcase　for　a　yellow　legal　pad　filled　with　notations　as　Pitt　and　Giordino　settled　into　a　pair　of　leather　chairs。
　　　　Though　Giordino　and　Gunn　were　both　short；　they　were　as　unalike　as　a　gibbon　and　a　bulldog。　While　Gunn　was　as　slight　as　a　girl；　Giordino　was　a　huge　walking　muscle。　They　also　differed　in　brain　power。　Giordino　was　shrewd　and　street　smart。　Gunn　was　sheer　genius。　Number　one　in　his　class　at　the　Naval　Academy；　and　a　former　navy　mander　who　could　easily　have　ascended　to　a　top　staff　job　in　the　Navy　Department；　he　preferred　the　underwater　science　of　NUMA　to　the　science　of　warfare。　Extremely　nearsighted；　he　peered　through　heavy　hornrimmed　glasses；　but　never　missed　the　slightest　movement　within　two　hundred　yards。
　　　　Pitt　was　the　first　to　speak。　〃Why　the　frenzy　to　send　Al　and　me　back　to　that　rotten　sinkhole　to　retrieve　a　body？〃
　　　　〃The　request　came　from　U。S。　Customs。　They　made　an　urgent　appeal　to　Admiral　Sandecker　to　borrow　his　best　men。〃
　　　　〃And　that　includes　you。〃
　　　　〃I　could　have　begged　off；　claiming　my　present　projects　would　grind　to　a　stop　without　my　presence。　The　admiral　would　not　have　hesitated　to　send　someone　else。　But　a　canary　let　slip　your　little　unauthorized　mission　to　find　a　lost　galleon　in　the　wilds　of　Ecuador。〃
　　　　〃Hiram　Yaeger；〃　Pitt　supplied。　〃I　should　have　remembered　you　two　are　as　close　as　Frank　and　Jesse　James。〃
　　　　〃I　couldn't　resist　dumping　the　routine　of　Washington　to　mix　a　little　business　with　adventure；　so　I　volunteered　for　the　dirty　job　of　briefing　and　joining　you　on　the　Customs　project。〃
　　　　‘You　mean　you　sold　Sandecker　a　bill　of　goods　and　skipped　town？〃　said　Pitt。
　　　　〃Mercifully　for　everyone　involved；　he　doesn't　know　about　the　hunt　for　the　galleon。　At　least　not　yet。〃
　　　　〃He's　not　an　easy　man　to　fool；〃　said　Giordino　seriously。
　　　　Not　for　very　long；〃　added　Pitt。　〃He's　probably　already　on　to　you。〃
　　　　Gunn　waved　a　hand　indifferently。　〃You　two　are　on　safe　ground。　Better　me　than　some　poor　fool　unfamili