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cently

"Anyone who does doesn't suffer frolaucoma or cataracts," Giordino said wearily

A collector of old classic cars, Pitt appreciated the fine workmanship of the Rolls "Chair man"

"The best scrounger in the business," said Seng as he braked to a stop beside theMaritie of Hong Kong's finest five star hotel They use the liuests to the airport"

The late-afternoon sun was still perched above the horizon when two guards came out of the security shack to stare at the 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Daith Hooper coachwork The elegant body lines exee" saloon style that was popular with British coach-built cars in the 1950s The front fenders gracefully swooped doard across the four doors to the skirted fenders at the rear,rear roof and trunk known as the "French curve" that was copied by Cadillac in the early eighties

Seng flashed the identification he'd taken froh the two uards to study the photo on the ID card too closely "Han Wan-Tzu, captain of the dockside security," he announced in Chinese

One of the guards leaned in the rearand peered at the two passengers in the rear seat earing conservative blue pinstripe business suits His eyes slightly narrowed "Who is with you?"

"Their names are Karl Mahler and Erich Grosse They are respectedfirm of Voss and Hei-bert, here to inspect and consult on the turbine engines of the great ocean liner"

"I don't see the names on a clipboard

"These gentle If you have a problem with that, you can call him Would you like his direct and personal number?"

"No, no," the guard stammered "Since you accompany them, their entry must have been cleared"

"Contact no one," Seng ordered "The services of these men are required iuarded secret Do you understand?"

The guard nodded fervently, backed away froh onto a road leading to the dock area Seng steered the luxurious old car past several warehouses and parts depots and under tall gantries arched over the skeletons of ships under construction He had little proble the United States Her funnels towered over nearby ters The Rolls caways that led up and into the hull of the ship The ship appeared strangely lifeless There were no crewuards anywhere to be seen The gangere deserted and unguarded

"Odd," muttered Pitt "All her lifeboats have been removed"

Giordino looked up at the wisps of light s fro ready to sail"