“I think we need to let them talk with Andrew Jackson.”

“Are you speaking in code?”

“Loan me forty dollars and I’ll demonstrate.”

Muir smiled slowly, getting it. He took out his wallet and handed Condley two twenty-dollar bills. “Can I put this on my expense account?”

“Absolutely, Professor. You didn’t notice, but we had a late breakfast in Que Son.”

“For forty dollars it must have been a feast.”

“We killed a whole pig, didn’t we?”

Muir grinned. “What did we do with the other thirty-nine dollars?”

“Orange juice is expensive out here.”

Condley approached the three men. They ceased their discussion as he neared, the two government officials eyeing him with unmuted suspicion. He nodded deferentially to Colonel Pham, recognizing his role as the leader of their little delegation, then shook hands with each of the government officials and spoke to them in Vietnamese.

“Good morning, gentlemen. I’m sorry that I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself before. On behalf of the United States government, I would like to express my deep appreciation for your assistance today. I know that our request has caused many inconveniences in your busy and understaffed headquarters, as well as additional costs for such items as fuel for your vehicle. When we’re finished with this expedition I will work very carefully with you to fill out the necessary forms for a full reimbursement from my government, including”—he raised his eyebrows a bit, as if telling them a secret—“certain administrative expenses, depending on the success of our mission.”

The two officials nodded somberly to Pham upon hearing those words but still remained silent. Condley continued, handing each of them a twenty-dollar bill. “For now, since I do not want you to have incurred any expenses from your own pockets, please accept these small payments to cover the costs for the trip this morning.”

They silently accepted the bills, the equivalent of a month’s pay for each of them. Pocketing the money, they glanced quickly at each other and then at Colonel Pham, a signal that the bickering was over. Finally they nodded grimly to Condley, an indication that they were ready to proceed, and began walking toward a thin, muddy trail that disappeared inside the foliage of the mountain on the eastern side of the road.

Colonel Pham gave Condley a secret wink, pulling him aside and speaking quietly before they began to follow the two men. “They are both former Viet Cong soldiers. Their families suffered greatly during the war. You must understand that they are not yet over their bitterness. They wish to speak to you only through me. But they have their orders, so they must cooperate. And your little gift was helpful. Go ahead, follow them. They have some information you will find interesting. This way. It’s not too far.”