There was a short period of silence, then Pitt exploded angrily.

"Bullshit! If you round up the heroin, the submarine and its crew and every dope peddler in the States, you still won't stop von Till. The minute he finds new buyers he'll be back with another boatload of drugs."

Pitt waited for a reaction. There was none.

"You have no authority over Giordino and me," Pitt continued. "Whatever we have to do from here on in, we'll do it without any cooperation from you."

Zacynthus' lips were pressed tightly together. His eyes stared fiercely at Pitt, then he glanced at his watch. "We're wasting time. I have only one hour to get to the Kavalla Airport and catch the morning flight for Athens." He pointed his pipe at Pitt like a gun. "I dislike losing arguments but you leave me no alternative. My regrets, Major. Though I am deeply in your debt, I must once again place you and Captain Giordino in custody."

"The hell you will," Pitt said coldly. "We're not going to oblige."

"You will suffer the indignity of forcible arrest if you don't." Zacynthus patted a holstered forty-five automatic that clung to his hip.

Giordino lazily rose from the ground and grabbed Pitt by the arm. He was grinning. "Don't you think this would be a pretty good time for Giordino the Kid to practice his quick draw?"

Giordino was wearing a T-shirt and khaki pants; there was no sign of a telltale bulge. Pitt was mystified, but his confidence in his old friend was firm. He looked at Giordino with a mixture of hope and suspicion in his eyes.

"I doubt if you'd ever find a more opportune moment."

Zacynthus unsnapped the holster flap over the forty-five. "What the devil have you got up your sleeve this time? I must warn you—"

"Wait." The rasping voice came from Darius. "If you please, Inspector." The murderous intent. "I have an account to settle with these two."

Giordino was not to be hurried. He ignored the threat from Darius and spoke as calmly as if he were asking Pitt to pass the potatoes. "My cross draw is sheer art, but actually I'm faster from the hip. Which would you like to see first?"

"About now," Pitt said, more curious than amused, "I'd settle for a fast draw from the crotch."

"Stop! Enough!" Zacynthus gestured with his pipe irritably. "I suggest you be sensible and cooperate."

"How do you intend to keep us on ice for three weeks?" Pitt asked.

Zacynthus shrugged. "The jail on the mainland has excellent accommodations for political prisoners. Colonel Zeno here might be persuaded to use his influence and get you a cell overlooking the—" Zacynthus' mouth abruptly dropped open in midsentence; his brown eyes narrowed in helpless rage and he froze as immobile as a city park statue.