Pitt nodded. "OK, let's go and read my fan mail." He turned to Giordino. "See if you can tear our queen bee away from her ardent admirers for a few minutes and escort her to Gunn's cabin. I want to ask her one or two very personal questions."

Giordino grinned. "From the looks of that crowd I'll probably get lynched if I try."

"If things get too tough just flash your gun," Pitt said sarcastically. "But don't forget to remove the safety."

Giordino's mouth dropped open like a landed fish. Before he could recover, Pitt and Gunn had left.

The radioman, a young black in his early twenties, looked up when they entered. "This one just came in for you, sir." He handed the message to Gunn.

Gunn studied it for a moment, then his lips slowly arched into a wide smile. "Listen to this. 'To Commander Gunn, officer commanding NUMA ship First Attempt. What in the goddamn hell kind of hornet's nest have you people stirred up in the Aegean. I sent you out there to study sea life, not play cops and robbers. You are hereby ordered to render every assistance, repeat every assistance at your command to the local INTERPOL authorities. And don't return home without a goddamn Teaser. Admiral James Sandecker, NUMA, Washington.'"

"I'd say the admiral is a bit off his usual form," murmured Pitt. "He used 'goddamn' only twice."

"Please lead me out of the dark," Gunn asked mildly. "What possible assistance could we be to INTERPOL?"

Pitt pondered a moment. Gunn would have to be led up to a crucial decision; it was decidedly too early to bare all the facts. Pitt dodged the question.

"We may be the only hope left to destroy von Till and his empire. It may mean taking a few risks, but the stakes are high."

Gunn removed his glasses and stared sharply at Pitt. "How high?"

"Enough heroin to hop up the entire population of the United States and Canada," Pitt said slowly. "A hundred and thirty tons' worth to be exact."

Gunn betrayed no sign of surprise. He calmly held up his glasses to the light, examining the lenses for smudges. Satisfied there were none, he replaced the horn-rims over his low set ears.

"Offhand I'd say that's a pretty fair amount. Why didn't you tell me about this last night when you brought the girl on board?"

"I needed more time and more answers, and right now I'm still short on both. But I think I've run on to something that will put this whole insane puzzle into a transparent pattern."

"I still don't know what you expect from me."

"We've got to hit von Till below the belt, way below the belt. This is an underwater show. I need every able-bodied man you can spare with scuba gear and weapons that can be carried in water; diving knifes, spear guns, anything."

"What guarantee can you give me that no one will get hurt?"