"As I've said," Pitt murmured tiredly, "I don't have to prove anything. At this minute, four war criminal investigators are flying here from Germany, courtesy of the United States Air Force, who were only too happy to lend a helping hand after your little shooting party at Brady Field. Each one of those four men is a specialist. They know every hidden identity trick in the book. Plastic surgery, a different voice, your advanced age, nothing will fool them. I'm afraid it's the end of the voyage for you, Admiral."

"I am a Greek citizen," von Till said arrogantly. "They have no legal right to abduct me to Germany."

"Cut the masquerade," Pitt lashed back. "Von Till was the Greek citizen, not you. Colonel Zeno, will you please explain the facts of life for the Admiral."

"With pleasure, Major." Zeno had left the conning tower of the Japanese I-boat and was now standing next to Zacynthus. He grinned broadly under the big, flowing moustache and eyed von Till with piercing scrutiny. "We take a dim view of anyone who enters our country illegally and we greatly dislike playing host to a wanted war criminal. If you are indeed Admiral Erich Heibert, as Major Pitt claims, I shall personally see to it that you are turned over to the war criminal investigators and placed on the first plane back to Germany and the gallows."

"A most appropriate and convenient ending," Zacynthus said slowly. "It saves the taxpayers the expense of a long, drawn-out trial for narcotics smuggling. On the other hand, we lose the opportunity to bag half the illegal drug buyers in North America."

"Aren't you forgetting that opportunity makes the thief?" Pitt grinned.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Simple arithmetic, Zac. Now you know how the heroin drop is made and where. It would be an easy matter to take over the Queen Jocasta, keep the crew incommunicado and deliver the goods in person. I'm certain the proper authorities could hush up Heibert's capture until you can spring your trap at the cannery in Galveston."

"Yes," Zacynthus said consideringly, "yes by God, it just might work. Providing I can find a crew to operate the ship and submarine on short notice."

"The Mediterranean Tenth Fleet," Pitt offered. "Use your influence and make an urgent request to our navy for an emergency crew. They can be airlifted into Brady Field. Timewise, it shouldn't set the Queen Jocasta off schedule for more than five or six hours. If you push the old tub you can make that up in a day and a half."

Zacynthus surveyed Pitt with mixed curiosity and admiration. "You certainly don't miss much, do you?"

Pitt shrugged, retaining his grin. "I try."

"There is one thing I wish you'd explain."

"Name it."

"How did you know Darius was an informer?"