Before Giordino could make an appropriate reply, the girl engaged the clutch, and the big town car slipped into the moving line of traffic.

Giordino watched the high-roofed car until it rounded a distant corner and was lost from sight. Then he turned and looked at Zacynthus.

"How are you at whipping up scallops with mushrooms in white wine sauce?"

Zacynthus shook his head. "I'm afraid I've never graduated beyond frozen TV dinners."

"In that case, you can buy me a drink."

"You forget, I'm only a poor civil servant."

"Then look upon me as an item on your expense account."

Zacynthus tried to look serious but failed. Then he shrugged. "Shall we?"

"Let's."

So arm in arm, much to the amusement of passersby, the tall Zacynthus and the short Giordino, looking all the world like Mutt and Jeff, began walking down the sidewalk in the direction of the nearest bar.