"It must have surprised our friend in the Albatros too." Giordino grinned. "You should have seen his jaw drop when he turned and saw us for the first time."

Pitt finished knotting his tie. "No one expected us because my flight plan did not include Brady Field. I originally planned to set down in the sea next to the First Attempt. That's why our flying ghost and Brady Control were both unaware of our ETA." He paused, reflecting as he looked down at Lewis. "I strongly suggest, Colonel, that you take extreme defensive measures. I've a feeling we haven't seen the last of the yellow Albatros."

Lewis stared up at Pitt curiously. "What makes you so certain he'll return?"

Pitt's eyes glinted. "He had a definite purpose for attacking the field, and it wasn't to kill men or destroy aircraft belonging to the United States. His plan was simply to throw you into a panic."

"What would he gain by that?" asked Giordino.

"Stop and think about it for a moment." Pitt glanced at his watch, then to Lewis. "If this situation looked truly threatening and perilous, Colonel, you'd have to evacuate all American civilians to the mainland."

"Yes, that's true," admitted Lewis. "But at the moment I see no reason to take such steps. The Greek government has assured me they're offering their complete cooperation in finding the pilot and plane."

"But if you thought you had reason," pressed Pitt. "Wouldn't you also order Commander Gunn to remove the First Attempt from the Thasos area?"

Lewis' eyes narrowed. "As a safety precaution, of course. That white ship makes one hell of an inviting target for an aerial sniper."

Pitt flicked his Zippo and lit a cigarette. "Believe it or not, sir, that's your answer."

Giordino and Lewis looked at each other and then at Pitt, puzzled.

Pitt continued. "As you know, Colonel, Admiral Sandecker ordered Giordino and myself to Thasos to investigate the strange mishaps that have occurred during the NUMA's offshore operations. This morning, while conversing with Commander Gunn, I discovered evidence of a sabotage which leads me to believe that there's a definite connection between the raid and the accidents aboard the First Attempt. Now, if we take this assumption one step further, we begin to see that Brady Field was not the main objective of our reincarnated adversary. The raid was only an indirect means of removing Commander Gunn and the First Attempt from Thasos."

Lewis looked at Pitt thoughtfully. "I suppose the next question is why?"

"I don't have an answer yet," said Pitt. "But I'm certain our mysterious friend and his flair for dramatics has a high-powered reason behind his game. He wouldn't go to such devious lengths for penny-ante stakes. He's most likely hiding something of great value and the NUMA researchers on the ship are in a position to stumble onto it."

"That something you speak of could be sunken treasure." Lewis' lips gleamed wetly.