The eggshell-white walls and ceiling were of stucco, inlaid with rough-hewn beams, and the floor was a red tile. A fire was crackling in a large, stone fireplace that had been built into one wall. Over the mantle was a painting of men playing a game Austin recognized as jai alai. He went up to a still-life painting of assorted fruit and was examining the signature when a deep voice said, “Interested in art, Mr. Austin?”

Aguirrez had come up from behind without making a sound. Austin said, “I collect dueling pistols, which I think of as a form of art.”

“Without question! Deadly art is still art. I picked up that Cezanne for my little collection last year. The other pieces I found at auction or acquired from private sources.”

Austin strolled past the Gauguins, a Degas, Manets and Monets. The “little collection” was more extensive than that found in many museums. He moved to another wall that was covered with large photographs.

“These are originals, too?”

“A few of my holdings,” Aguirrez said, with a shrug. “Ship- building yards, steel mills and so forth.” He sounded like a jaded waiter rattling off items on a menu. “But enough of business.” He took Austin by the arm. “Dinner is ready.”

He led the way through sliding doors into an elegant dining room. At the center of the room was an oval mahogany table set for twelve. Aguirrez removed his beret and, with a snap of his wrist and great accuracy, flung it to a chair across the room. He gestured grandly to- ward the two opposite chairs at one end of the table. As the two men

took their seats, a waiter appeared from nowhere and poured their tall goblets full of wine.

“I think you will like this sturdy Spanish Rioja,” Aguirrez said. He raised his glass. “To art.”

“To the master and crew of the Navarra ”You're very gracious,“ Aguirrez said with obvious approval. ”Ah good,“ he said, his eyes lighting up. ”I see that our feast is about to begin.

There were no appetizers, and they dug right into the main course, a hearty bean, pepper and pork-rib dish served with cabbage. Austin complimented the chef and asked what the dish was.

“This is called alubias de tolosa” Aguirrez said, downing his food with gusto. “We Basques treat it with an almost mystical reverence.”

“Basque. Of course. Navarra is a Basque province. Then there's the jai alai painting. And the black beret.”

“I'm impressed, Mr. Austin! You seem to know a great deal about my people.”

“Anyone interested in the sea knows that the Basques were the greatest explorers, sailors and shipbuilders in the world.”

Aguirrez clapped his hands. “Bravo.” He refilled Austin's wine- glass and leaned forward. “Tell me, what is your interest in the sea?” He maintained his ferocious grin, but pinioned Austin with a pene- trating gaze.