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"We have two undercover operatives working as e crew," Prevlov elucidated "An exceptionally talented tearaphic data to us for two years"

"Good, good Your people have done well, Sloyuk," Antonov said, but there was no waraze came back to Prevlov "Are we to assume, Captain, that you have devised a plan?"

"I have, comrade"

Marganin was in Prevlov's office when he returned, casually sitting behind the captain's desk There was a change about hi aide that Prevlov had left only a few hours ago There was so about him that was more certain, more self-assured It seemed to be in his eyes Those insecure eyes now mirrored the confident look of a man who knehat he was about

"How did the conference go, Captain?" Marganin asked without rising

"I think I can safely say the day will soon co me as Admiral"

"I anin said coolly, "your fertile o"

Prevlov was caught off guard His face paled with controlled anger, and, when he spoke, it required no acute sense of hearing or iination to detect the emotion in his voice "You dare to insult me?"

"Why not You undoubtedly sold Coenius that arrived at the purpose of the Sicilian Project and the Titanic salvage operation, when, in reality, it wasthe information And you also most likely told them about your wonderful plan to wrest the byzaniuain, stolen fro but an untalented thief"

"That will do!" Prevlov was pointing a finger at Marganin, his tone glacial Suddenly, he stiffened and was coain, intent, urbane, the true professional "You will burn for your insubordination, Marganin," he said pleasantly "I will see to it that you burn a thousand deaths before this h"

Marganin said nothing He only smiled a smile that was as cold as a tomb

38

"Soa newspaper on Sandecker's desk "That's this 's paper I picked it up froo"

Sandecker turned it around and looked at the front page He didn't have to look farther, it was all there

"`NUMA To Raise Titanic, "' he read aloud "Well, at least we don't have to pussyfoot around any e ill-fated liner' You have to ad `Informed sources said today that the National Underwater and Marine Agency is conducting an all-out salvage atte and sank in the mid-Atlantic on April 15, 1912, with a loss of over fifteen hundred lives This tree that is without parallel in the history of man's search for treasure"'