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"According to our laser probe," replied Chase, "bedrock lies at thirty-seven feet"

"You could blanket a train and still have twenty feet to spare," said Riley

Giordino's eyes narrowed "If geniuses were awarded roses and idiots skunks, I'd get about ten skunks"

"Well, ellation?"

"I was too duneto Why the sub bottouish an entire train under the sediment"

"Care to share your revelation?" queried Riley

"Everyone takes for granted that the weakened bridge collapsed under the weight of the train and they dropped together, the locoirders, into the water below,"

Giordino said briskly "But what if the train fell through the center span first, and then the entire bridge dropped down on top and blanketed it?"

Riley stared at Chase "I think he's got soht of all that steel could well have pressed all trace of the train deep into the soft sand"

"His theory also explains why our detection gear has struck out," Chase agreed "The broken e structure effectively distorts and shields our probe signals from any objects beneath"

Giordino faced Riley "Any chance of tunneling under the wreckage?"

"No way," grunted Riley "The botto for my divers to accomplish much"

"We'll need a barge with a crane and dredge to yank that bridge off the bottom if we expect to lay our hands on the train," said Giordino

Riley rose wearily to his feet "Okay, I'll get my boys to shoot some underwater survey photol so we'll knohere to lay the jaws of the crane"

Giordino took off his cap and wiped a sleeve over his forehead "Funny how things work out Here I thought we'd have the easy tiot the short end of the stick"