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Sandecker shrugged off Wismer's words "We've taken the project this far I see no reason e can't see it through to the end"

"I' the project out of your hands and turning it over to the Pentagon"

Sandecker was stunned "The military!" he blurted "Whose harebrained idea was that?"

An embarrassed look came into the President's eyes Then they flicked to Wismer for an instant "It makes no difference who conceived the new plan The decision is mine"

"I don't think you understand, Jioes far beyond e under that hill could very well reshape our Middle East foreign policy for decades to come"

"Reason enough e have to approach this thing as if it was a highly secret intelligence operation," said Wismer "We must keep the discovery classified until all docuhly examined and their data analyzed"

"That could take twenty or even a hundred years, depending on the nue for sixteen hundred years," Sandecker protested

"If that's what it takes" The President shrugged

The steward brought the Adlass of milk, but Sandecker had lost his appetite

"In other words, you need time to add up the value of the windfall,"

Sandecker said acidly "Then negotiate political bargains for the ancient charts showing the locations of lost mineral and oil deposits around the Mediterranean If Alexander hasn't turned to dust, his bones will be traded to the Greek government toward renewed leases for our naval bases All this before the America

n people find out you've given away the store"

"We cannot afford to go public," Schiller explained patiently "Not until we're prepared to n policy advantages you've laid in the government's lap We can't simply throw them away in the name of public curiosity about historic objects"

"I'entle a sentimental old patriot who believes the people deserve better froovernment than they receive The treasures fro to a few politicians to barter away They belong to all Aht of possession"

Sandecker didn't wait for them to answer He took a quick s of milk, then retrieved a newspaper out of his briefcase and casually tossed it on the center of the table