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Dr Shannon Kelsey: A respected archaeologist, a woreat ancient ht her to the mountains ofPeru, where she stands on the threshold of an astounding discovery-- and on the verge of death

Joseph Zolar: Within a labyrinth of legitimate business enterprises, he has created a vast international eal trade in antiquities Now he has set his sights on the ultiolden antiquities worth almost a billion dollars-- and frons the death warrant of anyone who dares to challenge him

Cyrus Sarason: Zolar's brother and partner, he takes a more personal, up-close approach to the faet his hands dirty-- often putting them to lethal use

Tupac Areed, he has cut a swath of destruction throughout the hill country of the Amazonas, his cruel black eyes as ee encounter with DIRK PITT, Aeance

David Gaskill: An agent for US Custolers of art and artifacts

Living only for hot jazz and a hot case, he loves the gaue-- and now has the opportunity of a lifetime-- a chance to penetrate and smash a powerful crime family

Congresswoman Loren Smith: Stylish and seductive, with knockout violet eyes, she has happily succu charreedy scheame that threatens to turn deadly

THE MYSTERIOUS INTRUDERS

AD 1533

A Forgotten Sea

They cahosts in a desert e as they slipped across the sun-sparkled water The rectangular cotton sails on the flotilla of rafts sagged lifelessly under a placid azure sky No commands were spoken as the crews dipped and pulled their paddles in eerie silence Overhead, a haooped and soared as if guiding the steersmen toward a barren island that rose from the center of the inland sea

The rafts were constructed of reed bundles bound and turned up at both ends Six of these bundles made up one hull, which was keeled and beamed with bamboo The raised prow and stern were shaped like serpents with dog heads, their jaws tilted toward the sky as if baying at the moon

The lord in command of the fleet sat on a thronelike chair perched on the pointed bow of the lead raft

He wore a cotton tunic adorned with turquoise platelets and a wool mantle of multicolored embroidery

His head was covered with a pluold Ear ornaleaold Whatwas that the crew nificently