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"I'," answered Gunn

"Please send down a line I want to lift so"

"A line with a sht attached to the end is on the way"

"Try to drop it where you see our bubbles"

"Will do" There was a pause, and then Gunn's voice cae to it "Your archaeologist lady is raising hell She says you can't touch anything down there"

"Pretend she's in Moline, Illinois, and drop the l

ine"

Gunn replied nervously "She'sa terrible scene up here"

Either drop the line or throw her over the edge," Pitt snapped obstinately

"Stand by"

Moments later a sh the green void and landed in the silt two ed the line with one hand, and returned Then, with the finesse of a pickpocket delicately lifting a wallet, Pitt very carefully wrapped the loose end of the line around a strap holding the breastplate to the skeleton and cinched it with the hook

He stared at Giordino and esture Giordino nodded and wasit to slacken and leaving the skeleton where it lay

They took turns being lifted out of the sinkhole As the crane raised him by his safety line, Pitt looked down and vowed he would never again enter that odious slough At the riround and remove his full face mask

"Thank God, you're back," he said "That madwoman threatened to shoot off my testicles"

Giordino laughed "She learned that from Pitt Just be thankful your name isn't Amaru"