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“As you can see, while we’ve beenbackward in Attila’s life with each of the treasures he buried, we’re alsoeast Kazakhstan is probably where the Huns became the nomadic horseback power they were It also seems to be the place where they launched themselves toward the Ro a nomad of the plains The country is about one-third dry steppe, and the distances there are enormous Kazakhstan contains more area than all of Western Europe Selements”
“Hi, you two I’ve made a reservation for you to fly fro From there, you’ll fly to the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana You’ll pick up your visas and letters of invitation there Froest city, and on to Taraz”
“Sounds like a long trip,” said Remi
“It will take a while, butaround you two have done, it will give you a chance to rest up At least sitting in an airplane will help you catch up on your sleep before you reach Taraz”
A FEW MILES AWAY, Arpad Bako sat in his office in a rage He had just learned that the diligence and care he had expended and the risk he had faced to excavate the royal tombs of the Huns had been wasted His weak and stupid security men had alloo people, a husband and wife froeht ornaments, chalices, and crosses from the oldest churches in Europe The rest were Ro the Danube This was the plunder the Huns had taken froion Soo, probably worn on the wrists, necks, and fingers of Central Asian warriors and their wives and buried with their descendants after reaching Hungary
It had taken years of study and considerable luck to find this treasure, but he had done it And now he had been robbed, as he had been in France He couldn’t even get the culprits arrested because he’d had no legal right to dig on the os and the stolen lifeboat, so they’d had to throw their guns in the river before being arrested
The telephone gave an abbreviated ring on the other end, then someand closing Finally a fearian, “The offices of the Poliakoff Company are closed for the day If you would like to leave a e, wait for the tone” Bako knew that the arian phone number
He said, “This is Arpad Bako Please call me back” He ended the call, then set the cell phone down on his large, highly polished rosewood desk and looked at it expectantly The telephone rang alei”
“I was surprised to hear your voice, Arpad You’re a fat, lazy plutocrat to call ht”
“Ideas coood one, I snatch it out of the air regardless of the hour”
“I like ideas You can tell me yours This is a scrambled line”
“All right,” Bako said “I have found a treasure hidden by Attila the Hun”
“A treasure,” said Poliakoff “Are we using metaphors now?”
“I say the word treasure the way Attila would have A collection of coins and jewels, works of art, and ornaold and precious stones They will be in a burial chamber”
“Attila’s?”