cc.floodtide-第86章

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　〃Yes；　thank　you；〃　said　Julia；　passing　through　the　doorway　as　Pitt　stood　aside。　The　dachshunds　ran　and　sat　obediently　on　the　stairway　leading　up　to　the　second　floor　of　the　house。　Julia　stopped　and　gazed　in　mild　surprise　through　the　entryway　into　the　rooms　beyond。　She　had　expected　to　see　the　interior　of　the　house　decorated　in　Early　American　with　a　sprinkling　of　antiques。　But　this　house　was　filled　with　exquisitely　carved　Chinese　furniture　and　art　objects。　The　wall　hangings　were　embroidered　with　silk　designs。　Beautifully　glazed　vases　stood　in　corners　with　dried　floral　arrangements　rising　from　them。　Delicate　porcelain　figurines　perched　on　high　shelves。　One　glass…enclosed　cabinet　held　nearly　thirty　jade　sculptures。　The　carpets　lying　on　the　wooden　floors　were　all　woven　with　Chinese　designs。
　〃Oh　my；〃　Julia　gasped。　〃I　feel　like　I've　just　walked　into　my　mother　and　father's　house　in　San　Francisco。〃
　Mrs。　Gallagher　suddenly　began　speaking　to　Julia　in　Mandarin　Chinese。　〃I　thought　you　might　appreciate　things　from　the　Orient。〃
　〃May　I　ask　if　your　things　are　very　old；　Mrs。　Gallagher？〃　inquired　Julia；　replying　in　Mandarin。
　〃Please　call　me　Katie。　Everyone　else　does。　It's　short　for　Katrina。〃　She　made　a　hand　gesture　around　the　house。　〃None　go　back　more　than　fifty　years。　My　husband　and　I　accumulated　what　you　see　since　we　were　married。　I　was　born　and　raised　in　China；　and　we　met　there。　We　still　have　a　great　affection　for　its　culture。〃　She　invited　them　into　the　living　room　and　then　returned　to　speaking　English　for　Pitt's　benefit。　〃Please　make　yourself　fortable。　May　I　get　you　some　tea？〃　〃Yes；　thank　you；〃　said　Julia。
　Pitt　walked　over　to　a　rock　fireplace　and　stared　up　at　a　painting　of　a　ship　that　hung　over　the　mantel。　Without　turning；　he　said；　〃The　Princess　Dou　Wan。〃
　
　Mrs。　Gallagher　pressed　both　hands　to　her　breast　and　let　out　a　deep　sigh。　〃lan　always　said　someone　would　e　someday。〃　〃Who　did　you　think　would　e？〃　〃Someone　from　the　government。〃　Pitt　gave　her　a　warm　smile。　〃Your　husband　is　very　perceptive。　I'm　from　the　National　Underwater　and　Marine　Agency　and　Julia　is　an　agent　with　the　Immigration　and　Naturalization　Service。〃
　
　She　looked　at　Julia　sadly。　〃I　suppose　you'll　be　wanting　to　deport　us　because　we　came　into　the　country　illegally。〃
　Pitt　and　Julia　exchanged　puzzled　glances。　〃Why　no；〃　he　said。　〃We're　here　on　a　pletely　different　matter。〃
　Julia　walked　over　and　put　her　arm　around　the　taller　woman。　〃You　do　not　have　to　worry　about　the　past；〃　she　said　softly。　〃That　was　a　long　time　ago　and；　according　to　the　records；　both　you　and　your　husband　are　solid；　taxpaying　citizens。〃　〃But　we　did　some　shenanigans　with　the　paperwork。〃　〃The　less　said；　the　better；〃　Julia　laughed。　〃If　you　won't　tell；　neither　will　I。〃
　Pitt　looked　at　Katie　Gallagher　curiously。　〃You　talk　as　if　you　both　entered　the　United　States　at　the　same　time。〃
　〃We　did；〃　she　said；　nodding　at　the　painting。　〃On　the　Princess　Dou　Wan。〃
　〃You　were　on　the　ship　when　she　sank？〃　asked　Pitt　incredulously。
　〃It's　a　strange　story。〃
　〃We'd　love　to　hear　it。〃
　〃Please　sit　down　and　I'll　bring　the　tea。〃　She　smiled　at　Julia。　〃I　think　you'll　enjoy　the　taste。　I　order　it　from　Shanghai　from　the　same　store　I　used　to　buy　it　at　sixty　years　ago。〃
　
　A　few　minutes　later；　as　she　poured　a　dark　green　tea；　Katie　told　the　story　about　how　she　met　lan　〃Hong　Kong〃　Gallagher　when　they　both　worked　for　the　Canton　Lines　Shipping　pany。　She　told　of　v'　iting　her　future　husband　on　board　the　Princess　while　the　ship　was　being　stripped　for　the　voyage　to　the　scrappers　and　how　hundreds　of　crates　were　delivered　to　the　dock　and　loaded　aboard　in　the　dead　of　night。
　
　〃One　of　Chiang　Kai…shek's　generals；　a　man　by　the　name　of　Kung　Hui…〃
　〃We're　familiar　with　the　name；〃　Pitt　interrupted　her。　〃It　was　he　who　seized　the　ship　and　loaded　it　with　a　stolen　cargo。〃
　〃All　done　in　great　secrecy；〃　Katie　agreed。　〃After　General　Hui　mandeered　the　Princess；　he　refused　to　allow　me　and　my　little　dog；　Fritz；　to　go　ashore。　I　was　a　virtual　prisoner　in　lan's　cabin　from　then　until　the　ship　sank　in　a　violent　storm　a　month　later。　lan　knew　the　ship　was　about　to　break　up　and　he　made　me　dnss　in　several　layers　of　warm　clothes。　Then　he　literally　dragged　me　to　the　upper　boat　deck；　where　he　threw　me　in　a　life　raft。　General　Hui　joined　us　just　before　the　ship　floundered　and　we　floated　free。〃
　〃General　Hui　left　the　ship　with　you？〃
　〃Yes；　but　he　froze　to　death　a　few　hours　later。　The　cold　was　unbearable。　The　waves　tall　as　houses。　It　was　a　miracle　we　survived。〃
　〃You　and　lan　were　picked　up？〃
　〃No；　we　drifted　ashore。　I　was　within　an　inch　of　death　from　hypothermia；　but　he　broke　into　a　vacation　cabin；　started　a　fire　and　brought　me　back　to　life。　Several　days　later；　we　made　our　way　across　the　country　to　the　house　of　a　cousin　of　lan's　who　lived　in　New　York。　He　took　us　in　until　we　could　stand　on　our　own　feet。　We　knew　we　couldn't　go　back　to　China　after　it　had　been　taken　over　by　the　munists；　so　we　decided　to　remain　in　the　United　States；　where　we　were　married。　After　obtaining　the　proper　documents；　I　won't　say　how；　lan　went　back　to　sea　while　I　raised　our　family。　Most　of　those　years　we　lived　on　Long　Island；　New　York；　but　we　vacationed　every　summer　around　the　Great　Lakes　when　the　children　were　young　and　grew　to　love　the　west　coast　of　Lake　Michigan。　When　lan　retired；　we　built　this　house。　It's　a　good　life；　and　we　enjoy　boating　on　the　lake。〃
　〃You　were　both　very　lucky　people；〃　said　Julia。
　Katie　looked　longingly　at　a　photograph　of　her　with　their　children　and　grandchildren　taken　during　their　last　Christmas　reunion。　There　were　other　photos。　One　of　a　young　lan　standing　on　a　dock　in　the　Orient　next　to　a　tramp　steamer　was　in　a　frame　next　to　a　beautiful　blond　Katrina　holding　a　small　dachshund　under　her　arm。　She　wiped　a　tear　that　formed　in　one　eye。　〃You　know；〃　she　said；　〃every　time　I　look　at　that　picture　I　feel　sad。　lan　and　I　had　to　abandon　the　ship　so　quickly　that　I　left　my　little　dachshund　Fritz　behind　in　the　cabin。　The　poor　little　thing　went　down　with　the　ship。〃
　Julia　looked　at　the　two　little　dogs　that　followed　Katie　everywhere；　tails　wagging。　〃It　looks　as　if　Fritz　is　still　with　you；　at　least　in　spirit。〃
　〃Do　you　mind　if　I　talk　to　Mr。　Gallagher？〃　asked　Pitt。
　〃Not　at　all。　Just　go　through　the　kitchen　to　the　back　door。　You'll　find　him　down　on　the　boat　dock。〃
　Pitt　stepped　from　the　kitchen　door　onto　a　long　porch　overlooking　the　lake。　He　walked　across　a　lawn　that　sloped　toward　the　shore　and　ended　at　a　small　pier　that　jutted　out　about　thirty　feet　into　the　lake。　He　found　lan　〃Hong　Kong〃　Gallagher　sitting　on　a　canvas　stool　at　the　end　of　the　pier；　a　fishing　pole　propped　on　a　small　handrail。　An　old；　weathered　slouch　hat　was　puUed　down　over　his　eyes；　and　he　appeared　to　be　dozing。
　The　gentle　movement　of　the　pier　and　the　sound　of　footsteps　awakened　him　to　Pitt's　approach。　〃That　you；　Katie？〃　he　asked　in　a　rumbling　voice。
　〃Afraid　not；〃　Pitt　answered。
　Gallagher　turned；　peered　at　the　stranger　a　moment　from　under　the　brim　of　his　hat；　and　then　refaced　the　lake。　〃I　thought　you　might　be　my　wife。〃　The　words　came　with　a　soft　Irish　accent。
　〃Doing　any　good？〃
　The　old　Irishman　reached　down　and　pulled　up　a　chain　from　the　water　with　six　good…sized　fish　dangling　from　it。　〃They're　hungry　today。〃
　〃What　do　you　use　for　bait？〃
　〃I've　tried　them　all；　but　chicken　livers　and　worms　still　work　the　best。〃　Then　he　asked；　〃Do　I　know　you？〃
　〃No；　sir。　My　name　is　Dirk　Pitt。　I'm　with　NUMA。〃
　〃I've　heard　of　NUMA。　You　conducting　research　on　the　lake？〃
　〃No；　I've　e　to　talk　to　'Hong　Kong'　Gallagher　about　the　Princess　Dou　Wan；〃
　There　it　was。　No　fireworks；　no　drumroll；　just　the　plain　simple　fact。　Gallagher　sat　immobile。　Neither　the　twitch　of　a　muscle　nor　the　tic　of　an　eye　gave　away　what　Pitt　knew　had　to　be　a　shocking　surprise。　Finally；　Gallagher　sat　up　stiffly　on　his　canvas　stool；　pulled　the　hat　to　the　back　of　his　head　and　fixed　Pitt　with　a　melancholy　gaze。　〃I　always　knew　you'd　e　someday；　asking　questions　about　the　Princess。　Who'd　you　say　you　were　with　again；　Mr。　Pitt？〃
　〃The　National　Underwater　and　Marine　Agency。〃
　〃How　did　you　track　me　down　after　all　these　years？〃
　〃It's　almost　impossible　to　hide　from　puters　nowadays。〃
　
　Pitt　moved　closer　and　observed　that　Gallagher　was　a　big　man；　weighing　close　to　230　pounds　and　every　bit　as　tall　as　Pitt　at　six　feet；　three　inches。　His　face　was　surprisingly　smooth　for　an　old　seaman；　but　then　most　all　his　time　at　sea　had　been　spent　in　the　engine　room　where　it　was　warm　and　the　air　heavy　with　the　smell　of　oil。　Only　the　red　skin　and　bulbous　nose　gave　away　the　effects　of　a　love　for　alcohol。　The　stomach　was　round　and　hung　over　his　belt　but　the　shoulders　were　still　strong　and　broad。　He　had　kept　most　of　his　hair　and　let　it　go　white　along　with　a　mustache　that　hid　his　upper　lip。
　
　The　fishing　pole　gave　a　jerk；　and　Gallagher　grabbed　the　grip　and　reeled　in　a　nice　three…pound　coho　salmon。　〃They　stock　the　lake　with　trout　and　salmon；　but　I　miss　the　old　days　when　you　could　pull　in　a　big　pike　or　muskie。〃
　〃I　talked　to　your　wife；〃　said　Pitt。　〃She　told　me　how　the　two　of　you　survived　the　storm　and　the　sinking。〃
　〃A　bit　of　a　wonder；　that　one。〃
　〃She　said　General　Hui　died　on　the　raft。〃
　〃The　scum　got　what　he　deserved；〃　Gallagher　said；　smiling　tightly。　〃You　must　be　aware　of　Hui's　role　in　the　last　voyage　of　the　Princess　or　you　wouldn't　be　here。〃
　〃I　know　General　Hui　and　Chiang　Kai…shek　stole　China's　historic　heritage　and　seized　the　Princess　Dou　Wan　with　the　intention　of　secretly　smuggling　the　treasure　to　the　United　States；　where　it　was　to　be　hidden。〃
　〃That　was　their　plan　until　Mother　Nature　stepped　in。〃
　〃It　took　a　team　of　dedicated　people　to　dig　through　the　subterfuge；〃　Pitt　informed　him。　〃The　fake　distress　signal　about　the　ship　sinking　off　Valparaiso；　salting　the　water　with　the　ship's　life　vests；　altering　the　Princess　Dou　Wan　to　pass　for　her　sister　ship　the　Princess　Yung　Tai　during　her　passage　through　the　Panama　Canal　and　down　the　St。　Lawrence　into　the　Great　Lakes。　The　only　missing　piece　of　the　puzzle　was　your　destination。〃
　
　Gallagher　cocked　an　eyebrow。　〃Chicago。　Hui　had　arranged　through　the　American　State　Department　to　unload　the　treasures　at　the　terminal　facilities　at　the　Port　of　Chicago。　Where　they　were　to　be　sent　from　there；　I　haven't　the　foggiest　idea。　But　foul　weather　swept　in　from　the　north。　As　a　man　familiar　with　the　oceans；　I　had　no　conception　that　the　Great　Lakes　in　North　America　could　brew　up　worse　storms　than　any　at　sea。　By　God；　man；　since　then　I've　seen　saltwater　sailors　get　seasick　and　heave　their　guts　out　during　an　inland…water　storm。〃
　
　〃They　say　there　are　over　fifty…five　thousand　recorded　shipwrecks　in　the　Great　Lakes　alone；〃　said　Pitt。　〃And　Lake　Michigan　wins　the　prize　for　having　swallowed　more　ships　than　all　the　other　lakes　bined。〃
　〃The　waves　on　the　Lakes　can　be　deadlier　than　those　on　any　ocean；〃　Gallagher　maintained。　〃They　pile　up　thirty　feet　and　e　at　you　much　faster。　Ocean　waves　swell　and　roll　from　only　one　direction。　Great　Lakes　waves　are　more　treacherous　and　relentless。　They　seethe　and　gyrate　like　a　maelstrom　from　every　direction　at　once。　No　sir；　I've　seen　cyclones　in　the　Indian　Ocean；　typhoons　in　the　Pacific　and　hurricanes　in　the　Atlantic；　but　I'm　telling　you；　there　is　nothing　more　terrible　than　a　wi