They sipped their cognac.
"To El Caudillo, Der F?hrer's ally in that noble enterprise," Goltz said.
They sipped again.
"To my comrades in the war against the Communists in Spain," Peter said.
De Banderano was touched by the young major's toast.
Goltz pointed to the map.
"I have arranged for a truck to be at this point, Captain," he said, and inter-rupted himself. "Hans, you better have a look at this. It's time for you to see where we're going."
"Jawohl, Herr Standartenf?hrer," Peter said, and looked at the map.
"By now, Captain," Goltz said, "Oberst Gr?ner and the others are already in position. All that remains is for us to bring those special materiel crates ashore and into their hands."
In that absurd little river craft? It wouldn't be exa
ctly landing through the surf-this is, after all, a bay-but that boat probably draws a meter or a meter and a half and they're very likely to run aground fifty meters offshore. If they can make it in without capsizing.
"I have aboard a boat, Herr Standartenf?hrer, which is probably more suit-able to land on a beach than your vessel."
'"Splendid!" Goltz said. "Now let me ask you this: Can you take our boat aboard your vessel?"
"I don't know. I'd have to look at it," de Banderano said. "Why would you want me to do that, if I may ask?"
"I thought it would be useful when we bring the Graf Spee officers from shore," Goltz said.
"With respect, Herr Standartenf?hrer, the Oceano Pacifico's boat could do that more efficiently," de Banderano said. "All I would have to know is where and when you wanted our boat available."
"In that case, Hans," Goltz said. "We would not need your boat. You could return it to El Tigre. If we weren't using it, obviously, it would not arouse sus-picion."
"You're absolutely right, Herr Standartenf?hrer."
"Let me propose this course of action, Hans, and you tell me what you think is wrong with it. We will use the Oceano Pacifico's boat-" He inter-rupted himself. "I presume your offer, Captain, includes a crew for your boat?"
"Of course. I will send my First Officer... No, I will take you ashore my-self."
"That's very gallant of you, Captain."
"It is the very least I can do."
"Let me continue," Goltz said thoughtfully. "We will land the materiel in Captain de Banderano's boat. I will stay ashore. You will then return to the Oceano Pacifico, pick up your boat, and return it to El Tigre. I will have a word with Herr Loche and see if we can't sell the boat back. Or perhaps it might be a good idea to hold it in reserve. That can be decided later."
"I hesitate to...," de Banderano said.
"If you have something to say, Captain, by all means do so."
"There is no reason for Major von Wachtstein to go with us. What I meant to suggest is that if anyone sees your river craft tied alongside, it might seem odd. There was an airplane flying over earlier...."
"What kind of an airplane?" Goltz asked quickly.
"Oh, I am sure this airplane is no cause for alarm," de Banderano said. "It was an airliner, painted bright red, and it passed at least a mile away, probably at five thousand feet or more. But it made me think that the Argentines proba-bly have patrol aircraft."
"I understand your concern," Goltz said after a minute. "That sort of prob-lem was the reason why I asked if our boat could be taken aboard." He hesitated again. "But I still would like Major von Wachtstein to go with us."
"Of course," de Banderano said.