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The bobber made a couple of quick dips but became still again. The Prime Minister sipped at the sherry thoughtfully. He was a formidably heavy-featured man with unblinking blue eyes and a mouth that ticked up at the edges in a perpetual smile.
"What instructions are your people working under?" he asked.
"Only to observe and report the Americans' actions."
"Are they aware of the treaty's potential threat?"
"No, sir."
"You'd better inform them. They must be aware of the danger to our nation. Where do we stand otherwise?"
"Using the National Underwater and Marine Agency as a cover, the President has ordered an intensive salvage operation on the Empress of Ireland."
"This thing must be nipped in the bud. We've got to keep them off the Empress."
Simms cleared his throat. "By . . . ah what measures, sir?"
"It's time we told the Canadians what the Americans are about. Offer our cooperation within the framework of Commonwealth law. Request they revoke permission for NUMA to operate on the St.
Lawrence. If the President persists in this folly, blow up the wreck and destroy the British treaty copy once and for all."
"And the American copy that was lost on the train? We can't very well order them off their own river."
The Prime Minister shot Simms an acid look. "Then you'll just have to think of something a bit more drastic, won't you?"
Part IV
THE EMPRESS OF IRELAND
MAY 1989
OTTAWA CANADA
Villon closed the file cover and shook his head.
"Nonsense."
"I assure you," said Brian Shaw, "it is not nonsense."
"What does it all mean?"
"Exactly what you read in the report," said Shaw, staring directly at Villon. "The Americans have launched a search for evidence of a treaty that gives the whole of Canada to them."
"Until now, I've never heard of such a treaty."
"Few people have." Shaw paused to light a cigarette. "Immediately after the documents were lost, all but a few references to the negotiations were secretly destroyed."
"What proof do you have the Americans are actually out to lay their hands on this treaty?"
"I followed a string through a labyrinth. It led to a chap by the name of Dirk Pitt who holds a high level position with the National Underwater and Marine Agency. I had him watched closely by embassy personnel. They discovered he is leading two search expeditions: one to the spot on the Hudson River where Essex's train was lost, and the other to the Empress of Ireland. I can assure you, Mr. Villon, he is not looking for treasure."
Villon sat silently for a moment. Then he shifted in his chair and leaned forward. "How can I help you?"
"For starters, you could order Pitt and his crew off the St. Lawrence."
Villon shook his head. "I can't do that. Permission for the salvage operation went through the proper channels. There is no telling what the Americans might do if we suddenly revoked their license. They could easily retaliate by shutting off our fishin
g rights in their waters."
