"He drove to the tomb of Cyrus, crossing into the past of

Persia, like a warrior entering the lists, joining the ghosts of

lancers and bowmen He looked for the Nazi on the flat

plain that had once flourished with trees, gardens, and ponds,

according to the ancient travelers of the time. It was a silent

and calm midafternoon, yet the air seemed alive with history.

There was an unfinished citadel about a mile away situated on

a defensive height that dominated the valley. It seemed like a

good place for a hideout if Colonel Zenner required one

"If the station wagon were parked in the area, he would

have seen it, unless it was out of sight in the excavation or

behind the mud-brick walls that enclosed the palaces from

wandering herds.

"Then he saw it coming from the citadel

"Harvis felt a thrust of fear in his heart. He unleashed his

carbine and dropped to his stomach, breathing hard

"The colonel wouldn t be looking for him, but Harvis knew

his jeep, parked directly behind the tomb, would come into

view when the road changed course. He made out the German

commando now at the wheel, driving leisurely. Harvis found

his mouth dry. And his palms wet as he placed the windshield

of the station wagon in the sights of his carbine.

"Zenner turned left and stopped less than a hundred yards

away. Harvis couldn t tell if it was by design or suspicion. The

Nazi jumped out behind the station wagon with his rifle. Harvis

pulled the trigger when he should have squeezed it The

colonel ducked down, using the station wagon as a shield.

Harvis had to maintain the surprise attack and at least disable

the machine Shooting downward from the tomb, he had

the upper hand Then he realized that as the sun set, so

did his advantage. Zenner was staying put, not taking any

chances because he was simply waiting for nightfall. A duel in*

the dark.