"Yes, I have." Stimson seemed reluctant to speak. "But it sounds so
damned fantastic I hate to tell it to you--well, to be short, I don't
think that this Buddha is a statue."
We all sat up. "Then what is it?" This from Martin.
"I mean, not a statue of stone or masonry in the usual sense of the
term. I think that it is a portable image of Buddha--an inflated gas bag
like they use in the Easter parade. I think they intend to float it in
the air--perhaps tow it--to impress the faithful. If the thing's really
500 feet long, it may be a blimp or a rigid airship with its own motors.
But, whatever the details, I think our mystery is just a piece of
propaganda for Neo-Buddhism, although a damned good one, from the native
standpoint."
We all relaxed. This was an anticlimax. Stimson had built us up to
something--just what, we were not sure--and then had pricked the bubble.
"Well, it sounds reasonable," Baker finally remarked, returning the
print to Stimson, "although not particularly dangerous, and certainly
not worth risking our necks to spy on. However, I don't think it's good
enough to explain all of the supplies that have gone into Yat."
The consul nodded. "Yes, that's the rub. If they hadn't taken such pains
to conceal the thing, I'd be inclined to call it just a cover for
something else."
"Maybe it still is," said Baker.
Stimson looked at us carefully, as though making up his mind.
"That is where you gentlemen come in," he said finally. "I have reason
to believe that our picture has tipped their hand, that they are going
ahead with whatever they have planned in the next few days. Someone's
got to get to Yat first--someone who can observe intelligently, and
speak the language. My staff is all clerical, and there is no chance to
get any CIA men now. You're the only ones available."
He paused. We looked at each other, and then at Baker. He cleared his
throat a couple of times, took another squint at the photo, and then
spoke.
"Speaking for myself, Stimson, when do we leave?"
"That goes for me too," said Martin. Chamberlin and I nodded.
Stimson seemed relieved. "I'd hoped to hear that. In fact, I'd have been
considerably embarrassed if you gentlemen hadn't come through, because I
have a seaplane waiting right now to take you to Yat."