Chapter 7
Napoleon got to the site where the manhole was. The street was empty. It was curious how all the entrances to this archeological wonder were either through manholes or sewer grates. A few entrances were created for tourists; but most of those catacomb tours did not delve deep into their depths. Napoleon took a deep breath and put his fingers into the manhole cover and heaved it up and slid it away. Staring down, he saw a ladder. When he was a few feet in, he pulled the cover back on, then turned on his flashlight. Climbing down he could hear the traffic above, but the deeper he got, the less noise. Finally reaching the bottom, there were no doorways, just walls. He could only follow their route.
Illya found his way via Marie's direction. When he reached the location where (most likely) Napoleon would show up, he shut his flashlight and fit himself in the shadows. Now he had to wait and listen in the dark.
The temperature was getting warm and damp. Napoleon wanted to remove his jacket, but it concealed his weapon. Finally, up ahead, he saw a flicker of light. As he got closer, he saw to his right was a doorway. When he turned into it, he saw Henri Pinet waiting, with a pistol aimed at him. He had no flashlight, but a lantern near his feet.
"Ahhh, finally, Sergeant Solo...you have not changed a bit!"
"Can't say the same about you, Messieur Pinet."
"Yes, prison takes its toll on a man. I thank you for that."
"It's awfully stuffy in here, Pinet...let's get to why I'm really here..."
"You are here to die, Sergeant Solo."
"I'm not a sergeant any more, Pinet; and I don't intend on dying in this hell hole..."
Pinet smirked, taking a step closer to Napoleon.
"Non? Enlighten me...what will prevent me from killing you?"
"Me." Illya said as he stepped out of the shadows and held a knife to Pinets throat.
"Drop the gun." He ordered Pinet.
"Firing a pistol in these catacombs would bring down a lot of rocks and cement...killing us all...and I do not intend to let that happen."
Pinet dropped the gun, but before Illya or Napoleon could move, the barrel of a gun swung out behind Illya and hit him on the side of the head, knocking him out. Pinet retrieved his gun. The other man came into the light. He spoke to Pinet in German.
"Should I tie them up?"
"Yes. Hurry...Sergeant Solo is right, it is quite stuffy in here."
The man took rope from his pocket and tied Napoleon's hands behind him. He never felt his weapon. Then he tied his feet. He did the same to the unconscious Illya. When he was done, he stood next to Pinet.
"This is my comrade. He is going to help retrieve the gold the Nazis hid here during the war. Since I am virtually the only living person who knows where it is, I am very important to them and my wishes are his commands..." He giggled evilly. Pinet nodded to the German. He disappeared into the shadows, and returned with a box. Putting it on the ground, he opened it and reached it. Napoleon thought it sounded like he was turning a dial.
"All ready, Messieur Pinet."
"In 5 minutes, the explosives will go off. It will entomb you and your friend for a long time. You will be thirsty, hungry, probably wounded and bleeding. I will leave you the lantern so you can watch your suffering. Au revoir, Sergeant Solo. Enjoy your trip to hell."
When Napoleon was sure they were gone, he hopped over to Illya. He plopped down beside him and began nudging him with his foot.
"Peril? C'mon, Peril...your head is hard as a rock...he didn't hit you that hard! Wake up...or we are going to be blasted to kingdom come!" He heard Illya moan.
"That's it, Peril..."
"Shut up already! I am getting there."
"Peril... there's an explosive that's going off in 4 minutes! We have to get up and out NOW!"
Illya finally sat up. He looked at Napoleon.
"Turn around."
"What?"
"Give your back to me...back to back...hurry!"
Napoleon didn't know what to think. He just did it. He felt Illya touch his hands, then he felt a blade begin cutting through the rope.
"How'd you get a knife?"
"Had it in my back pocket...There!"
Napoleon undid the rope on his legs, took the knife, and cut Illya lose. Just when they were both free, the ticking stopped.
KABOOM!
