"Come on, Chiun, stop fooling around."

"My heart is broken."

"Chiun-"

"My spirit is low."

"Chiun, will you-"

"My stomach is growling."

The cartoon lightbulb flashed on over Remo's head. "Oh, crap. I forgot your chestnuts."

"Don't apologize, please," Chiun said. "It is nothing, really. I couldn't expect you to remember a sick

26

old man's request, when you had the chance of frolicking with those rabbits."

"What rabbits?"

"At that palace of evil."

Remo scrunched up his face, trying to remember what Chiun was talking about. "Oh. They're bunnies, not rabbits."

"I will pray for your salvation."

"Chiun, I promise you, I didn't even walk past that place."

Chiun snorted. "The promise of a white man who also promised to bring home chestnuts."

"The promise of a student of a Master of Sinanju, of the greatest Master of Sinanju," Remo said.

"I will believe you for all we have meant to each other," Chiun said.

Remo stood up, bowed from the waist and said, "I thank you, Little Father."

Chiun waved a hand magnanimously. "You are forgiven. Now go buy my chestnuts."

27

CHAPTER THREE

When the threat to the United States Olympic team arrived at the office of the Olympic committee, it was immediately brought to the office of R. Watson Dotty, head of the committee.

He was, however, otherwise occupied. He had heard that there was a swimmer in Sierra Leone who had accepted a free pair of bathing trunks from a swimsuit manufacturer, and Dotty was trying to pin down the rumor so he could demand the athlete's banishment from the upcoming Moscow games. It was Dotty's feeling that no one in the world but him knew the difference between amateur and professional, and he was dedicated to keeping the difference alive. So he pushed aside the note that was laid on his desk by his assistant.