Chiun stopped and turned and so did Remo. Chiun shook his head. "All he needs is me," he said.

"You?" Josephs laughed and turned back to Remo. "You and me together, kid, we can do it. I'll package you and-"

"If you don't get out of here, I'll package you," Remo said.

"Calm down, kid," Josephs said, gesturing with his hands. "If you want to keep the old fella, keep him. He can do your laundry or something."

"You know, you talk too much," Remo said. He asked Chiun, "Don't you think he talks too much?"

55

"Not anymore," Chiun said. Neither Josephs nor Mills sat Chiun's hand move. Only Remo's eyes could follow the motion. But suddenly Josephs felt a great pressure on his throat.

Josephs opened his mouth to cry out but no sound would come. His eyes bulged as he tried to speak but he could make no sound.

"What-what happened?" asked Mills.

"I paralyzed his vocal cords. His chatter was beginning to offend me," Chiun said.

Josephs was clutching at his throat, trying to force sound, any kind of sound, but nothing came out.

"Will he stay that way?" Mills asked.

Chiun answered blandly, "It depends on how much damage I did. I only meant it to be a temporary silencing, but his constant noise might have thrown my concentration off."

Remo shook his head at Mills. Nothing could disturb Chiun's concentration. "Temporary," Remo said. "Just temporary. Take him somewhere and tell him to relax. He'll be shooting off his mouth again in no time."

"All right, Mr. Black," said Mills. "I'll do that." He took Josephs by the elbow and led him away. Josephs still held his throat.

"I think we should go back to the hotel and let the emperor know you were semi-successful today even if you did disgrace me," Chiun said.

"You go tell him that if you want," Remo said. "I'm going to hang around and watch some of the other athletes for a while."