John nodded disappointedly. "That’s what Fenster told us."

"I don’t think there’s any doubt about it," Gideon said. "The baskets, the fact that the bodies were cremated, the fact that some of them have been buried a lot longer than others-a hundred years at least, I’d say, for that one there-it all suggests an old, established burial ground."

Julie was frowning. "I don’t know. I think I know the history of this rain forest as well as anyone does, and I never heard of any Indians who ever lived here. And I don’t remember cremated burials in baskets being very common among North American Indians."

"Maybe not. I’m not an ethnologist, but I know the practice exists, or existed. Some of the central California peoples used to do it."

When Julie continued to frown he said firmly, "Trust me, I’m a world-renowned authority."

John laughed but Julie looked at him curiously. "Joke," Gideon said. "Now, let’s have a look at this last one. Fenster thinks this might be one of the hikers?"

"Right, Doc," John said. "You want their descriptions?"

"No, let’s do it the usual way. Let me see what I can find out on my own. I wouldn’t want to bias my judgment with any preconceived ideas," he explained for Julie’s benefit, looking at the small pile of brown bones.

"Quite proper for a world-renowned authority," Julie said.

Gideon looked up quickly.

"Joke," she said. "Honest." She smiled, and Gideon realized suddenly that she was very pretty.

He returned his attention to the bones. "There’s not much here," he said. "It’s been partially burned, and it looks like some animal’s gotten in and made off with most of it. Look, you can see where something’s been gnawing on the edge of the scapula."

Julie shivered suddenly and apologized. "Sorry, I guess I’m not used to this."