How does Al steal the Admiral's cigars? The books mention several things.

• the Admiral finds two missing each week
• Al gets them from the same source as the Admrial
• Al and an old Air Force friend steal them

Operation "Stogie"

that was the name used for that in what book i forget p:

Didn't one book admit that Giordino just bought the cigars from the exact same place as the admiral? I thought i remembered some book completely lettin out the secret, but i could be wrong.

Thats what I'm getting at. The books mention numerous things. So you can't tell how he really does it.

AHHHHH i get it...
I dunno, i think the more plausible solution would be that Al steals them, because that would account for BOTH Al's possession of cigars AND the Admiral's missing cigars...

I couldn't quite figure that one out completely. In fact, I actually addressed a page named the "Cigar Saga" on my web site The world of Dirk Pitt. Check out the profile on either Sandercker or Giordino in Relations. Buried within each profile is a link to the Cigar Saga.

It occured to me that Al could be lying about the way he steals the cigars (to confuse Sandecker completely :lol: ), changing his stories eventually, and the way he steals them might be entirely different from what is mentioned in the books! Anyway, we can never be sure. p:

Al definately gets them from the same source as sandecker, cant remember which book it says it in. If you cast your minds back you'll remember that sandecker has never found any of his cigars to be missing, that is whats been puzzling him for years.

Ginger you're right it does say in some of the books that Sandecker never finds any missing, however it also says in other books that he is always two missing :blink: Confused yet? I know I am j:

Do you think that Giordino will come up to Sandecker and tell him how he gets his cigars now that he's going to be Vice President? I hope the game goes on though j: w:

That was "Valhalla Rising" Pg. 217 first paragraph after the comment by Hill

" 'You were saying,' prompted Hill, not knowing the behind-the-scenes dance between Sandecker and Giordiono and their cigars. The admiral was almost certain Al was stealing his cigars, but he could never prove it. None ever appeared to be missing. He never caught on that Giordino was secretly buying his cigars from the same source in Nicaragua."

course though in other books it's said that he has always stolen 2 from Sandecker a week. It's a play of words with the readers.

It says that in: Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, and Dragon

According To Helen Noelle at
Her Site

It almost never gives a straight answer. I think Cussler knew people would debate or be confused by this an he's just having a little fun. I think it's just another one of those things that make readers love CC! :P

And to make matters worse, in Serpent it says that Zavala steals them too!

I did think at one point that Clive might have changed it from stealing to getting them from the same source so it didn't show stealing to be clever.

Its all very confusing!

Maybe Zavala is stealing them and Al is getting them from the Sandecker's source. That would explain why in some cases a couple are missing but Al didn't take them. :o or not . . .

I believe something was mentioned about Al giving Zavala a few Cigars? Yes? No? Or do I have my facts mixed up?

All that happens in Serpant is that Kurt and Joe bump into Dirk and Al before going up to see Sandecker. They just exchange hellos and go their seperate ways.

Joe then lights up in Sandeckers office and is asked whether hes been talking to Al. He replies that they met in the car park.

maybe Al should check his pockets! j:

I knew i was on something or another.