Bermuda for the US Virgin Islands.

The two men caught a flight out of Bermuda at 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning following revelations that they were working on the Island without permits.

Mr. Seif later called the Hamiltonian from New York to tell staff they would not be in.

Both men are believed to be heading for the Hotel on the Cay timeshare units at Christiansted Harbour, St. Croix, which are owned by American businessman Mr. Joseph Cerilli.

Yesterday, friends and acquaintances of Mr. Seif described him as a supremely confident salesman.

"I've never met such a silver-tongued character in all my life,'' said local entertainer Mr. Tony Brannon.

"He was so good he could sell snow to the Eskimos.'' Mr. Brannon, who is the entertainment manager at Grotto Bay, bumped into Mr.

Seif and Mr. Naylon on their last night in Bermuda.

"Alan asked me where they could find some action and he suggested St.

George's,'' said Mr. Brannon. "They wanted to have some fun and a few drinks.

"I told them the only place to go was Hamilton but he said he couldn't go back there.'' Mr. Seif had hired Mr. Brannon and another local musician, Mr. Dennis Moniz, to entertain potential timeshare buyers throughout this winter.

"But he's left us in limbo,'' said Mr. Brannon. "I was wary of the guy the first time I met him.'' Not much is known about Mr. Naylon, who only arrived in Bermuda about three weeks ago.

Mr. Horst Finkbeiner, whose firm Hospitality Resource Management, has the operations contract at the Hamiltonian, said Mr. Seif intended to return to Bermuda.

"He has filled in a work permit application form and asked me to process it,'' said Mr. Finkbeiner. "I don't think I will, though. I don't want to get involved.'' MR. ALAN SEIF -- headed for the US Virgin Islands.