Doc Savage: Glare of the Gorgon (The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage Book 19) by Kenneth Robeson, Lester Dent, Will Murray Page B
Tags: action and adventure
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hardboiled yeggs I sent your way last week. How are they doing?”
“Coming along,” replied Doc.
Hardboiled chuckled. “They must be pretty soft by now.”
“They will be out of circulation for a long time,” said the bronze man without outward humor.
“Good. That’s how I like crooks—out of sight and mind. I might have a few more for you before long.”
“Your confidence is appreciated,” Doc told the inspector.
“See you around then,” said Hardboiled, turning to go.
As they climbed back into the roadster, Ham Brooks remarked, “I take it you think that the man who died in Chicago is also a victim of this Medusa malady.”
Throwing the car in gear, Doc Savage imparted, “We will look into the Chicago angle next.”
Ham advised Monk, “Long Tom is already there.”
“Fast work,” snorted Monk.
“Nothing of the sort,” Ham said dismissively. “Long Tom was already in Chicago for a scientific conference.”
“Nice coincidence then,” muttered Monk.
“If it is a coincidence,” said Ham suspiciously.
“What do you know that I don’t?” asked Monk.
“Nothing,” snapped Ham. “I take that back. I know everything you don’t. And more besides. In this instance, I am disinclined to credit coincidence.”
Behind the wheel, Doc Savage said nothing. The gold flakes of his eyes were whirling briskly. Events were moving fast, but they had yet to make much headway in the mystery that had arrived, unbidden, on their doorstep.
“Mebbe we should stop by my place and pick up Habeas,” suggested Monk suddenly.
“Why do such a foolish thing?” sniffed Ham.
“I got a funny feeling we’re all goin’ off to Chicago, and I don’t want to leave him behind. Habeas gets powerful lonesome.”
In the front seat, Ham looked to Doc Savage expectantly.
“I would not bring Habeas were I you, Monk. But if you insist upon it, take as much protective gear as you have designed to fit the porker.”
“That don’t sound good,” murmured Monk.
“We are facing an unknown force that possesses the power to turn a man’s brain into a substance resembling coral at a speed that defies explanation. We would not want Habeas Corpus to succumb to such a danger.”
Monk’s tiny eyes narrowed. He began calculating in his brain.
At last, he allowed, “When we get to headquarters, I’ll call my secretary and have her take charge of Habeas. This is one trip he’s just gonna have to miss.”
Ham Brooks suppressed a grin of relief, knowing that if the apish chemist saw it, he would immediately reverse his decision.
Chapter VI
THE MONSTER MEDUSA
THE LIFE WORK of Doc Savage was a simple one, in theory. That was to go from one end of the globe to the other, helping those in distress, solving problems outside the domain of ordinary law enforcement. People who were in need of rescue went to Doc’s headquarters to lay their troubles at his feet. Often, the Man of Bronze would help them. Few were turned away. To others, he extended assistance where their difficulties were not great and easily solvable.
Doc Savage offered charity. Not that he gave handouts. In these difficult economic times, he employed many thousands of persons.
It was a simple credo: to assist the unfortunate in any way possible.
In practicality, it was anything but simple. Many thousands beseeched the bronze man of mystery for succor, whether deserving or not. Doc turned many of these away, those who were able-bodied and capable of fending for themselves.
But the availability of Doc Savage created complications. People were continually trying to meet with him who had no business doing so. In his way, the bronze man was a celebrity. He did not like that. But he understood that to help the distressed, people around the world had to know where he was headquartered.
Because his work created enemies, Doc Savage was forced to take certain precautions. The bulletproof shield at his office was one. There were others. Many times these
“Coming along,” replied Doc.
Hardboiled chuckled. “They must be pretty soft by now.”
“They will be out of circulation for a long time,” said the bronze man without outward humor.
“Good. That’s how I like crooks—out of sight and mind. I might have a few more for you before long.”
“Your confidence is appreciated,” Doc told the inspector.
“See you around then,” said Hardboiled, turning to go.
As they climbed back into the roadster, Ham Brooks remarked, “I take it you think that the man who died in Chicago is also a victim of this Medusa malady.”
Throwing the car in gear, Doc Savage imparted, “We will look into the Chicago angle next.”
Ham advised Monk, “Long Tom is already there.”
“Fast work,” snorted Monk.
“Nothing of the sort,” Ham said dismissively. “Long Tom was already in Chicago for a scientific conference.”
“Nice coincidence then,” muttered Monk.
“If it is a coincidence,” said Ham suspiciously.
“What do you know that I don’t?” asked Monk.
“Nothing,” snapped Ham. “I take that back. I know everything you don’t. And more besides. In this instance, I am disinclined to credit coincidence.”
Behind the wheel, Doc Savage said nothing. The gold flakes of his eyes were whirling briskly. Events were moving fast, but they had yet to make much headway in the mystery that had arrived, unbidden, on their doorstep.
“Mebbe we should stop by my place and pick up Habeas,” suggested Monk suddenly.
“Why do such a foolish thing?” sniffed Ham.
“I got a funny feeling we’re all goin’ off to Chicago, and I don’t want to leave him behind. Habeas gets powerful lonesome.”
In the front seat, Ham looked to Doc Savage expectantly.
“I would not bring Habeas were I you, Monk. But if you insist upon it, take as much protective gear as you have designed to fit the porker.”
“That don’t sound good,” murmured Monk.
“We are facing an unknown force that possesses the power to turn a man’s brain into a substance resembling coral at a speed that defies explanation. We would not want Habeas Corpus to succumb to such a danger.”
Monk’s tiny eyes narrowed. He began calculating in his brain.
At last, he allowed, “When we get to headquarters, I’ll call my secretary and have her take charge of Habeas. This is one trip he’s just gonna have to miss.”
Ham Brooks suppressed a grin of relief, knowing that if the apish chemist saw it, he would immediately reverse his decision.
Chapter VI
THE MONSTER MEDUSA
THE LIFE WORK of Doc Savage was a simple one, in theory. That was to go from one end of the globe to the other, helping those in distress, solving problems outside the domain of ordinary law enforcement. People who were in need of rescue went to Doc’s headquarters to lay their troubles at his feet. Often, the Man of Bronze would help them. Few were turned away. To others, he extended assistance where their difficulties were not great and easily solvable.
Doc Savage offered charity. Not that he gave handouts. In these difficult economic times, he employed many thousands of persons.
It was a simple credo: to assist the unfortunate in any way possible.
In practicality, it was anything but simple. Many thousands beseeched the bronze man of mystery for succor, whether deserving or not. Doc turned many of these away, those who were able-bodied and capable of fending for themselves.
But the availability of Doc Savage created complications. People were continually trying to meet with him who had no business doing so. In his way, the bronze man was a celebrity. He did not like that. But he understood that to help the distressed, people around the world had to know where he was headquartered.
Because his work created enemies, Doc Savage was forced to take certain precautions. The bulletproof shield at his office was one. There were others. Many times these
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