"Doc Savage Adventure 1934-04 The Monsters" - читать интересную книгу автора (Doc Savage Collection)

TERROR


MONTHS PASSED.

Bruno Hen went southward during the fishing season. Pickings as a guide, much to his disgust, proved slender. Only two short engagements did he obtain in some ten weeks. Finally, there was a third job. This one promised to pay well.

Bruno Hen, however, made the mistake of trying to lift a fat wallet which his temporary employer carried in a hip pocket. Upon being discovered, he narrowly missed getting shot. To evade jail, he was forced to flee back to the timber fastnesses out of which he had come.

If stolid Carl MacBride was surprised at Bruno Hen's premature return, he said nothing about it. MacBride's fish traps had yielded a more abundant catch during the past weeks, but he had failed to attach the true significance to this.

If Carl MacBride was not surprised at Bruno Hen's early return, he was surprised when the breed paid him a visit a few nights later.

Something was wrong. MacBride could see that as be admitted the breed to his cabin. Bruno Hen's eyes rolled. He perspired freely, although the night was cool.

There was a noticeable bulge in one of his coat pockets.

"Did you hear anything a few minutes ago?" the breed asked bluntly.

Carl MacBride shook his head. He never used a word where a gesture would do. He had heard only the usual night sounds -- insects and nocturnal birds.

Bruno Hen's next question was more surprising. "What happens when a man goes crazy?"

MacBride did not laugh. "Search me. He has funny ideas, I guess."

"He sees things, huh?"

"I reckon."

The visitor wiped his forehead with his palm, then swabbed the palm on his corduroy pants. Abruptly, he thrust a hand in his bulging coat pocket.

He brought out an enormous roll of greenbacks.

"You're the only honest man I know, MacBride," he said. "Want you to do me a favor."

Carl MacBride was a great mountain of a man, reddened by many winds, and with eyes as blue as Lake Superior itself. He eyed the money placidly.

"Sure, I'll do you a favor," he rumbled. "But I ain't takin' pay for it."

Bruno Hen placed the money on a table.

"Take it," he directed. "If anything happens to me, use this kale to hire the best detective in the world."

Carl MacBride batted his lake-blue eyes.

"I want the detective to investigate whatever happens to me," Bruno Hen went on. "I want the best damn detective there is anywhere! Plenty of money here to pay his bill."

MacBride eyed the currency. There were many thousands of dollars in the bank roil. He knew it must be Bruno Hen's life savings.

"What's got into you?" MacBride rumbled. "This whole talk don't make sense."