"Doc Savage Adventure 1934-11 Death in Silver" - читать интересную книгу автора (Doc Savage Collection)

"Wild stuff," commented Monk.

"Typical newspaper sensationalism." Ham clipped, agreeing with Monk because he still resented being questioned by the reporters. "Silver Death's-Heads! Imagine that! What rot!"

"Too melodramatic to have much foundation in truth," Monk added. "I doubt if there are really any men called the Silver Death's-Heads. This particular tabloid colors its news to beat the band."

The two men had been making no effort to pitch their voices low, and a number of the Seven Seas office employees huddled in the room of the antique dealer overheard what was being said. Among those who could not help but catch the words was Clarence Sparks.

Mention of the Silver Death's-Heads caused Clarence to stiffen visibly, then look undecided. He hesitated, mustering up his nerve. As yet, he had not told any one of what he had overheard outside the door of Paine L. Winthrop's private office, but hearing Monk state his belief that there were no such individuals as Silver Death's-Heads apparently moved Clarence to speak. He sidled over to Monk and Ham.

"You - you gentlemen are mistaken," he said hesitantly.


MONK squinted at the receding chin and the none-too-robust physique of Sparks.

"You know something?" he asked.

Clarence Sparks moistened his lips nervously. "I - I hope this won't get me into trouble," he muttered.

Monk and Ham were both intensely interested.

"Spill it," Monk directed.

The Seven Seas billing clerk swelled his thin chest with a full breath of resolution.

"I was eavesdropping outside Paine L. Winthrop's door," he said in a voice which excitement made loud. "I heard him make the telephone call which was directly responsible for his death."

"Blazes!" Monk exploded. "Then it was a murder, huh?"

Clarence Sparks clenched his fists and said, "It certainly was!"

"Who was Winthrop talkin' to?" Monk demanded.

"To the secret mastermind of the Silver Death's-Heads," Clarence gulped.

"For the love of mud!" said Monk. "What was his name?"

Clarence Sparks almost yelled, "I heard Winthrop say over the telephone that it was - "

That was the last word Clarence Sparks spoke, although not the last sound he made, for his mouth suddenly flew open to its widest and let a terrific scream rip out. It was as if the scream had burst out, destroying his vocal cords; the yell rasped and was unnatural.

Clarence Sparks put his arms stiffly above his head in the manner of an aboriginal saluting the sun. Then he turned slowly, trembling and on tiptoe. When he had his back to Monk and Ham, they could see the feathered shaft of the arrow which protruded from his back.

Because Clarence Sparks was thin and poorly, his body made a clattering sound as it fell to the floor. After he fell the stiffness seemed to go out of his thin frame, his head rolled over slackly until his cheek pressed the floor, and with a bubbling rush, scarlet came from Iris mouth and nostrils.

But Monk and Ham were not watching the phenomena incidental to death. They were staring at the archer who had discharged the arrow, an archer in silver, a being so grotesque of appearance that they were held stunned.