"004 (B004) - The Polar Treasure (1933-06) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

It struck Victor Vail, as he heard his benefactor speak for the first time, that he was listening to the voice of a great singer. It had a volume of power and tone quality rarely attained by even the great operatic stars. A voice such as this should be known throughout the music world. Yet Victor Vail had never heard it before.



"I am only bruised a little," said the musician. "But who - "



The loud clatter of running feet interrupted him. Police were coming, drawn by the shots. A burly sergeant pounded from one direction. Two patrolmen galloped from the other.



A radio squad car careened into the street with siren moaning in a way that stood one's hair on end.



Cops raced for the giant bronze man. Their guns were drawn. They couldn't see him any too well in the murk.



"Stick 'em up!" boomed the sergeant. Then a surprising thing happened.



The policeman lowered his gun so hastily he nearly dropped it. His face became actually pale. He couldn't have looked more mortified had he accosted the mayor of the city by mistake.



"Begorra, I couldn't see it was you, sor," he apologized. The bronze giant's strong lips quirked the faintest of smiles. But the sergeant saw the smile - and beamed as if he had just been promoted to a captaincy.



A roadster was parked near by. It was a very powerful and efficient machine. The top was down. The color was a reserved gray.



Not another word was spoken. The bronze man escorted Victor Vail to the machine. The roadster pulled away from the curb. The police stood back respectfully. They watched the car out of sight.



"T'row these rats in a cell on a charge av disturbin' the peace," directed the sergeant. Then he looked more closely at the prisoners and grinned widely. "Begorra, 'tis in the hospital yez'd better t'row 'em. Sure, an' never in me born days did I see a bunch av lads so busted up!"



"But won't they be charged with somethin' besides disturbin' the peace?" questioned a rooky who had but lately joined the force.



The sergeant frowned severely. "Glory be, an' didn't yez see that big bronze feller?"