"007 (B006) - The Lost Oasis (1933-09) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

The cub permitted himself to be led off. He was not positive he had actually seen a form.



The young fellow had forgotten to mention the most important detail - the unusual bronze color of the man he had seen. Had he spoken of that, his more experienced companion would have known instantly that the phantom figure was real - that it was Doc Savage!







Chapter 2



THE FLUTTERING DEATH





WHEN THE two reporters had moved on, Doc Savage appeared from a recess into which he had stepped to avoid discovery. He approached the water, keeping to the shadows. His bathing suit was almost the color of his bronze skin, and both blended well with the night.



Halting where small waves sloshed gently against wharf piling, he opened the waterproof bag which he carried. But of this came a luminous-dial compass fitted with a wristband. He donned it.



The next object to appear was the end of a flexible hose, equipped with a mouthpiece, and terminating in an artificial "lung" - the latter contained in the bag. There was also a small metal clamp for holding the nostrils closed.



Doc grasped the mouthpiece in his teeth, fitted the nose clamp, and adjusted the oxygen-feeding and breath-purifying mechanism in the bag. Then he closed the container, sealing it to make it waterproof. He slung it tightly to his back with straps provided for that purpose.



Hardly a splash sounded as the giant bronze man entered the water. He swam far beneath the surface, using an experienced, easy stroke. He glanced often at the luminous, watertight compass, so as to keep going in the direction he desired.



Doc Savage was headed for the little steamer, Yankee Beauty, to investigate the source of the fabulous reward. He was taking this unusual means of reaching the ship because he wanted to learn whether there was anything sinister about the fantastic offer. He desired to know what was back of it before he showed himself.



There might conceivably be men who would pay a million dollars to have Doc Savage killed.