"014 (B007) - The Monsters (1934-04) - Lester Dent (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

"Doc Savage you may never meet, my good people," the barker howled. "So pay a
dime and see the mental marvel who is almost his equal!"
Abruptly, Bruno Hen remembered who Doc Savage was. He was an almost legendary
figure, a man of mystery, who was reputed to be a superman in strength and
mental ability. Doc Savage resided in New York. He traveled to the ends of the
earth, punishing wrongdoers and helping others out of trouble.
In Trapper Lake stores, Bruno Hen had heard traveling salesmen tell of Doc
Savage's fabulous feats.
Little dreaming that Doc Savage -- to whom amazing feats were commonplace events
-- was to play an important part in the future of Trapper Lake, Bruno Hen walked
on. He did not give a hoot about the future of Trapper Lake, anyway.
WANDERING OVER the circus grounds, Bruno Hen soon found himself back among the
tents and wagons which the performers used for living quarters.
He came to a stop; his porcine eyes glittered. He put a wide, fatuous grin on
his face.
Coming toward him was a young woman with the most striking hair Bruno Hen could
recall having seen -- hair the exact shade of steel. The young woman had it
drawn like a tight steel skullcap, with steellike knobs over her ears.
She wore boots, laced breeches, and a brilliant red jacket. The garments set off
a shapely figure to great advantage. A shiny metal revolver was belted about her
waist,
Bruno Hen was nothing if not bold. He prepared to accost the young woman.
The girl evidently knew the ways of such louts. She veered off and avoided him.
Not daunted, Bruno Hen followed her. He stopped, however, when he saw the young
woman pick up a chair and calmly climb into a cage with several
ferocious-looking maned beasts. These greeted her with ugly roars.
The steel-haired girl was a lion tamer.
Standing back, marveling that the lions did not devour her instantly, Bruno Hen
watched the cage as it was hauled into the Big Top.
Inside the Big Top, the ringmaster was bellowing, "And now we are going to
present that extravagant, unparalleled exhibition of human nerve!" He paused to
get the proper drama. "Jean Morris, and her troop of blood-thirsty, untamed
lions!"
Bruno Hen loitered about in hopes of getting another glimpse of the young woman
with the amazing steel hair. But she did not appear. He concluded she must have
left by another exit.
He got to thinking of the pinheads again, and his rage arose. He stalked off the
circus grounds, bought some groceries in Trapper Lake and betook himself home.
Bruno Hen had no idea that he had laid almost the full foundation for future
disaster.
BRUNO HEN'S cabin was located not far from the shore of lake Superior. The
structure was a patchwork of logs, cheap slab lumber and tar paper. It had one
room. An open fireplace served for both warmth and cooking. There was a window,
and plenty of cracks for ventilation.
Except for big, slow-witted Carl MacBride, who lived half a mile down the lake
shore, there were no near neighbors, There was no telephone, and Bruno Hen took
no newspaper.
Hence, when the Atlas Congress of Wonders went bankrupt in Trapper Lake after
counting the proceeds of its last performance, Bruno Hen did not learn of the
fact immediately.