"015 (B069) - The Mystery on the Snow (1934-05) - Lester Dent (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

"Long Tom," Doc called. "Long Tom! Long Tom!" He was seeking to raise the other
member of his group of five aides.
There was no response.
"Long Tom is possibly working in the laboratory in your office, Doc," Johnny
said. "If heТs there, heТll be so interested in what heТs doing that he couldnТt
hear thunder."
"ThatТs right," Doc agreed. "Drop by the office and get him, will you, Johnny?"
"With an abundance of pleasure, but there will be a delay of a few minutes while
I get up there."
"IТll wait until you birds get here," Renny chimed in to the manifold aыrial
conversation.
The radio sets were now switched off.

Chapter IV. MIDNAT
RENNY, in flicking off the master switch of his taxi radio outfit, employed the
extreme tip of a thumb and forefinger. This was so that his huge hand would not
disturb other switches and dials on the apparatus.
The radio installation was very compact, being entirely concealed under the
dashboard of the taxicab. Mahal, when riding in the cab, had not dreamed of its
presence.
As he slid out of the parked taxi, the expression on RennyТs long face was more
funereal than usual. This signified that Renny was enjoying himself. The
prospect of trouble always made Renny look gloomy. He loved trouble.
He dropped through the sidewalk hatch into the basement where he had concealed
the terminus of the dictograph. He fitted the receivers over his ears, intending
to listen in while he awaited the arrival of "Long Tom" and Johnny.
The first words he overheard changed his whole plan.
"We will leave here at once," the squeaky-voiced Stroam was saying. "You are
going to work for me in the future, Mahal, so you will abandon this place."
Mahal began, "But my things here areЧ"
"Worthless stuff. Leave it. Come, we will go."
Renny wrenched the ear phones off. There was no time to await Johnny and Long
TomЧhe would have to seize Mahal and Stroam himself.
Renny crept for the stairs. Like black cotton, darkness crammed these. Renny
progressed slowly, gingerly. The old wooden steps were inclined to squeal like
pigs under his two hundred and fifty pounds of solid flesh.
On the first-floor landing, he heard the footsteps. They were light stepsЧand
they were descending the stairs.
Renny found an angle in the wall, and positioned himself there. He blew a warm,
soft breath into either capacious palm. He would grab the plotters. Then Doc
would make them talk.
Renny was not in the least skeptical about DocТs ability to extract information.
The bronze man did not use strong-arm methods. His ways were more subtle. He
used hypnotism, or truth serums which functioned with startling efficiency.
The individual on the stairs came closer.
It was simple. Renny merely reached out and clutched. A gigantic steel trap
could not have taken the prize more efficiently.
Renny clamped a palm over the captiveТs mouth, so there would be no outcry. It
was then that he got a shock.
Renny had a pet ejaculation to fit occasions when he was amazed.