"017 (B002) - The Thousand-Headed Man (1934-07) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

Maples eyed the encircling faces, and shivered. "Yes," he said.

"Why?"

"Hell, you can guess. I wanted Doc Savage's help. If any man in the world can save Copeland, his wife and the others, Savage can. I went to the airport to see him. I couldn't get close, so I threw the stick to him and yelled that I'd meet him later at his hotel."

"You fella make straight talk?" Indigo rasped.

"He's telling the truth." Sen Gat fumbled uneasily with his finger nails. "He's too afraid of being branded to lie."

"Us fella come alongside damn mess," growled Indigo.

With a gesturing hand, Sen Gat separated five of the orientals from the others.

"You men go get that black stick from Doc Savage," he directed.

"Where find this fella Savage?" asked one.

"Wait," said Sen Gat, and left the room.

An ominous change came over some of the orientals when their chief had departed. They exchanged looks, slyly whispered words.

"We fella do all job," breathed one. "Sen Gat glab off glavy. No likee."

"All same no need boss," stated another. "Whole damn t'ing velly easy. We just get thlee black key, and go to Man with Thousand Heads. Velly simple."

"No need boss for this job," agreed the first.

Indigo listened with growing rage.

"You damn dumb fella!" he snarled suddenly. "You come alongside such talk again, I tell Sen Gat."

Profound silence fell.

Sen Gat returned, nursing his finger nails, and said, "I telephoned a newspaper and learned at what hotel Doc Savage is staying. It's the Piccadilly House. Go there and get the black stick."

The orientals filed out, their faces expressionless, but their demeanor grimly purposeful. The outer night received them soundlessly.

Indigo eyed the celestials who remained, among whom were the two who had muttered their discontent. Noting Indigo's stare, the pair shifted uncomfortably, wondering if Sen Gat was to learn of their words. But Indigo repeated nothing of their conversation.

"Any job b'long us fella?" he queried of Sen Gat.

"The rest of you will get the third key, which the girl has," Sen Gat advised. "Maples probably knows where she lives. Make him tell you."

Indigo picked the sword from the brazier; the tip was nearly white hot.

Maples, glimpsing the heat glare, tried to scream, but one of the celestials stuffed a rag into his mouth.