"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 005 - Pirate of the Pacific" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

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WHILE the Mongols pushed the murderous hunt a few yards away. Doc Savage scrutinized the other
half of the vast mansion. He found no traces of Juan Mindoro, or Scott S. Osborn. In the library,
however, he noted the floor cords had been wrenched from some of the reading lamps. Evidently these
had served to bind prisoners.

Doc was now certain the Orientals had visited the castle some hours earlier. They had slain the butler.
Probably they had made off with Juan Mindoro and Scott S. Osborn.

The Mongols finished with the other side of the house. They entered the room below Doc.

"It is said the lowly fly is never caught napping because he has eyes that see in all directions," Liang-Sun
singsonged. "You will do well to imitate the fly, my sons. Should this bronze devil escape, some of us
may lose our heads."

The flowery speech enlightened Doc on an important point. These Mongols and half-castes were serving
some master - a master who wielded the power of life and death over them.

Their chief might be one of the pair who had listened in on the talk in Doc's office with the
microphone-carrying pigeon, or the gist of the conversation might have been relayed to him. It was
certain the talk the Mongols had overheard had brought them to Scott S. Osborn's home - for Doc had
said he was coming here.

Two slant-eyed men mounted the stairs.

Doc located a light switch, clicked it. The fixtures remained dark. Doc recalled the wires torn from the
reading lamps - fuses must have been blown when that was done.

The pair coming up the stairs exchanged whining whispers.

"Cold worms of fear are crawling up and down the spine of this insignificant person," one complained.
"We have made many inquiries about Doc Savage, since we were so fortunate as to learn Juan Mindoro
had appealed to him for help. We heard everywhere that Doc Savage was a mighty fighter. Aiee! But no
one told us he was a ghost. He must be lurking in this place, yet we have heard no sound and saw no
one

"Swallow thy tongue, fool!" growled the other. "Only cowards talk of fear!"

"You are wrong. Only an idiot thinks not of danger

The Orientals had reached the top of the stairs. Now, without another word, one slowly lowered to his
hands and knees. A moment later, he slouched prone on the hall carpet.

The second man eyed him foolishly. His lips writhed apart, showing teeth stained black from chewing
betel nut. He seemed to be trying to cry out. Then he piled in a silent heap on the floor.

A giant, ghostly bronze figure, Doc Savage loomed over the pair. His fingers explored their clothing. He
found nothing to indicate who their leader might be.