"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 008 - The Sargasso Ogre" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

"Any of the names familiar?"

Doc did not reply immediately. But weird little lights seemed to come and go in his golden eyes.

"I'll answer that later -- after I confirm a suspicion!" he said slowly.

Long Tom did not push for an answer. He knew he would not get it. But Doc's manner had told him this
belt, with its score or more of insignia from the uniform caps of ship officers, had an important meaning.

For some reason hard to define, the belt dangling from Doc's muscular hand impressed Long Tom as
being a thing of sinister portent.

They completed their packing, gathered up their baggage, paid their bill, and got in a taxi in front of the
hotel.

JUST before the cab departed, Long Tom bought a late copy of one of the Alexandria newspapers
which was printed in English. One look at the headlines, and he let cut a surprised squawk.

"Hey! What d'you make of this newspaper item?"

Doc took the paper, and as their hack rolled down the narrow streets, read the item which had startled
Long Tom.

BANK CLERK FOUND SLAIN

John Mack O'Minner, clerk in the Alexandria branch of the American Bank, was found dead on the
outskirts of the city early tonight. His body bore marks which indicated he had been tortured before
being slain.

The clerk had apparently been dead at least a day.

On the face of it, this bit of news was not unusual. Murders were no more infrequent in Alexandria than in
other large cities.

But the dead clerk had been employed by the American Bank. And that bank was handling the transfer
of Doc's hoard of diamonds -- gems to a fabulous value. The bank had put the stones, under heavy
guard, aboard the Cameronic for shipment to New York.

"I see the whole thing!" Long Tom barked excitedly. "That bank clerk was kidnaped and tortured until he
told where the diamonds were! Then he was slain! And the gang who killed him set about keeping us off
the Cameronic, so they would have a free hand to get the stones!"

Doc, saying nothing, took the strange belt of cap insignias from his pocket and studied it thoughtfully.

Down at the water front, they encountered the hubbub which always accompanies the sailing of a
passenger liner. Hucksters howled themselves hoarse peddling nut meats, dates, and carved knicknacks
for tourist souvenirs. Porters dashed about. Policemen yelled.

Their taxi rooted noisily through the uproar. They alighted near the pier entrance. Doc gave his bags to a
Cameronic flunky to be taken immediately to the suite he had engaged.