"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 012 - The Man Who Shook the Earth" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

But the homely fellowтАЩs voice was tiny and mild.

"IтАЩm looking for Doc Savage," Said Velvet.

"He ainтАЩt here," replied the pleasantly ugly monster in the door.



VELVET considered this. He adjusted his black bow tie. "ThatтАЩs tough," he said. "Maybe you can help me
out. WhatтАЩs your name?"

"They generally call me Monk," said the homely fellow.

VelvetтАЩs lip curled. "You canтАЩt blame тАШem for that. YouтАЩre the janitor here, arenтАЩt you, Monk?"

"Did somebody tell you?" "Monk" asked, in his small voice.

"IтАЩm a good guesser." Velvet showed all of his white teeth in a somewhat wolfish grin. "Listen, Monk, do you
want to make two hundred dollars?"

Monk snorted. "What a question to ask!"

"O.K., then," Velvet said rapidly. "Now listen: IтАЩm a newspaper reporter. IтАЩve been trying to interview this Doc
Savage, but I havenтАЩt had any luck. I canтАЩt even see him. I want you to let me stay here in the office after you
lock up. In that way, I can see him. IтАЩve got to get a story for my paper, the Times-Flash."

Monk pulled thoughtfully at the ear which had the bullet hole in it. "Well, I donтАЩt knowтАФ"

"Two hundred dollars," Velvet reminded. "And I promise youтАФI wonтАЩt tell Doc Savage how I got in."

"Five hundred," Monk said.

VelvetтАЩs face turned fierce. He gritted, "Why, you chiselerтАФ" then thought better of it. He shrugged his neatly
tailored shoulders, spread his hands. "You win," he said.

Producing a wallet, Velvet counted out a sheaf of greenbacks. "ItтАЩs lucky the Times-Flash pays for this."

Monk smacked his lips loudly in satisfaction, took the bills, and pocketed them. "Thanks, mister," he said.
"IтАЩll leave you now."

"Sure," Velvet agreed. "You donтАЩt want to be here when Doc Savage comes."

Monk squinted. His tiny eyes were almost lost in their gristle pits. "Do you know Doc Savage by sight,
Mr.тАФerтАФ"

"Velvet, John Velvet," said Velvet, then grimaced. He had been caught off guard a little. He had not intended
to give his name. "Well, no, IтАЩm not exactly sure that I can recognize Doc Savage."

"Good night!" Monk exclaimed. "YouтАЩre about the only person here in New York who wouldnтАЩt know him by
sight!"