"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 026 - The Spook Legion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

THE Excelsior Airways was among the most modern lines serving the east coast of the United States.
Their planes were huge tri-motored jobs carrying a pilot, co-pilot and a stewardess in the crew.

The seats were comfortable, and each bore a number, for it was customary for passengers to make seat
reservations in advance. The passengers who got aboard were prosperous-looking individuals, business
persons obviouslyтАФwith one exception.
The fat man was not the one exception. There was nothing particularly outstanding about him. He was
neither larger nor smaller than the average portly man. His gray suit was neat, well-tailored. The only
thing which characterized him at all was the black felt hat which he wore, and his white-gold-rimmed
spectacles which he adjusted from time to time as if they were not comfortable.

This fat man presented two tickets. These called for seats located one behind the other. The fat man
walked slowly down the aisle and took the rearmost of the two seats which his tickets called for.

If any one noticed there was something just a bit strange in that, they gave no sign.

And if there was nothing exceptional about the appearance of the fat man, there was a great deal out of
the ordinary about the last passenger to enter the ship. The size of this man was tremendous. He had to
bend over much more than any one else as he came down the plane aisle.

Nor was his great size the least of the man's marked qualities. His face was something with which to
frighten infants. It was scarred, in fearsome fashion. The ears were thickened, tufted with welts. One of
the eyes drooped almost shut. Over the brows, there were rolls of gristle which might have been put
there by much pounding. When the man opened his mouth, he showed numerous gold teeth.

The passengers looked at him curiously. The mark of the man's trade was unmistakable. He was a
prize-fighter.

The pugilistic-appearing individual lurched down the aisle, came to the vacant seat ahead of the fat man,
looked around, saw the closing of the plane door to indicate no more passengers were expected, and
started to take the empty seat.

тАЬNo, no!тАЭ the fat man squawled.

He leaped to his feet, gave the scarred giant a lusty shove, and looked very belligerent.

The other kept his balance with the ease of a man who might have received many lusty belts in the
squared ring.

тАЬWhatsa idea?тАЭ he growled.

He had a voice fully as pleasant as the sound of a heavy box being dragged over a concrete floor.

тАЬI reserved this seat and paid for it!тАЭ snapped the fat man.

The prizefighter scowled. His scarred face was terrible. He gave the appearance of being but little less
dangerous than an angry lion, and he seemed on the point of doing violence to the other. But finally, when
the hostess approached and indicated the seat which he had paid for was in the rear, but on the side of