"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 115 - The Fiery Menace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

Chapter III. THE VAMPIRE LUNCH
THE small man stepped up and showed Monk Mayfair a badge. It was totally unexpected. Monk gave
the shield a glance and thought it was the badge of a private detective.

The small man said, тАЬI am a private shamus. Mickey Stool by name. I have accosted you because I wish
to discuss with you a matter of a man who was hunting a vampire. I have for you information of utmost
value concerning same.тАЭ

Monk scratched his head and examined the small man. The small man had bright eyes and large
buckteeth. All of his features seemed to recede from these, so that the first general impression his face
gave was that of a skeleton's head, with the bright little eyes substituted for empty sockets commonly
found in a skull.

тАЬConcerning same, eh?тАЭ Monk said thoughtfully.

тАЬWould you be interested?тАЭ

тАЬMaybe.тАЭ

The small man shook his head. тАЬMaybe is not enough. You should be positive. Believe me when I tell
you I am taking my life in my hands, or worse, just by standing here talking to you about it.тАЭ

Monk frowned. тАЬAll right, all right! Do we need to approach the subject as if we were going to sink a
battleship. Out with what you know, small fry, and let's get the kettle boiling.тАЭ

Once more the small man shook his head. тАЬDo not treat this thing facetiously. My name is Mickey Stool,
and I am the same as a corpse complete with tombstone if I am seen standing here chinning with you. I
suggest we retire to more secretive surroundings.тАЭ

тАЬWhere,тАЭ Monk asked, тАЬwould be such a retiring spot?тАЭ

тАЬMy car.тАЭ The small man pointed with his head. тАЬIt's right down the street here. Come on.тАЭ
The car was large, black, and had been a very impressive machine in its day. The small man held the rear
door open for them. The upholstery had been expensive material, some kind of silk brocade. Monk got
in.

Ham started to get in after Monk, then he hesitated, said, тАЬOne of us can ride in front.тАЭ

тАЬOh, get in the back. It's more comfortable,тАЭ said the small man.

Ham gave the matter brief thought, then reached for the small man's neck. The small man moved very
fast, kicked Ham in the spot where Ham's breakfast reposed by now. Ham sat down. He made as loud a
noise as he could to warn Monk, who was examining the rich upholstery fabric with interest.

Monk started to get out of the car.

The small man fell against an ornamental stripe which ran around the car. This stripe budged somewhat,
and the man's pressure caused the car door to slam shut. Monk caught the door before it was quite
closed and endeavored to hold it open. He slowed its closing somewhat, but that was all. Muscles and
veins stood out on Monk as he strained against the closing door; but the door shut tightly, and a lock