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

Chapter IV. ADVANCE OPERATION
DOC SAVAGE had lunched sparingly but well at the White House, dined sufficiently at the restaurant
adjacent to the Army War College and breakfasted nicely with the secretary of the navy.

Now he felt well. fed, but disgusted. He understood the arguments presented to him, for these had been
made with great clarity and conviction. Understanding meant no pleasure to him.

One of the officers at the War College had said, тАЬThe methods of war have changed. The day of winning
warriors having the biggest muscles and the quickest reflexes is past. Scientific machines, foresighted
planning win wars today. This makes it difficult for a man like you, Mr. Savage. It is hard to fight with
your mind because, for generations, men have fought with their muscles. Naturally, you want to join this
war with your physical equipment, which is the impulse of every man.тАЭ

тАЬThe point,тАЭ said Doc Savage sourly, тАЬis that I am not in the army at all, except in an advisory capacity. I
am not taking part in military operations in any way.тАЭ

тАЬQuite the contrary.тАЭ

тАЬHow do you figure?тАЭ

тАЬTo win a war, one needs a healthy body. I am talking of the body of the nation as a whole. To maintain
health we need a very strong medicine to fight the bad germs. You are such a medicine. Frankly, you and
your organization release a hundred times your number in physical brawn, a thousand times your number,
I would say, for the hand-to-hand conflict which you seem to regret missing. You are a better medicine
for the country at home than you are out fighting on the war front personally.тАЭ

тАЬMay I disagree?тАЭ

тАЬCertainly. Not, however, with any success. I am sorry. This subject has been discussed by the
president, myself and the secretaries, following receipt of your requests for active service. When you are
needed in the actual physical conflict, when anything unusual turns up that causes your services to be
essential, you will be given a crack at it. And don't think you won't!тАЭ

Doc Savage went back to his hotel and met the little colored person.

The fellow was a handful of dark meat with a large smile which, however, did not display any teeth.
Equipment in the way of clothing consisted of overalls with holes, blue shirt buttoned tight at the neck,
blue denim jumper, also buttoned, and stocking cap yanked down over ears, forehead and even part of
cheeks.

The small colored person said, тАЬIs you-all Mistuh Doctuh Savage? If you is, Ah got somethin' foah you in
the way of words.тАЭ

Doc admitted his identity. He was somewhat surprised. He was in Washington incognito as far as
possible; and while a determined person could have found him without extreme difficulty, it would be
quite a feat for this person.