"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 155 - Measures For a Coffin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

тАЬDammit, I forgot my hat,тАЭ Doctor Benson said, and turned back. тАЬWait for me, eh?тАЭ

The hour was now twenty minutes past five, a wonderful, golden, warm afternoon, unusual for New
York in the boisterous month of December. On this sort of an afternoon everyone looked happy. The
faces were smiling. The city was rumbling contentedly.

Two taxicabs came down the street. The street was a one-way crosstown thoroughfare, and the cabs
were traveling fairly fast but not breaking the speed limit.



Apparently something went wrong with the steering gear of one cab, causing it to swerve and crash into
the cab alongside. This taxi in turn smashed into a parked gasoline transport truck. The truck tank was
ruptured.

The transport truck was loaded with high-test aviation gasoline, and in a moment, literally in a flash, there
was a hell-sheet of fire over street, sidewalk, pedestrians, the five surgeons.

The blue gasoline blaze went up to the fifth floor level, people screamed and flesh burned.

Doctor Benson charged heroically out of the Coliseum side door.

тАЬDoc Savage! My God, Doc Savage is burned!тАЭ he was screaming.

There was no question about Benson's heroism. He was burned somewhat himself, and he did rescue
Doc Savage, although it was true that Savage at the time was endeavoring to drag three of the surgeons
to safety. Doctor Benson, when he had Doc Savage safe, attempted to dash back after the remaining
two surgeons, but was restrained. The pair had reached safety under their own power, anyway. Benson
was sobbing now.

It soon developed that no one had actually been burned fatally.

Ambulances, fire department, police, and gaping multitude converged on the scene.



THE hospital, clean and white, had a reassuring air of crisp efficiency. Doctor Benson permitted himself
to be treated for minor ankle, hand and face burns, then hurried to Doc Savage's room.

Savage was getting the administrations of four anxious doctors.

тАЬThere are too many cooks,тАЭ Doc Savage told Benson, тАЬworking on this broth.тАЭ

His cheer didn't come off. Obviously he was in considerable pain.

Benson drew a doctor aside. тАЬWhat's his condition?тАЭ

тАЬHe'll be out tomorrow or the next day. Outside of some peripheral lesion, and the expected amount of
shock, he should make it all right. There may be some scarring, although that is unlikely.тАЭ