"Robeson, Kenneth - Doc Savage 1938 01 - Living Fire Menace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

Sandrit?" Long Tom puzzled aloud. "It had to be something big, but whoever heard
of a living fire? And what was he trying to warn us about? How could we be in
danger?"
Johnny shook his head. He was equally puzzled.

LONG TOM and Johnny would have been even more puzzled just then if they could
have heard and seen what was going on in a lavish suite at a big hotel not many
blocks away.
Three men were there. One was pacing nervously up and down the room. He was a
tall man, and very thin. He looked almost like a scarecrow. His face was a
peculiar cherry-red. Petrod Yardoff was not well known in the United States. In
some European countries he was too well known. Many strange stories had been
linked with his name.
Lounging across from Yardoff was a long, husky man, with the steely, unblinking
eyes of a snake. Those eyes and the gun he always carried had earned him the
nickname "Stinger." Stinger Salvatore was well known in the United States. Many
strange tales had been linked with his name, too, but none had ever been proved
in court.
The third of the group watched his companions with cynical amusement. Clement
Hoskins was known to very few. He intended to remain that way. Huge, with a
barrel-shaped body that was as big around as he was tall, Hoskins nevertheless
gave the impression of rough, vicious strength.
"You have done good work so far, Stinger," Petrod Yardoff said softly. "But one
job remains. A tough job."
Stinger shrugged slightly. He pulled a handkerchief from one sleeve, wiped his
hands. "Spill it," he said laconically.
"Would you like to cut in on a game that will pay off in millions?" Clement
Hoskins queried sardonically.
Stinger SalvatoreТs lounging frame came erect suddenly. "Millions?" he repeated
slowly. "The job youТve got for me must be a tough one!"
"A tough job, but worth itЧif you consider the millions," Hoskins grated. "But I
wonderЧI wonder if youТve got nerve enough to tackle it?"
StingerТs face reddened. "Spill it!" he snapped.
"We want six menЧjust six," Clement Hoskins breathed.
The gangleader snorted contemptuously. "And I thought it was a tough job. How do
you want Сem? Alive orЧ"
"Those six men," Petrod Yardoff said gently, "are Doc Savage and his five aids."

THERE was sudden silence in the room. StingerТs face turned the shade of paste.
"Doc Savage," he muttered.
StingerТs features became sober. "Friends of mine have tried to buck that bronze
devil," he said. "TheyТve never been seen again. HeТs poison."
"Are you afraid?" Yardoff sneered.
The gangster looked at him with unwinking eyes. "Afraid? No," he said softly.
"Just careful."
"Yet we will cut you in on a deal thatТs going to pay off in millions," Hoskins
reminded.
Stinger took a deep breath. "Perhaps IТll try it. If I really thought you guys
had anythingЧ"
"You have a bodyguard outside, havenТt you?" Yardoff interrupted.