"Curtis Steele - Operator 5 - 3407 - The Melting Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Steele Curtis)

"I'm very busy. I am about to open the dedication
ceremonies. Later-"
"But this matter can't wait," the young man
insisted in a quiet voice. "It's of the utmost
importance."
"Very well," snapped Benson. "Make it fast,
then."
The young man stepped aside and Benson
followed. Out of earshot of the others, he
produced from his breast-pocket a flat silver case.
His thumb-nail pressed upon a corner of it,
activating a hidden spring, and a strong catch
released a silver leaf which sprang up. The
young man held before Benson's eyes a silverframed
credential.
Benson's eyebrows arched as he read:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington
To Whom It May Concern:
The identity of the bearer of this letter must
be kept absolutely confidential.
He is Operator 5 of the United States
Intelligence Service.
The name signed to the document was that
of the President of the United States. Wilbur
Benson's eyes rose curiously. "Yes?" he asked.
"I must ask you, Mr. Benson," Operator 5
said briskly, "to cancel immediately the dedication
ceremonies."
Benson blurted: "What!"
"Cancel them," Operator 5 continued quietly,
"and direct that all persons and all cars leave the
bridge at once."
Benson frowned: "What is this-a joke?
What possible reason-?"
"My reason for asking it," Operator 5
interrupted, "is well-founded. Unless you do as I
suggest, this celebration will become a tragedy."
"A-! I don't understand!"
"I mean, Mr. Benson," Operator 5 declared,
"that this great new bridge is in the utmost
danger. And with it, the lives of these people
here." His gaze swept about the holiday throng of
men and women; humble families and high
dignitaries.
Wilbur Benson took a step backward and
stared incredulously. "What are you saying? Are
you mad? How could this bridge possibly-?"
The blue eyes of Operator 5 darkened.
"There is no time to give you an explanation, and I