no light to die by
TRANSCRIPT
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
ADocSavageAdventurebyKennethRobesonOriginallypublishedinDocSavageMagazineJune1947
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DOCSAVAGE
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5CABLEGRAM
ROBESON,NEWYORK
DISAPPROVEOFTHEIDEA.SORRY.
ROBESON,NEWYORK
SAVAGE
THAT’SWHATIWASAFRAIDOF.I’LL
WRITESAMMY.
SAVAGE.
CABLEGRAM
SAVAGE,LONDON
MEMOFROMTHEDESKOFDOCSAV-SAMMYISBULLHEADEDABOUTTHIS.
AGE:
HEISGOINGTOPUBLISHMANU-To:SammyWales.
SCRIPT.WON’TLISTENTOME.SAYS
SCRIPT.WON’TLISTENTOME.SAYS
Mr.KennethRobeson,theauthor,advisesmeHENEEDSTHEMONEY.
thatyouhavewrittenafirst-personaccountROBESON.
ofarecentadventurewhichbroughtyouincontactwithmyselfandmygroupofaides.
HestatesthatyouintendseekingapublisherROBESON,NEWYORK
forthismanuscript,andthatyouhavere-BUYTHEMANUSCRIPTOFFHIM.
fusedtosellittohim.Idisapproveofthis.ItBURNIT.
istruethatKennethRobesonhaswrittenaSAVAGE.
hundredandsixty-eightnovelsaroundtheadventuresofourgroup,butthesewerefic-tionizedversionsandinnowayhamperedSAVAGE,LONDON
ourwork.Itisnotsatisfactorytometoper-mitpublicationofanaccountwrittenbyanSAMMYWONTSELL.SAYSTHEPUB-unskilledoutsider.IhopeyouwilldroptheLICSHOULDKNOWTHETRUTH
ABOUTDOCSAVAGE.
matter.
SAVAGE.
ROBESON.
6
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RADIOGRAM
SAVAGE,SHANGHAIRADIOGRAM
SAMMYFEELSTRUTHABOUTYOU
SAVAGE,PARIS
SHOULDREKNOWN.SEEMSSINCERE.
WHO’SUNSKILLED?ANDWHOISAN
SAYSITWILLSCARESOMEPEOPLE
OUTSIDER?IWASTHEREWASN’TI?
WHONEEDSCARING.
THISGUYROBESONISAFICTION
ROBESON.
WRITERALLRIGHT.IHAVEREAD
SOMEOFHISSTUFFANDHESOFT-PEDALSTOOMANYFACTS.ITHINK
RADIOGRAM
WHATI’VEWRITTENSHOULDBE
ROBESON,NEWYORK
PRINTED.
ITSCARESMEANYWAY.WHATIS
SAMMYWALES.
YOUROPINIONOFSAMMY’SMANUSCRIPT?
SAVAGE.
RADIOGRAM
WALES,NEWYORK
HOWDIDYOUKNOWIWASINPARIS?
SAVAGE,SHANGHAISAVAGE
ITHINKSAMMYASAWRITERISNO
SHAKESPEARE.BUTHISINTENTIONS
GOOD.CANMAKEDEALTOPUBLISH
MANUSCRIPTINMAGAZINE.SUG-SAVAGE,CAIRO
GESTDOSO.SUGGESTYOUBREAK
ALITTLEBIRDTOLDME.
ALLPRECEDENTANDGIVEPER-SAMMYWALES
SONALSTATEMENTTOBEPUBLISHED.THISISONLYOUTISEE.
ROBESON.
MONKMAYFAIR,NEWYORK
IFYOUARETHEBIRDTELLING
SAMMYWALESTHINGS,CUTITOUT.
CABLEGRAM
SAVAGE
ROBESON,NEWYORK
HAVEREADSAMMYWALESMANUSCRIPT.SHAKESPEAREWILLSPININ
GRAVE.SOWILLIIFIEVERREMEM-SAVAGE,BOMBAY
BERTHIS.STATEMENTFORPUBLICA-SOTHAT’SWHYTHATPRETTYFI-ANCEEOFHISGAVEMEADATE.
TIONFOLLOWSAIRMAIL.
SAVAGE.
MONKMAYFAIR
CABLEGRAM
ROBESON,NEWYORK
STATEMENTBYDOCSAVAGE
DO
NOT
UNDERSTAND
SAMMY
YOUareabouttoreadamanuscriptWALESATTITUDE.WILLYOUASCER-writtenbyayoungmannamedSammyTAINHISTRUEREASONSFORWISH-Wales.QuiteprobablyyouhaveneverheardINGMATERIALPUBLISHED.CABLE
MESHANGHAI.
ofMr.Wales.IcertainlyhadnotheardofhimuntilquiterecentlywhentheincidentsSAVAGE.
describedinhiswritingsoccurred.Sammyseemstofeelwhathappenedwasextremelyfantasticandexciting.Itwas.
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
7ButSammyWaleshasmadeamis-SammyWales,asyouwillsee,isper-take—hehastoldaboutwhathappened,andfectlywillingtofightsingle-handedagainstneglectedwhyithappened.Perhapsthatisanythinghedislikes,orforanythinghelikes.
notSammy’sfault.HeknowsmeonlyfromThathasbeenmycreed,too.Ihadthewhathesawmedo.Heknowsthewholefortune,ormisfortune,toreceiveanoddworld,really,onlyfromwhathehasseenittrainingasayouth.Myfather,victimizedbydotohimandtoothers.You’llhavetolookcriminals,imaginedthathecouldturnmedeepintoSammytoseeit,butIthinkintoasortofmodernGalahadwhowouldSammyhasauniversalfear.
sallyoutagainstallwrongdoerswhowereWhocanblameSammyWalesforbe-outsidethelaw,andwhowouldaidtheopingafraid?Thesearethedayswhenallbravepressed.Myfather,beforehisdeath,outlinedmentremblealittleforthefutureofhuman-astringentcourseoftraininginwhichIwasity.Andnowonder!Therehasjustsweptplacedinthehandsofaseriesofscientists,overtheworldanepidemicofunworkablecriminologists,physicalcultureexperts,psy-schemesderivedfromHitler,Mussolini,achiatrists—Iwon’tboreyouwithanendlesspoisongasthrownintoourmindsbytheoristslistoftheseexperts,buttheyhadmeintheiranddemagogues,bytyrantsandrascals.
handsfromthetimeIwasfourteenmonthsWasn’titDoctorJohnsonwhowrote,“Patri-olduntilIwastwentyyearsold—sothatIotismisthelastrefugeofascoundrel.”
mightbefittedforthiscareerofrightingThirtyyearsagotheywerebeginningagreatwrongsandpunishingevildoers.Ichosewartosaveliberty.Wehavejustfinishedmedicineandsurgeryforspecializing,largelyanother.AndyetIdareyoutoshowmeabecausetheunderstandingofhumanbeingssquarefootontheearth’ssurfacewherelib-thatadoctorhasfittedinwiththeother,andertyissafetoday.
becauseIlikedit.Thistraining,foresightofDon’tmisunderstandme!Ihavefaith.Imyfather’simagination,equippedmewiththinkIknowwhyweareafraid,too.Ithinkitmanyskills,mental,physicalandscientific.
afraid,too.Ithinkitmanyskills,mental,physicalandscientific.
ischangethathasterrifiedus.Changesal-Thereisnopointinbeingmodestaboutthat.
waysbreedfear,andthatisgood,becauseaIfyoustudyandpracticemanythings,youchangeisadangerousthing,nottobebecomeadeptatmanythings.Theonlyre-avoided,buttobeapproachedwarily.AndmarkablethingaboutmeisthatIhaveanykindofchangingthatdestroysisparticu-workedlikethedickenstomastersomelarlyvicious.Destruction,likedeath,issoskills.You’llbesurprisedatwhatpatientandpermanent.Andtheprofessionalwreckersofcontinualtryingcanaccomplish.
housesarealmostneverthemenwhobuildYousee,Ibelieveintrying.
homes.
ThereiswhereSammyWalesmissedHaveyouheardanybody,whenspeak-theboatinthisaccounthehaswritten.Heingofcrime,ofdeplorablegovernment,say:hasnotpaintedmeasanindividualwhohasButwhatcanjustoneguydo?Certainlyearnedwhateverabilitieshehasthehardyou’veheardthat.You’vehearditmanyway—andthereisnootherway—byrepeat-times.Andeachtimeitwasthevoiceofedlytrying.Sammyseemstofranklybelievecowardicethatspoke.Speakout,myfriend,thatthestrongthingsinlifearepassedoutandspeakoutfirmly,andyouwillfindthatready-made,insteadofbeingcreatedbytheyouarethemultitude.Whenyouletabadindividualwithinhimself.
thinghappentoyou,youhaveitcomingtoSammyshouldhavetoldmoreaboutyou.
whythingshappened.SammyhimselfisaOnethingIcansayforSammychangedman—notyetchangedasmuchasWales—hespeaksandactswiththecouragemightbedesirable,however.Hehardlymen-ofhisconvictions.Iadmirethatinhim,al-tionsthischangeinhimself,possiblybecausethoughSammyhascertainotherdeplorablehedoesnotfullygraspit—yetsurelyhetraits.
couldunderstandsuchanimportantthingasamanacquiringapurposeinlife,whenthe8
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manishimself.ButSammyglidesoverthis;likethatandtosuchaquestion,
manishimself.ButSammyglidesoverthis;likethatandtosuchaquestion,whatwasheistoomuchinterestedintheactionoftheretosay?
events,ratherthantheircauses.
“Itcouldbe,MissFenisong.ItcouldHeshouldatleasthavestatedthephi-be.”“Areyoufreethisafternoon,Mr.
losophythatsocietypreparesthecrimeandWales?”
thecriminalsonlycommitit,andthateach“Isthereamoonintheafternoon?”
individualisapartofsociety,andindeedheShelaughedheh-hehtoshowthatsheisthatsociety....
didn’tthinkIwasveryfunny,butshewasCLARKSAVAGE,JR.
willingtobeagreeable.“Sayaboutthree,then.Isthatsatisfactory?”
THESAMMYWALES
“Whynotlunch?Whywait?”
MANUSCRIPT
“Well...”
Whileshewasconsidering,IsawmyChapterIpantshangingoverthebackofachair,therighthippocketweighteddownbyabigfatbillfoldthatwasstuffed,asmybillfoldsusu-THEtelephonehadavoicelikeatruckloadofcoalbangingdownatinchute,allyare,witheverythingbutmoney.Therestraightintomyear.Myheadfeltjustaboutwerenineone-dollarbillsinit,andtherebigenoughtoholdatruckloadofcoal,too.
weren’tanymoreintheworld,Iwasbegin-Itwasprobablyabeautifulmorningningtofigure.
“Maybewe’dbetterskipthelunch,”Ioutdoors,forthesunlightstoodthroughthehotelroomwindowinbrighthardbarsandsaid.“
dustmicerodeupanddownthem.IrolledVerywell,”shesaid.“Threeo’clock,overandtookholdofthetelephoneverygen-then.”“
tly,beforeitkilledme,andanswered.TheWhataddress?”
“TheParkside-Regent,”shesaid.
voicethatcameoutofthereceiverwasas“Goodbye.”
sweetashoneyonicecream.Itsaid:“Iwantthemoonlightman.”
“Who?”
TherewassomekindofaconferenceIPUTthetelephoneonitscradleandattheotherendofthewire.Ithoughtthatalaidmyheadachebackonthepillowasgentlyaspossible.Theheadachewasadog.Itmalevoiceaddressedlovely-voicesharply.
wasoneofthosethingswhereyourtemplesThenlovely-voicesaid,“Hello?”
“Yeah?”
bulgeoutaboutafooteachtimeyourheart“IsthisMr.SamuelWalesspeaking?”
beats.Butitwasn’tanentirelyunforeseen“Whowantstoknow?”
headache,becausemissingthreemealsinaShedidnothavetoconferaboutthat,rowinvariablyproducessuchaneffectonme.Thetroublewas,thecheapestmealIbutitstoppedhershortforamomentandputhadseenonamenulastnightwasadollarabitofvinegarinherhoneyvoice.Aboutadropofvinegartoabarrelfulofnectar.Sheforty.Withonlyninepaperdollarsbetweensaid:“ThisisMissFenisongspeaking.IsMr.
meandpoverty,Iwasn’tshootinganydollarWalesthere?”
fortyondinner.
“
SonowIwasanexpertonmoonlight..
Partlyso,Iwouldsay,”Isaid.
..Thisveryunusualfactwouldn’tletmeIdidn’tknowanyMissFenisongsyet.
“MayIspeaktoMr.Wales?”shesaid.
sleepagain.Itriedgoingintothebathroom“Youare.”
andgettingadrinkofwaterthattastedfrom“Oh,”shesaid.“Oh,indeed!...Youstandinginpipes,thensittingontheedgeofareMr.Wales,theexpertonmoonlight?”
thebedandholdingmyfacewithbothhands.
“
Itdidn’thelp.Nogood.Iwouldhavetoeat.
Expertonwhat?”
“
Thetelephoneoperatorwascoöpera-Moonlight.”
Thatsortofhadmegoing.Itcouldn’ttivewhenIgotholdofheraminutelater.ShebeagagbecauseIwasn’tawarethatIknewsaid:“Mr.SamuelWalesisinfour-twelve.
anyoneinNewYorkCity.ToalovelyvoiceOh!...Oh,that’syou,isn’tit?”
“WhataboutanotherMr.SamuelWales?Haveyougotanotheroneofus?”
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
9AftershehadprobablyconsultedattheParkside-Regenttofindoutwhatwentwhateveritisthatoperatorsinbighotelsusewiththatvoice.
tokeeptrackoftheguests,shesaid,“AMr.
ItwaseasytoseewhatwentwiththeSamuelWickertWalesisregisteredinsix-Parkside-RegentHotel.Probablyaminimumteen-forty.”
billoffifteenbucksaday.
“Willyouringhim?”
“Yes,Mr.Wales.I’llringtheotherMr.
Wales.”
SHEinvitedmeintohersitting-room.
Hedidn’tanswer.
Shesaid:“Comein,Mr.Wales.I’mawfullySothatwasthat.Therehadbeenangladyou’rehere.”
error.Theexpertonmoonlightwasn’ttheSowasIglad.ThismightbeaverySammyWaleswhohadaheadachefromtemporaryvisit,butalreadyitwasdefinitelyahunger.Iwouldhavecalledlovely-voiceandpay-off.Ihadknowntherewerepeopleliketoldheraboutit,butthatwouldhavecostaher,becauseIgotothemovies.Ihadsup-nickel.Adime,probably.
posedtheremightbehotelsuitesasfancyasIshouldhaveletitgoatthat.Ithoughtthisonewas,forthesamereason.
Ihad.
Ihad.
“Youdon’tneedamoon,”Isaid.
Puttingontwosuitsofclothes,IwentShedidn’twarmupverywelltothat.Iouttolookforacheapbreakfast.Wearingwassorryaboutthis,becauseIwasdoingthetwosuitswasaprecaution,becauseitmyawedbesttopaytributetoamaster-lookedasifIwasgoingtohavetobeatthatpiece.Itwasn’tjustthatshewastall,blonde,hotelbill.
peach-colored,althougheventhatwasalittleInGrandCentralStation,inthemen’slikedescribingamansionbysayingitwasaroom,Itookoffbothsuits,puttheonethathouse.Itwastheplusdetailsthatwereim-wasnotwrinkledbackon,andmadeabun-portant;anairofquietlydrawnreserve,fordleoftheotheroneandgaveittooneofexample,thatprobablyindicatednogreatthoselockercontraptionsthatkeepyourstuffemotionalneedofbeingsurroundedbyoth-twenty-fourhoursforadime.Ihadanolders,whichmightmeanalittleinhibition.Butslot-machineslugthatwouldexactlyfit.
whowantedtobepsychologicalaboutMissAcheapbreakfastinNewYorkwasn’tFenisong.Withthatfigure!
easytofind.Ididn’tknowthetown,andmustAtrim,dark-hairedmansatinachairhavewalkedthewrongdirections,becauseIholdingacigaretteinaholderthatwaslongdidnotcomeuponanypartofthetownthatandaswhiteasatooth.Helookedalittletoolookedcheap.Ifinallycompromisedonanwideforhissuit.
Automat.Thereatleastyougetapreviewof“Mr.AlbertGross,”shesaid.
thesizeoftheportionsyourmoneyisgoingWedidn’tshakehands.Iwonderediftobuy.Thegirlwhoskillfullyslungoutnickelswetooksuchasuddendisliketoeachotheranddimesforoneofmydollarssaid,“Thankforthesamereason.
you,”inavoicethatremindedmeofMiss“Soyou’reSamuelWales,themoonFenisong,whowantedamanwhoknewexpert,”hesaid.
aboutmoonlight.
“MynameisWales,”Isaid.“ButitsoIsatthereatthelittlemarble-toppedhappens—”
tablewithitspuddleofcoffeethatanother“Makeitsnappy,willyou,”hesaiddiner’scuphadleftanditsbread-crustsharply.“Wehaven’tgotmuchtime.”
crumbsandatemythirtycentsworthwithMissFenisongsaid,“Mr.Wales,wouldgreatcare.ThenIsattheresomemore.Itwentydollarsbeasatisfactoryfee?”
hadn’thadspaghetti,buttherewasaspa-
“Twentydollarswouldsatisfymeghettiwormaboutaninchlonglyingontheplenty,”Isaid.“ButI’mafraid—”
table.Ididn’tknowwhyIwassittingthere“Givehimfiftybucks,baby,”AlbertuntilitdawnedonmethatIwaslisteningtoGrosssaid.“Wehaven’tgottimetofoolthevoicesfromtheothertables,justtoseearound.”
whethertherewasanothervoicethat“Look,”Isaid.“Itsohappensthat—”
soundedasniceaslovely-voice.
“Whatthehell’sthematterwithyou?”
Threeemploymentagenciestookmyhecomplained.“Doyouwantfiftybucksorname,twoemployersexpressednointerestdon’tyou?”
inhiringme,andatthreeo’clockIturnedup10
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“Albert!”thegirlsaid.Sheseemedtolunartheoryshewasinterestedin.Lunarthinkhewasmakinganapeofhimself,whichtheoryprobablyhadtodowiththemoon.
hewas.
Morethanthataboutlunartheory,Ididn’tIdidn’tlikehimwellenoughtolethimknow.
keephismoney.
“I’msorryIhaven’tmetthisEber,”I“SureIwantfiftybucks,”Isaid,andsaid.“I’msorryaboutthat,indeedIam.”
“I’msorryaboutthat,indeedIam.”
wentoverandshovedmyhandouttohim,Thepencilstoodupstraightandaston-andadded,“Aslongasitcomesfromyou,ishedinherfingers.“Whatdoyoumean?”
andnother.”
“I’mafraidI’mjustplainSammyWales.
“What’sthedamneddifference—”
Lunartheoriesareoutofmyline.”
“Fromyouandnother,”Isaid.
“You’renotSamuelWickertWales,as-HecountedoutfivetensandItookit.ItrophysicistattheComptonObservatory?”
mightgiveitbacktohimafterlettinghim“IcameheretotellyouI’mnot.”
knowhehadpaidouttothewrongSamuelTrim-and-dark-hairedputdownhisWales.Butagain,ifIgottodislikinghimcigaretteholderthatwasthecolorofahoundmuchworse,Imightnot.
tooth.Hecameoverandhitmeonthehead.
Thatseemedtosettlethingsdowntemporarily.
HEusedanashtray.Itwasasortofsurprise;hedidnotlooklikethatkindofaFORaboutforty-fiveseconds,thatis.
fellow,althoughinlookingbackIcanseethatLongenoughforMissFenisongtotakemyhehadtalkedlikethatkindofafellow.Hehatandplaceitonatable,andseatmeinancameatmesilently;hewastherebeforeoverstuffedchairandask,“Shallwestartatanythingcouldbedoneaboutit.
once?”
Theashtraywasaheavythingof“Whynot?”
Theashtraywasaheavythingof“Whynot?”
crockery,aboutafootacross,aninchthick,Sheseatedherselfonastraighterglazedandalmostlikeglass.Itbroke.Hechair,andshebecameafairyprincessonapickeduponeofthelargerbrokenpieces,fairythrone.Shehadanotebookandpencilandpreparedtocutmythroatwithit.Possi-inherhands.Shewasgoingtotakenotesonblyhewasnotinearnestaboutthethroat-mywords.
cutting,andonlywantedtodistractmyatten-Shesaid,“Ihavebackgroundedmyselftionenoughthathecouldkickmeinthefairlycompletely.”
stomach,whichwaswhathappened.
Thatwasgoodtoknow.SuchalovelyThecarpetnapagainstmyfacewasoneshouldhaveanicebackground.Isaiditthickandsoftanddidnotsmellofdust.Itwasgood.
wasthefirstcarpetmyfacehadbeenonthat“Good,”Isaid.
didnotsmellofdust.Ilaystill,butwatchedShesaid,“WhatIwanttoaskyouhimwithmyoneeyethathadhiminrange.
aboutistheEberideaofstartingwithapre-Hewasasdisgustedasadowagerwhohadliminarylunartheorysolutioninwhichthecrackedherlorgnette.
orbitissupposedtolieintheeclipticandtoHetoldMissFenisong:“You’vemadehavenoeccentricity,thenfindingtheaddi-somekindofastupidmistake.”
tionaltermswhichdependonthefirstpowerShedidn’tsayanything.Shelookedoftheeccentricitiesandoftheinclination.”
scared.
“What?”Isaid.
Headded:“Thisbumisn’tyourmoon“DoyouagreewithEber?”sheasked.
man.Iwonderwhathappened?”Hescowled,“Whoishe?”Iasked.
didn’twaitforhertoanswer,andcontinued,Hersmilewasstrictlynotfromthe“Well,there’snotimelefttofixitup.There-heart.“Youhaveasenseofhumor,Mr.
Mr.
ceptionbeginsatfive,soyou’llhavetogoonWales,”shesaid.“But,really,wearepressedanddoyourbest.Doyouthinkyoucangetfortime.Soifyouwillkindlycoachmeonthebywithwhatyoualreadyknow?”
mattersIwishtoknow,I’dappreciateit.”
Hervoicewashighandscared,likeaApparentlyitwas
coaching
she
catonatallpole.
wanted,butshewasoutofmypond.Iwould“Whydidyouhithim?”sheasked.
havelovedtoexplaintoheraboutmoonlight,aswhowouldn’t,butitseemedthatitwasNOLIGHTTODIEBY
11Heyelled:“DoyouthinkyoucangetYouarecordiallyinvitedtoaRecep-by?”HesoundedlikethedogthathadtionhonoringtheesteemedIsotopist,Profes-chasedthecat.
sorEnriBaedeker,attheParkside-RegentShewassilent.ShewaslookingatmeFriday,5p.m.
andanxietywastakingherlipsawayfromDoctorMorandFunkHodges,Chair-herniceteeth.
“
man.
Answerme!”hebellowed.
Shedidn’t.
Scriptedininkatthefootoftheinvita-Hegotevenwithherbymovingoverandaimingakickatmyface.ButI’dhadtimetionwasthisadditionalinformation:torestandorganize.Igothisfoot,gathereditinmyarmslikeafootball,andtriedtoturnaThecelebritiespresentwillincludecartwheel,buthislegwasrubberyandClarkSavage,Jr.(DocSavage).
wouldn’tbreak.Hemade,inpain,alargehissingnoise,andIclimbedupthefrontofIdidn’tknowwhatanisotopistwas,him,tryingtotakeanarmoffhim,oratleastandhadneverheardofProfessorBaedekeranoseoranear.AllIgotwasthefrontofhisorDoctorHodges....Itseemedtomethatcoat.Ittoreoff.Hehadpaidhistailorproba-theothername,DocSavage,shouldbeblytwohundreddollarsforthecoat,andIvaguelyfamiliar,perhapsmeansomething,tookthefrontofitoffhimlikestrippingonebutIcouldn’tquiteplaceit.
peeloffabanana.Hedidn’tlikethat.
Theshindigwasthisafternoon.
Theshindigwasthisafternoon.
“Youdirtythug!”hesaid.
Iwhippedhiminthefacewiththecoatrag,thewayyouwoulduseadishragonaChapterIInaughtydog.Hewentbackafewpacesonhisheels.Therewasalargecut-glassvaseIHADhisfiftydollars,anyway.
onagildedwoodFrenchsidetable,andheEventhewashroomsintheParkside-tookthevase,rappeditonthetabletobreakRegentwereasregalassuchaplacecoulditandgetacuttingedgeofglass,andmadeconvenientlybe,andapparentlyitwasnotforme.Imadeforthedoorandgotthroughitunusualforaguesttocomeinandrepairintothehallandgotthedoorclosed.
minorphysicaldamages.IwastreatedveryHedidn’tcomeoutintothehall.Pres-discreetlybytheattendant;hepretendedheentlythekeyturnedinthedoorlock.
couldseenoevidencewhateverthatIhad“Comeoutandfightlikeaman,youbeeninafight.Iwastemptedtohandhimdirty-so-and-so,”Isaid.
oneofMr.AlbertGross’ten-dollarbills,an“Beatit,bum,”hisvoicesaid.
impulsethatwasovercomeeasily.
“MissFenisong,”Isaid.
Repairedandenraged,IsatintheShedidn’tanswer.
lobby.Thereisnothingquiteasfull-blownasIsaid:“I’msorryaboutthemix-up,MissthekindofangerthatyouhaverighteouslyFenisong.ThereweretwoWalesregisteredafteryouhavecomeoutofamesssecond-atthehotelandyougotthewrongonethisbest.Particularlyifitfollowssomethingthatmorning,whichwasme.Iwasgroggywithswattedyouwithoutjustcause.AdmittedlyIsleepanddidn’tgetitstraightenedoutatthatwasn’tthemoonexpert,butthatdidn’tseemtime.Ireallycamearoundjustnowtosquaretomelikeagoodreasontobehitovertheit.”
headandkickedinthemiddle.
“Scram,”hesaid.
AftersittingintheeleganthotellobbyOnthewaytotheelevator.Ithrewtheforawhile,IbegantogetthefeelofthepartofhiscoatIhadtakenintoacorner....
placeenoughtoseethatsomethingoutofButIwentbackandpickeditupandexam-theordinarywashappening.Menwerearriv-inedthepockets.Therewerethreeengraveding,weregettingalotofattention,gettinginvitationsthatread:ohsandahsofwonder,werebeingputinaprivateelevatorandwhiskedaloftsomewhere.
Presentlytherewasaparticularlyviolentspellofgaspingandeye-popping.Averylargemanwhohadjustenteredwasthe12
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causeofthis.Istooduptolook.Hewaswhowasalittledistractedbythemomentoflarge,allright,butnotinthesensethatyoutheoccasion.
meanfatwhenyousaylarge.
“Fromtheunion?”heasked.
Thiswasagiantbronzeman,soexcel-
“Fromtheunion,”Isaid.“I’manextralentlyproportionedthathissizewouldn’ttheysentoverincaseyouneedmorehelphavebeenjarringifhehadn’tbeennearforthisshindigupstairs.”
othermen.Hewasgood-looking,notpretty-Hesaid:“Wealwaysneedhelp.
handsomeinanysense,butreallysomethingWhere’syourworkingpaper?”
tolookatandimpress.Heseemedalittle“Ilostthat,butIcanrunbacktounionembarrassedbythetwitteringandfinger-headquartersandgetanewonesigned,”Ipointing.Movingaseasilyasifhewasonsaid.“Itwon’ttakelong.”
oiledbearings,hewenttothespecialeleva-Heshruggedandsaid,“Nevermind.
oiledbearings,hewenttothespecialeleva-Heshruggedandsaid,“Nevermind.
torandwastakenup.
Whatisyourname?”
“Who’sthat?”Iaskedafatman.
“SamuelWales.”
“That,”saidthemanpompously,“is“Sam,canyoubus?”
DocSavage.”
Ididnothavemuchofanideawhathe“AndwhoisDocSavage?”Iinquired.
meantbybus.“IfIcan’t,Iwon’texpectanyThefatmanstaredatmeasifIhadnotpay,”Isaid,tryingtosoundasifIdidn’tthinkheardofChristopherColumbus,theNewmuchofbeingabus,andwashalf-wayinDeal,andnightandday.
sulted.
“Apoorjoke,sir!”hesaid,andwalkedItwasaninsult,allright.Thejobwasoff.
thatofbus-boy;theyhandedmeabigbowlIaskedabellhop,andhesaid,“Docwithiceinit,apairoftongs,anditwasmySavage?He’sthebigshotthey’reallcomingjobtogoaroundandchuckiceinthetosee.IwishtoGodIcouldgetanauto-glasses.Itwasagoodthingtheydidn’tstartgraphoffhim.”
melayingoutthesilverware.Therewere“Whatdoeshedo?”
enoughtoolsaroundeachplatetolookasif“Savage?Herightswrongsandpun-amechanichadlaidouthiskit.
ishesevildoers.”
“Whataretheseguys?”IaskedaIlookedtoseeiftheladwasribbingwaiter.
me.Theexpressiononhisfacewasasseri-
“Scientists,”hesaid.
“Scientists,”hesaid.
ousandadmiringasthatofapickaninnywhoIfscientistsaresupposedtobebaldhadjusttouchedJoeLouis.
meninshaggysuitsandwithnohair,only“Heshouldn’tlackforbusinessinthisabouthalfofthosepresentqualified.Manyofworld,”Isaid.
themwereyoung,andtherewasawomanThebellhopsighedloudly.
hereandthere.
Iasked:“Areyouserious?”
Thebigbronzefellow,DocSavage,Hejustlookedmeupanddownandwasgettingalotofplay.Hewasbeingtalkedwalkedofthewayyouwouldleaveastraytomorethanhewastalking.Thebellhopdogafteryoufoundfleasonit.
downstairshadsaidherightedwrongsandIthoughtIwouldsitinonthisRecep-punishedevildoers,whichsoundedliketionupstairswhateveritwas.
somethingyouhearinSundaySchool,anddidn’tgowiththisfellow’sappearance.SavagelookedasifhewasamanwhoknewNOW,Ialwayshaveareasonforeve-whereallthemarbleswere.GalahadwentrythingIdo.Sometimesthereasonsdon’toutoffashionalongtimeago,andthismansatisfyanyonebutme,butthat’sallrightwithdidn’tseemback-dated.Hepuzzledme.
me.Inthiscase,Ifeltalittleguiltyaboutem-
“Who’sthebigcopper-coloredguy?”Ibarrassinglovely-voice,andabouttakingfiftyaskedanotherwaiter.
dollarsofherfriend’smoney,ifhewasher“That’sDocSavage.”
friend,andIwantedtocleartheslateofthat.
“Iknow,butwhatmakeshimrate?”
Imightevenoffertogivehimbackhisdough.
“Boy,you’rekindofignorant,aren’tButnotifIsawhimagain.Inthatcase,Iin-you?”thewaitersaid,andwalkedoff.
in-you?”thewaitersaid,andwalkedoff.
tendedtotakeastrollacrosshisface.
MissFenisong—lovely-voice—cameinThemanwhohiredthewaiterswasapresently,butherentrancewasruinedformyslick-manneredwhite-hairedoldgentlemanmoneybyAlbertGrossbeingwithher.HeNOLIGHTTODIEBY
13wasslickintailsandwhitetie,andhelookedjacketandwhitegloves.Icombedalickoftoowideforthatoutfittoo.
hairdownovermyforeheadlikethelateTwoothermenwerewithMissFeni-AdolfHitler,andhardlyknewmyself.
songandGross.Oneofthesewassomewhattallerthantheother,andthetalleronehadtheredderface.TherewasanairaboutPRESENTLYtheybeganintroducingthemthatspokeofsomethingincommon,eachothertoDocSavage.Mr.AlfredGrossalthoughitprobablywasn’tafamilytie.ItwasintroducedMr.McCutcheontoDocSavage.
hardtosaywhattheyshared,butitwasThenMr.McCutcheonintroducedMr.
probablysomethingintheirminds,acom-McGraffandMcGraffintroducedMissFeni-moninterestorpurpose.
song,whointroducedMr.GrosswhohadThefourdidn’thavebutoneengravedstartedthewholething.Theyhaditstraight-invitationbetweenthem—theotherthreehadenedoutnow;betweenthefourofthem,theybeeninAlbertGross’coatandIhadthem—hadintroducedeachothertothebronzebuttheygotinallright.Afine-lookingoldfel-man.
lowatthedoorwascheckingnamesoffalist,Thegirlremarkedthatitwasawonder-andhehadtheirnamesonthelist.Iwentfulaffair,wasn’tit?
over,askedhimwhotheywere,andhe
“Yes,isn’tit.Quitenice,”hesaid,withshowedme.
somethinglessthanenthusiasm.
MissPaulaFenisong.
“Somanyeminentpeoplehere,”sheMr.AlbertGross.
added.
added.
Mr.AlecMcGraff.
“Indeed?”
Mr.J.B.C.McCutcheon.
IwonderedifSavagewasmarried,had
“Fellow,aren’tyouoneofthewaiters?”
ajealousgirlfriend,orwasjustcautious.
Thefine-lookingoldgentlemanwasscowlingProbablybythetimeyouhavebecomeasatme.Hemusthavenoticedmybowloficeimportantasheseemedtobe,youhavecubesandtongs.
learnedtobecautious.IfMissFenisonghad
“Waiter!”Isneeredattheidea.“I’mthebeengivingmethekindofofficehewasget-bus.”Iwentbacktomywork.
ting,theywouldhavehadtosandbagmyfeetThewordsthatcameoutofthelittletokeepmeontheground.
groupsthathadgatheredtotalkwerelongonTheywereworkingonhimlikeabas-syllablesand,asfarasIwasconcerned,ketballteaminslow-motion.Theywereusingshortonmeaning.Theytalkedisotopesandsignals—oneeyebrowhigherthantheother,alphaparticles;thearrangementofcarbidesasmallsmile,aheadgesture—tokeepinandferriteinrelationtomartensite.Notalloftouchwitheachother.Theyprobablyhaditwasthatdrythough,andafewofthegoodothersignalsIdidn’tcatch.
scientistswereconductingmildexperimentsButIgotitwhenoneoftheMacscamewiththeirownbodilytolerancetoalcohol.
infromtheterraceandranhishandthroughThedoingsofMissFenisong’slittlehishair.Ididn’tknowwhichMacwaswhich,partyweremoreinteresting.MissFenisongbuthewasthetalleronewiththeredderbeganbywavinghereyelashesatDocSav-face.HecouldbeMcGrafforhecouldbeage.Shecouldhaveonlyoneideathere;butMcCutcheon.
haveonlyoneideathere;butMcCutcheon.
thepickupdidn’twork—thebigoneeitherMissFenisongtookthesignalwithawasn’tinterested,orwasn’tshowingit.
wideningoftheeyes.Shesaid:“Mr.Savage,AlbertGrossgavealittlecoöperation.
willyoulookatthemoonwithme?”
Hemovedaplace-cardfromthedaisattheWouldhelookatthemoonwithher!
headoftheroom,wherethegreatoneswereWouldthemouselikesomecheese!Onlyhetosit,toanotherpositionatasidetablethatdidn’ttakeherupveryhappily.
wasmoresecluded.ItwasDocSavage’sMostlyshehadtodraghimtowardtheplace-cardhemoved,andheputitnexttoterrace,andfromtheotherspresentshegotMissFenisong’s.
thekindoflooksthatabeautifulbabealwaysTheice-manjobaffordedanopportu-getswhenshedragsthelionawayfromthenitytocirculateandwatchtheconnivingpro-party.
gress.Iwasnicelydisguised—themanage-Sotheywantedhimontheterrace,andmenthadfittedmeoutwithcadet-stripedweregoingtoalotoftroubletogethimthere.
oversizedblacktrousers,abrickredmess
...Imovedthatwaymyself.
14
DOCSAVAGE
THEParkside-RegentprobablyhaditsmoreofyourthoughtaboutEber,butwe’downyardstickofsnobbery.Agatheringofbettergoin,hadn’twe?”
mereartistsandwriterswouldnodoubtrateHebowedpolitely,tookherarm,andnobetterthanthebasementbanquetroom,theywentbackinside.
whilediplomatsmightranktheImperialTherewereplentyofstarsoverhead.
Roomthatopenedoffthemezzanine.TheTherewasn’tanymoon.
doingstonight,obviouslyextraordinary,ratedAlfredGrossstrodeoutofthedark-theStarlightRoomontheroof.Itwasonlyaness.Hesaid,“McGraff!”sharply.Thetallfewstepsoutsidetotheterrace,awondrousred-facedMacappeared.AlfredGrosscalledplacewell-equippedwithpottedgreenery.
himalongbreathfulofnames,nonecompli-Therewassomekindofahitch.Thementary,andfinishedwith:“WhydidyougiveMacsuddenlyreappearedwithanotherkindafalsealarm,youdumbboob?”
ofsignal,ago-backonemadewithdown-McGraffmadeasicklyupwardgesturehookedmouthcornersandahead-shake.
withhisthumb.“IthoughtIsawitbegin.”
SomethingthatwassupposedtocomeoffonGrossthrewaglanceatthesky.
theterracewasn’tgoingtocomeoff,his“There’snosignofit,”hesaid.“Anditisn’thigh-signsaid.
timeyetbytwentyminutesorso.”
ItseemedtobetoolateforMissFeni-
“Ican’thelpit,”McGraffsaid.
songtostopthetriptotheterracewithDocAwaitercaptaincameuptomeandSavage,soshewentthroughwithit.Shedidsaid,“Gettowork,bud!”Ihadtogobacktoandsaidthingsthatweren’twhatshehadthetables,whereservicewasbeginning.
plannedtodoandsaywasmyguess.
ShehaddoneafairlysmoothjobofShesaid:“IwantedtoaskyouabouthandlingDocSavageontheterracemix-up,theEberideaofstartingwithapreliminaryandithadnotenteredmymindthatthebiglunartheorysolutioninwhichtheorbitisbronzemansuspectedanything.Helookedsupposedtolieintheeclipticandtohavenodignified,bored,andharassedbybeingeccentricity,thenfindingtheadditionaltermsstaredatbysomanypeople,thewayacon-whichdependonthefirstpoweroftheec-ventionofmiserswouldlookatthestuffincentricitiesandoftheinclination.”
theFortKnoxvaults.ObviouslyhewasThatsoundedfamiliar....Why,sure.
awareofMissFenisong,butheseemedtoShehadusedthesamewordsonme.Hear-beintheindecisivestageabouther,likeaingittwicemadeitsoundasifitwassome-foxeyeingabaitofasortthathadpoisonedthingshehadmemorizedoutoftheencyclo-himpreviously.
pedia.
SuddenlyDocSavagearose,excusedDocSavagelookedmildlysurprised.Ihimselftolovely-voice,andmovedarounddidn’tknowwhethershehadfooledhimorthetabletowhereAlbertGrosssat.Helaidanot.Thesurprisedlookdidn’tmeanathing.
handonGross’sshoulder,saidsomething,WordslikethatfromsuchabeautifulgirlandGrosswasdumfounded.
wouldsurpriseanybody,likehearingaca-Gross,besidesbeingtoowideforhisnarysingbass.
suits,hadajawlikeamule’shoof.Thejaw“Quitelogical,”hesaidvaguely.
suits,hadajawlikeamule’shoof.Thejaw“Quitelogical,”hesaidvaguely.
fell.
“Thenyouagree?”
“Niceworkwiththeplace-cards,”Doc“Withwhat?”
Savagesaid.
“WithEber’shypothesis.”
“Ibegyourpardon!”
“I—ah—wouldn’tquarrelwithEber,”he
“Idon’tmind.”DocSavagepattedthesaid.
man’sthick-lookingshoulder.“Thesceneryat“Oh,I’mglad,”shesaid.
thenewlocationisquiteinteresting.”
Shedidn’tseemverygladtome.ItwasGrossregisteredtheexpressionsofahardformetodistinguishfrightamidsuchmanwhohadunexpectedlyfoundahundredbeauty,butIthoughtIcouldseeit.Theyal-andtenvoltsofelectricityintheseatofhiswayshaveoneofthosephonypalmsonachair,buthedidn’tsayanything.
hotelroofterrace,andIandtheicebucketDocSavagerejoinedMissFenisong.
werebehindit....Yeah,shewasscared.
Hehadn’tmissedanything,itap-Sheadded,“Look,they’restartingtopeared.
takeseatsforthebanquet.I’dlovetogetNOLIGHTTODIEBY
15Thatwastheendofthegenteeljockey-other,orstraightback,buttheattentionwasingfortheevening.Thestagewasallclearedundividedlystraightup.
forthefireworks.
Alightwasupthere.Itcouldhavebeenmoonlight,exceptthattherewasnomoon,andthatmuchofaglowcouldn’thaveChapterIIIcomefromitifithadbeenthere.Therewas,also,noevidenceofasinglebrightlylightedASHORTbaldmanwhoseemedtobeobjectsuchasthemoon....Nosignatallofasub-chairmanstoodupandintroducedthethesourceofthebrilliance.
Chairman,aDoctorMorandFunkHodges,“Auroraborealis,”someonesaid.
presidentoftheWellandInstituteofPhysicalIthoughtsotoo.MyeducationhadSciences,distinguishedinthefieldofthegonethatfar.Theauroraborealiswasthestrontiumisotope,andAlbertGrossleftwhiletwo-dollarwordfortheNorthernLights.
thewordswerebeingsaid.
AgentlemanwithatrimmedwhiteGrossleftunobtrusively,likeapolecatbeard,standingatmyleft,snortedforcibly.
leavingthevicinityofachicken-coopat“Borealis!”hesaid.“Ridiculous!”
dawn.
Hehadexpressedthegeneralopinion,DocSavagesmootheddownhisleftitseemed.Nobodywhoknewanythingabouteyebrowwithafingertip.I’llswearthatwastheNorthernLightswouldadmitthemanifes-allhedid.Butaverywideapishlookingman,tationaboveusboreanyresemblancetohomelierthanafrog,gotupfromoneoftheNorthernLights.ButnoonehadanotherideatablesandsaunteredoutafterGross.
tooffer.
WehadaboutthreeminutesandfortyDocSavage,hisvoiceplainlyidentifi-secondsofuninterrupteddish-clatteringandableinthestillness,requested,“Willsome-lip-smacking.DoctorMorandFunkHodgesoneswitchofftheterracelights.”
hadstooduplongenoughtosaywewouldTheelectriclightsweredousedinahavemusicbythestringedensemble.Themoment.Theglowfromabovewasthenmusicseemedtobeslowgettingstarted.
moreimpressive.Ithadtheshapeofacircu-Mac—theshorteronethistime—larpatch,fuzzyaroundtheedges,andwasadashedinfromtheterrace.
ratherpoisonouslookingpurplishgreyin“ForGod’ssake,comeouthere!”hecolor.Itdidn’tcoverthewholesky.Iheldsaidinaloudattention-gettingvoice.“Come,bothhandsabovemyhead,thepalmsaboutquickly!Lookatwhatishappeningtothetwofeetapart,andthataboutspannedthesky!”
glowarea.
Hewasstaredat,butnobodydidorInoticedthething,whateveritwas,saidanything.Theyprobablythoughtitwasashedenoughlightthatwecouldseeeachgag,partoftheentertainmentoftheevening.
otherdistinctly.
“Gentlemen!”hescreamed.“Please!
“Savage,”avoicecalled.“WhatdoyouPlease,forGod’ssake,comeandlookatsayitis?”
this!”HesoundedaboutasunconcernedasTherewasnoanswer.WhileIwaslis-acatwithitstailfreshlysteppedon.
teningforone,acoupleofpairsofhandslaidFinallyoneofthescientistsdidgetupholdofme,apaironeacharm,andIwassomewhatsheepishly—youcouldseehetold,“Wewouldliketospeakwithyou,son.”
believedhewasbitingonsomething—andgooutside.Hewasbackwithhiscoattailstretchedbehindhim.Heyelled:“ComeoutITisunlikelythateveryindividualhairhere!”
stooderectonmyhead,buttheoneortwoCuriosityhadbitteneverymanandthatfailedtodosodidn’tdetractfromthewomanintheroom,andnowtheyhadtheeffect.Lookingupatthatspooklighthadexcusetheywanted.Withinacoupleofmin-donemoretomethanIhadbeenawareof.Iutes,theterracewaspacked.Iwaslateget-thinkmybodybecameasstiffasapostalso,tingoutthere,andIwantedtolaughwhenIandthetwoMacsmovedmeofftheterracesawthateveryheadwasthrownback,everybysortofliftingmeandskiddingmealongeyefixedonthesky,asiftheyhadbeenor-likeapieceofstatuary.Bythetimethekinksderedtotakethatpositionandholdit.Thebegantoreturntomyhair,theyhadmeinaheadswereheldalittletoonesideorthenichejustoffthebanquetroom.
16
DOCSAVAGE
“Son,”saidtheshorterMac,“aren’tyouTHEroom,asmallone,nottenfeetonthephonyMr.Wales?”
aside,ornate,completelywithoutfurniture“Walesismyname,”Isaid.“I’mnotbutwithnumerousmirrors,fooledmeforaphony.”
while.Itturnedouttobetheelevator,andit“Indeed?”
andnotmyheadwasdoingthemoving.
“That’sright,”Isaid.
“Ihaven’tanyeyeballsleft,”Isaid,“When,”askedthetallerMac,“didyouwhenmyteethwouldstopgrittinglongbecomeawaiter?”
enoughtoletwordsout.
“Tonight.Butyoumeanabus,nota“Pepper.”
waiter,”Isaid.
“Huh?”
“Areyoubeinghumorous?”
“OneofthemhadtheforesighttohaveWehadthenichetoourselves,anditpepperunderhisfingernails,”DocSavagewasalittledarkthere,butalotmorelonelysaid.“Abitpainful,Iimagine.”
thandark.
“Youcoveralotofgroundwiththat“No,”Isaid.“I’mnotbeinghumorous.
wordbit,”Isaid.“YoumeanI’vegoteyesLeggomyarms,doyoumind?”
afterall?”
“We’reintrigued,”theshortMacsaid,Theelevatorstopped.Iwasnotyet“bytheoddityofyourpresence,andthewayfeelingwellenoughtoknow,orcareaboutyouhavebeenfanningoutyourlargeears.
knowing,whichwaythecagehadbeentrav-We’reratherpuzzled,asafact.Couldweaskeling,butpresumablyithadgonedown,be-youaquestion?”
causeIcouldhearmuffledthroughthedoor“I’mgoodonquestions,”Isaid.“Howisthelowcave-likesoundthatisinhotellob-Mr.Spatny?”
bies.
“Who?”Iasked.
Iwassittingontheelevatorfloor.Then“Spatny.”
suddenlyDocSavagehadafistfulofmycoat“Don’tknowhim.”
front,andIwasnolongersittingonthefloor.
ShortMaclookedpastmychestattallIwasonmyfeet,orratherupintheair.
Macandsaid:“Hestatesheisn’tacquaintedHesaid:“NowwouldbeagoodtimewithSpatny.”
foryoutodoaquickjobwiththetruth.”
“Thatspeakswellforhischaracter,”tallThewayhesaiditmademegladthatIMacsaid.
couldn’tseehisfaceverywell.I’mnoJack“Son,we’dliketohavealongtalkwithDempseyorCharlieAtlas,butneitherdoIyou.”
havetobehelpedacrossstreets,yethewas“Let’snot,”Isaid.
holdingmeupthereagainsttheelevator“Walkbetweenus,”theshortonesaid.
holdingmeupthereagainsttheelevator“Walkbetweenus,”theshortonesaid.
sidewall,andIwascompletelyhelpless.Ifelt“Andwipethatmy-pants-are-on-firelookofflikeaninsectthatakidhadjustfastenedtoayourpuss.”
plankwithapin.
“ThehellIwill,”Isaid.
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow?”Igasped.
TheydidaquickerjobonmethanAl-
“Useyourjudgment,”hesaid.“AslongbertoGrosshaddoneearlierwiththeash-asit’sthetruth.”
tray.ThespeedtheygotintoitandthethorIdidn’tstoptofigureoutwhyIsud-oughnesswasproofthatitpaystoorganize,denlywantedtotalk—itobviouslywasn’tatohaveaplan.TallMacjabbedtwofingerstimeforpausingtofigureoutreasons.Notintomyeyes,andthenIcouldn’ttellwhowasthathewasexactlythreateningme.Hedidn’tdoingwhatastheykneedme,slammedmysoundlikeoneguylayingitdowntoanotherjaw,bangedmynose,kickedmyfeetfromonastreetcorner,notalawyerbulldozingundermeandstampedonmyface.Ifoughttheoppositionwitness,andleastofalldidhethemlikeabundleofwildcats.Iswungblowssoundlikeaballplayermistreatingtheump.
thatwouldhavewreckedahouseiftheyhadHe’dmerelysaidI’dbettertalk,andIknewhitahouse.Theydidn’thitanything.ButIdidthatwaswhatI’dbetterdo,ifIdidn’twantconsiderablybetterwithmyhowlingforhelp.
themcollectingmeoffthesidesoftheeleva-Quitelikelyitwasn’tthehourormoretorwithaputtyscraper.I’dneverhadany-thatitseemedbeforetheMacsranawaybodyscaremesomuchsoquick.
fromme.
DocSavagelistenedwhileIpackedacoupleofminutesfullofwords....IfItoldNOLIGHTTODIEBY
17himanylies,itwasanaccidentduetoex-zaninewithanassistanthotelmanagercitement.
throwingice-waterinmyface.”
Hesaid:“Soyoudon’tknowwhatit’s“AndyoudonotknowwhereGrossallabout?”
went?”
“That’sright.”
“Nobodyseemstoknow.”
“Youhavenothingonme,”hesaid.“IDocSavageasked,“Didyouseewhatdon’tknoweither.”
happenedinthesky?”
“Sky?”Monkshookhisheadcarefully.
“AllIsawwasstars—fromtheblackjack.”
HEopenedtheelevatordoor,andwe“DidyoueverhearofaMr.Spatny?”
steppedoutintothelobby.HelaidahandonDocSavageinquired.
myelbow,aboutasgentlyasablacksmith’s“Who?”
vise,andguidedmeacrossthelobby.Then“Nevermind,”DocSavagesaid.
westopped.
“Monk!”hesaid.
ThefellowwhohadfollowedAlbertTHEassistanthotelmanagerswereGrossoutofthebanquetroomupstairs,theflutteringaroundusnow,lookingasiftheyshortandwidemanwholookedlikeanape,wouldhavelikedtowringtheirhands,andwassittinginalobbychair.HeseemedaintroducingaMr.Casey,thehousedetective.
littlebattered.HehadathumbstuckinhisCaseyfittedthepictureofahouseman,fivemouth,feelingtolearnhowmanyteethhefeetsevenandtaperedatbothendslikeahadleft.
seal.Hewasnohelp.
“Doc,”hesaid.“ImustbelosingmyDocSavagespokebrieflytoMonkmanhood.”
MayfairinalanguageIdidnotunderstand.
Thebronzemansaidnothing.
Evidentlythebronzemanhadsuggestedthat“OrthatGrossguyisspeciallytough,”
itwouldbemoreprivateinhiscarparkedinMonkadded.
thestreet,becausethatwaswherewewent.
“Icouldhavetoldyouthat,”Isaid.
Theautomobile,alargesedanandnotDocSavageintroducedmetotheba-anewmodel,hadanunusuallysolidqualityboon.“ThisisMonkMayfair,afriendandthatInoticedwhenIwasboostedin.Ilookedassociateofmine.”
atoneofthewindowswhereitcameupMonkpointedafingeratme.“Thethroughthebody,anditwasmorethananwaiter!”Hehadabigfinger,attachedtoainchthick.
toainchthick.
handthatwasalsolargeandcoveredwith“Isthisthingarmored?”Iasked.
almostasmanybristlesasatoothbrush.
“That’soneofyourlesserworries,“Thenoseywaiter.Whatdoesheknowaboutbud,”MonkMayfairsaid.
this?”
Theygotin,oneoneithersideofme,“Hehasafunnystory,”DocSavageandthecardoorsoundedlikethedoorofasaid.
bankvaultwhenitclosed.DocSavage“Itbetternotbetoofunny.”
flickedaswitch,presentlyaradiospeaker“Whathappenedtoyou?”
washissing,andSavagesaidintoamicro-
“GrosssomehowgottheideaIwasfol-phone:“PoliceradiofromSpecial243.”Theylowinghim,whichIwas,”Monkexplained.“Iansweredhim.Hegavethepoliceaspecificgotintheelevatorwithhim.Iactedasinno-descriptionofMissFenisong,AlbertGross,centasanything,andwhileIwasdoingthat,AlecMcGraffandJ.B.C.McCutcheon.Ithehitmebetweentheeyes.Itfeltlikehewasawonderfuldescription;Icouldalmostusedananvil.Iguessitwasablackjack.Didseethemfromhiswords.Hesaid:“Idislikeyouknowamancouldbeknockedsillierthanmakingextraworkforsomebody,butIwouldacoonbygettinghitbetweentheeyeswithacertainlyappreciatearundownonthenameblackjack?”
ofSpatny.Probablyaman.Ihavenothing“WheredidGrossgo?”
butthename,butI’dlikeitcheckedagainstMonksaidbitterly,“Theguyhadhisanythingyoumighthave.”
nerve.Hetoldtheelevatoroperator,who“Don’tworryaboutmakingextrawork,hadn’tseenmegethit,thatIjustgaveaMr.Savage,”thecop’svoicesaid.“We’llgetjumpandkeeledover.WhenIwokeup,Ithestuffforyou.Whatdowedowiththewasinanicecomfortablechaironthemez-otherfourifwepickthemup?”
18
DOCSAVAGE
“I’dliketoquestionthem,”Docsaid.“If“Probablyseveraltimes,”Savagetoldyouneedacharge,oneofthemcommittedme.“Yousee,weprobablyknowlessthananassaultonmyaide,MonkMayfair.”
youabouttheaffair.”
“Andlivedthroughit!”Thecop“Inthatcase,”Isaid,“you’reprobablysoundedsurprised.“Verywell,Mr.Savage.
withoutanyinformationatall.”
Youcanexpectthefullestcoöperation.”
Isaid:“Ididn’tknowacopcouldbethatpolitetoacitizen.”
THEwaytheyletmerecitemytaleSavagetookanotherlookattheskytoagain—withoutasingleinterruption—wasn’tlearnwhethertheoddlightwasstillupthere.
tooreassuring.IwouldhavelikedthemtoItwasn’t.
indicatewhethertheydidordidn’tbelieveIsaid:“Thatwasanicedescription.Ime.AllthatcameoutofthemwasattentivecouldalmostfeelthetwoMacskickingmeinsilence.
theslatsagain.”
“Ifyou’realiar,”MonksaidwhenIfin-
“Yousaytheyweregoingtotakeyouished,“you’reprettyfluent.”
outofthehotelwiththem?”Savageasked.
Savagesaid:“Hisstoryhastheringof“Thatwastheideatheyexpressed.Bytruth,Monk.Andit’slogicalexceptononetheway,whydidn’tthey?”
point—hisreasonsforgoingtothehotelto“TheymadequiteabitofnoiseworkingseeMissFenisongaftershephonedhimbyonyou,enoughtogetmyattention.Theymistake,andthengoingtothetroublehedidsawmeandran.Unfortunately,theyhadantobepresentatthebanquet.”
escaperouteallplanned,withdoorsthey“Shucks,that’stheonlypartIbe-couldlockbehindthem.Theygotaway.”
lieved,”Monksaid.
Isaid:“That’sthewayIfigured.”
“Youthinkhisactionswerereasonable,MonkMayfairshowedsomelife.“Whatthen?”
aboutgorgeous?”hewantedtoknow.“Miss“Yousawthebabe,didn’tyou?”
Fenisong,ifthatwashername?Whatbe-
“Well...”
cameofher?”Hesatupstraight,adjusted“Takeitfromme,MissFenisongwashisnecktie,andadded,“Youknow,Ithinkwethebaitthatgothimintoit,”Monksaid.“Thatshouldquestionthatbabe.”
partIbelieve.”Heshovedhisfaceatmeand“Isawherfirst,”Isaid.
added,“Butyou’dbettergetovertheyen,Monkgavemealookthatwouldhavebum.”
crackedarock.“Yeah?”hesaid.“Well,“Idon’tthinkIcanlickyou,”Itoldhim.
maybeI’llhandyousomethingelsetothink“Butyoucallmeabumagain,andI’lltestitabout.”
I’lltestitabout.”
out.”
“Easyonthat,”DocSavagetoldhim.
“Aren’tyouabum?”
“Sammyhasbeenrathercoöperativesofar.”
“Onlytomyfriends.”
“Who’sSammy?”
Hegrinned,andIwasgladhedid.I“Me,”Isaid.“Whatdidbecomeofthewasgoingtohithim,andhewouldhaveru-girl?”
inedme.
DocSavagesaid:“IhaveanassociateIasked:“Howcomeyoufellowstookfollowingher.”
holdofthethingthewayyoudid,ifyoudidn’t“ByGod,haveyougotthatshysterknowsomethingwascomingoff?Itlookedtolawyertrailingher!”Monkyelled.“Havingmelikeyouwerecockedandprimed.”
HamBrooksshadowthatgirlisaboutas“Howdoyoumean?”Monkasked.
practicalaspostingahounddogtowatcha“Well,youfollowedGrosswhenheleft.
beefsteak.”
ThisHamBrooks,whoeverheis,istailingIgatheredthatMonkMayfairandHamthegirl.AndDocSavagedidn’texactlysleepBrookshadopinionsabouteachother,andthroughit.Allofthatseemstorequiread-DocSavagewasaccustomedtoit.
vancearrangementstome.Howcome?”
“Sammy,”DocSavagesaid.“TellMonkMonkshrugged.“We’vedevelopedahowyougotintoit.Andifyouthinkofany-technique.”
howyougotintoit.Andifyouthinkofany-technique.”
thingyouforgottotellme,tossitin.”
“Huh?”
“YoumeanIgottagothroughthat“Whenyou’vebeenintroubleasmanyagain?”
timesaswehave,”heexplained,“youjustNOLIGHTTODIEBY
19
function
automatically
when
something
Iwasimpressedenoughtohangmydoesn’tlookright.”
mouthopenandnotsayanything.HehadanDocSavagesaid:“Therewasnomagiceffectivewayofsayingwhathesaid,andIaboutit.IsawGrosschangetheplace-cards,didn’tdoubtforaminutethatheknewwhatandMissFenisongwasfairlytransparent—hewastalkingabout,mythoughtbeingthatsheclaimedtobealunarexpert,butwhatallthosescientiststonightwouldn’thaveallshedidn’tknowaboutitwasconsiderable.IbutfallenontheirkneesifhewasanordinarysawMcGraffsignalhertobringmeoutonguy.
theterrace.Thatwasfairlyobvious.IhadtheHegaveusapieceofhisphilosophy.
fourofthemspotted—I’dnoticedthatthey“It’sunfortunatethatthemoralenlightenmentwentthroughamumbo-jumbointroducingofthehumanraceisn’tkeepingpacewithitseachothertome—andso,withoutattractingscientificdiscoveries.It’sfrighteningtothinkanymoreattentionthannecessary,IaskedthatacrookmightsomedaygetholdofMonktotrailGross,andHamthegirl.Iwassomethingaseffectiveasthegadgettheygoingtodomybestwiththeothertwo.AsitdroppedonHiroshima.”
turnedout,mybestwasn’tgood.”
“Whatmakesyouthinkthatthinginthe“Whooeeee!”Isaid.“Youhadyourskywasman-made?”
eyesopen.”
“Theyhadittimed....MissFenisong“Ithinkthewholearrangementwasde-seemedtoknowtowithinafewminutesofsignedtogetmeoutontheterracewhenthethetimeitwasgoingtocome,”hesaid.
chromosphericeruptionoccurred,”SavageHewasright.Andhehadmescared.
added.
Hehadthelittlecold-footedthingsscuttling“Thechromo—thewhat?”
upanddownmyspine.IfanybodyhadsaidHehesitated.“Therewasaratherboo!rightthen.Iwouldhavemadeagoodtryuniqueluminanceinthesky—”
atjumpingrightthroughthesideofthatar-
“Isawthat,”Isaid.“Youmeanyou’vemoredcar.Theyhadmefrightenedstiffofgotanameforwhatwesaw?”
somethingIdidn’tknowwhatwas,andtheyHeshookhishead.“Iwouldn’twanttodidn’tknowwhatwas.
bequoted,butitseemedtobeinthenatureofwhatscientistscallchromosphericeruptions,althoughcertainlyIknowofnore-ChapterIV
cordedinstanceofsuchmagnitudeandpurelylocalizednature.Apparently,too,itHEwasdyingwhenhecamedowntheoccurredfarshortoftheAppletonstratum,street.Notyetdeadofcourse,butwellonhisbutwithouttheaidofanelectronicmultiplier,waytoit—enoughofhislifehadleakedoutit’shardtosay—”
ofhimthatheprobablyhadnoveryclear“You’vegoneoffandleftmeintheideawherehewasgoingorwhathewouldbushesalready,”Isaid.“Negativeandposi-doifhegotthere.
tiveelectricityisasfarasIgo,andallIknowSavagesawhimfirstandpointed,said,aboutthemisthatthey’remarkedplusand“Lookatthat!”Then,whenMonkstartedtominusonabattery....Tellmethis—isitgetout,headded,“Couldbeatrap.Stayinbad?”
thecar.We’lldriveupbesidehim.”
Hehesitatedoverthatone,too.
Thiswasafinestreetoftallmodern“Itmightnotbegood,”hesaid.
buildingswithnobasemententrywaysand“Howdoyoufigurethat?”
noironpicketfencestogiveastaggering“Ihaven’tfiguredit.Ifwhathappenedmantrouble.ThatwasprobablywhyhehadupthereintheskytonightiswhatIthinkitgottenthisfar.Maybehehadnotcomeawas,itsteppedoffintothefieldofadvancedgreatdistance,butevenafewfeetwouldbescience,andwhenyoudothatthesedays,agreatdistanceforhim.Hekeptagainsttheit’snotsafetopredictwhatmightbedone.
buildings,kepthisfeetunderhimsomehow,Letmeputitthisway—ifthatmanifestationinandmovedbyskiddingashoulderagainsttheskywesawtonightwasman-made,andthebuildings.
thereareindicationsitwas,we’reupagainstOurcarcameupwithhimaswarilyasknowledgereachingbeyondthatnecessaryakittenstalkingacricket.Wesatthereatocreatetheatombomb.”
moment.“Itlooksclear,”DocSavagesaid.
20
DOCSAVAGE
Savagegotout,stoodbeforetheman,IwonderedwhySavagehadchangedstoodintheman’spath,andthemancamethesubjecttoSpatny,andthenIknew.ItwasslidingalongtheslickgranitesideofthebecauseAlbertGrosswasdead.HewasbuildinguntilhewasagainstSavage,andspreadoutthereonthesidewalk,andhislifeeventhenhekeptpushingwithrubberylegs.
wasallgone.Hislastwordshadbeenclear,“Gross,”Savagesaidtotheman.
fineandclearasapoliticiantellingacon-
“Gross,doyouknowme?”
stituentthehightaxesaren’thisfault.
Gross’kneeskeptbendingforward,“Gothroughhispockets,Monk,”Docthenback,alittlemoreeachtime,andheSavagesaid.
seemedtogrowshorterandsettleintothepavement.
He
moaned—a
hurt-sheep
sound—asSavagetookholdofhimandlowIDIDN’Tbelieveit,andIstilldidn’tbe-eredhimtothepavement.
lieveitevenafterwedugupthreedifferentDocSavageleaned
lieveitevenafterwedugupthreedifferentDocSavageleaned
down
and
peoplewhohadseentheblackobject.Onewrenchedopentheman’svestandshirt.AnofthemhadseenGrossrunintothenicheicepickhaddoneit,itseemedtome.Ibetweenthebuildings—welookedatthecountedsevenlittlepitswithscarletyarnsnicheanditwasthere,allright,akindofser-comingoutofthem,anditwasdarkandIvicealleyaboutfivefeetwide—andthesamecouldonlyseeapartofhistorso.
spectatorhadseentheblackobjectgoin“Holysmoke,whydidn’tsomebodyafterGross.Ithadn’tcomeout.Thepolicehelphim?”Isaid.
dugupsomemorewitnesseswiththesameMonkMayfairsaid:“ThisisNewYork.
yarn,exceptthatoneofthemhadtheblackNobodybotherswithanybodyelse.It’sthethingahundredfeethigh.Thecopsweren’tdamndesttownthatway....TheyprobablyanymorewillingtobelieveitthanIwas.
thoughthewasdrunk.”
“Nothinginhispockets,”Monkre-AlbertGrossspoke,andIjumpedaported.
foot.Ihadsupposedhisvoicewouldbe“Nothing?”
madeofthingaspsandgurgles,butitwas“He’sbeengoneoverwithavacuumstrongandbell-clear.
cleaner.”
Hesaid:“Iwastryingtogettoyou.DidDocSavagemademeaproposition.
youseethesky?”
“Doyouwanttogotojail,ordoyouwantto“Isawit,”DocSavagetoldhim.
gowithus?”
“Wewantedyouto.”
Thathadbeenonmymind.Icouldsee“Why?”
Iwasn’tgoingtojustwalkoutofthis.
“Listentome,”Grosssaid.“Itwas“Yourcompanysatisfiesme,”Isaid.
black,butitwasn’tbig.Black,see—maybeWewentbacktotheParkside-RegentfifteenfeetlongandnotquiteashighnorthatandpaidavisittoMissFenisong’sroom.Shewide.Theoutsidelookedsortoffuzzy.Itwasnotinhabitingit.Nobodywassurprised.
seemedtokeepthatshape.Itcameout,or“We’llgodowntoheadquarters,andseemedtocomeoutofadoorway,akindofseewhatwecanworkout,”Savagesaid.
anarcadeintoabuilding.Therewasnoap-Hedidn’tmeanpoliceheadquarters,pearanceofitflowingout.Itjustcameout,whichiswhatIsupposed.Werodedown-full-blown.Itcametome,ortowardme,andItowninsilence.Theydidn’tmentionwhatduckedintoanichebetweentwobuildings.Ittheywerethinkingabout,butIwasthinkingcamerightinafterme.ItwasblackashellofAlbertGross,toowideforhissuits,tooinsidethething.ThenIfeltsharpthingsstick-quicktohitpeopleonthehead,andnowtooingintome,anditdidn’thurttoobad,andfulloflittleholes.Wegotoutinfrontofathenithurtlikehell.”
building,andwhenIlookedupIrealizedthat“Morethanonesharpthing?”DocI’dseenplentyofpicturepostcardsoftheSavageasked.
place.Igathereditwasaprivateelevatorwe“Onething,stickingintomemanyused;therewasnooneelseinit,andnoop-times.Icouldbewrong,though.”
erator.Youpushedabutton.Itwentupas“Thenwhat?”
softlyasawhisperinagirl’sthroat,andlet“Idon’tknow.Ipassedout.”
usoutintoahall.WewalkedintoareceptionDocSavageasked:“WhoisSpatny?”
room,ontocarpetthatfeltlikeafallofsnow“Agreatone,”Grosssaid.
underfoot.
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
21Therewasanenormousancientsafe,Thistimetheydidn’tsitbackandletatableofinlaidwoodsthatwasthemostmerecite.Theyhadquestions,ahundredbeautifulthingI’dseeninthewayoftables,questionsaboutdetails.Ihadalwayssup-andnofurniturethatyouneededtolookatposedmymemorywasprettygood,andthattwicebeforeyousatonit.
Ihadaneyefordetails.Iwaswrong.FiveThroughadoor,therewasalibraryminutesofthis,andIfeltlikeablindcow.
whichseemedtohaveaboutasmanybooksDocSavageasked:“WhatdidyoudoasIimaginetheLibraryofCongresshas.
withthepartyoutoreoffGross’coat?”
Beyondthat,pastanotherdoor,thereItoldhimwhattrash-canIhadstuffeditseemedtobenearanacreoffloor-spacein.
clutteredwiththesortofstuff—enameled“Getit,”hedirectedMonk,andMonktables,glasstables,chromiumthingajigsandleft.
thingajigsofglass,trays,retorts,filters,Hethrewaquestionatmeeveryotherpumps,bottles,phials,coils,tubes,wire—word,andwecoveredtherestofit.Thema-thatyouseeinmovingpicturescenesofchinewasmakingazig-zagmessoflinesonlaboratories.
arollofmovinggraphpaper,andhehad“Well?”MonkMayfairasked.Hewaswatcheditclosely.
watchingme.
“DoIpass?”Iasked.
Ipulledmyjawandasked,“Whose“EverbeeninNewYorkbefore,diggings?”
Sammy?”
“Doc’s.”
“Doc’s.”
“No.Imean,IwentthroughitwhenI“Youmeanoneguy,allofthis?”
wasinthearmy,whichIdon’tcallbeing“That’sright.”
here,”Isaid.
“Whereareyoufrom?”
“KansasCity.”
THEYfixedacomfortablechairforme,“WhydidyouleaveKansasCity,andMonkbroughtoutapieceofapparatusSammy?”
thatcouldhavebeenaradiobutwasn’t.
“Iwasgettingfiredofftoomanyjobs,”ITheyputthegimmickbesidemychair.“Taketoldhim.“Iwantedtoseeifachangeofoffyourcoatandrollupyoursleeveandsitscenerywouldchangemyluck.”
down,”Monkordered.Idid,andtheyputat-
“Whatseemedtobethetrouble?”
tachmentsonmyhand,aroundmychestand“Notenoughmoney,toomuchwork,one,theonlyoneIrecognized,onmyarmandbosseslookingdownmycollar,”Isaid.
abovetheelbow.Thelattercloselyresem-
“Everyonehasthatkindofaproblem.”
bled,orwasoneofthosethingsthedoctors“Yeah?Wellmaybeit’snoneofyourwraparoundyourarmtogetbloodpressure.
business,”Isaid.
“What’sthis?”Iasked.
“What’sthis?”Iasked.
Hesaid:“Maybeyoudidn’tputitout.
“Liedetector,”Monksaid.“AreyouMaybeyoufelttheworldowedyouaplushworried?”
living.”
“Okay,”Isaid.“Okay,butstickto“Whynot?”Isaid.“Ispentalotoftimewhat’syourbusiness,orI’llstuffthethinginfoxholes,andwhileI’mlyinginmudanddownyourthroat.”
beingshotat,guysnotasgoodasmedrewMonkgrinned.“Iwouldn’twantoneoftheirhundredbucksaweekandsawtheirthethingsonme,either,”hesaid.“Notallthebabeseverynight.Okay,nowIwantsomeoftime.”
that.”
Youhadtolikethehomelybaboon.He“Oh,aprofessionalhero.”
wasuglierthanamudfence.Amudfence“Iresentthat.”
wouldhavelookedlikeapieceofsilkribbon“Look,”hesaid.“Thereweretenmillionbesidehim.Butitwasanamiablekindofmenmoreorlessinservice,justaboutallthehomeliness—youfeltthesamewaytowardable-bodiedmeninonegeneration,justhimthatyoufeeltowardSt.Bernarddogs,aboutallthemenwhoaregoingtobecapa-whoalsohavefaceswhichdon’ttakebeautybleofbeingsuccessfulforthenextfewprizes.
years.Thatwouldhavebeentrueifthere“Let’shaveyourstory,”DocSavagehadn’tbeenawar.Whatwouldhappenifallsaid.
tenmillionstoodaroundholdingtheirhands“Heck—again?”Icomplained.
22
DOCSAVAGE
outandyellingforahundreddollarsaweek“Laundrymarks,”Isaid.“Thatwon’tandnowork?”
helpyou.”
“YoumeanI’mabum?”
Notdiscouraged,hegotonthetele-
“Imeanyouaremakingnoiseslikephone,talkedtosomeexpertinthepoliceone.”
department,andmadealiaroutofme.
“Idon’tknowwhatthehellstartedthis,”
“ThesuitwascleanedthelastfiveIyelled.“ButIgotacoupleofmedalsthattimesbyashopintheelevenhundredblocksaysIdidthisnationaservice.NowitowesonLexingtonAvenue,”Savagesaid.
meservice,whatImean.”
Hetelephonedthecleaningshoppro-
“Whoisthenation?”
prietorathome,butthefellowwasoutona“Huh?”
party.Hecalledthepolice,andgotthem“Thinkitover,”hesaid.“Ifyouandthelookingfortheman.
othertenmillionaren’tthenation,youmightHehandedthecoatfragmentandtellmewhois.”
pockettoMonk,andsaid,“RunachemicalThatwasallofthat—exceptthatIhap-andmicroscopetestontheclothandthepenedtowanderintothebigroomwherethepocketscrapings.Itmightgiveussome-bookswere,andwhileIwaslookingtoseething.”
whethertherewereanyatallwithtitlesIMonkMayfairdidn’tlooktomeasifhecouldunderstand—itwasentirelyscientifichadbrainsenoughtorunatestonanything,stuff—Icameacrossalittledisplaycase.Itunlessitwastorunhiseyeupanddownawasn’tconspicuous,backinacorner.Itwasprettyleg.Therewaslessthananinchbe-fullofmedals.Igotafunnyfeeling.Theretweenhiseyebrowsandhishairline.
waseverythingfromthatlittleblueribbonWehadavisitorthen.DoctorMorandwiththestarsonitondown,andImeanitFunkHodges,chairmanofthedoingsatthemademefeeldown,tothecoupleIhad.IParkside-Regenttonight.Hehadathinthoughtmaybe,atfirst,he’dwarmedaswivelyoungmanintow,andwasactingasifhechairforthem.Thetroublewiththatideaintendedwringingthelatter’sneckabitlater.
was,youdidn’tgetpurpleheartsforaswivelThethinyoungmanhadwetlips,apimpleonchairpinchingyourbottom.Andhehadfour!
hisneck,andwaswearingalargescare.
Therewasalittleleatherfoliocontaining“Tellthem,Wilfred,”DoctorHodgessomeofthecitations,andIreadacouple.Hesaidominously.
hadn’tbeeninanyswivelchair.Ididn’thaveWilfredhadmoretroublewithhismuchtosayforawhile.
wordsthanaguyjugglingalightedmatchinapowderfactory.He,itseemed,wasthebanquetsecretary,theonewhosentouttheMONKMAYFAIRcameback.Hehadinvitations.
thepartofAlbertGross’coatI’dtornoff,andAmanhadpaidhimahundreddollarsaquestion.“Anywordfromtheshysterlaw-tomailfourinvitationstoMissPaulaFeni-yer?”hewantedtoknow,andlookedwor-song,Mr.AlbertGross,Mr.AlecMcGraffandried—whiletryingnottolookworried—whenMr.
Gross,Mr.AlecMcGraffandried—whiletryingnottolookworried—whenMr.J.B.C.McCutcheon.And,ofcourseputtoldtherehadbeennonewsfromHamtheirnamesontheguest-list.ThemanwhoBrooks.
hadspentthehundredwasMr.McCutcheon.
Formymoney,thepieceofcoatwasn’tThetallerandredder-facedMac.
goingtodothemanygood.I’dlookeditover,“Wilfred,you’refired!”saidthegoodandallithadgivenmewasthreeinvitationsDoctorHodges.“AndIamgoingtokickyouatotheReception.Ifigureditwasadopeygoodoneinthepants.”
wasteoftime,goingbackuptownforit.
Hesoundedfunny,thedignifiedwayMonksaid:“IcheckedwitholdDochesaidit,butatthesametimeasifhisHodges,thechairman,abouthowthefourofmouthwasfullofknives.Hewasaneminent-themgotinvitedtotheReception.He’dwon-seemingoldcodger,quitelikeable.Andsoderedhimself,andhe’sfindingout.He’llcall.”
helpmeifhedidn’tleadWilfredoutintheDocSavagewentoverthecoatfrag-hall,andwecouldhearhimputhisfootment.HebecameinterestedintheinsideofagainstWilfred’sseat.Itsoundedlikeagoodthecoatpocket,andcutthepocketoutwithaone.
razorblade.
DoctorHodgescamebackin,satdownandtookoffhisshoeandexaminedhisfootNOLIGHTTODIEBY
23fordamage.Hesaid,“Ahundreddollars—Isaid:“Theoldgafferdidn’tseemtotheywantedtomeetyoubadly,Savage.No-haveheardoftheblackit-can’t-bethatwasbodyeverpaysahundredbuckstomeetme.
crawlingaroundinthestreetanddidinFoolsiftheydid.Youknow,thatbusinessGross.”
reallylivenedupthebanquet,didn’tit?Good“Thatremindsme,”DocSavagesaid,thing.Wehadalousyprogram.Youshouldandhetelephonedthepolicemedicalexam-haveheardBaedeker’sspeech.Itputhalfofiner,askingiftheexactcauseofthedeathofthemtosleep—thosewhodidn’tknowAlbertGrosshadbeenascertained.Evidentlyenoughaboutwhattheysawintheskyto-ithad,becausehelistenedintentlytothenighttohavetheirhairscareduponend.”
news.
DocSavagesaid:“Doctor,doyouthink
“Well,whatdidGrossdieof?”Ide-whatwesawwasachromosphericeruptionmanded.
ofterrestrialorigin?”
“Oflittleholesinhim,”Savagesaid“Sure.Sodoyou.”DoctorHodgeshadbriefly.
chinwhiskersofthenannygoatvariety,andThishardlycameundertheheadingofhegavethemaworriedyank.“Dratit,man,freshnews.IgatheredthathethoughtIwhocouldhavedevelopedameansofcreat-couldn’tdomuchwiththedetailsifIhadingmolecularcollisionwithfreeelectronsinthem.Itcouldbe.
oneoftheperturbingstrata?IthoughtIknewalltheatmosphericphysicistsdoingworkalongthatline.ButIknowofnoonewhoisDOCSAVAGEmadetelephonecalls.
nearachievingthesortofsuccesswesawHegotholdofSamuelWickertWales,thedemonstratedoverthathoteltonight.”
thedemonstratedoverthathoteltonight.”
astrophysicistoftheComptonObservatory,“It’sapuzzle,”DocSavageadmitted.
theguywhosephonecallI’daccidentally“Dammit,doesn’titscareyou?”
receivedthatmorning—andhowIwaswish-
“Somewhat.”
ingIhadn’t!—andlearnedthatWaleshadDoctorHodgesdidsomeshudderingmadeadealtocoachMissFenisongontheandwhisker-yanking,andpondered,“Howdolunartheory.Thedealhadbeenmadebyyousupposeitwasachieved?Todriveelec-telephone;WaleshadnevermetMissFeni-tronsagainstmoleculesandobtainopticalsong.Inotherwords,hehadnothingtocon-waveemission,inthevisiblespectrum—fortribute.Savagethankedhimasgentlyasaatleastpartofitwasinthevisiblespectrum,chorinestrokinghernewminkcoat.
sincewecouldseearoundluminouspatch“Ifitwasme,”Isaid,“I’dthrowalittleinthesky—theyeitherhadaterrifictransmit-scarearound.”
terformicrowave-lengths,ortheyhadstum-
“Ifitwasyou,”hereplied,“you’dbledonashort-cut.God,IwishI’dhadanprobablygethitontheheadagain.”
electronicmultipliertherewhileitwasgoing“Touché,”Isaid.“Onlythere’sbeenon,withenoughotherapparatustogetamurderdone.”
test.”
“Probablyworse,”hesaid,andwentThenextfiveminutesofdiscussionintothelaboratory,leavingmetodiscoverwasovermyhead.ProbablyIrecognizedthatIhadafirst-ratecaseofthecreepingtwowords.Myminusandpluselectricityjeebies.Ididn’tknowexactlywhattherewasdidn’tgetmefar.
tobeafraidof—Iwasn’tthatscientific—butITheeminentdoctorcouldhavetalkedknewalarminotherpeoplewhenIsawit.
aboutitallnight,butSavagethrewhimoutinSavagewasalarmed.DoctorHodgeshadapoliteway,promisingtolethimhaveabeenalarmed.Theonly
Hodgeshadapoliteway,promisingtolethimhaveabeenalarmed.TheonlyemotionthatwouldpeepatthegimmickthathadmadethelightshowonafacelikeMonkMayfairhadwasifwefoundit.
dumbness,buthewasprobablyalarmedtoo.
“Niceoldguywithalotofbigwords,”IIwasn’tkiddingmyself—mostlyIwassaid.
afraidofwhatIdidn’tknow.Asakid,Ialways“Andbigdeeds,”DocSavagesaidranlikeblazespastgraveyardsatnight,forsharply.“DoctorHodgesisthemanwho—”
thereasonthatIdidn’tknowwhatmightHedidn’tfinishthat.ButwhateverDoc-comeoutofagraveyard.OnlyafewmonthstorHodgeshadcontributedtoscience,Iago,Iwasoneofthosewhofiguredthosegathereditwasplenty.
tinkeringscientistswouldprobablyblowtheworldtodustwiththeiratombombtests.Ig-24
DOCSAVAGE
noranceisn’tblisssometimes—itcanbeHedidn’tgetthempettinghorsesriddenbystarkterror.
NewYorkcops,becausethemountedpoliceAnyway,IwasinsuchatizzythatIdon’tusegreyhorses.Thatmeantcountry,wasforgettinglovely-voiceandhowswellanestate,agreenhouse.Getit?”
shelookedandhowniceadishshewould“Isthisarib?”
makeacrossthebreakfasttableofmornings.
Heshrugged.“TherewasaflakeorsoThat,forme,wasquiteatizzy.
ofwhitebrickpaint—anewtypetheNazisdevelopedduringthewar,andneveronsaleinAmericauntilthelastyear.Itdoesn’tworkChapterV
onoldbrickthathasbeenpainted,onlyonnewbrick.Henceanewwhitehouse—andITwasasurpriseforaroughcrummy-probablyquitenew,becausehe’sbeenfool-lookingpackagedoneupinburlapandtoughingaroundtheoutsideof
beenfool-lookingpackagedoneupinburlapandtoughingaroundtheoutsideofittogetthepaintcordtocontainafistfulofpolisheddia-tracesonhim.Therewereplentyofgreenmonds—butthatwaswhatMonkMayfairvelvethairsfromupholsteryfabric....So,turnedouttobe.Hefinishedwithhismicro-wegetanestateinthecountry—wherebutinscopeandsomemixturesofstinkingchemi-thecountrydoyoufindestates?—withacalswhichhehadbeenusingonAlbertgreenhouse,nearthenorthshoreofLongGross’coatfragment.
Island.Thelastisaguess—theNorthShoreMonksaid:“Well,here’sthestoryoniswhereyoufindmostoftheestatesnearaGross.”
seashorearoundNewYorkCity.Andthe“Let’shaveit,”Savagetoldhim.
houseiswhitebrick.Nowdoyoucatchon?
“Youwantmetointerpret?”
Seehowsimple.”
“Sure.”
“Itsoundslikemoon-jumpingtome,”I
“AlbertGross,”Monksaid,“livedonthesaid.
northshoreofLongIsland,inalargehouseDocSavagesaid,“Grossprobablythatispartofanestatehavingagreenhouseownstheestate.”
andstables.Thehouseisnew,beenbuilt“Huh?”
withinthelastyear,andtheoutsideiswhite-
“Expensivesuit.Threehundreddollars,paintedbrick,whichshouldmakeiteasiertoprobably.Amanwiththatmoneyforhisfind.TheroominthehousethatGrosslikedclothescouldownanestate.”
bestisfurnishedingreenvelvetandthefur-
“Youtoo!”Isaid.“Youmeantotellmenitureisoverstuffed....Takealookandseeyoulookatapieceoffaguy’scoatandtellhowfaryouthinkImissedit.Here’smywherehewenttoschool?”
notes.”
notes.”
“HewenttoschoolinVienna,Austria,”
Isaid:“Niceguessing.”
DocSavagesaid.
“Whatguessing?”Monkasked.
“Yeah?”Isaid.“NowIknowit’sarib.”
“Thatstuffyoujustspouted.”
“Don’tbeadope.”
“I’mnot,”Isaid.“That’swhyIdon’tPRESENTLYthetelephonerang,andswallowthatlineofSherlockHolmesguffyouitwasthepolice.Theysaidthey’dfoundthejustputout.”
proprietorofthecleaningshoponLexington“No?”
Avenue,andwererushinghimdowntolook“No,”Isaid.
athisrecordsandseeifAlbertGrosshadleftMonkgavemethatbaboongrin.
anaddresswhenhelefthissuitstobe“Thereweretracesofsaltonthecoatfabric,cleaned.
andthat—andthedistributionofthetraces—“Ain’tLexingtonAvenuerighthereinmeantexposuretoseabreezes.Ergo,hedowntownNewYork?”Iasked.“Downthehadbeenaroundtheseaorseashore.Ispoutgoesyourwild-and-wooliesaboutdidn’tfindanysalt-waterspots,soitwasGrosshavingaLongIslandestate.”
probablytheseashore.TherewaspollenTheydidn’tseemdiscouraged.Itap-fromninedifferentflowers,includingorchidspearedtheyweregoingtolookonthenorthofthreevarieties,onthecloth,orinit.ThatshoreofLongIslandfor
thenorthofthreevarieties,onthecloth,orinit.ThatshoreofLongIslandfortheplace.
meanteitheraflowershoporgreenhouse.
“You’velaidoutamonth’sjobthere,”ITherewereseveralhorsehairsonthelapels,said.
fromatleasttwodifferenthorses,bothgreys.
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
25Thepolicecalledagain.TheywereatHesweatacoupleofpintswhilehewasthecleaningfellow’sshop,hadfoundoutallshowingDocSavagewhichphotographsthemanknewaboutAlbertGross,anditwerethenorthshoreofLongIsland.
wasn’tmuch.HerememberedGross.ButitDocSavagethankedhimmildly,andwasn’tGrosswhohadbroughtinthestufftoaskedmetoshowhimout.
becleaned;itwasthechauffeur.Thechauf-Inthehall,Edsinggrabbedmebythefeurhadbroughtinahalfdozenofhisboss’
necktieandblurted,“DoyouthinkI’llbesuitsatatime,explainingthebosshadafired?”
madonatthecleaneroutonLongIslandIaskedhim:“What’sthematter,didawherehelived.Themandidn’tknowGross’
taxpayerbiteyouback?”
address,nordidheknowthechauffeur’s“GoodGod,Ididn’trealizewhohenameandaddress.Thechauffeurdidn’tan-was,”Edsinggasped.“TheCommissionerinswerthedescriptionofanybodyweknew.
Albanywasmadasahornet.Man,heateme
“Whatdowedonow?”Iasked.“Spendoutuptohere.”HelookedasifhewasgoingthirtydayscombingLongIsland?”
tospraymewithtears.“AndmewithahomeMonkdugme.Hesaid:“Oh,youadmitIjustpaidtwopricesfor,andapregnantwife.
GrosslivedonLongIsland,now?”
CouldyousmoothitoutformewithSav-
“Justbecauseonepinfelldowndon’tage?”
meanyougotastrike,”Isaid.
“I’mhavingtroublesmoothingitoutforDocSavagetelephonedsomebodymyself,”Isaid.“ButI’lltry.”
namedEdsing.Hedidn’tgetmuchsatisfac-Edsingfilledmyearfullofgratefultion.HecalledsomebodyinAlbany,thestatewords,andIgotridofhim.
capitol,andthesomebodysaidhewouldSavageandMonkMayfairweregoingphoneEdsingrightnowandseethatEdsingovertheaërialphotographs.
deliveredsatisfaction.
Isaid:“Thatguythinkshe’sgoingtoMonkMayfairhadmepuzzled.Whenlosehisjob.Hiswifeisinafamilyway,andithewentintheotherroom,IaskedDocSav-mightgohardonhim.”
age:“ThisguyMayfair’sgotmeguessing.HeSavagewasconcerned.HetoldMonklookslikeanemptybox.Helookslikesome-MayfairtosendEdsinganoteofthanks,andthinggrasswouldn’tgrowon.MaybehissaythatifEdsingwouldcallso-and-sohospi-looksaredeceiving—eh?”
tal,Mrs.Edsingwouldfindherhospitalser-
“Maybe,”Savagesaid.
viceswouldn’tcostheranything.
“Whoishe?”
Iasked:“Ain’tthatakindofexpensive
“Monk?HisfullnameisLieutenanttipforthereluctantfavortheguydone?”
ColonelAndrewBlodgettMayfair.HehasaMonksaid:“Docownsthehospital.Solotoflettersafterhisnamemeaningdegreeswhat?”
andfellowships,butifyouusedthemhe’dhitTheyfinishedupbymarkingringsyouintheeye.He’soneoftheworld’slead-aroundthreehouses,orestates,whichhadingresearchchemists.”
greenhousesorstablesandwhereconstruc-
greenhousesorstablesandwhereconstruc-
“IguessI’lloverhaulmyhuman-naturetionofoneormorebuildingshadbeenre-yardstick,”Isaid.
cent,asevidencedbyfreshgradingworkaroundthebuildings.
“We’lltrythose,”Savagesaid.
THEfellowEdsing,theonewhohadn’t
“Damnit!”Monksaidsuddenly.“I’mgivenSavagesatisfactiononthephone,ar-worriedaboutHamBrooks!Whyhasn’therived.Hewasweighteddownwithsatisfac-reportedin?Somethinghashappenedtotionandanxioustodeliverit.Thesomebodyhim.”
inAlbanyhadcertainlybuiltafireonhiscoat-Isaid:“Thewayyou’vebeentalkingtail.
aboutthislawyerBrooks,IfigureyouratedEdsingwaswiththeNewYorkStatehimaboutthesameasabadsmellinyourHighway,DepartmentofPlanning—ajobhesocks.”
obviouslyfearedmightterminateasofto-
“Shutup!”Monksaid.
night—andhehadasuitcasefullofaërialTheyleftamessageforHamBrooksinphotographs.Itseemedthat,lastfall,hisde-casehecalled.TheytoldhimtheplacestheypartmenthadmadethepicturesasapartofweregoinginLongIsland,andwhy.Savagetheplanningforfuturehighwaydevelopment.
spokethisinformationintoagimmickthat26
DOCSAVAGE
recordedit,andMonktoldmethemachineHeglancedatmeasifIhadpulledthewouldputthewordsintothetelephonewhenrabbitoutofthehat.
HamBrookscalled,ifhecalledtheunlisted“Itcouldbe,”hesaid.
HamBrookscalled,ifhecalledtheunlisted“Itcouldbe,”hesaid.
phonenumberthecontraptionwashookedAnywaytheyweresomedetectives.
upto.Itookhiswordforit.
Theyhadjustaboutmadeabelieveroutof“Sammy,yougoalongwithus,”Docme.
Savagesaid.
“Why?”
Hedidn’tgivememuchsatisfaction.
ChapterVI
Monkwasmoreexplicit,iflessreassuring.
Hetoldme,“DocprobablythinksitalittleoddITwasthethirdhouse.Atthefirstthatyougotyourselfinallthisbychasingaplacewetried,anagedbutlerinanightshirtsweetvoiceyouheardoverthetelephone.”
waspolitetous,andatthesecondplacetwo“Yousawsweet-voice,didn’tyou?”IGreatDanedogsofferedtoeatusalive,ifaskedhim.
onewastobelievetheiruproar.Iwasabout“Sure.ButDocismorebabe-resistanttodroptheneedleonarecordingofI-told-thanyouandme,andheprobablyoveresti-you-so,butsomethingrestrainedme—matesourstrengthwhereonelikeMissFeni-probablycommonsensewasgettingatoe-songisconcerned.”
holdonme.
“Idon’tthinkIgotmuchstrengthwhereThenightwasstillwithus,andwouldshe’sconcerned,”Isaid.
beforanothertwohours,sincethiswasFeb-
“Youbettergetstrong,”headvisedme.
ruaryandthenightswerelong.Buttherewas“BecauseIlikedherlooks,andI’llwalkrightascatteringofsnowouthereinthecountryoveryou,yougetinmyway.”
thatmadethenightseemlessdark.Old“Thatfaceofyourswillscarehertosnow,scabstootoughforthesuntomelt,death,”Isaid.“Andifyoufoolwithme,thenowhard-frozen,crusty,shiny.Thedrivewayfacewilllookworse.”
whereitturnedoffhadathinglazeofice,Hewasn’tmuchimpressed.
andweskiddedacrossthatanduptoastoneIlookedattheclockasweleft.Onlygatehouseandapairofirongatesformida-twohours!Intwohoursthey
Onlygatehouseandapairofirongatesformida-twohours!Intwohourstheyhadtakenableenoughforapenitentiary.
piecetornoffaman’scoatandmadeitreadNothingmorethanourheadlightslikeabook.Ididn’tknowmuchaboutscien-broughtanoldmanoutofthegatehouse.Antificdetecting,butIwasimpressed.
oldmanwhowasasbigasabuffalo,tallerIsaid:“There’sonecrackbeenmadethanabuffaloandnearlyaswide,butasthinthatIdon’tget.”
andbony,andperhapsastough,ashe“Onlyone?”Monksaid,meaningthatwouldbeifconstructedofoaksticks.HewashewasthinkingaboutMissFenisongandwearinganenormousblackovercoat.Itdidn’tlikeme.
lookedlikeashroudonadeadtree.Hehad“SomebodysaidGrosswenttoschoolavoiceasdeep,asamiable,asaskullrollinginVienna,Austria,”Iexplained.“ThatoneIdownaroof.
can’tseethrough.”
“Goodmorning,”hesaid.“CanIbeofSavagesaid:“GrossattendedOs-someservice?”
terreichZoologischeUniversity,oratleastheSavageaskedhimwholivedhere.
hadatattoomarkinhisarmpitwhichwas“Theowneroftheestablishment,sir,”
affectedbytheZoologischestudentsduringsaidtheoldgiant.
theearlytwenties.Theideaofarmpittattoo-
“WouldhisnamebeAlbertGross?”
ing,insteadofaclass-ring,wasageneralSavageasked.
practice,andprecededtheNazipracticeofHebuttonedtheblackovercoat,doingarmpittattoostoidentifySSmen,ofwhichitslowly,takingtimetomeasureuswithayoumayhaveheard....Incidentally,youmicrometeranddoalittlethinking.Hishairdidn’tseethearmpitmarkonGross,norwasasgreyasanoldseagull,nearlyafoothaveIbutthepolicemedicalexaminerde-longandseemedtostickoutstraightfromhisscribeditaccuratelyoverthetelephone.”
seemedtostickoutstraightfromhisscribeditaccuratelyoverthetelephone.”
headeverywhere.Allheneededwasa
“FromAustria,huh?”Isaid.“Thatcouldscythe,andhecouldplayDeath.
meansomething,couldn’tit?”
“ThisisindeedtheresidenceofMr.AlbertGross,”hefinallyadmitted.
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
27HeputonewordafteranotherlikeaSuddenlytherewasmorenoiseinthemasonfittingarowofstonesinawall.Eachcarthananybodywanted.Theoldman’sgunwordwasfinelychiseled.Englishwasn’tthewasspeaking.Itspoketwice.Bothbulletshitlanguagehe’dheardinthecradle;Ihadbeentheleft-handwindow,flattenedandfellaway,introducedtothedetectivebusinesstonight,andsohelpmethewindowmerelyhadtwosoIdeducedthiswithconfidence.
smallsplatteredplaceswhereacoupleof“We’dliketoseeMr.Gross,”Savagehard-flyingandwell-fedbugsmighthavehit.
said.
Thenoldhard-as-nailsnolongerhadItwouldbequitesomethingifwedid,Ithemortar,andIdidn’thaveiteither.Savagethought.
hadtakenitawayfrombothofus.
“I’msorry.Mr.Grossisnothere,”saidTheoldmandrewback.Hedidn’trun,theoldtowerofbones.
butmerelywaited.
“Mr.McGraff?”
MonkMayfairspoketome.Hespoke“I’msorry.”
fluentlyformorethanaminute,givinghis“Mr.McCutcheon?”
opinionofmyimpulsiveness,notonewordfit“IndeedI’msorry,”saidtheoldman.
toprint.
“Mr.Gross,Mr.McGraffandMr.McCutcheon“You’reafool,”DocSavagetoldme.
leftforthecityearlythismorning—yesterday“Listen,gunsmakemejumpy,”I
leftforthecityearlythismorning—yesterday“Listen,gunsmakemejumpy,”Isaid.
morning,Imean—andhavenotreturned.”
“Where’dtheoldboygetitfrom,anyway?
DocSavageasked.“AndMissFeni-Onemomenthewasbare-handed,andthesong?”
nextonehewasloadedforbear.”
“AgainI’msorry.MissFenisong,I“Thecar,”DocSavagetoldme,“isknow,isanacquaintanceofMr.Gross—equippedwithadevicewhichdischargesanperhapshisniece,althoughIamnotsure—odorless,colorlessanaestheticgas.Hecouldbutshedoesnotlivehere,andisrathersel-havebeenovercomewithoutallthewild-domavisitor.Iregretbeingsodisappoint-west.”
ing.”
“Thegaswouldhavegotus,too,”IMonktookitup.“We’dcompromiseforsaid.
Mr.Spatny,”hesaid.
“No.Wemerelyholdourbreath,andin“Who?”
aboutfortysecondsthegasundergoesa“Don’tyouknowSpatny?”
chemicalreactionwiththeairandbecomes“I’mafraidIcan’thelpyou,sir.”Oldineffective.”
rack-of-bonesshrugged.Therewasagunin“Youcouldn’thavetoldmetoholdmyhishand,agunthatwasbigthewayhewasbreathwithouthimhearing,”Isaid.“You’dbig.“Unless,ofcourse,youprovetobehavegassedme,too,Isuppose.”
friendsofmine,”headded.
MonkMayfairsaid:“I’minfavorofdoingthatanyway!Itwouldbeagoodidea.Ivoteforit.”
HEputthecavernousmouthofhisfirearmintothecarwindowandletitlookatus.SavagehadrolleddownthewindowinWEgotoutofthecar.Itwascoldhereordertotalkwithhim.
inthecountry.Theoldman’sbreathcameIdon’tknowwhatgotintome.MaybeIfromhisleatherylipsasifhewasblowinghadjustseentoomuchpreposterousmagiccotton.Hesaid:“It’swarmerinthegate-foronenight,andthiswasthelaststraw.Ithouse,ifyouwouldcaretoconversethere.”
wasn’theroism.Iwasscaredcoldasakid“Wepreferthecar,”Savagesaid.
who’dbrokehisfirstwindow.ThefirstthingI“Climbin.”
knew,Ihadholdofthegunwithbothhands.
TheoldmanlimpedslightlyinhisleftThesecondImatchedstrengthwithlegashemoved.Hegotinthebackseattheoldman,IknewIwasgoingtoneedmywithme,andIwouldhaveassoonwelcomedrabbit-foot.Hewastoughlikeathirty-centaman-eatingtiger.MonkMayfaircamesteak.Tryingtotwisthisarmwasliketryingaroundandgotinwithus,searchedtheoldtodothesamethingtothelegofamule.Hegiant,andlookedoverwhathehadfound—ausedhisfreehandonmeandgavemeawallet,adunfromthelightcompany,aworseheadachethanI’dhadthatmorning.
crestedgoldcigarettelighter,andmorethanadozenbigfatwalnut-coloredcigars.
28
DOCSAVAGE
“Fifty-centers,”Monksaidofthecigars.
denseinthecold.ThenSpatnymoanedlike“AndhisnameseemstobeJ.HeronSpatny,ahoundthathadgroundglasswithhisdin-of1880VistaRoad.HisJanuarylightbillwasner.
eightdollarsseventy.Hehasslightlyover“Alfredisdead!Dasistzuarg!Ohmysevenhundreddollarsincash.”
God!”Hebroughthishandstohisface,andMonkmadeasecondsearch.Hedidn’tlongashisfacewas,hishandswouldspanfindaholster.“Wherewereyoucarryingtheit.Theyellowskinshowedbetweenthefin-gun?”
gers.“Isthistrue?”heblurted.Withoutwait-
“Why,itwasreposinginmysleeve,”
ingforananswer,headded,“Alfred—IwasSpatnysaid.
waitinghereforhim—heismyfriend.HeisinMonkgotoutandlookedinthegate-danger.Hetoldmesothismorning,andhouse,camebackandreported,“There’saaskedmeforhelp.Hemadeanappointmentrepeatingshotgunstandinginsidethedoor,tomeetmehere,secretly,atmidnight—afterwherehemighthavegrabbeditifwehadIagreedtohelphim.”
acceptedhisinvitationforaconferenceinSavagesaid:“Midnight?Ameetingthere.”
here?”
Theoldmanstirreduncomfortably.
Theoldmanstirreduncomfortably.
Thewordscameoutofthemountain-
“Really,you’reattributingmewithexcessiveousoldmanlikerainoutofacloud.Hisbloodthirstiness,”hecomplained.
namewasJ.HeronSpatny—theJ.wasfor“WouldyoucaretocorrectanyotherJemnost—andhewasaCzech,arefugee,wrongideaswemighthave?”SavageinfiveyearsinthiswonderfulUnitedStatesofquired.
America.HehadrefugeedviaVienna,Aus-Spatnysatwithbackbent,headtria,wherehehadmetAlbertGross—thenbowed.ButthetopofhisheadwasnearlywearingthenameofAlbertGrossberger—againstthetopofthecaranyway.Hewasunderawfullynicecircumstances.AlberthadtallerthanSavage.Hesaid:“First,wouldyouhelpedhimlamfromtheNazis,Igathered.
mindtellingmewhoyouare?”
HereinAmerica,SpatnyhadspentfourSavageintroducedhimself,MonkMay-yearsinthetravelingsalesmanbusinessinfairandme.ThenamesseemedtomeanFlorida,andoneyearhereinNewYorkinthenothingtotheoldAlp.
flowerbusiness.HehadashoponMadison“Idon’tknowyou,”Spatnysaidgloom-AvenuenearThirty-fourthStreet,hesaid.Heily.“That’smytrouble—Idon’tknowenoughwashappy,gettingrich,andAlfredGrossaboutanything.IfAlberthadjusttoldmehadturnedupafewmonthsago,andthey’dmore...Buthedidn’t.Albertwassoafraid,hadadelightfulreunion.
too.”
AlfredGrossdidn’tseemtohaveany“AlbertGross?”Savagesaid.
business,andhehadforpartnersinitMr.
Theoldmanliftedhishead;itwhackedMcGraffandMr.McCutcheon.Spatnyinti-thetopofthecar,andhelowereditagain.
mated
he
didn’t
like
McGraff
and
“YouknowAlbertGross?”
McCutcheon,didn’tthinkhighlyofthemei-Savagesaid:“Sammy,here,gotbetterther.Butthey,andAlbertGross,livedwellatacquaintedwithhimthantherestofus.”
thisestate,whichGrossprofessedtoown.
“Awonderfulchap,Albert,don’tyouSpatnythoughttheMacswererefugeestoo.
think?”Spatnysaidtome.
Threeidlerefugeesrollinginwealth,appar-
“Great,”Iagreed.“Veryquickwithaently.
raponthehead,thatAlbert.”
“Truthfully,Iimaginedtheyhadprofited“IwishwecouldgetholdofAlbertandwellinthebusinessofgettingrefugeesoutofhavehimvouchforyougentlemen,”SpatnyEurope,andhadsettleddowntoenjoythesaidthoughtfully.
fruitsoftheirlabors,”saidtheoldman.
Isaid:“HeoughttobeeasytogetholdYesterdayhisfriendAlbertGrosshadof.Buthe’salittledeadforvouching.”
calledonSpatny;they’dlunched,discussedTheoldmanjumpedwitheverymus-oldtimes,andGrosswasnoticeablyjerky.
cle.Herockedthecarlikearowboat.Think-Buttheyhadn’tdonebusinessyesterday—heinghewasstartingago-around,Iducked.
keptreferringtodaybeforeyesterdayasyes-Buthegaveonlytheonejump,sankbackinterday—andthenextdayGrosshadcalledtheseat,andlaidoffbreathingforawhile.Itonhimagain.Grosshadintimatedhewasinwasquietenoughtohearourbreathcon-apredicament,hislifewasindanger,andNOLIGHTTODIEBY
29therewasgreatdevilmentafoot.Wouldbeingpulled.Itwascold,andthecoldtookSpatnyhelphim?Inmemoryofoldtimeholdofmynoseandcheekslikesomebody’sspentdodgingNazis,Spatnywould.Themid-fingers.Ithoughtthatanestatelikethisnightappointmentwasmade,Spatnyhadshouldhaveservantsenougharoundtokeepkeptit,andherehewas—Grossnaturallythesidewalksshoveledofsnow.
hadn’tshown.
Savagesaid:“Here,Sammy.BetterputThatwaswhathehadtotellus.
thison.”Hewasofferingmeakindofajacket;Itookitanditwasalotheavierthanajacketshouldbe,butnotasheavyasIDOCSAVAGEchiseledonhimforthoughtitshouldbewhenIfoundoutwhatitmoredetails.Savageasked:“Whataboutwas.
MissFenisong?Yousaidshewasrelatedto“What’sthis?”Iasked.
Gross—hisniece?Wasthatstraight?”
“Bulletproofvest.”
Heconfessedhe’dmadethatup.He
“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“Doesanybodydidn’thavethespeckofanideawhoMissmindifIjuststartbacktoKansasCity?”
Fenisongwas.“Ididn’tknowwhoyouwere,“Putiton,”Savagesaid,andleanedaandIwaspretendingtobethegatekeeper,”
fingeragainstabutton.Wecouldhearasetheexplained.
ofchimesclanging,andnoothersoundfora“Whataboutthatchromosphericerup-while,andthenavoicesaidloudly—andtootiontonight?”Savagedemanded.
friendly—agreeting.
friendly—agreeting.
Theoldgiantmerelyhunghismouth“Comein,fellows,”thevoicesaid.“I’mopen.
gladyougothere.”
Isaid:“Andablackscare-babyintheSavagelookedatMonk.Monklookedstreet.Don’tforgetthatone.”
atSavage.TherewasacertainamountofNopay.
coöperationinthewaytheireyebrowswentSavageaskedhimhowhe’dliketoup,thendown,questioningly.
helpuspayavisittotheestate.Hesaidhe’d“HamBrooks?”Iasked.
likeitfine,andwantedtoknowexactlyhow“Hisvoice,anyway,”Monksaid.
AlbertGrosshaddied.Savagetoldhim“What’sthematter?”
aboutitwithoutreallytellinghimanything—“Toofriendly,”Monksaid.“Watch.”HejustthatGrosshadbeenfounddeadoflittleliftedhisvoiceandcalled,“Ham,thisisholesfollowingsomestrangedoingsataMonk.”
banquetforscientists.Meantime,Monkgot“Well,comein,oldpal,oldpal,”saidoutandfoundthelargeirongateswerethedeeporatoricalvoice.“Don’tstandoutlocked.
thereinthecold,oldfriend.”
Thegate-lockdidn’tstumpSavageMonkshookhishead.“Something’slong.Hepickedit.Healsofoundanalarmonwrong.Normallyhe’dinvitemetofreezetoit,andshort-circuitedthewiringsothethingdeath.”
wouldn’tdousanydirt.WedroveupalaneWewentinanyway.
thatcouldhavebeenthePennsylvaniaTurn-pike,andcametothemansion,thegreenhouse,thestables,agarage,servants’quar-HEwasamanIhadseenattheban-ters,toolhouses,guestcottageandafewquet,andnotrememberedaswellasIotherbuildings.Itwasstilldarknight;ifany-shouldhave.Hehadwideshoulders,atrimthing,itwasdarkerthanithadbeen.Cloudswaist;agood-
shoulders,atrimthing,itwasdarkerthanithadbeen.Cloudswaist;agood-lookingmanexceptforanlikesootrollshadmovedinoverhead.
overwidemouthandhairthatwasalittleSavageradioedthepolice.Heaskedslick,toowonderfullybarberedformytaste.
themtocheckuponMr.J.HeronSpatny,Heworefulldress—tails,whitetie—andIMadisonAvenueflorist.
hadsupposedonemonkeysuitwasaboutAtthat,theoldmanhissedoncelikealikeanother,butthisonehadclassandsnap.
viper.
IfoundoutlaterHamBrookswasreputed“I’mrelievedtofindyouareaffiliatedoneofthebest-dressedmeninNewYork,withthepolice,”hesaid,whichdidn’tfitwithbutIthinkIknewitthen.
thehiss.
Hesatinoneoftheparlors—thereWegotoutofthecar.Thesnowwouldbeseveralparlorsinahouselikegruntedunderourfeet,orsqueakedlikenailsthis—onagold-brocaded,purplevelvet,30
DOCSAVAGE
fringe-edgeddivanthatwaslargeenoughtoMyheadcameclearquickly,too;be-holdhalfadozenotheroccupants.Hedidn’tcauseatonceIknewthatSavagemusthavegetupandthegreatpleasureinhisvoiceusedsomeofthatgastheyhadtalkedabout,wasnotmatchedbytheexpressiononhisthestuffthatyoucouldn’tseenorsmell,thatfaceashesaid,“Comein,comein.Howwouldknockyou,butnotifyouheldyourmanyofyouarethere?Justfourofyou?Isbreathforaslongasfortyseconds.Ihadn’tthatall?”
heldmybreath.SavagehadhitmewithaMonksaid:“Welefttheothersoutsidehintthatwasasbigasascoop-shovel,butholdingthereindeer....Whatareyoupull-mylatchstringhadn’tbeenout.
ingoffHam?”
“Neveradullmoment.Oh,boy!”Isaid.
HamBrookssaidtooloudly,“NothingMonkMayfairsaid:“Youshouldhaveatall—unlessIwanttolearnwhetherornotletmeputhiminthebathtub.”HewastalkingI’mbulletproof.I’mquitesureI’mnot,sothetoHamBrooks,whowaslookingpleasedtestdoesn’tappeal.”
withtheworld,andwithasmuchofMiss“Huh?”
Fenisong’slegashecouldsee.
“IhavegreatfaithinmyjudgmentofMissFenisongstillslept.Whoeverhadhumannature,”HamBrooksadded.“Ihopeitpickedherupandarrangedherinthechairisn’tmisplaced.OtherwiseI’dhavearathershouldhavebeenawindow-dresserinoneofsadopinionofmyselfforinvitingyouin.”
thoseBroadwayshopsI’dnoticedthatday,Monkgotit.Hesaid:“Maleorfemale?”
theplaceswheresexyblackunderthings“Who?”
seemedtobetheprincipalarticleoftrade.
“Behindtheprettydivan,”Monksaid.
Asleep,shewasnice.IwaswideawakeinHamBrookssighedlikethefellowwhonotime.
haddecidedhewouldhavetoswimthe“Weoughttogettogetheronthesecreekwherethealligatorwas.Hesaid:“It’sthings,”Isaid.“Ifyou’vegotanymoretrickMissFenisong.”
gadgets,howaboutlettingmeknow?”
“Ah!”
HamBrooksexaminedme.Hedidn’t
“Indignantandwell-armed,”Hamexactlyfallonhisfacewithapproval.“Whoisadded.
thischap?”heasked.“Ataxidriver?”
Inthesilencethatfollowed,iffrowns“What’sthematterwithtaxidrivers?”I
Inthesilencethatfollowed,iffrowns“What’sthematterwithtaxidrivers?”Ihadhadmagneticproperties,thedivandemanded.
wouldhavebeenliftedandsuspended.MonkSavagetoldthedapperlawyerwhoIMayfairsaid:“Sammy,wouldyoucaretotrywas.Hecouldhavemademycharacteroutthepropertiesofyournewbulletproofstandoutalittlemoreinthetelling.
vestbybeingfirsttolookbehindthedivan?”
“MissFenisongisreviving,”Monkre-
“MissFenisongwouldn’tshootnicemarked,andthatputastoptomyhistory.
peoplelikeus,”Isaid.“Butnothanks,any-Wegatheredaroundandwaitedadmiringly.
way.”
Eventheoldgiant,Spatny,hadhisshouldersDocSavagesaid:“Atensesituationback.
likethismakesoneholdone’sbreath,SheawakenedthewayIhad.Quick.
doesn’tit?”
Clear-headed.ShearrangedherskirtmoreImissedthecue.Thefloorrockedalit-decorously,disappointingMonk.Shehadatle,steadied,cameupandrestedagainstmynaturalquestion.“Whathappened?”sheface,gentlyenough.Islept,butIdidn’twantedtoknow.
dreamofathing.
DocSavagesaid:“Mr.Brooksadvisesmethatyoutookhimunawares,menacedhimwithagun”—henoddedbrieflyata.25-ChapterVIIcaliberautomatic,blue,lady-size,onthetable—”andwereholdinghimhere,apparentlyAWAKENINGwasjustaspleasant—Ipendingthearrivaloffriends.”
swamupoutofnothingthatwassoftandnot“Unawares—nothing!”shesaid.“Heatallbad,andthereIwas,onanicetiledhadbeentrailingme.Hehadhiseyesopenfloor,withice-waterflyingintomyface.Nowideenough,
eyesopenfloor,withice-waterflyingintomyface.Nowideenough,particularlywhenIwasgettingheadache.Notmuchdizziness.Justafeelingoutofacabandthewindblewmyskirt.Iofhavingbeenafool.
mayhaveoutsmartedhim,buthewasclearlyawareIwasinexistence.”
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
31Shesawme,andsaid,“Oh,hello,Mr.
downinbrilliance,exactly,buttheychangedWales.I’mgladMr.Grossdidn’tdomuchtheeffect,gaveitadifferentcoloring,akindharmtoyou.”
ofbluishqualitythatseemedtogetinyour“It’sallrightwithmenow,”Isaid.“Ieyesandstaythere,asifyou’dbeenlookingshouldhavemadeitmoreclearthatIwasn’ttoolongandtoocloseatacop’suniform.
Mr.WalesthemoonexpertwhenIcametoSpatnycameover,stoodbesideme.
seeyouatyourhotel.”
HeseemedtobetwiceastallasIwas.
“I’msorryMr.Grosswasnasty,”sheSpatnysaid:“Whatisthis?”
said.“Itwasuncalledfor.I’mgoingtotellhim“Youtellme,”Isaid,andputmyfaceso,too.”
closetothewindowglassinordertoseehow“Thatwillbeahard—”
itlookedcomingthroughtheclouds.
DocSavage,cuttingaheadofmebe-
“Betternotlookdirectlyatit.ThereforeIcouldgiveanythingaway,said,“Didmightbeemanationsharmfultotheeyes.”
youleavethebanquetwithMr.Gross,MissThiswasSavage.Therewasplentyofalarm,Fenisong?”
ofthekindyoufeelwhenyou’relyinginaSheshookherhead.“No.Mr.Brooksshellholeandknowatankisgoingtoruncantellyouthat.”
overit,backofhiscalmness.
“Andyouhaven’tseenorheardofMr.
Ididn’twanttolookatitanylongerGrosssince?”
anyway.Therewassomethingcoming
“No.”
acrossthelawnthatIwantedtolookatalot“AndMr.
McGraff
and
Mr.
more.ItwasthirtyorfortyfeetindiameterMcCutcheon—whataboutthem?”
andasblackastheoriginalbadluckcat.
Shehesitated.WecouldseeshehadMonkMayfair,probablyintriguedbydecidednottotellusanything.
ourpetrifiedstances,cameoverandtookaHamBrookssaid:“Ithinkshewaslook.
waitinghereforGross,McGraffand“Avisitor,”hesaid.
McCutcheon.”
Hesoundedasifhisheadhadmovedaboutsixfeetfromhisbodytomakethestatement.
THEYwerebuildingMissFenisonguptoashockwhenshefoundoutGrosswasdead.Itwasallrightwithme;Ididn’tthinkSAVAGEsaid:“Gettothecar!Every-shewouldfeeltoobadly;itwasmyideathatbody!Quick!”
shehadn’tthoughttoomuchofGross.Still,IpickedupMissFenisong.Iwasthink-theguyhadbeenathomeinherroomattheingaboutGrossinherhotelroom,butIhotel,andhe’dorderedheraroundasifhepickedherupanyway.IbeatMonkMayfairtohadcertainrights....
itbyayard.
WhenSavagehadhersetup,andhadMonksaid:“Letastrongmancarryher,givenherachancetobecoöperativeandpanty-waist.”
shewouldn’t,hegavehertheGrossdeath.
“Ifyou’resostrong,”Isaid,“gooutandShefooledmeandprobablyallofus.
fightthatthingintheyard!”
Shefainted.
MonkshowedhowupsethewasbyIwastryingtothinkofonesinglenicebellowingatme,“Whatisthatthing?”
thingtothinkaboutwhathadprobablybeenIdidn’ttakethetroubletotellhimIherrelationshipwithGrosswhenHamdidn’tknow.IstartedwalkingoutoftheroomBrookslookedatthewindow,andsaid,“Say,withthegirl.Shedidn’tweighathinginmyit’sgettingdaylightinahurry,isn’tit?”
arms.Ididn’tweighanouncemyself.IwasSavagewenttothewindow,wentfast,soscaredIfloatedintheair.
andsaid,“It’snotdawn—unlessthesunisSpatnywentwithus.Theoldgiantwascomingupstraightoverhead.”Hesoundedactive,orhecouldn’thavemanagedthat—shocked.
wepassedthroughtheroomslikeantelope.
Itwasthatlightagain.NotquitetheTheoldman’srightfootmadealittlemorewayithadbeenearlierthatnight,whenwenoisethanhisleftfoothittingthefloor,be-sawitfromthehotelterrace,thirtyorsosto-causeofhislimp;Irememberthinkingitmustriesabovethestreet,andwithnocloudsbeagenuinelimp,orhewouldhaveforgot-abovethat.Thecloudsdidn’tseemtocutittenaboutitnow.Awfullygenuine.
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DOCSAVAGE
Therewasanotheroneinthefrontdoorsofglass.Hehadgonethroughoneofyard.
theseFrenchdoors,orwindows—justsimplyTwoblackscare-babies.
passedthroughit.
Thissecondonewaspoppa.AboutIwishedIhadbeenwithhim.
sixtyfeetacrossandnearlyashigh.ThereAndthenIdidn’t—fortheit-couldn’t-bewasatallAustralianpinetreeouttherethatintheyardbeganchasinghim.Theitdidn’tI’dnoticedwhenwearrivedthatwasallofmoverapidly,notasfastastheoldmanwasfiftyfeet,anditwashiddenbehindthisthing.
moving—possiblynothingcouldhavetrav-
“Perhaps,”Savagesaid,“webestnoteledquitethatfast—andittookaratherer-gooutside.”
raticS-shapedrouteacrossthegrounds.TheItwasallrightwithme.Theycouldn’tserpentinepathwaspuzzling....Itwasfol-haveshotmeoutintotheyardiftheyhadlowingasidewalk!Thatwasthereason!Itstuffedmeinacannon.Istillwasn’tweighingseemedtohavenolikingforthegrass,whichathing,andneitherwasmylovelyburden,wasawhitecarpetoffrostwhereitwasnotandifIstillhadaheartIcouldn’tfindit.
glazedoverwithsnow.ItkeptonthepavedSavagesaid:“Hasanyonegotagun?”
walkswhichsnakedacrossthegroundsinNoonehadagun.
almostanydirectiononecaredtotake.
Hewentbackafterthelittlepea-Monksaid:“I’mgoingtotrysome-shootertheyhadtakenfromthegirl.Idon’tthing.”Hebeganworkingatawindow,andthinkanyonelikedhisgoing;wedidn’twantgotitopen.Therewasastormsashandhetobeleftalonewiththegoblins.
threwthatupward—hehadonelegovertheOldmanSpatnymadeusabittersillwhenSavagecamein,demanding,“Whatspeech.“Noguns!”hesaid.“Dasistzuarg!
areyoudoing?”
Noguns!Ofalltheunequippedfools!When
“Theoldguyran—”
thereissuchdanger,nottohavearmed
“Stayinhere,”Savagesaid.Heyourselves—youareimbeciles!Iwasbegin-seemedconfidenthisinstructionswouldbeningtoadmireyourmethods,butyouhavefollowed,becausehewentbacktotheotherdisappointedmegrievously.Noguns!Dis-partofthehouse,thepartwherehehadgusting!Surelyitshouldhaveoccurredtobeen,andhislittlegunwentpip!again.Thisyouto—”
timetherewasadeepbassrejoinder—arifleHestoppedexpressingmyopinionshadbeenfiredathim,ariflethatwasplentyandhis,andtookoff.Hejustseemedtosplitofgunbecausewecouldhearplasterfallingattheseams,andwhatcameoutwasaction.
offatleastthreewallsthatthebullethadHewantedtogetawayfromthere,andhegonethrough.
did.Iwasundertheimpressionhewentthroughdoorswithouttroublingtoopenthem,butthatmusthavebeenanillusion,becauseTHEoldgiantscreamed.Offthereintherewerenosplintersintheairafterhehadthegarishphonymoonlightsomewhere,hegone.
criedout....Iwentbig-gamehuntingin
“Catchhim!”Monkyelled.
Wyomingonetime—well,atleastIwas
“Catchhimyourself,”Hamsaid.“Imaythere;Iwasthebig-shot’schauffeur—andfollowhisexample.”
thecoyotesoccasionallyhowledaroundtheWeheardthelittlegungopip!inan-campinthenight,andIthinkthatcoyoteotherpartofthehouse.Savagehadstartedhowlingisthemostghastlysoundthereis.
shooting.ItwasanutterlyinadequatelittleThissoundoldSpatnymadewassomethingnoise,itstruckme.
similar.ItmademyteethfeelasiftheywereTheoldgiantwascrashingandbang-onagrindstone.
ingdoorsinthebackofthemansionsome-Fiveseconds,ten,aftertheoldmanki-where.Hisflighthadthesedatenessofabullyoodled,theblackbusinesswasgone.Itwasinacrockeryshop.Theterminusoftheup-outthereinthetreesandshrubbery;itgotroarwasaparticularlyloudjanglingcrashofsmaller.Itwaslikeablackballoonwiththeglass—andIhappenedtobestandingwhereairgoingout,excepttherewasnonoise.InaIcouldseewhatSpatnyhaddone.Theman-trifleoftime,itwassmallerthanthetreesandsionwasT-shaped,andwewereinthestemwecouldn’tseeitatall.
oftheT,theoldmanhadcomeintotheleftMonksaidhoarsely,“ThepooroldarmoftheT,wheretherewerelargeFrenchdevil!”Hewheeledandranthroughrooms.
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
33HewaslookingforDocSavagetotellhimNobodyagreedwithme,butMonkwhathadhappened.
said,“It’sgoodtobeignorant,becauseigno-Savagewasinalargeroom,anenor-ranceisbliss.”
mousroomthatwasastatediningroomoraPresentlyitbegantogetalittlelighterballroomorpossiblyboth.Hewasthrowingoutside,butthislightdidn’tscareanyone.Itsmallstuff—vases,statuettes,lightchairs—wasthedawn.Itcametousquiteslowlyandattheceilingfixturetryingtoputouttheillu-normally,asdaylightshouldcome.Theminationintheroom.
cloudsweren’tasthickintheskyasIhadSavagesaid:“Watchout!Keepawaythought.Theywerecumulous,athinlayeroffromthewindows!”
cotton-ballclouds.
HamBrookssaid:“Why—”
Savagesaid:“Iguessit’ssafetolookThreebulletscamein,givinghimanfortracks.”
answer.Theydugholesinapicture,walls,Ifhemeantfootprints,thereweren’tandinourpeaceofmind.Therewasveryany.AtleastnoneIcouldsee,andIheardlittleofthelatterleft.IlistenedcloselytotheMonkandHamtellingeachothertheredidn’tsoundoftheweaponoutdoors,andIfiguredseemtobeatrace—otherthanthewidelyaboutthreeyearsspentduringthewarlisten-spacedprints,alittlelikethoseofahard-ingtogunswhackmademeanauthority,soIpushedjackrabbit,thatoldSpatnyhadmadesaid:“Arifle,a.30-06caliberandprobablyaleavingthehouse.WetrailedhimthroughamodelM1.”
neatlytrimmedwoodstoablack-toppedMonkMayfairsaid,“Shorterbarrel,Iroad,andthatwastheendofhistrail.Therethinkfromthesharpersound.Morelikelyawerenosignsofastruggle.Theblack-topcarbine.Thoseshortgunsalwaystalklikeahadn’tretainedatrail—thesunofthelastfewshortman,toobigfortheirbritches.”
dayshadmeltedthesnowofftheroad,asitHewasprobablyrightatthat.
hadoffthesidewalksthatturkey-trackedtheThephonymoonlightwentaway.Itjustestate.
diedout.Notinstantly—theprocessofgoingMissFenisonghadmissedoutonourtookasecondortwo;itwaslikewhenyouvisitationfromthequeerlightandtheblackthrowabucketofwaterintheair;afewno-such-things.Itoldheraboutit.Shewasdropsarealwayslatereachingtheground.
sobeautifulthatIgottothinkingaboutherThenitwasdark.
andGross,andIsaidmostofthelastpartofitthroughmyteeth.
Shelistenedwithoutaword,thenITseemedtobeoverforthetimebe-asked,“HowdidAlbertdie?”
ing.WepickedoutdifferentwindowsanddidItoldherthat.Maybemytonepartlyplentyofcautiouslookingandlistening,butconveyedthatitwasgoingtobehardformeoutdoorsithadbecomeanormalnightagain.
toshedtearsaboutGrossnotbeingoneofMissFenisongawakened.Shedidn’tusanylonger.
havemuchtosay—wehaddousedallthe
“Albertwasmyhalf-brother,”shesaid.
lightsinthehouseinordertoseeoutintothe
“Huh?”
nightbetter,andapparentlyshethoughtat
“Mymotherwasfirstmarriedinfirstthatshewasaloneinthemansion,be-Czechoslovakia,andseparatedfromhercauseshebegantryingtostumblearound.
husband,leavingherbaby—Albert—withherSavagetoldher,“Bettersitandrest,MisshusbandwhenhegotcustodyofthechildinFenisong.”
rest,MisshusbandwhenhegotcustodyofthechildinFenisong.”
court.ShecametotheUnitedStates,mar-Shedidthat.
riedagaintoamannamedFenisong,andIIbrokeoutintocoolsweatandhadawasherchildbythesecondmarriage.”
coupleofchills,areactionfromwhathadIwassopleasedIcouldn’thavehitthehappened.ItwastheworstwhenIthoughtoffloorwithmyhat.Iwasn’tevenabletokeephowtheoldgianthadyelledoutthereinthemyfeetonthefloor;itwasalmostthesamenightwhenthatimpossiblepatchofblack-thingasawhileago,whenIhadbeensonesshadovertakenhim.Isaid:“Nobodyisscared.
goingtotellmethatwasstraightstuff,not
“Savage!”Iyelled.“Comehere!”
anythingthatfantastic.It’sagagofsomesort.It’sgottobe.”
34
DOCSAVAGE
HERparents—motherandsecondtobescientificabout,andsoshehadreadhusbandnamedFenisong—haddiednaturaluponlunartheory,and,findingitwasquitedeathstwoandsevenyearsago.Fenisong,involvedandmathematical,theyhadnegotianartgalleryoperator,hadbeenwell-to-do,atedforacoachnamedWales.ThatwasandPaulaFenisonghadinheritedhismoney,howIgotintoit.
whichexplainedhowshewasabletoliveinaShetoldallofitwithoutcoaching,saidplaceliketheParkside-Regent.Shehadonlythatwasallsheknew,andansweredSav-livedthereacoupleofweeks,havingmovedage’squestions.Hewantedtoknowwhatthefromanevenmoreexpensiveplace,whichstrangelightwas,whattheblackthingswere,accountedforhernotbeingwellknowntothewhoSpatnywas,andwherethetwoMacsmanagement.
couldbefound,andwhothetwoMacswere.
Thehalf-brother,AlbertGross,hadNegativeanswerstoallthis.She’dtoldusalllookedherupmorethanayearago.Hehadshehad.
changedhisnamefromGrossbergerto“Mindre-tellingittoaliedetector?”
Gross,migratedfromAustria—hesaidheSavageasked.
hadbeenlivinginAustriaforseveralyears,“Nowwaitaminute!”Isaid.“It’snothavingleftCzechoslovakiatoescapetheanyfuntohavethatgadgetstrappedtoyoudominationofhisfather,whowasatyrantand—”
andaNazitoboot—andhadanicestampThetoo-sweetding-dong-bongofthebusinessinNewYork.Hedealtinraredoorchimesinterruptedme.Monkwenttostamps,findingandbuyingthemonorderforthedoor.Weheardhimswearamightyoath.
wealthycollectors.Therehadbeennospe-Hesoundedlikeapiratewhohadsightedcialclosenessbetweenbrotherandsister—twotreasure-ladengalleons.
orhalf-brotherandhalf-sister—whichwasMonk,wearingagrinthatpushedhisnaturalsincetheyhadneverseeneachotherearstogetheratthebackofhishead,before,butthey’dhaddinnertogetherafewbroughtthecompanyinsideandintroducedtimes,andtherelationshiphadbeenallright.
themas:“Ourtwolostsheep!”
Notclose,butfriendly.
ThetwoMacswerereadyandwillingShehadnot,atthistime,metMcGrafftotellusplentyofnothing.McGraff—theorMcCutcheon.
shorteronewiththelesserredface—madeThathadcomeafewdaysagowhenmostofthespeech.McCutcheonconfinedGrosscametoherandsaidthatheneededhimselftohead-nodding,orsaying,“Thatisherhelp.Hewantedhertogetacquaintedcorrect!”inafinebaritonevoice.
withDocSavage,andseethathetookalookAlbertGrosshadbeentheirpal.HeatthemoonfromtheterraceoftheParkside-hadaskedthemtohelphimgetSavagetoRegentatpreciselyfifteenminutespastlookatthemoonat7:15p.m.Grosshadn’tseveno’clock.MissFenisonghad—orshesaidwhy.
saidshehad,andIforonebelievedher—Theyhadpickedonmebecausetheybeenunderstandablyreluctantandcurious.
feltIwasnofriendofAlbertGross—thatHerhesitancyhadbeenovercomebyAlbertmuchofwhattheysaidwascertainlytrue.
Gross’sprotestationsthatthiswasatremen-TheyhadcomeoutheretoseeAlbert.
dousthing,vitallyimportanttoagreatmanyTheydidn’tknowhewasdead....Dead!
Dead!
people—andfinally,whenhebrokedownAlbertdead?Howawful!Theyblewtheirandtoldhertherewasadevilishplotafootnosesintohandkerchiefs.Theywouldn’trestandthathecouldn’tgototheauthoritiesuntiltheirfriend’smurdererwasfound.
aboutitbecausehe,AlbertGross,wasanNever!
McGraff
said
this
first,
then
alienillegallyresidentintheUnitedStates,McCutcheonsaidit.
shehadagreedtodecoyDocSavage,seeSavageasked:“Wecandependonthathewasontheterraceandlookingattheyourhelp?”
moonatsevenfifteen.
“Emphatically!”
GrosshadimpressedherwiththefactIopenedmymouthtosaylet’strythethatDocSavagewasanextraordinarysort,liedetectoronthem.ButIdidn’t,becausewaryoffemininetraps,andthatthebestwayMonkMayfairkickedmeontheshin.JustofgettinghisinterestwastobeveryeruditebeforethatIhadbeensmilingatMissFeni-andscientific.Consideringthecircum-song,andMonkkickedalotharderthanstances,themoonseemedalogicalsubjectnecessary.
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
35
ChapterVIII
Savagehadnocomment.MissFenisonghadentered,apartofthelie-detectorTHEnextfivehourswereproductiveofhangingtoherarm,towatch.Ifeltaboutasnothing.ThepolicecametotheLongIslandheroicassomeofthoseguyswesawafterestate,listenedtothefacts,whichtheynatu-wegotintoGermany.
rallydidn’tbelieve,andwerepoliteaboutit“Youtwohadbettershakehands,”
all.
HamBrookssuggested.
McGraffandMcCutcheonseemedsur-
“Andgetmyarmtornoff?”Isaid.“Notprisinglywillingtobelockedupifthepoliceme.”
wanteditthatway.WhenDocSavagesaidthathewouldliketohavethemalongsotheycouldbeaskedmorequestions,theywereTHAThappenedaboutnineo’clock,agreeabletothatalso.Butnomoreagree-andbytenIwouldn’thavebidhighontheablethantheyweretobeinginjail.
chancesoffindinganymoreanswersthanIsaid:“Idon’tmakethemtwoguyswealreadyhad.Thelatter,everyoneseemedout.”
tofeel,werenegligible.
“They’rescaredstiff,youdope,”MonkMissFenisongcamethroughthelie-said.“Theywantprotectors.Eitherusorthedetectorwithflyingcolors.Shewasmostpolicewilldo.”
coöperative,evenlettingMonkMayfairaskThisdidseemlogical.
herafewpersonalquestionswhichhadnoWeallwent—exceptingthepolice,of
herafewpersonalquestionswhichhadnoWeallwent—exceptingthepolice,ofbearingonthemystery,butwerequestionsIcourse—toDocSavage’sheadquartersonwantedansweredtoo.
theeighty-sixthfloorofthatmidtownbuilding.
“Okay,”Isaid,gettingMonkintoacor-WhiletheyhadMissFenisonginthelibrary,nerafterward.“Isshefancyfree?”
fittingtheliedetectortoher,IgotmyselfHesaid:“You’reoutofluck.She’smar-aloneinthereceptionroomwithtallMac.IhitriedtoaguynamedCulpepper,anengineerhim.Ibeganwithalightchair,figuringitwhoisinSouthAmericabuildingabananawouldsoftenhimup.
plantation.”
Maybeaheavierchairwouldhave
“That’soilfromsomeofhisbananasbeenabetteridea.Perhapsnot.Fromtheyou’regivingme,”Isaid.Ihadseenhimlook-unhamperedqualityofhisreactions,asix-ingatthewigglymarktheliedetectorhadteenpoundsledgewouldhardlyhavebeenmade,andgrinning.
adequate.Hewasalloverme.IwasontheDocSavagehadbeentinkeringwithfloor.ThebestIcoulddowaskeephimontheliedetector.Hewasfrowning.“Ham,”hethefloorwithme.
called,“haveweanextrathirdstagebypassMonkMayfaircamein.Allhedidwaselectronictube?Thisonehasbeengettingwatchadmiringly.Allhesaidwas:“I’vepaidweakerandweaker,andseemstohavetenbucksringside,andseenless.”
givenout.”
HamBrookscameintoo,andhisatti-HamBrookssaid:“Idon’tknowofatudewasaboutthesame.Abitmoreclinical,wayofgettingoneofthatspecialtypeshortperhaps,becauseheremarked:“Thetech-ofPittsburgh,wherethey’remade.”
niqueiscertainlyoriginalBushidojudo.”
Savagegotonthetelephoneandor-Iwastoobusytoevenaskforhelp,al-dered
Savagegotonthetelephoneandor-Iwastoobusytoevenaskforhelp,al-deredonefromPittsburgh,directingitbeair-thoughIoutweighedthetallMacatleastmailed.
thirtypounds.Mostofwhathewasdoingto“Theycan’tgetitherebeforelateaf-mehedidwiththetipsofhisfingers,theternoon,”hereported.TurningtotheMacs,edgeofhishand,andalotofthetimeheheadded,“Weintend,ofcourse,togiveyouhandledmesothatIseemedtobedoingittotwogentlemenalie-detectortest.Igathermyself.
youhavenoobjections.Unfortunately,ourItwascertainlyarelieftohaveSavageapparatusisoutofcommission,andwe’llcomeinanddetachmyintendedvictimfromhavetopostponeituntilthisevening.”
me.
TheMacsdidn’tseematallunhappy.
Myexcusewas:“Thatguystartedthe“Thepoliceusethemthings,don’tbeatingIgotatthehotelbystickinghisfin-they?”Idemanded.“Whynotborrowone?”
gersinmyeyes.Hehadpepperonhisfin-Savageshookhishead.“I’minclinedtogers,remember?”
distrusttheaccuracyofthetypetheyhave.”
36
DOCSAVAGE
HamBrooksgotmeasideandsaid:selftoshoweitherrespectforthedepartedor“Keepyoursmartsuggestionstoyourself,politenesstotheliving.
pumpkin-seed.”
Aroundeleveno’clockIaccidentally
“Oh!”Isaid.
happenedtooverhearaconversationbetweentheMacsandMissFenisong.Thisaccidentalbitofnewswasinteresting,evenifIFtheywerefixingsomethingforthetheonlyaccidentaboutitwasthattheydidn’tMacs,SherlockHolmesandhismagnifyinghappentohearmeeasealongbehindarowglasscouldn’thaveseenwhatitwas.Rela-ofbookcasesinthelibraryuntilIwasinear-tionsweremostamiable.
shot.ForonceIwaslight-footedasaleaf.
It
was
one
of
the
Macs—
ShortMac—McGraff—wassaying,“—
ShortMac—McGraff—wassaying,“—
McCutcheon—whosuggestedthatweallnotdenyforamomentyourcontentionthatstaytogether,whichpossiblysavedDocthemanhaspersonality,apresence,andSavagefrommakingthesamemotion.
surroundings.”Hegesturedatthesurround-McCutcheonusedtoomanywordstosayings,added,“Thislayout,asyoucansee,that,althoughherealizedthefactsdidnotcostafortune.HowdoesSavageexplainit?
substantiatethebelieffully,itwasconceiv-Why,onthebasisthatheneedssuchlabora-ablethatwemightallbeindanger,notsotoryandresearchfacilitiesforhisprofession,muchbecauseofwhatweknew,butbe-whichisrightingwrongsandpunishingevil-causeourantagonist—man,machine,ordoers—tousethewordsIheardsomebodyman-from-Mars,whicheveritwas—mightfeelspeak.NowIaskyou—whatdoyouthinkofthatweknewmorethanwedid.Inviewofthatforaprofession?”
suchhypotheticaldanger,perhapsweshould“I—well—itseemsunusual,”Misssticktogetherformutualprotection.SavageFenisongsaid.
agreeditwasasoundidea,sowestuckto-Theyalreadyhadherdoubtful.
gether.
Wehadbreakfast—discoveringthatSavagehadhisownfoodprivatelypre-McGRAFFclosedwithher,sellinghispared—andsomeofustriedtosleep.Ipropositionatfullspeed.Hesaid:“Look,howhadn’thadawinklastnight,myeyesfeltlikeoldareyou,Paula?Twenty-three?Let’ssaygolfballsandmytonguetastedlikelastyou’retwenty-three,thatyou’vebeenaroundweek’scigarstub,butIwasabletogetjustthisworldthatmanyyears.ThenIwanttoasmuchsleepaseveryoneelse—noneataskyouhowmanyknightsinshiningarmor,all.
goodfairies,orjustplainGoodSamaritans“Doyoumindnothangingaroundinyou’vemetinthattime.”
here?”SavageaskedwhenItriedstanding“I’vemetsomeSamaritans,”shesaid,aroundinthelaboratory.
aroundinthelaboratory.
notentirelywithhimyet.
Thebigbronzemanhaddroppedeve-
“Well,it’sridiculous!Agrownman,rythingtoworkonsomekindofacontrap-rightingwrongsforacareer!Evenwithsalt,Ition,andIwascuriousaboutwhatitwas.
can’ttakethat,”McGraffsaid.
“GokeepMissFenisongcompany,”heMissFenisongfrowned.“Whatareyouadded.
gettingat?”
Ilikedtheadvice,buttheMacswere“Somethingprettyserious,”hetoldher.
movinginonthatterritory.Theyhadsmooth“It’sthis:WhydoyousupposeAlbertwasmanners,voicesasconfidence-buildingasinterestedinDocSavage—andsosecretiveinsurancesalesmen,theydidn’tfindtheiraboutit?Doesn’tthatstrikeyouaspeculiar?”
workunpleasant,andtheyhadanadditional“Itcertainlydid.”Shewasemphaticadvantageinhavingknownthedeceasedaboutthat.
half-brother.Theydidplentywiththelast,“Maybe,”saidMcGraff,“AlbertknewbuildingGrossupasagreatguy,theirpal,awhathewasdoinginbeingsecretive.”
fellowwhohadbeenkindtodumbanimals.
“Oh!”
Itisnotsupposedtobecricketto“Yeah—maybeitwasSavagewhomspeakillofthedead,butAlbertGrosswasAlbertwasafraidof,”saidMcGraffgrimly.
downinmybookasalargestinker.Right“McCutcheonandIknowAlbert—andwealongsidehimweretheMacs.Ididnotpar-knowhewasashonestasaJulydayislong.
ticipateintheconversation,nottrustingmy-Albertwasnocrook;Idon’tcare
ticipateintheconversation,nottrustingmy-Albertwasnocrook;Idon’tcarewhathap-NOLIGHTTODIEBY
37pens,Paula,youcanbetonAlbert.Now,them,andMissFenisonghadn’tseenthem..
Albertwasafraidofsomeone,andtheper-
..
sonhewasinvestigatingwasDocSavage.
MonkMayfair,thebigchew,cameintoThatmusthavebeenwhatAlbertwasdo-thelibraryyelling,“Sammy!Hey,Sammy!
ing—investigatingDocSavage.That’sWhereareyou,shining-eyes?”AndIhadaprobablywhyhewantedSavageontheter-busythreesecondsmovingdowntotheraceofthehotelat7:15.HewantedtowatchotherendofthelibrarywhereIcouldcall,“ISavage’sreaction.Albertprobablyfeltthat,wasjustcominginheretogetabook.WhatbyobservingSavage,hecouldseewhetherdoyouwant?”Asinnocentasanything.
themanwasguilty.”
“Youcouldn’tunderstandanyoftheseMissFenisongwassilent.Ashockedbooks,”Monksaid.“Docsaysyoucanbeatitsilence,Igathered.Likemyown.
ifyouwantto.He’sdecidedyou’reinnocent“Becauseofwhathehaddone,Albertenough.”
gotkilled,”saidMcGraff.“Albertwasinvesti-
“OnwhattheorydoeshefigureI’mgatingSavage,andhegotkilled.Now,whohonest?”
wouldbelikelytokillhim?Let’sbepractical.
“Searchme.OnthetheorynoevilcanLet’snotdream.Let’ssaythelogicalonetogrowinanivoryball,Iguess.”
knockhimoffwasSavage.”
Fromtheotherendofthelibrary,be-ShemusthavelookedprettyupsetathindthebigbookcaseswheretheMacshadthat,becausethelongMacjumpedintothebeendoingthatsellingjobonMissFenisong,sellingjob.Hisvoicesoundedasifhehadtherewasn’tasound.Theywereasquietasbeenoilingandpreeningitwhilehewaited.
themouseafterthecatateit.
McCutcheonsaid:“Mr.McGraffandI“No,thanks,”ItoldMonk.“I’llstickhavediscussedthisSpatnychap,andwe’vearound.”
concludedhemustbewhathesaidhewas—“Noneedtotroubleyourself,”hesaid.
anothergoodfriendofAlbert’s.Andhe,too,“Oh,you’rerealeducational,andIlikemetfoulplay.”
it,”Isaid,andleered,meaningtolethim“ButMr.Savagedidn’thaveanythingknowthatIknewthemainideawithhimwastodowithwhathappenedtoSpatny!”shetogetmeoutofcompetitionforlovely-voice.
objected.
IknewwhattheMacsweredoingwiththesilence—sneering.
SAVAGElistenedtomepatiently—but
“Howdoyouknow,mydear?”
without,Ihadafeeling,removingmorethanMcCutcheonasked.“Youwereunconscious,twopercentofhisattentionfromsomethingwereyounot?YouhadfaintedfromthepurplishthatwashappeningtosomethingshockoflearningAlbertwasdead.”
liquidyellowishinaglassthingIhadheardHerindrawnbreathwaslikefeargoingcalledawashbottle.
intoacoldroom.
Isaid:“You’rebeingsolddownthe“Uh-huh,”saidMcGraff.“That’sit.
riverbytwotermites.TheMacsareboringThat’sthepointwe’remaking....We,thefromwithin.”
threeofus,maybeinjustasmuchdangerHeaskedwhatImeant,andItoldhim.
asAlbertwas—andnotfromsomemysteri-
“Indeed?”hesaid.
ousmumbo-jumbo.FromSavage!”
“Therats,”Isaid.
McCutcheonlaughedaboutasuglya
“Oh,theywereonlydoingsomenaturallaughasyoucouldtakeoutofacoffin.Heconjecturing,”hesaid.
said:“Youdon’tforamomentbelievethis“Theywereconjecturingacoatoftarmumbo-jumboaboutblackthingsfiftyfeetontoyou,asfarasthegirlisconcerned,”Ihigh,doyou?”
said.“Ifyou’vegotabaseballbataroundThatwassomethingMissFenisonghereIcanborrow,I’lldoalittlemissionaryhadn’tthoughtof.Itwasagoodargument,aworkontheMacs.”
fineclincher,too.ThebestargumentisoneSavagesaid:“Thetechniqueofyoucan’tanswerwithoutseemingafool,andBushidojudowhichMcGraffdemonstratedthisonewasthat.Whowaswillingtobelieveincludesquitearepertoryofmovesfordis-therewereblackspooksfiftyfeethigh?Theyarminganopponentarmedwithaclub,inwerehardtobelievewhenyouhadseencaseyouareinterested.”
38
DOCSAVAGE
“Yeah,butthealleywillbedarknextabouttheshields;theywereofplexiglasstime,”Isaid.“Thanksforthenote,though.”
shapedlikewelder’smasks.Thegrinderop-
“Iappreciateyourinterest.”
eratorsinthebomberplantinKansasCity,“Aren’tyougonnatakestepsaboutKansas,whereIworkedbeforethearmygotthis?”
mehadwornsimilartransparentmasks.
Hesaid:“Ifyoudon’thappentonoticeSavagesaid:“Wewon’tbetechnical..
any
counter-moves
don’tfeelunduly
..Attheotherendoftheroomisatransmit-alarmed.”
terofmicro-wavelengths,builtonlaboratoryIfeltbetter.“ThisguyMonkistryingtoscale—which,incidentally,isasfaraswechaseme.Whataboutthat?”
havebeenabletoprogressintheresearch“Wanttopullout?”
field—probablysimilartotheonebeingused
“Well,no.Ihaven’tgotahome,buttocausetheeffectwerefertoaschromos-that’snotwhyIdon’twanttogotoit.”Myphericeruptions.Ithastobesimilar,
that’snotwhyIdon’twanttogotoit.”Myphericeruptions.Ithastobesimilar,infact.
earsgotredandIhadtroublewithmywordsTheothertransmitterisenormouslymorelikethetoughkidstandinginfrontofthepowerful,however.”
classwhileteachermadehimadmitheHeshowedusalargeglassbottle—pulledMary’spigtailbecausehelikedMary.
aboutfive-gallonsize—surroundedbymag-
“MissFenisonghashappenedtosayacou-netsandstuff.
pleofnicewordstome.That’stherockMonk
“Airhasbeenpumpedoutofthebottle,ischewingon.”
andcertainelementsintroduced,andmag-
“Stickaround,then,”hesaid,andIneticeffectsapplied,sothatwehaveherewalkedoutoftherewiththelittlewingsonmywhatamountstoabottledbitofthestrato-feethelpingmealong.Hewasonmyside.
spherelayerwheretheeffectswesawlastTheMonkmusthavegiventroublebeforenightwereproduced.”
withhischasing.
Hesaidhewoulddemonstrate.Heturnedonthemachine.Theresultwasnotanythingtostandmyhaironend;thetrans-SIXhourspassedanditwasfivemittercontraptionjustlituplikearadio.
o’clock,alongtimelater.ItprobablyseemedTherewasnoparticularsound.
longerthanitwas.Thetelephonehaddone“Noticetheinteriorofthebottle,”Sav-plentyofringing,butitwaseitherthepoliceagesaid.
orDoctorHodges,thescientist,andtheyhadThebottlewasglowingwithapproxi-nodevelopmentstoreport.Theyonlywantedmatelythesamequalityofghost-lightthattoknowiftherehadbeenany.Theyseemedhadappearedintheskylastnight.
tofeelthatDocSavagewastaking,forhim,“Now,”headded,“wewillrecreatetheanunusuallylongtimetoshowresults.
fieldofneutralization.”
“Comeintothelaboratory,”SavageHethrewaswitch,andthesecondsaid.
pieceofapparatusproceededtogivemeaHelookedhard-used.Hisfingersweremildcaseofcoldtracksupanddownthestainedfromchemicals,hisshirtwaswrin-back....Anoticeabledarknesshadap-kled,andsheetsofnoteswerestickingoutofpearedaroundthething.
hispocketswherehehadabsentlystuffedSavagesaid:“Turnoutthelights,drawthem.
thecurtain,andtheimpressiononewouldThelaboratorywastoofullofcompli-getisofafuzzyblackareacompletelyenvel-catedgadgets—Ididn’tnoticethatanythingopingtheneutralizingtransmitter.Simplynewhadbeenadded,notuntilhepointedoutstated—thevisiblewavelengthsoflightaretwoclustersofapparatus—wires,tubes,nolongerpresent,havingbeenbrokenupthingsthatlookedlikeacompositionofallthearoundashortarea,andwhatwehaveleftisradartransmittersIhadeverseenintheapatchofthenormaldarknessofthenight.”
army—attheotherendofthelaboratory.
“Hey!”Isaid.“Youmeantherewasn’tTherewasaclearedspacethere.Neareratanyblackcan’t-believe-its?”
handwasasmallerportablegadgetinabox
“Exactly.Whatwesawwasmerelyahastilyimprovisedfromabigsuitcase.
smallareaofnormalnight.Itlookedspec-Savagedistributedeye-protectors,say-tacularbecauseitwassomethingwewereing,“Betterputthemon,incasethereshouldnotaccustomedto.Weareperfectlyfamiliarbeflyingglass.”TherewasnothingunusualNOLIGHTTODIEBY
39withmakingalightinthenight.Butmaking“Thatshouldanswerthequestionofnightinthelightissomethingdifferent.”
whetherthestreetwasdimlylightedenoughIthinkIadmitteditwasdifferent,allfortheblack‘thing’effecttobeachieved,”
right.
Savagesaid.
TheMacssubsided.Theydidn’twantto,buttheysawtheyweregettingnowhere,SAVAGEwasspeakingnaturallyandandprobablyfeltthattheyhadmadetheirevenusingatonethatimpliedtherewasstillpointforMissFenisong—thatSavagecouldagreatdealhedidn’tknowaboutthething,belying.
buthewasbecomingimpressiveasany-
“Now,”Savagecontinued,“wehavething.TheMacsdidnotlikethat;bothofproducedthechromosphericeruptiononathemwereglancingatMissFenisongdubi-laboratoryscale,provingwehavethefun-ously,andtheadmirationonherfacedidnotdamentalsofthesystemused.Andwehavecheerthem.ThelongMacbegantearingitademonstrationoftheneutralizationofthedown.Hesaid:“Mr.Savage,youadmitbeingvisiblespectrumoftheemanationstoindi-presentwhenAlbertGrossdiedlastnight”—catehowtheeffectofblackshapelessob-hegavethatsomeextrameaning—”andyoujectswasproduced.Ifyou’llsteptotheothersaid,Ibelieve,thatitwasacitystreetwhereendoftheroom...”
ithappened.Thestreetnearthehotel.Now,Hehadtheotherpieceofapparatus,you’renottellingustherewouldbethedark-thestuffinthesuitcase,forourattention.
nessofnightinacitystreet,withlightedwin-Hesaid:“Thisisalsoaneutralizer,butdowsandstreetlamps,areyou?Afterall,ofadifferenttype—Iwon’tbecometechnicalwitnessessayablackthingpursuedpooraboutthisoneeither.Let’ssaythatitmerelyAlbert.Byyourownwords,therecouldn’tbecreatesa
Let’ssaythatitmerelyAlbert.Byyourownwords,therecouldn’tbecreatesahigh-frequencyfieldwhichblocksablackthingunlesstherewasnight.Howdocertaincathodefunctionsintheothertrans-youaccountforthat?”
mitter,withviolentresults.Anyquestions?”
Savageturnedtome.“Sammy,whatMcGraffputouthisjawandsaid:“YoudidIdowithyouafterItookyououtofthesayyou’renotbeingtechnical,butitsoundshotel?”
damnedcomplicatedtome.Ifyouturnon“Afterthesetwolugswerescaredoffthiscontraptionhere—whatwillhappenex-beforetheycouldknockmeoff,youtookmeactly?”
downstairsandwetalkedinyourcar,”Isaid.
“Icoulddemonstrate,”Savagesaid.
McCutcheonyelled:“Yousillyfool!Do“Dothat.”
youimplyyourlifewasindangerfromuslast“Holdyourhat,”Savagesaid.Henight?”
closedaswitchandnothingmuchhappened“Iknowdamnwellitwas!”Iyelledbackexceptsometubeslightedup;thenclosedaathim.
secondswitch,andtheotherendoftheroomSavagemadesmoothing-downmo-cameapartinflashandnoise.
tionswithhishandsandsaid:“Let’sskippersonalities—wecangainnothingbybecomingahousedivided....ThepointisthatSammyITwasalittletoolatetohitthefloor,satinthecaronthestreetandtalkedtome.
butIhititanyway.TheMacswerethereIsn’tthatright,Sammy?”
aheadofme.Theirspeedingettingthere“That’sright.ButIdon’tlikethisguygavemeafactfromtheirpasthistory—theycallingmeafool—”
hadoncebeeninawarsomewhere.Aone“DidyouseeAlbertGrossimmedi-hundredpercent
civilian
civilian
background
ately?”Savageasked.
wouldn’tproducethatkindofreaction.
“Seehim?No,notrightaway.”
Theplasticshieldscameinhandy,be-
“Whynot?”
causealittleglassreachedus,fragments“Itwasasidestreet,kindofdark.
thatbuzzedlikemosquitoesastheytraveled.
Prettydarndark,infact.”
Andtheroomsuddenlyhadthesmellofan“You’resureitwasratherdark?”
electricalpower-houseinathunderstorm.
“Ioughttoknow,”Isaid.“Icouldhardly“Jove!Thetransmitterblewup,”HammakeGrossoutevenafteryoupointedatBrookssaid,soundingaboutasstartledasahim,andIdidn’trecognizehimuntilweweresenatorwhohaddroppedhisbriefcase.
rightbesidehim.”
40
DOCSAVAGE
Monkgaveitmore.Heyelled:“Hey,adoor-to-doorsalesmanfortwoyears,fore-yougottagadgetthat’lldestroythetransmit-maninachemicalplantuntiltheplantwentter!”
bust—twoyearsandonemonth,thatwas—TheMacsgotupfromthefloorwithandfortheremainingfivemonths,themostsheepishlooksand—butthiswentawayrecent,hehadplayedthestockmarketataquickly—aboutthesamesurprisetheywouldprofit.
havehadiftheyhadbeenshotat.WhentheMcCutcheon’slifehadbeensimpler.
surpriseleft,cupiditytookitsplace.TheyHe’dmadealivingoffthestockmarketalllookedatthegimmickinthesuitcase.Lovingfiveyears.
looks.Ididn’tunderstandwhytheyshouldbeThetwoMacshadmetinabroker’sof-soaffectionate.
ficeonedaywhentheybothhadastockthatSavageswitchedthedeviceoff.
shotuptenpoints,andhavingthisincom-McGraffsaid,“Youmeanthatthingwillmonhadledtofriendship.
blowuphistransmitter?”
SavagemadenocommentabouttheseIwaitedforthingstopickup.McGraffprofessionsbeinghardonestocheckon.Buthadsaidhis.Hehadprofessednottoknowhedidpasstheinformationalongtothepo-anythinglikethat....ButSavagesaidnoth-lice,andlettheMacshearhimdoingit.
ing,andtherewasaweightonmytoe,aboutHecouldbescaringthem.
ing,andtherewasaweightonmytoe,aboutHecouldbescaringthem.
halfaton,asMonkMayfairputhisfootthere.
MissFenisong’sattitudehadunder-ApparentlyIwassupposedtobesilent.
goneachangeIdidn’tlike.ShehadgrownSavage,replyingtoMcGraff,said,“Youcoldtowardus,andfriendlyinawe-know-sawwhathappened.”
something-that-you-don’twaywiththeMacs.
“Youknewitwould?”
Iwasnotallowedmuchtimetoworryabout“Certainly.”
this,however.Things,whichhadbeenslow,“Howfarwillthethingdothat?Ibeganpickingup.
mean—howclosetotheothergadgetwouldMonkandHamlefttolearnwhetheryouhavetobe?”
therewasadelicatessenintheneighborhood
“Possiblyagreaterrangethantwothatwouldprovideenoughforourdinners.
hundredfeetwouldnotbeeffective,”SavageFiveminuteslater,thetelephonerang,said.“Bytheway,IdemonstratedthethingSavageansweredit,andsaid,“Yes,Isup-soyouwillunderstandthatwenowhaveaposeIcancomedown.”Hehungupandtoldweapon.IncaseanyofyoushouldneedtoMissFenisong,theMacsandmyself:“Theusethething,I’llshowyouhowtoturniton.”
policehavesomethingtheywanttodiscuss..
..Sammy,willyoutakeanyphonecallsandlookafterthings.I’llbeback,probably,inhalfChapterIX
anhouroratrifleover.”
“Sure,”Iagreed.“Youthinkwe’reinBYsixo’clockthepolicehadn’tfoundanydanger?”
Spatny.Theoldgianthaddisappeared—
“It’squitepossible,”hesaid.“ThatispersonallyIhadbeenthinkingmaybethewhyIhaveinsistedonstickingaroundhereblackscare-babyhadcarriedhimawayorallday.”HefrownedattheMacsandadded,digestedhimordisintegratedhimorsome-
“Youtwowillstayhere,youunderstand.Ithing,butiftherewasanyfactinSavage’sbelievethismatterthepolicewishtodiscussshowwiththecontraption,Spatny’sfatehadconcernsyou—possiblythefacttheycan’tprobablybeenmorenormal.Ididn’tknowseemtocorroborateyourversionofyourhowmuchfacttherehadbeeninSavage’swhereaboutsforthepastfiveyears.”
show.Possiblynottoomuch.
“I’llholdthefort,”Isaid.
NorhadthepolicedugupanythingonSavagewentout,gotintheelevator,McGraffandMcCutcheon—anythingtheandIreturnedtothereceptionroom—whichMacsliked,atleast.Thecopshadlearnedsoliveduptoitsname.Theyhadthereceptionremarkablylittlethattheywerebeginningtoallreadyforme.
wonder;theywantedadetailedaccountofItwasshort,butnotsweet.Theroom—thelivesofbothMacsforthelastfiveyears.
everything—turnedthecolorofnothingatall.
Savagesaidhewouldgetitforthem.
IreadsomewhereoncethatanastronomerMcGraffsaidhehadbeen,beginningsaidthatifyoucouldgettoaplacewherefiveyearsago,atruckdriverforsixmonths,therewasnothing—nomatter,lifenorsoul—
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
41whatyouwouldseewouldbeblacknessbuildingblock.Ikickedthethingautomati-blackerthanacharcoalfactory.Herewascally,soprobablyIwasn’tgoingtodieaftersuch.Maybetherewereaccompanyingphe-all.
nomena,butIwasn’tawareofthem.
Presentlyweweregoingsomeplaceinthecarwiththethickglass.Savageandmyself.
INavoicemuchtoounconcerned,“WhereareHamBrooksandMonkSavagewassaying,“YouobviouslyhavenoMayfair—notthatIcan’tdowithoutthelat-cardiacdecomposition,soanextraheavyter?”
doseofaspirinwon’thurtyou.Andthehead“TrailingtheMacsandMissFenisong.”
willappreciateit.”
“Yeah,butwhere?”
Iheardmyselfaskingsomething.It“We’llknowsoon.”
was:“WhereamI?”PresentlyitseemedanHeturnedontheradiointhecar,saidextraordinarilystupidremark,evenforme.
intothemicrophone:“Monk?”
Hesaid:“Alive.Fortunately.”
“Yeah?”wasthehomelychemist’sre-
“Wanttobetonit?”Myeyeswereoldsponsefromtheloudspeaker.“Youwanttorocks,myskinwasusedsandpaperandmyknowwheretheyare?TaketheTri-Boroughtonguewasatiredgopher.ImovedmyheadBridge,thenkeepontheparkway.I’maboutatrifle,enoughtocauseittocomelooseandhalfamilebehindthem,I’djudge.”
rollacrossthefloorandIupthewall.There“Don’tgetanycloserthanthat.”
wasapictureofDocSavage’sfather—he“Roger.”
didn’tlooktoomuchlikeDoc—onthewall,Savagesaid:“Ham?”
andmyheadcircledthatacoupleoftimesHamsvoicesaid:“I’montheparkwaybeforeitcameback.Ididn’tlikethereturnedaboutthemiddleoftheisland,incasetheyhead;itsurelycouldn’tbemine.
turnsouth.Thisway,I’mabletogetacross-
“Noticewhichonehityou?”
bearing.Okay?”
“WasIhit?”
“Okay,”Savagesaid.
“Apparently.”
“Whatwith?Atruck?”
“Dictionary.Holdstill.”Hedidsome-THEnighthadsettleddowndarkly,andthingtomyskullwithhisfingers,asked,therewassomerain,thinstuffthatfell“Doesthathurt?”
throughtheheadlightbeamslikedyinggnats.
“Damn!Yes!”Iyelled.
Therewerenopoolsofwateronthepave-
“You’reinfineshape,”hesaid.“Oneofmentyet,onlyacontinuouswetsteamingtheMacsstruckyoudown—Idoubtthatitsoundfromthemicrophone—itwasattachedwasMissFenisong—andtheyhavegone.
toareelthatwithdrewthecordfromsight.
TheytookthegadgetIdemonstratedear-Heglancedatthespeedometerneedle.Itlier—thethingIcalledaneutralizer,theonewasswayingaroundsixty,astroubledasainthesuitcase.Yougetthat?McGraff,politician’sconscience.
McCutcheonandMissFenisonghavede-Isaid:“Soyousetabasketforthem,parted,takingthedevice.Thishappenedallandtheyfellintoit.”
offortyminutesago,probably.Sowe’dbetter“Somethinglikethat,”Savageadmit-befollowingthem.Comeon.”
ted.
“Ican’twalk,”Isaid,statingwhat“YousentMonkandHamout—butnotseemedtobeaconclusivefact.“I’llcometotoscareupsomefood.Yougotyourselfpieces.Iwon’tbeabletogetwithinfiftyfeetout—thephonecallwasfromMonkorHamofmyhead.”
insteadofacop.Isthatgoodguessing?”
Heshrugged,beganputtingsomeHenodded.“Itgoesbackfartherthangadgetsinadittybag,andpreparingtothat.”
leave.Itcametomethatthingsweremoving,“Howfar?”
thatthismightbethehomestretch,andit“Thismorning,”hesaid.“Whydoyouwasnottoohardformetostandupandthinkwestayedinonespotallday?Itwastomoveafterall—aslongastherewassome-getMcGraffandMcCutcheonimpatient.Ifthingforbothhandstohangto.
anythingwouldmakethemnervous,beingThedictionarytheyhadusedonmelayexposedtousalldaywoulddoit.”
thereonthefloor,asthickasaconcrete42
DOCSAVAGE
“That’strue.Icouldseetheirhairget“Howdoyoureasonthatway?”
gray.”
gray.”
“Theytookthegadgetinthesuitcase.”
Henoddedagain.“Itwasencouraging“Theytook—that’sright,yousaidtheytowatchthemgrowacropofnerves.Any-did....ButIdon’tsee—ormaybeIdo.Youway,wedecidedtotrythis.”
meanthattheyfigurethatwiththegadgetto“We?”
use,theycancleanuponthefellowwho“Monk,Hamandmyself.”
makesmoonlight?”
“SoI’manorphan?”
“Yes,”hesaid.“Butthere’smorethanHedidn’tsaywhatIwas,becauseaonefellow,Isuspect.”
policeprowlcameupbesideusasslylyasa“Didyoushowthemthegadgetsotheyschoolgirl,andcutlooseahowlfromitssi-wouldgetthenotionofborrowingit?”
ren.Ared-facedcopstuckouthismouthand“Yes.”
demandedwhereinhellandthreeblanksdid“Forcryingoutloud!”
weimaginetheconflagrationwas?SavageWehadcrossedalongbridgenow,rolleddowntheinch-thickwindowandsaid:andwererunningthroughheavierrainpast“Goodevening,Morneci—thosenewser-nakedtreesandwetshinyscabsofsnowbygeant’sstripeslookniceonyou.”
theroadside.TheradiospokeMonk’svoice;OfficerMornecisaid:“Thehell!”Thenittoldustomaketherightturnandgopastheasked:“DoyouwantustorunaheadoftheoldCenturyofProgressfairgrounds.
you,Mr.Savage?”
Monksaiditwasrainingharderwherehe“Thanks,no,Morneci.Anddon’tsaywas.
anythingontheradioaboutseeingme.TheSavagetoldme:
“McGraffand
peoplewe’rehavingsometroublewithareaMcCutcheonhadtobeencouragedtostrikescientificsort—theyjustmightkeeparadiooutontheirown.”
tunedinonthepolicefrequency.”
“Sotheywouldleadyouto—ImaynotTheprowlcarletitselfgetswallowedinpronouncethisright—Mr.Chromosphericthenightbehind.
Eruptions?”
“That’sright.”
Oneofthoseinvolvedparkwaycross-ITHOUGHTaboutthething.Ipickedoversappearedinfrontofus,anarrange-outthepointsthatpuzzledme.Therewerementofoverpassesandturn-offsintendedtoenoughofthesetomakethemeasytofind,simplifythingsforthemotorist,butlookingbutIfishedoutonethatwasparticularlybaf-aboutasuninvolvedassixgraysnakesinafling.
wrestlingmatch.Wemadethecorrectturns“Mindtellingmehowyouknewthewithnoslackeningofspeed.
MacsandMissFenisongwouldmakea“Youmeanthethinghadyousobreakifgiventhechance?”
stumpedyouhadtopullsomethinglikethis?”
“Didn’tyouthinktheywerescared?”
Iasked.
Savageasked.
“That’saboutit.”
“Sure,butwhatmadethatanovelty?I“Whynotjusttrythatliedetectorthingwasscaredtoo,andsowereMonkandonthem?”
wasscaredtoo,andsowereMonkandonthem?”
Ham—evenoldDoctorHodges,thestron-
“Oh,that?It’saliedetector,notatruthtiumisotopist.Ithinkyouwere,too.”
extractor.Iwasalreadyfairlysuretheywere“Istillam,”hesaid.
lying,soitwouldn’thavehelpedusmuch,Thatcalledforatleastaninnershud-probably.”
der,andnowords.Ofcoursetheonlyman“I’mfullofquestions—doyoumindtell-whoisneverafraidistheonewithoutenoughingmehowyouknewtheywerelying?”
senseforit.Butitwasn’tcomfortingtohearaHeputthecararoundanothermotoristmanlikeSavagesayhewasafraid.
whowasdrivingblissfullyinthemiddleoftheHeadded:“I’mnotamind-reader.Itwin-laneparkway.
didn’tknowtheywouldmakeabreak.I“JustahunchIhad,”hesaid.
merelytriedoutthechancethattheywould—Theanswerwasnice.Hehadn’thadanditseemstheyhave.”
anymoretogoonthanIhad,andI’dfigured“Wherearetheygoing?”
theMacsforblack-facedprevaricators,too.It“Togetridofthepeoplethey’reafraidmademefeelthatIwasoneoftheboys.
of....Thatisaguess,mindyou.”
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
43“Sammy,youstayhere,”Savagesaid.
THEYdidittousonaroadthatran“MonkandIwillgetthelayoftheground,throughthetidalflats.Theroadwasaslonelybeforewestartdoingwhateverwecan.”
asacoyoteonahill.ItcrossedaricketyTheywentawayintothedarkness.
woodenbridgeandS-turneditsway,asslimyIstoodtherebythecar.Istoodinthewithrainasafishingwormandascrookedrain,soakedtotheskin,anddidn’tmind.
asone,throughamudflatthatwasfurredDidn’tmindatall.MissFenisongwasokay.
withbrushandwinter-deadgrass,andtheLovely-voicewasonourside—andthefunnywholethingwasbeingdelugedwiththerainthingwasthatImusthaveknownitallthefittodrownaduck.
time.Oh,IhadbeendisturbedabouttheTwohundredfeetbeyondthebridge,Macsworkingonher,sellingherthedarkMonkMayfairwassuddenlybesideus.ThestuffaboutSavage.ButnotasdisturbedasIroadhadastarvedcoatofgravelandhehadwouldhavebeenwithoutconfidence.Withoutpulledhiscar,acoupé,asfaroffitashethekindofconfidenceatwenty-year-marrieddaredwithoutgettingstuck.
husbandmustfeelatapartywhenhenoticesMonksaid:“They’vestoppedsome-somewolfmakingpassesathiswifeandwhereahead.Notoveraquarterofamile,Iknowsthefellowwillgetnowhere.That’srealshouldjudge.”Heworeagreenslickerandconfidence.
withhisbuildlookedlikethegreatcaricatureThepleasantthoughtswerewonderful.
ofafrogintherain.
TheymusthavepluggedmyearsandSavagesaid:“Let’sseehowitsounds,”
TheymusthavepluggedmyearsandSavagesaid:“Let’sseehowitsounds,”
blindedmyeyesandputsweetmudinmyandMonkhandedasmallcaseinthewin-head—becauseMcCutcheonhadagunindow.ThecasehadabouttheproportionsofamybackbeforeIknewhewasthere.
two-dollarnovel,buttherewereknobsonit,“Nojump,noholler,”thetallMacsaid.
acompasswithaluminousdial,anditwas“You’lllivelonger—justalittlebitlonger.”Themakingahigh-pitched—butnotloud—seriesedgeonhiswordscouldhavebeenputthereofwhiningnotes.ThecodeletterTrepeatedwithafile.
overandover.Aportableradioreceiver,ob-Hesearchedme,butfoundnothingheviouslyaspecialjobwithabuilt-indirectionalwanted.
loop.
“We’lltakeawalkbackthewayyouHavingputthethingtohisearandfid-came,”hesaid.
dledwiththevolumecontrolawhile,Savage“Youwon’tgetawaywiththis,”Isaid.
said:“Yes,notoverhalfamileanyway.”He“Neitherwillyou.”
rotatedthething,gotanull—thesignalatitsWesloppedthroughthestreamingleastaudiblepoint—andgestured.“Thatnight.Thewetnesssoftenedthesolesofmyway.”
shoesandthegravelhurtmyfeetthroughIwasalittleslow,butIgotit.“Thehell.
theflaccidleather.OnetroublewithcheapYou’vegotaradiotransmitterplantedonshoes.Thenthebridgewasbeingbumpedthem!Howdidyoudothat?”
hollowlybyourfeet.
“Therewasnothingtoit,”Monksaid.
Attheotherendofthebridge,Hewaswet,anxiousandimpatient.“Let’sgetMcCutcheongavemeanextrahardgougegoing.”
withthegunmuzzleandsaid:“I’mnotbadon“Look,handsome,howdidyouplantarunningtargets,Sammy.”Heseemedtoradioonthem?”Idemanded.
meanformetostandstill,andIdid.
“WehadMissFenisong’shelp,”Sav-McCutcheongotdownatacornerofagesaid.
thebridge.Heflounderedaroundinthemud
“Huh?”
andwetgrass,liftedaraincoatcarefully,andImusthavesoundedlikeZachariahthrusthisarmbeneathit.HiscigarettelightwhenhesawtheAngel,becauseMonkMay-flickered,theflameclosetoagraycordthatfairfeltsorryforme.“You’reprettydumb,lookedasifithadbeensoiledwithtar.Aaren’tyou?Youdidn’tthinkMissFenisongfuse.Thefusecaughtfire.Itspilledsparkshadreallythrowninwiththem,didyou?”
andalittletwistingsmoke.
“Ofcoursenot!”Isaid.AndoddlyHerejoinedme.“Nowwemoveon,”heenough,thatwaswholetruth.
said.
Iasked:“How’dyouknowwewerefollowingyou?”
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DOCSAVAGE
“WefoundthelittleradioinMissFeni-knowwhatitwas.“MissFenisong!”Iyelled.
song’spurse,”hesaid,andtherecouldhave“Paula!Whathavethey—areyouallright?”
beenacidinhismouth.
Shescaredmestiffbynotanswering.
“Issheallright?”Iaskedaroundthe“Paula!”
rocksinmythroat.
Shestirredalittlethen.Therewas“Whatdoyouthink?”
cloth,notcleaneither,tiedoverthelowerpartofherfaceforagag.Itriedtotearitloose,butMcCutcheonleanedoverandChapterX
struckmyhandwithhisgun,hurtingmyfingersandnotcaringmuchwhetherhebangedTHEbridgewentup.Itmadeasatis-upPaula’sface.
factory—toMcCutcheon—whoopofasound“Youdon’tseemtorealize,”
intheleakingnight.JudgingfromthejumpMcCutcheonsaid,“thatyou’renotlongforthegroundgave,andtheflash,therehadthisworld—lessifyoukeepitupthewaybeenenoughdynamiteunderthebridgetoyou’regoing.”
ruinit.Itseemedtorainharderforamoment“Bothofus?”
afterthat.
afterthat.
“Bothofyou,”hesaid.
Thesecondexplosioncamequickly.
Thecar,asedan,wastravelinghead-Thirtysecondslater,perhaps.Itwasatleastlongthroughthenight,butnotsoheadlonghalfamiledistant.
thatitwaslikelytosomersaultofftheroad.
“Anotherbridge?”Iasked.
Andwhentheycametoaparkwaywhere“Theonlyotherone,”McCutcheontherewasothertraffic,theydroveasdeco-said.“Thatroadrunsacrossastinkinglittlerouslyasanybody,butjustabitfaster.
swampisland.Themudisneckdeepjust“Wheredidyougetthedynamite?”Iabouteverywherebutontheisland.”
asked.
“Savagecanswim,probably.”
McCutcheonsaid,“Wehadbeenfigur-
“Uh-huh.Andfindahouse,ifheknowsingonanicebombingforaguyweknow.
wheretolook.ThenearestoneisaboutaYouknowhimtoo.Anyway,itwasinthecar.
mile....Butthatwilltaketime.Anhour,There’sevensomeleft.”
maybe.Sayit’sonlyhalfanhour—thatwillMcGraffsaid,“What’stheideatellinggetuswherewe’regoing.”
himthat?”
Itseemedthattherewasanotherroad,“Payattentiontoyourdriving,”thetallbetter-pavedthantheonewewereon,thatMacsaid.
cutbacktothisone.Presentlytheircarcame“You’regoingtokillus?”
alongthatroad,movingfast,andstopped“Probably.”
whenitsheadlightssplasheduponus.
“Why?...Becausewe’refriendsofShortMaclookedoutatmeandsaidtoSavage?ThatwilljustupsethimalittletallMac,“Whydidn’tyoushoothimandgetitmore.”
overwith?”
McCutcheonshrugged.“Don’tgiveus“Ithinkhe’soneofFleur’sboys,”
that.You’reworkingforFleur,”
McCutcheonsaid.
“Bothofus?Thegirl,too?”
“That’swhatImean.”
“Couldbe.”
“Hemightbeuseful.”
“Who’sFleur?”Iasked.
Theshortoneshrugged.“Allright.He’s“Hah,hah,”McCutcheonsaid.
yourresponsibility,though.”Hewasdis-pleasedaboutitand,asIclimbedintothecar,heswungsomekindofshortblowtomyAPPARENTLYthedoingsweretobeneckthatsentmeheadfirstintothemachine,heldbackintown.McGraffdrewthecartowithmyheadfulloffireworks.Moreofhisthecurbonasidestreetinwhatwasclearlyjudo.Bythetimethingssettleddown,thebetterpartoftown.Heturned,swunghisMcCutcheonwasinthebackseatwithme,handovertheseatbacktoshowmeitcon-hadhisguninmyeyeandthecarwasmov-tainedoneofthebiggestgunsevertogoing.
unmountedonwheels,andmadeaspeechTherewassomethingsoftagainstmycutoutofrawflesh.Hesaid:“AlbertGrossleftside,andonlyonetouchwasneededtowasourfriendinawayyouwillnotunderstandunlessyouhave
neededtowasourfriendinawayyouwillnotunderstandunlessyouhaveriskedyourlifeforaNOLIGHTTODIEBY
45manandhadthemandothesameforyou—LongMachadakeytotheapartmentnotonce,butmanytimes.Unlessyouhavehousefrontdoor.Onehe’dgiventhejanitorgonethroughhellandsufferingwiththattendollarsfor,hesaid.
man,unlessyou’vesharedtroublesbeyondwordswithhim.AlbertGrossisdead.Fleurkilledhim.YouworkforFleur—”
THEYhadbeentherebefore.They“Idon’tevenknowFleur!”Isaid.
knewtherewouldbenodoormanandno“WorkingforFleuristheonlythingthattelephoneoperatorinthelobby,andtheywouldexplainyourinvolvementintheaffair,”
knewenoughnottofoolaroundwiththeboyhesaid.“ThepointIammaking,Mr.Sammywhorantheelevator.Ahungry-lookingboy,Wales,ifthatisyourname,isthatwewillgothisone;hisuniformfittedhimlikesomethingthewholewaytogetjusticeforAlbert.Thatthathadbeenblownonhimbyahighwind.
meansFleurwillprobablydie,andyou,andHecarriedhisheadonathinneck,asifitMissFenisong.Thereisjustachance,averywassomethingonastick.Hecouldmove.
longchance,thatwecandealwithFleur.OnFast.Butnotfastenough.McGraffdownedthatchanceswingsyourneck.Getme?Inhim,andtooktheguntheboyhadhalf-otherwords,actupandI’llkillyou,ordrawn.
McCutcheonwillkillyou.Clear?”
Therewassomethingfamiliarabout“Ineverheardanythingputclearer.”
theboyafterhelayontheflooratmyfeet.It“Okay,getoutandwalkaheadofustookabitofrecalling.Butitcametome.Thisintothatapartmenthouse.No,taketheragladhadbeenoneofthehelpatthebanquetoffthegirl’sfacefirst.Andwalkwithher,thescientistsheldintheParkside-Regent.
aheadofus.”
Hehadn’tbeenoutservingtablesamongtheTheclothcamefreeofPaula’sfaceguests;hehadkeptintherear,helpinggetreadilyenough.Shedidn’tsayanything.Shethestuffonthetraysreadytoserve.
rubbed,orscrubbed,athermouthwithaIsaid:“Hewasatthebanquet!”
sleeve.
McGrafffrownedatme.“Nodoubt.”
“We’resupposedtoleadtheway,you“That’sprobablyhowtheygotalineonandI,”Isaid.
youfellows,”Isaid.
Shestilldidn’tsayanything.
“Nodoubt,”McGraffsaidagain.
McGraffgotthebigsuitcasecontainingMcCutcheonsaidnothing;hewashav-thegadget.Ithadbeeninthecartrunk.
inghistroublesmakingtheelevatorrun.He’dAlong,probably,withthedynamiteleftovergotthedoorsshut,butcouldn’ttakethecagefromfixingthetwolittlebridges.Wonderupbecausehedidn’tknowwherethesafetywhereSavagewas?Wastingtimeoutthereswitchwas.
intherainlookingforthefoe?Itwould“Iusedtorunanelevator.”
probablylooklikeatraptohim.
Hedidn’tseemtohearme.Helooked“Paula,”Isaid.“Didyouhavearadiodownatthelong-neckedboy.“Youmur-outfitinyourpurseandhowdidtheyfindit?”
derer!”hesaid,andkickedtheboy’sjaw“Theyjustlookedinthepurse,”shesomewhatoutofshape.“Okay,runit,”hesaid.
saidtome.
“Paula—don’tdoanythingreckless.”
“Whatfloor?”
Shenodded.“Youtoo.”
Heseemedtoseriouslyconsiderkick-Twowords—buttherewasenoughiningmyjaw.“Asfarasitwillgo—asifyouthemtomeanalot.Maybefrighthadmadedidn’tknow,”hesaid.
myreceptivenesshigh,butitseemedthatshewasalotconcernedforme.Thatwasgood.Everythingelsecouldn’tgetmuchASfarasitwouldgowasthetwenty-worse,butthatwasgood.Whyhadn’tImetsecondfloor,andtheMacsgotprogressivelyheratapicnicinSwopePark,andwecouldpalerastheelevatorwentup.Exceptforthehavelookedattheanimalsinthezooandonewhohadthenaturalrednessinhisface,watchedthenutsontheplaygroundflyingtheycouldhavepassedforcorpseswhenwetheirlittleairplanesaroundontheendsofreachedthetop.“He’llhaveasignal,”
wires.Agoodthingwehadn’t,nodoubt.
McGraffsaid,staringbitterlyattheboyonWithoutseeingmefrightenedstiff,shethefloor.“WeshouldhaveaskedAugustinowouldn’thaveknownofmysterlingqualities.
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DOCSAVAGE
whatitwas.”Heshrugged,added,“Oh,well,wasnotmuchtimetoadmirethedecora-ifyou’regoingtocracktheegg.”
tions.
HepickedupAugustinoandusedtheItwastheoldgiantthistime.Spatny.
limpbodyasashieldinfrontofhisownasHecameinwearingacandy-stripeddressinghesteppedout.McCutcheonusedashieldrobeandcarpetslipperslinedwithyellowfur.
also—MissFenisongandmyself,whichTherobewasyellowandcream.HelookedturnedmeaspaleaseitherMac.
big,gaunt,aframeforaskyscraperbeforeIknewwewereinapenthouse.Theytheybuildupthebrick.
hadthoseinKansasCity.Wewereinare-
“Goodevening,Fleur,”McGraffsaidtoceptionroomwithafloortiledinshadesofhim.“Getyourhandsup.”
browns,cinnamonwallsstripedinalligatorTheoldmansmiled.Itcouldn’thavegreen—thesamecinnamon-and-greenstrip-beenasmile.Hesteppedbackthewayheingwascarriedoutinsuchofthefurnitureashadcome.Likeaflashoflightning,hevan-wasnotglassorplastic.Awildmodernismished....He’dhadholdofmethenightbe-savedthebrown-and-greenthemefrombeforewhenwefoundhimatthegatehouseofingawful,ormadeitworsethanawful,ac-theplaceonLongIsland,andIknewhewascordingtoyourtaste.Theplacehadenoughstrong.Buthewasquicktoo,quickerthanroomtoswingacat,evenwiththecatonthewaspossible.Hewasthere—thenwasn’t.
withthecatonthewaspossible.Hewasthere—thenwasn’t.
endofalongrope.
Gone.
AmancamethroughadoorandThedoorhehadretreatedthroughspoiledourchancesofenjoyingthedecora-slammedashadebeforeMcGraffgotthere.
tivemotif.I’dseenthismanbefore,too.He’dwalkedthroughtheParkside-RegentlobbyseveraltimeswhileI’dbeenwaitingthereMcGRAFFthwarted,wantedtoshootyesterdayafternoon.Hewasalargeman,somebody—foracoupleofice-coatedsec-hardthewayafistishardinaglove.
ondshehadmeinmind.Butthatpassed.He“Augustino!”heexclaimed.Hegotthatbowedhishead,tookhisupperlipbetweenmuchoutbeforeherecognizedtheMacs.Hehisteeth,releasedittoask,“Whydidn’tIdidn’tlikerecognizingthem—hejerkedtoashoothim?”
stop,wheeled,andhisfeetwhettedtheshin-Westoodthere.Spatnywasalive,andingshadesofbrownfloordesperately.HisSpatnywasalsonamedFleur.Somehowitfeetdidn’tgettraction.Hefelldown.
hadn’toccurredtomethatSpatnywasalive,McCutcheonwentforward,wasuponandforsomereasonorotheritdidn’tseemtheman,hadkickedhiminface,temple,atallextraordinarynowthathewas.
backofneckandstomach,inverylittletime.
Inavoicethatwasclear,surprised—IgotholdofMissFenisong,startedherandof
all
things,
slightly
reverent—
backfortheelevator.ShehadthesameideaMcCutcheonsaid,“Countess!”
backfortheelevator.ShehadthesameideaMcCutcheonsaid,“Countess!”
anyway.Itook,Ithink,twosteps—andstoodAlittleoldladyhadappeared.Shewasstonystill.Therehadbeenaclickofasoundasthinasastring,notmuchtallerthansomelikeaneedlebreaking.Iputoutahandandofthefurniture,andlookedexcessivelyevil.
stoppedthegirl.
Shehadonablacklacegown—nightgown—“Good,”saidMcGraff.Helookedatus,sheerasimagination,andawoollywhitefureyesfartoobright,overthegunIhadjustwrapthrownabouthershoulders.Herheardhimcock.Headded,“Youwillwalkincheekswerepainted,herfingernailsandheraheadofus.”
toenails.Shecouldhavebeeneighty,andIasked,“Howmanymorearethey?”
sheworemorecosmeticsthanaTwelfth-
“Two....Walk!”
Streethustler.
Thenextroomwascream,cream“Soyougothere,”shesaid.
walls,creamrug,andthesmallthings—TheMacssaidnothing.Theyweredrapes,pipingonthefurniture—werebutterafraidofher.
yellow.Therewasmoreglassandplastic“Whereispoppa?”sheasked.
thaninthehall,butnochrome.Alargeyel-McGraffpointedatthedoor.Hedidn’tlow-flamedfireburnedinafireplacethatdidspeak.
notlooklikeafireplaceatall,butratherlikea“Thelaboratory,”shesaid.Sheplacetostorethesilverware.Andagaintheresoundedsatisfied.“Thatisgood.Iwasafraidforpoppa.”
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
47McGraffcametovoice.Heputhisface“Yes.”
closetothedoor,thelaboratorydoor,andTheoldgiantsnorted.“Youfoolswouldbellowed,“Fleur—youturnthatmachineon,betterhavedonethatinthefirstplace.Whenandit’llbetheendofyou,youhear?”AndIfirstapproachedyouforcapital,itwasafairthenwithoutwaitingforaresponse,hedeal.”
shouted,“Savagehasathingthatwillmake“Itwasastinkingdeal—twentyperyourtransmitterexplode.Wehaveithere.
cent,”McGraffsaid.“Wewanthalf.”
Youunderstandme?Youturnthatthingon,“Preposterous!”
andwewillturnthisoneon,anditwillblowMcGraff’svoicewascold.“Albertyoutohell.”
Gross,ourfriend,isdead.Ithinkyouunder-Theoldgiant’svoice,comingthroughstandhowcloseweweretoAlbertandhetothedoor,wasasbigasifithadbeenintheus.Afriend’slifewedonotsellcheaply.”
roomwithus.
McCutcheonsaid:“AugustinokilledAl-
“Ridiculous!”hethundered.
bert.ItwasAugustino’swayofkilling.SoweMcGraffmadefranticgesturestowantAugustinotoo.”
McCutcheon.AndMcCutcheonhastilyputSpatny—orFleur—grunted.“AugustinothebigsuitcasewithDocSavage’sgadgetinwaswithmeinMunich,theninGriefswalditonthetable.Hefooledwiththeknobs,andPeenemunde.Hehelpedmegetoutbrowwrinkled,doingitjustasSavagehadwhenthePartybecamesuspiciousofme—saiditshouldbedone.
whentheydiscoveredIwasholdingbacktheThelittleoldhagwatchedthis.She
whentheydiscoveredIwasholdingbacktheThelittleoldhagwatchedthis.Shebetterpartofmydiscoveriesinchromos-madeuphermindinahurry.Shewentoverphericactivities.WithoutAugustino,Iwouldtothedoor,called:“Poppa,they’renotfool-notbehere....Still,Albertwasasmuchtoing.”
youasAugustinoistome—”
Theoldgiantsworeagreatoath.It“No,poppa!”theoldwomansaidwasinGerman,alanguageIspeakfluentlysharply.ShewheeledontheMacs.“Au-totheextentofsixwords—butithadtobeangustinowewillnotsacrifice.Wearetoofewoath.
todestroyeachother.”
“Theremustbepeace,poppa,”sheThatbroughtsilenceforawhile.Iwassaid.ShewheeledontheMacs.“Youaregettingitstraightnow.Theoldpileofbonesfools,allofyou.Greedyfools,steepedinthehadbeenaNaziscientist,andhehadkeptbloodypast.Don’tyourealizetheworldhashisdiscoveriesforhimself,fledGermanywithchangedagainstyouandthatyouarenowthem.HemusthavebeenatypicalNazi.Hefightingamongyourselveslikecurdogs?”
hadrunoutofmoneyhereinAmerica—theMcGraffpulledinadeepbreath.“Tellrichnessofhisdiggingshereindicatedthathimtocomeout.We’lltalkterms.”
hecouldrunoutofmoneyrathereasily.He“Whydoyousaythat?”shedemandedhadapproachedthreeoldfriends,McGraff,suspiciously.
McCutcheon,andAlbertGross,forfinancing.
“I’vespentthedaywithSavage,andITheresultwasnotunexpected—they’dgottoknowmoreabouthimthanIdid,”McGrafffightingoverthegadgettheoldmanhad,andsaid.“That’swhy.”
he’dbeenwinning.TheMacsandGrosshadShestoodclosetothedoorandsaid,runDocSavageintothepicture,nodoubtto“Poppa,theyhavetakenabearbythetailfrightentheoldgiantintocomingtoterms.
andtheanimalwillconsumeyouallifyoudoButhe’dstartedkillingthem,beginningwithnotbefriendswitheachother.”PresumablyGross.
shemeantDocSavagewasbruin.
shemeantDocSavagewasbruin.
McGraffbrokethesilence.“Wewillsur-renderthepointofAugustino,”hesaidgrimly,“ifhecandisposeofDocSavage.”
THEoldmancameout.Ididn’tlikeit.
Spatnystiffened.Hecalledthemsev-Pauladidn’tlikeiteither,andshefastenedaeraldarkthingsinGerman.Thenhesaid:setoftremblingfingersonmyarm.
“WhydidyoupickamanlikeSavagetoSpatnyasked:“Youwillfurnishmefrightenmewith?Thereisnomoredanger-money?Itmustbeso.”
ousaman.”
McGrafflookedatMcCutcheon,who“Weunderestimatedhim,”McGraffsaid,“Yes.”
admittedbitterly.
“Muchmoney.Iamnotacheapman.”
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“Fools!ItwasassensibleasusingaonebehindhimwasMonkMayfair.Theybarrelofgasolinetoextinguishamatch.”
camequietly,butfullofpurpose.
Theyseemedtoagreewithhim.
Isaidloudly,“Well,besidesPaulaandSpatnylevelledanarmatme.
myself,there’sfourofusinhere.”ThenI
“Thisfellow!Youperhapsthoughthereachedforachair,gotit,andmadeforwasmine?Heisnot.HeismerelyanidiotMcGraff.
withalongnose”—heglancedatMissFeni-OldSpatnysaid,“Don’tshoothim.Wesong—”andaneyeforaprettygirl.”
mighthavetoexplainagunshot.”
“Augustinocanremovehim,”McGraffMcGraffeyedme.Hegrinned.Hiscon-said,dismissingmemorecasuallythanIfidencebubbledoutunderthelid.Hetossedlikedtobedismissed.
hisgunonthetable,cameatmewiththatTheoldwoman—shewasobviouslyjudocrouchthatIhadlearnedabout.
theoldgiant’swife,countessandall—
IthrewthechairattheshortMac.ItbroughtPaulaintoit.“Thisgirlmustbedis-seemedtopassthroughhim.Hejustposedofalso,”shesaid.
weaved,madeaspaceforthechairtosailTheyshrugged.Evidentlyitwastobethrough,andwasbackinpositionandstillAugustinoagain.
coming.
ThistimeIwasgoingtofighthimalittledifferent.Ifhegothishandsonme,IwasSPATNY—orFleur—hadleftthelabo-sunk,probably.Ithrewanashtrayathim.Aratorydooropen.Istartedthroughthedoorstool.Atablelamp.Hewasaselusiveastheintothelaboratorywiththekindoffixitythatafellowwithhisheadthroughacanvasatafrozenmandevotestowatchingthesnowcarnivalpitch-joint.
fall.Itseemedtobealaboratorythatspecial-Thismusthavehappenedfast,be-izedononething,anditcertainlylackedthecauseSavagewasn’tintheroomyet.ShortcompletenessofSavage’sequipment.Be-Machadmeinacorner.ItookaJoeLouisyondittherewasaterracegarden,withev-stancetofoolhim,andkickedinstead.Hisergreenstuffgrowingoutoftubsorboxes,stomachwasascompactasasackofsand,andbeyondthat,speckledwithamyriadofbuthewentdown.Hedidn’tstaydown.Helightedwindows,wasthebulkofthePark-gotmyarm,didoneofhistricksonit,andside-Regent.Thehotelwasnotmorethanaliquidfirewentupthearmandflewoutofmyblockdistant.Itdidn’ttakemuchaddingofearsandtoes.Ishookhimoff.
twoandtwotorealizethatherewaswhereSavagewasintheroomnow.AndthemoonlightmusthaveoriginatedthefirstMonkMayfair,andthelatterbeganyelling—time.Itwasconvenienttothehotel,whichtherewerenospecialwordstohisyelling,explainedwhytheyhadpickedthebanquetandheseemedtobedoingitmerelytoshowattheParkside-RegenttointroduceDochowhefelt.Apparentlyhelovedit.
Savagetotheaffair.
TherewasaScotchbottle,fifth-size,Ilookedfixedlyattheterraceandmyonasmalltable.Igotthebottlebytheneck,thinkingbegantofog.IwasawareofPaula,rappeditonthetable,andhadascaryandIknewtheyhaddecidedondeathforweapon.Exactly—itsuddenlydeveloped—her,andknewtheymeantit.TherewaswhatIneeded.McGraff’seyesgotwidewithsomethingascoldaboutthesepeopleasahorror.Hebackedawayfromme,andIquacksurgeon’sknife.Theywouldkillus,chasedhim.
knife.Theywouldkillus,chasedhim.
thatwassure,unlesssomeoneposedobjec-IwaschasinghimwhenIforgotnottotions....
breathethatanaestheticgasthatSavageTherewassomeoneontheterrace.
used.
Thisfact,onlyalittlelessimportantthantheSecondComing,didnotmeanmuch.NotuntilIthoughtitout.Let’ssee—oneoftheITOOKaswingatsomeone,missedMacshadleft.Theoldgiantandhiswitchhim—itwasHamBrooks,andhesaid,madetwo.Thatleft—nobody.Therewouldn’t“There’sbeenarecess.Takeiteasy.”
beanyoneontheterrace.
Isatdownagain.Ihadbeenuncon-Hewashalf-wayacrossthelaboratoryscious.Irememberedthetrickgas.IwasonbeforeIsawthatitwasSavage.Andanothertheterrace,andtheyhaddraggedoneofthe
NOLIGHTTODIEBY
49yellow-pipedchairsoutthereforme,andmy“HowlongwasIout?”
facewasnumbwithcold.
“Anhour,”HamBrookssaid.“Youhit“Whathappened?”
yourheadonsomethingwhenyoufell.”
HamBrooksgrinned.“Thecavalrygal-
“Butmyheaddoesn’tache!”
loped.Youfinallygotthecombinationon“Monksaiditwouldn’t,”hesaidandMcGraff,didn’tyou?Toobadyouhadtotakewalkedout.
adeepbreathofthegaswhenyoudid.”
“Uh-huh.Say,howdidyougethere?”
“Upanotherelevator.Backstairs.
PAULAFENISONGwasinthelabora-Throughakitchenandabutler’spantryandatory.Shecameoutquicklywhenshesawlockerroomandaservicepantry—youknow,me,andtookmyhandsandsaid,“I’msothisisquitealuxuriousplace—andontothegladyouweren’tseriouslyhurt.”
terrace.”
Herhandswerewarm.Inoddedatthe“Idon’tmeanthat.How’dyoufindthecomplaininginthelaboratoryandasked:apartmenthouse?”
“What’swronginthere?”
“Ithoughtyouknewabouttheradio“It’stechnicalandIdon’tunderstandit,”
“Ithoughtyouknewabouttheradio“It’stechnicalandIdon’tunderstandit,”
transmitterweplantedonthem.”
shesaid.“Buttheelderlyscientist,Doctor“InPaula’spurse?Buttheyfoundit.”
Hodges,claimsthatSpatny’sdeviceisonlya“Oh,thatone,”hesaid.“Thatonewasslightimprovementoverthedevelopmentsalittletwo-wayoutfitPaulawasgoingtousealreadyknowntohavebeenmade.Nothinginanemergency.Justinsurance.Theoneparticularlymagical.DoctorHodgesisdis-thatcountedwasinthesuitcase.”
gusted.Heexpectedagreatdealmore.He“Youmeanwiththeneutralizer?”
swearsterribly.”
Helaughed.“TheonlythingthatWestoodthere.Ikeptherhands.ShegadgetwouldneutralizewasMcGraffanddidn’tobject.Itwascoldandcleanouthere,McCutcheon.Itwasaphony.AllthatshowandthenightairhadanastringentbitethatDocputonatheadquarterswasphony,too.
wasgood.TherewereamillionlightsofthePartoftherig.”
cityaroundusandcarsmakingcontented“Oh.”ThenIasked:“Isthefracassoundsinthestreetbelow.
over?”
Ibentmyheadandthought,thought“Sure.”
aboutaguynamedSamuelWaleswhohad“Yougetallofthem?Theoldman,hiscomefromKansasCityhuntingsomething,shrew,McGraff,McCutcheon,andtwobutnotknowingwhathesought.HenowhadnamedAugustinoand—cometothinkofit,Iagoodideaofwhatitwas.Iputanarmdon’tknowtheotherone’sname.MadeofaroundPaulatoseehowitwouldbe,anditgoodsolidstuff,though.”
wasevenbetter.ThenIthoughtaboutwhatHamsaid:“Thepolicehavethemall.”
kissingherwouldbelike,andItriedit,andit“Thepoliceareherealready?”
kissingherwouldbelike,andItriedit,andit“Thepoliceareherealready?”
wasstillbetter.Itwasbetterthananything“Andgone.”
couldbe.
Ididn’tgetthat.ThenIsawtheoldOldScientistHodgeswasyellingthatitcodgerwhohadbeenbellwetheratthesci-wasablastedshameallthattroublehadnet-entists’banquet,oldDoctorMorandFunktedeveryonesolittle.
Hodges,whohadkickedthebanquetsecre-Hewaswrong.
tary’sstern,inthelaboratory.HewastalkingtoDocSavage.Hewouldsaysomething,takealookatacontraptiontheyweredis-THEEND
secting,thensaysomethingelse,andwavehisarms.Heseemeddiscouraged.
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DOCSAVAGE