THELIVINGFIREMENACEADocSavageAdventureByKennethRobesonThispagecopyright©2001BlackmaskOnline.

http://www.blackmask.com

?ChapterI.ASTRANGEWARNING?ChapterII.ATTACKERSSTRIKE?ChapterIII.AGIRLCALLS?ChapterIV.STINGERSTRIKES?ChapterV.ACALLTOTHEMORGUE?ChapterVI.ACHALLENGEACCEPTED?ChapterVII.AWILDDRIVER?ChapterVIII.AGUNMANSPEAKS?ChapterIX.THETRAPCLOSES?ChapterX.MENOFFIRE?ChapterXI.AMIRACLENEEDED?ChapterXII.SANDSOFDEATH?ChapterXIII.THELIVINGFIRESTRIKES?ChapterXIV.APROFESSORPLAYSTRICKS?ChapterXV.KILLERSCLASH?ChapterXVI.AMOBAMUCK?ChapterXVII.BETWEENTWOFIRES?ChapterXVIII.AFLIGHTFORLIFE?ChapterXIX.THESUBAFIRE?ChapterXX.JOURNEY’SENDScannedandProofedbyTomStephens

ChapterI.ASTRANGEWARNINGTHEmanreeledashetriedtorun.Hisbreathcameinshortgasps.Timeaftertimehisheadtwistedtodartquick,fearfullooksbehindhim.

Perspirationwasstreamingfromhisbody.Hisfacewasaqueercherry-red,thelipspuffedandscarletbright.Hisfeetkickedupsmallcloudsofsand.Overhead,thesunwasbeatingdownrelentlessly.Oneithersidewerecactusandsage.Andahead,notfarnow,werethescatteredbuildingsofthedeserttownofSandrit.

Mumbledwordscamefrombetweenthepuffedlips.“I’vegottomakeit!I’vegottomakeit!I’vegottogetwordout—getwordtoDocSavage!”

AtPalmSprings,onlyafewshortmilesaway,beautifulmoviestarswereloungingaroundinshorts.Coolingdrinkswerenearathand.Thethermometerwaswelloverahundred.

Buttherunningmanwasdressedasifforazerowinterday.

Strangewrappingsonhisfeetaccountedforpartofhisreelinggait.Stripsfromanoldinnertubehadbeenboundaboutthosefeet.Thestripshadcutintothefleshuntilblooddropsmarkedthetrail,butthemandidnotpause.Hisbody

fleshuntilblooddropsmarkedthetrail,butthemandidnotpause.Hisbodyseemedsheathedinmanyclothes.Andaboutthoseclothesotherstripsofrubberhadbeenbound.Onhishandswereheavyrubbergloves.

Butitwastheman’seyesthatheldattention.Fearblazedfromsunkenorbs—deadly,unhealthyfear.

Somemighthavedoubtedthatthereelingmanwassane.Andthewordshebabbledsoundedlikethoseofamaninthegripofanightmare:“Thelivingfire!Thedeaththatcannotbeavoided!Thefirethatspurtsfromwithin,thatburnsanddestroys!Ahell-fire!Andit’llgetme!Icannotescape!”

Theman’sheartpoundedashethoughtofthesecrethecarried—asecrethemustrevealatonceifheweretopreventuntoldcalamity.Onceagainhisheadtwistedsothathelookedbehindhim.Afaintcloudofdustshowedontheroadoverwhichhehadjustcome.Abigcarcameintoview.Franticallythemantriedtorunfaster,hischerry-redfacetwistingwithrenewedanguish,hiseyespopping.

“I’vegottogoon!”hegritted.“I’vegottogetwordtoDocSavage!”

Thegirlinthebigcardidnotlookdangerous.ShelookedasifshemightbeoneofthemoviestarsvisitingatPalmSprings.Longblackcurlsframedafacethatwasalmostperfection.Onlyastubnosebrokethefaultlesssymmetryofherfeatures.Hereyesweredarkpoolsofbewitchingenchantry.Shortsandahalterdidlittletohidetheseductivenessofherform.Butasthegirlcaughtsightofthereelingmanahead,herfacechangedsubtly.Anexpressionalmostofcraftinessflashedinherdarkeyes;hersoftlipstightened.Themanhadalmostreachedthefillingstation.Thegirlbrakedthebigcar,slowingitinstantlyuntilitwasbarelymoving.

Thegirlglancedbehindher.Somethinglikeasighescapedherlipsasshesawtheroadwasclear.

Shereachedintoasidepocketofthecar,evenasshebroughtthemachinetoastopattheedgeoftheroad.Thenshehadopenedthedoor,hadslidtotheground,wasmovingrapidlytowardthefillingstationwherethereelingmanhadvanished.Thesunlightflickeredwickedlyonthesmall,deadlyautomaticshecarriedinherhand.

Thefilling-stationattendantdidnotseeher.Hewasgazingopen-mouthedatthe

Thefilling-stationattendantdidnotseeher.Hewasgazingopen-mouthedatthestrangeapparitionthathadmaterializedbeforehim.Thequeerlydressedmanseemedobliviousoftheattendant.Withglazedeyes,herushedtowardtheold-fashioned-typetelephoneinonecorneroftheroom.

“I’vegottotellthem!Theresheis!I’vegottogetwordtoDocSavage—”

Handsawkwardintheirheavygloves,themanspundesperatelyonthecranktosignalthetelephoneoperator.“Number,please,”cameacool,crispvoice.Thefrightenedman’swordstorefromhisswollenlips.

“GetmeDocSavage’soffice,inNewYork!”hehalfscreamed.“TellhimthisisZ-2calling.GetDocSavage!Gethim!”

THEfilling-stationattendant’smouthdroppedopenevenfarther.Hiseyestriedtojumpfromhishead.

“DocSavage!”herepeated,andhisvoiceheldanoteofawe.

Therewasfrenziedfearinthestranger’sface,inthequeer,pinchedlinesabouthiseyesashewaitedforhiscall.“Hurry!”heyelledimpotently.“Hurry!I’vegottoreachDocSavagebeforeit’stoolate!”

Thetelephoneoperatorwashurrying.ThenameDocSavagehaddonesomethingtoher,also.Hervoicehadanunusuallyexcitedtimbreassheimploredinterveningstationsforspeed.

“DocSavage’soffice.WilliamHarperLittlejohnspeaking,”camecalm,measuredtonesfromtheotherendofthewire.Thetelephoneoperator’sheartsank.“AcallforMr.DocSavage,”shesaidhopefully.

“ClarkSavage,Jr.,isabsentforthenonce.Iwillhearthecommunication.”“Johnny!Johnny!Listen!ThisisZ-2!”thequeerlydressedmanshoutedfranticallyintothetelephone.“You’vegottogetwordtoDocatonce!”

Hepaused,subconsciouslystrippedoneheavyglovefromahandtowipetheperspirationfromhisface.“I’vefoundsomethingthat’sunbelievable!Thefateoftheworldisatstake.Andthere’saplotaimedatDoc,atallofyou!Listen.I’llgiveyouthelow-downfast.Ihaven’tgotlongtolive.There’salivingfire.It’sterrible!It’s—”Aprettyfacepressedclosetoahalf-openedwindowofthe

terrible!It’s—”Aprettyfacepressedclosetoahalf-openedwindowofthefillingstation.Darkeyesgleamedwithsuddenanticipation.

Blam!

Therewasanoiseliketwoboardssmackingtogethersharply.Aqueer,burnedodorfilledtheair.

Attheotherendofthewire,morethantwothousandmilesaway,thatsharpcrackcameclearly.Butnomorewordscameoverthatwire.

ChapterII.ATTACKERSSTRIKEWILLIAMHARPERLITTLEJOHN,betterknownas“Johnny,”seldomshowedexcitement.Lean,withahalf-starvedlook,withglasseshidinghiseyes,heappearedlikejustwhathewas:astudiousscientist,oneoftheworld’sgreatestgeologistsandarchaeologists.Buthewasexcitednow.Withalmostunseemlyhaste,forhim,hesignaledforthelong-distanceoperator,barkedwithunaccustomedharshness:

“Getthatnumberback,operator.Getitbackatonce.ThisisDocSavage’sofficespeaking!”

Acrosstheroomathin,leanmanwithyellow,unhealthy-appearingskin,loungedindolentlyinaneasy-chair.Hewaspullingabsentlyatanoversizeear.MajorThomasJ.Robertsappearedaphysicalweakling.Appearancesweredeceitful,evenashisslouchingposewasnow.Hetriedtoseemnonchalant;actually,hewasafirewithcuriosity.“Whatisit,Johnny,somenut?”heasked.

“Nut,nothing!”Johnnyrapped.MajorThomasJ.Roberts,familiarlycalled“LongTom,”satupabruptlyinhischair.TheveryfactthatJohnnyhadfailedtousehisusualquotaofbigwordswassufficienttotellhimthatsomethingwasintheair.

“ThatwasZ-2,”Johnnyexplainedrapidly.“He’sanundercoveragentfortheDepartmentofJustice.Ionceknewhimwell,wasinthearmywithhim.He’strippedacrosssomethingbig.”SwiftlyJohnnyrepeatedthemessagethemanknownasZ-2hadgivenhim.

“IwishDocwerehere,”LongTommuttered.ButDocSavagewasnotnearby.Hewasnoteveninthecity,butwasmilesaway,possiblythousandsofmilesaway.Thetelephonerangsharply.Johnnygrabbedforit.

“Ihaveyourpartybackforyou,”theoperatorsaidsweetly.“Z-2?”Johnnydemandedbreathlessly.“Whathappened?Whatwasthatnoise—”“Naw,”cameahalf-frightened,chokingvoice.“T-thisain’tthatguywhocalledhimselfZ-2.H-heain’therenomore.H-he’sdead.T-thisisPaulSmith,thefilling-stationattendant.”

PAULSMITH’Spimplyfacewasstillwhite.He’dwitnessedsomethingheknewhe’drememberuntilhedied—somethingthathadhorrified,yetfascinatedhim.“Thisguy,see,”heexplained,asJohnnydemandeddetailsswiftly.“Thisguyhecameinhereallfunnydressed.Hotasitis,heevenhadglovesonandhadinnertiretubingwrappedaroundhisfeetforshoes.”

“Goon,”Johnnyorderedcrisply.

“Hisfacewasafunnyredcolor,andhishand,too,whenhetookonegloveoff.Ididn’tthinkofitatthetime,butIknownowhewasawfulscared.”“I’lltakethatforgranted.Whathappened?”Johnnyinterruptedimpatiently.

“W-why,thisguy,hecalledforDocSavage,”PaulSmithexplained.“Somebodyanswered.Hestartedtotalk.”

“Yes.Yes.”“Hewasawfullyhot.Hewaswipingsweatoffhisfaceashetalked.Andhereallywasshouting.Heseemedawfulworkedup.”

“Iknow.”Johnny’svoicebecameveryresigned.“Buttellmeinwordsofonesyllable,whathappened?”

PaulSmithwetdrylipswiththetipofhistongue.

“He—heblewup!”heshouted.“H-hejustbecameasheetoffire!”Therewassilenceforamoment.“Howdidithappen?”Johnnyaskedsoftly.

“I—Idon’tknow.”PaulSmithwasfranklysobbingnow.“It—itwasjustasifasheetoflightninghithim,orsomething.He—hejustbecameonebigflashoffire,likeIsaid.He—heshriveledandburned,andtheodorofhisflesh,it—ah—”

“Andtherewasnothingnearhim,nooneclosebutyou?”“N-noone,”PaulSmithwhimpered.“It—itjusthappened.I—Icouldn’t’a’doneit.Noonecould.

Smithwhimpered.“It—itjusthappened.I—Icouldn’t’a’doneit.Noonecould.I-itseemedasiftheflamecamefromwithin,notfromoutsidehimanywhere.NoonebutIwasnearhim,anyway.”PaulSmiththoughthetoldthetruth.Heneverhadseenthebeautifulfaceofthegirlthathadbeennearthehalf-openedwindow.LongTomwasanelectricalgenius.HeshookhisheadwhenJohnnysuggestedtheremighthavebeensomethingaboutthetelephonethatcausedashortcircuitorelectricaldischargethatcouldhavekilledZ-2.

“Impossible,”hesaidflatly.“Thatcouldnothavehappenedunderanycircumstances.”

“Butsomethingdid,”Johnnyreflectedsoftly.“WhatcouldagovernmentmanhavebeendoinginasmalldeserttownlikeSandrit?”LongTompuzzledaloud.“Ithadtobesomethingbig,butwhoeverheardofalivingfire?Andwhatwashetryingtowarnusabout?Howcouldwebeindanger?”

Johnnyshookhishead.Hewasequallypuzzled.

LONGTOMandJohnnywouldhavebeenevenmorepuzzledjusttheniftheycouldhaveheardandseenwhatwasgoingoninalavishsuiteatabighotelnotmanyblocksaway.

Threemenwerethere.Onewaspacingnervouslyupanddowntheroom.Hewasatallman,andverythin.Helookedalmostlikeascarecrow.Hisfacewasapeculiarcherry-red.PetrodYardoffwasnotwellknownintheUnitedStates.InsomeEuropeancountrieshewastoowellknown.Manystrangestorieshadbeenlinkedwithhisname.

LoungingacrossfromYardoffwasalong,huskyman,withthesteely,unblinkingeyesofasnake.Thoseeyesandthegunhealwayscarriedhadearnedhimthenickname“Stinger.”StingerSalvatorewaswellknownintheUnitedStates.Manystrangetaleshadbeenlinkedwithhisname,too,butnonehadeverbeenprovedincourt.Thethirdofthegroupwatchedhiscompanionswithcynicalamusement.ClementHoskinswasknowntoveryfew.Heintendedtoremainthatway.Huge,withabarrel-shapedbodythatwasasbigaroundashewastall,Hoskinsneverthelessgavetheimpressionofrough,viciousstrength.

“Youhavedonegoodworksofar,Stinger,”PetrodYardoffsaidsoftly.“Butonejobremains.Atoughjob.”Stingershruggedslightly.Hepulledahandkerchief

jobremains.Atoughjob.”Stingershruggedslightly.Hepulledahandkerchieffromonesleeve,wipedhishands.“Spillit,”hesaidlaconically.

“Wouldyouliketocutinonagamethatwillpayoffinmillions?”ClementHoskinsqueriedsardonically.StingerSalvatore’sloungingframecameerectsuddenly.“Millions?”herepeatedslowly.“Thejobyou’vegotformemustbeatoughone!”“Atoughjob,butworthit—ifyouconsiderthemillions,”Hoskinsgrated.“ButIwonder—Iwonderifyou’vegotnerveenoughtotackleit?”

Stinger’sfacereddened.“Spillit!”hesnapped.“Wewantsixmen—justsix,”ClementHoskinsbreathed.

Thegangleadersnortedcontemptuously.“AndIthoughtitwasatoughjob.Howdoyouwant‘em?Aliveor—”“Thosesixmen,”PetrodYardoffsaidgently,“areDocSavageandhisfiveaids.”

THEREwassuddensilenceintheroom.Stinger’sfaceturnedtheshadeofpaste.“DocSavage,”hemuttered.

Stinger’sfeaturesbecamesober.“Friendsofminehavetriedtobuckthatbronzedevil,”hesaid.“They’veneverbeenseenagain.He’spoison.”“Areyouafraid?”Yardoffsneered.

Thegangsterlookedathimwithunwinkingeyes.“Afraid?No,”hesaidsoftly.“Justcareful.”

“Yetwewillcutyouinonadealthat’sgoingtopayoffinmillions,”Hoskinsreminded.Stingertookadeepbreath.“PerhapsI’lltryit.IfIreallythoughtyouguyshadanything—”

“Youhaveabodyguardoutside,haven’tyou?”Yardoffinterrupted.

“Why,yes.Butwhat—”Stingerfranklyshowedhissurprise.

“Callhimin!”Stingerhesitatedforamoment.SomethinginYardoff’sfacedecidedhim.Hecalled,“Rudolph!”

Atypicalgunmanshuffledintotheroom.Inonehandwasashort-barreled.38.“Trouble,boss?”hecroaked.

“Notrouble,notroubleatall,”PetrodYardoffsaid.Hislipssplitthinlyashewalkedforward,tallframeswaying.“Weweremerelytalkingaboutmakingamilliondollars,andStingerhereseemsalittlereluctant.Youwouldn’tbe,nowwouldyou?”“What?”Theother’spigeyesopenedwide.

Stinger’sjawdropped.Hestartedtoshout.Yardoffwasstrippingaglovefromonehand.Theglovewasoftransparentrubber.Ithadbeenpracticallyinvisible.

Thewordsnevercamefromthegangleader’smouth.Yardoff,stillsmiling,droppedhishandcasuallyonRudolph’sshoulder.

Therewasasuddensheetoffire.Thebodyguardjerked;hismouthopened,buthemadenosound.Thegundroppedfromsearedhand.Hewasdeadbeforehehitthefloor.

Theodorofburnedfleshfilledtheroom.“Thelivingfire!”gaspedStinger.

Stinger’sfeaturesnolongerweresmoothandunruffled.Theyweredrawnandtaut.Hisfingersplayednervouslywiththehandkerchiefinhissleeve.Stingerhadseenmanymendie.Hewasn’tafraidofdeath—aslongasitwassomeoneelsewhowascheckingout.

PetrodYardoffapparentlyhadhadnothinginhishandwhenhehadplaceditonthebodyguard’sshoulder.Nooneelseintheroomhadmadeamove.Yetthebodyguardshowedeveryevidenceofhavingdiedfromatremendousboltofelectricity—aboltthathadcoveredhisentirebodywithflame.AndPetrodYardoff,touchinghim,hadbeenunharmed!Thenthegangleadersawsomethingthathadescapedhisattentionbefore.Therewasathin,transparent,practicallyinvisiblerubbermaskcoveringYardoff’speculiarcherry-redfeatures.Hisshoeswereofrubber.Eventhegraysuitheworewasmadeofrubber.

Stingerhadheardoftheliving-firedeath,hadhearditspokenofinawe-strickentonesintheunderworld.Ithadbeentiedwithwhispersofamysterioussecret—asecretworthmillions.

PetrodYardoffopenedabigtrunk.Thenhepickeduptheshriveled,burnedformofthebodyguard,placeditinthetrunkandlockedthelid.“Wastheexhibitionsatisfactory?”heasked.

Stingergulped.“Y-yes,”heagreedreluctantly.

“We’rewaitingforyouranswer!”thebarrel-shapedClementHoskinsremindedsharply.

“DocSavageiss-stilltoughmedicine,”Stingerprotestedweakly.PetrodYardoffturned.Onceagainhestartedtostriparubberglovefromhishand.Amercilesssmilesplithisnarrowface.Hestartedtomoveforward,catlike.

“No!No!”Stingershrilled.Hishandshotforatelephone.Stillbreathingswiftly,hemadeseveralcallsinrapidsuccession.

“DocSavageisoutoftown,”hereportedatlast,andtherewasnomistakingthereliefinhisvoice.“ThetwotheycallJohnnyandLongTomaretheonlyonesathisoffice,althoughIunderstandtheotherthreeaidsarearound.”“Getthem,”thethinmansaid.“They’lldotostartwith.”

“Hereareyourinstructions,”ClementHoskinsrasped.Thebarrel-shapedmanspokerapidly.

Stingernodded,thecolorgraduallyreturningtohisface.Thenheliftedthetelephonereceiveragain,barkedquickorderswhenhewasconnectedwithhisnumber.“JohnnyandLongTomfirst,”heconcluded.

JOHNNYandLongTomwereunawareoftheirdanger,buttheywereworried.LongTomturnedawayfromthecompact,short-wavesetinoneroomofDoc’ssuiteofoffices,afrownsmearinghisforehead.

“Can’traisehim,”hesaidshortly.Thetallgeologistnodded,glancedathiswatch.“Iknowheimplicitlyinstructedustomakenoefforttointerferewithhismeditationsuntilaftereighto’clockatnight,butIagreewithyou,Iwishhewouldreply.”

LongTomrosetohisfeet,shrugged.Outsideitwasbecomingdark.“Let’sgo,”hesaidshortly.“We’reduetomeetMonkandHamfordinner.Perhapstheycanhelpusdopeoutwhatthisisallabout.”Ahigh-speedelevatordroppedthetwoaidsabruptlytothebasementofthebigbuilding.

Inthebasementtheymovedwithoutwordstoabig,closedcar.Afewmomentslaterandtheywereoutintraffic,headingrapidlydowntown.

BothofDoc’smenwerethinkingofZ-2’squeerdeath,ofthestrangewarninghehadimparted.LongTomdroveautomatically.Johnnysathunchedintheseat,eyeshalfclosedbehindhisglasses.Evenhadtheybeenalert,itisdoubtfulthattheywouldhaveknowntheywerebeingfollowed.Trafficwasheavy,andthosetrailingthemknewtheirjobs.

Theshadowerswereintwocars.Therewerefiveineachautomobile.Eachofthemenhadasignificantbulgeundertheleftarmpit.Thedriversweavedinandoutoftrafficwiththeskillofcabmen.

Doc’sbigcarwasalwayskeptinsight.

NearBrooklynBridge,LongTomswungtowardtheEastRiver,anglingbacktostrikeSouthStreet.AlittlewhilelaterLongTomswungoffthesmoothpavementofSouthStreet,ontothecobblestonestreetthatledtoasea-foodtaverncalledReefer’s.Henoticedseveralcarsparkednearby,butthatmeantnothingatthetime.Reefer’swasapopularplace.

AsLongTomswungthebigmachinetothecurb,henoticedseveralmenalightfromacarnearby.Oneglancewasalltheelectricalexpertneededtorecognizethetype.

ForjustamomentLongTomhesitated,hisunhealthy-appearingfacedoubtful.Johnnywasalreadygettingoutofthemachine.ThenLongTomshutoffthemotorandopenedthecardoor.Inthatmoment,theattackersstruck.

MENseemedtoeruptfromdarkdoorways,frombehindcars.AsurgingmasscrashedintoLongTomandJohnnyinthesameinstant,armsswinging,deadlyblackjacksinhand.Doc’smenshouldhavegonedownunderthatfirstrush.

Theydidn’t.Theirattackershadbeentooanxious.Theyhadmassedtoocloselyfortheircharge,gotineachother’sway.

AbellowedshoutcamefromJohnny.LongTomtriedtodivebackintothecar.Handsgrabbedhim,yankedhimbackintothestreet.Thenthefightwason.

Johnny,fistsswinging,headlow,plungedintothemenbearingdownonhimlikealong,leandreadnought.Speedandtheveryunexpectednessofhishammer-likeblows,carriedhimacrossthesidewalktoawall.Hewhirled,back

hammer-likeblows,carriedhimacrossthesidewalktoawall.Hewhirled,backfirmagainstboards,clenchedknucklescrackingwithdazzlingspeed.LongTomsprawledforward,almostwenttohisknees.Stilldoubledup,hehitlikeachargingfootballguard.Small,weaklyasheappeared,hespunmeninalldirections,gotclearforamoment.

Aswingingblackjackcaughttheelectricalwizardacrossonearm,almostparalyzedit.Hedidnothesitate,didnotpause.Liftingonebigthugfromhisfeetwitharightthatcamefromhisshoetops,hemadeaseconddiveforthecar.

ThistimeLongTomgotasfarasthecardoorbeforeaterrificblowcaughthimacrossthehead.Ashowerofsparksseemedtoflashbeforehiseyes,butevenashefellheyankedaqueer-shapedweaponfromthecardoorpocket.Hewhirled,hisfingertighteningonthetrigger.Therewasasoundlikeabullfiddle’sroar.Attackerstumbledlimply.

TheweaponwasoneofDoc’sowninventions.The“mercy”bulletsitshotproducedunconsciousness,notdeath;butitwasaseffectiveasamachine-gun.

LONGTOMwasstilldazedfromtheblowontopofhishead.HecouldhearJohnnybattlingdesperately.Hethoughtonlyofthat.Heshouldhavejumpedinsidethecar.Ithadbulletproofglass,wasasimpregnableasatank.FromtherehecouldhaverescuedJohnnyeasily.

Instead,hedartedaroundtherearofthecar,weaponinhand.Asmallman,awickedgrinonscarredfeatures,rearedupbehindhim,swungablackjackcoldlyandefficiently.

LongTomwentdown,sprawledawkwardlyonthecobblestones.

SomethingresemblingamoancamefromJohnny’stightlips.Hewentberserk.Foramoment,hisflayingfistsbeatbackthemenwhocrowdeduponhim.Buthesawtherewasnohope.Thereweretoomanyassailants.“Help,Doc!”hebellowedinstinctively.

Asecondlaterhe,also,wentdown.Abillycaughthimsquarelybehindanear.

Thentheattackerssuddenlyfroze.Clearandcoldcameavoice.Itwaslow,butithadapeculiartimbre,onethatmadeitcarryplainanddistinctly.ItwasthevoiceofDocSavage.

“I’llsoonbethere,”Docsaid.

ChapterIII.AGIRLCALLSBUTDocSavagewasfarfromthewater-frontbattlescene.

Hisbronzeskingleaminginthereflectedglowfromaninstrumentboard,hisflakegoldeyesintentonthestorythoseinstrumentstold,hewasfarevenfromcivilization.Seatedintheinclosedcockpitofaspeedyplanethatwasthetypepilotscalla“flyingmotor,”DocSavagedidnotappearbig.Butthatwasduetotheremarkablesymmetryofhisbody.Hishairwasstraight,andbronzelikehisskin.Cordedmusclesshowedonthebacksofthehandsthatheldthecontrols.Hisfeatureswereclassicandcalm.Seldomdidhesmileorshowemotion.

Theroarofthepowerfulmotorcamebutfaintlyinsidethecockpit.Forthatcockpitwasheavilyinsulated.Ithadtobe.Theplanewasflyingthousandsoffeetupintheair,farupinthesubstratosphere.Itwaswingingforwardatnearlyfivehundredmilesanhour.

ThesoundofDoc’sstrange,impellingvoicehadshockedthethugsinNewYork.Theywouldhavebeenmoreshockediftheyhadknownjusthowfarawayhewaswhenhehadspoken.Theywouldhavethoughtitmagic.Therewasnomagicaboutit.Onthepaneldirectlybeforethebronzemanwasasmalltelevisionset.Aboveitwasthespeakerofashort-waveradio.Amikewasnearathand.

ThecarLongTomandJohnnyhadusedwassimilarlyequipped.DochadseenpartofthefightinNewYork;hehadheardJohnny’scryforhelp.Thebronzeman’sreplyhadmerelycomefromtheloudspeakerinthecarhisaidshadoccupied.NowthebronzemanwasspeedingtowardNewYork.HehadmissedLongTom’searlier

calls.Atthattimehehadnotbeeninhisplane.

CasualacquaintanceshadoftenwonderedwhereDocSavageeverfoundtimetomaintainhisamazinggrasponeverydevelopmentofscience,tostudyandkeepaheadofamajorityofthosedevelopments.Thesecretwasquitesimple.Farinthenorthhehadahiddenretreat—his“FortressofSolitude.”Here,whenthingswerequiet,thebronzemanwouldseeksolitudeforthetremendousconcentrationofwhichhewascapable,wouldtrynewexperiments,perfectnew

concentrationofwhichhewascapable,wouldtrynewexperiments,perfectnewadvancesinmedicinethatwouldsavethousandsoflives,wouldsolvesomeproblemthathadlongpuzzledchemists.

Hewasreturningfromsuchatripnow.Forsixmonthshehadbeenapartfromtheworld.Anditwasplainthathewasreturningjustintime.

InasurprisinglyshorttimeDoc’splanediveddownfromtheheavenstocirclethelightsofManhattan.Minutesmore,anditwasdroppinggentlytothewatersoftheHudsonRiver,glidingsmoothlytowardthedingywarehousethatborethesign,“HidalgoTradingCo.”DocwastheHidalgoTradingCo.Heownedthepierandwarehouse.Fromanadjoiningpier,asmallmanslippedawayunobtrusively.Hisclose-seteyesgleamedwickedlyinthedarkness.Atacornercigarstoreheslippedintoaphonebooth,dialedanumber.

“He’shere,chief,”hesaidcurtly.“Thebronzeboyhimself…OK…Yeah,I’llkeephimcovered.”

DOCSAVAGEhadnowayofknowingthathismovementswerebeingwatched.Yethemovedinconspicuouslyashemadehiswaytotheskyscraperwherehehadhisoffices.Hisprivateelevatorshothimtotheeighty-sixthfloor.

Inthehallway,hemovedsoundlessly.Justoutsidethedoorhepaused,hisflake-goldeyesnarrowingslightly.Afaintwhisperofsoundcamethroughthehallway.Itwassolowthatthenormalearwouldhavemissedit.

Seemingalmosttofloat,soswiftly,yetsosilentlydidhemove,thebronzemandrifteddownthehallway.Hestoppedbeforeanapparentlysolidsectionofwall.Alow-pitchedwhispercamefromhislips—awhisperthatcouldnothavebeenheardtwofeetaway.Instantlyasectionofthewallmeltedawayandanopeningappeared.Docvanishedwithin.Theopeningclosed.

Thebronzemanwasstandinginoneoftherearroomsofhissuiteofoffices.Itwasdark,buthemovedwithouthesitation,openedasmallpanel,flickedaswitch.

Lightglowedonatinyscreen.Adeskandseveralchairscameintoview.Onthescreenappearedapictureofthefrontoffice.Andinonecorner,barelyvisible,wasacrouchingfigure!

wasacrouchingfigure!

Forseveralmomentsthebronzemanstudiedthesceneintently.Thenheflickedoffthesmalltelevisionset.

Asecondlater,Docopenedanotherpanel.Aqueersetofassortedswitchescameintoview.Abovethemweretwohuge,oval,mercurytubes.Adulllightglowedinthetubesasthebronzemanpushedtheswitcheshome.Afainthumsoundedforaninstant,rosetoahighpitch,thendiedout.Docwalkedover,openedthedoor,andenteredcalmlyintotheroomwherethecrouchingfigurelurked.

Agirlglancedup.Inherhandsheheldasmall,deadlyautomatic.Longblackcurlsframedanalmostflawlessface.

Shesawtheopeningdoor.Sheshrieked,raisedhergunandfired.Inthesameinstantshehurledtwoblackcylindersshehadinherotherhandtothefloor.Thecylindersshatteredintomanypieces.“TowhatamIindebtedforyourcall?”camethelow,peculiarlycarryingvoiceofDocSavage.Foraninstantitappearedthegirlwasgoingtofaint.Thegundroppedfromhernervelessfingers.Herdarkeyeswerestrainedwide,terrorshowingintheirdepths.

Frantically,thoseeyesprobedeveryhiddenrecessoftheroom,everydarkcorner.Theycouldseenothing.

“A—atrick!”shebreathed.

Stronghandscaughtherwrists,liftedhereasilyfromherfeet.Andifthegirlhadbeenfrightenedbefore,nowshewaspanic-stricken.Shecouldfeelthegripofthosehands,knewtheremustbesomeonetherebeforeher,someonewhohadgrabbedher.Hertonguestucktothetopofhermouth.Shetriedtoscream,butemittedonlyafaintmoan.Hereyesdroppeddown—andherheartseemedtostop.Shecouldnotseeherownbodyeither.She,also,hadbecomeinvisible.

Sheslumped,inert.

HADthegirlretainedconsciousness,shewouldhaveunderstoodmuch.Shewascarriedtoasmallsofa,laidtheregently.ThenaclicksoundedfromtheadjoiningroomasDocreleasedtheswitcheshehadpressedafewmomentsbefore.

before.

Almostimmediatelyhebecamevisibleagain.Therewasnothingsupernaturalaboutanyofit.Thefaintsoundthebronzemanhadheardinthehallwayhadtoldhimsomeonehadbrokenintohisoffice.Thelowwhisperhehadgivenhadmerelybeenthepropertonetooperateafamiliarrobot,amechanicaldevicethatopenedaslidingpanelinawallthatlookedsolid.Andwhilebecominginvisiblewasnotcommonplace,itwassomethingthathadbeendone

before.

Theswitcheshehadoperatedhadreleasedaseriesofshorthigh-poweredlightwaves,knownasinvisiblerays.Asthoseraysstruckahumanbeing,thathumangraduallyvanishedsimplybecausetheeyecouldnotdistinguishitwhenpenetratedbythespeedingbeams.Dochadnotinventedtheprocess;thathadbeendonebyStephanPribil,aHungarianscientist.Butthebronzemanhadimprovedit,sothatinvisibilitycamealmostimmediately.Thebronzemankneltbesidethegirl,heldsmellingsaltsunderhernose.Shestirredrestlessly,halfopenedhereyes,onlytoclosethem.

“Whosentyouhere?”

Doc’svoicedroppedevenlowerthanusual.Itheldaqueer,hypnoticquality.“I—IcamebecauseIwishedto.”

Thewordscamefromthegirl’slipsdully,thevoicethatofapersonspeakinginhissleep.

“Whatdidyouwish?”“IcametodestroyarecordIknewyoumusthave.Icametokeep—”

Withstartlingsuddennessthegirlpullederectonthesofa.Fear,tingedwithhorror,flamedinherdarkeyes.Onehandpressedagainstherlips.

“Youareinnodanger,”DocSavagesaidquietly.Thegirl’seyessoughtthebronzeman’sface.

“DocSavage,”shebreathed.

Thebronzemannodded.“Nowifyouwillexplainwhoyouare,andwhatyoudesiredhere?”hesuggested.

Fearreturnedtohereyes.“I—Ican’t!Ican’t!”“Butyoumust.ItisnecessarythatIknow.Someonehasseizedtwoofmymen.Imustknow—”Docbrokeoffsuddenly.Ahideousuproarhadburstlooseinthehallwayjustoutsidethedoor.

Thesoundswerealmostindescribable.Firstcamethelordlyroarofabullape,afearsomesound.Itwasfollowedinstantlybytheshrillgruntofanangeredpig.

Asthegirl’slipspartedandherhandsclenched,therewasafuriousburstoffighting.Thepigseemedtobegoingwildasitsquealedinrage.Thebullape’sroarsincreasedinviolence.Therewasasudden,desperatesquealfromtheape,thenarippingsound,asifthatapehadbeentornintwo.

Thedoorburstopen.Aganglingfigurewithlong,apelikearmsappeared.Ithadatitanicchest,withpracticallynohips,andthesmalleyeswerealmostlostinpitsofgristle.Coarse,reddishhaircoveredtheskin.

Behindthatfigurecamealean,dappermanwhocouldhavepassedasafashionplateatanytime,sowellwashedressed.Hewaswavingacanefuriously,hisfaceredwithanger.

“Thatblastedpigcan’twinallthetime!”heroared.“MeetLieutenantColonelAndrewBlodgettMayfair,knownasMonkforquiteobviousreasons,”Docsaid,withjustasuspicionofasmile.“Pursuinghim,dressedinthelatestmodeasusual,isBrigadierGeneralTheodoreMarleyBrooks,moreoftencalledHam.”

Therewassuddensilence.Thegirl’sglancewentfromonetotheotherofthenewcomerswithquickcomprehension.

“Monk”stoppedasifhehadrunintoaten-tontruck.Aslowflushcreptoverhishomelyface.“Ham”grinnedopenly,hisangerdisappearingasquicklyasithadcome.ItalwaysamusedhimtoseeMonkgetflusteredinthepresenceofaprettygirl.

“Itwasthisapeheremakingallthenoise,”heexplainedmaliciously.“Somewherehefoundanout-of-workradioimitatorwhotaughthimtomakethosehideoussounds.He’sbeenmakingthemeversince,alwayspretendinghe’sapiglickinganape.”“Atleasthehasn’tbeenabletofigureoutanywayfortheapetolickthepig,”Monkputin.Histhin,childlikevoicealwayscameasashocktothosewhofirstheardit.Itsoundedsooutofplacecomparedwithhishulkingframe.Docsaidnothingforthemoment.MonkandHamwerealwaysfightingeachotherwhentherewasnooneelsetofight.Theirquarrelingdated

fightingeachotherwhentherewasnooneelsetofight.TheirquarrelingdatedfarbacktoWardays.

Yetdespitethefactthattheyneverseemedtowork,HamwasknownasHarvard’sgifttothelegalprofession,anoutstandingattorney;andMonkwasagiftedchemist.

“WhathappenedtoJohnnyandLongTom?”Docaskedquietly.

Levityfadedfromthefacesoftheothertwo.“That’swhatwereallycameupheretoseeifwecouldlearn,”Hamsaidseriously.“Forsomereason,theyseemtohavebeenkidnaped.Idon’tthinkit’sanythingserious,althoughIdon’tknow.“WeweretomeetthemfordinneratReefer’s.Wegottherejustafterthey’dbeenseized.Wasquiteafight,fromwhatwitnessestoldus.TheyweretakenofftowardthepiersatthelowerendofSouthStreet,andprobablyputinaboat.Wesearchedwithoutfindingaclue.”

“Unlessoneremarkweheardmeanssomething,”Monkpipedup.“ItalkedtoakidwhowasclosetothecarthatcarriedLongTomandJohnnyaway.Hetoldmesomethingthathesaidhe’doverheardthatsoundedasifhewashavingapipedream.”

“Whatwasthat?”Docaskedswiftly.“Hesaidheheardoneofthecrewsay:‘Iwouldn’twanttobetheseguys.They’regonnaseethemenaceofthelivingfire.’”

Agaspcamefromthegirl.Thethreewhirledtowardher.

Hereyeswerewideandstaring.Herlipsmoved,butnosoundcame.Onceagainshefainted.

ChapterIV.STINGERSTRIKESTWOmenstoodjustoutsidethedooroftheoffice.OnewasPetrodYardoff.Hetookasmall,cup-shapedinstrumentawayfromthedoor,tookheadphonesfromhisears.“Wearejustintime,”hewhispered.

Hiscompanionshudderedslightly.Hewasalsodressedinrubberclothes,butsowellwerethoseclothesmadethatfewwouldhaveguessedtheircomposition.Thin,flesh-coloredglovescoveredhishands;tennisshoeswereonhisfeet.

“Thiswillbeallthatisaskedofme?”hequavered.“Thiswillbeall,Meeker,”

“Thiswillbeallthatisaskedofme?”hequavered.“Thiswillbeall,Meeker,”Yardoffsaid.Histhinlipstwistedsardonically.“Afterthis,youwillbe—free.”

Theother’sshouldersbunched;ashrewdgleamflashedforamomentindeep-seteyes.

“Iamready,”hesaid.“Good.”OneofYardoff’shandsslippedunnoticedintoapocket.Itcameoutholdingasmallvial.Ashetalkedswiftly,hisfingersloosenedthecork.Awhiteliquidpouredout,seepedunderthefeetofhiscompanion.

“Besureyoumaketheargumentstrongenough,”Yardoffconcluded.“TelljustenoughofthetruthtoarouseDocSavage’sinterest.Thatisallthatis—”

Hiscompanionwaitedfornomore.Hislipscametogetherfirmly.Heopenedthedoor,walkedintothebronzeman’soffice.Hamspun;theendofhiscaneslippedofftorevealalong,deadlysword.Monk,leaningoverthegirl,whippederect,jerkedtohisfeet,longarmsswinging.“Watchthegirl,Monk,”Docsaidquietly.Thenewcomerclosedthedoorcarefullybehindhim.Hisfacewasworkingwithsomestrangeemotion.

Thenfearflashedovertherubber-cladman’sface;hisfeatureschangedfromaqueercherry-redtothecolorofchalk.Hedancedwildlyfromonefoottotheother.“Watchout,Doc!”hescreamed.“IwassentheretotrytolureyoutoCalifornia,toSandrit.IwastoldI’dbefreeifIdidthat.I’vebeentricked!I’mgoingtodie!”Salivatrickledweirdlyfromthecornersofhismouth.

“Don’tgotoSandrit!Stayfarawayfromthere.Themenaceofthelivingfireprotectsit,killsall—”

Thewordsbrokeoffinascream.Therewasasuddenflashoffire—firethatcamefrominsidetheman’srubbersuit.Theman’sbodyjerkedviolently;hiseyesalmostpoppedfromhishead.Theodorofburnedrubberandburnedfleshfilledtheroom.

Themanfell.Hewasquitedead.

Apeculiar,trillingsoundfilledtheroom.Itseemedtocomefromnoparticularplace,yetfromeverywhere.ItwasthesoundDocSavageunconsciouslymadewhenhewassurprised.WithMonkandHamathisheels,hedartedtothesideofthefallenman.

thefallenman.

Outside,PetrodYardoffsmiledthinlyasoncemorehereplacedhislisteningdeviceinhispocket.Hehadexpectedhiscompaniontotrytodouble-crosshim,totryandgiveawarning.

Thathadbeenjustwhathewanted.FromwhathehadheardofDocSavage,thebronzemannowwouldleavenostoneunturneduntilhehadtriedtosolvethemystery.

“BUTwhatcausedit?”Monk’schildlikevoicewasfilledwithwonderment.

“Aboltoflightning!”Hamsnappedimpatiently.“Theresultsareaboutthesameatanyrate,”Docagreedquietly.“Doyounoticethattherubbersuitheiswearingisuntouchedontheoutside?Thefirethatdestroyedhimcamefromwithin.”

“Andhementionedthemenaceofthelivingfire,”Monkbreathed.“Say.That’swhatthatkidsaidJohnnyandLongTomwasgonnahavetoface.”

Thebronzemannoddedsoberly.“Iamafraidtheyareingreatdanger,”hesaidslowly.Monkjumpedup,fairlydancedabout.“Thenlet’sgetgoing!Whatarewewaitingfor?”

“Doyourecognizethisguy?”Hamaskedsuddenly.Docinclinedhishead.“HewasDarrenMeeker,onceaverygreatscientist,”hesaid.“Meekerkilledamansomeyearsago,andwascommittedtoanasylum.”

“Andescapedaboutfourmonthsago,verymysteriously.Ithappenedwhileyouwereaway,”Hamadded.“Holycow!”Theexpressioncameinanawedtoneofvoice.Docglancedup.

Ahugemanstoodinthedoorway—amanagoodsixfeetfourinchestall,whomusthaveweighedovertwohundredandfiftypounds.Hisfacewassevere,themouththinandgrim.Thatmouthwassettightlynow,thefeaturespuritanical.Bonymonstrositiesoffistshungattheendofenormousarms.

“You’rejustintime,Renny!”Monkhowled.“Butwhat—”

Swiftly,Hamsketchedwhathadoccurred.Thepuritanicallookgrewevenmore

Swiftly,Hamsketchedwhathadoccurred.ThepuritanicallookgrewevenmoresevereonthefaceofColonelJohnRenwick.Onehugefistsmackedintoanequallybigpalm,asifheweretryingtobatterdownadoor—oneofhisfavoritepastimes.“Yousaythisfellowjustwalkedin,bellowedawarning,thenwentupinfire?”heasked

wonderingly.

“Right!”snappedHam.“Hmm.”Thecornersof“Renny’s”mouthdrewdowndisapprovingly.“Iwonder.Don’tseemlikely.ButIwonderifthatgirlIsawgoingdownthestairwaycouldhavehadanythingtodowiththis.Shesurewasabeauty,butbeautydoesn’talways—”AhowlcamefromMonk.Hispiglikeeyeswerestaringwithcompletedisillusionmentatthesofawherethegirlhadbeen.Thatsofawasemptynow.Thegirlwasgone.

DOCturned,lookedatMonk.Thehairychemist’seyesdropped.“Yeah,I—Iknow,”heapologizedweakly.“Iwassupposedtowatchher.ButIgotexcited—”

“Thegirlmaynotholdthekeytothismystery,butIamsureshehasinformationthatweneed,”thebronzemansaidslowly.“Andthisapelethergetaway,”Hamjeered.

Docwalkedovertoasmall,squareboxonthedesk.Heopenedtheback,tookouthalfadozenslipsofpaper,handedoneeachtoMonk,HamandRenny.

“But—butthesearepicturesofthegirl,”Rennysaid.“Right.”Doc’svoicewasmatteroffact.“Itriedoutthisnewcamerawhileshewashere.Completeprintsaremadeinthematterofsecondsanddroppedthroughaslotintotherearofthecameratodry.”

Renny’smouthdroppedopen,buthesaidnothing.HehadseentoomanyofDoc’sinventionstobegreatlysurprised.“ThatgirlwasfromtheWest.Heraccentshowedthat,”thebronzemanwenton.“Shemustbestoppingatsomehotel.Checkeachone,findoutwheresheis,andfindoutwhatsheknows.”

Asthedoorclosedbehindthethree,Docwenttoabookcasenearthefarwall.Thatbookcasehadbeenpulledout,disclosinganichethatheldamachine.Themachinewasatelephonicmonitor,andrecordedalltelephoneconversations.No

machinewasatelephonicmonitor,andrecordedalltelephoneconversations.Nodiskswereonthemonitornow,however.Thegirlhadfoundthem.Theywereshatteredonthefloor.

Thebronzemanworkedswiftly.Soonthediskshadbeenputtogetheragain.Docplayedthemover.HeheardZ-2’sconversationwithJohnny.HeheardJohnny’sconversationwiththefilling-stationattendant.

Foramomentthebronzeman’sflakegoldeyeswerehalfclosed.Hewenttothetelephone,placedacall.AfewminuteslaterandhewastalkingtotheyouthattheSandritfillingstation.Heaskedonlyonequestion.Hisqueer,trillingsoundfilledtheroomattheanswerhereceived.

SoonafterwardDocleftthebuilding.

DOCSAVAGEhadfriendsinmanyplaces.Thusitwasthathehadnodifficultyingainingaccesstothemorgueofthecity’slargestnewspaper.

Anewspapermorguecontainsclippingsfromscoresofpapersoneverythingthatisprinted.

TheeditorlookedatthebronzemanqueerlywhenheheardthetypeofclippingsDocwantedtosee,butheaskednoquestions.Soonseveralfolderswerelaidontheeditor’sdesk.DocSavageranthroughthemswiftly.Hewasinterestedonlyinthosedatedduringthelastsixmonths.

Thesmallmountainofclippingsgraduallyfaded.Atlastonlyfiveremainedofthemanyhehadread.

Thesefivethebronzemanrereadcarefully.Thestoriestheytoldcamefromwidelyseparatedpoints.Onesaid:SanQuentin,Cal.—TenprisonersescapedmysteriouslyfromSanQuentinpenitentiaryto-day.Themen,alltrustees,weretendingflowersintheouteryard.InsomemannertheyovercameandkilledHerbertYokes,thirty-two,theguard.Hisbody,badlyburned,wasfoundshortlyafterthemenmusthaveescaped.

Astrangefeatureofthecaseisthefactthattheirongateattheentrancetotheyardseemedtohavebeenmeltedasifanacetylenetorchhadbeenused,althoughprisonofficialssaythiswasimpossible.

AmongthosewhoescapedwasFrederickScone,aformeruniversityprofessorinchemistry,servingalifetermforthemurderofhiswife.Theotherswere—

Anotherclippingread:Albuquerque,N.M.—Aman,lateridentifiedas“Slug”Bremer,anescapedconvict,waskilledinstantlyhereto-daywhenstruckbyatrain.Bremerevidentlyhadfallenfromafreighttrain,onthemaintracksonlyamilefromtown,andwasrunoverbytheCaliforniaLimited.Hisbodywasbadlymangled.StrangeburnsthatseemedtocovertheentirebodycouldnotbeexplainedbyCoronerSmith.Ofthethreeotheritems,twotoldofmoreescapes,onefromaprison,inwhichmorethantwentytrustieshadgottenawayatthesametime.ThesecondtoldofabreakataMissouriasylum.Thethirdreportedthemysteriousdeathofanotherofthosewhohadgainedfreedom.

TheeditorwasstudyingDoc’sfacecuriously.“IfthereisanythingmoreIcando,”hebeganhopefully,“orifIcangetyouanymoreinformation—”“Thisissatisfactory,thankyou,”Docsaid.

Theeditorwatchedhimleavewithalongface.Inatelephoneboothinthelobby,Doccalledhisoffice.Thetelephonicmonitorhadbeenputbackinworkingorder.AtDoc’svoice,anothermechanicalrobotputtherecordinto

operation.Itrepeatedthelastcallreceived.

“Rennycallingintoreport,”cametherecordedvoice.“Ihavelocatedthegirl.SheisstayingattheMidtownHotel,hasjustcomeinandgonetoRoom1412.I’llkeepwatch.”Dochungup,startedforhiscarinfrontofthebuilding.

THEREwasasmall,privatealleywayonlyahundredyardsfromthefrontofthenewspaperbuilding.Inthisalleyway,twomenwerecrouching.Onerubbedhishandsnervouslyonahandkerchief,flickedthathandkerchiefbackintoonesleeve.

Hespokeoutofonecornerofhismouth.“You’resureeverythingisfixed?Theremustbenoslip-ups.Iwastoldtogetthisbronzedevilalive,butthat’stoodangerous.Iwanthimdead.”

Hiscompanionsquirmeduneasily.Heworegreasyoveralls,andhisfacewassmearedwithdirt.Heheldanodd-shapedobjectinhishands.“It’dtakemorethanamiracletosavethatmug,”hegrowledsourly,“evenifheis—”

thanamiracletosavethatmug,”hegrowledsourly,“evenifheis—”

HebrokeoffasStinger’shandcamedownonhisarm.

DocSavagehademergedfromthebuilding.Thebronzemanglancedupanddownthestreetrapidly.Thecaratthecurbwasabig,inclosedjob,similartotheoneLongTomandJohnnyhadused.Thedoorwaslocked.Doctookoutakey,reachedtowardthelock.

Atthealleyway,Stingerdrewalongsighofrelief.“Istillwishwehadtherealthingtoworkonthisguy,”hemuttered,“buttheplaythingyou’vegotriggedupshouldwork.”Docinsertedthekeyinthecardoor,startedtoopenit.

BesideStinger,hisoveralls-cladcompanionworkedontheodd-shapedobjectheheldinhishands.Therewasafaint,hummingnoise.Doc’sbigfigureseemedtojerkerect.Firedancedaboutthecar.Flamescrackledandjumped.Womenscreamed.Theeditorstoodfrozen,facevacant.Foramomentthebronzemanappearedabsolutelyrigid.Apeculiarodorfilledtheair.

Stinger’scompanionworkedagainontheodd-shapedobjectheheld.

Thebronzeman’sfingersfellnervelesslyfromthecardoor.Hisbigframecrumpledtothesidewalk.Stingerlaughed,lipsdrawnbackfromhisteeth.

“Let’sgo,punk!”hegrated.“Thingsaregoin’tobeevenhotterthanthataroundhereassoonastheylearnthatbronzedevilisreallydead.”

ChapterV.ACALLTOTHEMORGUE

RENNYhadexpectedDoctoreceivehismessage.HewaitedforatimeinthelobbyoftheMidtownHotel.Waitingbecametiresome.

Toweringhighaboveothersinthelobby,heapproachedthedesk.“Who’sin1412?”herumbled.Theclerkglanceduphaughtily,inspectedhisfingernailswithelaborateunconcern.“Andyourbusiness?”heaskedsnippily.

Rennyplacedonehuge,bonymonstrosityofafistonthedesk.Heclosedthatfistuntilitlookedlikearoughchunkofiron.

“DidyoueverhearofDocSavage?”heaskedsoftly.“Or”—hisfistroseandfell

“DidyoueverhearofDocSavage?”heaskedsoftly.“Or”—hisfistroseandfellexpressively—“doesthislooklikeabetterargument?”Theclerkgulped.“D-DocSavage.Whydidn’tyousayso?GladtodoanythingforafriendofMr.Savage.It—ah—MissVirginiaHoskins,ofSandrit,California,isin1412.Averybeautifulgirl.”

Renny’smouthdrewdowndisapprovingly.“Anyonewithher?”“Yes.Ah—aMr.ClementHoskins,alsoofSandrit,isregisteredinanadjoiningroomwithaMr.PetrodYardoff.”“Knowanythingaboutthem?”

“Ah—whyyes.Mr.H-Hoskins,Iunderstand,ownsafactoryofsomekindinSandrit.Heisastout,veryjollysortoffellow.Mr.Yardoff,Ibelieve,isconnectedwithhiminabusinessway.He—ah—doesnotseemsojolly.Averyslender,tallsortofchap.”

Rennynodded.Acrossthelobby,concealedbyapillar,averytall,slendermanjerkedhisheadtotwocompanions.Hiseyeswerenarrowslits.Swiftly,thethreemadetheirwaytoanelevator.TheydisappearedjustasRennyturnedawayfromthedesk.Thebigengineerrodetheelevatortothefifteenthfloor,walkeddownoneflight,andapproached1412withsilenttread.Aneartothedoor,helistenedcarefully,butheardnothing.Heknockedsoftly.Afaintstirsoundedinsidetheroom,thenceased.Therewasabuzz,whichmighthavebeenawhisperedconversation.

OncemoreRennyknocked.

Alockturned.Thedooropenedaninch.ThedarkeyesofVirginiaHoskins,frightshowingintheirdepths,appearedfleetingly.“Whatdidyourunawayfor?”Rennydemandedprimly.“Docwantedtotalktoyou.”

“I—Ineversawyoubefore,”Virginiastammered.Shetriedtopushthedoorclosed.Rennyputonebigfootintheopening.Itwasasifasmall-sizedgunboathadmovedin.

“P-please,pleasego,”thegirlwhispered.Rennysnorted.“Monkmightfallforthat,butnotme,”heannounced—andpushedthedoorwideashesteppedinside.

Ablackjackcaughthimexpertly,squarelyatthebaseofthebrain,withforceenoughtocrushanordinaryskull.

Rennykeptongoingforward—rightonhisface.Allsixfootfourofthebig

Rennykeptongoingforward—rightonhisface.Allsixfootfourofthebigengineersprawled,immensearmsoutstretched.Stronghandsgrabbedhimunderthearmpits,yankedhiminside.Thedoorclosedsoftly.

HAMalsothoughtMonkmightfallpreyagaintothosedarkpoolsofenchantryifheshouldencounterthegirl.ThedapperlawyerwasgladwhenhereachedtheMidtownHotelthathedidnotseethehairyformofhisfriendaround.Monkwasgoodinafight,nonebetter;butwhenitcametothefairsexhequiteoftenseemedtoparkhisbrainsathome.

Ham’sfaceshowednosignofconcentrationashewalkedacrossthelobby,buthewasthinkingswiftly.HealsohadreceivedtherobotmessagefromRenny,andheknewthebigengineershouldbewaiting;butRennywasn’tinsight.Hamdidn’tgonearthedesk.Ifanythingwaswrong,someonewouldbesuretobewatchingthere.Hedriftedbackthroughthediningroom,throughasidedoor,andracedupstairs.Thedapperlawyerwasbreathingalittleheavilyashereachedthefourteenthfloor.Theclimbwasalongone,evenforamaninperfectcondition.

Thenhiseyesnarrowed,hishandtightenedontheswordcanehecarried.

Lightswereoutinthehallway.Somewhere,closeathand,hecouldhearfaintbreathing.Hamheldhisbreathaslongashecould.Doubledover,hereachedthetopofthestairsinasilentleap—andjumpedtooneside.

Somethingswishedbyoneear.Aheavyformlungedtowardhim.Hamspun,fastasadancer,jerkedthelongbladeofhisswordfreefromthecane.Bigarmswrappedaroundhim.Theswordwasknockedfromhishandtofallonthethickcarpetofthehallway.Ham’selbowshotback,landedwithsatisfyingsolidnessjustbelowtheribs.

Hisassailantsaid“Whoof!”andputonebigpawoverHam’sface,almostcuttingoffhiswind.Themanmadesmall,animal-likenoisesashespunthedapperlawyeraround,sluggedhimhardonthesideofthehead.

Ham’sheadrang.Hisrightfistshotup,caughttheotherunderthechin,staggeringhim.Thehandcameawayfromhisface.“Stopit,youovergrownape!”Hamyelled.

Theothersigheddeeply.“Dangit,”cameMonk’spipingvoice,“andIreallythoughtI’dcaughtsomething!Butitturnsouttobeaclothing-storeshyster!”

“WHAT’Shappened?”Hamasked,stillstrugglingtogethiswind.

“Iwaswatchingtoseewhenyoucameblunderingalong,”Monkcomplained.“Idousedthelights,soifthatgirldidcomebyIcouldn’tseeherface.ThenIcouldtalktoher.Butnobody’sbeeninoroutofthatroom.”

“Let’sgo.Something’swrong!”Hamrappedswiftly.AmuffledmurmurofvoicescamefromRoom1412.

“Doesn’tseemlikeagirl’sroomtome,”Monkmuttered.

“Unlessshe’sentertaining,”Hamagreed.Heknockedloudlyonthedoor.Therewasaroaroflaughterfrominsidetheroom.Nooneansweredthesummons.

Monk’spiglikeeyessankdeeperbackinhishead;ascowlcrossedhishomelyface.Hisfistshookthedoorpanel.

“Beatit!”aroughvoiceadvised.Monk’sfaceassumedahurtexpression.“Idon’tliketodothis,”hesaid,hischildlikevoiceannoyed.“It’sreallyRenny’sjob,butheain’there.So—”

Hishugefistssmashedintothedoorpanelwithallhisapelikestrengthbehindtheblow.Thepanelsplit.Calmlyheputonehandthroughtheopening,turnedthelockandopenedthedoor.

WithHamathisheels,Monkpushedintotheroom.Thentheyfroze.“DidRennymakeamistakeintheroomnumber?”Hamwonderedaloud.

Itseemedthatway.Certainlynogirlwasintheroomnow.Instead,fourmenwerethere.Theywereseatedaboutacardtable.Chipswerebeforethem.Theroomwasfullofcigarettesmoke.Thegreen-shirteddealerwasrisingfromhischair.Hishandstartedforagunthathunginashoulderholster.

“Whatisthis,araid?”hesnapped.Monklumberedforward,longarmsswinging,halfcrooked.Oneofthosearmsshotout.“Greenshirt’s”handwasknockedfromthebuttofhisgun;hewasspunhalfwayaround.“Youboysbeen

knockedfromthebuttofhisgun;hewasspunhalfwayaround.“Youboysbeenplayingherelong?”Monkinquiredmildly.

“Notthatit’sanyofyourbusiness,”sneeredoneoftheplayers,“butwe’vebeenhereforthelasttwohours.”

“Yeah?”Monk’svoicewasdeceivinglybland.“Funny.Lotsofsmokeinhere,sureenough.Buttherearenocigarettebuttsintheashtrays—andthescentofawoman’sperfumeisstillstrongintheair.”Greenshirt’shandwaslightningfastasitwentforhisgun.Monkhardlyseemedtomove.

ThenMonkheldtheguninonehugepaw,whilewiththeother,hecaughtGreenshirtbythecollar,liftedhimup,thensmashedhimdownsohardthechairbuckledunderhim.

“Ireallywouldliketoplaygames,”thehairychemistinvitedplaintively.

Hamwasgrinningtightly.Lightglitteredonthebrightbladeofhisswordcane.Theotherthreecardplayershadbeencaughtflat-footed.Theysat,handspartlyraised,mouthsopen.“IsuggestwestartbyplayingthegamecalledTruth,”Hamproposed.“Wewantsomeinformationastowhathashappenedtosomefriendsofours.”

“Gotohell!Wedon’tknownothingaboutanyfriendsofyours,”Greenshirtsneered.

Monklookedveryhurt.Heputhisheadforward,invitingly.Withoutwarning,Greenshirtkickedhimviciouslyonashin.“Dangit!”Monkhowled.Hedancedaround,onefootintheair.

Greenshirtthoughthesawhischance.Heduckedhishead,buttedMonkhardinthebelly.Anotherofthecardplayersgrabbedagun.

Monk,hispiglikeeyesblazing,caughtGreenshirtbythemiddle,threwhimacrossthetableintothegunman.Thetwowentdown.Withouthesitation,thehairychemistleapedafterthem.Inthesameinstant,someoneupsetthetable.ItcaughtHamoffguard,knockedtheswordcaneoutofhishand.

“Holdeverything,folks!”avoiceblaredloudly.

THEfightingceased.Sixfigureshaltedinvariedandassortedattitudes.Itwasaninstantbeforetheyrealizedthewordshadcomefromaradioloudspeakerintheroom.Beforetheycouldresumethestruggle,thevoicewenton—andsixpairofearsstrainedtocatcheveryword.“I’vegothotnews,folks,aflashrightoffthegriddlethatinvolvestwoofthetrustedaidsofthefamousDocSavage.”

Thevoicehesitatedamoment,thenwentonwithmachine-gunrapidity.“YouallknowDocSavage,folks,thatfamousadventurer,who,withhisfiveaids,isalwaysfightingagainstinjustice.Twoofthoseaidswillneverfightagain.”

Thenewsannouncerhalteddramatically.“Aflashhasjustreachedmefromtheharborpolice,folks.Therewasanexplosiononaspeedboat,anhourago.Howmanywerekilledhasnotbeendefinitelyascertained,asyet.Buttwobodieswererecovered.Thosebodieswerebadlyburned.Buttheywereidentifiedfromwater-soakedpapersintheirpockets.

“Theywere:MajorThomasJ.Roberts,knowntohisfriendsasLongTom,andWilliamHarperLittlejohn,calledJohnny.LongTom,asyouknow,wasawizardwithelectricity.Johnnywasafamousarchaeologistandgeologist.

“Justwhatcausedtheexplosionhasnotasyetbeenlearned.Apassingtugboat—”

Thevoicewenton.MonkandHamwerenolongerlistening.

Ham’sfacewaswhite.“Thatwasnoaccident!”hegrated.“Theywerekilled!”“AndIthinkmaybethesemugscantellussomething.”Monk’svoicewashardlyrecognizable.

Thegunmenwerehuddledtogether.Threehadtheirguns.Thoseweaponswereintheirhands,buttheylookedfearfuljustthesame.

“We’llshoot,”quaveredone.Monkspun,startedtoadvance.

“Asuper-flash,folks!Asuper-flash!”Theexcitementinthenewsannouncer’svoicepenetratedeventheredhazethatseemedtofloatbeforeMonk’seyes.“DocSavagehimselfhasmetwithamishap,aseriousone.Somethingbigmustbebreaking,folks.Thisflashjustcamein.AsDocSavagestartedtogetinhiscarinfrontoftheGlobeoffice,justfifteenminutesago,therewasaterrificflash.Itmusthavebeenelectrical.DocSavagewentdown—

“Waitaminute,folks!Hereitis:DocSavage,thefamousadventurer,wasinstantlykilledto-nightwhenhewaselectrocutedinsomemannerashestartedtoenterhiscar!Hisbodyisbeingtakentothemorgue—”

“TheMorgue!I’mgoingthere!”Monkmoaned.Heturned,racedfromtheroom.Hamwasclosebehind,stoppingonlytopickuphisswordcane.

ChapterVI.ACHALLENGEACCEPTEDGREENSHIRTgrinnedsheepishlyandgottohisfeet.“Wecould’a’got‘eminthelongrun,butjustthesame,I’mgladthosebabiesleft,”hesaid.“Let’splaycardsawhile.Thejobisoverwith.”Cardsweredealt.Chipsclinked.

“What’sitallabout,anyway?”askedthesmallmanwithclose-seteyes.Greenshirtglancedaboutnervously.“NotevenStingerknows.Butit’stiedupwiththeliving-firedeathweheardabout.”“Theliving-firedeath!”Thesmallmanshivered.“Idon’twantnothingto—”

“Quiet!”

Greenshirtwastense.Perspirationappearedonhisface.Hisheadturned,aninchatatime,towardthewindowsthatlookedoutoverasidestreet.Oneofthosewindowswasraised.“You’rehearingthings,”jeeredthedealer.Heriffledthecardsrapidly.

“I—IthoughtIheardsomethingoutthere,”Greenshirtsaidshakily.Heglancedathishole

card.

“Acehigh,betsadollar,”saidthedealer.“I’mstaying—”startedGreenshirt.Heglancedatthewindowagain.

Heshrieked.Ahigh-pitchedshriekoffearthatfrozeintheroofofhismouth.

Afacehadappearedattheopenwindow.Itwaslookingincalmly,withoutexpression.Itwasabronzeface.ThefaceofDocSavage!Thecardplayerswhirled,satfrozenastheylookedatthefaceinthewindow.

Behindthem,theshattereddoorswungwide.StingerSalvatorewalkedin,two

Behindthem,theshattereddoorswungwide.StingerSalvatorewalkedin,twogunmenbehindhim.

Stinger’sfacewentblank.Helookedasifhewereseeingaghost.“Itcan’tbe!He’sdead!”Stingergasped.

Soundofhisvoiceseemedtobreakthespell.Thesmallmanwithclose-seteyescursedwithviolentrapidity.Hisgunappearedinhishand,belchedflamethreetimesinswiftsuccession.

Thefaceatthewindowdidnotmove,didnotchangeexpression.

THEsmallmanpridedhimselfasamarksman.Itdidnotseempossiblethathecouldhavemissedatsuchaclosedistance.Hewassurehisbulletshadstrucksquarelyinthecenterofthatbronzeforehead.

Awhimperingsoundcamefromthegunman’slips.Oncemorehefingeredthetriggerofhisgun,sentleadscreamingthroughthewindow,directlyattheplainlyseentarget.

Thebronzefacewavered,butdidnotdisappear.Stingertriedtocryout.Hefoundhehadlosthisvoice.Hislegswantedtorunbuthismuscleswouldnotobeyhismind.Thenabronzethunderbolthit!

Thethunderboltdidnotcomethroughtheopenwindow.Itappearedthroughthedoorthatledtoanadjoiningroom.

ThatthunderboltwasDocSavage.Hedivedthroughthedoorinaflyingtackle.HewasheadeddirectlyforStingerSalvatore.Thesmallgunmanrosesuddenlyfromhischair.HewasdirectlyinfrontofDoc’sflyingfigure.Thebronzemanstruckhim,crashedintothetable.Thetablecollapsed.

Theroombecamefilledwithstruggling,surgingfigures.Someweretryingtofight.Someweretryingtoescape.Agunspokesharplyandagunmancollapsedasthebulletintendedforthebronzemanfoundanothervictim.

Theshotshadattractedattention.Thehotelwasinanuproar.Outside,inthehallway,womenwerescreaming.Inthedistancecouldbeheardtheapproachingsirensofpolice

cars.

Doccaughttwoofthethugs,smashedtheirheadstogether.Athirddroppedasstrongfingerscaughtthebackofhisneck,bringingquickunconsciousness.Stingerwentawayfromthere.Hewentswiftly.Hewentinasclosetoapanicashehadeverbeen.Thehallwayswerefilledwithfrightened,millingpeople.Itwaseasyforthegangleadertodartintothecrowdanddisappear.

Thehousedetectiveburstintotheroom.Behindhimcameanavalancheofblue-cladfigures,carryingriotguns.

Doclookedatthemcalmly.Sixpronefigureswerescatteredabouttheroom.“But—butMr.Savage.Ithoughtyouweredead!Theradiosaidso!”gulpedthehousedetective.

Docignoredthequestionintheother’svoice.Incalm,briefsentences,heexplainedthathehadbeenlookingforRenny,hadbeenfiredonbyaroomfilledwiththugs.HesaidnothingaboutStinger.Thepolicewerecurious.Theyaskedsomequestions.Buttheydidnotasktoomany.TheyknewDocratedhighwiththecommissioner.Theunconsciousgunmenwerecartedofftojail.Thepolicerestoredorderinthehotel.

WhenDochadtheroomtohimself,heexamineditclosely.Thenhewalkedtoaclosetdoor.Thedoorwaslocked.Withasmallinstrument,thebronzemanreleasedthelockinamatterofseconds.Heopenedthedoor.

Rennywashanginginside!

THEhugeengineer’sfeetweretied.Hishandswereboundbehindhim.Agaghadbeenthrustinhismouth,puffingouthischeeks.Docreachedin,freedthebackofRenny’scoatfromthehookthatwasholdinghimintheair.HetookthegagfromRenny’smouth.

“Holycow!”theengineergasped.“IthoughtyouweredeadandIwassureIwas.”Renny’slegswereweak.Theybuckledupwhenhetriedtostand.Doccarriedhimeasilytoabed,madehimcomfortablewhilehefreedhimfromhisbonds.“Whathappened?”Rennygulped.

“IwantedpeopletothinkIwasdeadforthetimebeing,”Docexplainedbriefly.

“IwantedpeopletothinkIwasdeadforthetimebeing,”Docexplainedbriefly.“Ihadthenewspapereditorinstructtheambulancedrivertoproceedtowardthemorgue.”

“Yeah,Iknow,”Rennyargued.“Butthatradioguysaidyouhadbeenelectrocuted.Itsoundedasifyouhadbeenkilledjustlikethatfellowatyouroffice.”“No.”Docshookhishead.“Therewasnothingmysteriousabouttheattackonme.Ahigh-poweredelectriclinehadbeenattachedtomycar,andthejuicewassteppedupthroughatransformerasItouchedit,butIwaswearingrubbergloves.Iwasunhurt.”

Rennywipedhisheadweakly,satup.Hestillhadbutlittlestrength.

“Thatgirltrickedme,too,”heconfessed.“Sheactedfrightened,andIpushedin.Somebodysluggedmefrombehind.Icametointheclosetandheardthemtalking.”Doc’sfacedidnotchange.“AndtheysaidtheyweregoingtoleaveNewYorkatonceandgotoSandrit,”hecontributed.

Renny’seyesbulged,hispuritanicalfeaturesshowedastonishment.“Buthow—howdidyouknow?”

“Someonewantsustogothereverymuch,”Docsaidslowly.“Thatisself-evident.Bypretendingtotryandkeepusaway,theyexpecttodecoyusthere.”“But—butthatfellowwhodiedintheoffice,wasthathispurpose?”

Docshookhishead.“No.Hesincerelymeanthiswarning.Butwhoeverwasbehindhimanticipatedwhathewouldsay,andwantedhimtosayit.”

“Iguessweareupagainstcleveropponents,”Rennyagreed.HethentoldDocwhattheclerkhadrevealedaboutaPetrodYardoffandClementHoskins.

“I’lltearthemlimbfromlimb!”achildlikevoicepromisedwithundeniableferocity.

“You’lldonothingofthesort.You’llleavethemaliveuntilwecanfindoutwhoisbehindthem,”asecondvoiceobjected.MonkandHamburstintotheroom.

ANincredulouslookofdelightcrossedthehomelychemist’sfeaturesashesawthebronzemanandRenny.Hamgrinneddelightedly.

“Itoldthishairymonstrosityfromtheantediluvianageitwouldtakemorethanagangofpunkstogetyou!”thelawyershouted.Monkwasmakingsmallnoises.Hewalkedtothewindow,reachedoutandpulledinthebronzefacethatfloatedthere.“Ectoplasm!”hesnorted.“Nothingbutbronzetissueclothinmanyfolds,cutintheformofamask,withsmallgascylindersatthetoptoholditintheair.”

Docignoredtheinterruption.“Atthestartallthismighthaveseemedarevengeplot.Itdoesnotnow.ToomanyeffortsarebeingmadetodecoyustoSandrit.”

“Willtherebeaction?”Monkdroppedtheectoplasmmask.“Westilldon’tknowwhathashappenedtoLongTomandJohnny,”Rennyremindedquietly.

Monksoberedinaninstant.“Wesawthetwobodiesatthemorguethatweretakenfromtheharbor.”

“Andtheywerethoseofescapedconvicts,”Docputinquietly.Ham’seyesgrewlarge.“Theywerebadlyburned.Iamsuretheyweren’tthoseofLongTomandJohnny,althoughidentificationisalmostimpossible.Butescapedconvicts—”

Thebronzemannodded.“Ibelievethatiswhataninvestigationwillshow.”

“AndLongTomandJohnny?”“Iamsuretheyarealive—atleastsofar.Iamjustassurethatitisintendedtheynevershallbeseenalive.”

“Iguesswe’llbemovingsoon,”Monksaid,“soI’llgetHabeasand—”

“I’mafraidnot,”Docwarned.“Thisfiremenaceistoodangeroustobringyourpetsalong.They’llhavetoremainbehind.”“ArewegoingtoSandritthen?”Rennydemanded.

Docnodded.“Atonce.Wewillacceptthechallengethathasbeenhurledatus.”

ChapterVII.AWILDDRIVERLONGTOMandJohnnywerealive.Thatwastheonlythingtheywereabsolutelysureabout.Theydidnotknowwheretheywere.Theydidnotknowwhotheircaptorswere.Theydidnotknowwhathadhappenedtothem.Theywerefairlycertain,however,thattheywerealong

wayfromNewYork.

LongTomtwistedawkwardlyuntilhecouldseeJohnny’sboundbody.Thearchaeologist’seyeswereopenbehindhisglasses,buttheyheldadazedlook.LongTomseemedevenmoreyellowandunhealthy-appearingthanbefore.Therewasonlyafainthumofnoisearoundthem.Theywerelyinginsmall,smellybunks.Thewallsoftheroomwereofsteel.

“Wegotlicked,”LongTomadmitted.“Idimlyrecallregainingconsciousnessonlytobeanaesthetized,”Johnnysaidweakly.

“Chloroformed,”thethinelectricianagreed.“Butatsometimeweweretransportedbyairplane.”“Iremembercomingtoseveraltimesintheair,buteachtimeIgotanothershotofchloroform,”LongTomconceded.

“Butwhattranspiredthen?Allthatmusthavebeenhours,possiblyaeonsago.”

“IthinkIknowwhereweare.”“Onasubmarine,”Johnnynoddedglumly.

LongTomturnedonhisside,triedtohooktheropesthatboundhimovertheedgeofthebunk.

TherewasnosoundofDiesels.Thatmeantthesubwasrunningonbatteries,probablysubmerged.Thestickyheatandheavyfeelingoftheairborethatout.Asmalldooropened.Severalmenfiledin.Theyweredressedingreasydungarees.Therewasamilitarybearingaboutthemdespitetheirattire.

Theleaderhadasmallbeardthatbobbedwhenhetalked.Hislipssplitinagrin.Hespokewithafaintaccent.

“Youwillnottrytoescape,please.Itisuseless.”“Yeah?”LongTomaskedbelligerently.

“Yes.”Thesmallbeardmadeashortdip.“Wewillnowassistyouremovetheropesyouseemtodislike.”

Johnny’smouthdropped,hiseyesbecamewidebehindhisglasses.Twooftheseamensteppedforward,strippedofftheropes.Thesmallbeardcameupfirmly.

“Youwillcomewithme,please.”

Theleaderturned,ledtheway.JohnnylookedatLongTom,shrugged.Hefollowed.Theseamenbroughtuptherear.Theirguideledthemtothecontrolcompartment.Heboweddeeply,andhisshortbeardseemedjusttheleastbitunsteady.

“Heretheyare,sir,”hereported.

Atall,verythinman,withpiercingeyes,dressedentirelyinrubber,turnedslowly.“Welcome,gentlemen,”PetrodYardoffsaidwithasardonictwisttohissharplips.

LONGTOM’Seyestraveledovertheothershrewdly.HethoughtofZ-2andthewaythefilling-stationattendanthadsaidtheF.B.I.manhadbeendressed.

Yardoffdivinedhisthoughts.“Yes,”thethinmanmurmuredwithmockpoliteness,“yourunfortunatefriendworeamakeshiftcostumeformuchthesamereasonIwearthis.”AlongcreaseappearedinLongTom’sforehead.Yardoffwasperspiringfreelyunderthenearlyairtightcostumehewore.Hisfacewasapeculiarcherry-redcolor.“Strange,”LongTommuttered.

Johnnyhunchedforward,astrangelookinhiseyes.Othershadleftthecontrolroom.TheywerealonewithYardoff.

Thethinmandidnotappeartobewatchinghim.Johnnyglancedatthecontrols.Theywereofafamiliartype.Hisfistknottedbehindhim.Hesethimselfforahaymakerswing.“Don’t!”LongTomrappedswiftly.

Yardoffturnedslowly,anenigmaticsmilespreadinghissharplips.“Ithoughtyoumightguesspartofthetruth,LongTom,”hecomplimented.

Johnny’seyesmadesaucersbehindhisglasses.Helookedangrilyathiscomrade.“Ifyouhadonlyretainedsilence,Iwouldhavewhiffedourrepellenthosttoalandofunutterableoblivion.”Yardoffmockedhimwithhiseyes.“Yourfriendsavedyourlife,”hesaidwithoutinterest.

JohnnylookedaquestionatLongTom.Theelectricalgeniuspulledthelobeofoneoversizeearreflectively.

“It—itdon’tseempossible,Johnny,”hesaid.“ButI’mafraidthisguyisright.”

“It—itdon’tseempossible,Johnny,”hesaid.“ButI’mafraidthisguyisright.”“Naturallyyouareaskingyourselfquestions,”Yardoffbowed.“Ihavenoparticularreasonfornotsatisfyingsomeofyourcuriosity.Lookhere.”

LongTomsteppedforwardgingerly.HegluedhiseyetothetwinoftheperiscopethroughwhichYardoffhadbeenlooking.Hisbreathcameinsharply.

Powerfullightswereilluminatingthecoursethesubmarinewasfollowing.Thatcoursewasaweirdone.Theywereinawinding,stonepassageway.Thetopofthesubmarinewasbarelyawash.Thesubmarinewasmovingslowly,twistingandturningonanerraticcourse.

AsLongTomwatched,thechannelwidened.Forafewmomentstheywereinahuge,undergroundstream.Thewaterappeareddarkandmalevolent.

Stalactiteshungfromtheceilingofthecavern.Therewasanoppressiveairaboutthescene;thesearchlightappearedunabletopenetratedarkcrevices.Withaneffort,LongTombroughthismindbacktonormal.PetrodYardoffwassurveyingthemwithajeering,sardoniclook.Theelectricalgeniuswasgladwhenthecavernpassedbehind,whenthesubmarinemovedonintoanotherdark,windingpassageway.

Johnnysteppedforward,tookhisplaceattheperiscope.Thegeologistforgotallaboutdanger.Heexclaimedwithsuddeninterest.

“Thisprovesmytheorem!”heshoutedloudly.“Scrutinizethosestratifications,thoseneartheroof.Why,theyaretheoldestknowntype,andthatdirectlybeneath—why,itprovesthat—”

PetrodYardoffchuckled.Therewassomethingevil,somethingdangerousaboutthatchuckle.“Youwillseemorethanthat,myfriend,wherewearegoing.Youwillseethingsyouwillwishneverexisted.Youaregoingtoastrangeland,myfriends.”LongTomlookedunconcerned.“Docwillshowupsoonerorlater,”hescoffed.“Wehavenothingtofear.”

AthincacklebrokefromPetrodYardoff’ssharplips.“Thebronzeman!Hecannoteventakecareofhimself.Evennowheiswalkingintoatrap.Heandtherestofhismen.”

Thesubmarinemovedon,slowly,throughthedark,treacherouspassageway.IfDoc,Monk,HamandRennywererunningintoatraptheygavenosignthatthey

Doc,Monk,HamandRennywererunningintoatraptheygavenosignthattheyrealizedthatfact.TheyweresoaringwestwardinDoc’sspeedytransportplane.Nowordswereexchangedduringthetrip.Allwerefilledwithapremonitionofunusualdanger.

InashorttimethelandingfieldatPalmSpringsappearedbelow.Severalcarswereparkedthere,andasthecrowdcaughtaglimpseofthebronzemandescendingfromhisshipasitrolledtoastop,theymadeaconcertedrushtowardDoc.Doc’saidswerepushedtotheoutskirtsofthecrowdinthemêléethatfollowed.

Monk’sfacehadbecomeamilelong.ThereweremanybeautifulgirlssurroundingDoc.“It’stoughwhatDochastoputupwith,”hegrowled.

“Yeah,”chuckledHam.“Justaboutwhatthefoxsaidwhenhecouldn’tgetthegrapes.”

DOCmadeapaththroughthecrowdandrejoinedMonk,HamandRenny.Theylookedoverthecarsatthelandingfield.Severalhad“tohire”signsonthewindshields.

Rennymovedforwarddeliberately,glancedateachofthecarsinturn.Atanopencarhepaused.Thedriverwasshortandchubby,withanamiablefaceandcarefreesmile.“Car,buddy?”heinvited.

Thefourgotintothecar.“Whereto?”askedthedriver.

“DoyouknowaClementoraVirginiaHoskins,atSandrit?”Rennyasked.Thedrivernodded.“Sure.Iknoweverybodyinthisneckofthewoods.ThatVirginiasureisagood-looker.”

Hethrewthecaringear,themotorroared.Atthefirstcorner,thecarwasdoingbetterthanforty.

HamthrewaquizzicallookatDoc.“Ithinkthiswasthecarwewereexpectedtotake,”thebronzemansaid.Hisvoice,withitspeculiarcarryingquality,reachedtheearsofhisaids,butthedriverdidnothear.

Rennywasstartled.“Holycow!Howcoulditbe?”heasked.“Nothingcouldhappentousinthismachine.”Docsaidnothing.

happentousinthismachine.”Docsaidnothing.

Thefatdriver,hisfacestillcloakedinafriendly,reassuringgrin,reallyputonthespeedastheyreachedtheopenroad.Hispassengersbouncedaroundintherearseat.“Ihopethismugleadsusintoagang,”Monkrumbled.“I’dlikeafight.”Monk’schildlikevoicecarriedbetterthanheknew.Thedriverheard.Hisearswiggled,buthedidnotturnaround.

Theycametoaroadthatleftthemainhighway.Thelongtouringcarskiddedasitmadethebend.

Instinctively,thoseintherearseatreachedforsomethingtoholdonto.Thecarhitsand.Itskiddedwildly.Anobservermightevenhavebelievedthedriverwasmakingitskidonpurpose.

“Ouch!”Monksquealed.

Heyankedhishandfromtherodhehadbeenholding,lookingcuriouslyatafinger.Therewasatinypuncturenearthefirstjoint.Adropofbloodappeared.Thecarbucked,skidded,allbutoverturned.Itwasimpossibletostayintherearseatwithout

holdingon.

Rennytriedtocryout,buthisvoicewaslostinthewind.Ham’sshouldersjerked.Doccouldhavebracedhimselfwithhispowerfullegs,buttheotherscrashedintohim.Healsowasholdingtoarod.

SomethingwashappeningtoMonk.Hisheaddropped.Hismouthwentslack.Heslumped.

“Poison,”Hammutteredweakly.“Poisonontinybarbsonthoserodswegrabbed.”Renny’shugeframesaggedoveronDoc.Thebronzeman’sflakegoldeyeswereflickering.

Thefat,amiabledriverglancedoverashoulderwithagrin.Hestraightenedthecarout,sloweditspacetoamorereasonablespeed.

Behindhim,hisfourpassengersweresprawledinawkward,unconsciousattitudes.

ChapterVIII.AGUNMANSPEAKS“SOthat’sthefamousDocSavage,theguyeverybodyisafraidof,”thedriversneered.Hedroveonashortdistance,thenturnedoffonaroadthatwasbarelyatrail.

Hefollowedthetrailuntilitdroppedintoasmallarroyo.Heshutoffthemotor,lightedacigarette.Thehumofasecondenginesounded,faintlyatfirst,thenmoreloudly.Abigcarappeared.Thefatdriverdidnotseemsurprised.Hemotionedtowardhisunconsciouspassengersanddrewadeeppuffonhiscigarette.

“Easyasfallingoffalog,”hegrinned.Eightmenpouredoutofthesecondcar.EventhoughDocandhisaideswereunconscious,themenapproachedwarily.ThreewerecarryingTommyguns.Theothershadautomatics.

Thebronzeman’seyesflickered.Thefingersofoneofhispowerfulhandswerepressedtightagainstthearteriesinhisotherwrist.Thepressurewasaseffectiveasatourniquet.Hislips,hiddenashebentover,suckedthepowerful,quick-actinganaestheticfromhisveins.Thatanaesthetichadbeeninjectedbythepointofoneofthemanysmallpin-pointshiddenonthehand-holds.Doc’sframewasinert,apparentlylifeless.Thegunmenopenedbothreardoorsofthetouringcar.Docandhismenwereyankedtotheground.Theyfelllimply.

Docwasthrownintotherearofthesecondcar.AstheattackerswereliftingMonkandHam,Doc’shandrose,loosenedthetopofthegastank.Amomentmoreandthetopwasreplaced.

Monkwaspulledupfirst.Hewastiedfirmly;then,stillunconscious,hewastossedintothebackofthesecondcar.Rennywasboundnext.MoremencametowardHamandDoc,ropesintheirhands.Twoofthegunmenreachedover,pulledthebronzemanhalfup.Onestartedtolooparope

abouthiswrists.

Thatwasthelastthatgunmanknewforalongtime.Docgalvanizedintoaction.Thepalmofonehandcaughtthegunmaninthebackoftheneck.Themanneverknewwhathithim.Thesecondthugopenedhismouthtoyell.Hewasliftedfromhisfeet,hurledbodilyintothegunmentyingHam.

Theotherswentfortheirguns.Anautomaticspoke.ATommygunwentinto

Theotherswentfortheirguns.Anautomaticspoke.ATommygunwentintoaction.

Thegunnershadtobecarefulnottohittheirownmen.Theirfirstshotswentwide.Thearroyowherethecarswerewasnotparticularlydeep,butthewallsrosesheerfornearlyadozenfeet.Itseemedimpossibleforanyonetoescapethatway.

ThegunmenwerenotevenexpectingDoctotryit.Thebronzemancaughtthemunprepared.

Withoneleap,hewasontopofthetouringcar.Asecondsurgeofhismightymusclesandhisfingersreachedthetopofthecanyonwall.Hotleadtoreonlyinchesbehindhimasheflashedovertherimofthatwall,sprawledonthegroundatthetop.

TheTommygunskeptupadeadlybarrage.Onegunmanissuedswiftorders.Alook,almostofawe,wasinhiseyes.

Thedriverofthesecondcar,withRenny,HamandMonktiedtightlyintherearseat,roaredaway.TheothersmadeathoroughsearchforDocSavage.

Theydidnotfindhim.

AMILEaway,agirlwatchedthescenethroughpowerfulbinoculars.Shesawthegunmenhuntthroughsageandcactus,exploresmallravines.Finallyshesawthemreturntothetouringcar,driveaway.Stillshewatched.Herbreathcameinsharplyasshesawafaintmovementalmostattheedgeofthearroyo.ThenDocappeared,comingfromatinydepression.Hehaddrawnsageoverhimuntilhewascompletelyhidden.

Thegirl’shandreachedfortherifleatherside.Herdarkeyesheldastrangeexpression,herlipswerehalfparted.

Shewascladinaridinghabit.Thetrim-fittingpantsemphasizedhersoftcurves.Apulsebeatrapidlyinherthroat,justoverthecollarofherflannelshirt.ForamomentVirginiaHoskinshesitated.Sheglancedbehindher,whereagroomwasstandingneartwograzinghorses.Thenshepushedtherifleasideandraisedthebinocularsagain.

binocularsagain.

ShesawDocSavageseathimselfonarock,reachinsidehisshirtandbringoutthebelthealwaysworeabouthisbody.Heworkedswiftly.Inafewminuteshenolongerlookedlike

DocSavage.

Afaintglowofadmirationcametothegirl’sface.Thebronzemanplacedacaponhishead,hereversedhiscoat.Glassescoveredhisflakegoldeyes.Rising,hemadeforthemainhighwayatalopethatwasdeceivingastoitsspeed.Apparentlytirelesslyhemovedon,reachedthepointwherethecarshadturned.

Therethebronzemanslowed,butonlyforaninstant.Unerringly,heturnedinthedirectiontakenbythegunmen’scars.

Thegirlhesitatednolonger.Shegrabbedherrifle,rantowardthewaitinggroomandhorses.Shespoketothegroombriefly.Theyleapedintothesaddles,cutoffacrossthedesert.Thegirlusedherspurshard,sendingherroanrecklesslyonward.DocSavagedidnotseethegirl.Hiseyeswereontheroad.

Theglassesheworeweretinted.Throughthemhecouldseeallthatcouldbeseenwithnormaleyes,andsomethingmoreaswell.

Hecouldseeafaint,irregulardesign,almostasiftheroadwasmarkedforhim.Inawayitwas.Whenhishandhadbeenatthegasolinetank,Dochaddroppedasmallpowderintothefuel.Thispowderdissolvedinthegasoline,butwouldnotburn.Itwasthrownoutbytheexhaust.

Thenormaleyecouldseenothing,butthroughtheglassesacleartrailwasleft.

Thetrailfinallyturnedoffontoahard,well-packedgravelroad.Sandrithadbeencircled.Unknowndangerlayahead.

INthespaceofacomparativelyfewhours,allfiveofDoc’smenhadbeenabducted.Thosebehindthedreadeventshadshowncunningandcleverness.ButifDocSavagewasconcerned,hedidnotshowit.Docmighthavebeenabletorescuehismeninthearroyo.Thathedidnotattempttodoso,wasmerelyinlinewiththepolicyhealwaysfollowed.

Theattackershadbeenheavilyarmed.Inageneralfight,Monk,HamorRennymighthavebeenkilled.Docalwayswaswillingtofacedeathhimself,butwhenitcouldbeavoidedheneverriskedthelivesofhismen.

Hisaidsundoubtedlyweresafe,atleastforthepresent.Hadtheobjectbeentokillthem,therewouldhavebeennoreasonfordelayingtheexecution.Thetrailleftbythecar’sexhaustthinned,thenexpandedtothesizeofalargesmudge.Itwasasifthecarhadhaltedtherebriefly.

Docdidnotpause.Hemovedpastatasteadywalk,eyesstilldowncast.

Behindhim,twomenrosesuddenlyfromclumpsofsagebrushthathadhiddenthematthesidesoftheroad.Submachinegunswerecradledundertheirarms.Slowlytheyraisedtheirguns,trainedthemonDoc’smovingfigure.Themuzzleswereheldlow,aimedatthelegs,asifthepurposeweretodisable,butnotkill.

“Sherlock,hell!”oneofthemsneered.“Let’sseethatwisemugdeducethis!”Hisfingersqueezedthetrigger.

Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

Leadraineddowntheroad.Ithitnothing.

Evenasthegunmenfired,DocSavagevanished.Hevanishedwithasidewiseleapthatcarriedhimclearoftheroad,intothesurroundingbrush.

Thegunnersrushedforward.Asmall,brittle,egg-shapedobjectcaughtthefirstsquarelyonthechin.Hisarmswentup.TheTommygunfelltotheground.Thenthegunmanfollowedit,curlingup,asifasleep.

Hiscompanionpaused,startled.Strongfingerssuddenlycaughtthegunneraroundtheneck;thumbspresseddownhardonthebackofhisskull.Themachinegunnerbecamelimp.

Thebronzeman’sexpressionwassober.Thekillershadexpectedhim.Onlytinyextensionsontheglassesheworehadsavedhim.Thoseextensionsprotrudedoneithersideofhisface;theyweremirrors.Evenfacingstraightahead,hecouldseebehindhim.WhenDocmovedon,fiveminuteslater,theglasseshaddisappeared.Hisfeaturesseemedcoveredbyatwodays’growthofbeard.Hisfacewasputty-like,withweaklinesabouthismouth.HecarriedaTommygun

facewasputty-like,withweaklinesabouthismouth.HecarriedaTommygununderhisarmandwalkedasifveryweary.

Tiremarkswereplainintheroadnow.Theyledoverasmallhill.Ontheothersideofthathill,loomingstarklyintheopendesert,wasabigbuilding.Asignatthegateread:

HOSKINSGLASSFACTORY

Thetiremarksofthegunmen’scarturnedinthere.

CLEMENTHOSKINSwaspeeringfromoneofthebigwindowsofthefactorybuilding.Acoldgrinwasonhisroundface.Hisbig,barrel-shapedfigurewastense.

Anangryexpressionflashedoverhisfeaturesashesawastooped,waveringfigureapproachdowntheroad.“Thefool!Whatishecomingbackfor?”hemuttered.Hard-eyedkillersweregroupedabouthim.Oneshiftednervously.“LookslikeSamissufferingfromasunstroke,boss,”hesuggesteduneasily.

Thewaveringfigureontheroadappearedtofinditmoreandmoredifficulttowalk.Thesubmachinegunwastrailing,heldbylimpfingers.

Oncethemanliftedhishead,weakly,thendroppeditagain.Thefactorybuildingwasalmostbeforehim.Highwirefencessurroundedthesprawlingbuilding.Everyotherstrandofthefencewasbarbedwire.“Stayout”and“NoTrespassing”signswerepostedatthetop.Agrim,ominoussilencepervadedthescene.

Theonlyentrytothefactorywasthroughalargegateinfront.Atonesideofthegate,builthalfinside,halfoutsidethefence,wasawatchman’sshack.

Thewaveringfigureheadedtowardthegate.“SamBelough!Comeinhere!Didyoukillhim?”

Thevoicecamefromwithintheshack.Itwasagirl’svoice.Therewasanoteofurgencyinit—anoteofalmosthystericalfear.

Themanwiththemachine-gunturnedslowlytowardthedooroftheshack.VirginiaHoskinsstoodthere,blackcurlsframingfeaturesthatwerealmostperfect.Agunwasinherhand.Itwasaimeddirectlyatthemanbeforeher.“Comeinhere!Quick!Ifyou’vekilledDocSavage—”

Withouthesitation,thewaveringmanenteredtheshack.

ChapterIX.THETRAPCLOSESONLYafewmilesaway,moviestarswereenjoyinglateafternoonsiestasordressingfordinner.Iceclinkedintallglasses.Asubduedhumofconversation,ofpolite,well-bredphrasesmingledwithcheerfullaughter.

Therewasnoneofthisinthewatchman’sshack.Butfearwasthere!Stark,horrible,fear!

ItshowedinthesetofVirginiaHoskin’slips.Herfingertightenedonthetrigger.“Iwouldn’tshoot,MissHoskins,”DocSavagesaidquietly.

Agaspcamefromthegirl.Thegundroppedasherhandstwistedfrenziedly.“DocSavage?”shebreathed.

“Perhapsitistimenowforyoutotellmeyourstory,”thebronzemansaid.Hisflakegoldeyesglancedabouttheshackswiftly.Itwascomfortablyfurnished.Thewallswerethick,apparentlyofmetal,strongenoughtowithstandriflebullets.Attherear,lookingtowardthefactory,wasawindow.Theglassappearedbulletproof.Throughthewindow,faintactivitycouldbeseeninsidethefactory.

Thegirltookalongbreath.“PerhapsIhadbetterexplain.”Docnodded.Heglancedthroughtherearwindowagain,andbegantoworkswiftlywithhishands.

VirginiaHoskinsswallowedhard.Shesanklimplyintoachair.“ClementHoskinsismyuncle.Heisacrook,”shestarted.

Thebronzemansaidnothing.“Mymoneyisinvestedinthisfactory.Ihavebecomerich,butmyunclehasbecomeevenmorewealthy.Thatarousedmysuspicions.Iinvestigated.”

Docremainedsilent

“Heisinvolvedinsomethingcrooked,somethingsobigIamalmostafraideventoguesswhatitmeans.Butit’slinkedwiththeliving-firedeath!”

Docglancedatherpolitely.“Yes?”“IheardmyuncleandPetrodYardoffplotting.Theywantedtocaptureyouandyourmen.Iwasafraidformyuncle,forsuchlawlessactscouldhaveonlyoneend.Iwasafraidforyou,forifhesucceeded,youeventuallywouldhavetodie.”

“SothatiswhyyouattemptedtodestroytherecordofZ-2’sconversation?Youwantedtokeepmefrombecominginterested?”

Thegirlnodded,dumbly.“I—IsawZ-2die.It—itwasterrible!Ihadfollowedhim,tryingtolearnwhathehaddiscovered,hopingtolearnwhatmyunclereallywasdoing.ThenZ-2died.MyuncleandYardoffhadflowntoNewYork.Iflewafterthem.They—”“Quiet!”Thebronzemanraisedhishandsuddenly.

Therewasafaintnoisejustoutsidetheshack.Aman,listeningthere,turnedswiftlyandracedtowardthefactory.Thebronzeman’sdeceptionhadbeendiscovered.

DOCspun,faceemotionless.“Speakswiftly,”hesaid.“Ourtimeisshort.”

Histonebroughtthegirl’sheadup.Sheflushed.“Othermenwereintheplanewithuncle,andPetrod,horriblemen.”Sheshuddered.

Docnodded.Thatexplainedthemanwhohaddiedinhisoffice,thetwowhosebodieshadbeenfoundintheharbor.“I—Ididn’tintendtotrickyourfriend,Renny.He—hewouldn’tlistentomywarning.AndIwantedtowarnyou,earlierto-day.Icouldn’t.Oneofuncle’smenwaswithme.Nowifyougoon,youaredoomed.Allyourmenaredoomed.”

“Why?”Doc’ssinglewordsnappedlikeapistolcrack.Thegirlpaled.Fearreturnedtoherdarkeyes,herlipstrembled.“They—they’vebeentakeninthere,takendowntothathorribleplace—”Shebrokeoff,foughtvisiblyforcontrol.

Hereyesturnedtothewindowattherearoftheshack.Ascreamburstfromher

Hereyesturnedtothewindowattherearoftheshack.Ascreamburstfromherlips.

Ascoreofmenwerepouringfromthefactory,heavilyarmedmen.Intheleadwasthebig,barrel-shapedfigureofClementHoskins.“Surroundthatshack!Takenochances,butgetDocSavage!”Hoskinsbellowed.

Thebigmanglancedaboutanxiously.Thesunwasdropping.Alreadyitwasdusk.Soontheswiftnightofthedesertwouldarrive.ButHoskinswasconfident.Hismenhadcircledtheshack.Nothing,noone,couldgetoutofthereunseen.“Virginia,”Hoskinsrapped,“comeoutoftherebeforeyougetkilled!”

Forlongsecondstherewasnoanswertothatcommand.Thenthedoortotheshackopened.VirginiaHoskinscameout.Herfacewastear-stained.

Herunclegrinnedwithoutmirth.“Now,DocSavage,”hebellowed,“youaresurrounded!Youcannotescape.Surrender,andyourlifewillbespared.Attempttofight,andyouwilldie!”

Silencewashisonlyanswer.

ClementHoskinssworebitterly.Hemotionedtooneofthekillersstandingathisside.Themansteppedtowardthegate.Asmallswitchwasjustinside.Hepulledthatswitchdown.

Abrilliant,blindinglightenvelopedthewatchman’sshack.Theflamesizzled,white-hot,dazzlingasalightningflash.

Asecondtimetheswitchwasdrawnback,shothome.Asecondtimehell-firedancedabouttheshack.ClementHoskinsclosedhiseyes,temporarilyblindedbytheflash.Thenheopenedthem.

“Gogethisbody,boys,”hesaidwearily.“I’msorrywehadtodothat.Icouldhaveusedthatguyalive,butnow—”

Cautiously,thegunmencrepttotheshack.Gunswerereadyintheirhands.Flashlightswereturnedon.Thedoorwasthrownopen.Ashrillyellofsurprisebrokefromthefirstmantoenter.Theshackwasempty!

CLEMENTHOSKINS’Sjawdropped.Alookofutterbewildermentspreadover

CLEMENTHOSKINS’Sjawdropped.Alookofutterbewildermentspreadoverhisflabbycountenance.

“He-hecouldn’t’a’gotaway!”hebellowed.“Buthedid.AndI’mglad.”VirginiaHoskinsbrushedtearsfromhereyes,smiledwanly.Hoskinsmotionedtoagunman.“Takeher!”herapped.“Lockherup.She’sgettingtoodangerous.”

Virginiapaled.ShefoughtShescreamed.Itwasuseless.Shewascarriedaway.

Hoskins,breathinghard,rushedintotheshack.Thegunmanhadbeencorrect.Noonewasthere.“Thefloorismetal.Thewallsarelinedwithmetal,”thebarrel-shapedmanmutteredincredulously.“Eventhechairsareofmetal,andconnectedwiththefloor.Enoughjuicewentthroughheretofryadozenmen,butthatdevilescaped—”

“Couldhe‘a’duckedoutwhenwewasallblindedbythelight?”oneofthemenasked,nervously.Hoskinsnodded.Thathadtobeit.Therewasnootheranswer.

Thebigmanjerkederectwithsuddendecision.

“Hecouldn’thavegonefar.He’llstayaroundhere,tryingtorescuehismen.Spreadout.Huntforhim.”“But-butthatguy’spoison.It’sdark.We’ll—”

Hoskinsspunonthespeaker.Onehugepawshotout.Themansoaredthroughtheair,fellsprawling,hisfaceacrimsonmass.

“Treat‘emratherrough,don’tyou,Hoskins?”avoicedrawledmockingly.Thebarrel-shapedmanswungaround,hishandheldagunsuddenly.Thenherelaxed.

Facinghimwasatall,well-dressedmanwiththehardfaceofakiller.Themandrewahandkerchieffromonesleeve,wipedhishandscasually.

“Stinger!”Hoskinsexclaimed.“Howdidyougethere?”Theotherwavedonearmnegligently.“Easyenough.Camebyplane.Walkedupwhileyouwereallbusy.ButwheredidSavagego?”Thebarrel-shapedmanlookedatStingerwitheyesthatweretightslits.Adimsuspicionhadflaredinhisbrain.DocSavagewasknowntobeanartistatdisguises.Hehadreachedthewatchman’sshackinthegarbofSamBelough.ThismanlookedlikeStinger,butwasitStinger?Coulditbethebronzemaninanewdis—

Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

ATommygunspokeviciously.Itcamefromthedesert,acrosstheroadfromthefactory.Leadwhistledoverhead.ClementHoskins’sfacecleared;hesmiled.DocSavagewasgood,noquestionaboutthat;buthecouldn’tbeintwoplacesatonce.AndthebronzemanhadcarriedSamBelough’sTommygun.“Gladtoseeyou,Stinger,”Hoskinssaid.

HOSKINS’Sgunmen,twentystrong,spreadoutinathinline.Theyvanishedacrosstheroad,weaponsready.Hoskins’sbigshouldersliftedandfellinadeepsigh.“They’llgethimnow,”hesaid.“Comeoninthefactory.”Hiscompanionwaslookingabouthimcuriously.

“You’vegotlight,lotsoflight,andyoumusthavepower,”hesaidwonderingly.“ButIdon’tseeanypowerlines.Wheredoyougetyourjuice?”

Thebarrel-shapedmangrinnedthinly.“You’llwonderaboutlotsofthingsifyoustickaroundhere.And,bytheway,whatdidyoucomeherefor?”Theothershrugged,impatiently.“Youmentionedmillions,didn’tyou?”hedrawled.

ApeculiarlightflashedforaninstantinClementHoskins’seyes,andwasasquicklyveiled.

Heledthewaytothefactory.

Inthedistance,theTommygunspokeagain.Insidethedoors,Hoskinswavedhishandwithill-concealedpride.

Intherearoftheramblingstructure,werehugeelectricalfurnaces.Closerathand,wereshelvesstackedwithglassware.Thetallman’seyesnarrowedslightlyashenoticedsomeofthatglassware.Thehandkerchiefflickedfromhissleeve.

“Makingsomeratherqueerthings,aren’tyou?”heasked.Hoskinschuckled.“Wecanmakeanythingoutofglass.Clothes,rope,instruments,orwhathaveyou.”

Heledthewaytoasmalloffice.“We’vegotallDoc’smen,”hesaid.“Whenwegetthebronzedevilhimself,we’llallbe—”

getthebronzedevilhimself,we’llallbe—”

Hoskinsstopped,frowning.Runningfeetsoundedoutside.Anexcitedsummonscamefromtheothersideofthedoor.

SCOWLING,thebigmanwenttothedoor,closingitbehindhim.Hewasgoneonlyafewseconds.

Hoskinswassmilingwhenhereturned.“Youspokeoftheglasswarewemake,”hesaid.“I’mgoingtoletyouinonasecret:I’mgoingtoshowyouoneofourexperiments.”

Thebigmanpushedtheotheraheadofhim,towardtherearofthefactory.Ahugefurnacewasinabigroom.Wavesofheatswirledaboutthem.Theheatwaspulsingfromthefurnace.“Thisiswherewedoourtesting,”Hoskinssaid.Therewasanexcitedtremorinhisvoice.“Rightnow,moltensandisinthatfurnace.Butinafewminutes—”

Soundofascufflecamefromoutsidetheroom.Thedooropened.Monk,HamandRennywerepushedinside.Theirhandswereboundbehindthem.Gagswereintheirmouths.Menpulledthemalongroughly.Hamkickedout;Monkstruggled;Rennystrainedathisbonds.Buttheywerehelpless.Theywerehauledtothetopofaplatformoverlookingthefurnace.Aninclosedslideledfromthatplatformintothevatwheremoltensandbubbled.

“DocSavagereallyisacleverman,”ClementHoskinssaid.Hespokeasiftohimself.“Hewasn’tnearthatTommygunatall.Mymenfoundit,quitebychance.Aclockworkarrangementhadbeenattachedtoit,soitwouldfireatregularintervals.”

“Yes?”Hiscompanion’sfeaturesdidnotchange,heremainedrelaxed.“Yes.”Hoskins’svoicesuddenlywasharsh.Armedmenwerepushingintotheroom.Theirweaponswerereadyintheirhands.

“Yes,”Hoskinsrepeated,“soI’mgoingtoshowyouthisexperimentThethreemenupthere,

thethreeaidsofDocSavage,aregoingtobethrownintothatfurnace.I’veoftenwonderedwhattheresultwouldbe,howitwouldaffecttheglass,Imean,tomixhumanbodieswiththesand.Sotheyaregoingtodie,unless—”

humanbodieswiththesand.Sotheyaregoingtodie,unless—”

“Iseeyourpoint.”Theotherspokewiththepeculiar,low,yetcarryingvoiceofDocSavage.HisflakegoldeyeslookedfullintoHoskins’sfatface.“Youwantmetohelpyou.IfIrefuse,thenMonk,HamandRennydie.Iunderstand.”“Andyouranswer?”

Theflakegoldeyessweptunemotionallyabouttheringofarmedmen.

“Tellmeyourproblem,”DocSavagesaid.“IwillseeifIcansolveitforyou.”

ChapterX.MENOFFIRECLEMENTHOSKINS’Seyesnarrowedslightly;hismouthtightened.Foramomenthehesitated,thenwavedhishand.Monk,HamandRenny,stillstruggling,werecarriedfromtheroom.OtherarmedguardsstoodcloseaboutDoc.Theywerealert,withnervousfingersontriggers.Hoskinsturnedtotheguards,motionedtothebronzeman.“Takehimtotheescaperoom,”heorderedharshly.

DocturnedobedientlyasmuzzlesofTommygunswerethrustinhissides.Silentlyhepermittedhimselftobeherdedalong.

Hewastakendownashortflightofstairsintoasmallroom.Theflooroftheroomwasofglass.Lightglowedeerilybeneathit,revealinganarrow-walledpassageway.

Thebronzemanwasthrustinsideroughly.Hoskinsjoinedhim.Theguardsstoodinthedoorway,weaponsraised.“Youareacleverman,veryclever,”Hoskinssaidsilkily.“Iamafraidyouareascleverwithwordsaswithdeeds.”Thebronzemandidnotmove,didnotspeak.

“Yourmenhavebeentakentoaplacefromwhichnonemayescape,”Hoskinssaidgrimly.“Shouldtheyattemptit,aterriblefateawaitsthem.Nonewhogowheretheyaremayreturnandlive—unlessIwillit.Andnow,whethertheyliveordie,whetherthoseaidsofyoursburnandsufferorsurviveunharmed,dependsentirelyonyou.”

Timeseemedtostop.Theguardsheldtheirbreath.Hoskins’seyeswererivetedontheemotionlessfeaturesofthebronzeman.“Doyouwishtospeakinfrontofallyourmen,orwouldyourathertellmewhatyouwantmetodoafterweare

allyourmen,orwouldyourathertellmewhatyouwantmetodoafterwearealone?”Docaskedindifferently.

Thetensionwentoutofthebarrel-shapedmansuddenly.Hewipeddropsofperspirationfromhisforehead.Withafaintsmirk,heturnedtotheguards.“Gooutside,closethedoor,butguarditwell,”heordered.

Thegunmenobeyed.

“I’mgladyouareshowingsense,Savage,”Hoskinssaid.Therewasnomistakingthereliefinhisvoice.“Iwouldratherhaveyouwithmethanagainstme.Youareamiracleman,ifeverIsawone.Noonebutyoucouldeverhaveescapedfromthatwatchman’sshack,asfarasthatisconcerned.”Doc’sfacedidnotchange.“Thatwassimple,”hesaidbriefly.“Iknewtheshackwaswired.SinceIamwearingrubber-soledshoesandtookcaretostandwheremybodywouldnotformacompletedcircuit,Iwasunharmed.”

Thefatmannodded.“Clever.ButyouwillneedmorethanthattosolvewhatIwantdone.”

Heclosedhislipsquickly,wenttothedoor.Itwaspartlyajar.Heslammedit.“Now,”hebegan,“we’llgetdowntobusiness.Tobeginwith,haveyouanyideawhatyouareupagainst?”

“Afaintidea,”Docsaidfrankly.

“Ithoughtyouwouldhave,”Hoskinsgrinned.“Andthatgivesyousomeideaoftheperil,also.Thestuffworksfast.Asfast—”“—asthis,”Docfinishedcalmly.Onebigfistflashedthroughtheair.Itcaughtthebarrel-shapedmanjustunderthejaw.Bigashewas,ClementHoskinswentoutasifmoweddownbyacannonball.Doccaughthimunderthearmpits,loweredhimtothefloor.

Inthematterofseconds,thebronzemanchangedtoHoskins’sgarb.Hepaddedhimselfwithclothes,madeuphisfaceuntilheresembledHoskins.Hesteppedtothedoor,quickly.

“Hegotrough,”hesaidharshlyashemovedfromtheroom,closedthedoorbehindhim.“Keephimthereforatime.Takenochances.I’mgoingbelow.”

Theguardslookedstartled,butsaidnothing.TheydidnotpenetrateDoc’sdisguise.Thebronzemanwalkedonswiftly.Somewhere,nearathand,there

disguise.Thebronzemanwalkedonswiftly.Somewhere,nearathand,theremustbeawayofdescenttothatplaceofhorrorwherehismenhadbeentaken.

THREEofDoc’smenactuallywerenotfaraway.ButtoMonk,HamandRenny,itseemedthattheywereinadifferentworld.Theywereinanelevatorcage.Andthatcagewasmadeentirelyofglass.Eventhecablesthathelditwerefinelyspunandwovenglass.Thecagewasdroppingslowly,veryslowly.Astrange,peculiarhumcametotheirears.

Armedguardswerecrowdedaboutthem.Theycarriedweaponsmadeofglass.Thatshouldhaveheldtheattentionoftheirprisoners.Itdidn’t.Theyweremoreinterestedinwhattheycouldseepassingoneithersideastheydroppeddownward.

Therockformationchangedsteadily.Streaksofcopper,yellowveinsofgoldwerepassed.Tunnelsshowedwherethoseveinshadoncebeenworked.Thegagshadbeenremoved.Rennyexclaimedinastonishmentashesawthestoreofmineralwealthasyetuntouched.

“Holycow!Itdon’tseempossible!Ifallthisisbeingpassedup,whatcanbefartherdown?”

MonkandHamshooktheirheads.Theywondered,also.Afaintsmellofsulphurdriftedintheair.Withitwasanothersmell,afarmoreunusualone.Itwastheodorofozone,suchassometimesissmelledinasevereelectricalstorm,afteraboltoflightning,ornearapowerfuldynamo.

Rennylookedwordlesslyattheothers.

Theglasselevatorstopped.Longshaftsledbackoneitherside.Ahundredyardsawayoneshaftledintoabig,roomlikecavern.Therewasathunderous,stampingnoise.Blastfurnacesglowed.Queerinstrumentsandutensilswerenearby.“Anundergroundglassfactory!”Monkbreathedunbelievingly.

Theguardswhohadaccompaniedthemsofar,wereleavingtheelevator.Othermenweretakingtheirplaces.Itwassightoftheseothermenthatbroughttheshorthairsuponthebackofthehairychemist’sneck.

Withthequeernewcomersatthecontrols,theelevatorcageagainbegantosink.Down,downitwent,intothebowelsoftheearth.Andforonce,notevenMonk

Down,downitwent,intothebowelsoftheearth.Andforonce,notevenMonkhadawordtosay.

Therewerenolightsvisible.Rockpressedcloseoneithersideoftheshaft.Yettheelevatorcageglowedwithastrangecherry-redglow.

Itcamefromthebodiesofthenewguards.

OTHERstrangethingsweretakingplacefardowninthedepths.Along,sleek,cigar-shapedmonsterwasrisingslowlyinahuge,undergroundstream.Slowlythebigsubmarineeasedtowardthetinydock.Menpouredfromthesubmarine,madeitfast.PetrodYardoffappeared,histhin,scarecrowfigurestillcladinitsrubbergarments.

LongTomandJohnnywereboostedoutofthetowerhatch.Theirhandshadbeentied,blindfoldswereabouttheirheads.Guidedbysailors,theywerebroughttothetinydock.“Onefalsemove,andyoubothwilldie,”PetrodYardoffwarnedinastrangelysubduedvoice.“Ishallnotbeabletohelpyou.Wedonotwantyoutodie—yet.Sopleasebecareful.”

Thepairwerepushedahead.Theywalkedupalongcorridorofuncertainfootingandweretoldtostop.Thenthesoundofmachinerycametothem.Achangeofairpressuretoldthemthatagreatdoorhadopened.

Asthedoorclosedbehindthem,Yardoffspoke:“Stepahead,carefully,thenpause.”Withouthesitation,LongTomandJohnnyobeyed.Forminutes,itseemed,theystoodmotionless.Therewasnosound.Thentheirblindfoldswereremoved.

Abovethemwallsgloweddully.Theyseemedtranslucent,tobeadmittinglightfrombehind.

Butacloserexaminationshowedthelightcamefromthewallsthemselvesinsomeunexplainedmanner.

Johnny’smouthopenedandclosed.“Mostextraordinarymanifestationofinspiredluminescence,”hemuttered.“Comeon!”Yardoffsnapped.

Theystruggledupwardinacavernouspassageway.Theweirdlightfromthe

Theystruggledupwardinacavernouspassageway.Theweirdlightfromthewallsgrewbrighter.Theywoundthroughtwisting,confusingtunnels,thenpassedthroughanothergreatdoor.Theportalapparentlywasmadeoflead.Themenwhoopenedithandleditcarefully.Theyusedrubberglovesofgreatthickness.LongTomandJohnnywerethrustinside.Bothgasped.

Thelightwasblinding.Thetunnelwaswiderhere.Thereweredozensofstrange-appearingmeninbreechcloths.Lightglowedfromtheirreddenedskins.Theyweremenoflivingfire!

“Well,I’llbe—”LongTomstarted.Ahigh-pitchedvoicecamefromaroundthecorner.“Idon’tgiveadangifweareinaspot!”soundedthesquealingtonesofMonk.“Youtin-hornshyster,youjustmentionagainthatyou’dliketoroastapigdownhere,andI’llgrindyoutopiecesononeoftheserocks!”Monkcamearoundthecorner.HewasfollowedbyHamandRenny.

“Howlingcalamities!”thechemistshrilled.“Howdidyoubirdsgethere?”

“Wewerejustoutforaboatride,”LongTomsaiddryly.“Theyletusoffhere.”“Holycow,butI’mgladyoutwoarealive!”Rennyboomed.

“AndI’llbegladwhenDocgetsusoutofthisplace,”Hammuttered.“Quiteanincongruousspotforareunion,”Johnnyputin.“Idon’tlikeit.”

Theothersglancedaround.Theywereringedbythosestrangecherry-redfigures.Therewassomethingominousabouttheirsilence.

ChapterXI.AMIRACLENEEDEDTHEREwasasteadyhuminthebigcavern.Itdidnotseemparticularlynoticeableafteratime,butatfirstitwasdeafening.Doc’saidshadbeenshouting,muchastheywoulddoinasubway.Nowthey,too,becamesilent.

Thesteadyhumraspedonnerves.Intheringofcherry-redmenaboutthemwerethosewhosehandsandfacestwitchedinsympathywiththathum.

AfaintlookofuneasinesswasonPetrodYardoff’sface,buthetriedtolookunconcerned.Hewaspullingrubbergarmentsfromhisscarecrowbody,hetooktheglovesfromhishands,thethin,transparentrubbermaskfromhisface.“Moveon.We’llgotothelaboratory,”hesaid.

Thecherry-redmenopenedapathforthem.Theymadenosound,buttheireyeswerefullofhate.AglassweaponappearedinYardoff’shand.

Thenthepartyroundedaturninthecorridor.Theominoussilenceofthemenbehindthemwasforgotten.“Jumpingcatfish!”Monksquealed.“Idon’tbelieveit!”

Thetunnel-likecorridorfannedoutintoacavernofhorriblemagnificence.Pointedstalagmitesofstrangerockformationreachedweirdfingersupfromthefloor.

Johnny’seyeswerestaring.Thegeologistwaslookingatrockformationssuchashadneverbeenknowntosciencebefore.Everywheretherewerethestrange,cherry-redmeninbreechcloths.Lightglowedfromtheirskins.Thequeerfigureslaboredatstrangetasks.Glassworkbencheswereeverywhere.Atonesidewasaglassanvil,ofsteel-likehardness.Apieceofglowing,blue-whiterocklayontheanvil.Onemanhelditwithlongglasstongs.Theotherswungagreatsledge,alsomadeofglass.

Thepieceofstonewassmall.Thesledgeundoubtedlywasheavy.Thesledgecrasheddown.Themangrunted.Thesledgedidnotbreak,butneitherdidthesmallpieceofrock.

ThenHam’sbreathcameinswiftly.Forthefirsttimehenoticedthefacesoftheworkers.Heknewsomeofthosefaces,hadseenthempicturedinthenewspaper.Andeveryonewasacriminal!Yardoffleanedclosetothelawyer,raisedhisvoiceabovethatconstanthumofsound.

“Thatnoise,”hesaid.“Itmakessomeofthemcrazy.We’vegottobecarefulhowwehandlethem.”ThenYardoffjerkederect.Apiercingshriekroseabovethehummingsound.

“Ican’tstandit!Ican’tstandit!”thevoicescreamed.Thatscreammighthavebeenasignal.Allworkstopped.Foraninstanteverythinghungmotionless.Thentherewasaconcertedmovement.FromallsidesmenstreamedtowardPetrodYardoffandDoc’saids!

YARDOFFwhippeduptheglasspistol.Intheleadoftheadvancingmenwastheonewhohadscreamed.Hiseyeswerewild,protrudingfromhisface.The

theonewhohadscreamed.Hiseyeswerewild,protrudingfromhisface.Theglasspistolspoke.Themancurledup.

Thesharpbarkoftheweaponbroughtamomentaryhaltintheranksoftheattackers.Yardoff’svoicerangout.

“Halt,fools!Youknowyoucannotescape!”heshouted.Thecherry-redmenstartedtomoveaheadagain.Theymovedslowly,cautiously.

Yardoffretreated,stepbystep.“Getbehindme,headforthenearwall,”hegrittedatDoc’smen.Theyobeyed.

Theadvancingmensuddenlyabandonedcaution.Theystartedtorun.

Yardoffturned,sprintedtowardthewall.Monk,Ham,Johnny,LongTomandRennyfollowedhim.Theydidnotknowwhatitwasallabout,buttheydidknowtheystoodnochanceiftheyfellintothehandsofthemob.Thetall,scarecrowfigureofYardoffreachedasmallniche.Hegrabbedopenasmalldoor,yankedoutacoilofhose.

Liquidshotfromthehoseasheturnedittowardtheapproachingmob.Theliquidfellshort.Itlandedonthehard,orelikefloorofthecavern.

Butitwasenough.Themobhalted.Along,disappointedwailburstfromahundredlips.Withhardlyapause,thecherry-redmenturned,racedbacktowardtheirworkbenches.StrainshowedonPetrodYardoff’sfeatures.

ButblankastonishmentwasonthefacesofDoc’saids.Fortheliquidspoutingfromthehosewascommon,ordinary,everydaywater!

Yardoffreplacedthehose.Wherethewaterhadstruckthefloorlittleeddiesofsteamarose.Shortlyallsignofthewaterhaddisappeared.“I—Idon’tunderstand!”gaspedRenny.

“Intimeyouwill,”Yardoffsaid.Therewasathin,mercilessgrinonhisfeatures.“Nowwewillgoontothelaboratory.Therewillbenofurthertrouble,notforatimeatanyrate.Thesemenarelikechildren.Aslightthingwillsetthemoff.Oncestopped,theyforgetalmostasquickly.”

Confidently,PetrodYardoffstartedforward,theotherstrailing.Amanapproachedatahalfrun.HespoketoYardoffinalowtone.Themessage

approachedatahalfrun.HespoketoYardoffinalowtone.Themessageseemedtobringjoytothescarecrowfigure.Hewasgrinningwidelyasheturned.“Waithereforamoment,”heordered.“Iwillreturnsoon.”Hestartedawaywiththemessenger.

Johnnyhadeyesonlyforthestrangerockformations.Hamwasstudyingthefeaturesoftheworkers.Oneafteranother,heidentifiedwantedcriminals.Manywerethosewhohadbeenlistedasescapedconvictsinrecentmonths.LongTomandRennyweretalkingtogetherinlowtones.

AchildlikegrinoverspreadMonk’sfeatures.Thechemist’slittleeyesglitteredintheirpitsofgristle.HesawYardoffandthemessengerenterthecorridorthroughwhichtheyhadoriginallycome.Monkbackedintothatcorridor.IfhecouldgrabYardoff,perhapsawayoutcouldbefound.Helookedaheadcautiously.

ScarcelyfiftyfeetaheadYardoffandthemessengerhadpaused.Yardoffwasputtinghisrubberclothesintoaglasscabinet.MonkknewYardoffhadaglassgun.Itwaspossiblethemessengerdid,also.Butthatdidn’tbotherhim.Hepickedupapieceoflooserock.Itwastheonlyweaponhecouldfind.Cautiouslyheslippedalong.Yardoff’sbackwastowardhim.Thechemistwasalmostupon

himwhenthemessengershoutedawarning.Andinthesameinstantthemessengerdrewagun.

Monkhurledtherock.Themessengerfellonhisface.Withabellowofglee,thehairychemistleapedforward.Yardoffwhirled.Heseemedtobetryingtosaysomething,togivesomewarning.Monkpaidnoheed.Hedived.

Yardofftriedtododge.Hetripped,wentdown.

AshoutwentupbehindMonk.Heheardotherfeetpoundingintothecorridor.ThevoicesoundedlikethatofLongTom.Thatvoicealsowascryingawarning.Monkpaidnoheed.Witharoar,hesprangagain.HishugehandsclosedaroundYardoff’sneck.

Acracklinglikethatofhigh-poweredstaticelectricityburstintotheair.Monkwashurledthroughthecorridor.Hishandsweresearedandburning.Helandedflat,laystill.

WHENMonkregainedconsciousness,Johnny,Renny,LongTomandHamwerestandingbesidehim.ClosebywasYardoff,athingrinonhisthinlips.

“Thisisagoodobjectlesson,myfriend,”hepurred.“Fortunatelyyouchosemeforthevictimandnottheguard.Hadyoutouchedhimyouwouldnowbeacharredstumpofflesh.Thelivingfireispracticallyexhaustedfrommybody.”

Monkstruggledtohisfeetweakly.“How’dyoudoit?”hedemanded.“Whathappened?”Yardoff’sthinsmilegrewlarger.“Youmightaskyourfriend,LongTom.Ithinkhehasaglimmerofthetruth,althoughhecannotbringhimselftobelieveit.”

“It—itcan’tbeso,”LongTommuttered.“Butitisso,”Yardoffsaidgrimly.“Nowcomewithme.”

Thefivemenwalkedthroughthecorridorwithsoberfaces.Theypassedthemenattheworkbenches,wentonthroughanothercorridoruntiltheyapproachedasecondcavern.Ablue,unevenlightflashedatthefarend.Itwasastrange,unreallight.“Holycow!”Rennymutteredskeptically.“Thatlookslikeanightmare.”

Agreatpulsing,likethebeatingofsomeall-encompassingmechanicalheart,camefromahalf-concealedchamberinthedistance.Ahugeballofthebluelightseemedtoberevolvingaroundthewalls.Itdancedunevenly.

Yardofflaughed.“Thatcomesfromanothercavern,evendeeperthanthis,”hesaid.“Mymendonotliketogointhere.Theyfeartheywillnevercomeback.IcallitthePitofHorror.”“Whatisit?”Johnnydemandedeagerly.

Yardoff’sthinfacewrinkledstrangely,hiseyesnarrowed.“Itistheproblemyouhavebeenbroughtheretosolve,”hesnarled.Greedwasinhisvoice,

lustforpower.“ItisaproblemthathasdefeatedthebestscientificbrainsI’vebeenabletogetsofar.Butyoumen,andDocSavage,aresupposedtobeevenbetter.

“ThatPitofHorrorholdsaforceandamaterialthatwillcontroltheworld.SomedetailsIknow.SomepartsIcancontrol;someIcan’t.Youmustsolvethemysterythatsofarhasbaffledallofus,mustlearnhowwecancontrolwhatwe

mysterythatsofarhasbaffledallofus,mustlearnhowwecancontrolwhatwehavefound.”Astrange,unreallookwasonYardoff’sface.Itwasasifamaskhaddropped.Afiendish,drivinglustforpowerwasthere,amerciless,satanicdesire.

Abreechclothedguardwithaparticularlybrutalfaceappeared.BetweenChicagoandNewYorkhehadcommittedatleastahundredmurders.

“Takethesementothelaboratory,putthemtowork,”Yardoffsaid.Theguard’smouthtwistedintoasnarlinggrinashesurveyedthenewarrivals.

“BeforeIcamehereIwould’a’beenafraidofDocSavage,”hegloated.“Notnow!”

Hamapparentlydidn’thearhim.Hewaslookingwithamazementathiscompanions.Theirfaces,also,werebeginningtoturnafaintcherry-red.“DocSavagewassupposedtobeamiracleman,”theguardwenton.“Iwanttoseehimpullone.”

“He’llsoonbehere,”Yardoffsmiled.“He’saprisonerupabove.Hewillbebroughtdownsoon.”

“Iwanttoseehimpullamiracle,too,”Hamwhispered.“Ihopehecandoit.”

ChapterXII.SANDSOFDEATHDOCwasdoingprettywell.AndYardoffhadbeenmistaken.ThemessagetoYardoffthatthebronzemanwasaprisonerhadbeenrelayedbelowbeforeithadbeenlearnedthatDoc,notClementHoskins,hadlefttheescaperoom.Thebronzeman,cladasHoskins,wasstridingthroughtheundergroundglassfactory,thefirststopmadebytheglasselevatortowardtheinfernobeneath.

Machinerypoundedandthumpedaroundhim.Blastfurnacesthrewaluridredglareovertheplace.Thebronzemanhesitatednowandthen,lethiseyesabsorbeverydetailoftheplace.

Theworkerstherepaidnoattention.TheywereaccustomedtoinspectiontripsbyHoskins.Therewasonepeculiaraspecttothecavern.Greatmotorswhirredtorunheavymachinery,thefurnacesglowed;butnowherewasthereanysignofapowerline,justastherehadbeennosuchsigninthefactoryabove.The

apowerline,justastherehadbeennosuchsigninthefactoryabove.Themachinesseemedtodrawtheirtremendousforcesfromthethinairitself.

PerhapsDocdelayedlongerthanheshouldhave.OrperhapsHoskins’sjawhadbeenmoresolidthanitseemed.Hoskinsshouldhavebeenoutformorethananhour.Hewasn’t.

Beforethebronzemanwashalfwaythroughthegreatworkshop,ashrillalarmbellsounded.Redlightsflickeredinasignalboardupabovethemaindoorway.

Shoutsofsurprisecamefromtheworkers.Oneseizedatelephone.Hisfacewaspallidashedroppedthereceiver.

“Grabthatguy!”heshouted.“TheonewholookslikeHoskins.Thatain’tHoskins.That’sDocSavage!”Mingledhowlsofrageandpanicresoundedinthecavern.Themendroppedtheirwork,seizedheavytoolsasweapons.TheyrushedtowardDoc.

Onehugefellowwasfasterthantherest.Heshowednocautionasherushedin,swingingaheavywrench.

Thebronzemandodgedeasily.Hispowerfulhandsshotout,seizedthehugeattacker.Themanhurtledthroughtheairlikesomelong-leggedmedicineball.Hissoaringfigurebowledoverleadersofthehorderushingbehindhim.Theyfellinaheap,armsandlegstangling.Asecondmanleapedout.Heheldaglassrevolver.Thenextinstantandhe,too,lostconsciousness.Doc’sfingershadseemedbarelytoflickhisneck.ThegunwasinDoc’shand.

Docdidn’tshoot.Thegunwasloadedwithdeadlybullets.Thebronzemanhadnodesiretokill.Hespedswiftlytowardtheelevator,dodgingandtwisting.

Agroupformednearthedoorway.Docturnedtoevadethem.Therewasasuddenrushfrombehindhim.Thebronzemanappearedhemmedin,trappedfrominfrontandbehind.Hisflakegoldeyessparkled.Aroutewasopentooneside.Withouthesitationheturnedthatway,runninglightlybutwiththespeedofadeer.

Docstartedtocrosswhatseemedabedofsand.Toolatehesawwhatitreallywas.Hetwistedinmid-air,spun,triedtoturnback.Hewastoolate.Thesandgavebeneathhisfeetlikepowder.Fierceheatsurgedupbelowhim.Thesandsuckedhimdownasifithadbeenquicksand.

Dochadsteppedintoasandconveyer.Itleddirectlyintoahugeblastfurnaceinanadjoiningroom,ablastfurnacefilledwithmoltenglass.

THEbronzeman’spursuersgatheredabout.Oneraisedaglassrevolver.

“Don’tshoot,fool!”thevoiceofHoskinsscreamed.“Weneedthatbronzedevil!”

Thebarrel-shapedmanshoulderedhiswaythroughthemob.“You’rereallycaughtthistime,Savage,”hegloated.

Docrelaxed,layflatonhisback,withonlyhislegsburiedinthesand.Theedgeofthepitwasalmostwithinreachabovehishead.Butthatwasoflittlegood.Evenifhecouldreachthatedge,hestillwouldhavetofacethepackofkillersthatlinedthepit.

Thebronzeman’shandsappearedrelaxed.Onewasathisside,halfhiddenunderthesand.Suddenlythatarmshotup.Itmadetwomotionsintheair.Ablindingflashfilledthecavern.Asecondblastfollowedinstantly.Concussionknockedmentothefloor.Heavy,sulphuroussmokerolledthroughthecavern.Menchoked,gasped

forbreathandranincircles.Theyknockedagainsteachother,blinded.

Hoskinsrealizedwhatmusthavehappened.HehadseenDocthrowtwosmallobjects.Thoseobjects,thebarrel-shapedmanknew,musthavebeensmall,concentratedthermitebombs.Whenthebombsstruckthepyritewall,theterrificheatofthethermiteburnedintothesulphur,floodedthecavernwiththedense,chokingsmoke.Butalthoughthefatmanwasnotdeceived,he,liketheothers,wasblinded.

Docalonewasnot.

Thebronzeman’seyeswereclosed.Hepoppedanoxygenlozengeintohismouth.Thenhislongarmsstretchedout,hejerkedforward.Hissteel-strongfingerscaughttheedgeofthepit.Amomentmoreandhisfeetwereonfirmrock.

DOCcouldnotopenhiseyesbecauseofthesulphurfumes.Butthatdidnotstophim.Hemovedforwardswiftly,hisremarkablesenseofdirectionguidinghimstraighttothecorridorthatledtotheelevator.Twoguardsstillstoodattheelevator.Theyhadheardsoundsofthechaseandoftheexplosion,buthadnotmoved.Hoskinshadorderedthemtoremainwheretheywere.TheylookedsurprisedwhentheysawDocapproach,butmadenomove.TheythoughtHoskinshadreturned.Docjumpedintotheglasselevator,pressedthestartingbuttonandhungon.Theelevatorhadtwospeeds,oneveryslow,oneveryfast.Thebronzemanusedthefastone.

Theglasscarpitcheddownward.Foratimetheshaftappearedtohavebeenhewnfromsolidrock.Thentherocktookonadifferentquality.Aweird,glowingsurfacelightedtheshaftwithbluishluminance.Herewereotherevidencesofattemptsatmining.Effortshadbeenmadetocarvecorridorsintherock.Theyhadbeenunsuccessful.Thesurfaceappearedlittlemorethanscratched.Dochaltedthecarforamoment,inspectedoneoftheminingefforts.

Afaint,trillingsoundcamefromhislips.Theorewasdifferentfromanyhehadeverseenbefore.ThatverydifferencemightexplainwhyHoskinswassoeagertoobtainthebronzeman’sservices.Thebronzemanstartedtheelevatoragain.Forseveralsecondsitdroppedswiftly.Thenthatdropwashalted.Itwashaltedsosuddenlyoneoftheglass-wovencablessnapped;thecagebouncedforaninstantlikesomehugetoyontheendofarubberband.Theelevatorhadnotreachedthebottomoftheshaft.Ithadbeenstoppedbysomeothercontrol,someswitchoperatedfromabove.Thenextinstantitbegantoascendwithdizzyspeed.

Thecarjerkedtoastopandthedoorgratedopen.Itwasattheminelevelofthefoundrycavern.Hoskins,armedmenwithhim,rushedintothecage.Thecagewasempty.

“Heisn’there!”Hoskinsroaredsomewhatneedlessly.“Heeithergotallthewaydownorgotoffatoneoftheexperimentallevelsbelow.”Thebrutal-appearingguardwhomDochadhurledathisfellowsinthecavernfightstepped

inbehindhisleader.

“Thatmugwon’tgetfar,chief,”hemuttered.“Wegothimcoveredhere.Andifhedidgetthroughtheleaddoor,why—”“Yes,yes,”Hoskinsagreed.He

hedidgetthroughtheleaddoor,why—”“Yes,yes,”Hoskinsagreed.Heseemedtothinkswiftly.“Youcomewithme,I’lltakecareofyou.Theotherscanremainhere.”

Thebrutal-appearingguardquailed.BeforehecouldobjectHoskinsslammedthedoorofthecage.Theliftshotagainintothedepthsoftheearth.

Itstoppedwithasickeningjolt.Themineshaftterminatedinasmallcavern.Atonesidewasamassivedoor,madeofsomeleadlikemetal.Hoskinseyedthedoorforalongmomentandaslowgrinsplithisfatface.“Itdoesnotappearthathehaspassedthroughthisdoor,althoughheissodamnedtrickyhemayhavefiguredouthowtodosowithoutleavingasign.Gobackup,keepguard.”

Astheelevatorshotupwardoncemore,ashadowseemedtodriftintoahiddencornerofthecavern.Thatwasall.ButDocwasonthescene.Hehadleapedintooneofthemineshaftswhenthecagehadbeenyankedup.Asthecagereturned,bearingHoskinstothebottom,thebronzemanhadriddenwithit.Hehadriddenontop.Hoskinsturnedtowardthegreatleadlikedoor.Asmilewasonhislips.HewassureDoccouldn’tgetaway,evenifhewantedto.Andhewasmorethancertainthebronzemancouldnotrununtilhismenwereatleastsafe.

Thebarrel-shapedonereachedbesidethedoor,pressedahiddenlever.Thebigportalswungopensuddenly.Hoskinssteppedinside.Asuddenrushoffeetswepthimback.Athin,rat-facedmancladinabreechcloth,hisskinacherry-red,ledadozenotherssimilarlyappearinginarushtowardHoskins.

“Weknowyou,DocSavage!”hecried.“Wewastelephonedyouwascomin’downdressedasHoskins.”Hoskinsopenedhismouthtospeak.Butthewordsthatapparentlyissuedfromhislipsbroughtanexpressionofamazementoverhisfatface.“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”heseemedtosay.

“Ididn’tsaythat!”hescreamedinthenextbreath.

“Isaidwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”Hoskins’voicerepeated.Hoskins’sexpressionwasthatofamanstunned,amanwhocouldn’tbelievehisownears,andseeminglynothisownvoice.Butitwasnothingtotheconsternationontherattypanofthebreechclothedthug.SomeonehadtoldhimoncethatwhenDocSavageactedmysterious,hewasdoublydangerous.Andthiswascertainlymysterious.Itdidn’tevenmakesense.“Rat-face”gulped.

“Iain’tenjoyingdoingthis,Savage,”heshouted,“butit’sthelivingfireifI

“Iain’tenjoyingdoingthis,Savage,”heshouted,“butit’sthelivingfireifIdon’t!”Hoskins’sfacebecamealmostpurplewithapoplecticrage.

“Whatdoyoumean,yourat?”hescreamed.Hegulped.

“Well,getitoverwith,startsomething,”heseemedtocontinue.“Icantakeallyouguys!”ThatwastoomuchforRat-face.Heshoutedtohisfellows.Longstrands,ropesofrubberandwovenglass,swishedthroughtheair.TheyencircledHoskins,caughthimaroundthearmsandthelegs.Intheendthebarrel-shapedmanwasboundthoroughly.

ThejoltingbroughtHoskinstohissenses.HerecalledthenthatDocwasknownasanexpertventriloquist,realizedthebronzemanmusthavebeenclosebyandhadthrownhisvoicetomakeitappearHoskinswasspeakingwhenthebarrel-shapedmanreallywasnot.

Hoskinslookeddirectlyattherat-facedman.Hislipsmovedsoundlessly.Rat-facestarted;helookedincredulous.Hoskinsshookhisheadsavagely.Againthelipsformedwordswithoutsound.

Slowly,cautiously,almostfearfully,Rat-facemovedforward.Heleanedover,putahandagainstHoskins’sface.

Therewasafaintsnap.Thatwasall.“You—you’rereallyHoskins,”Rat-facemuttered.

“Ofcourse.”Hoskinssigheddeeply.“I’vebeendownheresooften,I’vetakenthelivingfirefrommybodysomuch,thatittakesonlyafewminutesformetobesafehere.HadyoutouchedDocSavagethen,youknowwhatwouldhavehappened:hewouldhavebeendead.”

Rat-facewasapologetic.HeloosenedthebondsaboutHoskinswithtremblingfingers.“ButDocSavageissmartenough—”hebegan.“Nomanisthatsmart!”Hoskinssnarled.Hegottohisfeet,whippedaglassgunfromhispocketHespokealmostinawhisper:“Savagehadtobeclose,orhecouldnothavemadeitappearIwasspeaking.Searchtheelevatorcavernclosely.DocSavagemustbethere.Findhim!”Thecherry-redmenswarmedintotheroomwheretheelevatorhaddescended.

Hoskinswatchedwithnarroweyes.Themenwerefindingnothing,butastrangethoughthadoccurredtohim.“Comehere!”herasped.Themenobeyed,returned

thoughthadoccurredtohim.“Comehere!”herasped.Themenobeyed,returnedthroughtheleaddoor.Hoskinsclosedandsecuredit.Whenheturned,hisfeatureswerehard,aglassgunwasreadyinhishand.

“Youknowthatthosewhofirstenterthiscaverncannottouchoneofyouwithoutimmediatedeath,”hesaidharshly.“Itisonlyaftertheyhaveremainedhereawhile,untiltheirbodieshavebecomeasyours,thattheyaresafe.Now,standinline.Joinhands!”

Therewasonebigcherry-redmaninthegroup.Hehadbeenthelasttocomefromtheelevatorcavern.Hewalkedtooneendofthefast-formingline.Hoskins’seyescenteredonthatman.Hecouldn’tbesure,buthedidn’trememberanyofhisattackersbeingthatbig.Buthehadn’tcountedthem.IfthiswasDoc,thenhewouldknow

soon.

“Allright!Joinhands!”Hoskinsrepeatedimpatiently.Thebigmanjoinedhandswiththecherry-redfigureclosesthim.IthappenedtobeRat-face.

Nothinghappened.

Hoskins’sfacefell.Hehadbeenmistaken.“O.K.—”hebegan.

“Chief!Chief!Thisguy’safake!”Rat-facewasscreamingthewords.Hewastryingtofreehishandfromthegraspofthebigmanwhoheldhim.

“Thisguyain’toneofus’”Rat-facebellowed.“He—he’swearingrubbergloves!”

ChapterXIII.THELIVINGFIRESTRIKESTHEbigmanattheendofthelinegaveatremendoussurge.Mightymusclesrippledandtightenedundersmoothskin.Theentirelineofcherry-redmenweresnappedthroughtheairlikeagroupofskaterscrackingthewhiponslickice.TheysmashedintoClementHoskins,knockedhimfromhisfeet.

Thenthebigmanletgo.Flakegoldeyesflashedasheturnedandraceddownthecorridor.DocSavagewasonhiswaytothePitofHorror!

ClementHoskinswasrunningalmostbeforehegottohisfeet.DocSavageon

ClementHoskinswasrunningalmostbeforehegottohisfeet.DocSavageonthelooseintheundergroundlabyrinththatsurroundedthePitofHorrordidnotsuithimatall.Hoskinswasworried.Hedidn’tknowwhatthebronzemanwoulddonext.

Franticallyheracedinpursuit.Hestoodnochance.Hisbarrel-shapedfigurewasnotbuiltforrunning.Hoskinssoonrealizedthat.Hewaspantingashereachedthatgreatcaveoftheworkshop.Yardofftookonelookathisbarrel-shapedpartner.Thescarecrow-shapedmanhalted.

“Youlethimgetaway?”hesaid.

Hoskinsnodded.Hisshouldersslumped.“But—buthe’sdownhere,”hesaid.“Tellmewhathappened.”

Hoskinsdid.“I’mafraid,”heconcludedsimply.Hisbreathinghadreturnedtonormal.

Yardoff’sthinfacenarrowedinconcentration.“Heissmart,”hesaidatlast.“Thatwaswhywewantedhim.Butheisupagainstsomethinghecan’tescape—unlesswehelphim.Wehavenointentionofdoingthat.YouandIcangetoutofthisplacealive.Nooneelsecan.Soonerorlater,sinceheisdownhere,wewillfindhim.”“But—butsupposehecatchesus,holdsusashostages?”

“Acheckmate,”Yardoffagreed.Hegrinnedvenomously.“Orwouldbe—ifitwasn’tfor

Virginia.”

“Virginia?”Hoskinsrepeatedvacantly.“Certainly.”Yardoff’sfacebecamemalevolent.“Shetriedtosavehim.Shehasfallenforhim.Heknowsthis,andwhileIknowheneverfallsforwomenhimself,hewouldgotoanylengthtosaveherfromharm.”

“So?”

“Iwanther.”Yardoffspokecalmly,buthiseyeswerenotnicetosee.“Haveherbroughtdown.Putheronthesubmarine.Ifthatbronzedeviltriestodisruptourplans,we’lltellhimshewilldie.Shemustbeputoutofthewayanyway,soonerorlater,becausesheknowstoomuch;butwewon’ttellhimthat.”Hoskins’smouthopenedandclosed.Hebecameoldsuddenly.Buthedidnotargue.He

mouthopenedandclosed.Hebecameoldsuddenly.Buthedidnotargue.Heturnedtoleave.Instructionsmustbegiven.

“Noonecanbeatyou,”hesaid.

HOSKINSmightnothavebeensosurehadhiseyesbeenequippedwithtelevision.Twoscenesmighthavedisturbedhim:

Onewasthefigureofagreat,breechclothedmanglidingsilentlythroughthequeerlyglowingrecessesofthecorridorsandcavernsoftheundergroundlabyrinth.

DocSavagewasheadingdirectlyforthePitofHorror!TheotherscenewouldhaveshakenHoskinsevenmore.ItwastakingplaceatPalmSprings.

Threesilver-graytransportairshipshadlanded.Itwasnightnow.Alean,hard-appearingmanwasthefirsttodescend.Unconsciouslyhepulledahandkerchieffromonesleeveandwipedthepalmsofhishands.Themenwhopouredoutofthethreeplanesdidnotlookappealing.Theywereaschoiceagangofmurderersasevergatheredinasinglespot.

TheyheadedtowardanopentouringcaratStingerSalvatore’scommand.ThedriverofthetouringcarwasstaringatStingerwithfear-strickencountenance.Likeahypnotizedchicken,hecouldnotmovehisgazefromtheunblinkingeyesofthegangleader.“I—I’mlost,”hebreathed.“Stingerisgoingtokillme.”

ThedrivertriedtomakehimselfsmallasStingerSalvatorehaltedinfrontofthecar.

“Double-crosser!”spatthegangleader.“I—Iain’tdonenothin’,boss,”themoon-faceddriverwhimpered.

Stinger’seyesglittered.“Youletmegettricked,”heraspedsoftly.

“I—Idon’tunderstand.”“Getin,boys,”Stingerordered.Thegangsterspouredintothemachine.Therewereso

many,somehadtostandontherunningboards.

“Getgoing!”Stingersnarled.Sonervoushishandswouldnotholdstill,thefat

“Getgoing!”Stingersnarled.Sonervoushishandswouldnotholdstill,thefatdriverputthecarintomotion.

“Whatisit,boss?”hequavered.“Whatiswrong;whathaveIdone?”

“YouletHoskinsandYardoffpullafastoneonme!”Stingercracked.“But—but—”

“YardoffandHoskinscametomeandtalkedofmillions,”Stingerexplainedsoftly.“TheywantedmetogetDocandhismenforthem.Igottwoofthem.Andwhathappens?”

“I—Idon’tknow.”“Thatwaswhattheywantedtohappen.Assoonastheygetthetwoguys,YardoffandHoskinsgoontheirown.Theyneverintendedtocutmein,tobeginwith.They’regivingmetherun-around.AndIhadyouheretokeepmeposted.Youdidn’t.Youletthemmakeasapoutofme.”Thefatdriverwetdrylips.Stingerwasright.HoskinshadpaidhimmorethanStinger,hadtoldhimnottosayanythingaboutDocSavagearriving.Hetried,now,toclearhimself.

“Docandthreeofhismengotherethisafternoon,”hemuttered.“Theywereoverpoweredandcaptured.”“Good!”snappedStinger.“NowI’llgetthewholecrowd.”

Ifthedriverhadn’tgivenreportstoStingerbefore,hetriedtomakeupforitnow.Thecrooksontherunningboardsgrinned.Italwaysamusedthemtoseesomeoneelsetryingtotalkhiswayoutofbeingmurdered.Thefactorysooncameintoview.“Stophere!”rappedStinger.

Thecrooksgotoutofthecar.Itwasstrangehowmanymusiciansthereappearedtobe.Nearlyallwerecarryingviolincases.“I—Icangonow?”trembledthedriver.“Sure,”saidStinger.Ascalmlyasifhewerebutcheringachicken,thegangleaderpulledoutasilencedrevolverandshotthedriver.Aroundholeshowedinthedriver’sforehead.Hefellonhisface.

“Okay,boys,”Stingersaid.“Youknowwhattodo.Let’sgo!”

“Iwonderwhatwe’regoingtofindhere,”saidonekillertohiscompanion.“Thiswholeset-upisascrewyone!”

THEgunmanwouldhavethoughtthingsweremorescrewythaneverifhecouldhaveseenDocSavagejustthen.

Thehummingdroneofdisembodiedpowerroaredinhisears.Inaddition,now,therewasaqueerpulsingintheair.

Docwasproceedingslowly.Themannerinwhichthebronzemanstopped,examinedeveryinchofqueerrockformationaroundhim,indicatedhewastryingtofindtheanswertosomevitalproblem.

Thebronzemanstopped,lookedathishandsandarms.Hisskintingledwithanodd,galvanizingsensation,wasturninganactualcherry-redunderthecherry-reddyehehadusedtohidehisdistinctivebronzecoloring.Inthelong,twistingpassagewaybehindhimafaceshowedforaninstant.ItdisappearedwhenDocstopped.Asthebronzemanwenton,astealthyfigurecreptslowlyinpursuit.

Doc’searswerekeen.Buttheconstanthummingdronewassufficienttodrownoutanyothernoise.Hedidnotknowhewasbeingfollowed.

Thefigurebehindhimwasneitherthebarrel-shapedoneofHoskins,northescarecrowfigurethatwasYardoff.Indeed,thisonelookedfurtivelybehindhimasoftenashelookedahead.Whateverwashispurpose,itseemeditwasentirelyhisown.Docwenton.Heturnedacorner.Hisbronzeskinseemedtoturnalividblue.Alargecavernlaybeforehim.Theairthatfilleditseemedtobeaburning,lividblue.Itwasasifthecavernwereagreatmercuryarclamp.Inthemidstofthisdancedagreatballofevenmorebrilliantblueness.Itrockedaboutunevenlylikeaweirdwill-o’-the-wispofhell.

Thebronzemanstoodstillforamoment.Thencautiously,hecreptforward.Hestopped,peeredoverahighridgeinthefloorofthecavern.

Thenhesawthewalloflivingfire!Agreat,jaggedwallofrockseemedtoblazewithsmokelessflame.Thewill-o’-the-wispballseemedtodrawitsstrengthfromthere.Thehummingnoisewasalmostdeafening.Thepulsatingvibrationwasstrongenoughtomakethefleshquiver.

AndatthebottomofthatwalloflivingflamewasthePitofHorror.Docdidnotneedtobetold.Theevidencewasthere.Aheapofskullslaysuggestivelyatoneside.Butthatwasnotwhatmadethescenesoloathsome.Itwasthepileof

side.Butthatwasnotwhatmadethescenesoloathsome.Itwasthepileofbodiesthathadnotyetbecomeskeletonsthatappearedfearsome.

Themenweredead.Theyhadbeendeadforsometime.Flameplayedovertheirbodies,flamethatsparkledandshotouttinystreamsofsparks.Doc’sstronghandsgraspedthetopoftheledgebeforehim.Heraisedhimselfslightlyforabetterlookasafaint,trillingsoundcamefromhislips,soundedevenoverthepulsatingroar.Thenithappened.

Strong,ghostlyhandsseemedtograspthebronzeman.Hisfingers,steelstrong,grabbedattheledgeofrock.

Thosefingerswerenotstrongenough.Sofastthathisbodyitselfseemedastreakoflight,Docwaspickedupfromtheledge.Hewasjerkedthroughspace.Withaloud,smackingimpactthebronzemanwasliterallysuckedhardagainstthatwalloflivingflame.

Hehungthere,midwayupasmooth,perpendicularsurface.Therewerenoobstructions

nearhim.Hisarmswereoutflung,buttheywerelimp.Likeaflyimpaledonapin,hewassuspended.Flameflickeredoverhisbody.Hiseyeswereglazedandunseeing.

Backinthecorridor,softfootstepsdrewcloser.Afiguredodgedfurtivelybehindarock.Amirthlesschuckledriftedthroughtheair.

ChapterXIV.APROFESSORPLAYSTRICKSDOC’Sfiveaidswereinthelaboratorycavern.Foralongtimetheyhadnothingtodo.Theycouldonlylook,whileguardsloungednearby.

Thelaboratorywasworthinspecting.Itwasdifferentfromanytheyhadeverseenbefore,butonlyinonerespect:Everythingwasmadeofglass.Inaddition,however,itwasaswellequippedaseventhebestscientistcouldask.Butjustlookinggrewpalling.AndDoc’saidswerenotthekindtoremainworriedforanylengthoftime.EventheguardsgrinnedasMonkandHambickered.

“Enter,thescarecrow,”grinnedHam.Theotherslookedup.Yardoffwasapproaching.“Iseeyoucouldn’tcatchDoc,”Monkgibed.Yardoff’seyesgrew

approaching.“Iseeyoucouldn’tcatchDoc,”Monkgibed.Yardoff’seyesgrewhard,butheignoredtheremark.HeheldouthishandtoLongTom.Inhispalmwasasmallpieceofqueerlyglowingrock.Hesaid:

“Yourjobistodiscovertheatomicstructureofthissubstance.Donotwastetime.YourlivesandthelifeofDocSavagedependuponyoursuccess.”

YardoffdroppedthesmallpieceofrockinLongTom’shand.LongTomjerkedinsurprise.Therockwasheavy—heavybeyondallproportiontoitssize.

HisexclamationcaughtMonk’sinterest.Johnnymovedforward,eyeslighting.Yardoffgrinnedslightly.“I’llleaveyouinchargeofmyveryableassistant,ProfessorTorgle,”hesaid.“Holycow!”saidRenny.

Therewasreasonforhisastonishment.ThemanwhocamefrombehindYardoffwouldhaveattractedattentionanywhere.Hisfeetheadedonedirection,hisbodyanother,asifsomegianthadatonetimetwistedhimhalfwayaround.Hisheadwasunbelievablyflatonthetop.Littleeyesthathadnocoloroftheirown,glowedliketinyredcoals.Themouthlookedlikearaggedslitcutbyaknifeintoadullpieceofredleather.“Ihopeyouboysareassmartasyou’resupposedtobe,”hesaid.Thevoicewasamirthlesscackle.

Yardoffdisappeared.

“Inthislaboratory,”continuedProfessorTorgle,“youareallatmymercy.Ihavenotbeenabletosolvethesecretofthepowerrock,soIhaveamusedmyselfmakingdeathtraps,thatneverfail.Makeyourselvesathome,gentlemen.”

HamwasstudyingProfessorTorglewithparticularinterest.Torglehadbeenoneofthemostdangerouscriminalstheworldhadeverencountered.Hehadbeenparticularlydangerousbecausehewasascientistofmorethanordinaryability,withasharp,keenbrain.

Torglesupposedlywasinanasylum,buthewasn’t.Hewashere.Rennymovedtowardthequeer-shapedprofessor.

HambarkedgutturallyinatonguethatmadeTorgle’sheadsnaparound.ItwasthelanguageofancientMaya.

ProfessorTorgle’ssmalleyesflamedwithquickanger.“Plottingagainstme,areyou?”hecackled.Hegesturedtowardonesideofthecavern.Almostbehind

you?”hecackled.Hegesturedtowardonesideofthecavern.AlmostbehindHamwasanenormouselectricchair.ItlookednotunliketheoneinSingSing’sdeathhouse,savethatitwaslargerandmadeofglass.Thereweremetalcontactplatesintheseat,onthearmsandonthehighback.

“Watch!”screamedTorgle.

Whippedaboutbyaninvisibleforce,Hamfoundhimselfsuddenlyseatedinthatchair.

ANexpressionofamazementcameoverthedapperlawyer’sface.Clampsofglasslikesubstancesnappedaroundhislegsandarms.

“Nowgettowork,dowhatyouweretoldtodo!”Torglescreamed.“Thelawyerisofnousedownhereanyway.SoIwillkeephimhereuntilyouhavefinished.”

HamhadnotbeenplottingagainstTorglewhenhespokeinMayan.Hehadbeenwarningthemtobecareful,nottoarousethequeerlyshapedman,thatitmightbedangerous.

“Let’sgettowork,”LongTomurged.“Itlookslikethatisthebestwecoulddoforallconcerned.”Hamdidnotappeartobeinparticulardanger.Andsincehewasn’t,theexpressiononthedapperlawyer’sfacewasalmostlaughable.ThehairyMonkwasscowling,however,ashefollowedtheotherstoaworkbench.He’dliketogetthescrawnyneckofProfessorTorglebetweenhisfists.

Monkspreadanarrayoftesttubesoutbeforehim,begantotinkerwithchemicals.JohnnyandLongTompressedcloseby.Rennywanderedabout.Hewasanengineer.Theothersweremuchbetterequippedforthisjobthanhewas.

Monkappliedvariouschemicalstothepieceofglowingrock.Nothinghappened.Itseemedinsolubleinanything.Heusedadiamonddrillonit.Thediamondpointworeflat.Therockwasharderthanthediamond.ThenwithJohnny,heputthechunkinasmallelectricfurnace.LongTomturnedthepoweronfull.Theindicatorneedleshotup.Itwentfarbeyondthemeltingpointofanyrockormetaltheyhadeverheardof.Thentheycooledit,tookoutthecrucibleholdingtheglowingchunk.Thepieceoforewasasunscathedasifnoheathadbeenturnedonitatall!

“HOWLIN’calamities!”Monkshrilled.“Ican’tbelieveit!”“Aphenomenonofextraordinarypossibilities,”thegeologistmurmured.“Ifitcouldbesmeltedormilled,itwouldbeanimpregnablemetallicsubstance.”

“Youboysain’tdoin’sogood,”cackledProfessorTorgle.

Monkgrowledtohimself.LongTomwasbendingoveranotherbench.Hehadpulledabouthimacomplicatedarrayofindicatordials,inductioncoils,high-voltagebatteriesandtransformers.Rennywasidlinginthedirectionoftheelectricchair.Helookedoverashoulder.Torgle’sattentionseemedcenteredontheexperimentstheothersweremaking.

ThebigengineerdivedtowardHam.Ifhecouldonlygetthosebighandsonthefasteningsthatheldthelawyerdown,hewassurehecouldfreehim.

Astartledshoutbrokefromtheengineer.Hissevere-appearingfeaturescontortedwithpain.Hehaltedasifhehadsmashedintoawallinmid-air.Torgleturnedaround,chuckledhideously.MonklookedupjustasRennywenttothefloor.

Monkbellowedlikeanenragedbull.HeplungedtowardTorgle.Thequeer-shapedmanscuttledbackwardwithunexpectedspeed.Hereachedalever,pulledit.

Monkalsostoppedasifhehadslammedflatagainstaninvisiblewall.Hestruckitwithsuchforcethatheknockedoveralargeglassworkbench.Theworkbenchdidnotgoallthewaytothefloor.Itstopped,tiltedfarover,asifheldupbyinvisiblehands.

Rennygottohisfeet,anincredulousexpressiononhisdisapprovingface.Monk’sarmswerecrooked,hispiglikeeyesflaring.Torglelaughed.

“Thatisahigh-frequencyrayofgreatervoltagethanmanhaseverknown,”hechortled.“Anotheronesurroundsyourfriendintheelectricchair.Youarehelpless.”Monk’sfacewasgrim.Heunderstoodhowhigh-frequencyraysworked.Theysetupaninvisiblewall,andthisonehadbeenasstrongassteel.LongTomalonehadgoneonwithhiswork.Helaboredwithafeverishintensity.Hehauledonehugestep-uptransformerbeforehim,adjustedacomplexarrayofcoilsanddials.

Experimentallyhepulledalever.Therewasasharp,whirringsound,and

Experimentallyhepulledalever.Therewasasharp,whirringsound,andcracklingsparksshotfromthestep-uptransformer.Theelectricalwizardshutitoff,adjustedanotherdial.Thenhepulledtheleverdownagain.Atightsmilespreadoverhisface.

Thewhirringwaslouderthistime.Thecracklingsparksshotmanyfeetintotheair.Thenthewhirringbecameahum.Asharpcrashcamefrombehindthem.Thecrazilyleaningworkbenchhadfallentothefloor.Hamleapedfromtheelectricchair.

Thehigh-frequencyrayswhichhadformedtheinvisiblewallhadbeenbroken.

TORGLEhowledinsurprise.Hehadn’tthoughttheseaidsofDocSavagecouldpenetratethemysteryofhisdevices.

Rennystartedforhim.Thequeer-shapedprofessorshuffledrapidlybackward.LongTomspokeswiftlyinMayan.Rennystopped.

“We’vestillgottofigureoutwhatthisis,”LongTomreminded.“YeahandHamisnousetous,youshould’a’lefthimwherehewas,”Monkgrumbled.

“Youdidn’tdosohotyourself,”Hamgibed.

Monkleapedtowardhim.Hamdancedoutoftheway,seizedaglassknifeandbrandisheditinfrontofhim.“I’llcarveslicesoffthathairyhideofyours!”heyelled.

ProfessorTorglelookedonwithopenmouth.“Gettowork!”hescreamed.AfaintgrinwasonLongTom’sface.AsTorgle’sattentionwascenteredonthestrugglingpairinthecenterofthelaboratory,theelectricalgeniusmovedtowardthepanelofleverstheprofessorhadbeenoperating.“Okay,boys,”heyelledsuddenly,“gethim!I’vegothiscontrolboard.He’shelpless!”

Torgleyelledwithrage.Themockfightinthecenteroftheroomstopped.Thefouraidsallracedtowardtheprofessor.

“Stop!Stop!”howledTorgle.

“Stopnothing!”saidHam.“I’mgoing—”ProfessorTorglepressedaconcealedbutton.Theeffectwasamazing.Doc’saidsstoppedasiftheyhadbeensuddenly

button.Theeffectwasamazing.Doc’saidsstoppedasiftheyhadbeensuddenlyfrozen.Theyseemedtohanggrotesquelyintheair.Theylookedlikemotion-picturefilmsofrunnerssuddenlyhaltedintheprojector.LongTom’shandshungmotionlessovertheleversonthepanelboard.

Thefivemighthavebeenlivingstatues.Theycouldnotmove;theycouldnotspeak.

AstrangelightflickeredinProfessorTorgle’ssunkenredeyes.“Fools!”hecackled.“Ifyouhadusedbrains,ifyouhadsolvedthesecretofthestrangestone,weallwouldhavebeenfreemen.Nowyouwillremainhereanddie.Butnotme.”

Withhisqueer,sidlingwalk,Torgleslippedfromthelaboratorycavern.HewenttowardthePitofHorror.

Attheledgehepeeredover.DocSavage’sbodystillhung,suspendedagainstthewalloflivingfire.Theprofessorlaughedhorribly.Ithadbeenhewhohadtrailedthebronzemantothisplace.“Theothersfear,andrightly,”hechortled,“butnotme.AndnowIhavethefamousDocSavageatmymercy.”

Carefully,hisstrangemethodofwalkingmakinghistaskmoredifficult,TorgledescendeddirectlyintothePitofHorror.Hepaidnoattentiontothefearsomeheapofbodies.

Withouthesitationhewalkedtothewalloflivingfire.Hisfingerssoughttinyprojections.Hepulledhimselfup,aninchatatime.AshehungbesideDoc’ssuspendedbody,hetookaglassknifefromhisbreechcloth.Heliftedtheknife,helditbackofDoc’sneck,thearmpoisedforathrust.

Histinyeyesdancedwithwildglee.

ChapterXV.KILLERSCLASHCLEMENTHOSKINSwouldhavebeenworriedifhecouldhaveseenDocthen.Notthathecaredaboutthebronzeman’shealth,butheneededhimalive,neededDoc’sbrains.

ButjustthenHoskinswasn’teventhinkingofDoc.Hehadotherworries.

Yardoff,histhinfacevenomous,waslisteningtoatelephonedescriptionof

Yardoff,histhinfacevenomous,waslisteningtoatelephonedescriptionofthingshappeningaboveground.Hiseyesglittereddangerously.Armedgangsterswerecreepingupontheglassfactory.OneofthethugsonguardabovethoughthehadrecognizedStingerSalvatore.RapidlyYardofftoldHoskinswhathehadheard.Hoskins’smoonfacehardenedsavagely.

“Itistime,”hesaid,“thatweeliminatedSalvatoreanyway.Hehasoutlivedhisusefulness.”

Yardoffnodded.“Thefactthatheisattackingwithoutwarningshowsherealizesweintendedtodothat.”Hoskinsrolledhisbarrel-shapedbodytowardoneofthequeerlyglowingwallsofthecaverninwhichtheystood.There,abovearubberplateonthefloor,protrudedtwoshorthandles.Hoskinsseizedthehandles,kickedaleverwithhisfeet.Theruddycomplexionofhisfaceturnedabrightcrimson.Sweatpouredfromhisfatpores.Hestoodthere,silent,formorethanaminute.ThenhereleasedhisgripandturnedtoYardoff.“Justaprecaution,”herapped.“Ihaveaplan.”

Thetwostrodetowardtheleadendoorthatopenedontotheelevatorshaft.Astheypassedit,Hoskinspressedabuttonandthewhineofmachineryannouncedthedescentoftheglasscage.

Fromasmalllocker,Hoskinstookoutrubbershoes,rubberglovesandouterclothing.Yardoffdidthesame.Thecagejoltedtoastop.Thetwogotin.“Perhaps,”Yardoffgrinnedthinly,“wecantalksuitabletermswiththisambitiousgangster.”

Theliftshotupward.

THEthugsintheglassfactorydidnotknowhowmanyattackerstherewere.Oneofthem,ahuge,broken-nosedindividual,hadseenadozenormoreslinkingfigures.Suddenlyhebroughtamachine-guntohisshoulder,pressedthetrigger.

Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

Stingerhadonelesscohort.Thebroken-facedkillergrinned.Thiswasgoingtobesimple.Onlyanartilleryattackcouldtaketheglassfactory.Thekillerlookedoutthewindowagain.Hesawaqueer-lookingweaponpokeoutfrombehinda

outthewindowagain.Hesawaqueer-lookingweaponpokeoutfrombehindapileofsand.Itwasn’tamachine-gun.Ithadaheavygaugeandaqueer,pineapple-likeprotuberance.

Therewasaloudbang!andtheprotuberancedisappeared.Ithurtledthroughthewindow,scarcelyaninchfromtheskullof“Broken-nose.”Boom!

Theglassfactoryrockedasthebombexploded.Broken-noselostallinterestinproceedings.Partsofhisbodysplashedonthewalls.Twootherthugsdropped,dying.Feargrippedthesurvivors.Machinegunswereonething.Fightingagainstvirtualtrenchmortarswassomethingelseagain.Thefactorywallswerenotbuilttowithstandanattackofthatkind.

“Thoseguysaretough,”whinedone.“Maybewe’dbetter—”Hedidn’tfinishhissentence.HesawHoskinsandYardoffemergefromtheelevator.Theirappearancewasmoreterrifyingtohimthantheweaponsinthehandsoftheattackersoutside.HechangedhismindaboutsuggestingthatperhapstheyshouldjoinforceswithStingerSalvatore.

HoskinsconferredbrieflywithYardoffandbarkedquickorders.MenlinedthewindowswithdeadlyTommyguns.Theirdeathroarfilledtheair.Burstsofsandkickedupinfrontofthefactory.Occasionallyascreamannouncedabullethadfounditsmark.Powerfulsearchlights,shelteredbybulletproofglass,madethesceneoutsideaslightasday.

Hoskinsdrewinhisbreathsharply.Theattackershadcomeprepared.Adozenarmedthugswerecreepingacrossanopenspace.Leadbeataboutthem.Buttheywereunharmed.Theywerepushingaheadofthemprow-shapedshieldsofmetal.Theshieldsweresoconstructedthattheydeflectedmachine-gunslugswithoutinjurytothemenbehindthem.Theboomofgrenadesgrewlouder,likethebassnotestothehigherwhineoftheTommygunsinthesymphonyofdeath.Lethalbombscrashedthroughfactorywindows.Oneenteredtheopenmouthofablastfurnace.

Theexplosionspewedmoltenglassoutintotheroom.Menscreamedinagony,coveredwithburningtorment.Thestenchofsingeingfleshfilledtheroom.

Threeblastscameinrapidsuccession.Theywerenotinsidethefactory.Theywerejustoutside.Barbedwireleapedintotheair.Apaththroughthedeath-chargedstrandshadbeencutbytheexplodinggrenades.

Thedefendingthugscastfrantic,desperatelooksatYardoffandHoskins.

Thedefendingthugscastfrantic,desperatelooksatYardoffandHoskins.Yardoffglancedathisbarrel-shapedcompanion,nodded.

Withoutaword,Hoskinspulledagreatwhitesheetofclothfromalocker,hungitfromawindow.

“Ceasefiring!”Yardoffrapped.StingerSalvatoregrinnedevillyashesawthatflag.

“Theycouldn’ttakeit,”hechuckled.Awizened-facedlieutenant,besidehim,shookhishead.

“It’stooeasy,boss,”hecautioned.“Watchoutforatrick.”“Right!”agreedStinger,andhisunblinkingeyesnarrowedtodeadlyslits.“Theyplantodouble-crossmeagain,probably.ThistimeI’mgoingtodothedouble-crossing.”

Hoskins’svoiceblaredfromaloudspeaker.

“Thereisnoneedforthiskilling,Stinger!”Hoskinsbellowed.“Therewillbemoremillionsthananyofuswillknowwhattodowith.Togetherwecanaccomplishmuch.Willyoutalkbusiness?”Stinger’sgringrewlarger.“Sure,Hoskins,butnotinsidethefactory.I’vegottobecareful.”

“Iwillputmyselfatyourmercy.I’llcomeouttotalkwithyou,”Hoskinsdeclared.

Thebarrel-shapedfigureofHoskinsappearedinthefactorydoor.Hewalkedoutintothesquare.Hewasanexcellenttargetinthestrongsearchlights.Frombehindthequeershields,halfadozenTommygunswereaimeddirectlyathisbody.

“Now,”Stingerwhisperedtohislieutenant,“yougotalktohim.”

“Me?”Fearshowedonthewizenedone’sface.

“You.”Stinger’svoicewasharsh.Aheavyautomaticwasinhishand.“Andwhenyougetnearhim,thisiswhatyoudo.”Hetalkedrapidly.“I’msendingmychieflieutenant,”Stinger’svoicerolledout.“Hecantalkforme.”AnexpressionofdisappointmentflickeredforamomentoverHoskins’sfatface,andwasgone.

Thewizenedcriminalslippedfrombehindashieldandsteppedforward.He

Thewizenedcriminalslippedfrombehindashieldandsteppedforward.Helickedhislips,dartedfurtiveeyestoeachsideofhim.Itwasapparenthedidnotlikehisassignment.

Tenfeetfromthebarrel-shapedman,thekillerwhippedoutagun.Withoutwarningheleveledit,squeezedthetrigger.Hoskinsdropped.Hewavedonehandtowardthewindowofthefactory.

Thegroundshookasfromatremendousclapofthunder.Lightningseemedtoplayaboutthebigyard.Sparksofterrificvoltageleapedfromoneantennapost‘toanother.Theentireyardbecameafieldofelectricity,ofvoltagegreaterthanathundercloud.

Thewizenedthugdiedlikeaninsectbeforeablowtorch.Thosebehindshieldswhohadreachedtheouterlimitsoftheyardwitheredanddied,andturnedintoblack,scorchedthingsthathadoncebeenmen.

AcurserippedfromStinger’stightlips.

Hoskinsleapedup,ranunscathedfromthesceneofterrortoreachthecomparativesafetyofthefactory.“Adoubledouble-cross!”Stingerswore.“Theblastedfieldhasnohonor!”

StingercouldnotunderstandHoskins’sescape,eitherfromthebulletortheterriblelightningthatrainedintheyard.Hoskinshadn’tentirelyescapedthebullet.Butthelittlekillerwhohadshotathimhadbeennervous;theleadhadmerelynickedthebigman.

HadStingerwitnessedthesceneinthecavernfarbeneaththeearth,beforeHoskinscametothesurface,hemighthaveunderstoodwhythebarrel-shapedonecouldrunthroughlightningunscathed.Thenagain,hemightnothaveunderstood.Butonethingtheflashilydressedgangsterdidknow,andthatwasthattheblastsofelectricitywhichwerebarringhisadvance,wereflashingfromtheantennalikeposts.

Grenadesrainedaboutthoseposts.Thepostswentdown.Thedeadlylightningceased.

ClementHoskins’sfacewasasnearlygrayasitcouldbeunderthecherry-redcomplexionhenowhad.Yardoff’ssharplipsweretightlyclosed.Hisscarecrowfigurewastense.

“Atightspot,”heconceded.

Hoskinsnodded.“Thosedamngrenades.Andhewastoosmarttocomenearmehimselfintheyard.”Thedefenderswerequailing,ashen-faced.FranticallyHoskinsandYardoffdrovethemtothewindows,forcedthemtokeepuparainofmachine-gunbullets.

BothYardoffandhisbarrel-shapedcompanionhadremovedaglove.Sightofthewaving,cherry-redhandsalonekeptthethugsattheirposts.Asecondblastfurnaceerupted,sprayingmoltenglass,asanexplosivebombhitit.

“Letthemhavethefactory,”Yardofforderedsuddenly.“Wecangetthemeasieriftheydo.”Hoskinsraspedabriskcommand.Thugswastednotime.Theyracedfranticallytowardtheelevatorthatranbeneath.Thereweren’tsomanyleftnow.Oneloadcouldtakethemall.

AsStinger’smenrushedinabove,theglasscageoftheelevatorrocketeddownward.Itstoppedatthefurnacelevel.

Yardoffleapedout,pressedabutton.Therewasadullboomfromabove.Sandandrockraineddown.Theupperpartofthetunnelcollapsed.

“Letthemdigthroughthat,”Yardoffsneered.“Iftheydo,they’llfindsomenicesurprisesforthem.”Hoskinsnodded,soberly.“Right,butwe’vegottoworkfastatthat.We’vegottofindDoc

Savageatonce,putthepressureonhim.”

PROFESSORTORGLEalsowasplanningtoputpressureonDocSavage.

Hehadbeenamusinghimself.Timeaftertimehehadswunghisknife,tohaltitsrazor-sharppointahair’sdistancefromthebackofthebronzeman’sneck.

Heweariedfinallyofthesport.“No,”hecackled—andpreparedforathrustthatwoulddrivetheglassknifeintothebronzeman’sheart.

ItwasthenthatDocSavagemovedslightly.

ProfessorTorgle’sknifehandfroze.Thebronzeman’sbodyhadnotmoved

ProfessorTorgle’sknifehandfroze.Thebronzeman’sbodyhadnotmovedmuch,butitwasenough.“Alive,”breathedTorgle.“Alive.Thekeytosafetyandfreedom.AndI—Ithinkinghimdead,wasabouttodestroythatkey!”Torglescampereddownthesheerfaceofthewalloffireasifpursuedbydemons.Atwisting,grotesquegrinwasonhisface;hisflatheadbobbedupanddown.

HewasdroolingashereachedthePitofHorror.Hekickedoneofthebodiescontemptuously,andclimbeduptheledgeuntilhecouldreachthecorridorthatledtothebigcaverns.Torglereachedthefirstgroupofworkers.Hewhisperedtothemexcitedly.

Incredulouslookswerehisanswer.Heargued.“But—butthePitofHorror!”gaspedone.“We—wedarenotgothere.Thatisdeath!”

ProfessorTorglespat.“Fools!”hecackledcontemptuously,“youcarryyourdeathwithyouinyourownbody.ThewalloflivingfireinthePitofHorrorcannothurtyou,becauseyouarealreadylivingfire.Thepitofdeathhasmerelybeenusedasabogytofrightensuchfoolsasyou.Thosewhohavegonetherehavebeenshotdown,notmysteriouslykilled.Butyouwilldie,diehorribly,likeasheetoffire,unlessyoutakethechanceI’mofferingyou.”Hiswordscarriedconviction.Thecherry-redmendroppedtheirtools;theybegantopickuppiecesofglassthatcouldbeusedforweapons.

Otherscarriedthemessagethroughthecavern.Amobformedswiftly.

“WewillgetthisDocSavage,wewillholdhimforahostage!”Torgleshouted.“Wewilldemandthatwebegiventhesecretwhichwillbringusfreedomorwewillkillthebronzeman.IfHoskinsandYardoffdon’tagree,wewillkillthem,also!”ThemobstartedracingforthePitofHorror.

“Butwhyisthebronzemanhelplessthere?”oneconvictasked,notunreasonably.“Idonotknow,fool!”Torgleshouted.“Wewilllearn.AndIneedhelptobringhimout.”

“Ican’tstandit!Ican’tstandit!”avoicescreamedsuddenly.Theshriekwashighanddespairing.

“Kill!Kill!”anothershouted.Aninsanespiritgrippedthemob.Inamomenttheywerechangedtoamobofmaddened,kill-crazyconvicts.

TheyracedonaheadofTorgle.Thequeer-shapedprofessortriedvainlytohalt

TheyracedonaheadofTorgle.Thequeer-shapedprofessortriedvainlytohaltthem.Hesawhisplansevaporatingunderthekill-crazyfrenzyofthemob.

Thensomethinghappenedtohim,too.Healsowasaffectedbythesteady,never-endinghum.Hescreamed,scamperedforwardwiththerest.Heforcedhiswaytothefront.ProfessorTorglehadbecomejustanothermurder-determinedman,racingattheheadofthepack.

“Kill!Kill!”themenscreamed.“KillHoskins!KillYardoff!KillDocSavage!”

ChapterXVI.AMOBAMUCKDOCSAVAGEheardthemobapproaching.Thebronzemanstirred;hisflakegoldeyesopened.

Hehadbeenslammedsohardagainstthewallthattheblowhadknockedhimunconscious.Hisheadhadtakenaterrificshock,hisentirebodyhadbeensubjectedtoterrificpunishment.

Buthispowersofrecuperationwerefarbeyondthoseofanordinaryman.Almostinthesameinstanthiseyesopened,hisbraincleared,becamealert.

InstantlyDocacted.Hishandswenttohiswaist.Aboutthatwaistwastheemergencykithealwayscarriedwithhim.Initwerecompactinstrumentsofallkinds.SomeofthoseInstrumentswereofmetal.Anditwasthemetalthathadcausedhispredicament.Thewalloflivingflamehadactedasagigantic,tremendouslypowerful,electromagnet.

Electromagnetssuchasareusedinhandlingofhugequantitiesofscrapironaresopowerfulthattheywillliftamanfromthegroundmerelybyattractiontothenailsinthebottomofhisshoes.

Thewalloflivingflamewasevenmorepowerful.IthadliterallyjerkedDocthroughspaceinpullingtowarditthemetalthatwasinhisemergencykit.Aslongasthebronzemanhadthatbeltaroundhim,hewasheldsuspendedintheair.TherehadbeennothingofmetalaboutProfessorTorgle.Hehadescapedtheactionoftheelectromagnet.

Doc’sfingersworkedswiftly.Theyexploredseveralpocketsoftheemergencykit.

Theweirdwill-o’-the-wispballoffire,whichhadbeendancingoverhead,droppedlower,passedoverthebronzeman.Hepaidnoheed.

Themobstreamedovertheledge,droppeddowninthePitofHorror.ProfessorTorglewasinthelead.Hehadhisglassknife.

Severalofthemoreagileofthekillersstartedupthewall.Docloosenedthestrapontheemergencykit.Hisbodyfloateddown—droppedtolandsquarelyinthecenterofthepackofmurder-madconvicts!

THEREweremorethanfiftyarmedkillersinthepit.Moreweredroppingdowneverymoment.Itappearedsuredeathforonemantoopposethatmob.Nooneperson—notevenDocSavage—couldhopetoovercomeallofthem.

DocSavagehadnointentionoftrying.Hisarmssmashedout.Thosenearesthimwerethrownback.Theycrashedintoothers,kill-crazy.

Thatwasallthebronzemanintended.Itwasenough.

Inaninstantthepitwasasnarling,whirlingmassoffightingmen.Menfightingeachother.Dochadcorrectlyinterpretedthetemperofthemob.Knewthattheyhadtofight,wouldfightanyone,eveneachother.

Glassknivesroseandfell;bloodspurted.ThescreamsofdeadanddyingmadethePitofHorrorliveuptoitsname.

Torgle’scrafty,maddenedbrainalonesawwhatwashappening.“It’sDocSavage!”hescreamed.“Don’tlethimgetaway!Killhim!Killhim!”

Doctwistedthroughthescreaming,fightingthrong.Occasionallyhisfistshotoutandsomekillerdropped,unconscious.ItwasimpossibleforTorgletokeephiminsight.Suddenlyoneoftheconvictsontheedgeofthecrowdscreamed.Hepointedatthepileofskullsatthebottomofthewalloflivingfire.

Thepileofskullsbeganmoving.Noonewasnear.Thenoneoftheskullsseemedtomount,unaided,intotheair.Thevacanteyesocketsappearedtobegrinningintheghastly,weirdbluelight.Theskullbegantospeak

“Thosewhohavediedhereresentyourpresence,”camethewords.Thejaw

“Thosewhohavediedhereresentyourpresence,”camethewords.Thejawboneclicked.“Leavewhileyouyethavetime.”

Fearofthesupernaturalsweptoverthecrowd.Mobspiritisinfectious.Itsweepswithamazingspeed.Themenscrambled,triedtoclimbuptheledgetogetoutofthecavern.Butjustasquickly,theystopped,turnedaround.

Perhapsiftheyhadnotbeenmaddened,thetrickwouldhaveworked.Killersfearwhattheycannotunderstand.Butthismobofmurdererswaspastthatfear.Theyreturnedtotheironeidea:Kill!Regardlessofthecost,kill!

Themobswepttowardtheskullhanginginmid-air.Thatonetheywouldevenkillagain.ProfessorTorgle’sflatheadwasinthelead.Hisslitofamouthwasworkingstrangely.

ThenDocSavagesteppedintoview.Thebronzemanwasdanglingtheskullfromablack,invisiblesilkencord.Asecondthreadwasattachedtothebonyjaw.Thesupernaturalwasexplained.

Ayellofhaterosefromthemob.

DocSavagedroppedtheskull.Herandirectlytowardthemob.Deathseemedcertain.Twoscorekniveswereready.Somewerethrown,towhistledangerouslycloseasthebronzemandiveddirectlytowardhisfoes.

Thenonecabledarmshotout.TheknifeinProfessorTorgle’shandclatteredtothefloor.Thosenearhimweresweptbackbypowerfulblows.

ThenextmomentDochadpickedupthequeer-shapedscientistandhadtuckedhimunderanarmlikesomelightbundle.AsProfessorTorglekickedandtwistedvainly,Docwhirled,racedaway.Thebayingpackwasinhotpursuit.Awallofflamewasinfront.Thebronzemandivedthroughit.Therewasathin,narrowtrail.Thetrailskirtedtheedgeofamightyundergroundprecipice.Thepitstretcheddownfromtheremanyhundredfeet.

Eventhenarrowtraildidnotgofar.Itendedinathinlinethatnotevenamountaingoatcouldfollow.

ButDocdidnotgetthatfar.Hetookthreequicksteps.Thenheseemedtolosehisbalance.Torglecriedoutinhorror.Doc’sfeetfaltered.Thenhefell,takingTorglewithhim,straightintotheyawningpitbelowtheprecipice!Ahowloffrustratedragecamefromthepursuers.Themoreventuresomecrowdedtothe

frustratedragecamefromthepursuers.Themoreventuresomecrowdedtothelipoftheclifflikerock.Theypeereddown,muttered.Nothingwastobeseen.Thebottomoftheprecipicewassofarbelowthatitwashiddenintheveilofblue.

“DocSavageisdead!”howledone.Thecrywastakenupbyothers.Fromdisappointmenttheyturnedtoglee.Theydanced,raved,swungarmsaloft.“Nowfortheothers!”screamedaconvictwhohadoncebeenPublicEnemyNo.1.“Let’sgetthem,getthemall,HoskinsandYardoff!”

Thetideturned.Theconvictsrushedbackward,scramblingovereachotherintheirhastetoleavethepit.

“DocSavageisdead.DocSavageisdead!KillHoskins!KillYardoff!”theyshrieked.Upthelongcorridortheyrushed,towardthegreatcavernandtheleaddoorstheyknewopenedtotheouterworld.

ChapterXVII.BETWEENTWOFIRESLONGTOMstaredstraightahead.Hecouldnotevenmovehiseyeballs.Hislipshadbeencaughthalfopened.Hespokethroughthoselips,hisvoicestrangled.Onebyone,hecalledoutthenamesoftheotherfourmenintheroom.Johnnycouldonlygrunt.Ham’sreplywassmothered.Monkgaveafaintsqueal.Onlyonevoiceseemedfreerthantheothers:ThatwasRenny’s.

“Wearebeingheldinanelectricalfield,”saidLongTom.Hearticulatedwithdifficulty.“You,Renny,seemnearertheouteredgethananyoftherest.Tryhardtomove.”

AsLongTomspoke,maddenedshoutsdriftedthroughthecloseddoorofthelaboratory.Theelectricalwizarddidnotknowwhatwashappening.Butthetenoroftheshoutingoftheconvictswasnotencouraging.Themenwereobviouslyouttoescape—andtokillwhateverlayintheirpath.

Renny’shugeframestrained.Everyounceofmuscleinhissixfeetfourofsolidstrengthstrainedinmightysurgestobreaktheinvisiblebondsthatheldhim.

“Icanmovealittle,notmuch,though,”hegasped.Perspirationwasstreamingdownhissevere,puritanicalface.Renny’shugefistsclenched.Hegaveanexclamationofdelightatthesign.Itshowedhewasbreathingthroughtheinvisibleelectricalfield.

“Touchthewall,Renny!”LongTomurgeddesperately.

Thehugeengineerworkedlikeamantryingtoswiminsomeheavy,clingingsubstance.Inchbyinch,heworkedonearmout.Hisoutstretchingfingerstouchedtheglittering,luminescentwall.

Therewasacracklingnoise.SparksflewfromtheendsofRenny’sfingersandthewallwherehehadtouchedit.Thebondsthatheldhimseemedtoslacken.Instantly,thebigengineerthrewhimselfhardagainsttherockwheretheluminescencewasbrightestHisalreadycherry-redfacebecamemoreandmorelivid.

“Feelanything,Renny?”LongTomasked.

Renny’slipsmovedspasmodically.Heswallowedhard.Thewordsseemedtochokefromhisthroat.“Feelslikesomeoneticklingmeallover,”hemuttered.“Sortofaqueertingling.”

“Good!”LongTomsnapped.Thenhewassilentforamoment.Outside,theshoutingwaslouder.Theconvictswerealmostatthedoorofthelaboratory.

LongTomwassuretheconvictswouldbeaslittleaffectedbytheelectricalfieldasTorglehadbeen.Hewassuretheycouldcomeinandslashthefivemenwithglasskniveswhiletheywerehelpless.

Sweattrickleddownhisface.Hisjawwascontorted,hisownmusclesstrainedtotheutmostinafutileefforttoescape.

“Thebutton—thebuttonTorglepushed!”hegasped.Rennylungedforward.Hefoughtasthoughswimmingagainstastrongtide.

“Killthem!Killthem!”cametheroarofthemob.Theroarcamefromjustoutsidethelaboratorydoor.

Thebigengineergaveafinal,desperatelunge.Hereachedthebutton,pressedit.

THEroarofthemobsweptbyoutside.Theconvictsweresurgingdownthecorridor,ontowardthemainworkshopcavern.EvidentlytheyhadnotknownDoc’saidswereinthelaboratory,oriftheyhadknown,theyhadforgotten.

Doc’saidswereinthelaboratory,oriftheyhadknown,theyhadforgotten.

MonkandHamstretchedstrainedmuscles.Johnnyslumpedastheelectricalfieldwasshutoffandtheywerefreedfromtheirliving-statueposes.LongTomleapedup.“We’vegottogettowork,andworkfast!”hebellowed.“Somethinghasgonewrong,orDocwouldhavebeenhere.”

“Right,”saidHam.

“Whatdoyouknowaboutit?”Monkprotestedinmockanger.“Youcan’tdoanythingbuttalk.Butperhapsyou’dbetterpracticeuponagoodspeech,forifthatgangcomesbackhereafterus,itmaytakesomegoodtalkingtosaveourlives.”“IfthatTorglecomesbackhere,I’mgoingtowringhisblastedneck!”Rennysaidsolemnly.

“Andme—”startedJohnny.Thedoorofthelaboratoryopenedslowly.Amisshapenfigurewithatwistedheadshowedinthedoorway.

Thetwistedfigurestartedtospeak.HiswordsweredrownedinaroarofanimalragefromMonk.Thehomelychemist,hishairyarmsoutstretchedmenacingly,dartedforward.Rennywassteptostepwithhim.Theyreachedthefiguresimultaneously.Thenapeculiarthinghappened.

Monkwasliftedintotheairaslightlyasifhehadbeenafeatherduster.Renny’sbigfistshotout,butwhizzedthroughemptyspace.Thetwomenchargedagain,slammedintoeachotherwithaforcethatalmostknockedthembothout.

“Weshouldnotfightagainstourselves,”Doc’svoicesaiddryly.“Thatwouldimpedeourprogress.”TheamazementinMonk’seyesatthetreatmenthehadreceivedchangedtowilddelight.

“Howlin’calamities,Doc!”hesquealed.“Wedidn’tsuspectitwasyou!”

LongTom’sshouldersliftedandfell.Asmileofreliefcrossedfeaturesordinarilypallidandunhealthy-appearing,nowabrightcherry-red.

“I’mgladyou’rehere,Doc,”hesaidsimply.“IthinkIknowwhatthisthingisallabout,butwhattodoaboutithasgotmelicked.”

“Doc’saspiritagain,”HamjeeredatMonk.“See,thistimehereturnstousasthespiritofTorgle.”“Shutup,youbig-talkingshyster!”thehairychemistsquealed.Hedancedaboutexcitedly.

squealed.Hedancedaboutexcitedly.

Thetensionwasgone.Doc’saidsdidn’taskquestions.Itwasenoughforthemthatthebronzemanwasfinallywiththem.

“Whatareourchances,Doc?”Rennyasked.Thebronzemandidnotanswerforamoment.Hewasbusyassemblingvariouspiecesofequipment.Hemovedrapidlyandwithouthesitation.

LongTomwatchedhimwiththedelightofastarpupilwatchingamasteratwork.

“Whatchancedidyousaywehad,Doc?”Rennyrepeated.“Manythingsarehappening,”thebronzemansaidslowly.“Astoourchances—thatIwillknowinaveryfewminutes.Iamgoingtotryanexperiment.Ifitworks,wehaveachance.Ifitdoesn’t—”

Therewassilenceforamomentinthelaboratory.Doc’saidsglancedateachotherbriefly.Itwasseldomtheyhadheardthebronzemanadmitthattheymightnotbeabletogetoutofanyjaminwhichtheyfoundthemselves.

ButtheydidnotknowallthatDocdid.ThebronzemandidnotexplainhowhehadescapedfromthePitofHorror.Noneofhismenknewofhisperilthere,andhedidnotthinkitworthyofmention.

Theescapereallyhadbeenquitesimple.Dochadseenaledgebeneaththeprecipice.Theledgewashiddensothatonlysharpeyescouldseeitatall.WhenDochadseizedTorgle,hehadleapedtothatledgeandhidden.Theconvicts,peeringdown,didnotknowtheledgeexistedandmisseditentirely.DochadbroughtTorglebacktosafetyaftertheconvictshadfled,donnedhisdisguiseandcametothelaboratory.

Thebronzemanwasworkingwithstartlingswiftness.Hisaidsstoodsilent,watchingintently.FromwhatDochadsaid,andhisactionsnow,theyrealizedthattheirsituationwasindeedperilous.

Thebronzemanfoundzincandcopperplatescarefullywrappedinpliantfoldsofmalleableglass.Hewascarefulnottotouchthemetalplates.Heheldtheminglasstongs,suspendedtheminvatsofacid.Thenhehookedthemupinanintricateseriesofwiring.HepulledLongTom’sexperimentapart,usedmuchoftheapparatusthatwasinit.Hefoundhalfadozenstoragebatterieswithglass

theapparatusthatwasinit.Hefoundhalfadozenstoragebatterieswithglasscasesandfromonecornerpulledahugeelectricmotor.Itscasewasofglass.Allmetalpartswerecarefullycovered.

Thebronzeman’smusclesstrainedashebroughtitintothecenteroftheroom.Itwasthenthathismennoticedhisstrangecomplexion.

Theywerecherry-red,buttheyappearedpallidcomparedwithDoc.Thebronzehueofhisskinhadbeenreplacedwithafieryredglowmorestartlingthanthatofanyofthebreechclothedmen.

Dochookedupthelargemotor.Thenhewalkedsilentlytotheotherendofthecomplexcircuitrunningthroughthezincandcopperplatesintheacidvats.Hepausedforamomentbeforetwolargecontactpointsofcopper.Hestoodonarubbermat.ThenitwasthatDocSavagedidastrangething.Hewaspressedfortime,hehadbeenworkingwiththeutmostswiftness.Butnowhepaused.Carefullyheremovedeverybitofmake-up,stoodforthasDocSavage,recognizablebyall.

“Ifthisexperimentisnotasuccess,donottrytoleavethecaverns,”hesaid,andtherewasunexpectedfeelinginhisvoice.“Youmustbarricadethedoorofthislaboratory.LongTomwillcontinuetoexperimentuntilsuccesshasbeenachieved.”

LongTomleapedforward.Horrorwasonhisface.HeunderstoodwhyDochadremovedhismake-up,whyhehadspokenashedid.DocSavagewasgoingtotryadangerousexperiment.Ifhefailed,hewantedLongTomtoknowhewastocarryon,wantedtolookashisfriendhadalwaysknownhim.Iftheexperimentdidnotsucceed,DocSavagewouldbedead!

LONGTOM’Stongueseemedtosticktotheroofofhismouth.Hedampenedparchedlipsashetriedtospeak.Hisvoicecameasiffromadistance.

“Stop,Doc!”hecried.“Letmetryit.Youcouldcarryon—”

Docpushedhimaside.Looksofunderstandingcrossedoverthefacesofthebonzeman’sotheraids.Monkwouldhavesteppedforward,wouldhavetriedtodissuadeDocbyforce,eventhoughheknewitwasuseless.

Rennyheldhimback.Sorrowwasonthebigengineer’sthin,severefeatures.“He-hewoulddoitanyway,Monk,”heobjected.“It’shard,hardforallofus,butthereisnothingwecoulddo.”LongTom’sfigurewastense.He,morethananyoftheothers,realizedthechanceDocSavagewasgoingtotake.ThedeathofZ-2,thedeathoftheescapedscientistinDoc’soffice,thefearthecherry-redmenhadshownforanordinarystreamofwater,allpointedtoonething:

Eachofthemwascarryingalethaljoltofelectricityinhisbody!

LongTomdidnotpretendtoknowhowtoexplainit.Heonlyknewitwasso.Thehumanbodyalwayshasacertainamountofelectricityinit,andthecherry-redmeninthecavernseemedchargedsothattheywerealmostwalkingdynamos.Iftheytouchedmetalthatwasgrounded,iftheytouchedwatersothatitgroundedtheirbody,itbroughttheirdeath.Theyweredoomedtodieiftheyescaped.Onlyinthiscavern,forsomereason,weretheysafe.

AndDocSavageandallhisaidswerenowcherry-red.Itwouldseemlogicalthattheywould

alsofacedeathunlesstheyfoundsomethingtocounteractthatperil.

Thebronzemanwasgoingtotryandexperimenttoseeifhehadsolvedthesecret.Ifhefailed,hewoulddie.HewoulddieasZ-2haddied,asothershaddied.Hewoulddiehorribly,hisbodyburnedandscorched,hispowerfulmuscles,hiskeenbrainwipedoutasafuseiswipedout.Doc’slipsweresetfirmly.Hereachedout,seizedthetwocontactpoints.

Thesmellofozonefilledtheair.Acidinthevatsbegantoboil.

Thebronzeman’smusclescontortedinamightyeffort.Anammeterneedleonadialbegantojumpcrazily.Wiresglowedred-hotwiththesuddenburdeningofterrificcurrent.Thenthebigelectricmotorbegantoturn!

Itmovedslowlyatfirst,thenbegantowhinewithasudden,mightysurgeofpower.

“Anotherextraordinarymanifestationofelectricphenomenon,”Johnnymutteredamazed,andgazedatDoc’sfaceinsuddenawe.Theruddyhueofthebronzemanbegantopale,thenaturalbronzecolorofhisskinappeared.

Doc’sflakegoldeyeswereflashing.Hewatchedanotherammeterneedleslowly

Doc’sflakegoldeyeswereflashing.Hewatchedanotherammeterneedleslowlydroptowardthezeromarks.

“Success!”LongTombreathed,anditappearedtobethefirsttimehehadtakenabreathsinceDochadseizedholdofthecontactpoints.“Nowifweonlyhavetime—”Suddenshotssoundedfromthecorridoroutside.ATommygunroaredinthedistance.

Itdidnotappeartherewasgoingtobetime.

THINGSwerehappeninginthebigworkshopcavern.Itwasanuproar,asurgingmassoffighting,savagemen.Hoskins’sfatfacewasworried,hissunkeneyesfrantic.Yardoffwasfightingwithgrim,bitterenjoyment,hisscarecrowfigurerelaxed,asif,nowthatashowdownhadarrived,hereallyenjoyedabattle.Andashowdownwasnear.

Theblastintheuppertunnelhadfailedinitswork.Ithadnotcompletelyblockedtheshaft.StingerSalvatore’smenhadfoundanopening,hadworkedtheirwaydown.

AndYardoffandHoskins,withthefewloyalthugstheyhadleft,werebetweentwofires.Salvatore’smen,armedanddeadly,wereattackingfromonedirection.Themaddenedconvicts,withglassknivesforweapons,wereattackingfromtheother.

“Atoughspot,”Hoskinspanted.

“Theconvictscomplicatethings,”Yardoffagreed.Asmilethatwasscarcelyhumansplithisthinface.“Iftheywerewithus,iftheywouldattackStinger’smen,itwouldsoonbeover.Asit

is—”

HeliftedtheTommygunheheldinrubber-cladhands,brutallymoweddownagroupofcherry-redmenwhohadstartedtorushforward.Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

Leadhammeredthecorridorwall.OneofStinger’sgunmenhadturnedabendinthecorridor,almosthadtherange.

“We’vegotyou,Yardoff!YouandHoskinsbettergiveup.Maybeifyoudo

“We’vegotyou,Yardoff!YouandHoskinsbettergiveup.Maybeifyoudowe’llletyoulive,evenifIdotakethemillionsyouexpectedtoget.”

StingerSalvatore’svoicewastriumphantandjeering.Itseemedtotheflashilycladgangsterthatheheldallthecards.

OneofYardoff’seyebrowsliftedmockingly.Hemovedtoaleverbesidethewall,pulledit.Thepassagewaybehindbecameasolidsheetofflame.Thegunnerwhohadfiredamomentbeforebecameaburnedchunkofflesh.

Stingerbellowedinfrustratedrage.Theroarofagrenadesounded.Yardoffshrugged.“Itwillonlytakethemafewmomentstoblastdowntheelectricalconnections,”heconceded.“Wehadbetterretreat.”

Hoskinsnodded.Sweatwasrunningfromhiminlongstreamsunderthehotrubbersuithewore.

Cautiouslytheybackedup.Moreofthecherry-redmenappeared.ThethugswithHoskinsandYardoffappearedasfrightenedofthecherry-redmenastheyhadbeenofStinger’skillers.Theirgunspoppedceaselessly.

Buttheconvictswerecanny.ThefirstburstfromYardoff’sTommygunhadbroughtsomemeasureofsanitybacktothem.Theylurkedinpassagewaysleadingoffthemaincorridor.Asthethugspassed,acherry-redhandwoulddartout.Thathandwouldtouchoneofthethugs.

Thethugwouldyellonce.Thenhebecameverydead.Half-insaneshrieksofgleefromthekill-crazyconvictswouldfollow.“Kill!Kill!Kill!”theychanted.“Theend?”Hoskinsasked.Hislipstrembled.

Yardoffsurveyedhimscornfully.“Ofcoursenot!”herapped.“Stingerandhismenwilldestroythemselves.Theydonotunderstandwhattheyareupagainsthere.”

“Thenwhatarewetodo?”Hoskinswasalmostsobbing.YardoffliftedhisTommygun,blastedapaththroughanapproachinghordeofcherry-redmen.Behindthemanothergrenadeexploded.Exultantyellsfollowed.

“WewillsimplygetDocSavageandhismen,takethemtothesubmarine,andreturnwhenthefightingisover,”Yardoffsaid.

HisTommygunblareditssongofdeath.

ChapterXVIII.AFLIGHTFORLIFETHEroaroftheTommygunwaswarningenoughtoDocandhismenthatthingshadgonewrongoutside.Andittoldthemenemieswereapproaching.

“IfIonlyhadmyswordcane!”Hammoaned.

“Orifwehadsomesuper-firers!”Rennyshouted.“I’lltake‘em!I’lltake‘emall!”Monkhowled.Hejumpedupanddown,beathischestinperfectimitationofabullape.

“Shutup,youguys!”LongTomputinswiftly.“HelpDoc.Hecan’tsaveusallifyoudon’twork.”

“We’llstandguard,”Rennysaid,motioningatHam.“We’renogoodonthetypeofstuffyou’redoing,anyway.”Thebronzemansaidnothing.Thesituationwasoneofthetoughestofmanytoughspotsheandhismenhadeverbeenin,butwork,notidling,wastheonlythingthatwouldsavethem.

Monk,withLongTom,grabbedmoreplates,moreglassboxes,workedrapidlytoputtogetheradditionalbatteriesofthetypeDochadmade.

Johnnywaspullingoutadditionalelectricmotors,workingswiftlytospliceconnectionstothem,carefultouserubberandglassonlywhenhecameincontactwiththewires.Docwasmixingchemicalsinseveralglassretorts.Hepouredtheresultingliquidintoglassballs,pluggedtheopenings.

SwiftlyhehandedhalfadozeneachtoRennyandHam.Awidesmileoverspreadthedapperlawyer’sface.Heopenedthedoor,tossedoneoftheglassballsdownthecorridor.

ItlandednotascoreoffeetinfrontofYardoffandHoskins.Therewasamostsatisfyingexplosion.Thebarrel-shapedmanandthescarecrowonealmostwentontheirnoses,soquicklydidtheystop.

Yardoffsnarled,loosedablastfromhisTommygunthatplayedonthedoor.

Rennywaiteduntilthedrumofthegunclickedempty.Thenhejumpedout,

Rennywaiteduntilthedrumofthegunclickedempty.Thenhejumpedout,loopedtwooftheglassballsdownthecorridorasifhehadbeenabaseballpitcher.Hoskinshadraisedaglasspistol.Heshot,buthewassoanxioustogetawayfromtherethathealmosttrippedoverhisownfeet.

Thetwocrooksracedback,untiltheycouldstandinthecomparativesafetyofasmallnicheinthewallwhiletheyreloadedtheTommygun.

TwomoreapparatussuchasDochaderectedwerereadyforusenow.

Monkseizedthehandlesofone.LongTomgrabbedontotheother.Slowlythecherry-redcolordiedfromtheirfaces;thequeer,tinglingsensationtheirskinhadexperiencedfaded.Theyfeltmorekeen,morementallyalertthantheyhadforsometime.“Hurry,Doc,hurry!”ThecrycamefromRenny.Thebigengineerhadlefthispostatthelaboratorydoor,wasrushingtowardtheback.

Acherry-redfacehadappearedaroundabend.Ahideousface,withlipsdrawnbackoverdirtyteeth,withglassdaggerheldinonehand,onlytheglassdaggerdidnotshowitsrealcolor.Itwasdrippingcrimson.

“Givemethoseglassbombs!”Monksquealed.“You’vegottogetdeloused!”Hereachedout,almosttouchedRenny’shand.Docshouted.Monkfroze.

“Laythebombsdown,Renny,thenletMonkpickthemup,”thebronzemansaid.“Hadhetouchedyou,hewouldhavebeenkilled.”

Yardoff’ssubmachinegunroared.“Kill!Kill!”camecriesfromthecherry-redmen.

Docandhisaidsweresurrounded.

LONGTOMreplacedHamatthelaboratorydoor.Thedapperlawyer,RennyandJohnny,grabbedholdofthecontactstothequeer,battery-appearingmachines.

Motorshummed.Monksuddenlysquealed,camerunningback.“Outofbombs,”hebellowed,“andoneofthosemugsalmosttouchedme!”

Docnodded.“Itistimetogo,”hesaid.Anditwastimetogo.YardoffandHoskinshaddiscoveredthatalthoughtheglassbombsmadeaterrificroar,they

Hoskinshaddiscoveredthatalthoughtheglassbombsmadeaterrificroar,theywerepracticallyharmless.Thecherry-redmenweresoinflamedtheydidnotthinkofdangeratall.

Docrantowardthemaddenedconvicts.Hismenfollowed.

Asmall,runtykillerwasintheleadofthepack.Hewasbleedingfromascoreofwounds,buthisbloodstainedhandsboremutewitnessthathehadslainhisshareofvictims.Thebronzemanhalteddirectlybeforehim.Theruntykillerraisedhisknife.

LongTom’sbreathcameinsharply.Docnolongerwascherry-red;theelectricitythathadbeeninhisbodywasgone.Ifthekillereventouchedhim,thattouchwouldbefatal!

OneofDoc’shandsshotout.Itwassheathedinarubberglove.Itcaughtthekiller’swrist,threwhimback.“Wait!”thebronzemansaid.

Theaveragemancouldnothavedoneit.ItisdoubtfulthatevenHam,withallhispoweroforatory,withallhisknowledgeofhowtogripattention,couldhavedoneit.

ButDocSavagedid.Thehordestopped.Thebronzeman’sflakegoldeyessweptoverthem.Therewassomethinghypnoticinhiseyes.

“Lookatme,”hesaid.“Lookatmecarefully.Afewmomentsago,Iwascherry-red,evenasyouare.I,too,wasdoomedtodeath.Iamnotnow.”

Agaspofawewentupfromthekillers.Thebronzemanhadseizedtheonlything,hadsaidtheonlythingthatwouldhavehaltedtheirrushforlong,thatwouldhavebroughtthelightofsanitybacktotheireyes.“MyfriendsandIhavesolvedthesecretofhowtogetridofthelivingfire,”Docsaid.

Behindhim,YardoffandHoskinshadreachedthedoorofthelaboratory.Theypausedforamoment,fearingatrick.Butitcouldonlybesecondsbeforetheysmashedthrough.Thebronzemanpaidnoattention,spokeasifhehadhoursforthetask.“Youwillfindthreemachinesinthelaboratory,”hewenton.“Threeatatime,grabholdofthecontrolhandlesthatareattachedtothem.Youwillbecomenormal,willnolongerbewalkingdeadmen.”Ascreamofexcitedjubilationcamefromoneofthekillers.Thatwasallthatwasnecessary.

ThenextinstanttheyweresweepingpastDocandhismen,thethoughtofkillingthemforgotten.

Knivesflashedagainastheyfoughttobethefirstatthemachinesthatwouldmeanlifeiftheycouldeverescape.

WhenYardoffandHoskinsthrustopenthelaboratorydoor,Docandhismenhadvanished.

JOHNNYtriedtotakethelead.Hethoughtheknewthepaththatledtothesubmarine.

“Ifwegetawaynow,”LongTomargued,“wecancomebacklater,savewhatmenarestillalive.Ifwedelay,we’llbedeadandnoonewillsurvive.”DocSavagenoddedhisagreement.“Youfigureditout,Doc,youknowwhatitisallabout?”Monkaskedpridefully.

“Ofcoursehedid,stupid,orwewouldn’thaveanychanceatall!”Hamgibed.

Docandhisaidsracedintoamazeoftunnelways.Someofthemweresolowtheycouldhardlypassthroughthem.Otherswerehigh,andwinding.Soundsofshootingandshoutingbecamedim.Therewasonlythesteady,monotonousroar.“I’mcompletelynonplussed,”Johnnyconfessed.

“Ifyoumeanlost,Iam,too,”LongTomsaid.Docmovedinthelead.Heturnedinadirectionthatseemeddirectlyoppositetherightone

toJohnny,butthegeologistgulpedandsaidnothing.

Thesixslidforwardonsilentfeet.Thenoiseofshootinggrewmoreloud.Nowandthenashriekcouldbeheardplainly.Tommygunsroared.Occasionallytherewastheblastofagrenade.Tensiongrew.Forthefirsttimeintheircareers,Docandhismenwerecompletelywithoutweapons.Cherry-redmenmightjumpfromanyofthesidepassagewaystheypassed.Iftheydid,Docandhisaidswouldbehelpless.

Afaceappearedaheadofthem.ItwasthefaceofoneofStingerSalvatore’sthugs.

Thekilleryelledgleefully;heyankeduphisguntofire.Doc’shandshotout.Arockspedthroughtheairwithunerringaccuracy.Itcaughtthekilleronthenose.Bloodspurted,blindedhim.

Howlingvengefully,thethugopenedfire.Buthecouldnotsee.Hisshotswentwild.

“Come,”saidDoc.Ifthesixhadmovedfastbefore,nowtheyfairlyflew.Docdidnotseemtohesitate.Withoutasecond’spausehemovedfromonecorridortotheothers.

Thebronzemanhadnotbeentothesubmarine,butthatappearedtomakenodifference.Anditdidn’t.Fromtheslantofthepassagewaysandthegeologicalstructureofthewalls,Docfiguredouttheonlydirectioninwhichtheundergroundstreamwouldlie.

Andifhismenhadfelttensebefore,nowtheyfeltdoublyso.NotonlywerePetrodYardoffandHoskinsafterthem,notonlywouldtheymostlikelydieiftheyencounteredthecherry-redconvicts,buttheyknewStingerSalvatorewouldrealizethathecouldnotletthemescapealive,thathewouldgotoanylengthtostopthem.

AsighofreliefwaswrenchedsuddenlyfromLongTom.Aheavydoorhadloomedahead.Monksquealedhappily.BeforeDoccouldstophim,heracedinthelead,grabbedatthelockonthedoor.Therewasasuddenflash.Monkwashurledthroughtheair,tolandsprawling.

HAMracedtothehairychemist’sside.“Monk!Monk!”hepleaded.“Speaktome!Speaktome!”“WhyshouldI,youoverripespecimenofarazor-backpig?”Monk’swordscameweakly—buthecouldspeak.

Hamleapedtohisfeet.Hewasasnearlyflusteredasitwaspossibleforanastutelawyertobe.ItalwaysembarrassedhimwhenMonkcaughthimshowingemotionofanykind.

“You—you.I’llslityourgulletwhenIgetmyswordcaneback!”heraged.“Themachinesdidnottakealltheelectricityfromourbodies,”Docexplained.“Iwasafraidthattheywouldnot,sincewedidnothavetimetodoathoroughjob.”

Thebronzemantookasmallglassbottlefromhisbreechcloth.ItwasoneLongTomhad

watchedhimfillwhilehewasinthelaboratory.

Quickly,Docpouredoutliquid.Heranitfromthetipofonefinger,uphisarm,acrosshisshouldersanddowntheotherarm.Withouthesitationhesteppedtowardthedoor.Heplacedonehandontheground.Withtheotherhetouchedthemetal.

Therewasastreakofflame.Itfollowedexactlythepathoftheliquid.Docwasunhurt.Heopenedthedoorwithoutdifficulty.

“Juicewillseektheeasiestconductor,”LongTomexplainedtoRenny.“WhatjuicetherewasleftinDocshotoutalongthelineofliquidmetal,withouthurtinghim.”Theseconddoorwasalsoopenedeasily.Infrontofthemlaythesubmarine,deckawashinthehuge,subterraneanstream.

Soundsoffightingcameclearerbehindthem.Theirpursuers,battlingamongthemselves,buteacheagertograbDocandhismen,weregrowingcloser.

“Safe!”Johnnyshouted.Heracedalongthetinywharftothesub.Docdelayedamoment,afaintfrowncreasinghisbronzeforehead.

Therewasnosignoflifeaboutthesubmarine.

Johnnythrewupthehatch,droppeddowninside.Theothersfollowed.AsDoclanded,menseemedtopouroutontothemfromallsides.

Theywerethesailorswhohandledthesub.Somehelddeadlyguns.Otherswerearmedwithheavywrenches.

ChapterXIX.THESUBAFIRESOMEWHEREnearbyagirlscreamed.ItwasthevoiceofVirginiaHoskins.“Help!Help!”shecried.AgunwaspointingdirectlyatMonk.Thegunwentoffwhenthehairychemistjumpedatthemanbehindit.

OrdinarilyMonkrespectedagun.Heknewhowquicklyonecouldendthelifeofeventhestrongestman.ButthepureterrorinVirginiaHoskins’svoicehad

ofeventhestrongestman.ButthepureterrorinVirginiaHoskins’svoicehadmadehimforgetallordinarycaution.

Hislong,apelikearmsswinging,animalnoisescomingunconsciouslyfromhim,thehairychemistwentintobattle.Heknockedthesailoroutwithonepunch,turnedhungrilyformore.Hamwasjabbingwiththescientificaccuracyofthetrainedboxer.Hemissedhisswordcane,buthecouldfightjustaswellastheaverage-trainedringman.

Renny’shugearmswereworkingpiston-like.Hisbonymonstrositiesoffistscrunchedjawsorskullswithequalfacility.

RennywasprobablythepoorestfighterofallDoc’saids,buthewasfarbetterthanaverage.Andhewasgivinganexcellentaccountofhimself.

Theengineerwasfranklyangry,notsomuchattheattack,asatwhatthatattackmightmean.Rennywantedtocomebacktotheundergroundcavernswhenhecouldworkuninterrupted,whenhecouldhavetimetostudythequeergeologicalstrata,preparepapersonitthatwouldconfoundhisscientificassociates.

Hedidnotapproveofbeingtrappedatthelastmoment,oflosingoutwhenallseemedwon.Hewasexpressingthatdisapprovalwithstraightrightsandlefts,interspersedwithafewwell-aimedkicksatshins.

Docaloneseemedtobetakingnoveryactivepartinthemêlée.Andthatwasstrange.Forordinarilythebronzemanwasinthefrontrank,leadingevencausesthatappearedhopeless.Thebronzeman’seyesswepttheroomofstrugglingfigures.Theroomwassmall,thefighterswereconstantlygettingintoeachother’sway.Knucklesaimedforonejawquiteoftensmackedthejawofanother.Andcreepingtowardthem,hardfacessetinsardoniclines,weretwomencarryingsubmachineguns!

ThefighterswerebetweenDocandtheapproachingkillers.Hecouldnotgetatthem.Soonthoseweaponswouldswingintoaction.Andfromthelookonthefacesofthemencarryingtheguns,theywouldn’tcareifafewoftheirownmengotkilled,aslongasDocandhiscrew,werewipedout.

“Ceasefighting!Droptothefloor!”Docroared.Monkgroaned;Rennyseemedtowanttoargue.Butnonehesitated.

Doc’saidsdidnotknowwhatitwasallabout,buttheytrustedthebronzemanimplicitly.Withouthesitationtheydropped.Br-r-r-r-r-r-r!

implicitly.Withouthesitationtheydropped.Br-r-r-r-r-r-r!

ATommygunspoke.SlugstoreovertheheadsofDoc’saids.Itwasaimeddirectlyatthebronzeman.Hewasnolongerthere.Hehaddivedthroughahatchwaybehindhim.

SOMEsailorstorefranticallyinpursuit.Otherspausedtotieupthefivemenwhohaddroppedtothefloor.

Renny’sfacewasastudy.HedidnotneedtobetoldwhyDochadactedashehad,buthelikedafightalmostasmuchasMonkdid,despitehisdisapprovingfeatures.Dochadseenthekillersapproach,hismenrealized,hadknownsomeofthemmightbekilled,eveniftheycouldovercomealltheirfoesintheend.Andthebronzemanwouldtryanystrategyratherthanpermitoneofhisaidstobekilled.

Hisstrategywasnowplain.Hehaddrawnallattentiontohimself,waswillingtoplayalonehandagainstthedozenormoremenwhowereontheboat.

Amanwithashort,blackbeard—theonewhohadfirstconductedLongTomandJohnnybeforeYardoff—issuedcrispinstructions,hisbeardbobbingenergetically.

“

Thebronzedevilcannotgetoffthisboat,”hesaidinhisqueerlyaccentedvoice.“HeistheoneYardoffmostwished.Trytogethimaliveifpossible,butifnot—killhim.Heisdangerous.”Hamwasforcedtogrin.“Blackbeard”evidentlyhadn’theardallthefightinginthebigcaverns,didnotknowthatpossiblybythistimeYardoffhadnointerestexceptinhisownsafety.Butitwasunderstandablethatthesailorsdidnotknow.Thedoorsleadingintothecavernswerethickandheavy.Noisecouldnotbeheardthroughthem.

Thesearcherswenttoworkswiftlybutcautiously.Theyknewtheirboat,kneweverypossiblehidingplace,andhidingplacesarenotsomanyonpigboatswhereeveryinchofspacemusthaveitsuse.

Onebyone,thosesearchersdisappeared.Atfirsttheirabsencewasnotnoted.

Theywoulddrifttowardthebatteryroom,enter—thenallsignofthemwouldcease.Eachofthemwasarmed.Itseemedunlikelythatevenifthebronzemanwerehidingtherethathecouldovercomethemallwithoutatleastonebeingabletofireawarningshot.

Theblack-beardedleaderreturnedtothecontrolroom.Hiseyeswerepuzzledashenoticedhowfewmenhehadleft.Hecalled.Therewasnoanswer.Thepuzzledlookwasreplacedbyoneofslightalarm.Hesniffedtheair.

“Gas!”herappedsuddenly.“Thebronzedevilhasgottentothechemicalsinthebatteryroom,hasmadeagas!”Theblack-beardedmanracedtowardthebatteryroom.Hisremainingsailorswereathisback.

“Becareful,”hewarned,“Savageistricky.Hemayhavefiguredoutawaytosavehimself.”Hethrustopenthedoor,stoodatoneside,gunready.Hismouthdroppedopen.Insidethebatteryroom,thefloorwascoveredwithsprawledfigures.InthecenterofthosefigureswasthebigformofDocSavage.

“S-strange,”theblack-beardedmanmuttered.Apeculiarexpressioncrossedhisface.Heturned,triedtoflee.Hislegswouldnotcarryhim.Heslumped,wentdown.Behindhim,sailorscrumpledtothefloor.

Above,Doc’sfiveaidswereboundandtiedsothattheycouldnotmove.Thegasfromthebatteryroomspreadtowardthem.

NORwerethingsgoingwellforthoseinthecaverns.

Thebig,bluish-lightedroomsheldmuteevidenceofthecarnagethatraged.Ofthemorethanonehundredconvictswhohadbeenalivelessthananhourbefore,fewerthantwoscoreremained.

Stingerwaspracticallywithoutaid.Thatpuzzledhim.Weaponsthathismenhadcarriedhadsuddenlyturnedintodeathagenciesfortheirowners.Flamehadspurted,thekillershaddied.

Stingerdidnotknowthatthebodiesofhismenhadbecomefilledwithelectricity,thatthemetalofthegunshadcauseddeath-dealingshocks.Buthehadbeensmartenoughtothrowhisgunawaywhenhesawelectricalsparksplayalongtheweaponsofothers.

alongtheweaponsofothers.

Hefoundaglasspistol,wenton.Thehummingnoiseofthecaverns,thewildscreamsofthemaddenedconvicts,actedontheflashilydressedgangster’snerves,also,buthedidnotknowit.Hethoughthewassane,thateveryoneelsewascrazy.

Agroupofcherry-redmenplungedintoview.Infrontofthem,runningforhislife,wasthebarrel-shapedfigureofClementHoskins.StingerSalvatore’slipswereback,hisunblinking,steelyeyesfilledwithdesperatepurpose.Hepulledthetrigger.Hoskinsstaggered.Thebullethadcaughthimhighup,nearashoulder.Asmallermanwouldhavegonedown.Hoskinsdidnot.Heprovedthathisbigbodywasnotfat,butthepowerful,solidmusclehehadbraggedabout.

Adeadlygrinwreathedhismoonface.Hebroughthisowngunupcarefully.AsStingerfiredasecondtime,Hoskinspulledthetrigger.LeadfromStinger’sgunpluckedHoskins’ssleeve.Hoskinsscarcelynoticedit.AthirdeyeappearedinStinger’sforehead.Thiseyewasunblinking,also.Butitwasnotsteely,itwasblackthatrapidlychangedtocrimson.Hewasdead.

Yardoffwasrunningdownthecorridorthatledtothesubmarine.Hewaspursuedbyseveralofthecherry-redmen.Theirflashingknivesforetoldhisfateifhewascaught.ClementHoskinslumberedafterthen.Heranslowly.Hecouldnotrunfast.Hisstrengthwasseepingfromthebulletwoundinhisshoulder.Aqueer,misshapenfigureslidintothecorridoralmostathisback.Themanhadanalmostflathead,withlittle,deep-sunkenredeyes.

“Hoskins!”calledProfessorTorgle.

Hoskinsturnedwithasnarl.ItwasthenTorgleleaped,plungedhisknifedeepintothebarrel-shapedman’sheart.ClementHoskinswasdead,buthedidnotknowit.Oneofhishandsreachedout,caughtTorglebythewrist,heldhimfast.Theotherencircledthemisshapenman’sthroat.Slowlythatfisttightened.Torglescratchedandkicked,heclawedandfought.

Hoskinswentdown.Torglewentwithhim;strange,stranglingnoisescamefromhisthroat.Afterawhiletheybothlaystill.

PetrodYardoffwasmoreclever.Hetrickedhispursuersbydodgingoff,takingawindingpassageway.Buthemadeonemistake,too.Hedidnottaketimeto

windingpassageway.Buthemadeonemistake,too.Hedidnottaketimetoclosethedoorswhenhepassedthem.

Panting,hecamethroughtheseconddoor,sawthesubmarinerestingpeacefullyonthesubterraneanstream.Hepaused,lookedbehindhimforamoment,tookoffarubberglovetowipehisforehead.

ItwasatthatmomentthatDoc’sbigfigurerosefromthegroupofsprawledmeninthebatteryroom.Anoxygentabletinhismouthhadsavedthebronzemanfrombeingovercome,whiletheothershaddropped.

Swiftlyheturnedonblowerfans.Thegashehadconcoctedwithchemicalsinthebatteryroombroughtquickunconsciousness,butitseffectswouldnotlingerlong.Thenthebronzemanracedtothecontrolroom,freedhismen.

“Tieupthesailors,”Docsaidcalmly.“Thengettoyourposts.Wearereadytoleave.”

Ashisaidsrushedtoobey,Doclookedouttheconninghatch.ItwasthenPetrodYardoffsawhim.

ThescarecrowmanrealizedDocandhiscrewhadseizedthesubmarine,thatallhisownplanstoescapehadbeenblocked.Heknewthenthathewaslost.

Butheknewsomethingelse,too,knewonefinaltrickthatwouldcarrythosewhohadblockedhimtodeath.Analmostinsaneshriekcamefromhislips.Heleapedtoaswitchbesidetheleaddoor.Heshovedtheswitchhome.

Instantly,waterbegantoboilaboutthesubmarine.Awirecarryingatremendousloadofelectricityhadbeenhookedtothepigboat.Inamomentitsplatesbecamered-hot.Itwasaflamingsubmarineofdeath!

ChapterXX.JOURNEY’SENDDOChadonlyaninstantofwarning.HesawtheswitchasPetrodYardofflungedtowardit.“Standonrubber!”thebronzemanshouted.Hisvoicepenetratedeverypartofthesubmarine.Hismenheard.Theyobeyed.

Severaloftheunconscioussailorsweretouchingmetal.Itwasunfortunate,buttherewasnohopeforthem.Theywereelectrocutedinstantly,dyingasiftheyhadgonetotheelectricchairformurderstheyhadcommitted.

hadgonetotheelectricchairformurderstheyhadcommitted.

Thesubmarinewasrapidlybecomingunbearablyhotduetothetremendouscurrentthatwasrunningthroughthemetal,andthestrongresistanceofthatmetal.Somethinghadtobedone,anddonefast,ormotorsinsidethepigboatwouldbecomeworthless.

AterribleleerwasonPetrodYardoff’sface.

Docwentintoaction.Adivingsuitwasinonecornerofthecontrolroom.Evidentlyoneofthecrewhadbeeninspectingthebottomofthemysteriousstream.Withdazzlingspeed,thebronzemandonnedthesuit.Hegrabbedapairofwire-cuttingpliers.Thehandlesweretaped,butthatseemedslightprotectionagainsttheenormousflowofelectricitythatmustbecomingintothesubmarine.

Thewirewasfastenednearthenoseofthesub.

Doctookalongbreath,poppedoutoftheconninghatch.Thenextmomentandhewasrunningdownthetopofthesub,hadslippedintothewater.Thewatersurroundingthepigboatwassohotthedivingsuitimmediatelybecameaturkishbath.Steamcloudedtheglass.

Workingblind,thebronzemanfumbledforthewire.

Franticcrieswerecomingfrominsidethesubmarine.Itwasbecomingunbearablyhotthere.AndDoc’saidsdidnotknowwhatwashappening,didnotknowwhetherthebronzemanhadescapedornot.Thepliersencounteredthewire.Sparksflew.

Withsteadyhand,Docslippedthecuttersoverthewire,appliedpressure.

Despitethetapeonthehandleofthepliers,despitetherubberglovesofthedivingsuit,asuddensurgeofelectricitywentthroughthebronzeman’sbody.Hewasthrownintheair,tossedaboutbythemighty,invisibleforce.

Doc’slipscametogetherhard,hisflakegoldeyesalmostclosed.Withthelastounceofhisstrength,hepressedthepliershome.Thewireparted.

ITwassecondsbeforethebronzemanrecoveredenoughtoscramblebackon

ITwassecondsbeforethebronzemanrecoveredenoughtoscramblebackontheboat.Yardoffstoodasamanamazed.Hislasthole-cardhadfailed.Oncemorehewipedperspirationfromhisforehead.Hetookasteptowardtheboat—andhalted.

MonkandRennyappearedoutoftheconningtower.Renny’sfacewasgrimandmerciless.MonkgaveasighofreliefashesawthatDocwasuninjured.

Itwasthenthatthesurvivingcherry-redmenappeared.Theycamerunningthroughtheleaddoornoiselessly,runningasawolfpackrunswhenthekillisnear.AterriblesoundcamefromtheirthroatsastheysawYardoff.

Thescarecrowmanscreamed—once.

Asfarashecouldseetherewasdeathbehindhimanddeathinfrontofhim,forhecouldnotunderstandthatothersmightbemoremercifulthanhe,thatDocmightsavehim.

“Backtoyourposts,preparetodive,”DocSavageorderedhisaids.

Therewasanunusualnoteofurgencyinhisvoice.Monklookedwonderingly.Hecouldnotseewhatcouldcausethebronzemantospeaksowhenallseemedwon.ThenhesawwhatDochadseensecondsearlier,andforoncehelosthiscolor.Hewasalmosttremblingasheracedintothesubmarine.AndRennywasrightbehindhim.

“Comeon,Yardoff!Comenow!”

Docshouted.PetrodYardoffhesitated.Helookedbehindhim.Thepackofcherry-redmenwerealmostuponhim.Theirweaponswereraised.Certainlytherewasnomercythere.TheremightbesomehopewithDoc.Yardoffmadeuphismind.Heracedforward,outonthetinydocktowardthesubmarine.

Hadhelookedbehindhim,hewouldhaveseenastrangethingthen.Thecherry-redconvictshadhalted.Theytriedfranticallytoyell.Theirvoicesseemedparalyzed.

Withoneaccord,theyturned,racedbackinthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcome.ButYardoffdidnotsee.Hestretchedoutonehand,grabbedarailtolifthimup.

Therewasasuddensheetoffire.Flameplayedoverthescarecrowbodyofthe

Therewasasuddensheetoffire.Flameplayedoverthescarecrowbodyofthemanwhowasplayingformillions.

Theodorofburnedfleshcameintotheair.PetrodYardoffdiedasothershaddiedfromthelivingflame.Hediedfromatrapofhisowndevising,onlyhehadmadeitforothers.Hehadforgottentoreplacehisrubbergloveafterhehadwipedhisface.

Docglancedoncemoreattheshore.Thelong,electricity-chargedwirehehadcutwasstilldancing.Sparkswereflyingfromit.Thosesparkshadalreadydonetheirworkwell—toowell.Afusewasflamingslowly.Itwasleadingundertheleadendoorwhereburiedexplosivelaywaiting.

“Crashdive!”orderedDoc.

THEsubmarineshuddered.Itsmasheddownward,underthewater,asitstankswerethrownwideopentofillatonce.

“Fullspeedahead!”

Docgavetheorderbeforethesubmarinecouldreachthebottomofthesubterraneanstream.Heknewhemustdoso.Andbarelyintime.

Therewasamuffledroar,anoisethatdidnotecholoudinsidethesubmarine,nowunderwaterandnosingtowardtheoutletthatledtothesea.

Butifthenoisewasnotloud,theresultsofthatnoisemorethanmadeupforanylackofsound.

Therewasarushofwater.Thesubmarinewasliftedup,hurledbackwardasifbyagigantichand.Itspropellersraced;itsmotorslabored.

Theexplosiveundertheleadendoorevidentlyhadbeenburieddeeplyenoughsothatwaterfromthestreamwasreleasedintotheundergroundcavern.Possiblytheblastopenedupanewpassagewayintothelowerdepthsofthelandoflivingfire.

Onlythefactthatthesubmarinewasinthebigstreamsavedit.Haditbeencaughtinanarrowpassageway,evenitsstronghullwouldhavebeencrushedunderthebeatingitwouldhavetaken.

underthebeatingitwouldhavetaken.

Asitwasitwasalmostanhourbeforethesurgeofwaterspassed,beforethebattleforsafetyfinallyended.ThenDocheadedtowardtheopensea.

VIRGINIAHOSKINSwasstillpale.Shehadpassedthroughmuch.ButhercheeksbecameafaintpinkwhenshesawtheadmiringgazeMonkcouldnotkeepfromhisface.ThegirlhadescapedbeingelectrocutedbystandingonarubbermatafterhearingDoc’swarning.DocturnedoverthecontrolstoRenny,letthebigengineershowhisstuffashepilotedthewaythroughthetwistingtunnel,foughtagainstthesurgeofthetide.

Thebronzemanwiththeothersrelaxedinthewardroom,relaxedforthefirsttimeinhours.

“Nowwillyoutellmewhatitwasallabout?”Monkdemanded.Docnodded.“Asnearlyaspossible,”hesaid.“Tobeginwith,IthinkYardoffandHoskinsfirstdiscoveredthewealthofnativemineralintheupperpassagewaysofthecavern.Amajorityofthoseminerals,particularlypyrites,arevitaltothemunitionsindustry.“Manynationsarearming.Somewishtohidethatfact.Iftheyboughtintheopenmarket,theycouldnotkeepitsecret.Yardoffwasonceanagentforaninternationalmunitionsfirm.Hisreputationwasshady.Hoskinscontactedhim.Togethertheysmuggledoutthemineralstheyhadfound.”“Bootleggeditbysubmarine,”Hamsaidwithsatisfaction.

“Thentheydiscoveredthelowercavern,thecavernwiththelivingfire.Theorethere,asweallknow,washighlychargedwithelectricity.Itoperatedthefurnacesoftheglassfactory;theveryoreitselfprovidedlight.

“Buttheyneededmentoworkthere,menwhowouldnottalk.HencetheprisonbreakswhichtheyengineeredwiththeStinger’shelp.ThatiswhereZ-2camein.AsanF.B.I.man,hewasinvestigatingaFederalprisonbreak.Hetriedtogetaway,andknewsomethingoftheperilhefaced,buteventhenhedied.”“But,”objectedLongTom,“wheredidHoskinsandYardoffhopetoprofit?Theycouldhaveusedtheoreforpower,thatwouldhavebroughtthemafortune,andlegitimately.”

“Yes,”Docagreed.“Theycould.Butdidyounotnoticehowhardandhowheavythatorewas?Iftheycouldhavelearnedhowtosmeltit,howtoworkit,

heavythatorewas?Iftheycouldhavelearnedhowtosmeltit,howtoworkit,sothatitwouldhavebeen

used,theywouldhavehadanimpenetrablearmorplate,somethingworthmanymillions.”

“Sothat’swhytheywantedus!”Johnnygasped.Thebronzemannodded.“Withoutdoubt,thatiswhy.”

VirginiaHoskinsshuddered.“ButIstilldon’tseewherethehorribleliving-firedeathcamein.”

“Theorehasstrangeelectricalqualities,”Docexplainedgently.“Thelongerthehumanbodywasexposedtoit,themoreelectricityitabsorbed,untiltheconvictswerewalkingdynamos.Iftheytouchedanythingthatgroundedthem,theydied.Iftheytouchedapersonnotaffectedastheywere,thatpersondied.Thatwasapparentfromthefirst.Z-2touchedanoilbarrelwithhisbarehand.Themanattheofficehadthesoleofoneshoeeatenawaybyquick-actingacid.HoskinsandYardoff,however,evidentlyhadabatteryarrangementmuchasweusedtode-electrizethemselves.”Johnnywethislips.“A-andwhatwastheore,Doc?”hemumbledatlast.

“Youareageologist,Johnny.Don’tyouknow?”“IthinkIdo.Iamalmostafraidtosay.”“Butyouareright,youmustberight,”Docsaid.“Wewereprivilegedtobeamongthefirsttoseetheorethatcomprisesthecoreoftheearth.Therewasabulgethere,onethatbroughtthatcorecomparativelyclosetothesurface.

“Nooneelsehaseverseenit,althoughscientifictestsproveitmustbeofthehardnessanddensitythatwefound.Itcouldhavechangedthehistoryoftheworld—madeintoarmorplate.Thenationthatowneditwouldbeunbeatable.”

“I-I’mgoingtotakeavacation!”Monkblurtedsuddenly.HiseyeswereonthebeautifulfaceofVirginiaHoskins.“Whenwegetout,I’mgoingtovisitPalmSprings,thatis—”Hegulped,becameasvividaredashehadappearedinthecavern.

“Hemeans,”Hamexplainedmaliciously,“thatheisgoingtovisitthereifyouareanywherenear,MissHoskins.”“Iamgoingthere,also,”Johnnysaid.“Thephenomenonmustbeinvestigated.Iwishtoprobefurtherthestrangeworkingofthelabyrinth.”ButJohnnyandMonkweremistaken.Johnnylostallinterestin

thelabyrinth.”ButJohnnyandMonkweremistaken.JohnnylostallinterestinSandritandthedesertwhenhereadthefirstnewspaperhesawastheyreturnedtocivilization.

Thenewspapertoldofastrangeeruptionthathadoccurredonthedesert.

CitizensofSandritwerequotedastellingofastrangegunfightthathadprecededtheeruption,butauthoritieswereinclinedtodoubtthat.ButaglassfactoryownedbyClementHoskins,whowasmissing,hadsuddenlybeenswallowedbytheearth.Initsplacewasahuge,bubblingstream,heatedbysomestrange,subterraneanforce.Andqueerly,thewaterwassalty.

Theseahadhiddennature’ssecret.

THEEND