"012 (B043) - The Man Who Shook The Earth (1934-02) - Lester Dent (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

Midas Club had raised the ante. To get on its roster, you had to have five
million. In addition, you must have made the money yourself. If you had
inherited the five million, you were out of luck.
Ham was reported to have the most sumptuous and luxurious suite in the Midas
Club.
"Gosh!" Monk ejaculated. "Look!"
At least a dozen policemen were dashing about outside of the clubhouse.
There was a great crowd milling around. Every one seemed excited.
"What has happened?" Doc asked a policeman.
"A man who said his name was John Acre tried to get into the club," the officer
explained. "While he was doing that, and shouting his name, several other men
came up with guns. They grabbed him and carried him off."
A newsboy ran up to the roadster.
"Buy a paper, fellers!" he cried. "Read about the earthquake in South America!"
"Scat!" said the cop. "You got a nerve, tryin’ to peddle your earthquakes right
here where there’s just been a snatchin’!"
Chapter III. THE GIRL AFRAID OF EARTHQUAKES
MONK looked at Doc, then at the policeman. Speaking rapidly, Monk described
Velvet. He could not have given a better word picture of Velvet had he been
looking at the fellow’s photograph as he spoke.
"Was that guy with the gang that grabbed John Acre?" he finished.
"Yep," said the cop. "That guy was bossing the snatch."
"The man seized was named John Acre?" Doc questioned.
"That’s right," replied the policeman. "He got mad when they wouldn’t let him in
the club to see somebody. He started yelling his name, claiming he had an
appointment."
"Which way did they go?" Doc asked.
The bluecoat waved a vague arm. "Down one of these streets. I ain’t sure which
one. They fired some shots, and everybody seems to have ducked."
Doc thanked the officer, then rolled the roadster to the Midas Club. He parked
directly in front of the door. A large sign said the space along the curb was
reserved. That meant it was intended exclusively for use of the gentlemen who
had five million dollars in the bank.
A doorman came out, scowling blackly. His expression intimated that he intended
to rout Doc in very brusque fashion. However, when he got a look at the bronze
man and the roadster, he underwent a striking change. His scowl altered to the
politest of smiles. He bowed so low that his gaudy uniform cap fell off. He
caught it and flushed in embarrassment.
Instead of ordering Doc away, he almost broke a leg in his haste to open the
roadster door and usher the two men from the car.
Doc and Monk entered the Midas Club.
Monk noted that the door of the club did not open at Doc’s approach.
"There’s one you haven’t got trained," he grinned.
They rode an elevator to the top floor, strode down a corridor carpeted as
richly as Doc’s own office, and punched a doorbell.
The door opened.
Monk took one look inside. He emitted a resounding groan, and covered his eyes
dramatically with his hands.
"Take it away!" He wailed in mock agony. "It’s so flashy it’s hurting my eyes.
It’s going to blind me!"