"020 (B026) - Death in Silver (1934-10) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

The movement snapped Monk and Ham out of their trance. They dived headlong in pursuit But the killer slammed the door; a key clinked among the tumblers. Doc Savage's two aides, flinging against the panel, found it solidly resistant.



"So there isn't any such thing as the Silver Death's-Heads!" Ham snapped.



Monk knotted an enormous, bristle-covered fist and grated, "You were the first one to get that idea, you nitwit shyster."



Then Monk grimaced and hit the door panel with his fist. The wood splintered, gave a trifle; it splintered more extensively under a second blow, then collapsed, making a bole large enough to pass the apish chemist's hairy hand. Standing well clear of the door, Monk groped for the key, found it in place, and unlocked the panel. He shoved it open.



Ham started through, sword cane in hand.



"Wait, stupid," Monk growled, and shoved the dapper lawyer back.



From a holster, so cleverly padded under an armpit that it was unnoticeable, Monk drew a weapon bearing close resemblance to an overgrown automatic pistol. But it was no automatic.



It was a supermachine pistol, product of Doc Savage's mechanical genius, a weapon which fired at an incredible speed, discharging, instead of regulation lead slugs, thin-walled composition bullets which carried an anaesthetic compound producing quick, harmless unconsciousness.



Machine pistol in hand, Monk jumped through the door. Considering that a murderer had just entered the room, his act might have seemed reckless. But Monk wore a bulletproof vest which protected his entire body, and he knew gunmen of the modern type do not often shoot at a man's head.



Ham trailed the homely chemist. He, too, wore one of the bulletproof vests which were so light and thin as to be unnoticeable under their clothing, and was not at all uncomfortable. These vests were also a product of Doc Savage's mechanical skill.



Both men jerked up inside the room. Their jaws sagged; their eyes, roving, widened in amazement.



"Well, I'm a camel's uncle!" Monk breathed. "Where'd he go?"