"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 113 - The Man Who Fell Up" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

There was, however, something hard and sharp about him. Not a criminal look. Just hard and sharp.
Like a gleaming knife that had cut, and could cut again, and still be polished.

“I cannot help it, Strand,” said the grim man. “There is nothing else to do. Nothing.”

The grim man was small and compact with the look of a bull pup. And his attitude toward the other was
somehow that of a well-trained bull pup toward its master. Master and servant, perhaps. Certainly, at
least, employer and servant.

“There may be some other way, Rod,” said Strand.

“Name it.”

Strand could not name it. He was silent, baffled, uncomfortable and worried.

“I'm going in there,” Rod said.

Strand pulled a deep breath. “I order you not to,” he said.

Rod looked at him strangely. Rod was thinking of something to say and wondering whether he should say
it. Finally he did say it.

“You are not in the army now, Strand,” he said.

Strand got very white, like a man who had taken a needle through his stomach in a way that would make
a man very sick. He did not say anything.

“You will be going to your death,” Strand repeated.

Rod swallowed. The trouble he had with his swallow showed he was scared as well as grim.

“It's the only thing left to do,” he said. “Shake hands, Strand.” He took Strand's hand and shook it
gravely. “I'm going in. If it is to death, that is the way it will have to be.”

And with that, Rod walked into the green skyscraper, walked in to his death as he had been warned!



DEATH, however, came to Rod Bentley in a fashion which was not immediate but which was startling.

Several things happened first, but one of these things was more important than the others, as is often the
case with incidents.

The important thing was Tottingham Strand's inability to get into the green building. He tried. He stood
there for a few seconds, fighting his impulse to save his friend or at least share his friend's danger, until he
lost the battle. Then he rushed forward to the door through which Rod had gone. The door was locked.

Strand wrenched savagely at the knob. He was incredulous; he stepped back, scowled. He leaped
forward and kicked the door.