"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 117 - They Died Twice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

“Not unless Cleopatra has come back,” Monk said.

This casual crack about Cleopatra had an uncanny relativity about it that, much later, made their hair
stand on end. As a matter of fact, Colonel John “Renny” Renwick was not susceptible to feminine
charms. He was not proof against them, but he was not susceptible.

For seven days, no word.

Renny Renwick did not report in.

This was something particularly alarming, because it was a thing-the reporting in-that he never failed to
do. All of the Savage associates did it.

Renny Renwick was a member of the group of five men who, for love of excitement and other reasons,
had associated themselves with Clark Savage, Jr., better known as Doc Savage, or the Man of Bronze,
and also as an individual of mystery and legendary abilities, according to the newspapers.

Doc Savage had been trained from childhood by scientists to follow the unusual career of righting wrongs
and punishing evildoers. For some time he had pursued this career with enthusiasm and success. Renny
had become associated with Doc Savage. So had Ham Brooks, Monk Mayfair, and three others-Johnny
Littlejohn, Long Tom Roberts, and a girl named Patricia Savage. Patricia was a cousin of Doc Savage,
and not actually a member of their organization. But she liked excitement and had managed more and
more to wedge herself into their group.



WHEN the daily reports stopped coming from Renny, they launched a search. It was a thorough hunt.
Doc Savage, in addition to his own group, had connections with agencies which made a business of
getting information and finding people. Doc had established one of the best agencies himself, and it was
extremely effective.

(Those who have read the adventures of Doc Savage in the past are probably familiar with this agency,
which is a detective agency without having that name. Its formation was connected with the unusual
treatment which Doc gives to criminals whom he catches. These crooks are sent to a secret institution in
upstate New York, a place called the “College,” where they undergo intricate brain operations that wipe
out all memory of past, leaving, however, the normal functions of the brain intact. These “patients” are
then taught useful trades and turned back into the world with a hate of crime and no memory of their own
past. Because Doc has been extremely active, there are many of these “graduates,” and they have spread
to the corners of the earth. Doc has organized many of them into an efficient agency for getting
information which he may desire. It is particularly effective because the “graduates” have been taught
unswerving loyalty to the Man of Bronze, as well as to the principles of right and justice.)

No trace of Renny was found. Not the slightest.

“Shall we tell Doc about this?” Monk demanded.

Long Tom Roberts, who was the electrical wizard of their group, shook his head slowly. “I hate to do
that,” he said. “Doc is working on a plane locator gadget for the government, and orders are not to
disturb him.”
They argued about that. There was no question of the importance of the experimental work Doc was