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

doing. Overdoing, the others were beginning to think. Doc Savage had made repeated efforts to get into
active combat service, but had been refused on the ground that he was more valuable at what he was
doing. “You don't stick your brains out for the enemy to shoot at,” they told him in Washington. “You are
one of what we would call the brains of this country. On the fighting front, you would be only one man
with a gun or an airplane. This way, you are fifty or a hundred thousand men, as far as effectiveness is
concerned.”

They left Doc alone, knowing he would drop everything if he suspected Renny was in danger. There was
complete loyalty between Doc Savage and his associates.

Johnny Littlejohn, the archaeologist and geologist, made a statement.

“A subdolous durbar might deoppilate the labyrinthine aspects,” he said.

They looked at him.

No one said a word for a moment.

Monk then said, “Words like them at a time like this ought to get you a kick in the ribs.”

Johnny looked uncomfortable. It was a habit of his never to use a word anyone could understand
whenever he could think of one they couldn't. “Sorry,” he muttered.

“Did you have something on your mind beside the dictionary?” Monk asked him.

Johnny nodded. “I was wondering if anyone had noticed Renny in the company of any strangers before
this happened?”

They considered this point. Long Tom Roberts, who looked as if he was going to furnish an undertaker
with business next week, but who could whip wild cats, started violently.

“Hey, did anyone notice the little girl-man?” he asked.

“Girl-man?” Monk said. “What the hell?”

Johnny said, “I don't mean that the little fellow was prissy. It was just that he was small and rather fat,
and had a face which reminded me of one of those little girls who play in the motion pictures. I've
forgotten which one.”

“How old a girl?” Monk asked.

“Oh, very young. Nine or ten years. There was something babyishly immature about the man, is what I
mean.”

“You saw Renny with this fellow?”

“Yes. That is, Renny remarked that the little fellow was following him around and making a nuisance of
himself. Renny was working on this molybdenum thing he had perfected, and he didn't want to be
bothered.”