"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 165 - The Devil is Jones" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

He was mildly surprised.

“Unless, of course, he hands something to you first,” the office girl continued. “Mr. Hazard has quite a
few dislikes, and one of them is having to watch people, and strangers particularly, fondle Mr. Hazard's
possessions in Mr. Hazard's presence.”

“I see,” he said.

“Above all,” she said, “do not disturb the window drapes. Even though they are closed and it is rather
gloomy in the office, do not disturb them.”

“I see,” he said again.

“And make no mention of wagering in Mr. Hazard's presence, not even as a figure of speech. Don't say,
for instance, 'I'll bet you that this is the way it is.' Mr. Hazard would detest that.”

“What does he like?”

“Everyone,” she said. “Mr. Hazard has a very big heart.”



HE decided to leave his raincoat in the outer office, and he went back and dropped it across a chair. He
asked, “Is that all right? Is there something he wouldn't like about that?”

She took it seriously, although he had meant it a bit sharply. “Yes there is,” she said. She returned and
placed the raincoat neatly on a hanger and opened a locker and hung it inside. Turning, she saw that he
was amused and skeptical, and halfway suspicious, as if he thought some kind of an act might be being
put on for his benefit. She was not offended, but shook her head patiently and said, “I'm sure you will
understand after you meet him.”

“I hope so.”

“Do not,” she said, “allow his eccentricities to mislead you.”

“Mislead me in what way?”

“As to his capability.”

“Oh.”

“Or his importance in this State.”

“Oh.”

“If you feel like clowning around about it,” she said, “it might be advisable if you got it out of your system
before you went in. He doesn't like clowning, either.”

He thought of several things and was tempted to say them and didn't.