The Angry Ghost

61 Pages·2016·0.75 MB·English

by  Robeson Kenneth

THE ANGRY GHOST
A Doc Savage Adventure By Kenneth Robeson

Originally published February 1940 in DOC SAVAGE Magazine

Chapter I shore of Long Island not far from New
THE TROUBLE AT ROCKAWAY York City where white sand stretches into
distance beside the endless blue of the

Atlantic, and where breakers climb up
THE mystery started at Rockaway
monotonously and collapse into foam with
Beach. Rockaway is a beach on the south
coughing sounds.
2 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DOC SAVAGE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The cautious girl appeared at After a while, curiosity impelled
dawn. She looked around carefully, saw the attendant to take another look for the
the beach was deserted, and was plainly crumpled first envelope. She was puzzled
relieved. as to what had become of it. So she
There was one bathhouse open leaned over the counter again and eyed
at this ungodly morning hour of five thirty. at the sand.
The Negress attendant shoved out a A small pit now gaped in the sand
brown paper envelope. where Annabel Lynn had hurled the
“Check your valuables in this, wadded envelope.
miss,” the attendant said. The attendant stared. That pit
It was one of those envelopes on hadn’t been there a few moments before.
the flaps of which you write your name for Had someone crawled around the corner
purposes of identification when reclaiming of the bathhouse and dug—
it. Something queer happened to
The girl wrote, “Annabel Lynn.” Annabel Lynn at this point.
“Oh!” she gasped, and quickly
wadded the envelope and dropped it on
the sand in front of the bathhouse check ANNABEL LYNN suddenly got
window. “I made a mistake,” she very rigid, her willowy tall form stiffening
explained. “Please give me another and then beginning to tremble. Her
envelope.” trembling was no shiver caused by cold
Her only mistake had been in water, but great shuddering that made the
absent-mindedly writing her correct name girl’s hands clench as though someone
on the flap. had spilled ice water on her.
She got another envelope and The strangeness of her behavior
signed it “Mary Gallagher,” and filled it increased.
with her wrist watch and some money. Slim hands left her sides and
While she was doing that, she moved with difficulty toward her throat;
very carefully stamped the other envelope she clutched at her throat as if trying to
into the sand with her heel and made sure throw off something that was strangling
it was covered with sand. her.
As soon as Annabel Lynn had Next her fingers raked down over
entered the bathhouse to change, the her graceful shoulders—making ripping
Negress attendant, who was a tidy soul, motions as though trying to pull
leaned over the counter with the idea of something loose.
locating the first envelope, the one that There was nothing visible
had been discarded. She intended to pick molesting her. No one on the beach, and
it up and put it in the trash basket. The only a few early strollers on the
attendant was vaguely surprised when boardwalk.
she did not see the envelope. She had Annabel Lynn suddenly seemed
not noticed Annabel Lynn carefully to win her struggle. She staggered
burying it. backward, as though released. Whirling,
Annabel Lynn appeared in a she raced along the white sand, long,
bathing suit. She would have done nicely firm, damp legs flashing in the first rays of
for a magazine cover. Beneath a tight morning sunlight.
rubber cap, there was visible some soft “Help! Help!” she screamed.
blond hair. Her lips were nice. Her Her voice was full of rending
features were Nordic, beautiful in a regal, terror.
classic way. Her figure would have The soldier was one of the early
caused an admiring silence, had the strollers on the boardwalk. The army
beach not been deserted. gives its men the habit of getting up early,
The attendant breathed and a number of officers, vacationing at
admiringly, “She sho’ is a morning glory.” Rockaway, were on the boardwalk. This
Annabel Lynn walked down to the one wore the regulation officer’s uniform
surf and stood there.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx THE ANGRY GHOST xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 3
of the United States army. He jerked to a can catch that dingus that had hold of
halt, and stared. you.”
Annabel Lynn was headed in his “Don’t be silly,” she said quickly.
direction, so he merely stood and waited. “But—”
As the girl drew closer, he “You see, it’s . . . gone,” the girl
understood her terrified cries for help. The explained. “It’s gone. And even if it wasn’t,
army man looked to see who was chasing you wouldn’t be able to see it.”
the tall blond girl, saw nothing, and his “It’s—” The officer’s sharp eyes
jaw sagged. popped. “What is gone? What the heck is
“What the—” this, anyway?”
Because this girl was very pretty, “Please—please forget it!” the girl
he did the natural thing—he caught the said. She walked rapidly toward the
girl, grasping her arm. She was panting. roadway, slim legs driving her feet
“What’s the trouble, girl?” through the loose, slippery sand.
“I . . . I—” Annabel Lynn, too
breathless to talk, cast a quick glance
over her shoulder. The army man noted TWO men had been watching the
the girl’s pallid cheeks, the tremor that incident. The pair were so concealed that
was still upon her lips. the girl would not have seen their figures
“Something had . . . had hold of even had she been seeking them. The
me!” she gasped. beach sand had formed small dunes.
Again the soldier gazed up and Protruding from the tops of the dunes
down the beach—all he saw was were bunches of sea grass, tall and
gleaming white sand, sky and water. scraggly grass that concealed the two
“Maybe a fish bit you?” men as they lay flat. They did not have
“Eh?” nice faces. They hardly looked like the
“Or a lobster pinched you?” kind who would spend time enjoying the
Annabel Lynn shook her blond view at the seashore.
head quickly. “Hardly!” One growled, “See that! She was
Her eyes got wider, more tellin’ that army guy something!”
horrified. “You couldn’t . . . see it. It felt as “That wasn’t so good,” his partner
if something was . . . well it was a stinging agreed. He fingered something—the
sensation all over. As if some kind of an check-room envelope on which Annabel
invisible jellyfish had gotten hold of me.” Lynn had signed her correct name by
The army officer narrowed his mistake. “Good thing I crawled around the
eyes. She was such a lovely girl. He bathhouse and got this envelope. I figured
couldn’t quite understand her remarks. there was something familiar about her.”
But she looked sane. “Yeah—she wasn’t on that beach
He said, “You’re not trying to tell to go swimmin’.”
me something grabbed you.” “Sure. You saw how she acted.”
“I . . . yes. “Yes. She got touched by it. She
“Now look,” said the man was right in the way! And she’s got some
soothingly, let’s get this straight—” idea where it was, I bet.”
“Thank you . . . I . . . I’ve got to be The other man’s hard-looking
going,” the girl interrupted. She swung on eyes widened, and he said with some
her heel, starting away. awe, “Jeepers! You think she told that
The army man stopped her. “I’m a army guy what it was?”
little worried about you. Sure you’re all “She might’ve.”
right?” “Hell!”
“It’s quite all right now. I . . . I “I’ll say it’s hell. In that case, we’ll
must hurry. I have a car parked back have to take care of both of them!”
there a ways. Thank you.” “Match you to see who takes the
But the army man was girl.”
persistent—this girl was pretty enough to They matched nickels.
make any man persistent. “Wait! Maybe I
4 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DOC SAVAGE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cast of Characters
in "The Angry Ghost"

DOC SAVAGE—"The Man of Bronze"—A remarkable personage who follows an unusual
profession—righting wrongs and punishing evildoers. He is a mental wizard, a physical
marvel, a skilled scientist. He is assisted in this adventure by his little group of
companions, including:

HAM—Whose real name is Brigadier General Theodore Marley Brooks. Ham is one of
the nation's leading lawyers, a fashion-plate, a fast thinker and a clever fighter. Often he
fights with a specially devised sword-cane, tipped with a drug which puts his opponents
into a quick sleep. For pastime he brawls with

MONK—At least that's what he's called, for he's a homely, hairy man with a 260-pound
gorilla body. Yet Andrew Blodgett Mayfair, his real name, is regarded as one of the
greatest living chemists, and as a fighter is only equalled by Doc himself and by

RENNY—Or Colonel John Renwick, to name him correctly, a giant of a man over six feet
tall and tipping the beam at two hundred. Renny is an accomplished engineer, and he
can fight like blazes with his great fists. He's an entirely different type from

LONG TOM—Who isn't tall as his nickname might indicate, but small in stature and
unhealthy looking—although his health is really excellent; perfect, in fact. This man,
Thomas J. Roberts he was christened, is such a skilled electrical expert that the world
knows him pretty generally as "the wizard of the juice."

Others in the story are:

WARREN ALLEN—Who seems like just an overdressed English dude but is much more
than that.

AMBROSE—Who acts like a thug but is a pretty smooth guy.

ANNABEL LYNN—A girl that Monk goes for in a big way.

NANNY HANKS—An old babe that goes for Monk in a big way.

COLONEL JASON LYNN—Who in his own special field is as famous an inventive wizard,
almost, as Doc Savage himself.

“I get the dame!” the heavier of the pursuer saw, for the girl to back the
the two chuckled. car and turn to leave.
The pair separated, one trailing Just as the girl reached the coupé
the army officer, to whom Annabel Lynn door, the man got up and ran. He was not
had spoken. worried about being seen now. The girl
The other, crouching low and still had to turn the car. There was plenty
keeping behind the dunes, followed the of time to overtake her.
tall blond girl as she secured her clothing, The man made one error. He did
and without changing, hurried to her car. not figure on a woman being able to drive
The machine was a small green coupé, backward almost as expertly as forward.
parked at the end of a road that ended The girl got a glimpse of the man. She
here at the dunes. It would be necessary, leaped into the car. A motor kept warm by
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx THE ANGRY GHOST xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 5
the morning sun snapped quickly into life. operator, waited several moments while
She slapped the car in gear, gunned the the connection was being made.
motor, handled the machine deftly. The Her decision to call the phone
man came leaping after the car. number apparently had lifted weight from
But the girl got away. her shoulders—she was obviously
The man stood staring, and sweat relieved.
came out on his face, and his eyes A supervisor’s voice said, “Pardon
suddenly were full of fear. He muttered, me, but are you calling the unlisted phone
“Now this is going to be a nice mess!” number of Clark Savage, Jr.?”
Annabel Lynn drove at high “That is correct. I must speak to
speed until she reached an arterial Doc Savage!”
highway, then drove more carefully. Only “Sorry,” said the supervisor, “but
once did she stop, and then to take only a that number does not answer.”
moment to slip her dress over her head. Slowly, almost dazedly, Annabel
She still wore beach slippers. Lynn hung up—gone was the relieved
She stopped at all red lights, expression of a moment ago; her eyes
observed all the speed limits, carefully widened uneasily.
doing nothing that might attract the
attention of a police officer.
Yet she looked frightened enough Chapter II
to call a dozen policemen. Her cheeks MESSAGE FOR DOC
had lost color. Her wide gray-blue eyes

held the stare of a person who had
ANNABEL LYNN had tried to
experienced shock.
contact Doc Savage at ten thirty that
From time to time, as the girl
morning, at noon, at two o’clock, then at
drove, she raised a slender hand to her
four. She did not leave her room and at
throat and touched her arms or her
six she decided to risk the chance—she
shoulders. Each time she made this
was obviously afraid to leave her hotel
motion, she shuddered.
room—and go see the bronze man in
At a midtown Manhattan hotel, a
person.
doorman took charge of the car and
She donned black—black dress,
Annabel Lynn hurried through the lobby,
hose, shoes and hat, even wore a black
got her key and went to an elevator. On
veil that concealed her features. Black
the eleventh floor, she waited in the
was a color that permitted one to merge
carpeted hallway until the elevator door
well with the night.
slid shut and the cage departed. She
When finally, she was ready, she
looked furtively up and down the long hall.
opened her room door cautiously, peered
Seeing no one, she stepped quickly to a
up and down the hallway, then moved
door. Her hands were trembling.
quickly toward the elevators. Later she
When she had locked the door
was in a cab headed downtown, without
behind her, she collapsed on the bed. Her
having been molested.
whole form shook with uncontrollable
She changed cabs three times,
shuddering.
and made absolutely certain that she was
After calmness came back, she
not being trailed.
sat up, and her mouth was determined.
Then she directed the cab to one
She went to the table where she
of New York City’s tallest buildings. An
had dropped her purse.
elevator whisked her swiftly to the
The object she removed from the
topmost floor, the quick ascent setting her
purse was a small black notebook that
ears to ringing.
seemed to be filled with names and
There was a long, plain hallway of
numbers. Annabel Lynn thumbed the
rich marble.
pages of the booklet, then her lips moved
There was also a man.
silently as she memorized a number. She
The man was about forty, well-
sat down at the phone near the head of
dressed, slim-waisted; he carried a black
the bed, gave the number to the hotel
cane. He was not bad-looking.
6 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DOC SAVAGE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A legend on a bronze-colored the door on the curb side, and the girls
door read, “Clark Savage, Jr.” companion said, “We will squeeze in the
The tall man stepped aside as front. Unconventional, but if you don’t
Annabel Lynn moved to the door, pressed mind, I will drop my friends at their club.”
a buzzer and waited. The well-dressed Annabel Lynn climbed in, sat
man paused and stared at her in a well- between driver and the dapper man. The
bred way. car pulled away from the curb. Her gaze
“You looking for Doc Savage?” he moved to the rear-view mirror—faces in
asked. the rear were a trifle vague in the dusk of
“I—” the girl hesitated. early evening. Then she gave a start.
“Doc is out of town,” the stranger There was something wrong with the
advised her. “I’m afraid you’ll find no one whole situation.
else there, either.” She gasped, “One of those men
Behind the black-net veil which in the back—he was on Rockaway Beach
partially concealed her features, Annabel this morning!”
Lynn’s eyes were distraught. From the rear seat, there was a
Doc Savage was a remarkable satisfied, harsh laugh.
man who followed an unusual profession. “Sis, you should have
Doc was a mental wizard, physical marvel remembered that sooner!”
and skilled scientist. His strange
profession was the righting of wrongs and
punishing of evil-doers, particularly in THE heavy car began doing forty
such instances when the established on the wet pavement. The driver swung,
authorities seemed unable or unwilling to took a side street, and thereafter kept
do the job. He worked without pay, having away from thoroughfares that were too
a private source of enormous wealth of thickly congested. The girl sat stiffly.
his own which was rather mysterious. Warning words came from the well-
The elaborately dressed man dressed man seated so close to her.
said, “Perhaps I can help you. I am “You shouldn’t have tried to
Brigadier General Theodore Marley phone Doc Savage,” he said, and laughed
Brooks, one of the assistants of Doc silkily. “Or to see him, either.”
Savage—” Annabel Lynn was puzzled. “But
“Ham Brooks!” Annabel Lynn how—”
gasped. “Twenty bucks looked good to
“Yes.” that switchboard operator at your hotel,
“If I can’t find Doc Savage, maybe sister! She told us. She kept you from
I should talk to you.” getting through to the bronze guy.”
The man smiled. “Maybe we Behind the veil, Annabel Lynn’s
could have dinner together while you eyes grew wide.
talk.” One of the men continued, “That
“I . . . well, yes,” the girl said, army guy you talked to on the beach this
realizing she was hungry. mornin’ got away, babe. So now we want
The man moved to the elevator, to know just what you told him. Also, why
pressed the button and soon they were did you want to reach Doc Savage?”
descending. Annabel Lynn compressed her
“I have a car waiting,” the man lips, said nothing.
continued, smiling pleasantly. “You know what was happening
A quick shower had come up, and there on the beach this morning, don’t
the streets were wet. A large closed car you?” the man growled.
stood at the curb near the building The girl kept silent.
entrance. Ahead, a busy intersection
“My friends,” the dapper man loomed. The car driver was timing his
said. speed so he would hit the green light. In
Men were seated in the back of the middle of the intersection stood a
the car. The driver leaned over, opened traffic cop. The driver removed his foot
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx THE ANGRY GHOST xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 7
from the gas peddle; he was taking no
chances on arousing the suspicions of the
traffic cop. SHE learned that she had a half
Suddenly, Annabel Lynn’s foot hour to wait for the next Washington train.
shot out, came down on the brake. Down She bought her ticket, an evening paper,
as hard as she could push. then located a deserted corner in the
Rubber squealed as the wheels huge waiting room and sat down on a
locked. Tires failed to hold on the wet bench that faced away from the vast
pavement. The heavy car went into a rotunda.
skid, slithered sidewise, smacked into a An item on the first page of the
car in the adjoining traffic lane. A car paper got her attention.
behind crashed into them. There was
uproar. The cop was running toward HOT WORDS FLY
them. IN ARMY CEMENT CASE
The policeman yelled, “Hey, what
d’you think this is?” Repeated angry exchanges of
Annabel Lynn scrambled out of words today marked the progress of the
the car, ducked for the sidewalk with army’s examination into the strange
flashing speed. matter of how the gun foundations at Fort
The cop yelled, “Hey!” Atlantic came to collapse.
But Annabel Lynn’s slender tall Henry T. Neely, contractor who
figure moved like a shadow between built the foundations, at one time leaped
stalled machines. She made a zigzag up and screamed “Liar!” at army officers.
course through a triple line of stalled cars,
reached the other side of the street where The girl read the article with a
traffic was still moving in the opposite pale-faced, unnatural interest.
direction. An empty cab was just rolling It seemed the United States
past, and the girl hailed the driver and government had let out a contract for
climbed into the cab’s rear seat. construction of new antiaircraft gun
She ordered, “Pennsylvania emplacements at Fort Atlantic, and
Station. Hurry!” months had been spent placing
As they rolled down a ramp reinforcements and pouring cement for
beneath the great railroad station, gun bases that, it was said, were second
Annabel Lynn took a check book from her to none in the country.
purse and made out a check to the hotel A few days before, a government
at which she’d been stopping. She engineer had made a routine inspection—
handed the check to the cab driver after when he finished, a lot of people were
she got out. wild-eyed; none of them more wild-eyed
“Please take that to the hotel. It than the contractor.
will pay my bill. Ask the baggage clerk to For during the inspection, the
have my bags forwarded to the Union startling fact had developed that the
Station in Washington, D. C.” The girl extensive gun foundations were
handed over a five-dollar bill along with worthless. Sand and cement and gravel
the check. “And this is for yourself.” and even steel had disintegrated, fallen
The driver beamed around a apart.
missing tooth. “You bet, ma’am. And Government engineers blamed
thanks! You know they ain’t many people the trouble on too little cement, too much
trust a cab driver like this. I appreciate it.” sand. The contractor—Henry T. Neely
Even this precaution of not was one of the biggest in business—had
returning to her hotel worried her— called the government men liars. He
perhaps the men who sought her would offered bills and figures to prove that he
learn of the forwarding of her baggage. had used the correct proportion of sand,
That was why she had given no hotel cement and gravel.
address in Washington—had used only But the army engineers were
the Union Station. It would be safer. adamant. Seeing was believing, in their
8 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DOC SAVAGE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
opinion. Any damn fool could now see The voice at the other end of the
that the new foundations were worthless. wire protested, “But that has nothing to do
The girl rubbed a trembling hand with—”
across her eyes, as though trying to blot “Warren,” the girl said insistently.
out the whole thing. Then, on a sudden “You’ve got to do that. It’s . . . important.”
impulse, she glanced up at a wall clock. “All right, then,” the man
There was still twenty minutes until her answered. “I imagine they will attend the
train time. big dinner tomorrow night at the Embassy
There was another item, this one Club. Everyone who is anybody will be
short, which interested the girl. It read: there.”
Annabel Lynn hung up. Later, on
NOTED LAWYER URGES SOCIAL the express which rolled slowly out of the
REFORM IN WASHINGTON TO station tunnel, she reflected that Warren
PRESS LEGISLATION would get her the meeting she had
requested. Warren was efficient.
Brigadier General Theodore
Marley “Ham” Brooks, noted lawyer, is in
Washington to urge congress to adopt a Chapter III
program of free public-hospital care. With TRAILED
him is Lieutenant Colonel Andrew

Blodgett “Monk” Mayfair, the famous
BRIGADIER GENERAL
industrial chemist.
THEODORE MARLEY BROOKS, known
Both Ham Brooks and Monk
as Ham to his friends and those who
Mayfair are associated with the
could outrun him, did not like the
mysterious international figure, Doc
nickname. He was one of the nation’s
Savage, sometimes known as the Man of
leading lawyers, a Harvard graduate, also
Bronze.
one of the aids of Doc Savage.

The apish man was his partner,
Annabel Lynn went to a nearby
Andrew Blodgett Mayfair. For obvious
newsstand, obtained two dollars’ worth of
reasons, he was nicknamed Monk.
change, hurried to a phone booth.
Though his appearance and actions gave
She put through a call to
no indication, Monk had brains. He was a
Washington, D. C.
renowned chemist.
Finally, a sharp voice said at the
“I hope that girl,” Ham said
other end of the wire, “Hello?”
angrily, “is pretty enough to make up for
Annabel Lynn gave a quick gasp
some of these troubles.”
of relief. She said, “Warren?”
“What girl?” Monk asked. Girls
The voice lost its sharpness and
invariably interested Monk.
became gentle and anxious. “Annabel!
“A fellow named Warren—I met
You’re all right? I’ve been worried about
him somewhere—telephoned me this
you, my dear!”
afternoon,” Ham explained, “and said she
“Yes . . . yes, I’m all right. I’ll be in
wanted very much to meet us at the
Washington sometime before morning.
Embassy Club tonight.”
But first, there is something you must do

for me—you’ve heard of Doc Savage?”

There was a short pause. Then
THE Embassy Club occupied one
the man’s voice replied, “Well, quite! I’ll
of those regal old buildings off
say. The fellow is some sort of scientific
Pennsylvania Avenue. Twenty years ago,
genius, judging from what I’ve heard.”
the place had been one of the richest
“I’ve been trying to reach him.”
embassies of a European ruler since
“But—”
deposed, and the all but gold-plated
“And he apparently is not in New
interior had been transformed into as
York. But two men who are his associates
richly exclusive a spot, probably, as the
are in Washington now. You must arrange
nation boasted. There was refinement in
a meeting with them for me.”
the surroundings, elegance; there was
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx THE ANGRY GHOST xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 9
one of the best orchestras—no slam-bang “Meet me at the La Grecia
bunch of wild Indians called a swing band, restaurant at Norfolk and Y streets,” the
but a soft ensemble that played with girl suggested.
feeling. “In half an hour,” Ham agreed.
Inside, no man was dressed in After the girl had departed, Monk
anything as vulgar as a tux. Full tails was put on a remarkable villainous green
the thing. Preferably a ribbon across the topcoat which he wore over his full dress
chest, also. suit, and they hailed a cab.
“I’m jolly well glad to meet you Ham rested his polished black
again,” said a young man who was rather cane—a sword-cane—which he always
more slim and handsome than Monk liked carried, against the seat beside him. “That
them. girl is scared.”
“This is Warren—Warren Allen,” “Yeah. There must be something
Ham told the homely chemist. wrong. Maybe we oughta contact Doc.
Monk put Warren Allen down in We’re only down here on business, to
his mental black book as a rather elegant lobby for free hospital care for everybody.
piece of manhood. Not that one should There was nothin’ said about gettin’ into
hold appearances against a fellow— trouble.”
particularly when the appearances were Ham glanced over his shoulder
much on the handsome side. Monk really once or twice. Their cab turned various
had nothing against Warren Allen except corners. Ham continued to watch over his
the fellow’s good looks. That, and the shoulder.
fellow’s English accent, which was a little “Well, if you ask me, trouble is at
on the heavy edge. hand.”
“Pleased t’meetcha,” Monk said “Eh?”
unenthusiastically. “We’re being followed.”
“Right over here,” advised Warren Monk looked suddenly interested.
Allen, “is the young lady who wishes to “Where?”
meet you.” “It’s that sedan. Been trailing us
He led them over to the vision for the last few minutes.”
that was Annabel Lynn, and performed
introductions.
Then, to Monk’s pleased THE trailing sedan was not in
astonishment, Warren Allen had the good sight when they finally pulled up before
grace to excuse himself and walk away. the small curtained-window restaurant
“This,” Monk said instantly, “is that had been mentioned as the meeting
going to be a wonderful evening. Meeting place. And neither was blond Annabel
a girl as pretty as you starts it off with a Lynn in view.
crash like thunder.” To their astonishment, Warren
“I want to talk to you,” the girl Allen came running out of the eating place
said. just as they climbed out of the cab. In fact,
They found a small private Warren Allen rushed out so fast that he
anteroom. Annabel Lynn said, “I . . . I tried crashed into Monk. He started to make
to reach Doc Savage, and he wasn’t apologies, then took a look at the hairy
there.” She looked around, as though chemist’s green topcoat—which hardly
fearful even someone might be listening. befitted the “soup and tails” Monk was
“Yes?” Ham suggested. wearing—and shuddered.
“It’s . . . I’m afraid. It’s not even “My word!” Warren Allen
safe to talk here. Could you meet me exploded. “These Americans! There’s
some place else, say in an hour?” positively no telling what rags they’ll wear
There was fear in the depths of next.”
the girl’s eyes, and she asked, “You’ll Monk was tempted to let go with a
meet me? You see, I’ve got something to haymaker. Ham kicked and took bark
tell Doc Savage!” from Monk’s shins.
Ham nodded.
10 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DOC SAVAGE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“Nice little restaurant,” Ham said. Monk said abruptly, “Did you say
“I see you like it, too.” was followin’ us?”
Warren Allen gave Ham a direct “Of course.”
look from level gray eyes. “My word, “Look!” Monk said.
quite! Yes. But . . . oh . . . to tell the truth I The large sedan had suddenly
was sent here by Miss Annabel Lynn to reappeared, and had swerved across the
meet you.” narrow street in front of them, blocking
Monk said, “Where’s the girl?” their path.
Warren Allen looked worried. “I As the cab driver slammed on his
. . . well, she’s at another spot.” brakes to avoid a crash, grim-faced Monk
“Where?” Monk was getting flung open the cab door and went piling
suspicious. out into the street.
“The Treasury Building.”
“The Treasury—what the heck!
This time of night? That place would be Chapter IV
closed now.” CARS IN THE NIGHT
The tall blond man, who was so

obviously English, agreed. “Quite!” he
IT was late in the night and there
said. “But she went there and she asked
was no traffic on this particular narrow
me to bring you.”
thoroughfare; the long sedan had blocked
“Why?”
the path of the cab completely.
“I do not know.”
Men now piled out of the
Warren Allen had a debonair
blockading sedan. A street lamp nearby
manner that was not even second to
cast feeble glow over faces that were
smartly dressed Ham’s. The two men,
coarse and grim. There were at least a
Ham and Warren Allen, sized one another
half-dozen assailants.
up, and each apparently admired the
One snarled, “That’s the pair!
other’s choice in wearing apparel. Monk
Grab ‘em!”
was disgusted.
But Monk already had made up
“Let’s go!” the homely chemist
his mind about who was to do the
growled.
grabbing. He dived for the group. His
Warren Allen said, “I have my
great fists started pumping.
own car parked just ahead there.”
Three men piled on Monk,
He indicated a sleek-looking,
dumped him to the street. Another started
expensive roadster. Then he mentioned
jumping up and down on him. Monk
two direct routes to the Treasury Building,
grabbed assorted legs, twisted, howled.
and told Ham which one to take.
The cab driver headed for points
Monk and Ham got back in their
distant.
own cab.
Ham never used Monk’s
Warren Allen called, “Watch for a
roughhouse tactics. He unsheathed his
green cab when you get there. She is in
sword-cane. It flashed in the faint glow of
such a cab and may be waiting in the
street lights.
machine.”
Ham began pricking men with the
Warren Allen left in one direction;
blade. His victims soon got down on
Ham and hairy Monk took another. Both
knees, as though looking for a hole in
routes would bring them to the great
which to hide, then one by one sprawled
stone Treasury Building located near the
out and lay still. For the tip of Ham’s cane
White House. On the rear seat of the cab,
contained a violent anaesthetic drug
dapper Ham fooled with his black cane.
which produced brief unconsciousness.
“Funny,” he remarked. “We no
Monk was still swinging.
sooner met Annabel Lynn than something
Practically at empty air. Then he realized
went wrong. She was scared, wanted to
there was only a single figure facing him,
see us in privacy. She didn’t show up.
and he almost swung at it before he
Also, there was that large sedan which
decided it was Ham.
was following us.”