Part 13 (2/2)
That was the mystery.
It was deepened somewhat by information which Doc Savage secured by radio, later in the day. A fresh crop of ”Beware the Monsters!” advertis.e.m.e.nts had appeared in newspapers all over the country. These had been mailed from Trapper Lake.
Doc consulted the Trapper Lake postmaster. The latter was reluctant to speak at first, but Doc produced credentials signed by the highest of government officials. The postmaster turned into a fountain of information.
Yes, he had noted a man mailing many letters to newspapers all over the United States. Yes, he could describe the man.
He described Caldwell.
Monk, having completed his chemical bombs, did some prowling about town. The homely chemist was an excellent mixer. When he returned to the Guide's Hotel he had some information.
”Caldwell seems to have pulled one of his jail deliveries right here in Trapper Lake,” he declared. ”The local calaboose was broken into about a year ago. A fellow called Nubby Bronson was taken out. The man suspected of engineering the jail delivery answers the description of Caldwell.”
”Who was Nubby Bronson?” Doc asked.
”A local bad man,” Monk explained. ”The fellow had served several short prison terms for petty crimes.”
”Was he in for a serious offense when the jail delivery took place?”
”That's the strange part. He was serving thirty days for stealing traps. The jailer said he seemed satisfied with his lot. They were surprised when the break took place.”
Doc Savage considered this for a time. ”The inference is that Nubby Bronson did not want to get out of jail bad enough to hire his own delivery?” he queried at last.
”That's the idea,” Monk agreed.
Griswold Rock gestured astonishment with his fat hands. ”But why should Caldwell break into jail to free a man who did not particularly want to escape?”
If Doc knew the answer to that question, he gave no indication of the fact. He maintained silence.
THE GUIDE'S Hotel, they discovered, set an excellent table. Strangely enough, it was the thinnest man in the party -- skeletonlike Johnny -- who was the heaviest consumer of food.
”I wonder where the stuff he eats goes to,” pondered homely Monk when Johnny, having eaten prodigiously, arose from the table looking, if anything, thinner than before.
Ham scowled at the pleasantly ugly chemist. ”One doesn't have to wonder where your grub goes to. It's converted into hair.”
Later, Doc employed his radio transmitter to obtain a connection with New York City. He sought to locate Renny.
”Mr. Renwick left New York by plane about an hour ago,” reported one of the big-fisted engineer's a.s.sociates.
”Left the city!”
”That is correct.”
”Why?”
”The excavators uncovered some object late this afternoon,” the man in New York explained.
”What was it?”
”No one but Mr. Renwick knows. It was he who found the thing. He ordered all work to cease, and finished the digging personally. He wrapped his discovery in canvas and carried it away. I believe he took it with him in his plane.”
”In which direction did he head?”
”There was something said about northern Michigan, I believe.”
Doc Savage broke the connection.
”Renny found something important,” he informed the others. ”He is rus.h.i.+ng it up here by plane.”
”Then we should hear from him before morning,” Monk declared.
Chapter 18. THE TERROR THAT SWAM.
ALTHOUGH THERE were no long distance telephone lines, Trapper Lake itself boasted a local phone service. Rooms in the Guide's Hotel were fitted with instruments.
It was slightly past midnight when the bell in Doc's room snarled. The bronze man scooped up the receiver. ”They've attacked Renny!” yelled a shrill voice.
”Who is this?” Doc countered.
The voice was one he had never heard before. The words sounded as if sawed out by a high-pitched violin string.
”Renny is fighting a mob in a patch of woods about a mile north of town,” continued the shrill voice.
”Who are you?”
”Renny says he must have been unlucky. He landed right among the gang. I'm calling from the edge of town.”
”Are you going to identify yourself or not?” Doc demanded grimly.
”I live in a cabin close to where Renny's having his fight,” said the informant excitedly. ”He gave me fifty dollars to come and call you.”
Doc Savage started to ask questions. A click denoted the receiver had been deposited on the hook at the other end.
”Ham -- watch Griswold Rock,” Doc ordered.
The fat railroad man had retired to his room, but he now appeared in the door.
”That is very kind of you,” he said earnestly. ”I would be terrified if one of you gentlemen was not near by for protection.”
”Long Tom -- Johnny,” Doc asked. ”Have you got your seismograph devices all set?”
”Sure.”
Homely Monk had been listening. A slow grin overspread his features as he saw that he was to accompany Doc.
<script>