Part 3 (2/2)
”Surely.”
”I would not have believed you had you said otherwise,” replied the Russian with a sigh. ”Yet this device has done much good. Now it shall be destroyed. It has not been a failure, for its destruction will accomplish both yours and that of your friend, Carnes.”
”You haven't caught Carnes yet.”
”That is easy. The same bait which caught you has caught him even more easily. I have a real sense of humor, Doctor, and before I went out of my way to bring you here, my plans were carefully laid. Mr. Carnes is now on his way here from Was.h.i.+ngton, lured by my voice. He is rus.h.i.+ng, he thinks, to your rescue.”
”What--”
Dr. Bird was suddenly silent.
”I am glad you comprehend my plan so readily, Doctor. Yes, indeed, Mr.
Carnes knows that I have captured you. He knows the exact location of this cavern and, more important, he knows the location of the power line which feeds my device when it is in operation. He also knows that there is stored in this cavern, fifty pounds of radite, your ultra-explosive. He knows that you are chained close to the explosive and that it is rigged with a detonator, connected with the power line.
In only one thing is he in error.
”He thinks, that if he can sever the power line before he attempts to penetrate the cavern, that the charge will be rendered harmless, and that you will be safe. In point of fact, the charge is set with an interrupter detonator which will explode as soon at the power line is severed. It pleases my sense of humor that it will be the hand of your faithful friend, Carnes, that will send you in fragments to eternity.”
Beads of sweat shone on Dr. Bird's head as the Russian finished his speech, but his expression of amused interest did not change. Neither did his voice, when he spoke, betray any nervousness.
”And I presume that Carnes is also to be blown into bits by the explosion?” he asked.
”No, indeed, Doctor, that would frustrate one of the most humorous angles of the whole affair. He will cut the line at the base of a large rock, some two hundred yards from here, far enough away that he will not be seriously injured by the force of the explosion. Thus he will witness the explosion and realize what he has done. In order to be sure that he knows, as soon as he cuts the wire, my men will capture him. I, personally, will tell him of it. I wish to see his face when he realizes what he has unwittingly done.”
”Then, I presume, you'll kill him?”
”I doubt it. I rather think I'll let him live. He should be useful to me.”
”Carnes will never work for you!”
”With Feodrovna in my power, I rather think that Mr. Carnes will be an efficient and loyal servant. If not, he shall have the pleasure of watching me wreak my vengeance on her before he, himself, takes his last long trip.”
”Saranoff,” said Dr. Bird in a level voice, his piercing eyes boring straight into the Russian's, ”I will remember this. Later, when you grovel at my feet and beg for mercy, it will be my friend, Operative Carnes, who will read your doom to you and choose the manner of it. I can promise you that your death will not be an easy one.”
The Russian laughed, albeit the laugh had more of uneasiness than humor in it.
”When you have me in your power, Doctor, you may do as you like,” he said, ”but I do not fear dead men. In another two hours, you will be among the dead.”
He turned to the three Russians who stood behind him.
”Seize him!” he cried.
The Russians leaped forward, but Dr. Bird was not caught napping. The first one went down like a felled tree before the doctor's fist. The other two came in cautiously. Dr. Bird sprang forward, feinting. As he leaped back, his foot struck a rod which Ivan Saranoff had thrust behind him. He staggered and fell. Before he could recover his balance, the two burly Russians were on him.
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