Doc Savage Wild 22: Mr. Calamity by Kenneth Robeson

Author:Kenneth Robeson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

XXIV - BIZARRE BANK ROBBERY

In the offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Doc Savage was received with restrained-but-sincere approval.

The Bronze Man was not required to display the identification car that proclaimed him to be a Special Agent. There probably wasn't a man in the entire Bureau who did not know who Doc Savage was nor understand his official standing with the Department of Justice in particular.

Firm handshakes were exchanged with the Special-Agent-in-Charge as well as with his immediate subordinate. The Cheyenne office was modest owing to the sparse population of the state of Wyoming and its far-flung cities and towns.

"We don't see a lot of business here other than bank robbers and such desperadoes," explained the Special-Agent-in-Charge whose name as Heflin. "What brings you here, Mr. Savage?"

Doc Savage got right to the point.

"An associate reported that a man was seen swimming gin the sky after which he fell to his death. His body subsequently disappeared."

The bronze giant gave the flummoxed FBI men a moment to absorb that remarkable statement. Then he went on.

"The missing man has been identified as rancher Hud Crater. The body of his sister Alta Crater was discovered earlier today, apparently a victim of drowning. These 2 matters are connected. It appears that someone has control of a substance or Force capable of levitating bodies of water to considerable heights.

"Hud Crater was immersed in a swimming hole when the water was levitated conveying him skyward. Earlier today, a lake was similarly levitated with the unfortunate result that a Government mail plane crashed into the suspended water. The plane wreckage can be found northeast of Devils Tower along with the bodies of Miss Crater and the Government pilot."

"We heard about the plane crash," stated Special-Agent-in-Charge Heflin. "Are you saying it was brought down deliberately?"

Without responding directly, Doc Savage continued.

"The person responsible for has been sending demands to ranchers citing this unfortunate event and warning that if they fail to pay ransom, other water sources will be removed. He signs these threat letters with the presumably false name Mr. Calamity."

Now the Bronze Man had the agents' full attention for the destruction of a U.S. Mail plane constituted a Federal matter.

He laid on the desk 2 white card containing the fingerprint impressions of the headless body that had landed at the Circle Bolt Ranch.

"These are the fingerprints of a person believed to have been involved in this matter," he explained. "This person is deceased. But his identity is not known. It is imperative to learn who he was."

"I'll have our fingerprint boys run these," promised Agent Heflin handing the card to his deputy. The latter quickly disappeared from the office.

Doc Savage abruptly changed the subject.

"Has this office been investigating the mule rustling centering on the Pumpkin Buttes area?" Agent Heflin hesitated.

"Normally we leave rustling to State authorities. Rumor has it that the mules are being shipped out by rail which takes the matter across State lines. Why are you interested in common mule rustlers, Mr. Savage?"

"A gang of these rustlers ran afoul of the individual whose fingerprints I provided.

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