The Black, Black Witch by Kenneth Robeson;Lester Dent

Author:Kenneth Robeson;Lester Dent
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Blackmask Online
Published: 2001-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

DOC SAVAGE lifted a hand to interrupt the recital of MacChesney's actions. “MacChesney,” he said, “escaped from United States officials in Brazil and stole an American plane?”

“Yes.”

“Strange way for a hitherto dignified and trusted American diplomat to act.”

“Darned strange,” Ham agreed. “Everybody in Washington who knows MacChesney is dumfounded.”

Doc asked, “He didn't explain himself?”

“Not a word.”

“Did he,” Doc asked, “mention how he escaped from Germany?”

“He didn't tell anybody anything.”

They flew in silence for a while. Clouds were thin and ghostly wisps around them. Overhead, the moon and the stars were as bright as fire.

“Go ahead,” Doc said, “with anything else you know about MacChesney.”

Ham shrugged. “There isn't much more. MacChesney flew from Brazil to the United States by the land route. He refueled once in Honduras, at a remote mining-company flying field where they hadn't heard about him. That's the last trace. He is headed for the States, of course, and probably for New York. He lived in New York a long time, and he'd doubtless head for familiar ground. Furthermore, the Honduras mining company manager reported that he saw a map in the plane, and it had three or four alternate routes to New York charted on it with pencil.”

Monk scratched his nubbin-shaped head. “What I'm wondering is where MacChesney learned to fly like that. It ain't no small job to pilot stolen planes around over the world like he's doing.”

Ham said, “MacChesney is a private flier of much experience. Kept own plane for years, and traveled from one European capital to another in the course of his business.”

“That costs money. Do they pay diplomats that kind of dough?”

“The MacChesney family had a lot of wealth in the shape of rubber plantations.”

Doc Savage looked up. “Rubber plantations? In the East Indies?”

Ham nodded.

“Then,” Doc said, “the MacChesneys have lost their holdings.”

“I was going to mention that.” Ham adjusted the automatic-pilot device. “We wondered if that could have anything to do with the way MacChesney is acting. Men who have been wealthy all their lives, and lost their money suddenly, react in strange ways, sometimes.”

Doc made no comment, was thoughtful for a while.

“Has there,” he asked, “been any report of MacChesney carrying a small handbag?”

“It's a steel dispatch box,” Ham said. “It's chained to his wrist.”

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