Read Online The Avenger 32 - The Death Machine by Kenneth Robeson - Free Book Online Page B

enough of the bottling process, I’ll show you the printing room.” He opened another red door.
    There was a chill stone corridor beyond.
    Cole and Nellie followed their guide down its length to yet another red door.
    “Right in here,” said the bald man. He opened the door and stood aside for them to enter.
    Nellie took three steps into the room and said, “I don’t see any printing press in here.”
    There was nothing but stacks of cardboard cartons against one brick wall.
    Giuseppe Macri closed the door and leaned his back against it. “Now suppose,” he said, “you tell me why you are here, Mr. Cole Wilson.”

CHAPTER XV

The Sound of Death
    Smitty made it halfway across the saloon before the machine was turned on.
    At first he heard the hum, then he heard nothing. But he felt it, felt the waves of sound pounding inside his skull.
    “You guys ain’t going to—”
    “Stop right there, you oaf.”
    Smitty wanted to keep going, to charge into them. He could not do that, however. The silent sound had done something to the inside of his head. He must do what they told him.
    “Now tell us who you are?” asked the young man with the box.
    “Smith, Algernon Heathcote.”
    “He’s one of them,” said the young man with the gun. “You belong to Justice, Inc.”
    “Yes, I do.”
    “Why are you here?”
    “We came to save Dahler and Markowitz,” answered Smitty. “They intend to use the death machine on them.”
    The young man holding the box laughed, a giggling laugh. “How did you ever find that out?”
    “By questioning Dr. Lloyd Friessen.”
    “Friessen’s been caught.” The gunman took a few steps away from the ancient bar. “Where is Dr. Friessen now?”
    “Being held by the San Francisco police.”
    “What did he tell you?”
    “About Dahler and Markowitz, that was all.”
    “Enough of this,” said the other young man. “We are awaiting the return of Dr. Dahler and Professor Markowitz. They are apparently taking a little hike into the played out mine area. Since they’ve left their station wagon, we know they’ll return. It’s more comfortable to wait here in the shade than chase after them in the hot sun. Isn’t it?”
    “Yes,” said Smitty, “it’s more comfortable.”
    “You will cross the room and remain beside the piano until I summon you.”
    “Yes, sir,” The giant shuffled across the wooden floor to the piano.
    “You are alone on your mission?”
    “No, the Avenger is with me.”
    “The Avenger!” exclaimed the gunman. “I don’t—”
    “Quiet, idiot. Where is he now?”
    “Let me answer that one,” said the Avenger.
    Both young men looked around, but they didn’t immediately see him.
    He was above them on the landing, hands resting against the carved wood railing.
    The one with the gun realized that first.
    Before he could swing his gun up to aim at Benson, though, the Avenger’s .22 was in his hand and firing.
    The slug ripped the weapon from the gunman’s hand.
    The other young man started to set the death machine on a table so that he might reach for his own gun.
    The Avenger was in the air before the motion was completed, hurtling down from above.
    He hit feet first, his feet digging hard into the young man’s chest.
    The black box hit the floor.
    Gasping for air, the young man fell against a chair.
    “Huh?” said Smitty. He shook his head from side to side. “Oh, yeah, I remember. Hey! Don’t do that!”
    The other young man was trying to pick up his fallen gun with his left hand.
    The giant leaped, flying over one of the round tables. His huge foot came down on the gunman’s good hand.
    “Damn!” Yanking his hand free, he turned and ran out through the swinging doors.
    Smitty went galloping after him.
    He didn’t see him for a second, since he was looking too high.
    The young man was sprawled in the dusty street.
    “What the heck?” Smitty approached cautiously. “You playing possum or what?”
    The boy did not move.
    Smitty knelt, touched