Chapter 14 Stone Clue

Doc Savage poured a small amount of pale liquid into a glass beaker which held a sample of the doctored fuel, and waited. The laboratory in the rear of the big tri-motor was small, but wonderfully equipped. No space had been wasted in the compact compartment. The lab was stocked with a wide variety of chemicals and electrical equipment. Doc's bronze features remained impassive as he watched the chemical reaction taking place in the beaker. There was no indication on the bronze man's face that many lives depended upon this experiment. It was the small hours of the morning; Doc Savage had been at this for more than an hour. The concoction in the glass beaker abruptly turned a pale amber, returning to the color airplane fuel was supposed to be. The man of bronze had found a neutralizing agent for the chemical contaminating the fuel. Doc Savage began mixing more of the chemical curative. Outside, the night air was cool, presaging a pre-dawn chill. Lucky Loo scowled at the South American, tied to one landing strut. The prisoner was still in the throes of stupor caused by the truth drug big Renny had administered earlier. Doc Savage had immediately retreated to the lab in the back of the all-metal plane, leaving the big-fisted engineer to clean up, which had been to Renny's liking. The giant had learned no more than the South American was indeed working for Medusa, and had been left behind at this small airstrip in case the bronze man stopped for fuel. He had no more knowledge of the "stone death" than Doc already possessed. The man knew nothing of Medusa's plans. Acting on information given by the prisoner, Renny Renwick had found the regular attendant behind the small operations shack. A couple of bullets were with him. He had been shot to death. Lucky Loo had been awakened by the commotion, and joined the other two outside. Twice, the big-fisted engineer had had to pull Lucky away from the bound captive, in order to save the South American from a savage kicking. It turned out Lucky Loo had a temper. "The rat," said the worthy sullenly, contemplating the South American. He glared at the bound man. Renny shrugged non-committally. He knew Doc was in the lab working on an antidote to the ruining agent. He had faith in his bronze leader. "How were we unlucky enough to have picked the one airfield where Medusa had a trap waiting for us?" bemoaned Lucky. He possessed none of the inscrutability for which his breed was famed, Renny noticed. "Places open at this time of night are pretty scarce," the big engineer boomed. "Especially in this part of the world. This isn't the U. S. of A., where air travel is becoming as common as train travel, Lucky." After a pause, Renny added, "And it wouldn't surprise me if Medusa had peppered the fields in this area with his own men." The giant engineer was as quiet as an elephant. "He's a tricky devil." Doc Savage came out of the plane, carrying a large jug. Without speaking, he walked to the fuel tank of the small field, and began pouring the contents of the jug into the tank, careful not to spill any of the liquid. Renny and Lucky Loo, at the sight of the bronze man, hurried to the tank. "You've found an antidote, Doc?" rumbled big Renny, upon reaching Doc Savage. "Because of the limited amount of the chemical, it will take a few hours for it to return the fuel to a usable state," the man of bronze explained, a touch of disappointment in his voice. "And even then, we will need to replace the fuel as soon as possible." Doc Savage finished pouring the liquid in the jug into the tank, emptying the ceramic container. "I had planned on reaching Easter Island before our enemies," he announced. "But now that is impossible. The mastermind behind this--the so-called 'Medusa'--is very clever." The bronze man gazed squarely at Renny and Lucky. "Why don't you two get some sleep," he suggested. "There's nothing more you can do until the chemical has done its work." The three of them returned to the large ship. The eastern sky was a pale orange lampshade when Doc Savage woke his engineer aide. The sky was bright, but the sun was not yet visible. "We're ready to take-off now," the bronze man said quietly. "The additive has been neutralized." The two muscular men returned to the cockpit, began the pre-flight checklist. "We'll reach Easter Island about mid afternoon, Doc," offered big Renny. He usually acted as navigator when flying with the bronze man. "Maybe a little later, depending on the weather and how soon we can get this fuel replaced." "We will take our time, then," decided Doc, "and arrive no earlier than dusk. We might still have a chance of surprising Medusa." "How do you figure that?" asked Renny quizzically. His deep voice probably made him sound more skeptical than he was. "Medusa has planned as though we are following him," the bronze man explained, "but he cannot be certain that we are. There is no way for him to contact the man he left at here yesterday. He does not know we stopped at this airfield." "You're right," said the big engineer, sounding surprised. "I hadn't thought of it like that." Not many minutes later, the big gray plane, shining in the morning light, taxied the small airstrip and swooped into the lightening sky like a bird of prey taking wing. Once the ship was on its way, resuming its southerly course, Doc Savage returned to the lab at the rear of the big plane, taking from a pocket the glass-like hand of the stone man who had been broken on Treasure Island.

The Stone Death Written By: Jeff Deischer Dedicated to "Kenneth Robeson X" for his encouragement. The Stone Man is a work of fan fiction. Doc Savage is © Conde Nast Back to: Top of Page Index Page Home Page