Free The Avenger 32 - The Death Machine by Kenneth Robeson

him. “Holy Hannah! He’s dead.” He rose up, looking around the ghost town. “But what did it?”
    “Poison,” said the Avenger.
    “Huh?”
    Benson walked down the bright midday street toward him. “A tiny capsule of very fast-acting poison.”
    “Suicide?” Mouth dropping open, Smitty jerked a thumb in the direction of the saloon. “And the other guy, too?”
    “Yes, he broke away and before I could prevent him . . .”
    “That’s very creepy.” Smitty walked away from the body, squatted down on the boardwalk. “These guys don’t think much of their lives.”
    “That’s the way they were trained.”

CHAPTER XVI

Sour Grapes
    Cole frowned at the silver-plated .32 revolver which now reposed in Giuseppe’s hand. “I must say this isn’t a very impressive example of California hospitality, sir.”
    “No need to fence with me, Wilson. I am well aware of who you are, the both of you. I’ve studied dossiers on you both.”
    “You wouldn’t settle for the explanation that Mrs. Kingsley and I happen to be look-alikes for this Wilson and his partner?”
    Giuseppe smiled. “Especially not today when you arrive on the heels of two other snoopers.”
    “Oh, so?” Cole’s eyebrows rose. “I wasn’t aware . . . that is, who might our predecessors be?”
    “You’ll be sharing their cell shortly. Don Early and Dr. Heathcote are our guests at the moment.”
    “Uncle Algernon,” said Nellie. How’d he—”
    “Hush, Pixie,” cautioned Cole. “I might as well admit, sir, that your fame as a foreign agent has been spread far and wide. Why, before nightfall the Brothers Macri will be up to here in government agents and police, we’re merely the first wave of the invasion. They’ll soon be swarming. I hear the FBI is chartering a special bus and—”
    “You’re being held for two reasons,” said Giuseppe. “Firstly, we wish to interrogate you thoroughly. The second reason, equally important, is that we intend to use you as hostages should the need arise.”
    “The FBI won’t bargain with you chaps,” said Cole.
    “Oh, I’m sure they will. You’re all very sentimental, despite your hardboiled pose. I don’t think they’ll stand stubbornly by while Miss Gray is put to death before their eyes.”
    “Oh,” said the little blonde, putting a hand to her cheek, “such a horrible idea. It makes me feel quite giddy . . .” Her eyes rolled up, she sagged and fell.
    “Nell, this is no time to faint.”
    “Stay right where you are, Wilson.” Giuseppe had glanced down at Nellie for a second, then turned his attention back to Cole.
    That was what Nellie had counted on. She went barreling over the floor, like a log rolling downhill, and slammed into Giuseppe’s legs.
    He stumbled forward, clutching at the air.
    Cole jumped, chopped the silver-plated revolver from his hand.
    Nellie shot upright, caught the bald man’s arm and twisted it up behind his back. “Hope you don’t mind a sentimental little girl doing this to you.”
    “Ow,” complained Giuseppe.
    Cole snatched up the gun. “No yelling, old chum,” he said. “Let’s continue our tour if you please. I’d especially like to see the place where you’ve got Early and Unc stashed.”

    Dr. Heathcote said, “There’s no valid reason why a machine to disintegrate stone couldn’t be constructed. In fact, I—”
    “Until you get an opportunity to do that,” cut in Don Early, “would you give me a boost?”
    “A boost?”
    “I’ve been trying to explain to you. I want to get up there and examine that trap door,” said Early. “It seems to be the only way in or out of this hole. At least from that I can gather by feeling around in the dark.”
    “An interesting suggestion, yes. Very well, I’ll cooperate.”
    “Cup your hands together.”
    “Like this?”
    “Can’t see . . . let me grab them. Yeah, that’s fine. Now I’m going to step up on your hands and when I do, you boost me up toward the ceiling.”
    “Ah, a