
'noted. Close scrutiny would have shown the top and sides of the box were fitted with what resembled
large camera lenses.
Inside the box were other lenses, spinning disks perforated with small holes, sensitive photo-electric cells
- a compact television transmitter. Waterproofed electric wires led from this down into the water.
Long Island Sound was not deep at this point. The under-the-polar-ice submarine, Helldiver, rested on
the bottom. The wires from the television box entered the undersea boat.
Before the scanning disk of the television receiver in the sub, six men stood. They were a remarkable
group.i. Six more unusual men than these probably had never assembled. Each possessed a world-wide
reputation in his chosen p profession.
There was "Renny," a hulking six feet four and two hundred and fifty pounds of him - with possibly fifty
pounds of that weight concentrated in a pair of monster fists. Renny had a sober, puritanical face. About
the only entertainment he permitted himself was knocking panels out of doors with his huge fists - a stunt
he pulled at the most unexpected moments. As Colonel John Renwick, the engineer, Renny was known
in many nations, and drew down fabulous fees when he worked.
There was "Long Tom," pale and none too healthy- looking, the weakling of the crowd in appearance.
His looks were deceptive, though, as more than one big man had discovered. As Major Thomas G.
Roberts, the electrical wizard, he had worked with the greatest electrical minds of his day.
"Johnny" - William Harper Littlejohn - was tall, gaunt, studious and bespectacled. He seemed half
starved, with shoulders as bony as a coat hanger. Once he bad headed the Natural Science department
of a famous university. His knowledge of geology and archaeology was profound. His books on these
subjects were in every worthwhile library.
Two individuals stood on the edge of the group and scowled at each other like a cat and dog. They were
"Monk" and "Ham." They always seemed on the point of flying at each other's throats. They swapped
insults at every opportunity. Yet Ham had several times risked his life to save Monk, and Monk had
done the same for Ham.
They were as unlike as men could be. Monk was a hairy monster of two hundred and sixty pounds, with
arms some inches longer than his short legs, and a face incredibly homely. He was a human gorilla. The
world of chemistry knew him as Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Blodgett Mayfair, one of the most learned
chemists alive. But he looked dumb as an ox.
Ham was slender, lean-waisted. His clothing was sartorial perfection - tailors had been known to follow
Ham down streets, just to see clothes being worn as they should be. His business cards read: "Brigadier
General Theodore Marley Brooks;" and he was possibly the most astute lawyer Harvard ever turned out.
Ham carried a black cane of innocent aspect - a sword cane, in reality. He was never to be found
without it.
The sixth member of the group was a mighty man of bronze - Doc Savage.
MAN of mystery, the radio commentator had labeled Doc Savage. Wizard of science! Muscular
marvel!
The radio speaker had not exaggerated. Doc Savage was all of these things. His mental powers and
strength were almost fantastic. He was the product of intensive expert, scientific training that had started
the moment he was born.