Synopsis / Summary / Plot
1. The Inferno Scheme!
In the middle of the night, a robotic eagle swoops down and carries off valuable gems from a jewelry store window. The next day security is tight for a rare gem exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; a woman arrives with an urgent request that they close the museum to prevent a robbery but it’s too late: a robotic bear crashes in and snatches a fabulous diamond. One of the patrons reveals himself as Renny Renwick, one of Doc Savage’s aides, but even his strength is no match for the monster, who is snatched away by helicopter. Renny is approached by the woman, the Contessa de Chabrol, who confesses that the mastermind behind the thefts is her brother and asks for Doc Savage’s help in stopping him. She explains to Doc how her brother became obsessed with gem research, and created the mechanoids and is now calling himself “Inferno,” plotting some grand scheme from a mountaintop fortress. Doc assigns Renny to accompany the Contessa to Inferno’s fortress and learn what he can while Doc and the other aides will follow shortly. At the fortress, the grateful Contessa expresses her affection for Renny and wishes him well. Renny makes his way into the villain’s stronghold escaping from the guards and coming to Inferno’s lair where he faces the villain. Inferno explains that he has used his gem research to construct a laser cannon to blackmail the world’s governments but needs Renny’s engineering skill to complete it, using the Contessa as a hostage to force his cooperation. After twenty-four hours of labor, Renny manages to escape the guards and sets out to rescue the Contessa, but he receives a shock: Inferno and the Contessa are not brother and sister but lovers and the whole thing has been a ploy to lure Doc Savage into a trap. Meanwhile, Doc and his men have arrived outside and battle their way in past guards and mechanoids to find Renny. The Contessa seizes control of the cannon to fight off the invaders but Renny reveals that he sabotaged the weapon. He tries to warn the Contessa but Doc knocks him out and carries him to safety just as the weapon overloads and explodes, destroying the entire fortress.
2. A Most Singular Writ of Habeus Corpus
The scene opens on an early-morning sword duel between Monk Mayfair and Ham Brooks in the former’s penthouse lab over Ham’s new suit which Monk has filched. The combatants are interrupted by Monk’s secretary who introduces Veronica “Ronnie” Curtis, who has a job offer for Monk from her brother Frank. Monk accompanies her with his pet pig, Habeas Corpus (after the porker chews up Ham’s pants cuffs). Arriving at a waterfront warehouse, Monk recognizes Ronnie’s “brother” as gangster Masher Miller who wants Monk’s chemistry knowledge to sabotage his rivals’ bootleg liquor. An interruption leads the hoods to tie up Monk and Ronnie (who didn’t know her boyfriend was a criminal) and lock them in a lab. Hours later, Habeas comes to their rescue, chewing through Monk’s bonds. Additionally, a chemical Monk had rubbed on Habeas provides the ingredient for a powerful acid but before Monk can use it Miller enters the room with murder on his mind. With Habeas’ help Monk punches out the gangster but suddenly a rival gang shows up with guns blazing, Monk and Ronnie dive into the river just as a stray bullet ignites the acid creating a massive explosion. The police rescue Monk and Ronnie (and Habeas) from the drink and round up the gangsters. Monk and Ronnie head off into the night for a much-needed nightcap.