Chapter 4
While Luthor and his henchmen were driving across town Clark
Kent was sitting at his desk in The Daily Planet when a commotion
broke out. "My God!" someone remarked, "I can't
believe it! It's Lex Luthor!"
Kent looked up to see a man at the head of the office talking to
some people. Perry White came up to him, checked his
identification, then pointed to Clark. The man made his way
through the office. "Mr. Kent?" he inquired.
"Yes!" Clark answered. "How may I help you?"
"I am Professor Twaddle," the man answered. "I
understand you know this Superman, that you can get in contact
with him?"
"Yes!" Clark answered, "Do you have need of him?
"
"For the last thirty years," the Professor continued,
"I have been living in a remote area of Brazil with one of
its last indigenous people, The Kalla. Very few people enter
their region because it is said there is a white demon that
drives away any that attempt to invade them. I, myself, have seen
the remains of a gunboat that was said to have been demolished by
this creature. The natives have a sacred cave where they keep a
record of all the services the demon has provided them. A few
months ago a traveler that is allowed to visit brought in
magazines with pictures of Superman showing his abilities. I
compared those abilities to those of the demon and found they are
similar. I was wondering if you might have Superman go to South
America and investigate this strange phenomena. Thusfar this
demon seems to have been beneficial, but something of that much
power might prove dangerous if controlled by the wrong
people."
Clark looked at the man rather bewildered.
"Oh, I've brought pictures, sketches of the paintings."
Clark took the case he was holding out and proceeded to go
through it. "You can't tell much with these," he
remarked, "the natives seem to always draw the demon as a
white streak with the different abilities coming out of it. But
you're absolutely right, Professor! This thing DOES appear to use
Superman's abilities! I most certainly WILL contact him and
advise him of the situation!"
"Thank you!" the Professor praised. "Now if you
will excuse me, you have the drawings and the maps telling
Superman where to find the villages. To find Superman was not my
only purpose in coming here. Civilization is encroaching on my
friends, despite the demon's efforts. Funds are needed to provide
them medical care. I am trying to arrange such funds though many
of my contacts have long ago passed away."
Clark took a piece of paper and wrote several names and addresses
on them. "Contact these people," he suggested. "I
have known them to be interested in such causes."
"Thank you!" the Professor praised, "Thank you!
One other thing, Mr. Kent, perhaps you can help me. Who is this
Lex Luthor person everybody keeps mistaking me for?" Clark
smiled. "I am afraid, Professor, he is a notorious criminal,
considered to be one of the most brilliant of our time! And I
must say, the resemblance is incredible! But I would say at a
close glance you are perhaps twenty years older than Luthor, he
is in his thirties. I would say you are in your fifties."
"Oh dear!" the Professor managed, "I don't know if
I like the idea that I resemble a notorious criminal! But your
estimates are quite right, Mr. Kent! I am fifty-eight. Notorious
criminal? Mother would be quite upset, she would be quite
upset!"
The Professor rose and departed. Clark watched him go and then
again stared at the sketches. "Yes," he muttered,"
as soon as Superman has an opportunity he needs to check into
this! Something with these kind of powers could be dangerous,
could be VERY dangerous!"
He looked again at the retreating Professor. "And I wonder
why the Professor is wearing a large lead amulet under his
clothes on a gold chain?" He shook his head as the news
report of a ship collision which had caused one of the ships to
flounder got his attention. He made his way to a storeroom that
had a large air duct that lead to a hatch on the roof. Clark Kent
was not seen in the office for some time.
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