The
story begins: "There were several reasons why the first of the two
shots
did not attract attention. One explaination was due to the number of
newspaper
photographers on hand taking flash light pictures of the crowd. These
London
journalists were using the old-style flash light powder which made
white
smoke and noise, as well as flash".
On his way back to America after putting a stop to the Calbian revolution in The King Maker
Doc and his men land at Croydon Flying Field in England. Word has gotten out of the Bronze Man's arrival. In the chaos of the crowd Rex Maples struggles to get Doc's attention and throws a mysterious black stick which Doc catches and pockets. Later a group of orientals show up at Piccadilly House where Doc and his aids are staying and ask for the stick. Monk scares them off and Doc follows the group. They lead him to their master, Sen Gat. A villainous oriental with clicking metal finger tubes that protect his grotesquely long fingernails. Doc tricks Sen Gat and his men by drugging their tea. In his stupor Sen Gat yields a second black stick, and tells a tale of The City Of The Thousand-Headed Man. A fabled city of fabulous wealth lost in the Indo-China jungles. Three sticks comprise the "keys" to the city.
Doc
learns that the third key is held by Lucille Copeland, daughter of
husband
and wife explorer team, Calvin and Fayne Copeland who have not been
heard
from since they returned to Indo-China on their second expedition. Doc
and his men save Lucille Copeland and Rex Maples from one of Sen Gat's
traps. Lucille is intent on finding and saving her lost parents. Doc
consents
to help her and she gives Doc the third black stick. With Sen Gat
following,
the group sets out for the The City Of The Thousand-Headed Man in one
of
the most unusual and exciting Doc Savage adventures of all time!