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Dastardly
LITTLE
D ETECTIVE
STORIES
Dastardly
.^ LITTLE
Detective
STORIES
Edited by
Barnes
&vNOBLE
BOOKS
NEW YORK
Copyright
Inc.,
ISBN 1-56619-920-4
Printed and
bound
in
M987654321
"
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Hands" by Dale Clark, "The Cap'n Sleeps" by John Earl Davis,
"Cop Maker" by Ronald Henderson, "Curtains for Kelly" by John Randolph Phillips, "Cut Glass" by Frederick Arnold Kummer, Jr., 'The
Dead Go Overboard" by Fenton W. Earnshaw, "Detective for a Day"
by Walt Sheldon, "Die Before Bedtime" by Walt Sheldon, "Dust" by
James W. Holden, "Extra Service" by John Mallory, "Eye-Witness" by
Donald S. Aitken, "A Hand of Pinochle" by Theodore Tmsley, "Higher
Education" by Sidney Waldo, "Hip and Thigh" by H. H. Matteson,
"Ignorance of Art" by Vincent Hall, "Kansas City Connection" by
Wayne McMillan, "Murderer's Handicap" by Alex Barber, "Old Calamity's Stick-up" by Joseph Fulling Fishman, "Old Guy" by Maitland LeRoy Osborne, "Safety Deposit' by B. B. Fowler, "The Sign" by Tom
Curry, "Smoke Sign" by Dale Clark, "Summer's End" by William Manners, and "A Tulip in the Snow" by John McCurnin copyright 1934
1941 by The Frank A. Munsey Company. Copyright renewed
19621969 and assigned to Argosy Communications Inc. All Rights
Reserved. Reprinted by arrangement with Argosy Communications Inc.
"Better
""Anchor the
lin,
Stiff!"
by Dan Gordon,
'"An
Don
Cop and
Axe
to Grind"
by Curt Ham-
by Nick Spain,
""A
Friend of
Davy
Jones'
"
by V.
Away
" by Dorothy
Dunn, "The Wire-Pullers" by Morris Cooper, "According to Plan" by
Ray Darby, "Checkmated!" by Coretta Slavska, "Death Racket" by
Frederick Arnold Kummer, Jr., "Knit One
Kill Two" by Fergus Trus-
Poison!"
E.
Men and
Body Fits
by Larry Holden, "The Man Who Died Too Often" by David Crewe,
and ""A Shroud with a Silver Lining" by Marion Lineaweaver copyright
1939-1952 by. Popular Publications Inc. Copyright renewed
1967-1980 and assigned to Argosy Communications Inc. All rights
reserved. Reprinted by arrangement with Argosy Communications Inc.
low, "Three
"Affirmative Action"
Breen. Reprinted
"If
the
1990 by Jon
L.
"Bread Ahead" by C.
derson. Reprinted
Henderson
J.
by permission
published by
Group,
in
Diamond
Copyright
of the author.
Hen-
FREE
LUNCH,
1992.
Bill
R.
Bill
Pronzini
Copyright
SMALL
of the authors.
Copyright
Stevens
L.
WORLD.
J.
NO
chapter of
first
1990 by C.
Inc.
First
appeared
in
1981 by
WOMAN'S
R. L. Stevens
First
Copyright 1979
appeared
in
HERS. Re-
Justice"
by Hugh
B.
Cave
appeared
in
Copyright
1964 by Da-
MAGAZINE.
"Damsel with
a Derringer"
published in
Copyright
SYMONS AT
80:
TRIB-
of the author.
JULIAN
Copyright
Lovisi.
An
Re-
"Exhibit
Hoffman
Copyright
man. An original
Murder" by C.
1993 by C.
J.
story, published
Wayne D. Dundee
Wayne
published
D. Dundee.
First
Copyright
HARDBOILED.
in
authors.
1987 by
Reprinted by
"Incident in a
1988 by
Neighborhood Tavern" by
Bill
Pronzini
Bill
AN
Copyright
Re-
'The
Man Who
Collected
First
J.
published
V. Drexel
in
Copyright
THE MAGAZINE
Reprinted by permission of
the author.
The Mann
Copyright
HARDBOILED.
1992 by Michael
Reprinted by permission of
the author.
Copyright
MAGAZINE.
"Murder
at
Edward D. Hoch.
COLLECTION.
First
appeared
Hoch
Copyright 1986 by
in
"Murder Offstage" by
R. L.
Hoch.
in
appeared
First
Stevens
"Naked
in
Darkness" by
Hugh
B.
appeared
Cave
Copyright
Inc.
MAGAZINE.
First
in
1965 by David
Publications,
Copyright
An
1993 by Gerald
by arrangement with the au-
thor.
Inc.
First
MAGAZINE.
published
Copyright
in
An
MAGAZINE.
Copyright
MAGAZINE.
1985 by Re-
"Snapping Out of
It"
Copyright
1991
Copyright 1988 by Edward D. Hoch. First appeared in SPECIAL REPORTS: FICTION. Reprinted by permission of the author.
"Something Wrong" by
Bill
Pronzini
Copyright
SMALL FELONIES.
1988 by
Bill
Reprinted by permis-
"Souls Burning"
First
by
published in
Bill
Pronzini
DARK
Copyright
1991 by
Bill
Pronzini.
of the au-
thor.
Copyright
1981 by
J.
V. Drexel
Bill
Knapp
origi-
3
8
CONTENTS
Introduction
xiii
The Clarion
24
35
37
41
47
51
Pronzini
60
65
70
76
81
Steveyts
L.
85
Coretta Slavska
89
Call by O. Henry
93
99
106
Cave
1 1
Phillips
Kummer.
1 1
128
Jr.
Fenton
Frederick Arnold
that Ate a
Detective for a
104
Herndon
The Deer
16
19
27
Cut Glass by
Damsel with
Barrie
W. Earnshaw
Kummer,
Jr.
Diamond by Edward
Day by
D. Hoch
147
151
160
Walt Sheldon
137
143
168
175
Spain
185
193
197
21
Exhibit
by John Maclay
201
205
Aitken
208
Manners
213
S.
X.
218
Friend of
by
J.
A Hand
of Pinochle by
Harsh Light of Day by Wayne D. Dundee
Theodore Tinsley
Matteson
Larry Holden
Neighborhood Tavern by
by W. W. Jacobs
Bill
Pronzini
In the Library
Ink's Jinx
An
by Anthony Clemens
Knit One
Kill Two by Fergus Truslow
The Leopard Man's Story by Jack London
The Man Who Collected "The Shadow" by J. V.
The Man Who Died Too Often by David Crewe
The Mann Act by Michael A. Black
Memento Mori by Alex Saxon
291
Drexel
Murder
at
Gerald Tollesfrud
Novel Forgery by
111
229
233
239
245
248
255
259
264
269
278
282
283
287
Rodrigues Ottolengui
294
299
305
3
317
324
328
337
342
350
356
362
369
375
396
404
407
Safety Deposit by
430
B. B. Fowler
384
391
415
42
The
Number by
Seventieth
Shroud with
a Silver
Stephen Dentin^er
433
443
446
465
Souls Burning by
Pronzini
478
484
494
The
The
Bill
Three
Men
Principle by
and
Today's Special
The
Trailor
J.
Corpse by
Poison! by
The Umbrosa
Snow by
Lehmann
While the
The
Cat's
Away
by Dorothy Dunn
520
V. E. Thiessen
John McCurnin
Burglary by R.
509
Ray
Tulip in the
461
502
V. Drexel
Victor K.
452
456
473
The Terrarium
450
Lincoln
527
533
537
540
543
554
INTRODUCTION
If
This
mystery
^when
no mean
is
is
how
Stories is
all
fast
thousand words or
in several
you consider
feat
he or she solves a
an introduction to some
that the
best-known
if
not
The
"
appeared
1843, only a few years after Edgar Allan Poe introduced the
first
in
true
known
names
in literature,
some
of the most
(best
M.
The
Barrie,
"
in
the Snow," the police procedural form of Michael Black's "TTie Ro-
sary"
Larry Holden's
of
Wayne
"If
the
Body
Fits,"
noir thriller
Bill
elements
Pronzini's "Souls
Burning."
Though
are
no
brevity
is
as professional investigators in
its
Siren"
in
Charles
Dickens's "Artful Touch" and Gary Lovisi's "Dogs Know," cynical private eyes in Gerry Tollesfrud's "Night
"Knit
One
Kill
in
End" and Dorothy Dunn's "While the Cat's Away," maritime police in
Dan Gordon's "Anchor the Stiff!" and "A Friend of Davy Jones'," crime
reporters in Curt Hamlin's "An
Axe
to Grind"
in
Howard
Finney's "Murder
on the
ked
in
Hugh
in
Cave's "Na-
son's
B.
"Bread Ahead."
And
J.
Henderson's
in
Ray
S.
lamity's
Stick-up,"
Pronzini's
in
some
easily
Bill
of the
but
is
themselves collaborating
reassuring to
know
Not
all
come
come
quickly!
Stefan Dziemianowicz
1993
According to Plan
hy Ray Darby
It
was
half a block
taxi
drew up
at
the corner,
suburban Lyn-
in
wood. Ben paid the driver, being careful to keep his face averted and
the hat pulled low over his eyes. He mentally cursed that hat. It was
quite a trick to keep it on his head at all, because it was at least two
sizes
too small.
As the
taxi pulled
tie
man
He
darker tweeds.
scious.
If
him
He hoped
was
good
plan.
off,
it
he could
at least a
all
could go
all
to
the
jail
in
in
still
uncon-
raise a holler,
two-hour
start.
County
Jail.
This had
he was raving.
A man
It was a good plan, and yet, as he hurried down the street towards
Doctor Ridgeway's house, Ben couldn't help thinking about all the
wound had
the
left a
off
on Doctor Ridgeway's
scar
it.
He wondered
face.
The thought
pleasing to Ben.
through
many
his
drinks in
It
him
at
door slammed up
approached the
the time.
the house. Ben froze. Hurrying footsteps
at
car. In spite of
on schedule.
right
get
in.
starter,
a spurt
that
way was
In
hatless.
shaped head, the hair curling at the temples and beginning to gray.
girl
He was
use denying
falling, for
it.
guy could
him.
had loved him as no girl ever had until she caught pneumonia and
Doctor Ridgeway entered the picture. That was where they had both
been wrong. Louise may have been everything they said she was at
the preliminary hearing. Even a she-devil with the face of an angel.
his
He
pressed
said softly.
wood
"Keep right on
driving.
Boulevard."
The
doctor's
body went
rigid.
The
told
you
out again.
"Ben!"
'That's right,
Doc. Ben.
I'd
bust out."
going to help
me
get to Mexico."
"I
you
will,"
he
come
said. "I've
me
and
this far,
going the
I'm
way.
rest of the
San Quentin."
in
You had to hand it to the doctor. He had guts. His neck muscles
and Ben knew that his quick brain was working. He felt a
little uneasy. He would have felt really uneasy if he hadn't planned
relaxed,
thoroughly.
this thing so
"If
let
me
kill
make
run for
it.
"they'll
Take
out.
me once
give you
my
car
and
The
swung
car
Lakewood Boulevard,
heading south.
"One
move," Ben
false
"How do
know you
"and
said,
I'll
let
you have
it."
won't anyway?"
it.
few minutes the car droned steadily on. Then the doctor
new approach.
tried a
lost
blame you.
"Ben,
if
you're
still
bitter.
maddening.
"1
lost her,
and
wild,
don't
machine. Forget
her, Ben."
To the
Lakewood
talk,"
Ben
said.
"It's
no
Ben
use."
said,
'Turn here.
right."
little
more than
and
car. TTie
dark
for the
trail.
first
me
note of fear
me
talk to
'The
talking's all
said.
"Keep going."
it
going!"
canyon of the
trees
and was
swallowed up.
At Signal
The road
lay
Hill,
ahead of him,
all
the
way down
to
He
felt
billfold
with
all
suit,
where
He
3
and
There
it
tried to feel as
remembered, with
he ought to
feel,
He
being a doctor.
been
a scar
over.
'That's right."
it
was hard
were looking
for
for.
He knew
He knew whom
they
lost in the
wastes of Mexico.
My
Emory Ridgeway.
card?"
The
it
to the
driver's license
hilt.
The
and
it
over
in his
hand.
enquired.
'Tine, Doctor."
He
vice revolver.
the opposite
ser-
window
of the car.
"End of the
line.
Doctor," the
hung
it.
first
car,
"We
figured
his
head.
TTie
first
trooper said,
That
woman was no
Now come
lit
"We found
out.
One
the
body
up."
Adventure of the
Baritone Singer
by George Barton
It
as the
who
let
vacation
to a certain
got
"I've
problem.
class
he said, "that threatens to develop into a firstyou to take a look at it while all the evidence is
a case here,"
I'd like
Barnes accepted the invitation with alacrity and took Clancy along.
The
with him
in
the solution of
ideas
was not
as dull as
in Barnes's
acquaintance
had
who
he looked.
Kelly was waiting for them at the doorway of the house on the
elegantly
met
prise.
living
girl
room
arms extended.
On
weight, as though
had
it
sight
just slipped
man
hand was
with his
a glass
paper
tiny pool of
The
The
detective dropped
It
turned to Kelly.
we can
then
look around."
With the
removing the
his
It
from
a massive
walnut table
apartment.
half
dozen books and magazines were scattered about the floor. Indeed,
two of the books gaped with broken bindings as though they had
been used as weapons. The shattered glass over a picture of George
Washington on the wall indicated that the father of his country had
been the unwilling target for one of the missiles. A pair of spectacles
(also broken), an ash receiver, a Billiken, a spilled bottle of ink, and an
overturned chair completed the wreck.
loved music.
graph and a mandolin. Bookcases lined the walls on one side of the
apartment.
An
easel held an
open
dictionary, while
on
couch
lay the
in time.
you a question."
She flung herself
"1
want to
fro ner-
ask
into a chair
vously.
"1
me
give
"1
can't!"
she cried,
"it
is
occurred
in this
want you to
house to-night."
"But
don't
"1
that
is,
hastily.
fear publicity."
"1
who
has authority:
vouch
Mr.
for
"Uncle
is
fair in
satisfied.
a Southerner.
He made
a great deal of
some
York.
We
lineal
lived in apartments at
house we are
details,
now.
in
as
if
trying to be
her statements.
in
the iron
New
first,
don't
money
all
this
is
night."
continued, "but
is
interjected Kelly.
it
all
Uncle needed.
that
is
He
generally under-
stood, but he
One
of the artists
a baritone of exceptional
made
our
a guest at
was Uncle's delight to get him in the living room to sing the dear old
plantation songs of the South
The young woman paused at this part of the recital, as if loath to
say any more. But Barnes encouraged her in his friendly way:
"
"Go
on,
listeners."
dislike to
"I
must.
speak of
might say
a passing interest in
by
my
personal
affairs,"
Guy
beginning
position, gentlemen,
and
1,
He
felt
very
it.
"Just
to arrive,
ventured to broach
He went
match.
Guy
is
contract that
be
fearing a
He
in his profession.
is
to sing in grand
five-year
years he
man."
a great
"Please
"I'm
advancing rapidly
will
hunter. Incidentally,
said,
head,
little
was
to marry
said that
the parlor.
He
got downstairs
my
noticed that
me
Anyhow,
found
Guy
in
the
left
waiting for
view
room
me
in
told him all that Uncle had said and he was furious."
"What did he say?" asked Barnes.
"He said he was going upstairs to tell Uncle just what he thought
him.
begged him not to get into a quarrel for my sake."
"What else did he say?" persisted the detective.
"He he said that love was the only excuse for marriage, and that
the cause.
of
He
Uncle put money or position above love, he was not fit to live. He
was very much wrought up and his wild talk distressed me. told him
thought we
that Uncle had forbidden me to see him any more, and
should separate at least, for the time being. He was sulky about it,
but
said 'Good night' to him and came up in my room to throw
if
way
left
him standing
in
an
the hallway."
in
knob
of the door,
when
It
was
startled
that.
could
among ten million. He was singing 'My Old KenThe words rang out superbly. stood there listening,
tell it
tucky Home.'
The
In
my
would not do
"It
waited. Surely,
fate.
I
crept quietly to
and
Ten
a bang.
No
and was
in,
my
my
my room
tor
fifteen
my
to disturb them.
thought,
in
long pause
at the
Kelly said:
"What
is
the address of
Guy
Avondale?"
usually at a studio
week
on
E.
10th
St.
flat
on
W.
10th
St.,
but he
at the
Barnes
said
good-by
to Miss
Hearne. As they reached the front door the journalist turned to the
servant
girl.
sir,"
last
Guy
night?"
"I
beat:
on about
here?"
thought he was
in
in
officer.
"1
Sing Sing."
moved away.
"I'll know before
Before the three
men
and Clancy.
"Well, boys," he cried, throwing
of his
weed and
"Good and
"Put
it
in plain English,"
left
"1
suggested Barnes.
went
to Avondale's
flat
on
W.
10th
St.,
He
has
last night.
he has
The
janitor assures
failed to return
absence."
"How
E.
10th
St.?"
"He has not been there either. That is regarded as very singular,
because he had a positive engagement at 3 o'clock this afternoon. He
was to rehearse an opera in which he is to sing shortly."
"Well, son," said Barnes, turning to Clancy, "what have you to say
for yourself?"
"I
have to say that the bird has flown, and you might
as well give
up the chase?"
"How do you know?"
"Why, went to the Church of the Golden Gates. He was to take
part in a song service that began at seven o'clock. But he wasn't there.
He has been singing at the church for two years and it is the first time
he has ever been absent."
"What do you think about it?" asked Clancy, anxiously. "Was it the
!
10
He
ignored the
last part
"I
"What
'That Avondale
"In
evidence," he said.
now
is
in Boston."
"Yes, in Boston.
to
my
that?"
is
him
last
night was a
learned, but
summons
Who
to Boston.
first
it
was from
haven't
house."
"What
are
you going
to
do about
asked Kelly.
it?"
come back
They always do. was at the station tonight, but he did
won't anticipate
I've got a man on my lookout now, but
"Simply wait for his return," was the calm reply. "He'll
to
New
not
York.
arrive.
results tonight.
"You bet
I'll
a taxicab
drove up to Barnes'
tall,
broad-
shouldered, athletic fellow with curly hair and a slight blonde mustache.
"Barnes," said Kelly,
"I
want you
to
life
of
me
understand
can't
why
am
given
the pleasure."
"I
visit that
"Go
may be
as far as
a visit
"a
you
like,"
rejoinder,
in
the direction of
"That was
night before
last."
Avondale gasped.
"You amaze me!
It's
the
first
I've
heard of
it."
Clancy to Kelly.
In the parlor,
them.
The
all
right,"
stern,
was awaiting
girl.
11
at the
news
I've just
heard."
the
in
he exclaimed, "you're
"How
heard you
terribly mistaken!"
it?"
Barnes held up his hands to stop the words that were on the
lips of
young man.
the
'Tell
me
"There
"I
"I
briefly
isn't
came here
thing Marie
much
to
tell,"
to speak to
Mr. Fulton on
Miss Hearne
night."
told
tell
me made me
me good
very indignant.
re-
me
begged me not to do
so.
She bade
night and
left
my hand
standI
went
and had
upstairs
me
my
that
brother was
and
is
now on
"My
have the
at
took the
first train.
friends,"
heard the
truth.
decided to postpone
Fortunately
my
brother rallied
am."
Mr. Avondale
is
room now."
With
that,
he threw
all
phonograph.
He
gave the lever of the machine a twist and immediately the apartment
was
filled
It
was
in
my
in
my
far
away."
"
young
I'll
singer.
'The
grant exhibition
ol"
over the
all
this fla-
on the
floor,
missile
wall.
death, and
it
will
be so
certified
mean a marriage?"
down the avenue.
The old man chuckled softly.
his
"Will this
trudged
"If
were
as sure of
Heaven
as
I'd
be
happy man!"
The Adventure
of the Table Foot
hy Zero
called
one morning
a crisp cold
Ramsay]
[Allan
on
my
him company at
the morning,
found him
up and greeted
me
as
He
looked
entered.
Whatsoname, how d'you do? You have not had breakfast yet.
hungry.
suppose that is why you drove, and in a
hansom too. Yet you had time to stay and look at your barometer. You
look surprised.
can easily see
any fool would see it that you've
not breakfasted, as your teeth and mouth are absolutely clean, not a
crumb about. noticed it as you smiled on your entry. You drove it's
a muddy morning and your boots are quite clean. In a hansom
don't
know what time you rise? How then could you get here so quickly
without doing it in a hansom? A bus or four-wheeler couldn't do it in
the time. Oh! The barometer business. Why, it's as plain as a pikestaff.
"Ah,
It's
a glorious
would
rain.
And why
it
would
it
barom13
you
eter told
came
along.
you
"It
"It
At that moment
business, and, as
think,
he put
his
"What can
in
in.
He was
as pale as
do
like
as
young
swell
part of the
deduct
"1
it,"
ceed."
"My name
"Robert
St.
"Yes, that
saw
"I
it
so,
your
am Robert
Square, and am
St.
"I
"Private
marked
but
all
it
Timon," put
is
in
Timon
St.
is
me
tell
in
Bones.
St.
Timon, of Grosvenor
Private
and
Confidential
"I
see a
letter
your pocket."
"Quite correct," went on
St.
Timon, "thus
dential capacity
infatuation that
someone had
for him,
my
it
was that
in
my
confi-
father of an attachment, an
an elderly
showing
was unfolded
how
to
him by
it
nose.
How
do
little
will
you by-and-by."
was an elderly and immensely wealthy lady, then," Robert
Timon continued, "named the Honorable Mrs. Goran
will tell
"It
St.
14
"How do you
my
mouth.
innermost
How
did you
if
How
man and
my
You guess
things?
these
divine
to find out?
He was
tie
if
comparatively young
himself to an octogenarian,
If
when she
If
the worst
came
to the worst
let
How
of his grasp. But he must not espouse the old lady needlessly.
was he to
We
find out?
itself.
Day
very simple.
it's
saw
it
we
"Yes,
campaign:
was to
she had
and
London Day by
'
if
left
in a subtle fashion
find out
whether my
of
which
wife.
arrived at the
not.
Whether
Time was
short,
he sobbed, turning
his piteous
intellect
to help me,
"this
me and
to aid
is
where
explain this
mystery.
was
in
lute
and sole
her cups
after
and
My
does
it
fact
when she
my heart that
my father under
dinner my father went
all
kicked, as arranged,
his wife
it
gleaned every
father
stepmother.
"I
heir,
money
all
mean!!"
15
modern times
detective of
he unraveled the
as
plot
intricate
and
am
M.
Barrie
Holmes
friend Sherlock
you
now
will
act in
among
by
their pen.
am
were
who made
he would
mix
line."
our rooms
in
by the centre
ber)
"1
draw the
We
livelihood
my
Sir James
in
was
the
(I
Man
all
rememwithout a
the other
me on the opposite
many of these portraits
of
wall,
and
it
is
proof of his
skill
that
considered admirable
like-
a slight
nesses.
I
happened
men advancing
He
immediately
lit
on
figure 8, replied:
in
a triumph."
sprang from
my
and he then
explained:
"My
16
dance on them
if
may be mere
said
"
Holmes,
"for
is
much
authors."
week. Only criminals, dramatists and actors get them by the hundred.
"Can you
"A great
tell
deal.
me
a carriage."
of the
tall
that
one
perceive
as obviously a
is
Scotch author."
"How
can you
"He
is
tell
that?"
book
called
(I
livid
my
Up went
1
at last
when
have him
at last!"
the room.
"1
Holmes,
"that
you
are at
The handsomer
this,
Holmes
I
a ring
on your fourth
finger," replied
Mr.
calmly.
was about to jump to the ceiling when the big brute interposed.
'That tommy-rot
"but
ceiling again
Here
Holmes
shall
is all
it
make you
shrank.
He became
if
you go up
to the
stay there."
small before
my
eyes.
My
I
friend
Sherlock
looked longingly
at
first
17
"Allow me," said Mr. Holmes, with some of his old courage. "You
want
to
know why
He
stud."
way
piece."
It
Holmes went
for
me.
shuddered, for
my
knew
friend
had
that
if
a heart
of gold.
"1
will
do anything
it,"
for
you save
that."
man menac-
ingly.
"1
can
air," replied Holmes, proudly taking anyou why the public don't go to your piece
into
tell
"Why?"
"Because," replied
Holmes
left
save a ring of
last words of great men are often noteworthy. These were the
words of Sherlock Holmes: "Fool, fool! I have kept you in luxury
years. By my help you have ridden extensively in cabs, where no
The
last
for
The
The
18
his friend
M.
Barrie
The Adventures of
Shamrock Jolnes
by O. Henry
am
Shamrock
so fortunate as to count
detective,
among my muster
man"
"inside
tery" to
down
He
it
be solved, to
is
desk telephone
who phone
is
what
is
an expert
whenever there
his duty,
sit at
of friends. Jolnes
at
is
New
York
is
called the
in
the use of
"murder mys-
in their
But on certain
"off"
days
when
confessions are
to
my
coming
as
many
in
slowly
different
and deduction.
tion
The
other day
dropped
in at
said,
"I'm
glad to notice that you've had your house fitted up with electric lights
at last."
"Will
am
you please
sure that
"Nothing
tell
me,"
said, in surprise,
that?
completed
morning."
until this
know
that not
in
cigars
more than
bills
three
men
New
19
The
"Were you
listening to a confession?"
asked,
when he had
re-
To be
of the sort.
"it
Whatsup,
for so
I've
I've
effect on me any more. I've got to have something more powerThat telephone just went to is connected with a room in the
Waldorf where there's an author's reading in progress. Now, to get at
much
ful.
and nodded
smile,
his head.
"Wonderful man!"
"It
knot? That
knot.
exclaimed. "Already?"
is
is
to prevent
forget-me-not
is
my
forgetting.
a flower.
It
was
up
It
his finger.
therefore, a forget-me-
is,
was to
send home!"
"Beautiful!"
"Suppose
we go
"
in
admiration.
suggested Jolnes.
"There is only one case of importance on hand just now. Old man
McCarty, one hundred and four years old, died from eating too many
bananas.
The evidence
No.
2,
hours.
The
Jolnes and
we were
assassin
is
street
who
"Good morning,
you cannot
tell
vot
20
When we
said to Jolnes:
"I
egg
at the
spilled
on
and
his chin
shirt
front."
"1
"That
ingelder
is
where
is
my
began
deduction. Rhe-
in
When we
principally
by
and
ladies. Jolnes
who
occupied
all
man with
New
a short
Yorker. At
successive corners other ladies climbed aboard, and soon three or four
of
meaningly
at the
and glaring
to straps
"We New
Yorkers,"
them
in
happens to be
Virginia.
He
is
know
"I
man you
evidently refer
Old
spending
few days
our man-
lost
public goes."
for the
in
New
South tonight."
amazement.
never saw him before we stepped on the car," declared the detechim, then?"
said, in
tive, smilingly.
all
than black
you
cried,
you can
"if
art."
nothing more,"
we
do,
said Jolnes.
think
"If
the old
can demonstrate to
car.
Vir-
ginia?"
Major Winfield
know
suh, in Norfolk
my
after
"My name,
R. Ellison,
suh,
is
the same
the Goodriches,
am happy
having spent
shall
in
be
in
week
Norfolk
in
am
in yo' city
about ten
21
days,
and
if
you
me
will give
looking up Colonel Hunter and telling him that you inquired after
him, suh."
if
glanced
at
New
the great
come upon
him
'Tell
look of
Shamrock
Jolnes.
three
tleman.
"Yes, suh,
my
three daughters,
all
With
that
Major
Ellison
step.
'Tou
devil
is
mo' than
tell,
too,"
me
wonderful
feat.
can
which
how
the
tell."
said, as
to his calm,
he invited
in
an adopted daughter?"
is
are, suh,"
"am
failure,
we
so after
he began
after
we were
comfortably seated,
"I
knew the gentleman was no New Yorker because he was flushed and
uneasy and restless on account of the ladies that were standing, although he did not
rise
his seat.
"Next
to a lady
began to
when he
evidently
impelled to do
of his eyes
so.
had received
felt
all
a severe jab in
end of an uncut lead pencil. Also upon both of his patentleather shoes were a number of deep imprints shaped like ovals cut off
square at one end.
"Now, there is only one district in New York City where a man is
bound to receive scars and wounds and indentations of that sort and
that is along the sidewalks of Twenty-third Street and a portion of
knew from the imprints of trampling
Sixth Avenue south of there.
size of the
22
had been
that he
man
women
in conflict
in
the face
shopping
in the
district
And
he
as
was
of intelligent appearance,
"That
ters
very well,"
is all
and
especially
why
did you
Why
said, "but
two daughters?
insist
upon daugh-
wife,
alone.
you
If
he had
own
his
age,
he had only a
"If
go
prefer to
alone.
So there
are."
admit
"I'll
that,"
now,
"but,
said,-
why two
daughters?
And how,
is
no such word
was
geranium
in
No woman
leaf.
a chance.
May
could
flower,-
and
knew
"Adopted!"
know he was
that
broke
in.
"I
feel
in
give
who added no
background
you every
credit, but
the street?
sisterly jealousy to
how
did you
rosebud
"one
the
she must be
rosebud backed by
dancing up with
air,-
Elli-
Cannot you
And
and
a carnation
your imagination
in
Good
a protuberance.
New
bow
liquor
is
"something large
it
me
my
said.
"And
tell
why
"Again
must
to you,"
this,
so that
last
from Virginia?"
"It
was very
faint,
admit," answered
Shamrock
Jolnes, "but
no
trained observer could have failed to detect the odor of mint in the
car."
23
Affirmatiye Action
by Jon
Mob
He
most.
long time,
for a
far
Breen
longer than
change, unlike
a lot of
Prohibition. Times
was
still
town
who
al-
down-
uh
moment
uh
hiring
somebody
to
."
.
"It's all
"I
who
has
made
a qualified
his or her
"Uh, yeah,
before.
but
why do
mean no
"Certainly not.
".
But
right.
don't
disrespect
never had to
."
.
understand."
just
hell
is
an Affirmative
way.
am
my
purpose
the position to be
"1
is
your
what
is
filled?"
guess, hitman."
it
hitperson.
Or
silly
24
It
avoids one
mean, we
does
silly,
it
ain't
nothin'.
mean, we
"Yeah, well, you see, we never did it like that before.
were never so formal about it. Is this job announcement supposed to
1
be
in writing?"
customary, yes."
'That
is
"Well
how
writing?
hitman
"How
the
"1
it's
word
bump
guy
assassin
if
it,
in
you send
off?"
the past?"
in
sort of just
get around."
is
advisable. Just so
is
mean, an
suppose that
ment
"Well,
let
It
"Uh, yeah.
pool?"
and
classifications
women
all
in
many job
that?"
women
around."
camp
woman
"Well,
"And
Mob?"
no ..."
as for minorities,
such as
Mob
Italians,
Irish,
Jews,
Blacks,
."
.
"We
hit far
stick to
people
and wide,
gonna knock
like
We
we can
you
don't
trust. If
we
to
people
know who
know
we're
over."
"What do we do when
it,
that's
all.
And
after
killed."
They
all,
will,
you
25
We
"Two weeks?
how
"Hey,
long
is
that
gonna
take?"
The purpose
of affirmative action
to
is
women and
That
position.
all."
is
was
telling
him
to
move with
moment.
voice
in his
head
mouth
mean, who's gonna check up on
us?"
we've
1
all
The
is
crime?"
crowded
"Look
streets
it,
at
the
below.
The Mob
its
it
for
good
It
has an
ends."
Eddie walked to the window and looked out, too. "Yeah, yeah,
can see
"I
that."
Mob
that the
"How
are
is
grow only
if
this job?
mean, we
can't
have
lot in writing."
call and give us their qualificoded of course. At the same time, they can leave
word where we can reach them if the screening committee selects
them for interview."
cations, suitably
"Sounds okay,
eyes
lit
The
guess." Eddie
kid,
thought a
moment
this
job anyway?"
26
up suddenly. "Hey,
to
do
things, Eddie,
and
my
is
my
goal
is
to
make
Mob
no employee of the
sure
is
ever again."
"Still,
it
don't
The intercom
line
"It's
it
he
up.
said,
"Yeah?"
"Eddie, this
Moe.
is
We
Boss."
"Yeah?"
We
Then he returned
"Moe, the
Officer.
And
first
I
to the phone.
thing
we
want you
Anchor the
do
gotta
is
pick a
new
Affirmative Action
to be
Stiff!
by Dan Gordon
The bay was
alive
with pleasure
He
Sea
life
They
craft.
crossed
Lew Guyon's
hell
and
in
down. The
owner and skipper,
Maid was
was waiting
at
at
anchor, and
the
rail
Sammy
Sultan, her
Sammy
Sultan's
"Hello, baby.
'Troubles?"
dark face
split
in
welcoming
grin.
He
said,
Lew Guyon
said.
yet.
asked.
27
me when
The
couple stayed.
with
Sammy
little
legit.
it
it.
when
was strange
The
All new.
to think of
Sammy
as
It
Lew
watched him pour rum into a cup, top it off with coffee. "Hey,
Sammy," Lew said, "you joined the yacht club yet?"
"Not yet." Sammy's tone was sheepish. "Sue, she wants me to."
"Ducky," Lew said. "You can get you a new white hat, put a teak." He paused and looked at Sammy.
wood deck on the schooner
Sammy was trying to smile, but his heart wasn't in it. "I got your
wire," Lew said in a different tone. "We were coming up the coast
with the tug, and when they radioed your message changed course
.
and put
"Yes.
in here."
You remember
Lew
"No,"
said.
"I
Cipelli?
didn't
know."
blasted the retired gangster into permanent retirement less than a year
before.
Killing
Cipelli
in Millionaire's
Cove.
Cipelli,
having ex-
He had
imported
it
her eyes.
little
pirate.
He had
gained a
little
life
agreed with
except for the tiny worry wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "What
"Worse than
Lew
asked.
"He out
We
to get you?"
Who
when he
cares
if
28
do.
had
a mild beef
first
local law?"
"Good.
It is
force, but
Pryor
willing to
let
Now, with
"At
who
not
is
much
go.
it
has a deputy
is
me now. He
"At you
am
Lew asked.
man named Pryor. He
"How's the
is
looking
me."
at
or for you?"
hasn't said anything, but
He
detective.
"Not so
do not
my
say to myself,
friend
is
a big
will
big,"
much trouble."
Lew was still
the sheriff.
He
shouldn't be too
It
I'll
feeling that
liked the
the calm face and alert eyes of an efficient peace officer. Formerly
Lew
F.B.I.,
outward appearances,
let
Sammy
ried to death."
"He has nothing to worry about," said Pryor, "as long as Cipelli's
The time for Sultan to worry is when Cipelli turns up dead."
"Would that make Sammy his killer?"
"Who else? Cipelli wasn't accepted in local society. He hung
missing.
around
in
the cheap
bars,
"Sammy's quit
"Surely.
that
all
know.
doubt
know. But
say? Always, a
different
thing.
if
if
his reformation
is
who
dead, and
recent, shall
we
Sultan has."
lived lawlessly,
Cipelli
have
is
believe he
guilty of anyis,
I'll
be sure
to question Sultan."
Lew admired
his friend.
He
left
the
little
building with
its
and
felt
sorry for
side.
"Well?"
Sammy
"Not good.
you.
He
said
said as
Lew climbed
in.
29
Sammy
him
love
"I
him much
He
trouble.
likes
you
best,
boy."
too," said
Sammy
grimly.
"Let's
They
do they?
summer they
"Crabs. In the
for crabs.
fish
But
some
will
be
in,
They rode
ently
had no
up
there,
friends.
"Imagine," said
Sammy
as
it
it
Married
easy.
Made him
life
and quiet
living
He was
had done
glad
Sammy was
foresighted, careful.
made
a grab,
it
Lew brought
and focused
on the
his eyes
a piling,
hem
his
her,
something
like
"Pretty,"
Lew
horizon
and the
soft
watching
far
girl.
When
and swam
Sammy,
give her a
year or two."
story,"
Sammy
around with
her to
road,
all
little
her rocker."
"Looked
all
right to me,"
Lew
said.
Hartlett. This
30
is
Lew eyed
was
the trim ship approvingly. She was well kept, her bottom
clean,
He
fast.
lines
followed
Sammy
served as a gangway.
Earl Hartlett, father of the girl they'd seen,
invited
face.
He
by
said, in
Lew asked
do
man
at the rail
and
with a peaceful
excellent.
know him
in
met them
a pleasant
sight. Didn't
boys
He was
a drink.
personally.
my
He hung
knew Cipelli
some of the
out with
drinking at home."
rest of the
Cove
that he
was
a fourteen -karat
He knew
the answer by
now.
The
empty
noting Sammy's
fisherman's
glass. "In
Lew
sat,
Sammy
ice,
waiting
swung
Hartlett
useless
whether
and
he
That's
why
can't
said.
"I
"We
don't,"
my
"Any
time,"
don't
want
wife to worry."
if
"Yeah,"
to
Lew
said.
said, "Well,
if
He
landing?
I'll
then closed
go back to the
it
tell
me,
tug."
on
31
the
way
seemed
it
you need me
that he
sat,
his eye.
said, "So-long,
if
again."
Lew.
"Sure. Sure,
And
thanks."
Sammy
and departed.
to his tug.
sir,"
Callao said.
doing here.
don't even
you remember
Callao,
But,
that rig
Point?"
loony,"
it's
Lew
agreed. "But
would put
Maybe
find
Lew
"You get
am
this afternoon,
what
"Sir,
are
said.
me,
it
can cover
said.
big slice of
if it's
where
it."
We
fast.
we looking
sun's shining.
for?"
It's
ride."
out of a job."
forward. Although he
is
your
affair.
But
members
them, the men manned the
at
the crew
in.
Thirty minutes later the salvage tug was moving slowly over the
Lew Guyon,
in
He was
under way. But the use of the method would enable him to
Cipelli's
body, or
at best,
the search
would take
days.
Now,
was
as
just
light
bottom.
sliding
feet, in
He had no
by beneath him.
A man
down
there,
went
if
he
would be
pebbles. That
Very
nice spot.
and
nice,
"Up!"
Lew
shouted suddenly.
Ahead
of him,
He
He had no
felt
lines,
light
him out
desperately to take
smashed against
parted.
He would
all
He
by
his
felt
all
lines jerk
down toward
Then: "Hold
lines.
the
and the
air
it
more
His
rapidly.
feet
there,"
he
me
men
"Lower
He went
away."
said.
Riding about ten feet off the bottom, he dared not go any lower.
field of
And
hose
inches.
coasting
men on
failed to clear
yo-yo swung on
his lines
in,
the
he
If
like a
it
string.
of danger.
far as
that he
he could
see.
this
were
was wearing
Cipelli,
mushroom anchor.
Lew went over the body carefully, disliking every moment of the
grisly work. He found the wounds on the chest when he tore the shirt
away.
Callao Johnson's voice came
down from
yet, sir?"
Lew
hesitated.
so,"
Take
me
a minute.
in
news
to break the
after he'd
"Coming
Maybe
'Thought
had, for
be time enough
rig
forever, for
Lew knew.
said.
he
up." There'd
laid
back on the
lines.
Lew Guyon
rose toward
33
The
thing he saw
first
ment designed
shell.
It
was an oyster
room was
Sultan's
protecting
its
any-
is
one except Lew Guyon, would have thought the knife was new.
Sammy had
been standing
hand, looking
at
thoughtfully.
it
in,
he
laid
it
gently
saving
Sammy
sink,"
cove
just
Lew
to
throw the
told him.
for?
it
surface."
said casually.
"I
in
the
now."
Sammy
Sultan's
he
"Yes?"
said.
"How
does he look?"
"Comfortable,"
ders.
Lew
said. "He's
him by dragging
for him.
hook
grapnel
found him by
go bouncing off the tops of those rocks.
riding under the boat, but doubt if they've got any boys around here
would
just
was
the same.
still
and
me you knocked
tell
"Why
was harsh,
his voice
Sammy
and
Sammy
himself
wasn't, of course,
Sammy had
You think
and
lied to him.
It
I'd
turn
said mournfully.
Why
you
"It is
it
that
would
Lew
said,
didn't
you
in?"
not a simple
thing. Lew."
"Then
what you
"I
me
tell
cannot,"
looked
at
about
it.
Sammy.
I'll
understand
say."
Sammy shook
his head.
"It
is
then back
not mine to
at
Lew.
tell."
He
"When you
"Louie,
"We
in,
it
is
leave the
all
right!"
body
Sammy
said.
He
be okay!"
"Hartlett?"
34
went
into
his galley,
Two
in a rack.
them used
of
and dark colored. This one bright and shiny. A guy Hke him, he
wouldn't know about blood stains. He'd think he could scrub the knife
off."
He winked
Lew. "Lew," he
at
said,
man should
"a
stick to his
trade."
"
Hartlett
in."
"He murdered a man Lew made his voice stern. "So we know he
has to pay. Only question is
how much? Now, down there on his
boat today
noticed a box of crabs on deck. Some were under the
legal size.
figure we'll tell the fish-and-game boys. They'll fine him a
"
hundred or two.
."
.
He
let his
voice
trail
and looked
off
at
Sammy
questioningly.
Sammy
worried.
took
his
thought
"Boy,
"
he
said,
"you had
An
He
and
Artful
of the
hundred.
everythings high
Touch
hy
"One
me
most
beautiful
Charles Dickens
geant Witchem's.
It
was
move
of Ser-
a lovely idea!
we
when
there's
35
races, or
sity,
and
sort,-
in for
an univer-
as the Swell
Mob
come down, we send 'em back again by the next train. But some of
the Swell Mob, on the occasion of this Derby that
refer to, so far
to
hire
start
away
from
London by
kiddied us as
a horse and shay,Whitechapel, and miles round,- come into Epsom from the opposite
direction,- and go to work, right and left, on the course, while we were
1
going to
tell
at
up one Mr.
in
Charley Wield,' he
says.
some
along,'
that,
then
yo"
says,
from the
s^id
On
place,' says
1,
'till
'Come
'We
a glass of sherry.'
comes
in,
but after
we will with pleasure.' Mr. Tatt waits, and the train comes in, and
Witchem and me go off with him to the Hotel. Mr. Tatt he's got
We
when Witchem
a dash is made
have come down
and
fast!'
four of 'em
that
fifteen
cries suddenly,
as
Tatt's
lay about
and there
is
'Look out,
by the swell
you, and in a mo-
ment Mr.
prop
in his shirt-front
or twenty pound
and
there's a beautiful
mob
in
his
he
can't stir
me were
gentleman formerly
Tatt,-
amateur Detective
for
ain't
you.
tell
good
fight like a
heels,
'un,
knocking about
on the floor of the bar perhaps you never see such a scene of confusion! However, we stick to our men (Mr. Tatt being as good as any
officer), and we take 'em all, and carry 'em off to the station. The
stations full of people, who have been took on the course,- and it's a
precious piece of
and we search
up,
work
em,-
and a pretty
However, we do
it
at last,
state of heat
we
are in
by
that time,
assure you!
had been
Witchem, when we had set 'em to rights,
and were cooling ourselves along with Mr. Tatt, 'We don't take much
by this move, anyway, for nothing's found upon 'em, and it's only the
braggadocia after all.' 'What do you mean, Mr. Wield,' says Witchem.
'Here's the diamond pinl' and in the palm of his hand there it was, safe
and sound! 'Why, in the name of wonder,' says me and Mr. Tatt, in
astonishment, 'how did you come by that?' 'I'll tell you how come by
"I
it
said to
36
it,'
says he.
'I
and gave
it
me!'
knew
It
was
it,
just
gave him
all
a little
down on
touch on
and he thought
it
was
beautiful, beau-ti-ful!
"Even that was hardly the best of the case, for that chap was tried
at the
Quarter Sessions
Well,
are, sir.
if
at
Guildford.
you'll believe
ing over the Acts of Parliament to see what they could do to him, I'm
blowed
if
of the dock,
sir,
An Axe
swam
across a
he was took
and Witchem's
artful
river,-
faces!
He
cut out
to Grind
hy Curt Hamlin
blindly
kitchen.
wife's
finger.
He
wouldn't
why
tell
The
He
me down
to get an interview.
belly
and lean
The
features
hips.
About
thirty. Big
in a stiff,
shoulders and a
brushy crop.
He
calm
flat
face.
37
whole time
was
When
particular interest.
down on
slippers.
He
said, "Like
Joe done
worn
pair of
in
bedroom
don't
it
wanted.
He was
his feet
him what
told
sat
and
shirt sleeves,
left at
"Why?"
"1
He
said
went
for a beer.
asked
guess
if
was
that
couldn't sleep.
this as
all
flat inflection.
to bed, only
it
got dressed
got thirsty."
all.
"Sure."
waited.
He
you could
After a
little,
known
He
He
We
asked
how
long he'd
said,
"I
lived with
them
months."
"Sure.
As well
"Only,"
in
hurry.
the Reiks.
five-six
"I
when
He
as
knew
this
anybody."
know him
enough
well
to figure out
was trying
to needle him.
slipping sideways,
"You think
on farm bread.
said,
you
don't?"
He
did.
a mistake.
shifted himself
on the
He'd have
sarcasm into
did
my
it."
He
likes
He
some and have his fun. Only he wants his own woman to
stay at home and do the cooking and scrub floors. If he finds she's
letting some other guy get to her he goes crazy mad. So he bats her
the girls
with an axe."
"She was playing around with another man?"
"Didn't
"So
38
just tell
you?"
off.
You, maybe?"
He shook
his head.
'Then how'd he
Ebert said,
much
"I
"It ain't
wants to
but she
tell,
dame
can't,
who
the
man
"He
"But
you
picked
him."
Maybe
when she
is
new
gets to cheating.
She
different, or
husband
buying
was?"
"Irma
tell
did?"
He
"Sure."
to
"Did he know
it.
to herself, or
dresses.
me
for
find out?"
to get her.
looked
A month
at his
thumb.
ago. Like
He
said,
That was
did.
He
"Nobody had to tell her. She knew like knew. It was this
month ago. come home from work and Joe and Irma was out
said,
night a
in the kitchen. Joe had a knife and he had Irma backed into a corner
and he was holding this knife to her neck. guess if he hadn't heard
I
me come
Only he heard me
and put the knife down on the drainboard. He
little, and he said something like he was playing a game
Only he wasn't. He went upstairs for his hat and goes out
in
and he backed
giggled a
with her.
and gets
ing.
if
it
off
He
plastered.
guess
done
he'd have
didn't
done
he'd
come home
that to
until
two-three
in
the morn-
to get
you, too."
I
said
guessed
would.
thought about
Ebert's
asked
if
of
this
my
"Is
"I
The palms
it.
was going to
come
tell
kill
her?"
week
ago, at night,
room. Irma was lying down on the davenport and Joe had his hands
on her throat and he was choking her. Her face was getting black and
her eyes was sticking out a good inch. When he saw me watching he
pretended
like
a rub.
massage.
And
then he
let
her up."
He
down
"It
was
was
a Saturday.
Me
went out
day. Joe
and showed
to me. Nice
it
on the second
took
down
it
He
in
brought
up
it
room
rent this
floor
in
He
must've got
it
It
said,
must have
what they
"That's
I
said
wiped
my
it."
me."
tell
waited.
Ebert said,
1
"He
hit
my
figured
"1
it
and rubbed
face
pocket.
asked
"Not much
else."
my
figure.
He was
took
them
critically.
my
handkerchief and
They were
in
else.
it."
he knew anything
if
first
He
He
maybe
little after
tell
basement.
her while
know where
right in
Joe was.
where
Maybe
still
was
in the
He
house.
to
my
could hardly
this axe
it.
She
was
in
bed
down
in
the
it
don't
come
eleven, Irma
do anything to
much
for guts."
I
and
said,
was
it
of the tightness in
my
throat, "But
you went
out.
Ebert
moved
My
Something very
him
a match.
said,
strong.
it
"Of course,
if
minute.
was
sick at
my
him a
between
offered
about idly
cigarette.
He
pulled one
gave
you, too."
'There's that," Ebert said.
40
He drew
"1
of his
my one-room
there
is
apartment there
mounted on
a pool ball
eight-ball.
The boys
at
Star's
On
is
a small
in
block of walnut.
to
it
is
It
black
an annual press
at
the gags.
is
Ed Tanner, the
a picture of
city editor,
me
look
like a short,
fat,
picture.
eight-ball
and
said,
honor
take
"I
in pre-
symbolic of his
behind
and
past, present
future.
The
eight-ball.
Stub
is
is
always
it!"
my
bad
thing.
At
it
least,
thought that
had been
called to
tell
a typical
me
that
until last
Tuesday night.
Timothy had
start
when my
named
sister,
Timothy
appendicitis.
me, only
after
Martha,
ten years
is
I
hope he
my
eight-ball.
Martha's husband has a job clerking and they're hard pressed for
Tim involved
well,
it
was
a nice
in
camera.
week
to get
the world.
It
cost
at
weepy. You'd
And
me
the hospi-
with young
Some day
offered
for
of
I'm
me on
the camera!
two hundred.
sold
it
pirate. Fifty
to a rewrite
man on
hospital
bucks he
the Journal
make good
use
it.
41
and
going to be
over a
kid's
he's
bucks. Fortunately
Anyhow, by
world and
my
all
right.
the time
luck.
who
He
anyone
to
it
else.
at the
was
tell-
to me.
"Got
wagon with
said.
who
showing what
pix
maybe
I
it's
like.
decided
know
get
I'd
the works."
among
in
no
the dark
flash,
and
could
stuff.
stuff infra-red.
the bums.
for expenses.
knew
I'd
need change to
money
to
make money. Besides, a guy is more apt to let you take a few shots of
him if you buy him a few drinks first, and those guys don't get too
many, anyhow. To do it right, you buy them a bowl of soup and
something to
No
eat, too.
for
me, but
man on
the other
Inasmuch
as
night,
Tim had
his
rest of
much trouble as I'd have having a tooth out and was feeling
good when went home to dinner with Martha. When finally
got to skid row that night at about ten -thirty I'd lost four of that ten
bucks to my brother-in-law playing rummy.
even get behind the
eight-ball in a friendly game with my relatives.
got to lose.
Our skid row is like most skid rows. It's three or four streets of
joints where you can get a shot for a dime, flop houses where you can
about
as
pretty
It's
alive
there.
By midnight
had the job wrapped up. Tanner was going to be
happy with what had for him. The cops were going to be unhappy.
was going to be behind the eight-ball again, but was all for Tanner
on this deal. With my luck I'll probably end up on a skid row myself,
1
42
spotted an alley
edged
me
for
little
into
After a
it.
the pavement.
At the
end of the
far
darkroom.
have ignored
I'd
Star
get there.
it
if
was
alley
dim
a single,
light
over a doorway.
yond.
it.
row
It
was
in
What was
was
it
in
alley.
It
sedan.
had
thought about
it
figured.
The
building with the lighted back door was Barney Post's gambling joint
That explained
another
me.
man
and
was about
my
On
eyes
hunch
away.
to call
straining
far
it
The
if
night
when
spotted
he hadn't dropped
a cigarette,
then by
it
less
infra-red
for
1
if
anything
home.
left for
Before
got away from the pole something did happen.
The door beneath the bulb opened and recognized Barney
I
he stepped
He was
out.
gun
man behind
take
it,
light
at that
He had
Barney," he said.
He
dim
Post as
hand.
in his
"I'll
He
alone.
"The dough
looked
at
man
the
in
the
what?"
One hundred
bucks.
think
'The gun
in
my hand
says
can.
my
this."
snapped
need
it."
a picture fast
and
heart began to thump. This was something for Ed. For Ed?
might be something
for
more than
where
credits count.
I'd
It
one of the
43
By the time Barney had finished his shrug and a slow stare
was ready for another picture.
watched Barney reach
guy,
at the
for an
inside pocket.
"Okay," he
said.
'Take
The
man
stiffened.
other
it
easy.
He
his voice
had
sounded young.
1
was ready
for a quick
His hand came out, but not with a wallet. Light from the small
bulb glinted on the black metal of a gun.
He
kid saw
it,
too.
busy.
The
The
did.
They held
the
he sprinted by me.
into action.
slowed and
me
me came
rest of
Two men
ment.
said, "Don't!"
his left
He
was
beginning to think.
He ducked
into an alley.
The
me
We
dodged
tires
traffic
in sight.
Ahead
of
when
The
kid was
He
twenty-six.
good
He was
driver, the
cops
who
arrived, the
car.
ambulance crew
at
when
1
you've
all
red.
If
did,
at the Star
was
that's
like
ahead by
a nose.
Maybe
You can't always be sure about infraprobably had the best news picture break of the last ten
1
didn't.
years.
44
New
my name
and
a picture
on
paper were
slick
like shots
movie.
in
my
me
New
if
I'd
missed.
and
was
it
a chilly
night.
part of a traffic-safety
like this
makes people
He finally agreed.
When finished he
said. "Stuff
think."
"His wife
is
downstairs.
Maybe
you'd
like
to see her."
I
maybe
would,"
said.
She was alone in the waiting room. I'd expected the kind of girl
you find not too far from the skid row. She wasn't. You could see that.
She put on a brave smile when told her who was and pulled the
I
you've been up
"You've
I
nodded.
"They
me
if
."
.
She couldn't
looked
1
It
at
me
again.
Her
lips
were too
finish,
moment and
then she
tight.
"Why
in
her eyes.
It's
my
job."
45
self
suppose
"I
it
so,"
'They told me
does he work?"
at the
down
ting
Today was
He's a guard."
at his plant.
'Tough
is
It
explained quite a
bit.
said.
She didn't answer. watched her walk to a window and look out
upon the street. Her body was young and slim, and very tense. She
I
me
faced
again.
'Take
They
"I
I'm scared."
it
had
"I
you can do
sweat
is
it
out."
and
"Billy?"
He
clinic,
He
that's charity.
He
She couldn't
suddenly
against
my
When
it
longer.
don't
chest. Like
saw
the intern
said,
came and
".
.
."
.
my arms
night Ma died.
in
down and
and sobbing
1
patted the
Sabin
said, "Mrs.
."I let
did.
and now
hold the sobs any
know howshe was
did everything
we
could,
Star
because
I'd
spent
he'd have.
I
went
to the
They were
sweet jobs. Beautiful jobs. Sabin standing behind the pole, the stickup,
46
flight,
the
under
my
And
maybe wear
skin,
some good
lighting effects.
would be
the checks
a picture of
large
Billy,
the kid.
but
had
Maybe
in
mother.
his
It
wouldn't take
door neighbors.
That would
showing
up the
tie
man murdering
series.
wonderful sequence
beautiful,
killed,
Ed Tanner
about
really
is
the
mag
to the kid
and
say,
went overboard
row
stuff.
He
raved
it.
'These
all
of them?" he said.
hit
bum
by
a car.
film.
No
He was
thought
had
dice. Blanks."
Maybe
no good."
'The skid row
too bad you
missing
"Sure,"
flamed
left
it
was.
stuff
down
is
didn't follow
a swell tie-in
it
up when
Tough
it.
when
remembering how
touched
match
to
my
them
"
beautiful
for a kid
It's
break, Stub
murder pictures
named
Billy.
That's
Better
Hands
by Dale Clark
Detective
Lew
house steps and applied his thick thumb to the landlady's greenpainted push button. Plainclothes possibly wasn't the exact term for
47
He
woman opened
haired
lift
when
and to
the white-
the door.
"Good morning ... I'm sorry." In the tiny interval, her blue eyes
moved alertly up and down Brady's big, loudly clad figure. "1 haven't a
single vacancy just now
."
"Wait a minute,
My
hunting a room.
ain't
Drummond drew
Mrs.
not
in
town
at pres-
ent.
low
We
if
Listen,
it's
okay, Steve
you'll slip
"A job."
said:
"Maybe you'd
"I
little
drink, couldn't
you?"
"I
Chuck's
It
down
yet,"
was almost
Brady
sly,
by the
activities.
smoked,
if
Hearing footsteps, he
Brady peered
at
its
contents, muttered:
"What the
dickens?"
"Dandelion wine."
"I
heard of
it,
didn't
know anybody
ever
made
days."
"My
Mrs.
brother sends
Drummond
it
grinned.
48
it's
okay."
"I
like
it
better'n gin or
whiskey
to start
"Oh.
Chuck?"
for
all."
of."
Drummond
Mrs.
"Come
me.
at her.
He
Her white
in here.
hair
all
about.
Ma
like
it,
not
when he
first
didn't
interested."
Brady stared
walked
see
I'll
."
.
"it's
around with
stall
Spill the
"Well
left.
It
Barker.
Same
"Sure.
Chuck
if
gets pinched?"
got a system."
"You'll
Mrs.
What happens
We
"Bail.
we do
as
all
Drummond walked
window. Standing
there, she
asked:
How
"What's
in it?
"Fifty a
week."
'That's
much?"
that's pretty
good
"Uh-huh.
that
much
paying
safe as
"Sure. Steve's a
"I
sh'd think
if it's
all
"Well,
"But
Steve
know
ain't.
There's others.
He
if
like
you
say,
and
we
Mrs.
what
Drummond
grew on her
thought."
window
curtain.
smile
lips.
"I
lied to you.
Chuck
figured."
could
tell
He was going
he was
in
to leave
some kind
packed
his
of trouble and
49
he admitted
finally
Daimmond
to me," Mrs.
it
my
Drummond
He
said slowly.
was
"1
came when
did
He's
said. "I've
to you."
Her voice
thought
"I
be
it'd
all
right
if
know my
brother, and
believe a year on
him out
He's sick and ashamed of the
mess he's in, and guess what he mostly needs now is a fresh start in a
new place. With plenty of good hard work."
Brady hesitated, puzzled and perplexed.
ing.
"I
woman
make
like
him.
you
my
can't hire
here
keep you
."
.
me
in?
kid with
me?"
"Both of you," Chuck's mother
curtain, but her voice
to
tell this
about
my
about
it.
now was
whole thing
said.
in court,
lace
me
here
."
"You're crazy!"
I've
insane.
too,
all
just that
don't
few hours to
"but I'm not
through
this,
know plenty of them will unless some one has the courage
men like your Steve Joppas." Her eyes glittered. "The mothers
and
to fight
of
It's
in the last
Drummond said,
want any other woman to go
She broke
the door.
"It
off,
."
.
in
down
machine.
50
official
'Too
Brady
late,"
Teagle
said,
said.
"We
faked
it
to see
if
mob was
she wouldn't
tell
here
."
.
me where
the
a hell of a break.
don't
Inspector."
all
way
full,
curtains,
Mrs.
Leona Carlin,
Not
until the
upstairs,
There was no
trace
now on
No
now and
Suddenly
rigid stop.
head
Then
Back and forth she strode with the grace and freedom of some
a muffled jingle
She stood
away on
nearby dresser.
moment
as
though
for flight,
expectant, breast
51
The
and the
more
woman approached
it
insis-
thing akin to despair flashing across her beautiful, pale face. At the
third ring,
she smiled, whipped the receiver off the hook and placed
her
it
firmly to
ear.
ling,"
isn't
in
her
ear.
Leona
not so loud, Joe," she cautioned.
then, after a moment's pause, "everything's all right
"Yes, this
is
home
Her
not
yet
until six.
up
face lighted
"Yes, dar-
Hurry
no, he
over, dear."
mellow, deep-
trilled,
attic,"
she
dismissed her
"I
John and
were going out to dinner. 1 phoned
early. Told her we
what? No, no, darling. He'll
John you'd be here to buy them
leave the car at Smith's garage on 27th street and walk home from
I
there
The
It's
voice at the other end of the wire broke in hurriedly and the
woman
phone
a ghostly blanket as
lips,
gown
"It's
to John.
verse.
The
52
And somehow,
seemed
its
The
strange
fears,
it
soft
its
despite
bedroom
The
stairway.
slim, calculating
man who
way through
sweeping glance
fell
in
at
the
one
gown
in his
first
rained kisses
from
it
with
his
mind.
was the
woman who
senses,
a breathless little
"We
after
mustn't
.
And
after tonight."
young and
"All right,
slim, hot-eyed,
Leona, have
He
all
your
to
it
your
nodded
his sleek
own way.
There's
world. That's
be
in
the
kissed!"
"It's
Arm
living
in
you say
that.
room.
"He'll
John my husband
will
broke slowly away, fastening her negligee to cover her tempting bosom. As she drew
down
He
reached her
side, pulled
lips,
her
down
woman
like you!"
made
a half-hearted effort to
53
light in his
and hard.
"You
Only
my
wouldn't hurt a
wine
in
blood."
know you
"1
When
come
love
How
you
later, Joe."
But
so.
we
time.
moved
he
farther
silly
much
haven't
The
and turned on
feet
edge
Once
man
the
and he smiled
as
if it
when
understand."
"I
darted swiftly
fire,
The man
kisses will
the
a provocative, tantalizing
keen, hard
eyes, took
light.
it all
in,
amused him.
the
call off
face devoid of
He was
help you!"
With
tremendous
woman
effort the
money
to
pay that
of hell-or-high-water.
And
as
you."
him
passionately.
haven't lost
as steady as so
my
nerve. See!"
much
marble.
He charmed
fine,
last
it.
warm
caress.
Jerry's place,"
1
knew
You saved me
agreed
I'll
to spare!"
it
forget that.
God
Joe's praise
the
was
thrust out
me
stood there
expression. "Lis-
"if
take
all
all
"Not even
He
handsome
right
a trip
up the
week, when
do anything
river,
^when we
and
I'll
talked
never
busi-
little
lady."
The mere mention of the word "business" seemed to electrify Leona, to make her wary. Her inviting face suddenly became drawn and
pinched
as
fear
was upon
it.
"Not
54
responded
Got my
feet all
"He'll
Let's
with
How
are
in
And your
around here.
live in
wet
let's
down
get
hard laugh.
to
"All right.
."
.
me
Give
the lay."
'The what?"
"The lay
the
next move.
we going
brought them
down from
"1
phoned John
that a collector
to
"Oh,
believe
"I
understand. But
I'll
don't
off the
bat, eh?"
He
ture that
wrung
touchy, now,
hardened
to
face,
waves of
"1
isn't it?"
it
down
in a significant ges-
in
lips.
being
there?"
is
The woman
did not answer, but she looked into the man's cruel,
terror.
can't, Joe,"
she began
in a
stammering,
finish.
terrified voice.
Anger blazed
like a
woman
in a
Joe rushed to
a wall switch,
snapped on the
back to the
lights and,
Come
A
door.
tall,
He
on!
thin
Come
with the
table.
that chair.
introduced
on!"
at the living
room
55
slowly and removed his rubbers. His wife rushed across the floor and
4l^Not
kiss.
he inquired
are you?"
ill,
solicitously.
The
Mrs. Carlin's laughter, brittle with nervousness, rang out highpitched, thin-edged, hysterical. "No," she said, "I'm not
and
happy.
lintto,
ill.
Just excited
whom
the collector of
phoned,
is
in a hurry.
those chairs."
"This
Joe
bowed
gracefully.
"My
wife
me you want
tells
come
to
buy
high," he warned.
Joe walked over to the chair nearest him. "I like this one," he announced quietly. "One hundred and fifty dollars, Mr. Carlin. That's
my
limit."
"You're like
something
all
one
first,"
He tipped
one leg!" He bent
"Trying to get
for nothing.
"How
about add-
fault
more
Mr. Carlin!"
it?"
He
right here."
little
to
"It's
on the crack.
As he did
hand slipped
so,
with
"Yes,"
a stealthy
admitted Carlin,
nothing much.
but
it's
for
two hundred
It
dollars,
still
movement toward
doesn't change
nothing
above
my
price any.
watched
it
"Look again,
might be a
"Oh,
up.
56
let's
see
it
it
less."
woman
a wink. "It
fake."
forget
it!"
made
move
to straighten
down
woman,
who have
it!"
completely exhausted.
He
her weakness.
in
slim waist,
"Well," he
Her mature
satisfied
at
He
left
her
feet,
"Not
went
down
at the inert
body
of Carlin
to the
he said upon
a soul in sight,"
we've got to
hurry."
assent.
commanded, suddenly
"We must be
When
the
his strong
all
"business" again.
careful, too."
room was
Back of him
dark,
it
like a
in
outside.
Carlin.
Certain that the coast was clear, he hurried with his burden along
the narrow path that led to the street.
He
fell.
body on
the walk so that the head rested against the cement step that con-
nected with the path to the house. Satisfied with the arrangement of
the body, he stepped close to the
as
he
woman,
thrilling
said:
up,"
placed his
lips to a pert
chance
I'll
be
for a slip-up.
at
"
.
He
Jim Crawley of the Vice Squad eased his long form into the most
comfortable chair
and complained
in
in
the receiving
room
no uncertain terms of
of the
life in
Emergency Hospital
general and sleuthing
in particular.
"I
tell
you,
young
fellow,"
he
what
said,
it's
much
He was
interrupted
by
a white-clad nurse
who
57
it
interne rushed up a
on
it.
A
at
woman,
luscious
tion,
had
and he hastened to
He
just vacated.
asked her
a question,
drank the
full
he
"Automobile?"
"No," she replied with a sob that was none too genuine, "he
must have
fallen
must be hurt
"When
in front of
it
happen?"
he
he
terribly."
did
home about
He's usually
He
our house.
more convincing
five-thirty."
as she
gave
there.
The woman's
About
six
it
was.
this information.
Crawley, somehow, could not keep his eyes away from the cot,
less
satisfied
in the case.
with the
Finally
he
"1
gotta
hunch something's
He
up.
man's clothing, touched the shoes, and then strode back to the sob-
bing woman.
TTie
"I'll
alone.
carried the
body
in
He
was
said.
talking.
all
a smile of
encouragement and
detective smiled as
I'll
be back shortly."
gave her
departed.
"He
in
by the
her coat.
"Not
far,"
the
woman
It's
about two
blocks."
"Where
is
that,
"1516 Keppert
Mrs. Carlin?"
Street."
went on
58
myself coming
down
fact.
man's
Almost
said."
Leona nodded.
wished with
questions,
man would
all
alone.
arrived
as
he worked
him
"We'll take
Crawley,
upstairs,
the doctor
"
announced suddenly.
in a
accident and suggested she wait there where she could rest until he
down word.
"You may think
sent
am
and maybe
much
sometimes get
comes. Everything
I'll
come
right
is
all
be patient.
right. Just
when
help folks
like to
If
it's
you're right,"
and on that
off
trouble
anything serious
down."
when Crawley
when he got here."
reply. "Knew it when they brought
"Thought
him
in."
"1
come
He
so,"
came the
gruff
commanded from
in
just as
is
it
officious.
don't touch
until
it
the door.
is
he?"
Leona gave
as
he crushed
resist
placing
fiercely pressed
her
in his
embrace
Almost
woman
all
self-control
had
left
him,
when Crawley
hurled the
"What the hell kind of a woman are you anyway? Doesn't your
husband mean a thing to you? You gutter snipe!"
Mrs. Carlin struggled to her
shoulders.
"Is
he
feet,
to her sides.
Crawley came
closer,
in
her face and pronounced distinctly, "Your husband's shoes were dry!"
59
In a split
saw the
erect,
Crawley shook
his
room
the operating
head sadly
as,
hands
Leona
to report
it
still
Carlin's suicide.
Bread Ahead
by
I'd
gone down
been
a foul, grey,
want to remember.
sniveling, cheating
one
humid day
I'd
who
of disappointments
husband to ground
case,
little
one
had
didn't
brought another
like the
It
I
am.
I'd
wagon with
their station
Mommy
C. J. Henderson
at
all.
woman
As a daily occupation,
it
My
buy
lives
my
make my
living,
put food on
my
table,
and
their garbage,
for lawyers
and crying
spouses and tired shopkeepers and more lawyers. I'm a private detective and that day I was hating my job
why, when midnight had passed and
ing in
my
I'd
is
shopping mall
at the
much
still
as
anyone
else.
That's
ocean, that
Caesar's
as
with good
after closing
live
down
to Caesar's.
reason.
lot,
up
each other.
And
ghetto
^just
sell for
many
people,
it all is,
it
isn't in
all
fifty
New
some
terribly
building and
thousand.
It's
not a
at
are headed.
For those
knuckle
that
it
who
a hell
is
it
who
flock to
me
let
it,
just say
all
and the arrogant, the talented, the conning, the nathe hopeful, and the self-destructive, to come from around the
country to
Skylark at the
city
had
in store for
meant
rail
million-
its
honey.
it
on to what the
my
parked
to catch
call
driving into the ocean and got out to prowl with them.
walked down
along the massive stone sea wall, looking out into the storm front
crawling
toward
in
in
me
The Verrazano
Coney Is-
visible to
my
spot.
Not
then.
waiting.
in front of
for,
weeks.
was
my
in
still
tired.
it
myself.
I'd
No
at
left
My
legs
first
my
time in
rail,
pulled
a cigarette
in
deep, holding
which
threw
thirties.
my
it
down
as
long as
could,
such luck.
the
my
apartment
in a foul
but
mood.
my
and managed to
maybe hoping
start to relax
don't
own
to
in
choke
me, however,
an umbrella
slammed my way
out leaving hat and coat behind. The thickening mist was soaking into
my hair and clothes, drenching me. By the time was ready for a
second smoke, the sky had started drizzling to the point where
could barely get it lit. downed its fumes one breath at a time, watchridiculous, effeminate props
in
anger
I'd
ing the lightning splash along both the far shores before me.
coasts of Brooklyn
the
random
split
The
city, it
shiver,
The
truth of the
rain above.
for the
mistake. Part of
me
spoke
in
61
calmer tones, implying that perhaps hopelessness was the only sensible feeling
come
sons people
As
New
living in
York.
leaned back with eyes closed, the rain lashing, surf below pound-
a friend
once
New
to
my
shoes.
said,
thought of
it
in
honey
is,
a good land, a
grow strong and
They
didn't say
when people
it
the rea-
all
New
now.
it
certainly
it
York
not a
is
is
hole, a never-closing
maw
always
and joy and wealth out of its inhabitants the way a dying man sucks
oxygen greedily, as if each breath were the last. It grabs everything
in sight, using guilt and law and lies and finally thuggery, if nothing
week
of every day,
money,
until finally
useless
trated
who
can't fight
it
in,
their
either gets the last juice left within them, piling their
it
them away
or drives
rest,
everything
lost
how
enemy
so easily, to an
so impar-
tial.
And,
thought,
still
hundreds,
them desperate
to follow
be to make
writer,
it
is
just foolproof.
restaurateur,
how many
One
if
publisher,
now
by
they have to
they've
all
mapped
it
the
on
cars,
that
of
out
will
or as a painter, a broker,
in television,
on Broadway, or
dancer,
in
actor,
reporter,
for their
agent,
or
and bus-
homeless
starvlings,
As the
fully
ing
62
all
along that
my
hadn't
it
passes out.
come
in
New
I'd
come
when
tired
did
and anger.
pettiness, violence,
didn't think
anyone should
it,
was
see.
was
of jealousy,
and others.
So naturally, came to New York, where all the above vices and
were long ago renamed art forms, encouraged to grow with wild
abandon like kudzu, or social welfare. It was the move of a desperate
I
sins
man
hoping the
rest
my
own
reflec-
hadn't worked.
It
first
lungful
when
me something new
to think
about.
So
skillfully
through the
railing
my
second before
wrist a split
"Oh no you
don't!
prize,
managed
to snag his
railing.
growled.
"
its
it
TTie pickpocket pulled hard, pushing with his feet against the
tearing
rails.
my
rail,
a half of slick
made up my
rock which
side of the
fence.
go o'me!"
tight.
around
He
rails,
the pickpocket
him
me
knocking
slammed me
my
rails as
in a
death
weight pulled
at
my
fingers
made my chances
possible
fifty
fall
slim at best.
it
was only
It
was
a fifty-
possibility.
my
legs
wall,
slimy with sea growth. Walking along the wall back to shore was
impossible. So was swimming. The tide was too low for that, but quite
ample to mash
"Cmon, man
He shook
at
man
let
to death.
go o'me!
had no choice
mean
it
mean
hung
on.
it!!"
forth, jerking
my
armpit pain-
63
you
me up
"Just pull
so
bastard
"No
goddamned
growling
in
le'go, le'go!!"
wall.
go.
let
me
grab the
rail
bucks!"
makes you
le'go.
makes you!"
okay,
The
it
you got
it,
emerged with
pickpocket's hand
The
the
my
My
me.
rails at
took
My
hair
my
center of gravity.
me
My
a straight razor.
my
foot caught.
The
razor
line of sight.
let go."
my
weight back,
right ear.
foot
sleeve
first.
The
legs
pushing
me
him slam-
in
left
pickpocket's free
my
open
thought,
ming
past
my
threw
The
my
distance, cutting
Not slowing
up,
face,
catching
my
had missed. Blood arced again, running over his shoulder, down
his arm to mine. The blow caused me to slip, but
managed to get
half my body back up on the ledge. Releasing the pickpocket,
fist
caught
fast as
rails in
as
could.
Once on
the ledge
He
in case
he was
hand.
He was unconscious or
didn't care which. Then
spotted it my wallet was still in his
Catching my breath, reached over and pried it free. He didn't
stir.
slid
wasn't.
relief a
few
feet
railing.
sat
my
down
in
ninety sec-
onds of past-event reruns, glad for life and breath and safety. After
few minutes of being overjoyed with having remained alive, though,
noticed
it
was
pushed myself to
him on the back,
"Nice
my
I
feet
night,
told him,
try."
one
When
got there,
Bill
Pronzini
"Hello?"
"
'Wolf?
Sharon
It's
McCone
"
How
been
"I've
"No, no,
better.
just
"I've
"If
are you?"
"One
have
"
a simple explanation."
you
'Wolf,' are
"I'm here.
"Who's
there?"
Sir
Sir
"Never mind.
Tell
me
your
tale of
Henry
Merrivale."
Henry Merrivale?"
is
woe."
Outer Mission
of those places
who
We
bank accounts of
don't have
did
opened
some
legal
work
for
their
them
own
year or so ago,
when they
first
for business."
"Why
this
morning."
first
haven't
either."
65
"Go ahead,
I'm listening."
no way anyone could have gotten the two thousand dollars out of Neighborhood's office. And yet, if the money is still hidden
somewhere on the premises, the police couldn't find it and neither
"There's
could
I."
"Mmm."
"Only one of two people could have taken
himself
is
responsible,
and
it
If
unless Jack
Or
one,
vice versa.
"Let's
have the
"Well, cash
is
by armored car
details."
delivered twice a
at
week
Harvey
knew which
It's
Today
less.
it
was exactly
thousand."
"Not
in that
who
too."
"Yes.
lives in
her family
in
Chavez
is
to
check out
as solid citizens."
vouches
of
for."
money
to
him or another
accomplice."
do
that,
hundred
dollars.
good
friend, so
he okayed
on
it.
check
usually
is
66
Harvey doesn't
till."
till?"
is
"Any way
even
either of
few seconds?"
is
"
office
is
the front?"
anybody
in
buzzer
Harvey's desk.
at
He
didn't
buzz
or out."
"Could the two thousand have been removed between the time the
money
his
left.
Jack told
office except
"Do
either
key to the
office?"
"No."
is
still
there."
in
dard
ily
stuff
on them
adding machines,
till
Desks have
is.
stan-
sets.
find."
"Anything you
wouldn't
expect to find?"
on her lunch
lurid
likes
break."
this
was discovered?"
"Not
really.
The
toilet
bunch
of supplies,
Old plumb-
ing."
"Uh-huh."
"You see
why
I'm
frustrated?
hair.
There
And
just doesn't
seem
to be
any
67
they're nervous, too, and have both threatened to quit. Harvey doesn't
want to lose the one that isn't guilty, anymore than he wants to lose
his two thousand dollars."
"How extensive was the search you and the police made?"
"About as extensive as you can get."
"Desks gone over top to bottom, drawers taken out?"
"Yes."
all
the chairs?"
"The
"I
toilet
don't see
checked
it.
too."
Negative."
thought of
that. Negative."
"Personal belongings?"
"All negative.
idea that
rier."
"The
office
equipment?"
"Why
four,
to bring his
own
from home."
did at
first.
But
you
his
own
yesterday."
think?"
out.
Nega-
tive."
"
'Wolf;
told
"What kind
is
you"
it?
Computer
runs a tape?"
on
a tape
it?
Or on
jammed?"
No. No, didn't."
"Maybe you should. Both machines
to be
".
are
still
"Yes."
"Why
"Right."
"I'll
call
at
Neighborhood
right
away."
"Let
me know,
"You bet
will."
"'Wolf,' hi.
It's
Sharon."
Good
news?"
brought from
"Which
home
didn't, for a
it
is?"
tape roll was a dummy. Hollow, made of metal and wound with
enough paper tape to make it look like the real thing. So real
neither the police nor thought to remove and examine it before. The
missing money was inside."
"So DeWitt must have been planning the theft for some time."
"That's what he confessed to the police a few minutes ago. He
made the dummy roll in his workshop at home, took him a couple of
weeks. It was in his home machine when he brought that in yesterday.
This morning he slipped the roll out and put it into his pocket. While
Maria Chavez was in the lavatory and Jack Harvey was occupied on
the phone, he lifted the money from the till and pocketed that too.
He went into the John after Maria came out and hid the money in the
dummy roll. Then, back at his desk, he put the fake roll into his own
machine, which he intended to take home with him this evening. It
was his bad luck and Jack's good luck that the realtor came in with
"Its
just
theft."
69
"So he
You know,
some
said.
creative talents to
'Wolf,'
it's
legitimate enterprise.
His cache-and-carry
"Was that
"McCone,
a groan
if
heard?"
you come up
Henry Merrivale."
"What do you mean,
rogue detective?"
somebody
is.
punslinger."
C. William Harrison
owl, swooping through the pines along the lake shore, sent
its
humps
He
of the hills above the lake, and Dr. Paul Lanning shivered.
stood motionless where he had parked his car well off of the
off across
It
He
was
like
come back
car,
again.
it.
didn't.
his
back on icy
feet.
He
reached into his coat pocket and gripped the handle of the butcher
knife,
70
feel better.
got to take
"I've
it
easy,"
to be afraid of."
was
It
The
in the
peaks,
this heavily
if
true.
resort to fear.
its
all
to fear
it
was
in the
cabin
danger
only
much
threaten
away from
if
showing
In that small
Steve
Thorne.
But
walked slowly,
He came
turned, carefully laying out the direction of his return route to the car.
He
might be frightened
after
He
by lightning
off
hidden coupe.
cabin.
and
"Who
is
the
cabin,
a red Cupid's
some
floor.
grunted
again.
impatiently,
and footsteps
be murdered.
bow
reading. Doc.
He knocked
voice
just waiting to
Thorne frowned
and
being
it?"
of a mouth. "You
Why
didn't
knew
I'd
man
in?"
71
And
perhaps
let
Lanning thought.
at
get
all
.^teve."
"I
someone
He
the exercise
want with
in
my
knife
and
fork,"
Thome
mouth curved
into a mocking smile as he pushed the door shut. "You bring your
monthly payment with you. Doc?"
Dr. Lanning didn't answer at once. He watched the fat man pad his
way back across the room to his easy chair. Thome sat down, sighing
audibly. The draperies were opaque across the windows, Lanning saw,
and except for himself and Thorne, the cabin was empty.
Thome's smile was malicious. "How about your monthly payment,
it
with you?"
when
it
own
at his
committed,
strike of
man's chair.
He
that. Plan a
is
fat
easy,-
is
violent death.
He
said, "This is
going to be the
payment, Steve."
last
Thome's smile shaped into a slow grin. "You've said that before.
Doc, but you've never meant it. As long as I've got the evidence
against you that you're selling dope to those female hop-heads in Beverly Hills, you'll never make your last payment to me. Too many
movie and society gals pay you big money for morphine for me not to
might slip the police
get a monthly cut. You get cute with me, and
that dictagraph record I've got. Or maybe give them an idea who sold
the sleeping pills to that actress who knocked herself off last year."
I
The
fat
man's voice flattened out. "Don't ever try to get cute with
Now
get
He
Lanning
said,
reached into
ing to
it.
looked
at the third
button
and smiled.
his
It
was
easy.
down from
the collar of
Thome's
He
shirt,
it home.
There was no outcry, not even much blood. He saw the shocked
agony that contorted the muscles of the fat man's face, but he had
witnessed death
71
He
it.
whispered, "Doc
my God
Doc!"
tanning's smile was steady, without pity or remorse. "Last payment,
Steve.
He
you
told
was
this
it."
He
He
smiled as he
lifted
his
in
Steven Thorne,
to look.
a camera,
knew where
left
man
case,
He
turned
this
He
bent to the
man on
He
way
He
kept looking
down
own
into
Thome's fading
eyes.
"
talk
calmness.
No
dread or un-
what he had done. Consciousness was a feeble flickering in Thome's dying eyes, and when that was gone, Steve
Thorne would be gone. The police could not connect him with the
no sickness
certainty,
at
dead man, and the cheap knife he had stolen from the hardware store
in
closed, then
open
blood, were
fluttered slowly
trying to
at the
move on
again.
ing.
The blood-reddened
The telephone
fingers
in
stopped moving.
in Paul Lanning's
He
sat
man and
up
in his
bed,
still
drugged by
sleep,
His voice was thick from the heavy sleep of the bromide he
had taken
late the
The man's
gent. 'This
is
voice
receiver, quick
Jim Keene.
and
ur-
A man
Doctor.
Come
over as
fast as
you
can."
The
Paul Lanning's
ming through
it,
awake with
jarred
It
fear slam-
So Steven Thorne had not died after all. He had remained alive
and was still alive. He had been found alive, with the
knife driven into his chest, and now the sheriff was calling for medical
assistance to keep life in him long enough for him to talk.
Panic went rushing through Paul Lanning. He leaped out of bed
somehow
and grabbed
He halted that movement, instantly realnow would be proof of his guilt. It was an
He
stood there
and desperation.
in his
settle
telephoned
me
if
stall
too
it,
much
risk.
The deputy
He had
sheriff
uncertainty
his
all
who might
be vacationing
in
at the
lake,
"If
cious.
first
much
If
there.
don't
If
go out
there,
can be the
first
doctor there,
will. I've
got to be the
He
He rammed
fear-stiffened fingers.
his
at
knowing
it.
He
grabbed up
his coat,
his black
pines across the lake, and he was dimly surprised that he had slept so
late.
And
that Steve
in his chest.
He
valleys.
The road
forked,
hills
and
the blacktop slanted in toward the north shore of the lake, along a
flattened
in,
and
retreated,
Dr. Lanning braked his car in the driveway at the side of the
Thome
and
cabin,
relief spilled
through him
he saw only
as
a sheriff's
The
and
sheriff's
lank,
"Come on
in,
That was
tall
as old leather.
all
said.
for him.
a satisfaction,
But the thought only scraped the surface of his mind, making no
mark.
He was
staring at Steve
on the bare
floor.
Thome's body,
at
his murderer,
letters
at
left
trace out
him.
in.
Lanning pushed to
"Why
"
down
at the
body on the
man
this
floor.
for hours."
Paul Lanning was slow to absorb that. His mind was a sponge
soaked through with fear and dread. It was slow to register what the
deputy sheriff had said. And then understanding finally built its impla-
He
at
hand was on
his gun.
"I
guess you
don't you?"
had
you
tried to write
on the
only one
floor,
and
told
to
I didn't
tell
them where
to
can see
you
how
this
for you.
is
It's
not good,
own
is it?
And
it'll
be worse
for
later."
fate
on the screen of
implacable
could see
his
It
He
didn't help.
mind,
like
could
still
see his
something etched by
acid,
in its
it,
Earl Davis
There was no moon over the North River, which was fine, but there
was a noise just beyond the end of the dock throwing the hooks
into sleep
which was not fine at all.
dock
gles to the
floor,
modern
It
in
at right an-
in
He
Armenian.
could
seafaring men.
was very
imbalance of
less familiar
irritating.
diet.
His stomach
a bit off,
because of a temporary
The growing
at
any sound
uncleanliness of docks on
He
one forearm
lifted
his
summer
man.
And now
Sailors' Rest.
of importance to
know
at
night watches.
Continuing to weigh
a third of his
him
The
lights
the Lonergans
He
out.
76
star-
home
from the neighborhood movie in good time, were in bed long ago.
Nothing could wake them.
Nice people, the Lonergans. Against their tiny cabin rested the
mop with which Cap'n John had swabbed their foredeck late that
afternoon. He sighed happily, remembering the meal which had rewarded him,- and then, feeling a twinge of indigestion, halted his sigh,
so to speak, in midair.
But
knew
it
that
over for
ing.
More
hip.
arch giggles,
fatuous words.
soft,
toe
rammed
the Cap'n's
voice said:
"What the Hades Pardon me. Baby. Should never swear before
you let you swear first."
There was another giggle. A quick shuffle and, then, a sharp thin
beam of light directly in Cap'n John's eyes. One of those phony fountain pen flashes. The Cap'n drew himself up, leaned back against
straight arms, palms flat on the deck, and blinked indignantly.
"Really, sir, a man's bedchamber should be his castle. May
ask
"Scum!" The flashlight executed a wavering arc, and the ungentle
toe again prodded the Cap'n's shortribs. The captain said, "Whoosh,"
and observed the course of the light beam. Its penumbra revealed a
man
stockily built
in
in
showed a man
him ex-
no doubt,
But the
for
beam
of light
itself
showed an object
of considerably
An
Cap'n John
said,
"Pardon me,
sir,
"Scat!"
He empha-
be pushed so
fully,
final
its
far
and
this
night out.
The
casual lights of
for a
Cap'n John moved back into the shadows, and quietly attained the
deck of the Lonergans' barge. Brushing aside a few odd bits of coal, he
lay
down and
77
In this
and
endeavor he was
The
than successful.
less
moved toward
his lady
man
well-tailored
He
guffawed.
it
The
was.
it,
him and
to the
dead-end
And
then
to lower his
as pillow
little
push,
and
started.
it
furtive steps
floor,-
a shape mate-
man's back.
One
street.
It
was undoubtedly
it
looked kind of
silly.
silly
To speak
plainly, this
was
a footpad: an uplifted
The
The
yet the sound of her running ceased at the end of the dock, and
The footpad
making the
Yet, to
least noise of
be perfectly
just,
it
all.
contributing cause to the entire disturbance,- and Cap'n John was irked
A man
was
Cap'n John therefore arose, albeit very quietly, and seized the
mop
beyond
entitled to
some
So
Far.
sleep.
It
wet.
With the
the lighter's side to the dock, and so to the rear of the industrious
footpad.
He
raised the
down with
78
mop
it
with no uncertainty
great force
upon the
footpad's head.
The
force of the
mop
blow
resulted in
some
splattering,
this
in
on
fell flat
his face.
lifted
both
it
the footpad
bodily and dropped him over the side of the dock. Thus, with small
difficulty,
he disposed of the
the noise.
source of
itself.
remaining annoyance.
By the application of
river
finally
felt
brought
The
"Wh-
feet.
what happened?"
He was not in the pink. His necktie was mussed, and so was his
hair. His face and collar bore traces of coal dust and other things, for
mops are no respecters of persons. His countenance, so far as it
showed anything at all, indicated that he was bewildered, betrayed,
and deeply hurt.
Taking his hand quickly away from the lump on his head, he fiddled nervously with the gold watchchain which stretched across his
comfortable middle.
ride," said
The
well-tailored
sir,
and
shall
He
still,
off."
life.
black.
Where
is
she?
What
uh
hap-
pened?"
to spit
of
just arisen
Eckles,
pulous
of an ordinary footpad.
Stand
still!"
ahemobserved
technique which
before.
79
"This
woman was
he
occasional glubbering
sion of a fourth party"
spoils,-
whence came an
Cyrus N. Eckles
of
He
it.
saved me.
said,
said, "But
How
"Why
my good
the dirty
man,
better
"
the
Mr. Eckles gasped and gulped once more, and looked more closely
at
the
man
before him. His eyes were focusing better now, and the
man
of about
fifty
little,
as
"I'm sorry,
me
"Stand
if
the
my good
still,
He
observed a
ing a
to cry.
in
let
"I
its
retreat
One
thing
still
remained to be done.
Cap'n John went to the edge of the dock and grappled with
lowering himself almost to the water's edge. Just
far
enough,
a pile,
in short,
to put his foot firmly upon the head of the blubbering footpad who
was clinging to that very pile. He pushed the foot downward, dunking
the head. This he did three times, whistling a gay hornpipe as he did
so. Finally
pad by
thief,"
For
his hair,
"I
despise a
he said reprovingly.
all
haps he was lent a kind of second wind by the sole of a size eleven
shoe, unceremoniously applied to his stern.
80
left
stuffing
known
certain quarters
it
as the
John
"Lefty" (in
down
in
But
first
It
for a methodical
man
to
know what
Cap'n John
slept.
Stevens
the
ing.
to reach the Glenside Amusement Park that Saturday mornShe'd been driving back to headquarters after checking out a nar-
first
cotics tip
holdup
in progress.
Her unmarked car skidded to a stop at the park entrance and she
was out and running, reaching into her purse for her .38 service re-
volver.
tried to
"It's
guy
Nancy Trentino
stocky
circle.
Nancy
single
it
identified herself
bloody hole
in the
Nancy.
"I
81
crowd
"Sam Blackthorn.
I'm
here."
weapon you
used?"
"Yeah."
"Give
in
here."
it
She wrapped
in a clean
it
it
her purse.
spectators.
their
way through
"Hi,
the circle of
this
nail
guy?"
She shook her head. "This gentleman did the honors. See
if
you
The
officer turned
and held up
Nancy
needed
"I
Blackthorn
led
waving
a gun.
in the
Sam
He
when
it
had
punk barged
grabbed my gun
no young punk gets
this
silent
Park printed on
one
it.
of
Nancy became
a girl
of college age
Blackthorn!"
sack
pushed the
the best of
last night,"
is
SiDE
over.
aside
my
is
a statement.
his arms.
rides!"
She had
many
straight
a T-shirt
with Glen-
students the
The young girl grinned. "That's what I'm doing touching up the
Then have to add some color to the horses' manes and re-
stripes.
Nancy
stared at the
row
of paint cans
still
closed.
or"It
looks like fun," she admitted. Then, getting back to the business at
hand, she
said,
if
here."
The blond
girl
nodded.
82
"I
at
came
him. All of a
him with
a shot
He
a gun.
looked
didn't."
He nodded
When
going.
to Blackthorn.
agreement.
"I
"Is
yelled at
that
him
fell
what happened?"
Nancy glanced
on
was
afraid
he might
And
money?"
"He didn't have any sack," the girl in the T-shirt said. "And guess
that must be the gun you're looking for." Half hidden by the wooden
steps up to the carousel was a little snub-nosed automatic. Anyone
could have dropped it there
including, of course, the dead man.
"He must have ditched the money somewhere when started chasing him," Blackthorn grumbled. "Have a couple of your officers search
I
do
"We'll
that,"
Nancy
said.
girl.
"What's
your name?"
"Linda Brice. I'm working here for the summer."
She made
a note of
it.
"Go back
to
your painting.
I'll
talk to
you
later."
between Blackthorn's
a line
The
had
of the officers
arrived
Nancy found
When
saw
it,"
"Is
the gate.
gate.
it
in his office.
in progress.
toward the
at
encountered
me
first
said, "Tell
He
Then
saw
"No, no other."
a sack or a gun?"
83
think he had something, but was too far away to see for sure."
"Had you ever seen him before? Was he a regular here?"
He shook his head. "I was just looking at the body. Never saw the
"I
fellow before."
Nancy
smiled. 'Thanks,
later."
She went back to the carousel building, pausing to study the blacks
and whites and browns and tans and grays of the wooden animals.
The body had been removed and the crowd was finally breaking up.
The
"No
we found
record."
"Good."
Phil looked at her. "This one bothers you, doesn't it? How come?"
"He was running the wrong way, not toward the exit.
want to
1
know why."
She went back
wooden zebra
1
to
who was
Linda Brice,
as
final
work,
at
see."
The
girl
the
"What does
exit at all."
that, too?"
it
mean?"
Linda Brice wiped some paint from her hands and shrugged.
wasn't trying to escape,
maybe he
didn't
"Why would he
"it isn't
his
he
story."
"If
own money?"
a flock of partners,
and
hear he's in
debt."
downtown
It'll
have to go to
84
word.
of a crime except
pull
away.
The
mal and she could hear the screams of happy terror as the
coaster plunged into one of
its
dips.
at
roller
Donovan by
the
the
is
And
last time,
yet he
night's receipts.
He had
some-
one."
"That's
"I
if
believe
Linda.
He
ran this
story."
way
don't
'There are
them
is
lots of colors
orange.
The Case
is
empty, and
if
of the
Barking Beagle
by R.
The green
L.
Stevens
Sergeant
knew slightly from her days on the naropened the door as she reached the porch. "Hi, Nancy.
Got a bad one here. Old guy shot through the head. Neighbors noticed he wasn't in the yard like he usually is, and they phoned."
Bennett, a patrolman she
cotics squad,
room and
stared at the
85
at the
open
The
officer
shmgged. "Supposed
don't
know.
you think
a thief
would take
"Sometimes they
just
that?"
like
cash,"
his
name?"
"Conrad Peterson.
He owned
a chain of ice
Suddenly the
stillness of
from
dog
with
middle-aged
in
when we
He
Shep," the
man
watchdog
said. "Best
"Well
Hank
in the
Isles
"Damn
arrived."
neighborhood."
is
about
this?"
when
phoned and
do my morning jogging, but he wasn't today. When
nobody answered, got worried. TTiat's when called the police."
"Didn't you try the door?" Nancy asked.
"What, and get my legs chewed up by Shep? No, thanks!"
"We locked the dog in the other room," Bennett told her.
"He wasn't much of a watchdog if he let his master get killed."
The dog was barking again as the police photographer and lab
technician arrived. Nancy opened the door gingerly and peered into
the adjoining room. Shep proved to be a brownish beagle with white
markings who eyed her suspiciously and made a dash for the door.
"No, you stay in there a while," she decided.
Nancy returned to the other room and found a slim, pale young
man and a pretty brown-haired woman waiting with the police. "Sloan
Peterson," he introduced himself, "and my wife Betty. Who's in charge
I
here?"
"I
am,"
Nancy
said. 'Tou're
Conrad
Peterson's nephew?"
'That's right."
"Was anything
"We
don't
"But
what
Nancy
pher.
86
know
yet.
?"
This
"Riley's busy.
my
is
man
asked.
case," said
bristle.
The man shrugged and focused his camera on the body. "You'd
better wrap it up quickly, Nancy. They don't like murders in this part
of town. You're supposed to keep 'em in the inner city."
"Just take
out of the
turned to
your
window at
Hank Isles.
again, peering
Nancy
all
plained but
it
didn't
rad Peterson."
"That's right," he agreed, as
if
realizing
arrived amidst
it
for the
first
time.
that Peterson
night,
"Not
sound."
a visitor
who
arrived early
late?"
"No, he had no
den
He
light on.
visitors.
came
Officer Bennett
'The neighbors
how do you
could
tell
all
little
visitors."
last night,"
he
said.
"So
business."
"Does anyone
"Not that
else
know
have
a key?"
of."
at that hour,
"Alone?"
"I
was alone
last night."
alibi?"
87
"Do
")
think
I'd like
to speak to your
superior."
"Why
are
and those
forced,
rare
in his chair
In fact,
it
appears that
or watching television
when
the
killer
how
"But
asked.
"I'll
in a
Hank
Isles
last night."
reasoned,
but at once she remembered the police officers saying they'd put him
in
the other
arrived.
He'd been
in
here
all
the time
And he
hadn't barked.
last
night to
visit
lors?"
"I
map
think there's a
He
get
map
Nancy
it.
want you
house was
"What
is
called
in here."
moment with
The
silent,
it?"
'The dog
didn't bark
"That's crazy!"
"Not
realized
at
it
all.
when
remembered
me when
feet. "Betty,
did you
ar-
arrived
?"
own
the entire business, didn't you? I'm afraid, Mrs. Peterson, that since
alibi for late last night the chances are you have
While he was driving around, you came here and com-
none
88
either.
and
Checkmated!
by
The
Coretta Slavska
where Delph Mayers had sat playing his last game of chess
dust. There was a thin layer of dust on the ivory
chessmen, and the stub of a cigarette in the ashtray was almost buried
table
under a gray
her
thing remain as
it
is
examination
is all
finished."
mean the
Vera had been sure the doctor's certificate of death made it clear
Delph had died of a heart attack. Now all this silly talk of an inquest.
It was absurd! Nothing would come of it. It was just routine!
Vera turned her back to the game room where the chessmen stood.
She was a tall, well-built woman in her early thirties. Her gray eyes
which could look hard and cold when she was angry, usually appeared
serene and
ened
as
soft.
She had
a slow, languid
walk but
now
With an
effort,
89
After
all,
would come
too.
He had
been!
A good
Too good
the acknowledged
champ
Karl
first
had smiled
at
met
Delph,
for
Karl.
moved
At the
to town.
local gas sta-
car.
way
to work.
She
"You
live here?"
he asked.
in his
black eyes
suppose
"We
don't
hands moved
restlessly.
She
felt
chilled suddenly,
and ran
back to the living room, hoping Karl would come soon so they could
have
The
instinct
drink together.
bell
had
failed her.
Was
it
it
a sign, a
well!
90
when
phoned the
come once
police station.
It
be-
seemed
when
called
if
man
him
as she led
She
at Flynn.
felt
She could
feel his
lips
movement.
"How
it.
you
are
"Better!
Much
about
it,
the suddenness of
room
When
every minute!
"Easy does
It's
hard be-
can
have
cleaned out?"
it
it,"
as
it
detective's eyes.
"I'm
Tell
me
last
"I
chess
game."
friend, Karl
The
players
ing about
"Is it a
not
it,
sit
me
it
seems
a quiet
game.
know
noth-
it
isn't
When
a quiet
me to be
Of course,
to
but
Sommers."
a player
makes
move
rises!"
him intently.
you are right! guess that's what did happen, for the
doctor who examined Delph did say it was heart failure. Delph's heart
had never been strong."
Flynn nodded "Yes, the death certificate said heart failure. Poor
Delphi You said he made the last move and then fell back in his
Vera looked
at
"Yes, of course
chair?"
like the way Flynn was looking at her.
Delph made the last move. Why do you keep harping on
You asked me that the night you came here. Don't you believe
Vera didn't
"Yes,
that?
me?"
"Don't get excited," said Flynn. "You'll sign a statement to that
fect,
ef-
won't you?"
91
as a panther's step
when he
Vera.
"Sit
me
how
again
to Karl. "Mrs.
in his
that, of course."
it."
I've
player.
into the
local
Karl.
He moved
slightly.
died,
him.
in after
hand moved toward her throat, her fingers dug into her
cheek. Something was wrong. Was it something she had said? This
was not going according to plan. But the doctor's certificate had said
heart failure. It had all seemed so easy
there was nothing to worry
Vera's
about. She stood motionless in the middle of the room, the policemen
watching
Then
her.
came out
Karl
gameroom,
of the
you
idiot!
You've spoiled
everything!"
"Stop
it!"
screamed Vera.
all
"It's
over.
your husband
as
him
see,
we
though he had
fell
you
just finished a
fixed the
it
did an autopsy on
You
He
proba-
While Karl
chessmen to make
car-
look
it
move."
Vera looked puzzled. "But what does that prove? The doctor didn't
say anything about that!"
When
last
move.
lied
about
it
but
do!
being Delph's
we needed
92
The Clarion
Call
hy O. Henry
in
newspa-
office.
One
in
his
down Broadway,
serenely
that you,
"Is
"No
less,"
five years.
East?
Do
been
"I've
"if it isn't
in
New
York
for
some
far?"
years," said
Woods.
"I'm
on the
detective's arm.
"Come
Woods, "and
like to talk to
you
let's
It
hunt
awhile."
The
tides of trade
were
not yet loosed, and they found a quiet corner of the cafe. Kernan,
well dressed, slightly swaggering, self-confident, seated himself opposite
the
eyes,
little
"What business
are
you
I
suit.
in
a turn that
left there,
I've
New
"I
may
establish
York detective.
in
Saint Jo
there's
followed your record pretty close ever since you did that
Why
is
weren't you?"
Johnny.
left
did."
did you
kill
never
knew you
Norcross?"
93
Kernan stared
for a
at
the slice of lemon in his high-ball; and then he looked at the detective
"How
brilliant smile.
it,
and
as clean
as
smooth
as a
swear
"1
Woods
upon the
laid
watch
charm.
"It's
the one
mug
yet.
last
Christmas
found
we were
under
this
in
Kernan laughed.
"My
my
trail!"
Woods had
"Put
ing.
was on
it
Aha!
He
slipped one
away," said Kernan, wrinkling his nose. "I'm only investigattakes nine tailors to
It
make
a
I
off
my
man
chain
and slipped
I'll
tell
it
you why
just lay in
lot."
"I
"Oh,
to talk," said
And now
talking to a man
Woods.
Kernan. "The
stuff
is
in
my
suitcase at the
I'll
tell
"And
94
so,"
true as steel,
to arrest the
man
as yale locks
while
me
worries
Oh,
a little.
I've
business.
my
have to
will
my
a thirst for a
I'm ever
If
in
had
a finger
lift
men as well
Now, keep quiet
have to study
them alone
little
Woods,
he rolled the
as
hand on you.
and that
dodge
it.
It's a bad break
You helped me once, and
you
"I
calls for
didn't,
can't
the same."
'he's a jolly
fellow.'
don't believe,"
"I
I'm
it
but
up.
it,"
self-appreciation.
good
money back
a-paid that
settles
it.
knew
"I
If I'd
gold
little
left
again.
aloud, "that
money
if
in all
went on Woods
quietly, as
he were thinking
if
New
the banks in
the
all
my
why
safe
hands tonight."
know
"I
it
knew
was
with you."
They
it
among
you
guess I'm a
drive an express
man
I've
first
at
my
busi-
busted.'
let
don't class
and
in
it.
And
here
is
where
dollars
is
go
got to
guess
can
Johnny."
it,"
where
know you
there
West on
It
train.
the
out
troubles. We'll
have
a jolly
my
Sa-
of
And
be
was a
"I'd
air.
it.
it.
morning
my
wouldn't have
one of
began to show
itself.
He
Woods
with
all
with evil-doers,
his familiarity
felt
cold
his
benefactor.
disposed
"I'm
of,
Woods
of course," said
at length. "But
you
advise
take up this
Norcross
affair.
slaughter in
rage.
"To h
spell
but brag and blow and boodle in box-car letters? Suppose they do
take up a case
what does
it
amount
The
to?
make
enough
to fool, but
pin-head
a lot of
and have beer while they take photos of the bartender's oldest daughevening dress to print
ter in
who
tenth story,
thought he heard
a noise
young man
down Mr.
"Well,
in
the
come
to running
Burglar."
1
warmed up two
stance.
It
police
had
Woods,
in that line.
or three
reflecting.
"Some
of the papers
trails,
after the
let
"I'll show you," said Kernan, rising, and expanding his chest. "I'll
show you what think of newspapers in general, and your Morning
I
Mars
in particular."
Three
inside
feet
and
door open.
He
found
number in the book, took down the receiver and made his demand
upon Central. Woods sat still, looking at the sneering, cold, vigilant
face waiting close to the transmitter,
Why,
tell
him
it's
want to speak to the managing edisomeone who wants to talk to him about
I
Norcross
Oh, there
isn't
Wait!
Hold
wire,-
96
the
am
I'm
I've just
the
man who
killed old
been discussing
man
at 2.30 A.M.
it
with a
two weeks
ago tomorrow
Have
Now,
with you?
a drink
you better
whether a
hadn't
tell
man's guying you or whether you're being offered the biggest scoop
your
dull dishrag of a
scoop
tail
address
Well, that's
would
be.
my
the jewels in
learned'
you recognise
Oh,
straight.
it
suitcase at
No,
man
no, this
Cut that
and
name
'the
newspaper
I've
got
thought
it,
you what
so.
You've
all.
no more use
are?
not
that's
of
is
isn't a rival
up your
you
penny sheet
it
justice
What?
getting
office, you're
used
in tracking
dle
you
tell
a bob-
want to
so,- it's
my name
to 'phone in
a helpless old
gas-bag
you don't
Now, listen, and I'll
no,
give
saw
ken
off.
was
a ruby.
it
when
.
Stop
It
He
is
bro-
thought
it
won't work.
finger.
a diabolic smile.
believes
me now. He
Tra-la!"
"He's as
mad
my
coming
for
out.
two dined
in a
Broadway
boy, we'll go to a
"
restaurant.
97
He
himself.
money
spent
And
then
weird
Afterwards
their attention.
still
boasting
in a
them
corner of an
in a
come
all-
Woods
to his usefulness as an
he pondered,
But, as
wonder
"I
his
he said to himself.
possible,"
if it's
a speculative light.
won-der
"1
if it's
pos-
si-ble!"
And
when
they were
near
well
known
conveyed many
that
cries
who waked
and
small
of a world's
stress.
upon
woe and
their significant,
wrapped
others,
shone,- to the
another
were
day.
starting up,
heralding the chances that the slipping of one cogwheel in the ma-
chinery of time had made, apportioning to the sleepers while they lay
at the
mercy of
fate,
that the
new
plaintive
were the
evil
and so
little
cries, as
good was
if
in their irresponsible
When
leaf
little
grief,
reward and
the paper
out of his
hands.
the Clarion
came he glanced
much
Thus echoed
flipped over to
that so
to write
gold pencil.
Woods
doom
and yet
newsboys
98
Shrill
writing:
on
it
with the
Morning Mars:
me
reward coming to
dollars
Barnard Woods.
"1
that," said
come
you'll
to the police
The Clincher
by Jack Foxx
They were
when Cord
He
close to empty.
glanced over
am
minutes
forty-five
I.
at Tyler.
"Almost out of
gas,"
he
said.
with double
cuffs. Fallon's
waiting.
'There you go," Tyler said suddenly, touching Cord's arm and
pointing.
Cord squinted
couple of hundred
yards to the right of the freeway was a small white building, across
the front of which was a paved area and a single
pumps.
and mounted on
It
row
of gasoline
a tall
metal pole
OPEN 24 HOURS.
"Okay," Cord
"Good
said.
as any."
"This
is
Oregon, remember?
"Yeah, right,"
old
Cord
man with
out of a cubbyhole
"Fill 'er
up,"
He
stopped him.
No
self-service here.
It's
a state law."
said.
Cord
and started
An
He
and
around to the
driver's
99
where."
"You
fellas
peace
officers?"
Cord
said, "I'm a
down
is
my
ances."
Island,
up
in
Washington?"
"That's right."
pop
"Where's the
rest
said. "Just
if
for you."
to say
something
else,
changed
his
mind, and
sat silent.
The
old
man went
sat
watching Fallon
men
in
as
In
he worked on the
The
old
glass, as
if
There was a sharp click as the pump shut off automatically. The
man went to replace the hose and to screw the cap back on the
tank. A few seconds later he was leaning down at the driver's window
old
again.
"Check your
"No, the
"That'll
oil's
oil?"
he asked Cord.
okay."
his pocket,
it.
We're
in a hurry."
"Sandwich machine
in the garage."
you want?"
100
side.
I
I'll
show
you."
"What kind
"I
ham on
take
"I'll
Tyler said,
"I
"No."
"Come
come
on,
Cord
on,"
said.
When
man around
the
"Why
you,
will
don't
"The
with
hell
warned him.
"You keep pushing and pushing, don't you, Fallon?" Cord asked
him. "You can't keep that smart mouth of yours closed."
Fallon's black eyes
good
fidget. "Art
."
.
"Listen to
for him."
Fallon remained silent, but his big hands clenched and unclenched
inside the steel handcuffs.
Cord
slid
around to face front again. Pretty soon the old man came
window
again, bent
"What's keeping
He moved
around to the
driver's
down.
my
guard?"
"Like
said before,
man
said,
and
away with
Cord
pointed
froze.
In
.44
Magnum,
Cord's temple.
at
The
"On
old
man
at the
Cord
Magnum.
Watch out he
key to those
doesn't
make
cuffs?"
a play for
the
gun."
"if
he does
his free
he'll
be minus
a head."
Cord did
ears,
The
old
with
hand, never taking his eyes from Cord, and pulled open the
still
as
he was
told.
Hands up where
He
around, pressed the muzzle against his spine, then removed the .38
revolver from the holster at Cord's belt. "Walk ahead a few steps," he
said then.
Cord took three forward steps and stopped. Behind him, the old
man took the keys out of the ignition and passed them back to Fallon,
who unlocked his and Brenner's handcuffs. Then the two of them got
man
let
it,
at
said.
"I
my
gun and
"Go
Cord assumed
it.
hands be-
man,
Cord's wrists.
it
Then
Fallon slipped
was
smear of blood on
Tyler's
When Cord
we
say?
You
lives."
coming down
in
the
It
Brenner
said,
"How
The
old
man had
tip
you
They
off."
Magnum
one thing.
retired
federal
102
Housed
time.
federal prisoners in
my
acting
when an
jail
know
seem
"First off,
acting, the
right to me.
The way they looked, too, compared to you two. Whiter skin, kind of
pasty, the way some Caucasians get when they've been in prison a
while. And then neither of you lads was wearing those plastic identity
bands around your
wrists.
never seen a federal prisoner yet had his
no matter what."
Fallon nodded. 'They broke the ones they were wearing, so there
was no way to get them on us."
I
off outside,
said,
No
let
you go
They'd go screaming to
anybody
else
who'd
listen
and
their lawyers
is
fella
it?"
"Cord."
"Well, he paid
me
in cash,"
the old
man
said.
"I
shal in recent years paid for gasoline 'cept with a credit card. Like the
one
the two
bills.
Am
give
me
right?"
"Absolutely."
"We
"Well, that
Cord
give
man on
tip;
him
sure do."
was the
a receipt
he told
and he sure
is
as hell ain't
me
man
keep
to
said.
"When
offered to
and a three-buck
it
tip.
No
to get his
The old
lawman
in
my
day, too,
if
do say
it
myself.
hair.
used to be a pretty
Reckon
"I'm
fair
knack."
Fallon glanced in at
far as
Brenner and
Cord and
Tyler,
are concerned,
sir,"
now both
he
sullen
and
quiet. "As
ever was."
103
The Cop
and the Lady
hy Booton Hemdon
"Me, I'm
O'Toole
dumb
just a
said.
cop, an'
been admittin'
it
make
crime-detectin' try to
sound
it
like a detective
scientific
book. Imagination
"I
said.
O'Toole and
phone
if it
rang. That's
phone did
I'd
were
on the
sitting in the
late shift to
a flatfoot
who
dingy
answer the
won't
retire.
if
the
ring.
nuts."
He
squinted
at
me
It
"Got
was
a strain
a cigar?"
"No," said. "And if did, I'd keep it. If you think your theories on
psychology are worth a cigar to me, you're suffering from dementia
I
tremendous."
"Just like all the rest of the guys,"
I'll
tell
walked
in after
dollars'
worth of chopped
beer
I'd like
shook
my
all
No
beer. "Well,"
mean about
bein' nuts.
us, an'
We
head.
you what
he
He
brainy boys
was so cool because she was so well bred. They said she was
show emotion. As for cuttin' a guy into
hash, they never dreamed of such a thing. So they went out lookin'
said she
104
'They looked up the street an' down the street, but they didn't see
no murderer. They read all their books over again, an' they fingerprinted everything in the house.
They questioned
all
who done
"Let me
butted
it."
any
fingerprints?
I'd
What
in.
"Not that
care, but
Why
it.
if
knife off,
slept in her
have
asleep.
all
suit
weren't there
it,
she
in
him up
"I
me not
who loved
for
to act
much
animals as
He
much
thing,
less
an' finally
dumb
"Come
was
said.
"I
no lady
shows that
a lady of
such
'cause I'm so
on,"
dumb
he says
says, that
couple of weeks,
as this
herself an'
he
to pieces.
he gave up
in their
an'
way everywhere
for a
case
else."
are.
point."
out about,
do, ain't
I
nobody
else
could find
it?"
"So
been
figured that
talkin' to
in all
an' treats
it
like a
it
it,
so
"I'm
"I've
known
can't get
little call
gives
me
what
else could
think?"
up her dog
an'
105
the room. So
don't
"1
a quart of
much
"Well,
perfume
is
no excuse
kinda hated to do
begins to claw
my
it
it
tion of his
He
landed
little
O'Toole
myself,"
dog around."
said, "especially
a dive for
down
his feet
all
kick on that
because you're a
said. "Just
hide."
to kick a
O'Toole took
an'
its
dame what's
Humph."
off
my
grabs the
door comes
dumb enough
there
tells
is
to
it.
his chair.
like a half-starved
in
to call a
Psychology?
with
me and
me she's
ear.
Cop Maker
by Ronald Henderson
Barney Conroy hunched behind the wheel of his cab,
from
his
gloomy
as the
still
smarting
Sullivan.
for a purpose
The
proved
as
evening.
"Jump a light once more," Sullivan had said, "and I'll see that your
hack license is revoked, even if have to get a radio car to pull you
1
in."
fairly bristled
and
it
did that.
106
It
force.
He knew
set
Barney would
by
tests,
process of elimination.
And
a
Although there were times when Barney resented the old man
terly,
deep
in his heart
he
felt
li-
recommendation.
He knew
that
it
bit-
wasn't
anything that Sullivan held against him, personally, that was the reason for his determined opposition.
cile
It
was
just that
he couldn't recon-
living that
But
a baby.
on Jean
why
until
In
He had
man
for her.
his hard-bitten
he was
Had worshipped
girl
own
happiness.
by
into his
cab.
His passenger
said: "Be
Barney
and
lit
in a
minute."
a cigarette
and was
He
bar.
back to Jean
their future
up quickly
the
back
It
was
He jumped
inside,
slammed the
his passenger
all
full in
the evening
107
Mayhew would
If
buddy
easy
it
Mayhew's
The
fact that
he was
at the
mercy of
blood-crazed
end
definite
him.
to his
Mayhew
If
wearing
hopes of becoming
got away,
would
it
a policeman's shield.
It
cop and
doom
spell
that
all
it
the
meant
to
killer didn't
moment was
was up to him
to
do
his
It
list.
A number
who
man
stood
He
it
way.
would only
come
cop
at the
dis-
result in
more shooting. A
kill anyone
caught and
like "Bugs"
in his
mind but he
in
on Barney's
become suddenly
alert.
His gaze
cab.
Barney looked up
other direction
it
but had not yet flashed green on his side. Pedestrians were
flashed red
still
cross-
He
looked
had been.
He had
cigar store to
traffic
make good
a sinking sensation
after him.
a passing car.
With
He was
ney
in himself.
man
the old
let
in
in for this.
the mirror
showed him
that
Mayhew had
The
killer sat
would only be
chased.
If
seat, his
gun
in his
hand. But
it
Mayhew
rapped on the
his passengers.
Barney
slid
side.
He
from
open.
Mayhew
ordered.
slid
street,
make
his getaway.
At the corner he turned west and headed for the river. The pursuing car was now only about a block behind them. Barney stepped on
the gas and
the mirror
after
felt
showed him
glance upward in
speed
He knew
it
would
When
Mayhew was
was
as
good
as dead.
slid
it
open. His
of the panel
109
Mayhew
of his
The
other car pulled alongside and Barney saw Sullivan leap to the
ground.
He was
Without
bothering with Barney, Sullivan flung open the door of the cab. In a
Mayhew
me
Were you
the slip?
in
cahoots
with Mayhew?"
"In
me
like
you threatened.
'That
"1
had
you be shot
couldn't let
Mayhew
jumped the
doesn't explain
still
"I
light
my
in
why you
in
me
yourself."
I?
You
didn't
know
cab."
was
it."
He was
silent
for a moment. His flushed and angry face slowly softened. Then, he
said: "You thought I was chasing you because you jumped a light?" For
the
first
laugh.
"I
time
in
warm,
spotted
his
life,
friendly laugh.
Mayhew
The Course
in the
light."
of Justice
hy Hugh
B.
Cave
been
certain.
Apparently the officer was not certain. Not quite. His routine
no
down
look
was
card; he
staring
still
stare,-
he did
again at the
As soon
as
had bought
They were
mailbox.
several dollars'
had honeymooned
in
Joseph
St.
changed
haven't
Norma,
his wife,
when they
as souvenirs
a taxi to the
Max Haun,
already stamped.
worth of stamps
Customs and
his suitcase in
airport,
visit.
bit,
Max
John,"
"Not
said.
bit.
And how
is
Norma?"
"She doesn't
"Doesn't
"I'll
Max
mate
and
led
Houghton
it
fine
in
"Come."
hotel, small
little
and
He
inti-
room which on
suitcase."
said.
bridal suite.
glittering
white Palais
Max
hope,"
said, his
eyes twin-
kling.
at
down,
drink
Sit
brings
later."
"It
please.
in
my
Houghton
letters to
Max
sat
said,
keep
down.
pacing
me
as
he spoke, "why
"And you
You're not a
didn't
man
wonder why
in his career."
1
your
my
suppose not.
friends."
Houghton
Max
almost smiled, but not quite. "For failing to stop her car
when
in
"How we
room, on
this
when we
finally
found her
in this
returned?"
remember."
"I
"She said then. Max, that everything was all right, that nothing had
happened. She was only upset. You remember that? But the truth,
which didn't find out until weeks later the truth, Max, is that she
was raped."
"Mom
dieui"
Max
said.
it
"So that
waited, Max.
"1
It
country of yours
men
Anyone can
die.
die
diew."
Max
time
have that
will
but you
You would never get near him. In this counPresident has enemies always, and is on guard every moment
my
must be mad,
try a
friend.
against them."
"I
"Suppose
event
is
country now.
this
The
it
is
likely.
political
trade."
Houghton
ing
home
wrote two
me
All
need
will get to
me, they
will get
me
and
How?"
will see.
row, say.
is
Remember,
I've
tourist card."
112
letters protect
"I
"Impossible.
"You
letters.
remembered
you going?"
remembered. Then
"You take too
balcony to gaze
where
much
are
Max
for granted,"
in a trance of terror at
the good
things
Mon
dim, look!"
this
way
across
"How
you they
tell
"I
are
coming
here!
Where
Houghton was
else?"
seized by an arm and pulled back into the room. "You were recog-
nized
at
the airport!"
"Perhaps."
looked
at
and bad
me
Houghton
dry.
eyes
teeth."
"Know you?
He was one
go
when
his lips
felt
former captain
of those
one
of those
dent's eyes
and ears
in
in
Now
he
is
the Presi-
pale.
"Hide
my
suitcase,
Max.
I'll
go out the
Joseph was
a big city, to
left,
it
Could he hide
They were
practically
empty these
days,
and watched.
in a hotel?
In a theater?
Theaters did not open until evening and even then were almost never
frequented by foreigners. Dear God, where?
He
Not
a tourist
Hands
in
pockets, slowly.
hand
here.
danger
in
time
heads
ton
this
way and
in
Hough-
fled.
He
crept into an empty church and sat there watching the stainedwindows break the sunlight into floating flecks of color.
"Dear God, I'm tired. And there's a whole night of this ahead."
An organ began to throb. People came ghosting in. He fled again.
Mustn't walk the same street twice
but it's a big city and
glass
there are
many
Darkness
is
And
streets.
moving
the sun
is
sliding
behind the
hills
now.
in.
He means
around
it.
even walk
faster.
corner!
Get
Now! Run!
The street was empty, thank God, and the next corner close. There
was an alley between high wooden buildings, aiid at the end of the
alley he saw a district of peasant hovels, like a jigsaw puzzle dropped
from a box. Hands in pockets, mumbling to himself, he trudged
through
The
it.
The naked
peasant
women
squatting
at
their
cookpots
peered
at
him
Now
Now
it was dark.
by avoiding the
slowly, stop
when
streets
tired,
footfalls.
The
around
greatest danger
a floodlit stage.
sped by
gunjlre,
cars that
made him
Houghton.
114
came lurching
performer on
it
faster
woman's
Each time
trailing a
was on wheels
he could walk
lights
when
At midnight,
a gate.
He
First a
yard knee-high
with
window and
in
A wooden
bungalow
a collapsed
door.
was only
horn on
wish
So
I
were
where must go
where been
get
not be
go
Don't
sleep
nothing
wish to
And
I've
to
sleep,
Houghton.
said,
men
in uni-
form.
"Get up!" and a hand seized him by an arm and jerked him savagely
to his feet, but another
more gentle.
Houghton looked
to wind it.
"What time is it?"
"A
little after
man muttered
at his
It
had stopped.
You
are to
He had
come with
forgotten
us."
After ten. By
"Where
watch.
in
to?
He
let his
breath out.
us,
He was
the car had
if
you
please, m'sieu."
surprised at
left
ness district.
It
how
all
swung
monument and
in circles.
you would
like to
115
He
to search for
enough to carry
foolish
When
they took
his clothes
hidden weapons. As
he would be
if
discover!
dressed again slowly after his shave and shower. Even the
lin-
slit
ripped the soles and heels off his shoes and rebuilt those too?
"The President
will see
you, m'sieu."
An
man on each
He
The door
Windowless. Air-conditioned.
top like
dance
memory
the
floor.
man
came back
Hough-
a pistol. "Be
seated, m'sieu."
Houghton regained
control of
man he
hirriself.
Houghton
.
shuddered.
it
Norma,
he was
a bull.
wife,
his
letter, m'sieu."
with the
pistol. "Let
The
me
was
so
and
small
letter lay
see
sat as
man was
have your
"I
tapped
dainty
He
if
understand
a crane,
it
He
correctly."
flesh
"You understand
must be
"I
her
sure.
Houghton said.
You say you have written
it,
"
Madame Houghton's
my
also to
my
wife, giving
in
you admit you have no proof other than madame's statement. You expect to obtain proof, but as yet you do not
your
letter to
have
it."
"Go
wife
on."
my
wife that
if
am
guilty as charged,
If
know
that
will
will
telephone her
and
why."
"You have
it
right,"
Houghton
said.
my
wife,
and making
me
aware of what you have written, you have made sure you
alive
with freedom
intend to
"I
will
deal,
and
rifle,
Nerette. For
"I
will
may
"It
you."
How?"
"Really?
'There
kill
more than
year
now
I've
high-powered
been practicing."
take a long time, m'sieu," the bull said with a twisted smile.
have time."
my
She
will stay
What now?"
is
"So
My
mental hospital.
in a
am
work
is
know
not important."
be shot, eh?"
to
"Or blown
wife doesn't
Or
up.
poisoned.
am
hope
so."
The huge man leaned over his pistol and looked at Houghton and
laughed. His laughter boomed through the room like thunder. "What
a fool
you
are,
"Sit
down.
Yes, childish.
do anything
night."
The
them. "Let
not care
fat
me
less
cherish the
woman
you something.
my
Now
that
women
If
is
married, that
am
pistol
between
President,
could
Houghton slowly
fool!"
to
what
hundred other
reason only
charming, childish
said, rising.
What
M'sieu Houghton.
Houghton
"Childish?"
dangerous
political rival."
down, speechless.
"As for you," the President went on with a gigantic shrug, "you
came here under an assumed name. Mr. John Houghton is not in St.
Joseph at all. Only Mr. Harper is here. But there is really no John
Harper is there? so he will not be missed."
He
Houghton
"But
well
sat
stared at
dislike violence,"
He
it
at
Houghton's chest.
it.
Nerette
is.
It is
pressed a button.
office
stepped
in.
button was
pressed.
117
Good. Use
mon
"Certainly,
He drew
pistol,
please."
it,
the
stepped forward.
aim
at the big
said,
and taking
slender, attractive
woman came
President's gasp.
and walked to the desk. After glancing at the dead man, she turned to
the colonel and nodded. "You had better remove the microphone,
Victor," she said calmly.
The
colonel reached far into a drawer of the desk and took some-
thing out of
He moved
it.
the
woman
some
turn to
Houghton.
"In this
cially,
came
country
we
now,
"I,
espe-
you
here."
Go
"I
am
for him.
her, an expression of sadness
something more
touched her
"1
could do."
rated with a
flat
a hell of a note?
Wolfe, the
cept
last
Marcum
It's
chief's office,
been kidnapped.
was
satu-
Ain't that
just
Phillips
nudged me with
his
ex-
the
118
any
ain't
use, but
they
insist
and
man
a free
"They want
by
he
been
ain't
it
four.
on me.
timental
He
the cops.
call off
he's sure
if
know
in this
it?
it
tailed
he puts
in a call
be
I'll
me up sometime thereafter.
on me giving you the setup.
can pick
Me
tell
me,
kidnapped!
Now,
to take
it
it
comes."
Kelly replaced the receiver and faced the two men. Short, heavy,
dark,
it
do business
would. Bucky
that way.
Marcum
Why,
even
it
if
he
when does
"Not
till
four o'clock,"
What
"Wait!
was cock-eyed.
"So
it
"Yes,
that,
it
when Bucky
shrilly.
"I
told
was Bucky's
"Shut up,"
The
knew
it
you
told
Marcum
Eddins demanded
for?"
idea,"
Of
Wolfe.
Marcum
all
said.
bum
idea, too.
"We'll wait.
man? He's
He
their
seemed
to relieve
now
a bureau,
a small
in.
young
He had
He saw
straight chairs, and a small table. It was on the second story. The one
window, open from the bottom, faced another window in a house
"A movie guy," Kelly thought, "would throw himself out that win-
dow and
not be killed
when he
far,
he
reflected,
Tall
eyes.
An
The
face said he
Gray
down
"Sit
if
you want
to,"
Marcum
said, taking
Marcum. Eddins
hum and
it.
wondered
"Smoke
if
you want
furnished rooms
Marcum
to,"
"It's
if
he'd ever be
in
told him.
a favor."
He
lit
his cigarette.
"Not many
was
"It
outfit.
close.
drive."
"We broke
the Bucky
Marcum
Got every man but you and George, and we missed you awful
Well, well. And to think I'm sitting here in the same room with
you two."
"And can't do
a thing
about
it,"
Kelly admitted.
It
seemed unbelievable that less than twenty minutes ago he had been a
free man. He had been standing on Fifth, with his back to the street,
gazing into a jeweler's window when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
Turning, he came face to face with Wolfe Marcum.
"This thing making a bulge in my pocket is a gun," Marcum told
"Hop
him.
in that car."
Kelly hopped
was
at
the wheel.
in,
on the back
The
seat beside
traffic,
stopped
few minutes
A traffic
later
cop was
phone.
Now he sat there and, as Eddins had said, couldn't do a thing about
A little of Kelly's habitual nonchalance fell from him, like a garment that no longer fitted. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
it.
tasteless.
Three-thirty now.
Only
thirty minutes to
wait.
ain't that
120
a session of
game."
in
rapid succession.
way
He
a
this
way and
out.
alley,
way
what was
out, but
it?
"Stop thinking so hard, kid," said the bulky Marcum. "Ain't nothing
you can do. Buck up. You've always shot square, you've never been
dirty, and you can rest assured we won't bump you unless we have
too. And we won't. The chief'll trade. He won't let you
wish
"I
thought that
as strong as you,"
the bed.
"Shut up,"
Kelly. "Put
nerve
body. But
in his
Take
drink
if
umns."
"No, thanks," said Eddins.
"1
don't
me."
Kelly rose abruptly. Every muscle in his
body grew
tense, then
relaxed.
you get it through your thick heads that the law doesn't play
way? You ain't that dumb. What'll you do when the chief
turn Bucky loose? Where'll you be? In the doghouse, that's
"Gan't
ball that
don't
where!"
be there, too,"
"You'll
it
traced?
call
Marcum
"Sure,"
interrupted,
Anyway,
and
we know
he decides not to
down
"if
that
this
here
we
is
that'll
got to take.
the only
It's
way
my
brother
know
to get
out."
"But
"
"There
here to shoot
take.
know
the chance
that's
him
He knows where we
he'll trade.
said.
fool,"
had that
Marcum
pat."
I've
no
it
buts.
If
out with us
already figured
why, we
it
lose.
if
But
a squad down
gamble we got to
he sends
it's
tell
down,
Kelly, before
me
first
"Who's
"You
jittery
your mind
are,"
still
Marcum responded
taire
"Do something
a game
brought
man on
Marcum was
Without Marcum
would go haywire. He
alone. But
to take
of soli-
girl in Louisville."
calmly.
another proposition.
him
"Let
Marcum
alone,"
even
let
me
said, "if
for you."
"Shut up."
"I
lots of times,"
in
jitters.
"Oh,
once
river.
cop turn
George,
Marcum
told
been shot
I've
saw
you
I'll
a
a
leaned across the table and hit Kelly hard on the jaw.
"You're the
Marcum
first
me and
didn't
"I
Maybe my
I?
He
lump on
He
his jaw.
Marcum
out with one punch and be on top of Eddins before the latter realized
the situation. There was just one hitch.
Marcum knocked
And then the germ
He
turned
it
over.
"Now
"It
lot of stuff
you
men
it.
He
laughed suddenly.
"Going through
all
this for a
guy
that's al-
the river!"
what, sweetheart?"
might
man on
rehearsed
said.
down
in
He
"You boobs," he
Only
like
interest
about his
you
to
also,"
know
"It
might
life
is
interest
going to
How
do
you
122
like
Marcum
one
Kelly. "That
in gasps.
He
pushed
alert
eye on
said wearily.
same time an
at the
is
yelled.
But Kelly couldn't try again. Always before he had been able to
grin at defeat, at
probably lay
rary.
It
the very evident fact that this defeat was not tempo-
in
appeared to be about
drop of sweat
fell
mocking him.
Kelly slumped
He
burning.
stealing
up
permanent
as
as
in his chair,
and
lay there as
if
who
river, of
lived in the
dawn
End. She had watched the sunlight with him and the
dawn
West
after a
said,
"I
in the
seemed
alley, that
win-
house opposite.
it
"Marcum," Kelly
cum,
unwinking eye
a blank,
it
to
a favor.
word
for."
"Well?"
"Let
me
call
"Whyn't you
couldn't say
"1
the
call
it
girl
and leave
to her. Can't
How
about
it,
you see
word with
him."
with her?"
it
wouldn't
know where
to reach her.
Marcum?"
guess not. In case things don't pan out right, the other cops can
"I
make up
"Aw,
let
him
call,"
She
Eddins broke
in.
a little
con-
sideration."
Marcum
"You're a softy,"
in Louisville.
Oh,
all
girl
right."
tell
Nora not
1
123
one window shooting the panes out of another window across the
street."
"Aw, cut
it
"I
Marcum grumbled, and yanked him from the telewe enjoy standing here listening to you being heroic?"
out,"
phone. "Think
ain't feeling
He
looked again
at his
watch,
What
window
two men
off
in
He
A good man
with a
the force
who was
could pick
rifle
man named
Kemp Ormsby on
six-
shot
rifle
in
the
state.
at the
window,
on? But
it
was
"Go over
He had
move
get
there, Kelly,
it."
and
pull that
shade down."
Now Marcum
rise
and
matic at him. Kelly rose, stumbled to the window, reached the cord,
He shook
other
for
face.
"Down good," Marcum said. "Clear to the sill." Kelly obeyed. Marcum threw a glance at Eddins. "Our detective got cute with us. Little
was
boy with an air gun shooting from one window to another.
dumb not to get it before."
I
own
He
seemed to have
image.
faded.
The
in his hair
"Sit
down,"
Marcum
told him.
"What time
is
it,
George?"
Wolfe,
I'll
Marcum took
now
no matter how
a half-pint bottle
from
his
small
it
is!"
the bureau and measured the thimbleful Eddins had previously predicted. Eddins gulped
it
straight.
124
we
"But
said by four.
make
Kelly. Don't
There was
man unable
down and
not
is
they'd of
ball,
dot."
my
hands with
me, George."
for
in a
lit
way
another
The clang
of horns
on the
cigarette.
going
a silence.
reminiscent of a
got enough on
"I
ain't
snapped.
any harder
it
They
right.
get yourself
They wouldn't
We
us.
Marcum
was
If
Kelly.
Now
four.
We
Marcum reminded
"You're forgetting,"
till
said. "Kelly
to play ball.
a city at
seemed
it
as
still
sweet to
they were
all
them
time.
He
Optimism was
out.
He'd played
his
plotted,
Marcum,
looked
at
pocket.
He
came
said.
"1
it,
glanced worriedly
at
young Eddins.
All of a
sudden he
to a decision.
"George,
me and
Bucky
life is
difference."
this
Marcum
too,
He
this.
make
don't
gamble. But
both beat
"Let's
it
a hell of a lot of
in
me
your case
it
it!"
if
hell,
you want
why was
I
they burn
"If
willing to take
to,
was
George."
it."
reflected,
Marcum
won't
start
now."
gratefully. "All of
it if
you
like."
jumped
at
I'd
have thought
guy with
the chance to
125
"We came
go
out together."
It
knew, and he
talking, Kelly
sensa-
felt a fugitive
enough
to
Marcum's
And
tion.
in
fell
"If
you
start
like a light."
want
"I
you
ain't
"I'm here,
want to know
"I
in."
we
"But
made
little
he called:
a minute.
Kelly's
He had
Marcum
Make it
back and
shooting match
gamble
he'll
it
after
all.
It
anyway."
do
"We'll
this,
Mallon," said
us,
if
and make
a run for
it.
safe.
But
Want
Marcum quickly.
we won't hurt
but
you
"If
you
let
us
bump him
"He's lying!" Kelly shouted. And, from the savage glow in Marcum's
eyes, he
knew
that
Marcum's gleaming
lost,
was the
eyes.
truth.
He
killer light in
a desperate
gamble and
game ended.
"He's
lying!" Kelly
superior.
you, Kelly."
"It's
a trade,
phantly.
126
then,
Mallon?
It's
trade?"
Marcum
called trium-
came Mallon's
"Yes,"
voice,
"it's
trade."
Kelly raged.
dumb
Johnny. You're so
think
is
running
this
because
"It ain't,
Hell, you're
show?"
"Shut your mouth!" Kelly was beside himself with rage. His voice
The
to burst. Sweat rolled off his brow. Again and again he ordered Mal-
at
him
give
his orders,
signed your
own
face.
"So
Kelly, with
that's
all
that ranting
when you
death warrant."
guy who
didn't
as
he drained the
knew
last
tightened.
the
Even then Marcum's shot plowed his side. One shot sounded from the
window. But Kelly was too busy hurling himself on Eddins and subduing him to look around. Finally, after he had knocked Eddins half
senseless with a
punch
to the jaw,
he lurched to
his feet
and faced
Johnny Mallon.
Very matter of
dins.
Ormsby and
fact,
half a
thumb. "Ambulance
for him.
Marcum on
Damn
it,
127
now, but
live to join
he'll
first
Ormsby
late,"
Kelly complained.
you had
window than
did,"
Mallon looked
he observed with
at Kelly.
"I
his
got good
customary dryness.
fast legs."
'Took
me
less'n five
He
down
to the
fire
in
the world."
iron."
wound amounted
blue-eyed
girl in
the
to
it
Just a crease.
little.
Still,
sticky.
to let
"No
Cut Glass
by
Frederick Arnold
Kummer,
Jr.
ease.
dim
128
knew
it,
he was standing
in front of the
and almost
window. With great
his pace,
caution he bent
into the
basement
little
lamp giving
descended the
store.
green-shaded
door and
front
steps.
his
it's
was begin-
"I
Lopez
lit
a cigarette.
"Ready?" he asked.
is
counter.
Lopez glanced up
arm he drew
left
at the street,-
it
by the
it
his
The
barrel.
floor,
headache tomorrow, he
reflected.
it
fear
ing,
in
one of
its
As he peered
safe
too hard.
a bit
safe.
With
appeared to be empty.
with gold
letters
his
many compartments, he
gleamed dully
old
silently
At once
Then,
ject
The
was
his forehead.
He
stamped upon
it.
row
of
it.
Smil-
diamonds
spot.
The policeman
face.
Unconscious of
seemed an
pounding of
cended the
stairs
and stepped
Lopez stood
his heart
still,
and the
for
what
officer's
caution, he as-
Save for an
When
new
life
and assurance
129
seemed
It
ple.
along
in his
fifteen
to
buy the
The
to a stop.
The next morning Lopez slept late, it was after twelve o'clock
when he arose. Donning a dressing gown, he unlocked the apartment
door and picked up
pride,
his
man
as
down
the
130
desk-top. Shaking with fury, Lopez began to dress as fast as his trem-
bling fingers
The
rat!
would permit.
The
dirty double-crossing
diamonds
rat!
get the
of dark
as well! Lopez's
twisted thoughts.
Bitterly
own
he reflected on his
This, then,
As soon
left
he received the
as
fifteen grand,
this imitation
at Brongier's.
were not to be
scheme
paid.
he would have
left
town,
him, Lopez, with a bit of cut glass in exchange for his ten G's.
How
on
before placing
his
was
infinitely
more
many
automatic
If
men
hall.
As though
this
in a
single
serious.
small
his brain.
a jeweler, an amateur!
at the
steps,
but
moment
he
at
he gazed
his lips,
in his
it
gun butt
bar,
to his size.
building,
its
"J.
On
him
in front of a
dingy
man
magnifying glass
an emer-
at
grinned cadaverously.
"Hiya, Tony!" he said.
it
on the
briefly.
table.
"1
is
phony. Let
his coat
me know
I'm right."
later
dime? This
isn't
Lopez snatched
it
from him.
131
just
"I
wanted
make
to
sure!"
he
said, his
voice dangerously
soft.
"So
long, Joe!"
All that
From
else,
a tangle of ideas
in his
and
man
in
Above everything
itself.
doing so
Abelson
"get"
as well.
killed a
before,- his
him once more walking through the mottled shadAs he strolled along the gloomy avenue, a vague
foreboding of disaster stole over him. Laughing almost audibly at himself, he loosened the gun in its holster,- the feel of its rough grip gave
him new courage.
When Lopez descended the steps, old Abelson's wrinkled visage
contracted into a frown,- a suspicious light gleamed in his yellow eyes.
"What do you want?" he snarled at his visitor.
Lopez assumed a furtive, hunted look. "I'm in trouble," he muttered.
"1 gotta have help. Let's go back into your office. Someone might
come in." To complete the illusion, he glanced over his shoulder.
Nightfall found
ows
of Hilton Street.
Abelson's
face
bore
pompous manner, he
puzzled expression,
way
for
With
moment he
a
somewhat
Lopez.
"Well,"
man
chair,- his
clutching hands knocked to the floor several books and a green glass
vase which broke into
fell
bits.
Panic-stricken,
Lopez
fired again.
This
listening.
it
on the
The
floor.
It
seemed to grow louder and louder until it filled the room with its
booming, then it would fade away only to return louder than before.
With an effort Lopez regained control of himself. Wrapping his
hand in the handkerchief, he went through the old man's pockets.
132
how
you had
cloth,
however, not a lengthy one. From Abelson's vest pocket he drew the
real bracelet, a strip of
drove
fear
all
from
encountered the
glowing white
fire.
piece of jewelry.
false
Its
own
in his
it
With
contemptuous laugh he
man and
tossed the glass bracelet upon the desk beside the dead
turned to go.
upon the
so,
floor,
legs
he
and
Was he
wall.
seeing things!
he rubbed
fingers
his eyes.
When
Lopez waited.
Silently
other room, a
mad
Lopez took
Why
fresh.
past.
He seemed
from the
street.
that crazy
Some boasted
killing.
to
air felt
good!
It
was so cool, so
If
he was a
him,-
free
No
man.
was
vision.
It
figure
had been no
it
desire to
With twitching
there!
left
no
in
the
one could
clues,
you
careless mis-
he was too
careful for
that.
A young
one another
lost in
How
fright-
Lopez thought.
girl,
if she knew that she had brushed against a murmoment he wished he could tell her, just to hear what she
Being a woman she would probably look at him skeptically
would
and
say.
her
as
He
Women
ask,
much
as
it
indifferent, that
was possible
for
him
were strange
to love anyone.
The rows
of dancing, multi-
that
the
dicks
He would
Had
it
He
affair into
even
He would
go to
forget everything
Why
should they
found
in
it
hard to
his pocket,
oblivion like a
mad
he
dream.
133
Tomorrow he would exchange the ice for cash and then go away. The
West Indies v/ould be a good trip maybe Myra might go with him.
Lopez looked up. The big red sign of Rossiter's restaurant winked
ahead. As he drew near, he could see the show window with its pyramids of bottles. Italian wine, German beer, Scotch whisky, all glistening in the soft, warm lights of the store. They whispered of travel,
would be
his
bought
"I
it
young beauty
as
soothing to
as April rain.
she smiled
a bottle of Chianti,"
at
brand."
in his brain
a glassful,
burn
lead
rich,
like bullets.
it
from
trivial
his
The
What
she was saying did not matter,- the nearness of her, the melody of her
voice,
was
that he wanted.
all
no
slip,
Myra how
trip.
It
second
bottle,
in.
Lopez, on his
boy
a quarter.
in
room
"Friend of
At that
instant a
hand
fell
upon
the back
."
of his store.
casually.
Lopez glanced up
Murphy. For a second there
stomach,- the room seemed to whirl.
his shoulder.
was
games
Lopez took
134
Murphy
one
of yours?"
they trans-
you
ferred
Have
to the
Murphy
"Thanks."
fully at
was
Homicide Squad," he
Myra.
Lopez
sat
Tony
us out
on the
He
case?"
way he
guy but so
work on
a friend of yours,
nice
said,
a shot of ink!"
stupid!
sorry for
felt
Murph," he answered.
my
opened
but
"I'd
1
who might
The
why
who
last night,
have done
it.
The
we found is
mug who shot him!"
land the
phony.
his legs.
"You shouldn't
we
if
feel
ever
discour-
Thanks
In
all
evening,
reckon
my
mosey
rest.
his
Myra and
go. The
situation had delighted him, tickled his vanity. Maybe
the stones he would anonymously send Murphy a little
irony of the
after
I'll
brain needs
he sold
it
him
lot of fun
Myra
it
ahead of
us,
smart."
at
in particular
seemed
to be following him.
Once
He
in
bad shape!
grown
135
man
seeing things!
exercise.
That
Glancing
It
was
Too many
ridiculous!
trip
too
little
good.
lots of
at his
cigarettes,
stairs.
Three
No
o'clock!
He
The empty
uptown.
He was
holster
playing
safe,
And he had
For
way
of everything.
Lopez was
He
an ashcan on the
wave of
was revenged upon Abelson. He had
making sure
He
the bracelet.
in
stood
loosening his
just
tight
still,
tie
when
feeling in
his
throat.
in his ears.
Stiffly
the knock
it
open.
He
the room.
"Sorry to bother you, Tony," he apologized. "Just wanted to see
something. After
lock
Holmes
left
you
bought
magnifying glass
Murphy
circles.
on
regular Sher-
at
up Lopez's
glass,
he kept
talking.
Look."
stuff.
sitting
He
lapel
paused
making
on empty ones
just to
on
step backwards,
he muttered
"Mebbe
136
said.
pulled
and peo-
few drinks.
for a spring.
Murphy drew
His
flat
."
.
black eyes,
it
his finger.
Lopez took
proof!"
he
got to thinking."
a mistake,
heels,"
When you
me
gave
in
not,"
glaring.
"An empty
holster's
no
defiantly.
Murphy
drawled,
"but
y'see
when Abelson
got
bumped, a green cut glass vase was smashed. Cut glass is your
guess you got some pieces of it in the heel of your shoe!
jinx,
my
too
homework
That's
les.
all
idea.
his
heel,
."
.
at the shoes.
Suddenly, very
bitterly,
he laughed.
Damsel
with a Derringer
by
Stephen Denting er
on her police
when
now
woman
in the foyer of
with a gun
Byron Cheviet's
been
very young
seemed
girl
and the
tiny gold-
ID
case. "Give
"I've
come
me
to
kill
someone
Cheviet," the
girl
gets hurt."
own
it.
pistol
If
shooting
me
we
talk
about
it,
"
Connie sug-
gested calmly, moving another careful step forward as she spoke. She
car
would be
arriving momentarily,
"Why
are
you
and that
so anxious to
him?"
137
"Because he killed
my
He
father!
him
sent
a bottle of
poisoned
wine!"
more reason
"All the
saying
I'll
arrest this
for us to talk.
man
If
make
things
any better by shooting him." Connie was within reach now and she
slowly stretched out her hand
"Or me,
The
till
it
jumped
girl
a little at
went
it
to
one
side just as
it
Then she
off.
twisted the
terrified.
"My God
she
a gunshot, don't
this
right away.
tion days,
streaked face.
"How
"Nineteen. She's
"Go easy on
he
old
said,
she?"
is
home from
her.
Her
father's
Grody agreed
Clare
office,
named
him
my
dinner for
poured some
lently
to
worn
make
He and
ill.
"My
for
me
called an
Sam
man
father,
a bottle of
office
fixed
could taste
it
He
he became vio-
hospital.
The
girl
nodded. "After
it.
it
arrived
The
bottle
138
sat there
and
thought about
moning
it all
Cheviet's apartment."
Connie picked up the phone and pressed the button for Fletcher's
When he came on, she asked, "What have we got on this Grody
line.
poisoning?"
"Beckett's out at the hospital
We
don't
fairly
it
it
You want
instead?"
might as well."
Connie hung up and turned back to Clare Grody. "All right, your
lawyer will probably have you out on bail in a few hours. Go home
and behave yourself. I'll have a talk with Byron Cheviet."
"I
Sam Grody's
"You're the
one
business partner
who
saved
my
life,"
Cheviet
said,
that morning.
Island Sound.
She
noticed he had a monkish bald spot on the back of his head. "That
girl would have killed me!"
Connie Trent sat down. The apartment was furnished in a mod
style, with several pop art paintings on the walls. Expensive, but not
crazy
her
taste.
Grody
"Of course
not!
Is
involving
shopping mall
a third
instant. "Yes.
It
wasn't a vintage
cared
much."
it
was
139
The balding man was silent for a moment. Finally he said, "All
may as well tell you. changed the label. Russell brought me a
1976 Bordeaux.
happened to know 1975 was a better year for that
right,
wine so
from an
soaked
earlier bottle.
It
and replaced
it
figured
I'd
kept
Grody
would be impressed with the year without really noticing the inferior
quality. It was a bit of a joke, you see."
"Only Brody didn't die laughing."
"1 swear
didn't know the bottle was poisoned! Why would Russell
and his wife want to poison me?"
Connie Trent got to her feet and closed her notebook. "That's what
intend to find out. Thanks for your help, Mr. Cheviet.
think I'd
better call on Ernest Russell next."
I
"Miss Trent?"
"Yes?"
"Don't
On
tell
him
way
her
changed the
label."
to Russell's
told the
now.
What
for killing
Clare
can you
tell
me
about him?
my way there
Would he have had a motive
week. I'm on
Grody
my
girl,
last
Fletcher and
The terms
He
when
thought they'd
if one of the
buy his share of the business
back for just what he originally invested. That would be a low price
now, with much of the work completed. Viewed in that light, Russell
would have a motive for killing either Cheviet or my father."
"Thank you," Connie said. "I'll get back to you."
Ernest Russell met her at the front door of his expensive brick
ranch home, with his wife right behind him. He was middle-aged and
running to overweight. She was young and sleek, with brown hair and
matching eyes. Connie suspected she was the second Mrs. Russell.
patched
it
up.
Connie
sat
is
Helen,
my
wife.
down, crossed her legs and opened her notebook. "NatSamuel Grody's death. We expect the au-
140
wine
Now
Cheviet says
a birthday gift
it
to his house
Russell,
is
Sam
as a gift!"
reminded him.
and
Russell
his wife
tell
her.
He
"All right,"
gift. It
nervously
lit
a cigar.
a few
weeks ago, on
New
Year's Eve."
"Who
sent
it?"
around
stir
"Helen thought
"Darn right
who
it
this house,
it
tell
you."
He
admirer.
It
caused a
looked ruefully
did!
I'll
bit
at his wife.
paid to have
hotel
Melody
given over
Sugar."
woman
"Either a
name of a showgirl."
"1 swear
don't know any Melody Sugar," Russell insisted.
"So you said." His wife moved to a small bar at one end
sunken living room and began fixing herself a drink.
sounds
"It
the
like
it,"
took
it
?"
in
gift
"We kept
in
of the
Thursday."
"Is
it
Helen
right hand.
notebook
the floor. She had the decided feeling she'd been through
before, just a few hours earlier. Clare
had mentioned
slide to
all
this
a pair of derrin-
141
of course,
gers,
"Don't be foolish
all
"Not
I've
this
time!
my
father!
poisoned
realized
now
When
should have
that before
bail.
the
man who
known
along."
all
it
her,
moving
fire.
Cheviet."
who
"Then
Connie
did?"
let
ody Sugar
one from
have
to
apartment
last
it
delivered.
The
who
bottle
"The
difficult.
to
your
"I'll
week
softly.
The poisoned
after
kill
your
father.
It
fight at Christmas.
It
kill"
"No'."
"
to
Ernest Russell.
father.
bottle.
been
He
With
He
lie!"
tried to
instead.
a different label
It
a terrible
all
it
must have
dying
in his
her head.
"1
don't believe
it."
it."
in
her eyes.
"I
can't
"Believe
it,
his identity
142
bell
buoy clanged
in
solemn, broken
it,
swells
and
He
turned
trammel
net.
Gus
felt
Then
his
where Andy
in
lips
had
the
iron
Hill
to the
it
in
Clemente Bank.
easily
which clung
lifted
until the
completely as
as
The boat
astern.
jetties
slid
Gus waited
water.
buoy
tall,
blurred
jersey.
against a shudder that ran like a current through his massive frame.
Seconds
later
"Yeah,
you
he started
as
Andy's hand
Andy
Gus answered. He
said.
"I'll
see
if
see,"
Andy brushed
past
and stooped
fell
upon
his shoulder.
he was back with two steaming cups. Gus took one with
swallowed deeply.
Andy stood
and
air. "It's
It
burned
grunt and
he hardly noticed
it.
thick,
all
right,"
I'll
he
said. "But
I'll
bet
it lifts
by noon." He
You look
sleep.
tired."
away from the wheel willingly. "1 am," he said. "1 am tired.
I'll get some sleep."
But when he'd curled atop the port bunk below, Gus couldn't sleep.
And he'd known he couldn't, because he wasn't tired. His mind was
Gus
slid
Thanks, Andy.
143
wide awake
so wide awake
So he
"It's
okay,"
back to
toward Clemente
horn button.
Go
Bank. Once,
sleep."
The exhaust
throttle again
He
rhythm so long
he shouted:
spite himself,
am
"I
ready,
damn
you!
am!"
Andy would
Gus turned
drew out
Flat.
so that
his
is it,"
Gus noted
tral.
The
He
had
lifted
he
lead.
I'll
H coasted several
Irma
as
it.
"Yeah, this
he told himself.
at
line.
Finally
a splash forward.
He
bent to
lift
they were about to sink. Gus stiffened and walked behind to the high-
hand, drilled
at
hung
side.
there.
Two
feet of
for the
Andy was still busy with the grapnel line. His back was turned. He
was whistling tunelessly.
Gus took one full step and regripped the club with both hands. He
raised it high above his head, crashed it down upon Andy's skull. The
144
boy crumbled to his knees. Gus beat a second time in fury. Without a
murmur Andy's tall form fell headlong upon the nets.
Gus moved swiftly then. His face reflected openly everything that
had burned so fiercely within his heart.
"The stick's not bloody, but I'll wash
and scrubbed
Andy
it
it."
He
side,
he doused the
Then he dragged
with a brush.
the
body
of
from the nets and onto the deck, face up. Thrusting
Hill
felt for
any heartbeat.
him
sharply.
Springing
He
aft
his blood.
The
sought escape
first
twenty-pound anchor.
in action.
He hacked away
and
nets,
the
line, it
he dragged out
for
his purpose. Then with his knife he slashed a length of smaller rope
which he fastened to the anchor. With shaking hands he wound the
rope about the body of Andy Hill.
He
He
snatched blindly
at
And when he
finished,
he wasn't
Gus had
he found
it
lifted
many
he washed everything
just
the same. Finally he went below to take a drink and stare once at the
picture of Mollie, Andy's wife.
It
started the
in
The propeller
Gus set a course
Hicks.
He
It's
done,
it's
done,
it's
done
lay
Or
if
it
pumped warm
quenched
full
red
lips.
again.
An
He
145
And
Andy
grimly.
natural,
him
Gus thought
the
had been Andy.
Hill.
Gus
her
in
How
his.
should turn to
grief.
The clanging
He
reality.
of the bell
tore his
Mollie.
The
engine heat.
stifling
speed
The
When
it.
swiftly
would
and swept by
his horn,
of the
Two
at
had been
Now
like ghosts,
moving up the
tell.
in
the channel.
swallowed again
bay. There'd be
They appeared
in the fog.
little traffic
He
used
except fishermen,
minute
later
the
appeared
Pavilion,
a
in
the
patch of
air.
float
stood
Tom
Gran-
don, the Captain of the Harbor Police. Grandon was watching the
Irma H nose in to the float. Gus felt himself grow taut as he reached
out and cut the throttle.
It
as
if
was
like
Tom Grandon
seized the
clear.
bow
The
line
then.
Irma
The
H slid up
and made
it
fast.
146
head sympathetically or
his
speak
But
Tom
said
The
offer to take
him home.
If
only he'd
you got
still
fixed
felt cold.
mumbled
to help me," he
uncertainly.
running from
the office
"He says Andy Hill fell overboard," Grandon began carefully. "Just
where was it, Gus?"
Gus answered eagerly. "Clemente Bank. Maybe just before we got
to the bank. He made coffee and we drunk it and then he went aft to
work on the nets. He must have slipped overboard and his boots
dragged him down."
Grandon still did not speak. Gus went on hurriedly: "1 looked all
could!"
over for two hours!
did everything
"Everything you could," Grandon repeated softly. 'Tell me, Gus,
why did you murder Andy Hill?"
Gus turned like one hypnotized and his eyes followed Grandon's,
which were riveted on the water.
Astern of the Irma H, floating face downward, was the battered
1
corpse.
Gus Draper
But
instantly
how
couldn't understand
adrift.
to the boat!
Death Racket
hy
Frederick Arnold
Kummer,
Jr.
He
bent over his desk, tried to work, but the figures were driven from his
mind by the
tempts
eters
at
were inside
his head,
pounding
woodwork
of the
sill.
Old
felt
all
his at-
to get out.
his fingertips over a crack in the
of course,
it
was
old. Fifty-odd
147
had done
It
new
hotel inch
planned
builder,
swimming
To stand
way upward! To
its
ballroom,
knew
pool. Everyone
Pawley shook
roared
there,
day
after day,
it
of girders
watching the
cocktail
was doomed
Outside,
to failure.
the
lounge,
its
House would
head.
his
recreation
And now.
window at the network
the street.
in
Numb
pneumatic
with
riveters
cackling laughter.
in wild,
Like splinters of steel the sharp sound tore at his brain, tortured
it.
racket
ring
the
of
took up
riveters
the
chorus.
jar-
Deaaaaaaaaaadi
Dtaaaaaaaaaadi
The
irony of
it
moved him
it
if
if someone wanted
would ever
.
A
ing,
easy.
flat,
commit
Anderson's own
it
colorless laughter.
a
rivet-
They'd cover
he picked
to
to
at a bit of lint
on
his sleeve.
Easy ...
it
would be so
it,
That
He
devil
The
Anderson!
If
in
his
nodded.
smiled,
Friendly.
he killed Anderson,
who was
Pawley drummed
his fingers
a sheaf of letters
tors.
in to
clerk,
Then
and went
He
took
to the eleva-
toward
the desk.
"Hot,
"Yes.
above
isn't it?"
The
clerk
mopped
going downstairs to
riveters. "I'm
the storeroom.
in
I'll
be there
if
you want
me."
"Yes, sir."
Morgan nodded.
the kitchens.
nod
to the cooks,
way through
his
the dining-room,
with barrels of
in
flour,
sacks
demijohns, bottles
as
boy he had explored the cellars of the old hotel, discovering nooks
and crannies all his own. This place had been forbidden territory
a
then, but he
the rough
had found
wooden
way
to enter
it.
it
He moved
was
that he
No
had spent
was no way
legitimate way.
He would
He was
at least
plenty smart!
an hour
in
the
He
kid.
the engine-room.
stepped out.
Up
Now
he was
He opened
in
the
little
first
floor,
the sec-
moved
The riveters were sweeping toward a
triumphant crescendo, now. They seemed to shake the entire building. Pawley shook, also, his face twitching. Just nerves. That damned
ond! Another
moment and
soon Anderson,
whom
churning
149
would be stilled. First though, they must drown out the sound
shot! That was the beautiful, the sardonic part of it!
Pawley glanced
.
He
Here!
the
at
of the
so loud this
moment."
He
he grumbled. "Well,
out,"
damned
labor unions
Pawley stood
pounding!
"Just for a
No
How
listening.
still,
my
up to
I'm
neck
the
furiously
me
grief
in
to
buy you
now. These
riveters
were
shot!
make
Best to
on
sure.
at
him
outside! Anderson,
cinated,
Anderson coughed
moment, fired again.
Pawley stared
he watched the
silly
trickle
toward him.
gun,
later.
open.
And
Now
check stock
smiling.
the
window
The
He moved
hour or two.
seemed suddenly
to
become mocking
laughter.
Pawley's
running feet
shook
For a
voices, the
moment he
sound of
frowned, then
The door
of the
room
burst open.
Good
phoned down
at
Anderson's body.
"No!" Pawley's voice rose to a scream.
shots!
have!
Nobody
How
"He
to,
Nobody
could
?"
.
ghastly silence
filled
men
on
strike.
Them
rivet
tale that
am
my
ears at a small
friends
their holidays in
versation abounded.
left
still
It
was
in late
fifteen
your
first
"I
in
grew
tired of
from
off
Julian
Symons
a visiting
came once
broken
who
poet
It
sup-
He was
seemed
I'd
when
War
from the
the summer,"
slender
He wore
train
man
of better
grey
suit that
was
city.
very poor
turnout."
many
"Yes, so
"Tell
are
me, do you
"No, no.
away
in
live in
do quite
the summertime."
the
London
area,
Mr. Gale?"
is
a traveler's occupation."
"More suited to a gipsy, would think." The remark was hasty and
meant nothing, but Gabriel Gale took it up at once.
1
"In
my
younger days
in a variety of causes."
151
"Why
is
that?"
We'd moved
own
summer
not
had
far
Edward
of the poet
Fitzgerald."
my
call
one of the
it
dullest
and
ugliest
places in England?"
Gale's face brightened.
literate
had
beechwoods to reach the
wrought iron gates of the small Norman churchyard where he's buried. St. Michael and All Angels, it's called."
"What adventure could you have in a place like that?"
Gabriel Gale smiled. "Why, a poetic one, of sorts. After visiting
is
wooded
a serene, thickly
to walk
up
countryside
Fitzgerald's graveside
a stand of
itself. I've
learned there
are always inn signs in need of painting, and The Brave Hart was no
exception. It was located at the village crossroads in a building that
itself,
with
lessly weatherbeaten.
it
stared
up
at
it
and saw
become hope-
job waiting to be
done ..."
Gabriel Gale sought out the owner of The Brave Hart, a
who
middle-aged fellow
stared
up
it
that's a
"1
job for an
am
an
will
his
life.
man named
He was
a lanky,
never look
certainly does
at
it.
Now
that
you
artist."
artist,"
could undertake
it
at the
all
Gale responded.
"My
and
original."
it
agreed-upon sum
if
the
work was
satisfactory.
Splend said
as
152
is
very
little
money
in
is little
money
one
has the talent and the temperament for painting inn signs."
In the
morning,
around to the
it
He
labored through the morning and had begun work on the painting of
the great hart
itself
when
traveler
He was
slightly older,
over to ask,
"Tell
sir,
would you
after
join
and he seated
for lunch,
Thomas
buxom
was
It
for lunch.
in
me
Splend's
and
an ale?"
He
on
"It's
Baxter
Ward
man
my way down
Ward,
trav-
to Ipswich."
my
lad,
..."
ale
and an admirer
of
Housman,
at that!"
"Indeed.
Gale nodded.
Housman and
"I
"It is a
died
last year,
bad year
you know."
for poets
when we
Chesterton."
Ward
mouth as he set down the ale. "I quote much more than
write. But
do like good verse."
Gale had warmed to the man, who seemed to be in good physical
shape despite a few grey hairs and some extra weight around his middle. "If you're interested in poets, you must know that Edward Fitzgerfoam from
I
his
I
ald
is
near Woodbridge.
He was
born not
far
Angels."
"Interesting.
might stop by there if have the time."
There was some commotion inside, and the voice of
I
woman, obviously
reached their
distressed,
"What's
ears.
young
all
that?"
Gale asked Gertrude Splend when she returned with their food.
The
mond
ring.
Claims she
laid
"Young lady
down and
it
life?
a deer ate
it!
Ward
Baxter
young woman
have to
see!
Coming, Gale?"
"Why
He
not?"
little
hair.
She carried
short riding crop, but Gale could see no sign of a horse out the win-
her, as she
seemed close
my diamond
to tears.
my
been thrown by
"I've
engagement
ring!
come here
ridicule!"
"Not by me,
As
if
certainly," Baxter
Ward
said,
lantly. "Exactly
addressing her kindly, she brushed a tear from her eye and
"My name
tentative smile.
was crossing
rode up from
a large estate
Little
"Sir
"
Millicent Grady.
is
man was
managed
in a rabbit
toward the
alongside
only landmark
ate them.
could see
woods with
hands before
stream in the
little
berries
wanted
little
to
walking
started
among
growing
wash
my
my
right
It
bolted. That's
when
head
a bit as
if
realized
my
it
backed
pres-
off,
then
Ward
at that point,
I
which
is
why
I'd
moved
it!"
like
his head.
it."
my
in all directions,
swallowed
and
fell
it
toward
down
berries,
itself
with them."
Gale joined
"Do deer
the conversation.
in
"They've been
known
to,"
Splend
eat berries?"
on
diet of leaves
treat."
"But not
diamond
rings."
"If
is
true,
it's
wonder
must get
"I
my
tell
it
back!" the
young woman
her.
"Even
Follow
it
if
you could
"Whatever would
quite remote,
is
"
Baxter
Ward
told
open admiration.
"I
you would,
believe
that."
around?"
He
insisted.
fiance?"
is
at
it?"
you
like to
accompany
us?"
He
set off
a small
not something
Ward and
the
I'd
want to
young woman
in
miss."
Ward's
"Exactly
what
climbed
in.
"I
"It's
with Baxter
services
give advice
do you
offer?" Millicent
on the production of
profitable crops
agement
just
if
want
Grady asked
in the
lorry,
its
side.
as she
and animals,"
back on
thrift
man-
my
ring back."
weapon and some ammunition from the innkeeper, who'd decided to follow along in his own car. Thus there
were two vehicles that negotiated the winding drive up to the manor
house to see Sir Albert Bush. The butler who admitted them eyed the
group with some uncertainty, but finally Sir Albert himself was summoned.
all
He
was
a fiftyish
man
form-fitting jacket
young woman.
'Thrown by your horse on
It's a wonder you suffered no
full
of
open admira-
my
property?
My, my,
this
is
dreadful!
injury."
155
Ward
ter
ring
told him.
have
"I
a large
in
is
I'll
hunting knife
find
in
my
lorry.
If
the
it."
"You don't
this
means
to me."
Thomas Splend chuckled. "If they find that ring inside a hart's
stomach I'll get your name in the papers. I'll guarantee that!"
"It would be a first," Sir Albert admitted. "I'll tell you what I'll do.
Let me ride along with you and if we spot any likely suspects I'll make
the decision about what to do."
That seemed
to be the best
way
ously was not about to give them a free hand in slaughtering his herd
to recover the missing diamond.
in Baxter Ward's lorry
when
when
is
car,
meadow and
they're usually
the
heading
manor house
on the move,"
Sir Albert
had
just
Baxter
glanced
Ward
He
rifle.
said,
"All right."
Ward seemed
squeezed
to aim the
the trigger,
toppled over as
"A clean
if
kill!"
hit
weapon with
when
he
the hart
tance."
They
hurried
down
its
156
It's
not here."
He
Ward drawing
the
sheath.
knelt
was so
"1
certain."
woman.
dear young
Ward glanced
Baxter
They
over
at
with some
it
my
area.
lifted
known
never
I've
it
back of the
in the
effort,
lorry.
fifty feet
went
The deer
Ward was
"There
is
killing
any more of
no
my
it
toppled over.
"I'm sorry,"
can
fired
his head.
ring."
TTiere were
dear lady?
He
already out of the driver's seat with his knife, but the
result
as Sir Albert
have you
can't
left
If
am even
in
of the diamond,
its
loss
perhaps
belonged to my fiance's mother. The monetary value is secondcompared with the sentimental value. You must understand that."
"Indeed
wish there was something more
do, Miss Grady, and
"It
ary
try.
as possible so as
They
by the
'This
fled.
Ward managed
to bring
came upon
down
several
truck.
is all,"
Sir Albert
slaughtered like
"Please!" she
this."
If
my
ring
is
not recovered,
will
157
have to
with
live
group and
my
feel
the
air,
They broke
together.
When
he explained.
gether,"
Ward
out, standing
"I
had
to
kill
'They were
fallen harts.
to-
them both."
forward with
fire
in his eye.
"This
is
gasped.
"It's
my
diamond!"
went up
small cheer
in
in the
forward to shake Baxter Ward's hand. "I'm just pleased that you found
my
"How
can
"No payment
ing on venison
entire herd
was wiped
out,"
he
said.
"Though
necessary," he insisted,
no use
would enjoy
din-
"Take them as your reward," he agreed with a wave of his hand. 'To
see Miss Grady's smiling face
Ward
Baxter
returned the
enough
is
rifle
for me."
to the innkeeper
house
"1
for
all
up
to the
manor
some wine.
really
returned
home on
"If
my
horse
my way down
Little Bealings?
Ward
I'll
be passing close to
"I'll be honored to
you home."
'Thank you very much." She finished wiping off the diamond ring
and returned it to her finger. "I'll never take it off again," she prom-
there on
to Ipswich,"
told her.
drive
ised.
Gabriel Gale shook hands with them both, and with Sir Albert, and
watched Baxter Ward drive away with the young woman. He felt as if
158
master
at
work. "Like
St.
"What was
"Nothing.
was
can
your
finish
and
".
.
Splend asked.
sign."
what we
that's
Gale concluded,
did," Gabriel
"I
his eyes
Ward
after
that."
"An interesting
have
Why
her ring.
the
first
tale,"
agreed.
left
else
"Though
don't
know
if
would
it
in
place?"
"Oh, can assure you that Millicent Grady was a charming young
woman. She completely enchanted Sir Albert. And Baxter Ward was
I
not a jewel
thief.
in fact."
that?"
in
a late
is
was watching Ward when he slit open that last deer. He had the
ring palmed in his hand the whole time. It didn't come from the hart's
"I
stomach."
is
Millicent.
by the stream
to
that possible?
It
was
Millicent's ring."
minutes, presumably on her hands and knees. Yet her riding breeches
were
grass stain!"
story?
ate her
diamond?"
"Of course
tended to find
"But
not! Baxter
it
Ward had
it
What was
the object of
it
was
their charade?
all?"
skill.
Baxter
Ward was
work of
not a jewel
art, if
thief.
He
a poacher."
159
Detective for a
Day
hy Walt Sheldon
phone.
"Look, Blowtorch,"
said, "these
a nice, neat
know
what's in
in the cellar
Nobody around
it.
here does.
it
We just
No,
job
don't
comes from.
You'll
He
had
the
a big St.
like
somebody.
"Single room, buck and
friends with
1
said,
"Thank you,"
said the
young
a half.
fellow.
sir.
I'll
He was
had
breeze blowing
twang and
Demwood,
down
Our
boy, a
160
reluctantly
tall
in
his voice
the corn.
register,
"J.
He
Eugene
111."
"Berniei"
bell
yelled.
little,
He
made
a dive for
J.
Eugene
J.
yelled,
"Hey
hold on!"
Bernie looked up from under his brows. "Don't touch that one."
Eugene
two bags.
It
was
J.
a square,
black case and looked pretty strong. Bernie shrugged, took the other
one, and
Then
and
the lobby.
left
J.
Eugene Demwood,
my
took
It
me
roomed up
nally
in
III,
crime detecting
kit."
a full thirty
my
pretended
was able to
throat.
say,
"Crime detecting
You
register. Fi-
you
er
don't look
Mr. Demwood."
like a detective,
modern
detective
doesn't."
"Hm,"
said,
for,
Mr. Demwood?"
"Hinkelstown, Pennsylvania," he said without batting an eyelash.
"I'm
was
in
was getting
he
"Yes,"
said.
He
hot.
knew Hinkelstown
Pennsylvania inhabited by a
lowered
voice.
his
come
"I'm
lot of pretty
from.
Grooter."
was
It
If
"Here?"
"Sure.
last
ever seen of
him."
a little
"It's
before
my
time,"
said.
"How come
him?"
when my
"Well,
force,
me
my
scientific ability.
studied
criminology
in
father got
at school.
161
coppers back
J.
Eugene,
in
"Look, kid,"
said,
happen
stars
so easily.
III
You
here.
is
'Take
a
it
easy
know who
don't
funny place
don't speak to
you're
anybody about
this Billings,
gonna run
You read
into.
happened
all
And
the murderer.
and
"Oh, yes
it,
my
put out
He
to
you was
that's
lately."
on
room next
in the
looked
hand. "Forget
a little hurt.
young
fella.
right,"
he
it,
"All
Demwood
started to bubble.
a club in his
Take
easy."
it
Then he
and turned toward
"Thanks."
said,
he called
kit, as
hair
it,
the door.
Just then Blowtorch Foley
him, and
had
frowned.
in.
a sallow skin,
the other.
blew
He was
one
sliding from
side to
And
all
of a sudden
had something
else to
me
at
his,
wish
it
wasn't.
J.
Eu-
the same time, and trying to steer himself toward the door,
bumped smack
in
the floor.
J.
when he
talked
could
feel
and
sort of
fumbled
at
tie.
Then Sharkskin
stabbed him
in
J.
Eugene and
"Why
his
flipped
J.
Eu-
There was
162
effects.
hard
clopi
Before
my
Eugene Demwood,
then pulled
of his big
111,
at his fingers.
About
his right
in the jaw.
hand
little,
one
fists
backward into
1
and he staggered
a corner.
my
ear!"
and watched
j.
Demwood
Eugene
moment
dumbly
at
pointed Van
First a little
scrawny man
in
came
a stranger
in
the door.
in a
in
He
it
a little,
The
little
tor."
Blowtorch blinked a
It
little at
suddenly occurred to
while
wouldn't get
"
my
Doc
me
safe
that
if
opened.
used
my
coaxed Blowtorch.
he said grudgingly.
didn't
chin,"
deny
pain.
said,
in
men-
jiggling.
at
the Doc.
inferior
childhood caused
bump?"
in stir
batted
me
wit' a
billy onct."
Blowtorch.
163
Do you
your forehead?
in
ever
have hallucinations?"
Doc
He
gravely.
me
tryin' to tell
I'm nuts?"
Doc and
arm and
stood
the
at
"Come
said,
on,
door,
let's
go
in
the ledger so
trail
at
wouldn't
when
and twelve
cents.
thinking too
start
much
back.
"I'll
some
get
'at
safe
first,"
they went
come
in.
was
said Blowtorch.
said.
just
figured
J.
"If
can't
if
box
in
open
it
There was
like that,
I'll
for
them and
heard somebody
Eugene Demwood,
J.
III,
J.
He had
when
them.
busted, Wally?"
tools."
with a
you want
"In there."
door on
faced him.
said a
little
apprehensively.
going," said
"I'm
J.
Eugene
in
low voice,
"to
reconstruct the
crime."
"Huh?"
asked.
"The
scientist,"
he replied, unloading
learn an
unknown
fact,
Now,
I'm
164
his
believe.
Then
see
I'm
And
I'm
going to come up
that
it's
empty."
"What's
this?"
all
waved my hand
and the
tin
box.
He
the
at
Grooters,
taken care
I
but
figured
be right
when
top of
Go
the
in
on the
J.
Eugene,
III.
He
sadly,
of-
after
cents.
almost had
"Okay.
said,
whooped
head
and twelve
that dollar
Just
I'll
On
out!"
my
shook
for him.
can find
fice.
"If
country!
I'd
maybe
"I'll
said.
in the
of."
didn't believe
1
he
think!"
I'll
it
asked.
open your
can't
safe."
chalk
And
line.
one
in front of
and
popped
me. They
then,
in.
He
wondered where
ain't
"I
"Just
ask
Polt
Polt
"1
interrupted.
got an appointment."
night?"
In a flash, then.
hand.
ain't a
"I
get
it,"
he said
your gat
out.
This guy
An
quietly.
insurance detective.
store.
Save
If
were you
I'd tell
a lot of trouble in
the end."
gonna
let
you have
"
he
165
stiffen
The door
who
mouth, "See
his
that
Foley."
is,
saw him stiffen, then saw a riphim by the toes and travel all the way up his body to
head.
saw every bit of color fade from his face and
"Arrrn"
J.
"You
ain't real!
Scram!"
in that
him. Polt grabbed the gun and they began to waltz back and forth in
the middle of the lobby.
It's
a gag!
Come
"It's
a gag. Sure,
a gag."
it's
He
it
J.
Eugene,
brought
his
gun up with
at Polt.
In that instant
J.
Eugene
Demwood
He
crashed into Blowtorch and knocked his gun arm upward, just as
the
weapon went
off.
One
day,-
caught him
at perfect right
angles on the front of his jaw. Blowtorch's knees forgot what they
for and Blowtorch fell flat on his face.
Eugene
turned to Sharkskin and Polt. He turned just in time to
J.
see Sharkskin jerk his automatic loose and hatchet the butt down on
the insurance detective's forehead. J. Eugene took two steps, flung his
hand at Sharkskin as though he were throwing a ball and sent the
were
J.
surprised to find
itself
fist
body behind
in his
it. J.
a rhyth-
three,
insurance detective.
J.
I
Come
said, "I've
with me."
the storeroom.
J.
Eugene.
said.
air-
tight safe."
but
what's
"But
it
about?" asked
all
J.
Eugene.
He
"Come
on,"
said, "We'll call some cops, then I'll tell you."
had phoned the law said to the kid:
"This guy Polt posing as a psychologist, or whatever he was supposed to be, was snooping around to find who robbed the department
store and killed the watchman. The watchman's club had a little hair
and blood on it, so there must have been a struggle and the thief must
have been hit on the back of the head. Polt felt the bump on Foley's
head, and went out again to check and make sure. Then Foley came in
to open this safe which we found in the basement. He and Sharkskin
saw the corpse of Justice Grooters. Sharkskin decided they'd say they
couldn't open the safe, then swipe it later and collect the reward for
After
themselves.
J.
out,
bump on
made him
nuts.
as
You
after that."
Eugene Demwood,
III,
country."
said, "But
if
167
when
act
how
this
frail
little
sight
"Sure
you want
And
time.
to go?"
mouth
it
trick like
her
coal-black,
this
he asked
her.
he leaned
his
pressed a finger against the side of his nose and cocked his blond
eyebrows,- one up, one down.
Every cop on the force had fun with that gesture of Detective
Bayer Cubbs.
had
a nice,
He
He
didn't mind.
didn't
mind much
of anything.
in a
He
baby talcum
ad.
want
don't
had
want
a hard time
one
to miss
single thing!"
Cubbs took
away from
his finger
his nose.
see much."
Miss Skeeley drove him to where the murder was, and they started
up three
flights of stairs.
into studio
apartments.
"Maybe you
all
you the
tell
truth,
maybe
well,
"It's
know
Miss
it."
"When
you're in
it
you're
funny
"Huh?"
"I
said what's
gorgeous dame.
168
model.
The
let's see.
Trana
Thome was
Now,
I'll
bet
be
she'll
in
sticky with
wavered
This
folk.
a little.
stuff
columnist on
newspaper
ladies'
maga-
Pearletta forged
an assignment
She would,
move
every
ahead grimly.
for
"Please,
finish
that.
This
it."
too,
damned
attrac-
tive.
couple of bluecoats
let
them
them
the
."
zine.
is
Cubbs
exactly
isn't
be
hair'll
."
bedroom
all
to the body.
and Doc
It
was
in
der on things.
Pearletta Skeeley said softly, "Awrrgh,"
went
room and
and got
She
a little pale.
down weakly on
sat
a slender
Cubbs gazed
at the
slumped on one
Doc
side
Doc
said, "She's
this
..."
He
in a lazy circle
He saw
"Hey, Jardin."
The
fingerprint
Cubbs jerked
He
his
thumb
at the
turned to Pearletta
up.
who was
sitting
white and
rigid. "After
some
we
of Trana
Thome's boy friends. And we'll question them and have the murderer
by supper time. Strictly routine."
Pearletta's dark eyes
think
it's
too fascinating,"
she
said.
Cubbs turned
women
his
head and
sniffed to himself.
He wondered why
thing.
Cubbs over
his
169
glasses.
"That's
been wiped
he
it,"
Pearletta
He
And
what's
gambler
this
awful
he mumbled.
chair.
damn
his
chorus
name
girl
was
said,
tried for
it,
but acquitted?"
O'Connan was
right.
She grinned
his
it's
"Remember
though
said.
No
carefully.
name
Kane O'Connan.
all
."
.
all
you going
"Aren't
"Oh,
"Well,
mean,
Cubbs
sure," said
much.
tell
to look around,
"I
mean
for
and things?"
clues
lightly.
maybe."
In rare instances
Pearletta,
"if
He watched
living
Mr. Joseph
first
room.
P. Morfit,
owner
the
of the building,
who
lived in the
floor apartment,
man and
him look
his
skinnier.
"Let's see,
He had
in front.
at
twelve noon."
Morfit nodded his head. His eyes were deep set and he looked at
Cubbs around
in late?"
asked Cubbs.
"Mm."
"Who
with?"
"Oh,
several
gentlemen.
Mostly
Mr.
O'Connan.
Or Spanky
Smythe."
"Oh," said Cubbs.
man
He
started to fidget.
rubbed
Then he
his
said, "That's
all,
at
What
"Maybe.
about him?"
He
night clubs.
girls
like
liquor he
One
photographs well
in
work on
his figure.
all
the
."
.
came
to
room
so
"I'll
go
the other
in
He propped
would want
"Yup," said
at
the carpet.
"1
can't
understand
to
Thome's
death.
Cubbs sympathetically.
"I
guess
so
why anyone
."
of Miss
all
Thome's
pened.
."
.
"Well
"I
no
was out
He
blushed
a bit.
at the
Smythe had
deeply shocked
left
yes,
said to Pearletta,
"Come
on,
we have an
inter-
view."
"Any
"She was
On
zine
the
a beautiful
way
you write
woman,"
to headquarters
said Pearletta.
Cubbs
asked,
"Isn't
for?"
"Yes."
171
that
all
Pearletta
this thing?
blood and
to read
stuff?"
think
"I
it
with-
out sordidness."
"You mean
"Well
no
said Pearletta.
"
"I'll
creature entering her boudoir for the last time, like a flower folding
knowing
that the
life
not dreaming
oh,
silent for a
said,
warm
these people
all
it
few minutes.
know
as
glass of
Cubbs.
"Sure," said
He was
warm bed
soft,
last
"I
pretty
that."
the squad
came
He jumped
in.
and waved
sitting in
Pearletta
a big
hand
on the
force, huh?"
He had
column
some
is
firsthand
tive business.
"How do you
heard a
lot
just
He
oned
to
He
O'Connan and
Pearletta.
O'Connan put
172
mouth and
guess maybe
Thorne
last night.
outside of the
killer.
started to
I'm in a pickle.
."
.
alibi?"
chew on
last
had
it.
person to
Cubbs
"Sure,
understand.
got
a lawyer."
warm
O'Connan wrinkled
at the
door when
left."
milk to
his nose.
somewhere
me
Cubbs.
"Found
Cubbs.
in the
"Hello," he said
Twenty-first precinct.
I'd
like
to speak to
morning
this
for
There was
"None
left,
want to
find out
About the time he got back into the squad room, a bluecoat was
coming in the other door escorting both Joseph P. Morfit and Spanky
Smythe. Smythe looked sharply at Miss Skeeley, then at
Cubbs.
was pouting and frowning. Morfit was looking at the floor.
"Sit
down everybody,"
said
lightly.
Cubbs
owe me two
y'are,
going to run
He
Cubbs.
got
it
in his
hand came
at the Greek's
in
the
bits."
The
a pint bottle of
Cubbs
his
half
full."
at
his
nose acidly.
173
He
in
"Nor
don't think
"I
he
she said.
lips.
"I
down on
it
"Why do we
sit
chair.
very
all
is
somewhere?"
free
Cubbs
to his
going
coffee."
said.
Pearletta
silly!"
want any
I,"
down
should get
business."
to
he
"Pearletta Skeeley,"
said,
He
arrest
"I
you
for the
we
think
"I
nose.
murder of Trana
Thome!"
For a floating second her eyes opened wide, and
in
she was dashing toward the door. Almost magically a policeman ap-
peared
in
He
Pearletta
snooping
dope
all
for her
in a little
to have
it.
was
like this.
about while
dumb
book. Spanky, a
heart, about
it
O'Connan decided
it.
her
book would be
good thing
all
Thorne
it
offices of
only way to clear up things was to murder Trana Thorne and get
in a killing
decided to make
me and made
this
"Well, Pearletta
O'Connan always
dated Trana on Sunday nights. She poisoned a pint bottle of milk and
delivered
it
to Trana, after
first
calling the
company and
in.
it
them
O'Connan
telling
let
die,
went
in, hit
quick.
"Today she comes out there with me, gets time to snoop and
the poison milk, then get rid of
174
it.
After
sent a
man
find
snoopin' for
it,
he found
coffee,
the dumbwaiter.
in
it
a duplicate in
with the
moment on
his nose.
guess you
"1
fellas
want to know how she slipped up, huh? Well, she was saying how she
was gonna write this article and she mentioned Trana drinking her last
glass of hot milk before she went to bed. Nobody knew about that
not even me.
it
start
me
thinkin'
and investiga-
tin'."
Cubbs got
off the
good
day's work.
Dogs Know
by Gary
Sometimes
When
Lovisi
I'd
He
ever known.
So damn real.
was always the wild one. Larry was calm, logical, orderly, quiet.
He had a good life, loving wife, great kids, he proved it could be
done. It was incomprehensible to me, but Larry did it. He made the
good things happen.
wouldn't have stayed a cop if it hadn't been for Larry.
was
always in trouble. He would always straighten me out, cool me down.
We'd talk a lot, and he'd always give me the best damn advice. Free.
Not like a lot of the shitheads that want to latch onto your life or get
1
influence
over you.
and
family.
To
Larry just
He
to do.
since.
Not
friends,
wanted was
me. Pretend
to drain
I
175
for Larry
Somehow.
remember
was over
Larry's house.
and ugly
hell
when he
silk
home
German
a big
They were
black Dobermans.
for his
big as
all
know he was
training them.
wouldn't be
was when he
It
One was
brutes.
as sin. Larry's
know where he
don't
would.
ever again.
there though, to
still
own.
On
that
sat quietly
me
watching
ap-
It
was
as
proached the high chain-link fence Larry had around the house.
one of those cool spring days, bright sunny mornings. Even the
smelled good.
He was
He
complained.
waved me
me
as shit
in.
air
always
like a
looked happy
He was
in the yard.
man,
ain't
coming
The
in there.
dogs'll tear
apart."
worry
He
as I'm
on
this
just laughed.
out of
wood
tinkered with
When
for
won't
He was hammering
his
kids.
He
always
stuff.
he saw
fence. "What's
wrong, scared of
few puppies?"
mug
at all."
to
"Nah, don't worry, they won't hurt you. I'm telling you, Vic, they
You belong,
of the gate to
It
where
He
busted
my
We
all
176
all
didn't
there
is.
move
until
was being
good
me
he came out
safe.
chops because
dreams.
Vic. Believe
for
me
a lot.
We
had
peckerhead by
but a lot of
to be careful, keep
it
damn
in
my
The other
beside fun.
seemed
side only
to
I'd
Self-control
did.
why
on the force
lasted
long after
for so
all
the crap
we saw
in
the
day-to-day.
1
was
real
even though
it
me, not to go
time
was
been
I'd
he
hit.
it,
things will be
my wound,
got Larry.
mean,
but
bothered me,
It
him not
told
Larry didn't
listen.
to leave
The
one
OK.
killer
fault.
guy alone
after the
right
calm about
my
hadn't been
it
by-the-book.
Larry quickly
thought,
OK,
made an improvised
we're cool,
tourniquet for
ran back to the car and pulled the shotgun from the trunk.
didn't
Only
thing.
saw
me
this
bleeding,
hit,
like
me
than
I'd
ever done.
He
happened so
We were in our usual prowl area and were on the lookout for him like everyone else. We never expected to find him. We
didn't. He found us. He was hunting cops. The whole thing was a setup and we'd walked right into it.
"No!"
shouted, "Don't do it!"
"Shut up and stay put," Larry whispered, calm, smiling now, "This
all
It
this
borough.
He
slipped
I'll
two
be back
damn
in five minutes."
like
between heartbeats.
knew
the backups
My
revolver drawn,
my
the night.
crete
were
Finally,
The shadows,
all
I
killer,
closing in on me.
spotted Larry.
was about to
yell out to
him
to get back
177
when
to the car,
It
was weeks
It
thing
it,
different
It's
when
later
got
no sweat. Then
my
Let's leave
time
now.
at that for
it
move
The first
Wounded cop. Line of duty. got
perform my own investigation and get
was able to
decided to
my own way
really
around.
off.
Larry's killer.
report.
seen the
I'd
killer.
He came
from
saw
It
my
in
came out
He
He
was
was only
for a minute.
didn't
know
facts. Facts
all
needed.
could wait.
never forget
I'd
that face.
good
way with
the
all
The
was
piece-of-shit
the trunk of
the hell
my
car.
it.
my
was going to do
Once
me
long to
Hungry. Non-stop.
meat now.
had him
didn't take
It
at that stuff.
There were
to him.
wanted
and gagged
tied
in
what
a lot of possibilities.
It
was
for
Larry.
It
I
was
good
where
wanted him.
done. Shit, he'd have done the right thing and brought the guy
"1
do
can't
What
if
that, Larry,"
and he got
Damn
some
he didn't get
as
It
soft-bellied judge?
many
"rights" as
What
if
in.
grain.
some
he was entitled to
too much.
weasels!
but
and
hung a turn onto the parkway, Floored the gas pedal. The speed
felt good and there was no traffic. Speedometer moving up to 60, past
65 now. popped another upper. Been driving a long time. Thinking.
derer
is
Thinking so much
When
178
finally
it
hurt.
became aware
of the sounds
didn't
know what
the
Then
they were.
hell
realized,
killer
He
kept kicking.
"Now
shut up and
me
let
think!"
stop.
The
to him.
we'd never
fact that
couldn't be!
It
talk to him.
"I'm alone,
needed to talk to
him
don't
"I
Maybe
The banging
It
still
don't
to do."
yourself
it!"
Drowning out
now, Larry.
up.
could
brain.
leave
wasn't worth
continued.
know what
my
Why'd you
me?
just then.
again. Into
Larry.
me
burned
know what
more!"
louder. Intense.
He was
like a
You
killer!
killed the
me and you
brother to
killed
him
only friend
for
no damn
reason!"
The
"Shut up!
The
OK,
got
in
heard them.
it
hands
was
The
better.
It
rip
off
up!"
down between
the tears.
quiet now.
tiny
HEARD THEM!
noise stopped.
tried to
it
now and
if
kicking stopped.
that
heard them!
I'll
my damn
with
sounds. But
Now
could think. So
didn't
I
beer. Finally
Threw
the
empty
even notice.
we should
do.
thought about
how
"What should
lovely
him
it
real
highway
lights rushing
over
my
179
my
fogging
tearful eyes,
me
"Why'd you leave me! I'm so lost now. don't know what the hell to
do. Help me, Larry!"
knew it had to be the drugs talking. didn't care. Before crashed
popped some more uppers, letting the car drive me. We drove all
over. It eventually took me to the old neighborhood, the place where
got there but it was
had grown up.
don't know how
Larry and
significant. It was the place where Larry had chosen to live his life
knew then that Larry was guiding
with Susan and raise their family.
1
my
hand.
1
all
He was
Larry.
air, like a
sad, so lonely.
thick
could
feel
what Susan and the boys were going through. Susan's quiet determibed at night as
That was an
aching loss that would always be an open wound. Then there was the
anger of the boys, all they'd miss growing up without a father. Just
when they'd really need him he couldn't be there for them. knew
what they felt. felt it too.
My fist smashed the dashboard.
nation, her bravery, the sadness, that cold loneliness in
life.
knew what
was
It
car.
had to do.
a quiet street.
No
what
I'd
decided.
parked the
car.
It
was
the garbage.
"If
out.
covered
long piece.
He
I'll
Wrapped
it
around
his
cut off
head so
it
me no problems."
pulled
him out of the trunk and he fell to the asphalt.
feet by his hair.
took my right hand and dug it into the
neck leading him forward to the gate. saw the dog house
him
pulled
to his
back of
his
anywhere
murder.
It
They were
180
in sight.
The
left
were
open
slid
It
silently.
pushed
There was
twenty
feet high,
the ground.
It
made
was
make an oldtime
real solid.
It was about
cemented into
swing or something for him and Susan someday. That day would
never
hoped
to put
to
it
one of the
good
use.
pushed the
cuffs,
quickly putting
left
it
killer
back on
mouth and
eyes.
He got nervous and tried to kick me, almost hitting my sore leg.
smacked him upside the head. He bled a bit, was stunned.
held
I
left
Susan answered. Behind her were Larry's four teenage sons, the
three dogs stood strangely quiet in the background. Waiting. Antici-
Watching so damn
pating.
interested.
What
you doing
are
here?"
Larry.
of what's
Then
left."
I
left.
it
I.
I'd
said enough.
None
got in
my
of
out
in
my own
way.
know why he
did
Why
any cop.
it.
He
couldn't figure
just did
it.
didn't
Damn
It
little
it.
didn't care
didn't
really
the boys
kill
cops?
Maybe he
even
would do
to him.
much,
Not one
didn't
figure
owed
that
Hey,
isn't
that
181
And now,
more
the
thought about
it,
realized
messed up again. Real bad. I'd put Susan and the boys in terrible
jeopardy, made them have to make nasty choices they should have
I'd
been spared.
It
boys would
Larry's
They
weren't so
much
also placed
I'd
them
shit!
they could.
if
they did
if
Why
do
I'd
made
it
out.
now. And
that possible
it
when
do
try to
good?"
I
looked
the night.
It
hadn't slept in
And
uppers.
my watch.
at
I
Where
beer.
traffic
anyway?
had
to hurry.
it
hit
was already
rush hour.
was nervous. Flying from the pills and lack of sleep. Worried
I'd find in the back yard. Susan and the boys had been
through so much, now I'd put this shit on them. I felt like crap.
1
about what
pulled up to the house with a screech, got out of the car, ran to
the front porch. Susan opened the door. She was alone, the boys were
Or were
me
Susan saw
"Susan
they
killer!
?"
.
"Is
She ignored
my
we had
"Vic,
"Sue,
know.
question. There
I'm so sorry,
was so weird,
didn't.
It
thought about
going to
little
would have,
of
filth,
182
wish
"but
it
would be the
him
when
first
time.
we
they
apart, but
it,
in."
night
used to share.
was such
don't understand.
it
."
.
kill
"Vic, that
last
her face.
kill
Vic,
it
in
lost control
was anger
last
all
love
you
for
it.
gave
me
Don't think
sad
we
if
it
on that piece
get that garbage out of our back yard. Take it
first
one to
where
it
belongs.
want
don't
more."
I
nodded.
looking so
bit
tired.
The
killer, his
night before.
still
moved up
close.
He
He
cuffed
still
stiffened.
whispered into
his ear.
cuff.
into
He
snapped open.
It
my bad
leg.
He
His wrist
my
to put
slid
let
reeled,
was on me
like a
He knew was
I
me
off,
knew
was
me
Then he
in a fight for
my death and
inside my jacket to
hit
me
again. Hard.
my
life
with
nothing to
get at
my
Two, three
my
all
fingers digging
off balance.
shake him
tried to
everything to gain by
tried to reach
was the
wasn't a
was
my
He
good, and
mouth and
madman.
back
fell
again the killer had ripped the duct tape off his eyes and
me
let
there.
left
off,
but he was
a killer
who had
lose.
revolver, but
times.
It
it
wasn't
was hard
around me.
my
throat,
my
felt
the
to
my
killer's
corded muscles
slowly giving
I
now
all
smiling, he
My
head
to his tally.
knock him
off
183
my fists could only hit weak and glancing blows that hardly
seemed to bother him.
saw Susan at the screen door on the back porch. Her attention
had finally been drawn by the noise of the fight. The alarm in her face
me, but
said
it
all
knew
to me, she
My voice was
was
goner too.
able to
let
The
at
saw
They were on
instantly.
me
left
my
him
moving in on
chunk
No
them
They knew
attacker.
chomping
his neck,
was able to
cutting
killer's throat,
roll
off. It
blood
hands
his
me
as
in a
at
all,
They took
the difference.
dozen
places,
he tried vainly to
And
was wonderful.
it
They
real close
of
defend himself.
the
coming
alone,
lust.
They
out
were on us
Larry's
like bats
in
on
with jaws
it
demolition
killing,
pressure.
moved
her.
hell.
That
me
wouldn't need
left in
up.
all
was
of
anymore.
it
so closely. Guardedly.
more
Susan smiled
"Just
at
my
hand.
killer's.
would wash
It
little
They looked
what
covered
really shaky,
was the
it
it
pile of
Susan helped
me
behind
wanted
That was
in blood,
OK
but
by me, he
nervous.
like
to see.
what he deserves,"
said.
OK
It's
now."
Puppies,
thought.
When
found
my
voice
said,
"They make
me
nervous."
know,
that's
She smiled
184
at the
mention of
Larry's
let
to
tell
me."
name. So did
1.
We
both
him with us
felt
just then.
Smiling.
She
said,
didn't say a
So
right.
tried to pet
it
Vic.
right.
the en-
Dogs know.
brutes.
He
took
snap
at
my
off!
He
didn't say
Duck Behind
that Eight-Ball!
by Nick Spain
You run
said,
"They
"Seems
me
tell
"He comes
"I'll
these things.
He
said,
"Fellow
for?"
now and
in
time,"
said,
then,"
said.
is all
right
low to
train.
hadn't burnt
He
you care
if
at
it full
didn't surprise
It
time. In the
first
guy
place, he's
worst kind, the kind that can make his boasts stick
on.
tell
be back."
"Any
me
I've
a dick.
in '39 this
Tiger Cline, he
come down
to Lake
Mel-
was using
to spar
stayed at the Garden City Inn, in town, and run out to Lake
Mellow every morning and back and then run out again and worked a
few rounds with what local talent he could get cheap. The Tiger was
kind of a beat-up looking guy and no kid, but from his clippings he
was
a fair fighter.
Giles saw
him
in
my
waiting for a
fish,
and he saw
as usual,
come
Cline
this
in
and shoot
he
said, "that's
can
somebody
asked.
"Boxin oranges?"
Garden
ain't
in
City.
play
"I'll
Now
We
that's a hell of a
One guy
fifteen ball.
It's
"Okay," this
and Giles
let
tell
"I'll
rotation
fin."
handicap.
shooting
starts
one
at the
chump
says.
He
was.
He
got his
fin
up
gets the
who he
forgot
balls
says,
two
"I'll
fins
bet
There
ain't
any question
fix
this
Giles up.
He
the door and in about ten minutes he was back and he said to Giles,
got
it
You get
to
"I
after-
noon."
"For five or ten?" Giles asks.
The guy
says, "will
He
you cash me
check
for a
sawbuck?"
The guy probably didn't have no ten in the bank but with a check
you can collect, generally. "Okay," told him. didn't like this Giles
myself.
didn't like him good.
This kid scribbles me off a little lumber for ten and give him the
I
guy says
"Go out
there and
knock
Armstrong
got to do?" he
in St. Louis
next week?"
said.
I'll
work one round with him and let the Tiger's manager figure who
won." He gets the ten out and gets it up. Then he comes over to me
and asks real respectful, "You don't mind if walk Margie home, do
you? It may be my last night on earth."
I
186
my
Margie, she's
we
down
close that
till
"And
I'm twenty-three,"
he
said. "Ain't
got
at
though
kind of
home
it
likes the
guy or
in spite of
at ten
says,
is,
surly.
hell to
well,
be
fifty?"
what the
hell!
some
Margie
beat a
"I
for a
gag
what
says, "Giles,
chump
out of
him
told
bet
I'd
in the
world
?"
.
five tonight,"
he
that
and
never-was
that's trainin'
out
at
Mellow Lake
"Aw, honey
."
.
meows
be me."
says.
course he crosses us
all
up.
He
street,
gay
as a lark.
And
Cline and give him a great song and dance, because the next day
some
of
we
and puts on
the Tiger start sparrin' around on the old stage that they have roped
off for a ring.
around
left
The
in close,
"Who win
"I'd
five
him
but Giles gets in some good solid licks and keeps his
He
up toward
manager
said.
"you said
last
I"
187
and what
else
He come
took Margie
can
off.
me
"Give
meowing
in
home
do?
like a cat
got rid of him shortly. That was the draft before the war.
one
for
The
we
draft
year.
didn't run
and he
him
offa the
porch the
last night,
cryin'.
"She
ain't
wed me,
have
"What
if
be safe
I'd
"If
she'd
as a church."
pretty funny
felt
"Why," Giles
and
says,
his voice
He
he says to me.
"I'll
see
you
in pretty
in the
in the dark,
guardhouse."
We
soon.
even
is
"you'd be
go on
in
the house
much
to each
That
a
all
seems
when
much
K. P. that
a froze
he's
hall
my
fingers
combination
have got so
stiff
in
last
Did they
go on
let
win
fifty-five
war
That seems
came
in
and he carried
"How
a cane.
He
wasn't in uniform.
said. "I'm
He
hadn't
go of Margie.
"Giles,
"I
why
didn't
you
write?"
Margie
said.
said.
as a
rock."
I
"I
nodded toward
his knee.
they carried
England."
188
me down and
put
said.
I
"I
me on
Then
me back
to
'That the
McCoy?"
"Naw," he
said.
got
me two
was
"1
fact,
my
shoulders. He'd be
in a hospital in
me
tellin'
something
England and
New
a hospital in
it,"
stuff,
else
if
knew.
hospital in
"Skip
ask him.
shrugged
asked him,
"Matter of
York and
in a
toss."
said.
dough around,"
did you get
"There's
"Were you
got to be a
"1
first
said.
to be an officer?"
Margie
asks.
class private a
on 'em.
was a Corporal when went over."
hung around and he was the first guy back in Garden City
and he told 'em some wonderful lies,
guess. One day he'd got run
over by a jeep, the next day he'd stormed a machine gun nest barehanded, or something. He had a lot of fun, guess, and really, believe
But
was
gainin'
Well, he
it
he wasn't changed.
stick again
It
know
that
week to
good money
it
days.
He
good and
house.
it
He
He was
it.
that
bum
knee.
knocking the
balls
said
near,"
he
will
that
said, "has
just
"Of course," he
done
a lot of
both
in
good
for a sucker.
make you
to here,"
a little
bet
and he held
his
ain't
in the
Army any
said,
and
must have
more."
"I
don't see
sounded
"She sees
knows
knows
I'll
what Margie
real sincere
my
shots
my
says.
"Just nothing,"
He
sees in you,"
He
can make
try.
189
"If
to lay
says.
I
comes
He
smooth way.
didn't say
the shops
^just
for
he's
all
just lucky.
It
goes on that
way
until
where
"Al,"
he
"You
ain't
says,
back
table.
got a job,"
tell
but you don't act like you want to get a job. You're
you're just a
adult delinquent."
"You mean
in
hot
cars,
like
some
see
He
says,
kind of shaky.
"It's
insured."
"Get their dough," the kid with the gun says. The dark complected
one, the one that looks half crocked, he
we hand them
"We
down
in St.
pulled that."
"These guys
gun
190
1,
our money.
will bleat
soon
as
we
broad with
one
up
on
his
a little closer.
"Bud," he says,
"1
you
ain't
all
want to take the girl with you. It'll just make you trouble. We'll
you go."
"You're some hero," Margie says from behind me, and
see one
good thing coming from the setup. It shows Margie really what kind
of a guy this Giles is, back from the wars or not.
"Honey, you want with one leg
should fight this guy and him
with a gun in his hand that would blow a hole in me as big as your
don't
let
head?"
the dark one says.
"Let's lam,"
"Come
Giles,
on, baby."
he says and
"1
win that
it
to the
guy
in France,
exclusively at me."
The
kid looks at the medal, and Giles reaches out with his cane
and
his
good
Giles'
it
bad leg
up under him
folds
like a accordian,
off.
the hand that holds the gun in his two hands by then and he's got the
down on
kid
got a chance.
ain't
ball
out
my
plate glass
window where
bank
grab up a cue
Then
it
help
Giles with the kid. Giles has like to bit his wrist off and the gun
on the
layin'
We
floor.
to
is
it.
and
go
call
the
sheriff.
he
it
is
"I
hurt
my
and drops
"Lemme
"Al, don't
really
it
in his pocket.
be
silly.
told
"You've told
But Giles, he
me
is
It's
the medal.
says.
you was
was shot
I
everything.
Lemme
in
up."
see
it."
out of
me
motor
don't
"I
know whether
I'll
two
delin-
quents."
191
The
away
"There
and
my
And
ain't
gonna
my own
let's
and takes
go home."
tell
come
us,
his siren,
Margie,
won
everybody with
up, wakin'
after
out with
a hero,
comes
sheriff
the kids
him.
We
been
been married
you
treatin'
for four
He was
dog for
years and he's
like a
France
in
five
days
and
you a few
wasn't gonna tell you till
if
stay with
days,
I
style."
Not
that
Up
till
now.
behind him.
detective
is
right
Giles grins and says, "You called it, friend. You like snooker?"
"Some other time. Right now I'm due back in St. Louis. There's
man whose son was killed. He sent me down for you."
Giles says, "Yeah?
guy
in
ever
What
The
detective slaps
they got
down
down
It's
thought of Giles,
And
for?"
reward
for those
tell
her.
What-
this.
pen and
says, "Sign.
up
Giles looks
down some
down
time.
I'll
at the
play
him
'Tell the
old
boy
to
drop
ain't
Which
owned
didn't matter at
guess he saw
a piece of the
all
pool
meant
it.
picked up
hall.
he
could play one game, and that made Giles pretty happy. They went
to the back table,
and
192
lent
him
five to
later the
shamus gave me
a marker,
Dust
hy James W. Holden
Patrolman
ried a
Hammer wore
new brown
new gray
bill
he shoved
was the
sort of bill
you might
find in the
corner missing.
It
"Two," he rumbled.
lips,
corner of the
with
"No,
bill
sister
clip off a
it.
corner with
my
little
cigar cutter."
Dave rejoined
nut because
who was
a girl
clip off a
remarked to Lucy
as
feature
two-dollar
Lucy
throbbed to
good
he
luck,"
cheerfully.
a finish.
Dave squeezed
The
cowboy
bill for
The
corner of
when
Lucy's hand.
the screen
He
nevah
kills a
the six-shooter
man
fall
in
to his side.
at the
Dave put
his topcoat
ground," said
it
down on
was
in
chopper,
a tall
to Lucy.
Dave
bum sound
He
hair,
effect,
but he
he had heard
a shot.
193
The chopper
mister."
"Did you?"
half.
don't know."
"I
Dave went
window
"Why
and
shooting?
"Did
"
"Oh,
it's
Did
you-all.
hear any
did not."
a car backfire?"
nothing
can't hear
"1
let
she shot
in this
a glance at a flashing
wristwatch
is
"nine-thirty, yeah,
it's
about the time Mr. Pearsall generally gets held up. Better try his
of-
fice.
head of
at the
It's
a stairs
foyer."
Hammer
Patrolman
man
he
likes it.
Lemme
street,
know."
choked with
Saturday night cars and people, and saw a harness cop chinning with
open on
cheroot
it,
when
I'll
give
you
get married."
Slim nodded. "All the exits that don't open on the other side of the
theater.
sides.
a shot at 'em
Patrolman
Hammer
just
come
out.
To the black-haired
in his
He
ticket
hand, he
said:
"Is
there any
let
anybody out
"What for?" The chopper knew his job,- he'd be manager some day.
"We can't keep people in that would amount to false arrest."
"Don't be so damn sure it's false," Dave snapped. "I can order the
"Can
let
people
it."
in?"
"Sure."
by the
doors, stood
and continued
third
on
Dave found
to take tickets.
companionway,
but halfway up he saw glaring lights and heard a tinny voice: "Mary
He
backed down,-
hastily
it
was
the projection room. Farther along the foyer he found another door
and
a similar stairway.
He
mother.
He
it
up on your great-great-grand-
sneezed.
"Damn!"
He was
in a
dusty
little
big
gilt
if
dome
with
few hairs on
it.
The
Dead
as a herring.
exposing a pink
On
the floor was a small canvas bag such as people use to carry
Dave kicked
it.
There was dust on the desk edges. Dave walked around to the
other side, but saw no wound from which the blood still oozed,- Pearsail
down
in
the chest.
The manager's
it
was
right
hand hung
quaint single-barreled
guy
Pearsall
was
florid
a carnival
and over
silver
a cold."
in a
spats.
On
his fingers,
Hammer
sneezed. "Sure
is
draughty
in here.
Well, the guy that shot Pearsall didn't want gold, only cash. Guess he
didn't expect to shoot the old boy.
He opened
Wonder where he
Homburg
went?"
contained only
hat.
feet.
crept downstairs feeling rather baffled. At the main door three people
man,
woman and
little
boy.
195
My
"Yes,
woman
baby
replied the
sick,"
is
sharply.
"Let 'em go," he said to the ticket chopper. "But don't let
anybody
else out."
Dave
felt
It
slip
audience. Nothing to
noticed
he thought
it,
One
balls,
When
he began to
conspicuous,
feel
aisle
He was
to
my
coat,
Everybody
listening hard.
honey
in
I'll
be going out
coughing. To his tense ears the audience and the screen voices were as
noisy as a battle. Rangers were galloping over the
Hollywood
hills in
at his quarry.
its
thrill.
"Damn
all
this racket,"
aisle.
The man
blinked and
said:
"What?"
man
in
as gray.
"Not me."
girl in
blew
my
hat
Patrolman
shooter
"Put
you
just
in
off.
Some
Hammer was
the fellow's
down your
is
he nearly
too, mister
taking no chances.
He shoved
his six-
ribs.
coat and
because this
"He did
sneeze!"
come
a theater.
at
won't plug
a chance.
He
just stared
ahead of
him, his watery gray eyes as dull as bullets. There was nothing inter-
196
esting about
him
he was
he got out of
life.
He
he ever
stir, if
Even
gray.
all
did.
his carefully
would be
It
a lot grayer,
sneezed.
The man
even
didn't
fight
guess
when Dave
huge
dull.
roll
of bills
me ...
didn't
one
He
tried
it,"
Made you
Good
sneeze.
thing he
said
Dave Hammer.
locked the man's wrists and took him out to Slim to be deliv-
risk,
furniture
"No
He
a collector for a
company."
Dave chuckled
took out
money
as
he thumbed through
two-dollar
furniture
bill
man
is
a large roll of
getting two-dollar
bills
from
me
money and
off.
not
yet."
Escape
by Jack Foxx
1
fast as
dared,
when
The
foot crashed
down
highway straightened
The
here,
cool night
and
air
my
sang
down
glanced
clock.
was
It
eleven-fifteen.
when they
inter-
my
kept
".
.
my
right
hand
to turn
night,"
who was
Federal age^tts
Marianne
"Mrs.
is
this
him
transporting
He
the
to
State Capitol
is
and
and
it
theorized
is
by
police that
armed and
is
my
gun against
Grimly,
The
Alta.
near the
my
reduced
rest of
could
it.
My
feel
..."
side.
speed
were deserted.
streets
river, until
came
as
I
to the county
highway
that
wound
east
up
into the
til
his wife
after
didn't
his
affected
resident.
Vernon disappeared
head-
up the volume.
state-wide
my
lights,
low
foothills
made
the turn, and drove over the graveled roadbed for another mile.
TTiere
before
was
a sharp
reached
it,
into a
off the
it
road
would be
and
now behind
clear.
lights,
There was
moon
It
was cold up
tonight, but
it
was
bank of clouds.
I ran back to the road and crossed it. There was a short, rocky field
on the other side. At the end of it was a densely-grown slope that rose
hidden
at a
I
a rolling
paused
at the
edge of the
field.
The bend
in the
road brought
it
rough
its
my
surface.
heart thumping in
Just before
198
be,
hidden
in a
copse of
trees.
my
chest.
my
its
belly to
opposite
side.
empty gray
I
peered intently
the car.
at
My
if
it
possible
my
tell
down
at this distance
was Marianne or
made
throat was dry as
couldn't
at
in
roadway beyond.
line of the
kept
belt.
was almost
hidden by
to the bottom,
a thick
growth of
not.
ferns,
the car.
insects.
my
lifted
my
voice.
God,
"Yes. I've
been so
fright-
all
right,"
"But suppose
1
cocked
"What
is
my
now."
it?"
"Listen!"
It
branched
off a mile or
with
alive
too.
fear.
face, a pale
losing control.
"Marianne!"
quiet.
straight ahead.
Do you
sit
still
and be very
understand?"
lights,
night was
I
lifted
still
it.
again.
my
belt
and held
it
in
my
right hand.
With
199
my
left,
made
growth of
a part in the
Time
halted.
waited,
my
ferns so that
could see
it.
my
stomach knotted,
Suddenly
One
of the
My
on the gun's
finger tensed
and
started
eyes there.
blacker
silent,
trigger.
moon came
He
from the
trees.
and
my
focused
itself
in front of
toward Marianne's
him.
Then he stepped
into the
car,
open
rear to the
driver's side.
I
And
in
could see
before me.
"Hold
He
it!"
with
I
shouted. "Hold
The
ting flame.
me
put
I
my
gun
voice, the
bullet
in his
my
hand
spit-
right, spraying
dirt.
Marianne screamed
right there!"
through the
tire,
it
trees.
as the
He went down,
my
scrambled to
my hand
on
feet
his chest.
He
He
there.
lay very
still.
knelt beside
him and
wasn't breathing.
stood up. Marianne threw open the car door and came running to
my
arms.
could
feel
her trembling.
held
her tightly.
She whispered,
"Is
he
?"
"Yes."
Her arms tightened around me. She began to cry convulsively. "I
know why didn't call you sooner," she sobbed. "If I'd waited
only a few minutes longer to get to a phone
"It's all right, Marianne,"
said, stroking her hair. "I made it in time.
I
don't
That's
all
that matters."
"When he
in a trance.
200
called
was
terrified.
me
as
if
were
came up here
to
He
wait.
said he'd
kill
me
if
didn't
do exactly
He
he instmcted.
as
said
"Easy, honey,"
"Oh, Paul.
if
said.
don't
over now.
I'd
over."
It's
"It's
know what
he'd"
I
We
hidden.
sat close
where
to
my
1
microphone from the shortwave radio under the dash and put
to
Colman
Police Headquarters.
"This
Special
is
car was
lifted the
in a call
Agent Barrows of the FBI," said, when they anthe manhunt for Frank Vernon now. He's
1
call off
dead."
Exhibit
hy John Maclay
Yes, Walter, you're a judge.
me
the
But
that's
that look
made
Was
good-looking
fel-
low, even at his age, with his thatch of white hair, twinkly eyes, and
infectious smile.
But
else
now
that
something
about him.
and
How
I'll
try
me
present
my
case
he could
.
talk.
Exhibit A.
201
was
some
years
big
ago,- a
tents.
with
affair,
time
first
really
noticed Harvey at work. Yes, we'd all been buttonholed often enough
by him, yet being his peers, had been able to handle it. But this time,
toward the end of the evening, it was a young woman he was talking
to. A blond, willowy girl, who'd just gotten married. And Harvey
Newsome, standing
been quite
close to her
man
a ladies'
remember,
You'll
think, the
moment
one
he had? To
word
talking on
in depth.
little tricks
was
and even
just
as,
day
in his
.
in
the worst
Or
his
"just
have to
go's",
with
night
all
of
So
1
it
hadn't
wished then
He went
attraction for
desperation, the
you
"How
please
could
and
you be so
as
know we wanted
what
to
left,-
you'll
remember
her,- stout,
white-
husband home?"
new
cruel?"
they
all
as his,
it
was the
fatal
will not
mistake.
woman
to leave, but
sob-
man
like
be embarrassed, be told
personal-
."
.
In short, Walter,
But
her eyes, he
said:
take your
in
the man's
Harvey
jealous!
young
course, in a marriage as
that?
Of
girl.
finally, in
"Will
with that
appeared to be thinking, an
ity,
it
five
later.
So
present to
you:
Exhibit
It
think
about
was
it
B.
at
forty.
tall,
at
later.
again, with a
man
my
place across the room, one of those born listeners, the kind of person
202
everyone
and the
At
likes.
Yet presently
first,
together
listener,
the talker
it:
at last.
moved
as others
stood there
But, before
The man
car
did everything
C.P.R., injections
in that tense,
live to
I'm a doctor,-
...
who was
you
survive
my
happened.
it
heart-attack season,
you
if
don't
went
which
my
if
you
down.
truly did.
everything.
And
oh, yes
there's one thing more.
While the poor fellow was struggling there on the floor, he was
able to gasp out something. Something
which I've never told
anyone until now.
.
he panted. "Can't
"Air,"
Then he
Need
breathe.
air."
Harvey Newsome.
to
"Away
from him. Must get
away."
what about that, Walter? You're the judge. The evidence:
talk can kill, that someone can literally be talked to death.
.
So,
But you're
still
Well, then,
contend
you want
I'll
not convinced?
open up
new dimension
to be philosophical about
it,
proceedings.
That
in these
that
still
is
alive
is
.
I'll
at least,
if
Heaven
in
but
in
Exhibit C.
One more
Had
therefore
it
hurts
a patient of
mine.
already had a
book
of stories published: a
was
it
And
room.
it
seemed,
this time,
brilliant
until
was close
by,-
young man,
me most
to
tell it
writer.
the
and Harvey. Listenhim stones.- you'll recall how that old man remembered everything, and the way in which it would come out of him,
complete, as if you were really there along with him? His experience
and how he could talk it?
In the
ing to Harvey
tell
week
later the
young
fellow
came
to
my
office.
203
have
"I
nothing
understand that
we
left,"
writers
he mumbled to me,
writer
My
ta/ks.
...
to wait years
.
Of
my
referred
colleague
tell
him
But
that
was
it
young
damned old
^one.
And even
fool
if
not even
could,
I'd
have
And
others' creations
that
is
our stories?"
in anger.
course,
my
Heard
in.
in
confidence
in ourselves,
live
whatever form
in
Because
in vain.
"writer"
he's
now
worry about
that he shouldn't
because
own, were
his
many
his.
sessions,
an advertising executive
that
all
could
say,
was:
"That old
man
overwhelmed me.
my
Newsome
is
He'd
told all
the stories.
soul."
My
it.
case
Harvey
my
having spent
this
time talking to you about the talker, that you'll be tempted to put
me
same category. So I'll let you go: as Harvey never did, I'll simply
walk away. And leave you to decide whether or not you, as a judge,
should have put him away as the murderer firmly believe him to have
in his
been
Something that
now, but
in truth, I'm
my
friend.
you'll forgive
so ajraid
me,
should
call
Exhibit
for
Death.
You
And
see,
when Harvey
at the
end
in
himself
that
was dying,
moment
in
attended him.
"No, God.
"You listen
204
...
to
me.'
Extra Service
hy John Mallory
new Super-
Highway and
brilliant
as
he looked up
the
at
sign, his loose lips curling to reveal small yellowish teeth. In Lloyd's
estimation, Eddie
was
that moss-covered
Lloyd grunted.
If
hokum about
Eddie
still
believed
less
the changes going on around him, perhaps that letter from the People's
eight-thirty
the
ap-
it
now.
had
when he walked
in. It
was
unendthe
in
a little after
dull hour.
in front of
him
instantly,
wip-
Why
it
go
it
it
on the counter.
thousand
didn't
at that?
Eddie
And
counter with
a
It
let
money
to
cost
launder them. Paper napkins would be good enough. Lloyd had mentioned this to Eddie a long time ago. But Eddie had only grinned and
Makes 'em
said:
little
feel
menu.
"The kid wanted to go to
smiling.
"I
a dance,"
Eddie
said, his
off."
for you."
205
don't mind.
"I
body
else
once
It
moved
do something
some-
for
in a while."
among gleaming
swiftly
kettles
hair
time of
life
self-seeking
the silliness of
Lloyd's
in his
good
this
all
super-service
stuff.
fortune.
brought his
to business
when Eddie
toast.
due tomorrow," he
is
why. Excuse me
Would you
like
Just a sucker,
again.
And
more
right?"
all
haven't
men
at
note of
like
this
customer
right?
balance another
six
low tone.
months.
in front of
Lloyd.
"I
"I
It
new highway's
bringing
in."
but business
is
it?
butter?"
he said
"I
"Is
butter cost
half,"
everything
"Is
it all
moment."
He moved down
of the diner.
can't take
re-
business.
have to exercise
my
If
you
can't take
his
accommodate you,
up the whole mortgage, I'll
I'd like
to
option."
He
then one of the other customers finished his meal and stood up. Eddie
went
when
in
his direction
the
and
man dropped
his
said:
"Was everything
money
satisfactory?"
206
And
Come
back
please."
Eddie's,
and
amount
Why,
safer.
could
today for
sell
of the mortgage."
Lloyd shrugged. "No, Eddie. You couldn't. You know the terms of
our agreement.
If
you
don't take
up the
amount
full
said.
it's
worth
finally.
new
empty cup and, quite automatically, Eddie rewith hot coffee. "I'll go to the bank in the morning," he
"Now
at the valuation
it
his
started.
isn't
and owned
a director
interested in a loan."
a sizable
block of the
and
in
came
his lapel.
He
young man
in a
moment
white sharkskin
said:
spoon carefully on
of the country.
a clean
Dan
napkin
He
rosebud
in
when
smiled at Eddie,
Eddie
with
suit
for
in
direction.
in
the
little
cashier.
mahogany frame on
There was
Then,
as
it
the words:
This
is
the
first
ten dollar
long
as
he announced: 'This
on the
is
a stickup!
and
bill
Reach
in Eddie's direction,
we
it
stay in business.
hand
laughed again.
"Gimme
that
He
bill
wall."
207
He backed
ain't
you?" he sneered.
"It
wouldn't be healthy."
Eddie
spoke
said:
in the
The
sheriff
keep your
shirt on.
guy with
after a
"Them
don't aim to
"I'll
tend to
it,
do nothing headstrong,
Lloyd. Just
rushing
like
a gun.
listed serial
in that
frame of
guy
you up two weeks ago was nabbed this morning. He's a real
tough egg and there's a five-thousand-dollar reward for his capture.
You're getting half of it, 'cause they caught him on account of the
number of that bill of yours. Come see me in the morning and col-
who
real service,
Eddie.
stuck
lect."
Lloyd
He
sat stupefied.
said:
"Good
Eddie was
night.
just grinning.
Sheriff.
Come
me
again,
please."
Eye-Witness
by Donald
S.
Aitken
judd eased open the screen door at the rear of the cottage and slipped
from the warm afternoon sun into the cool kitchen. He closed the
door noiselessly behind him. Then he stood perfectly still, listening.
When
he caught the
208
He drew
became an
another part of
In the front
room
moved over
a typewriter.
He
The
door open.
man
of the cottage a
came when
first
was
His fingers
The
hunched-up
ceased abruptly.
position.
He
The man
in
the linen
a wariness in his
narrowed eyes.
"Who
alike.
lean.
Each had
me
effect
was
off!"
startling.
They
go
liable to
blink.
The man
in
"Yes.
Patterson's
enough
to
I'm
know. You're
a cripple.
Penfield in a hurry.
And now
I've
come
back!"
risen in the
become
world
"I
wealthy."
Understand? Money!"
Patterson gulped helplessly.
there
isn't
twenty
"I
don't keep
money
in
the house
dollars."
209
would
"I
"You can't
bank book,
made
be.
said!"
and opened the right hand drawer of the desk. Without lowering his
eyes he fumbled among some papers, finally producing a slim book
secured by an elastic band. Several canceled checks were laid lengthwise in
it.
His buttonhole
it.
eyes glittered.
"You've done even better than
listen!
Then
payable to yourself.
chants Bank
to cash
Ask them
it.
me
to
"Now
do
to
"You see
tell
nothing to be afraid
ened again
"1
money
the
all
face.
you?
away
this!"
refuse!"
right
will
of.
if
don't
you
fountain pen.
want to
drive
book,
finally.
and
in Penfield
thought," he said
me
to
if you
"Do as tell you, and there's
kill you but
" his face hard-
it!"
He made
his
check
He
said. "You're
being sensible.
Now
Then he moved
put through.
call
was
again.
"All right, that finishes
you up and
leave
your
part,"
"You thought
with
fool
me and
looked
thought
to
"I'm
going to
tie
come down
to the
bank
enough to risk
saw your
the day
he announced.
planned
all
this six
months ago,
you and I
a lot alike, so
like
you've done.
With a suit of your clothes on and your Panama hat can go into that
bank and collect the money without anyone knowing the difference.
I
210
I'm
good
at imitating voices
watched you
and
know
the
around.
in the garden."
wore a freshly
hung over his eyes.
Patterson was lashed to his desk chair, bound hand and foot, unable to move. Strips of adhesive plaster sealed his lips.
Grinning, Judd picked up the blackthorn stick which was propped
against the desk. Leaning on it heavily, he practiced limping back and
forth across the room. When he felt he was proficient in this, he
picked up the telephone. Imitating Patterson's deep, booming voice,
he called the Penfield Taxicab Company and ordered a cab to be sent
out to Elm Cottage.
Then he took
pair of scissors
He
fire-
place.
When
The
the bell rang, Judd opened the front door of the cottage.
taxi driver
was outside,
plump
little
man with
red face.
"Good
They
The
fat
"No
better."
red-faced driver helped Judd into the cab, then squeezed his
"Where we bound
He
threw
for today?"
'The bank."
"Okay, Mr. Patterson
"
As the cab commenced to roll, Judd leaned back against the cushions and eased out a deep sigh of relief. In spite of himself he'd been a
bit shaky.
Apparently
this driver
confidence returning.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the little town of PenJudd's thoughts had drifted back to the cottage. As soon as the
field,
211
money was
safe in his hands, he'd return there, dismiss the taxi, then
He had
He wanted
him.
intended
first
man he
along to murder
all
Hold before
hated.
stolen.
as
slid to
it
policeman out
traffic
and-Go stanchion.
The
driver climbed
alighted,
he caught
The door
sign:
Wet
of the
his
On
printed
Paint!
Judd halted
at the doorstep.
He
taxi
driver's.
'Thank you," he
"1
said.
it,
let
me
take
you
in,
Mr.
be able to manage."
The
fat
He
didn't
messed
up!"
of the check.
"Let go of me!" he snapped. "I'm not so helpless
away from wet paint when see a sign!" He shook
1
that
his
can't
arm
keep
free
and
driver stood
taxi
him.
"Good
Thanks
Some-
away
in a
money over
suit.
The
"There you
are,
pushed
as
teller
at
it,
carelessly
stamped
He
under the
little
put
it,
counted the
grille.
dollars."
a great effort
was
212
face.
The
fat taxi
driver
The
street.
traffic
'There he
is,
officer
that
man
Mr. Patterson!"
With an angry snarl, Judd took a step back. He dropped his stick.
His right hand clawed desperately for his automatic. But the officer
was quicker. Before Judd could clear his weapon, an explosion racketed from the policeman's gun. Flying lead tore into Judd's side, spun
him
and
half around.
up
hit him.
When
Judd opened
his eyes,
he was
in a hospital bed.
Chief Butler
of the local police was standing beside him, a sarcastic smile on his
lips.
come
"Nice of you to
tell
sign.
to
tip-off."
gasped.
all
Pat-
Eye Witness
by David X. Manners
still
it
his
With cold unconcern he turned and walked from the room, and
as he slowly shut the door behind him, he took one last sneering,
triumphal glance at the lifeless body of Vince Salica slouched in a
straight-backed, wooden chair on the far side of a card table.
arm.
down
the outside
stairs
213
body
Sardi
as
who
The tough-faced
Frankie? Don't
quick succession
in
in
of Vince Salica.
sat
flight.
you think
card be-
hind?"
Sardi eyed
work
him
his hand.
for keeps."
tongue.
he said with
it,"
I'm scared?
wave of
believe in doing
my
Why, you can't even be sure with three. But there ain't no guy livin'
who can take four slugs without trippin' down the primrose path."
Sardi settled down comfortably in his seat and puffed forcefully on
a
newly lighted
He
cigar.
liked that
little
knew
The moon-washed
and with
hills
town
parting wink
in
He was
it.
again.
At Sixth and
and walked
into his
place of business.
expression
on the rotund blob of fat that was his face showed that he had something on his mind. It seemed that he still had one little detail to
attend
to.
made known
kid.
to
him
that the
Why he"
"Yeh,
know,
know," broke
in Sardi.
"I
heard
It's
all
osition. He's getting a little too wise for his tender years,
and
he's
gotta go."
Manny
lip.
"Listen, Frankie,"
much
little
he urged, "you
rat
Vince Salica
without so
dicks'll
haul
Sardi's
know
214
yuh
as a
in."
nervous
lips
no
ice
when
get through,
on
smile broke
his face as
"It's
gonna be
all
phone booth
the rear corner of his drug store. There was the clink
in
dial,
and
you
for
hand with
"I
in
me
at
my room
tonight.
right."
all
umns
He
that
at
the desk,
"catching a
at five-
the morning.
thirty in
The
col-
stood on either
him
elevator dropped
walked directly to
half-dozen or so shirts
off
He
room.
his
on the nineteenth
floor
and he
in
He
took
he pulled
He
down
lights in his
room went
"Come
room before
it
was no
later
when
the
out.
in his
a quiet,
in."
through. For a
switch near the door, but Sardi quickly rolled over and snapped on
the switch near his bed.
Fine's slim,
showed
as
young
he half smiled
Sardi nodded.
today okayin' a
"1
got
little
in
awkward
wire from
toward
his pearly
white teeth
Hy
Williams
down
in
San Diego
and
self-consciousness.
his dresser.
'The
He
pointed a tobacco-stained
it
out."
Sardi's eyes glinted
and
The
gangster's
hand
slid
under
his pillow.
It
his
automatic.
it calmly under the blanket
There were two top drawers.
Sardi thrust
tarily.
as Fine
turned
momen215
The
it
"It's
in
it
my
billfold
under those
he ex-
shirts. Just
out."
Fine reached
down
into the
The
im-
pact of the bullets seemed to swing him half around. His eyes were
glassy wide in incomprehension.
forward to the
floor.
With
upper
Sardi's
a throaty
lip
He
tossed the gun on a low table near his bed, and from the same table,
he
phone
lifted a
receiver.
still
his hands,
he slipped
his
tongue
he whispered, "but
Sardi
in his
I'll
get
cheek.
Confidently
game
the world,"
the oldest
"It's
away with
in
situation.
in
it."
opened. In came the house detective. His face was flushed, nervous.
"I'm
is
Moorehead
Detective
you
He
of the house," he
on the
lifeless
it
"
sucked
in his
body.
form.
He seemed
Sardi
by the
little
nodded with
a feigned dejectedness.
"We've got
in
His
is
last
feet as four
men barged
ers plainclothesmen,
The
tallest of
all
said,
confused
Two were
scuffle of
pounding
With
gun
at Sardi.
"And
so happens that
"It
do.
And
dumb
wasn't
paused
But
a break.
not knowin'
how
who
it
me
his story
"If I'd
was Joey,
in hell
he saw
as
to make.
it
him
he was so
had
cat's
have given
I'd
to take a chance,
was?"
it
O'Rourke knelt down beside Fine's body and studied the manner in
which the billfold was held. "It looks legitimate enough," he confessed, after a short study. "The wallet wasn't planted on him." Suddenly his face brightened a
bit.
ain't
it,
Frankie?"
dough
to be safe
Anyway,
I'm around.
expect
a place like
that should be about the last place a smart crook should think of
looking."
be
just like
except your
down
bum
always been.
rep.
to headquarters
guess
all
and make
"I
We
you
in for this,"
foolish
it'd
we can do
is
to ask
you
come
to
a statement."
how
sorry
am
He
last look.
on
down
to the
dead man
for a
jaw dropped.
blood snaked
the side of his face from a head wound. His eyes were glassy,
unseeing.
O'Rourke arose slowly and faced the porcine gangster. "You say the
dark, and that you wouldn't have shot him if you could
room was
who
have seen
it
faint trace of
my
what
people
said,"
ain't
ex-
O'Rourke turned
as
if
door he
"Don't be afraid,
quickly.
"1
like to
"What
in hell are
you
you
nuts?"
he snapped.
talking about?"
217
cuffs
on him,
The morning activity on the pier didn't bother Lew Guyon, but he
awakened when someone stepped aboard the boat. His hand found
the .45 beneath the pillow, released it as the legs came down the
He
ladder.
Angel. Stumble
said, "Enter,
Sue Brandon
said,
"Go
in,
Vision."
on sleeping. Don't
right
let
me keep
you
awake."
Lew
said, "It
is
as nothing, baby.
was
Come
on
in,
fairest lady."
my
you
father hire
out of her
to protect people
"He
did.
And
did.
downy
all
bed."
right after
you
left
The women lost their jewelry, and the men lost thousands of dollars."
Lew Guyon walked to the porthole, looked out at the water, at the
of luxury craft riding easily
flotilla
aire's
Cove.
pleasantly. But
"Did
ever
this job.
was
It
why
tell
it
you,"
Lew
said,
"how
about millionaires?"
feel
toward
He
her.
damn about
found
"You owe
roll
me
'em," said
of
bills,
Lew. "Especially
at this
tied
up here an hour
218
hour of
Sue Brandon ignored the money. "My father hired you. I didn't.
it to him. And if you find it convenient to move your things
Give
Lew touched
my
hke to use
I'd
forehead and
his
boat."
said, "Yes'm."
He'd have to hang around for a day or two. Having sent the
Sammy Sultan, he'd have to wait for Sammy to tell him the
fully.
wire to
job was
off.
He had
He
The
intended to
Maybe
didn't.
first
thing he saw
olive-dark
man
Maybe
Sultan's
to Lew.
topside was
slid in
standing
Sammy
when he went
The
a stretch.
aft
"Hi,
"Hot," said
Sammy
Sulton.
"Cuba
very warm."
is
He swung
a leg
rail,
there
is
is
too cold."
"No,"
"It
Sammy
was
said.
good
"No, not
Sammy
"Yeah," said
Sultan,
that hot."
job."
Sammy
the
"if
chump had
lived to
pay us
it
job."
work
Sultan. "You
for Cipelli
It is
wonder
Here you are,
too?
"No,"
Lew
"It
is
war
"So?"
until this
Lew
side of
let's
morning."
What happened?"
"Fired,"
where
Sammy
room
wasn't too
left
them
alone.
Lew poured an inch of rum in the bottom of Sammy's cup, took his
own coffee straight. "This lad," Lew said, "this Cipelli. After he made
his pile during prohibition, he settled down here to enjoy a life of
exclusive ease with the other millionaires."
219
nice,"
"It's
Sammy
Sultan commented.
you like it, or can afford it. Apparently Cipelli can't. Or at least
he can't any more. Coupla months ago, some gang began a series of
sea-going stickups, knocking off the yachts at anchor. Brandon, the
guy who hired me to stop it, wanted it done quietly. He felt that
"If
much
Sammy
"Reasonable," said
Cove
of Millionaire's
"They've kept
moola
that way.
it
publicity."
Mostly old
never heard
man."
families
for years.
in the cops.
for
Cipelli's gang.
haul, shake
and ship
enough
are tough
it
Sammy
man
for the
as
is
right.
"Young
girl?"
Sammy
Sultan inquired,
moving
talks,"
Lew
"I
said with
shark.
"So," said
with
me
Lew
regrettable. But
Sammy Sultan
likes? Come on."
Sultan.
is
bank
looked
what he
ought to
at
cares
to the dock,
rolling in
"Sammy,
Sammy
"Who
tell
you.
I've
been
pri-
vate dick."
Sammy
said.
Sultan
"You are
my
They dropped
seemed
faintly embarrassed.
"What
the hell," he
friend."
it
had taken
again.
220
their
lost
and
They
tried
The fog was all around them by the time they reached the boat.
Lew stepped into the cockpit and gunned the motor while Sammy
threw off the lines. Sammy said, "You know where she lies?"
"I can find her." Lew eased the cabin cruiser away from the dock,
and they went ghosting along through the fog
in
in a tiny
pocket of
visibility.
They were, Lew thought, about halfway out when Sammy Sultan
touched his arm and said, "What
They both heard it, the sound of a shot, vague and directionless.
Lew pulled the throttle back, allowing the engines to idle. Listening,
Then, with
upon them,
a roar of a
man at
Lew saw Cipelli at the wheel, and
man he didn't know. He saw the thin
man's arm
come
little
Sammy
The
sound.
bullet,
The
boat vanished
Sammy
made
high tinkling
the fog.
its
shoulder holster.
it?"
"What?"
"Below,"
Sammy
What you
think
want? Your address book?"
"Under the bunk."
ducked below, returned with a sub-machine gun.
"The gun.
Lew
said,
He
said:
wheel," he told
with a gun
in his
hand.
It
had passed them. This boat was small, a runabout. It lay in the
trough and rolled with the sea. The cockpit seemed empty.
When they were closer, Lew saw the man on the floorboards. They
lowered their guns and boarded. "Brandon," Lew Guyon said.
"From the back," Sammy Sultan commented. "Close up."
that
221
Sammy
agreed.
lean grey face.
"Damned
He had
sound of another
Brandon
liked
dirty."
boat's engines
came
Lew
cut his
'There
"Don't
isn't
Sammy
me!
tell
"And leave
whispered.
one."
I
this
guy to bleed
to death?"
Sammy
life.
from the smaller boat and the sleek cruiser went heeling and
cast off
looked
Lew crowded
the mist.
as the
Sammy
"Okay,"
Sammy
If
they catch
us, we'll
burn to
death."
Lew
said, "Hell,
"No? Suppose
fog.
You got
we
Sammy
in a
pea-soup
Nice, baby?"
"Lovely,"
wheel hard
bow.
Lew
said.
Glancing back
patch up Brandon.
The whine
I'll
he
at
of bullets forced
them down
in
firing
in a
Lew brought
the
slow
circle,
nose.
Lew
"Save
it,"
They
lifted
guy aboard."
Sammy examined
"Bad?"
looking back.
"Pretty bad.
222
Maybe he makes
it,
maybe
not.
his
What now?"
"We
him
take
"And he
in?"
on the way?"
dies
They made
it
Bran-
don, and sent a boy to phone for a doctor and Brandon's daughter.
first.
She
knelt, silent
and
grief -stricken,
Sammy
Sultan's eyes,
nodded.
The doctor was coming aboard, but Sue Brandon ignored him. She
at Lew Guyon and said very distinctly, "Why didn't you finish
should have known when you quit that you'd sold out to
the job?
looked
the gang."
We
thought
we
said,
"Who
is it?
Mr. Brandon?
heard a shot."
at the spidery
man
beside
The
spidery
"Here's the
man crawled
meat wagon,"
forward.
Sammy
The ambulance stopped, its crew came with a stretcher and removed the still-unconscious Brandon. As the stretcher was handed up,
Cipelli made another move to board the boat.
"Coming aboard," Cipelli said.
"Don't," Lew said quietly.
The spidery man moved his hand. Sammy Sultan's hand flickered
briefly
and
his
fist.
She
do
it
cheap.
The
hesitated, then
came
you
at all."
and pressed the roll of bills into his hand. Then she ran for the ambulance, climbed in front with the driver.
Sammy Sultan leafed the few limp bills. "This isn't money," he said
plaintively.
223
agreed, "but a
good
He
job."
thumb
jerked a
at
"For a price," said Sammy Sultan, "I would work for Mr. Hoover.
mean Edgar, of course."
Lew smiled and said, "What about me? For a marker?"
"Your l.O.U.!' Sammy shook his head in sorrow. "Why
ever knew
you is a mystery cannot explain." Then, as Cipelli started forward
I
you
hate to see
go.
putrid waters."
Lew watched
Cipelli
Cipelli
would attempt
cover his
"Well?"
own
He
kept his
die,
whether
Brandon were to
if
murder rap on
to pin a
Sammy and
himself to
operations.
Sammy
Sultan said.
would not
near here.
have
have
just pulled a
schooner tied up
came
to
work
for.
believe he will act like a substantial citizen and call the local cops.
boys
yachts tonight.
If
He
in.
am now
not mistaken,
and
stick
up these
"I
are
coming
off," said
a siren.
to take us
at the
siren.
"I
guess,"
The
Sammy
Sultan said.
Sammy
while
Lew remained
at
left
the pier.
Sultan, below,
It
brewed
was
chilly
and
pot of coffee,
sail,
the
little
curl of
water
sailboat,
at the
bow.
Lew rubbed his eyes, looked again, and flung the wheel hard right.
The cruiser heeled, and her stern, skidding, barely missed the sailing craft. Looking back. Lew made out two figures dimly outlined on
her deck before the fog closed
it,
in again.
Sammy. Some
"What the
hell? I'm
We
almost
him down."
ran
Grumbling,
two cups of
'Thanks,
224
coffee.
Sammy,
I'm glad
you came
Lew.
along."
mop
"I'll
then
it
wring the
rag.
you headed?"
way across. Our best move is to stay out of jail and clear of
we can get your boys off the schooner. Next time we see
he'll have more hired help. Not just one underfed hood."
"All the
Cipelli until
Cipelli,
Zinging
in
Lew
cockpit.
Too
late.
man
the other
fired first
gun up when
his
Lew
in the shoulder.
"How do you
Lew
came
"
His voice
trailed off.
The
then.
Lew squeezed
Slowly,
the trigger.
He saw
little
face,
watched
Guyon
its
When
rail,
dropped
his gun.
Sammy
speedboat was
slip-
rail.
He
deck.
it,
shoulder.
grasped
He
and
it
gave a
like a fish
final
on the
in
a blanket
an Indian chief.
like
Sammy
in his
Lew
a scraping sound.
Crouched
looked
slid
came
dragged himself to
He
said faintly,
"We
get
Cipelli?"
Spider
said,
"1
bunks were
full,
in.
The
hell.
.
He
225
grasped the edge of a bunk and hauled himself up off the deck. "Coin'
ladder,
air
poked
his
An
Negro
the old
"
sat
man
said.
"Come look
at
him. Miss
Brandon."
Lew
wounded."
said, "You're
The
He
in mid-air.
fellow."
"Cipelli?"
Lew
let his
of guys
is.
We were
all
drinking and
right."
girl
man. Lew
in
it
said,
it
at the
in this racket, or
spidery
were you
man
said,
"Not me,
"Well?" said
Sammy
Sultan.
"Well what?"
"Come up with
half."
He
split
roll. "All
"Fine," said
Sammy
Sultan.
shore,
"Now
"If
If
we dropped
pull a fade?"
anybody'd told
twenties," he said.
Sammy.
funny guy," he
"
said.
Sammy
226
who
will
soon be
settling
"1
down."
got a clean record here."
Granny Gumption
Solves o Murder
by
C.
Henderson
J.
course,
real
in
woman who
solved
all
With
a sigh,
would be gone.
Now
herself
The
others
up with the
dig-
brandy
man quipped
airily,
drink.
"No thank
you," replied
Granny
coldly.
"Can
offer
set at his
you
elbow.
her cane, her owl-like eyes seeming to pierce young Wayne's soul.
"So,
"As a matter of
cusingly, "You
"You'll
"1
fact,
have,
murdered Doctor
be expected to
prove that."
ac-
Carstairs."
in
what was
it
that tipped
you
off?"
who
in
the Peruvian
tin mines."
227
tartly.
ap-
preciate that."
Wayne
reached out
in
one quick,
The
old
woman
fin-
in circles to
Wayne tapped the cane against his palm, testing its weight.
"My cane!" Granny squawked frantically, "Give me back my
cane!"
"Oh Sure."
Young Wayne held the cane
shooting the hook end sharply into Granny's solar plexus. Granny
folded broken and hurting, dropping to
Young Wayne snapped a kick that caught
ing it in two places, stretching the old
young heir raised the cane above his head,
on Granny's
The
Granny on the
woman
jaw, break-
only to bring
it
down hard
face.
glasses, driving
razor-sharp slivers slicing through her eyeballs until they broke apart
like soft-boiled eggs, their greyish jellied
sounding
like
devil's tea
kettle.
Laughing
at
Granny squarely
in the
torted
by
his rage,
until
young
millionaire
crushing her
woman
And
air
like a
bug.
The keening
cry
later, when his fury had finally expended itself, young Wayne
downed another brandy, bathed, and then changed to a fresh suit of
clothes.
Going
a sealed
removed
all
envelope containing a
full set
of false
I.D.
He
left
the
in
manor
A Hand
of Pinochle
hy Theodore
all
Tinsley
to
fists.
Each time
He was
not at
were shady
bitter
about
it,-
like as
down.
Queens there
neat frame houses who called him
up, Kirker stepped
229
flat. Here he owned his own grassand home, or would as soon as he finished making the payments.
And every Sunday afternoon, while his wife attended the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Lutheran church, Kirker and his friend Otto Muller
plot
played pinochle.
Even
in
daydream.
his
"Some
were playing baseball in a vacant lot on Division Avemumbled. "One of 'em broke a window, so I
"Ahh. ... A broken window. Did you make your annual arrest?"
Kirker's ears were bright red. "I walked the kid a coupla blocks and
talked to him like a
a Dutch uncle. He was scared stiff, a big overgrown kid. So gave him a half dollar and told him to get the window
kids
nue," Kirker
fixed."
"And reconstructed
they need
rough,
is
a tap
and they
sir,
start
robbing
watched kids
a bit of help
tills
him
like
before. All
and buying
cheap gun
in
Jersey."
"I
see,"
window and
his pal
no
squad room
Long
arrest.
no
Island
From now on
230
sanctum with
that
"That's
a mile
from
off to his
face deepas
in his
own
in his
all,"
killers,
or
this
work
I'll
is
have
a sardonic voice
mut-
tered. Kirker
grinned feebly.
He was
when he
"Why
captain's ultimatum.
didn't
you
talk
new
him what you did for young Charlie Franklin? Or how you put the
fear of the Lord into Dave Martin and made him get busy and support
tell
that sweet
little
family of his?"
What was
"Anyone would
were
a lot of
good mind
to
go around
to the station
house tomor-
He was
sitting
comfortably
in a
off,
hip pocket. His wife bustled between cupboard and stove, preparing
the coffee they always drank before they
went
lid of
felt
to bed.
She
lifted
the
"Oh, dear.
bakery
The
will
forgot the
be closed
coffee'll
all
crumb
cake. Tomorrow's
lacked savor.
fee
He padded
in
front
He
porch and
grunted with
disgust as he saw that the bakery was already closed. His tired glance
wavered hopefully toward the adjoining bank. He'd stop awhile and
say hello to the watchman. Suddenly his blurred smile faded. There
was
sedan parked
at the curb,
its
flesh of his
neck
as
he ducked.
The
wooden
quick clutch inward and his fingers jerked at the steering wheel.
telephone pole.
231
blow
on
shrilly
thud-thud of
The
a police whistle
running
feet.
then dashed straight for the open door of the bank. As the dazed
Kirker staggered to his feet and clutched
bank door slammed and locked.
He knew
Kirker hesitated.
crook
until
did!
Island.
posted
Cantor would
in
bottled up
killer
He remembered
a placard
killer
He
body
If
on Long
for his
It
of the
tall
was
watchman.
feet higher.
Kirker's
a bat of his
dropped
recklessly, feet
wheels of
first,
through
fire
He
to the
lay for a
paved
His body
floor. Pin-
moment, breath-
steel cuffs
young
fool.
floor, his
stirring,
head twisted
at a
wrists.
him
He
queer angle.
at
lay
The
groaning feebly.
in a crowded precinct
was ablaze. The commissioner himself was
twenty minutes run from Manhattan. Flashlights
light
"Why
felt
very
tired.
did you climb to the roof and pull that wild Tarzan jump?" a
reporter asked.
on
all.
me
here to
at the
bandaged head of
You
see,
his friend,
the watchman.
"I
guess
did get a
Damn
Cantor!
little
him, he tried to
kill
Otto Muller
player in town."
They
it
ing their lifeblood from the endless parade of nameless, faceless Johns
who
are desperate
enough
to
pay money
for a
pleasure.
But in the harsh light of day, pimps are nothing but furtive-eyed
little
hustlers,-
squirming anxiously
as
soft
and vulnerable,
night.
The pimp
a.m., to
was
be exact, on an already
The
Champion
of
Goodies achieved
muddy
underside
TV
the living
home gym
of the
American dream.
It
in
to the
233
took
the garbage.
in
just dollars
and
The
price tag
on each
cents.
in all of this
I'd
into after
carrying
it
down
my
alongside
thigh.
The layout was simple, it didn't take a genius to figure out where
bedroom would be. checked the bathroom and the hall closet
on the way by, to be sure was leaving my wake clear, then nudged
open the bedroom door.
the
waterbed
who
blonde
more than
fifteen.
Champ
lay
on
his
back with the Chicana nestled against one shoulder. The blonde lay
on her
partially
side,
me
as
sive
heavy
in
colored
set
the
pills
That
air.
fact,
razor,
me
moved around
between Champ's
half inch
from
legs.
his balls
The rubbery
and squeezed
off a round.
itself,
to have to
worry
It
jarred
side,
stoned to the
bullet hole
gills,
stirred
only
slightly.
dog-
pissing-on-shoes sound.
I
planted a foot in the middle of the bed, reached across the spout-
ing water, and this time pressed the snout of the 45 against the shiny
234
on the end
"One wrong
my
Off to
twitch,"
said,
left,
feet,
mahogany
of a pin.
effort.
my
mouth, "You
Her movement
"Then hear
blonde
you
Go
fast
in a
hoarse whisper.
me
it.
far.
If
you
in return,
in
is
big
him in any
come after you and
try to help
will
Comprende?"
sorry.
"Si,"
'Then move
and go
don't
answered
with you.
girl
trouble,
this:
it."
some
pulled on
clothes.
kept
my
in
Spanish.
Champ,
follow-
ing the progress of his two playmates only through peripheral vision.
on
of tar
like droplets
a freshly-blacktopped street.
lifted
back to center,
pinned
When
his
him across
head rolled
it
the .45.
"Rule one,"
He
hated
his neck,
me
said.
"1
worm
I
down
me
because
I've
You
1
just a
pretend
pig,
You got no
good
sense. "You
slapped him across the other ear with the gun barrel. Gorilla
said
235
"Her name
is
you
ago, after
set
jail
two months
in the first
hired
me
put her
to find her.
life
They want
in
over
in
is,
try to
anybody who
can't find
What
week.
did
find,
re-
though, was
plenty of street talk that says you were having to slap her around
pretty heavy in order to get her to turn the kinds of tricks
let that
"You spent
out, then
all
you
money and
that
slid
brought
my
it
you
but trouble."
didn't
down on
you
Alice Grant?"
is
her go?"
just let
Champ? Where
balls,
suddenly and
it
much
as rigid as a steel
and
didn't apply
bar.
"Rule two,"
said, just
withdrew the
lie
made him
to me."
foot,
the blonde.
me
"No! Give
that
a gunshot,
unmuffled
teringly loud.
I
whirled
in
far
from
a grapefruit-
to cover
moved with
stiff,
her eyes were wild, unfocused, frightening things. She held a huge,
nickel-plated
Magnum
Those wild eyes swept the room, found me. "Leave Champ
236
alone,"
she said in a faraway voice, spacing the words very carefully. As she
Magnum.
No
no time
it,
snapped
off a shot.
lifeless,
The
bullet tore
slammed back
to think or to aim.
and collapsed
swung the
away
around and
.45
once, harmlessly.
While the
was
.45
throbbing
still
in
self
my
dropped to
I
him
as
Champ
fist.
punch
launched him-
into
my
my
gun hand.
my
caught
he was aiming another punch, driving the butt of the .45 into
cheekbone.
fell
away with
tumbling off the bed. Ignoring the pain that boiled through
section,
on
kidney.
lips.
his
knees, a groan of
my
a vicious
lunged
after him.
my
howl,
mid-
forehead.
demanded
"One way or
"You
fucker.
You think
world of
"It
shit,
was
them shots
all
ain't
in a
make you
me
tell
me.
tell
girl."
home
man's
leave an'
motherfucker. Even a
than
self-defense, maggot."
"You bust
to
you
another,
ain't
that."
'Then
may
"Off me,
as well
never be able to
trail
If
tell
What have
too.
got to lose?"
to know."
she'll
of slime."
stick
your nose
in,
about what
Champ
it
stood
for.
Then
at all
I
looked
at
girl,
responsible for their deaths as the fingers that pulled the triggers.
More
so, in a sense.
And
how many
other young
237
ended
he had ruined
lives
girls'
my own
considered
predicament.
gone sour
in
had called
it.
And knew
power
embellish every
suffocate in
it.
Even with
this
down
"Rule three,"
I
said.
what
my
had
way they
Magnum
taken the
my
door
best to
fired
make
gone there
there,
me
over?
fall
my
They
I'd
crazed pimp
in self
left
made
it
it.
on
it,
one good
When
The way
told
in.
Then heard
The Chicana was
I
defense
lift.
inside.
Champ
for a
it
down
saw
enough
wasn't fast
didn't
kicked
as best
buy
testimony and none of
tories
in his
to see
into a corner."
gunshots.
me
tried to figure
might have
fingerprints she
I'd
my .45 jammed
my dilemma.
it,
act
ing
Champ
could and
I'd
shit,
at
And
world of
on every kind of
point, put
smashed and
his face
looked back
And
come.
to
and
I'd
bullet trajec-
accounts of
neighbors regarding the spacing of the shots and so forth didn't match
most of
this
change
my
still
to
couldn't get
fit
me
to
together more
Two
line.
in a
helped save
my
butt.
erally
them
238
at
was
sorry.
The
old
man
called
me
the hands of
a dirty
me and
told
room door
the hotel
my
in
face.
Champ.
me
few belts
blonde
girl
to
had to shoot.
My
she bounced off that wall so immediately limp and dead, until
image to
way
want
stop.
them
unmarked
only
in
as
Jane
and to
plots
Doe #546
this
The county
Doe #547
buried
(aka
Con-
chita).
Once
But
it
gets
me
usually
alone,
all
Heir-in-a-Hurry
hy Morris Cooper
The only time
Sylvester
Tony
Hanson came
to see him,
Tony Brun
still
had
ation period broken up, but he followed the guard across the walled
yard. After
in
all,
would be
it
a novelty
having
time
Tony Brun
sat
visitor to speak.
He
away.
it.
He
The
visitor
looked
am
if
it
placed
at the
smiled apologetically.
"1
as
guard
hand on the
who
sat at the
Then he turned
Sylvester Hanson."
He
end of the
table
it
and
to Tony.
peered
at
Tony
to him. "Your
as
if
he hoped the
we were
239
Tony
He wondered what
already too
late."
He
He
broke
had
sure
it has no headstone. So
do not mind?"
"No,
"I
He
when
peered
find him,
it
it is
at
Tony. "You
at the
time
What
his nerve
friend."
."
Tony fidgeted. "1 got a bad break.
Hanson held up a hand. "A mistake we all make. It is later what we
do that counts." Tony felt like grinning. It looked like the old boy had
gotten himself all primed up to give him a lecture.
"When you are released, you will please come to see me?" asked
Hanson. "It is possible that may be able to give you some help."
.
He
you
in
mind."
Tony turned
at
got up.
"I
in
They were
no position
all
I'll
keep
you around."
he
to talk back.
week
his
From the
in the
at
later. It
of long
letters
chunk of cash
in the
And,
man had
years ago.
The
idea hit
showed one
copy this?"
Tony
three
way
240
I'll
first."
The only
"A guy in stir can always use an extra luck," said Tony. "And maybe
might be able to make a connection that'll get you over the wall."
thought there was half a
Saugus fingered the letter. "If
I
chance
."
.
Tony
goes through,
hell
Saugus made up
have
I'll
wad.
And
if
doesn't
it
lose?"
do it."
want is a will one of those ho"Swell," said Tony. "What
lographic things. Hand-written, you know. This guy knows he's
gonna pop off any minute and hasn't got time to get a lawyer."
his
mind.
"I'll
"You got
asked Saugus.
a crystal ball?"
want Hanson to
tell
me what you
write."
The day
Tony got
day
it
the
in stir
was written?"
one."
it
aside to rap
on the door.
He
heard
a tired
Tony had
voice
to
out,
call
"Come."
Tony opened
the living room
Hanson
Ahead was
banistered
stairway.
"Tony."
man's flesh
felt
dry and
tired. "Sit
down."
He waved
The
old
to a chair next to
him.
"I
promised you
I'd
come
to see
you when
He
you some
re-
freshments, but
"That's
all
am
said
Hanson.
"I
would
offer
alone."
right," said
Tony. That's
a break,
he thought.
man
his mustache.
Tony nodded
business
"
He
his head.
"I
figured with a
new
start,
maybe
a little
man
241
a sizeable
to use
will.
"1
a lot of things
very bad. Your papa died early because he worried for you." Hanson
held up a silencing hand
He
looked
at
guess
maybe
sorry."
"1
Tony.
what think,"
farm, and the pay, it
"That
is
said
if
Hanson. "So
."
.
a job.
It is
on a
is not much. But plenty to eat you will get,
and a lot of hard work. It is good for a man that he work hard."
Tony nodded. There was no point in arguing with the old man.
He'd have to do what he'd started out to, and get it over as quickly as
possible.
"It
tonight?
That was
a bruise that
might be
difficult to explain.
Tony carried the frail body of the old man into the hallway. He
Hanson on the floor, held his head in his hands like a basketball,
and brought it crashing down on the bottom step. The crunch reminded Tony of a watermelon dropping on a concrete floor.
It didn't need an expert to know that old Sylvester Hanson was
dead. Tony lifted the body, carried it halfway up the stairs and let it
drop. He watched it roll slowly down, come to a rest on the bottom
laid
step.
The
story
started to
Tony shook
smoking
and whistling
242
jacket.
jauntily.
He
The
by the
it
it
Han-
Tony
Brun.
Tony waited
he reached
When
there.
for the
Tony
over him.
all
"Yes?"
"I'm
in,
and he followed him into the same room the old man had been
evening before.
sitting in the
to see
kind of personal."
"It's
badge from
pocket.
his
Sergeant Whitt,
"I'm
Homicide."
"Oh," said Tony. "Mr. Hanson asked
Tony
chance. I'm
He
Brun."
me
to call
when
ahgot
Sergeant Whitt stood with his back to the fireplace. "Mr. Hanson
is
dead."
Tony reached
"Dead!"
"Know Hanson
for a chair,
but
in,
long?"
it
Whitt asked
"1
He
him."
sat
down.
"I
remembered
was too
late to
it
change.
casually.
said, "but
got
a lot of letters
from
did
"I
my
full
Tony formed
time."
his
hands into
pyramid, sup-
he used
to
be a friend of
my
father's in the
me once
old country."
for
you
if
you came
did,"
"Looks
'Tough,"
he started up the
stairs
and
down."
murmured Tony.
his fingernails.
'The old
"Funny about that," the sergeant said. "His lawyer told me he drew
up a will just a week ago leaving everything to an orphanage."
'Tough on the orphans," said Tony, "but lucky for me."
"You say you received letters from the old man while you were
doing time?"
"Yeah."
one
Tony reached
The
weeks ago."
letter,
turned
it
it
in his
243
Tony
pocket.
started to protest,
changed
his
mind.
said,
hallway.
"That was
a nice
will,"
alibi."
in stir to
"Listen, copper,
did
all
my
if
to say, spill
it,"
snarled Tony.
"I
know
"You didn't
"You're
still
What
has
all
this
moved
Sergeant Whitt
that
all
Tony
laughed.
"1
man could
suppose those
know
letters
came out
of
my
head? Be-
sides,
written."
"Nuts,"
Tony
said.
all
"1
wasn't here
"
Tony thought
244
will."
of Saugus.
go out
Tony would beat him to
diction that he'd
on the
off.
that wreath
it
looked
feet first
it.
like he'd
been right
it
in his pre-
stood now,
Higher Education
hy Sidney Waldo
I'm
police detective,-
local
New
But
I'll
We
tell
They
let
my
education.
While
this
me
in
looking
is
had
you.
at
down
in
dame
sitting
hop over
them
I've
A man
there.
and
around
four,
None
of
had been there when the shots were fired. The clerk had telephoned up for one of the vice-presidents, and he was now in charge
duty,
of things.
He shows me
Newhall pitches in on his face. bent over him. could see where the
big bullets had punched through his clothes, low in the back.
"The coroner'll be along any time," said. "But, now, where in hell
1
is
the gun?"
They
The
hadn't found any gun. And, of course, that was the nuts.
watch you,"
No
said as
gun on him
called the
dame
either.
over.
She was
let
a slim,
blue-blooded looking
doll, a lot
I
245
He
vest.
He
up,
He
was
tall
over
six feet
and
thin.
He
Newhall's.
site
But
It
no drawers.
looked underneath.
down
at the
clipping rooms.
And
1
there
can't
all
the chairs.
isn't
even frisked
a glass top
and
also
and under
there, easy.
any gun.
it
don't
make
sense.
And
these birds around the table are getting impatient, just to keep
their
another hunch,
fish for
The dame is
name is Flint Richard
man
says his
right opposite
Flint
start.
signed 'Dick.'
"Sometimes they
can't resist
it,
sister,"
explained.
"It's
how
they
But she was hurrying on. "The letter spoke of increasing lameness.
A lameness that shut him out of all the activities that meant life. That
was the part that worried Mr. Newhall. This man, he said, held him
responsible for that lameness."
"So there
we have
the motive,"
thought.
didn't
have the
asked.
busi-
ness success,
or 'Let
that,'
French idiom,
it
ride,'
cutting coupons.
has a
'^a-y-esti' It
clever,
And
the
but also
final
I have bought
discreet.
word was
which
in Italian, 'Arrivederci,'
means:
"
we meet
'Until
But, already,
One
again,' or
thought
'I'll
had
be seeing you.'
Sure!
it.
made
cane.
grab for
it,
as
it
Paris.
on the
lay
glass-topped table.
Then
thought of
"I
that, too,"
"I've
fire
she said.
only a single
shot."
Still,
hated to
let
go the
While
idea.
Why
did he use
was looking
dame spoke
that
for
new
foot.
some
again.
It
sweet
He pushed back
tall. He was game,
"If it's
admit
But
it.
I
say that
much
gun
"I'll
"Sorry,"
and
There is a
had to make him go through with
some catch
straight
for him.
it.
There might
still
be
in this.
I
before anybody
my
His face darkened, but he saw the point. With that limping step,
he walked over to another table and sat down with his back to the
kept right there beside him. Bending down, he unbuckrest of them.
1
some
led
give
straps
a squirm!
I
lifted
it
out,
1
secret
If it
looked over
at her.
dame had
He
down.
sets
He
the back
way
furtive
and mysteri-
in
He
in
Hoh-hoh comes
Usually
jected.
require counsel
"I
and advice.
it,
dassent
so
come
if
have to turn
to you.
At
in
my
career to
tell
though, aim
badge and resign
that,
my
a lot."
is the run-in, Hoh-hoh?"
says serious, seeing how he
no jocular mood.
"Well," he says, "1 been over to Nagichak Island.
never was to that
island before. It's account of no one there knowing me or that I'm a
"Whatever
hain't in
the trading post store there on Nagichak, and a passel of beachcombing outcasts
Them
is
setting
sive that
five-six of 'em,
in
organ and
'Them
sings,
is
at
on when
this
Benner
his pulpit,
and near
"Seeing
248
how
this
is
or at least
amongst
agin decency
is
and demand
I'm
how complete he
tell
how he
aims to break up
"
all
'But
to break
had
to
do
hospital.'
rats all
laugh hearty
too,
if
walks on
the
jest.
figure
better go first to the
them swabs hain't lied, and the pastor wants to
make earnest endeavors to induce this Bottlenose
at
"1
rats
setting there
when they
is
down
to
jail.
is
moored,
a sizeable ship,
is
down
at
organ
is,
hymn
singing.
"I
and so
forth
it
cubby where
must be the
pastor's study.
desk
and
is,
so
little
down
it
his
sets
figure
I'll
just wait
till
meeting.
and
in a skin boat.
this
seen a
girl
"She hain't but about thumb-size, but she's got nice brown eyes,
in
it,
timorous, and
"
"
Eddie won't
tell.
"
"
still
was
week and
'Yes,
and he'd
'But
'It
tell,
my
my
down,
don't
it
kill
no
be?'
me
'I
if
asks sympathetic.
just got to tell you.
he knowed that
My
told. But
brother,
1
got to
longer.'
know what
is,'
says.
stole five
thousand
brother, Eddie,
done
dollars'
worth of
fish,'
Him and another. Bottlenose Needhe says how he's got a way figured to
it.
249
whole job onto Eddie, and he aims to make Eddie blow the
now some night soon.
do? just know, soon
do?' she sobs. 'What will
'Oh, what will
lay the
or
Eddie
late,
how
hear
criminal,
"This here
left
thumb-size
little
got a terrible
when he goes
him Hoh-hoh
call
now
they
out after a
Stevens.'
a terrible jolt,
Dode.
girl,
the boat
Benner,
preacher.
"And
my
that's
chagrined
we
pretenses,
what
now and
and ponders.
sets
man
that
is
man
me
is
just
Dode?"
do,
know
just don't
"I
Whatever can
so!
Thunderbird
almost sacredly
it's
Though
problem.
Hoh-hoh,"
exact,
"A
says.
fession."
can't,"
"I know well that
now and arrest this Eddie, I'd
Hoh-hoh.
says
"If
in
tell
paw,
I'll
says. "Later,
Meantime, Hoh-hoh,
it
I'll
and
if
we
we
decide
back
lays
you
for
got
If
and
in the britchin
to, we'll
and when
starts to
him."
this
going to be
home
"For why?"
"I
got
hain't
asks.
me
tonight that
promises to
perform."
"Oh,
gets reckless,
Dode,
further,
way
will
guarantees her
you
just say a
word
250
little
paw
of
'Pastor, will
a facer,
Dode.
swallers hard.
can
feel
my
eyes
"What
says, 'Yes,
them emphatic
is
"that
asks,
which
is
this
got to fabricate
lies
will.
duties
will.'
So
Amen.'
you got
Hoh-hoh,"
to perform,
to Joe Albright,
still
"Why," says Hoh-hoh, "after the little thumb-size departs,
aiming to remain till someone comes that can tell me about
the busting up of the meeting and the b 'ting of the pastor.
"Final a timid little woman comes on in, and she reminds me all
I
sets there
ways of a sparrer wren. She looks surprised when she seen me in the
study. She sets down and says how she is the sister of Preacher John
Benner, and she plays the organ and sings in them meetings.
"Not to get ketched in no further jams, I tell her prompt that am
Hoh-hoh Stevens, Deputy United States Marshal, and honing to
know details of the busting up of their meeting and the assault on her
1
brother.
day
It's
for
me
with bawling
come from
putting
"
take
'I
it
is
feeble?'
says.
on
this,
preacher coats.
says. 'Little!
my
shucks
"1
me
man, and
a little
long-tail, black
My
'Little!
"
Dutch Harbor.
tal at
"
takes on,
coat,
and
it fits
exact.
"
'What
can't understand,'
capable of
filling this
'is
how any
gent
just
'It's
my
stood there,
my
'to
in the face.'
'Them.'s practices
got to respect a
ment
He
"Well,
and
to glimmer.
Sister
Benner
and
talk
and
a idea
begins
parades around, aiming to soak up some piety and sanctity out of the
garment
"
ings,
do you
and sing
at
them meet-
not?'
"'Yes,'
"
possible.
if
'Sister Benner,'
Then why
hain't
it
And
can play.
'I
good
idea for
can
sing.'
She
up and and her go into the long meeting cabin, and she pulls
some stops on this organ and steps on the bellows, and and her bust
"She looks kind of wild for a minute.
gets
to smile.
into song.
Hoh-hoh
"Dode,"
Benner and
Sister
if
and
"I
Sister
sweet, and
we go back
and
all
very
instructs her as
follows:
"
'Sister Benner,'
says,
'I
how
Nagichak,
that account of
in
word
and
to Bottlenose
gang of beach
his
Hoh-hoh
selected out.
That there
says.
from
It's
text,
"I
know why
and
it
Dode
is
don't figure
is
admit,
I'll
you
new
rats,
I'll
Isaiah,
the folks of
gospel ship.'
in this
tell
indisposed, a
is
here,"
John Benner
says, 'Smite
got
my
text
all
it's
Bible,
and
it's
my
text."
11
then
tells
it is
just
rebuke
this Bottlenose,
made by
the
little
I'll
attack,
just forget to
thumb-size
girl.
mention
here confession
this
Hoh-hoh he goes
Seems
Preacher
he
can't
252
like
Sister
why he deserves
as
it
on
thick.
he sings
She
which
abundant congregation.
figures
if
of course
When
is
to join in hearty.
In the
and
Bottlenose,
forth
is
this
of his
Hoh-hoh solemn,
last
and
sisters,
demeanour."
here
He
spell.
They
and
They
sing
it
Sister
is,
this
up wopper-jawed
at
Hoh-hoh.
Hoh-hoh urging
in,
Benner and
him clean
to
Puffin Bird.
how
Hoh-hoh
and
stupidest meeting
sive,
personal,
"Sure,
got
it
all
"I
ways over
this
new
preacher,
who
idea!
esteems to be a
You
false
alarm."
many
of the congregation
is
still!"
he looks up
his
at
of the platform,
too calm
if
them beachcombers had had wits to understand "until this rude interruption, this here was a gospel ship. But the wicked have invaded
the sanctuary. So now this peaceful meeting place is going to get
transformed sudden into a arena of action."
With
that,
Hoh-hoh shucks
in
253
one jump offen the platform he's down amongst them beach rats. The
first two chukkins he leaves go, he knocks two of them sculpins colder
than storage
fish.
But he takes a
Bottlenose. Bottlenose
He
Hoh-hoh on
belts
he
tears into
had
his repu-
Hoh-hoh
it
fierce.
kind of knocks
a even keel,
Hoh-hoh on
Hoh-hoh
off balance,
is
down
give
hit
Hoh-hoh,
Hoh-hoh another
and he plants
he runs
too,
one,
is
run-
women
in
the
in jubilant.
He
when Hoh-hoh he
is all
organized to
up his leg,
and he kicks him clean acrost
just
lifts
the bench.
Now
own
his
Bottlenose he runs
lick
in,
And Hoh-hoh
snatches out
and gets him by the scruff of the neck and Hoh-hoh held him there
and give him some slaps alongside the head that would rock a walrus.
This Bottlenose just bellers, and rears and pitches, and he twists
loose,
knocks
a
and Hoh-hoh leaves him have one right on the jaw, and it
this Bottlenose quivering, and he sets on the floor, gasping like
beached
bull cod.
Hoh-hoh he
him on
leans
and he picks
this Bottlenose
up bodily and
sets
Final,
Hoh-hoh,
still
you
Hoh-hoh, "you
tell
in to
him
up.
the assemblage
lets
tell
splutter
how he
254
to
that pile-driver
fist
Hoh-hoh,
says
"or
like
at Bottlenose
with
it.
"You
tell,"
Hoh-hoh he
anced
menacing
his
a place to
own
land
big
it
fist,
and
bal-
forceful.
hard, to
Hoh-hoh he
how
he's
got hopes the regular pastor, the Reverend John Benner, will
The congregation
to the
We
arm of
files
out,
and Hoh-hoh
this Bottlenose.
took
on the
it
we
Bottlenose,
and we
klatawa,
him
give
hain't
tells
Eddie, and he
since.
plenty.
If
hy Larry Holden
"For three days
showed
now
."
.
his,
and
it
got
ain't
me
to
He shook
his head.
asked. Joe
was chief of
me
police,
to thinking.
and
Between
you and me, there's more funny business going on out at that farm
we know
you
about,
think?"
He
255
He
stingy.
Let
a miser.
in
down
his
live.
the
stairs
did. Eighteen
dropped dead
he
his wife
When
he came back, he
a large
in
it
if
didn't die,
never forgave
The
it,
either.
much
school as he had
to,
And
not learning
being a
hours a
himself.
And
useless
don't think for a minute that Jake ever let the kid forget that
little
brood over
it,
four-foot coffin.
He
kept
it
in
it
it
They were
a familiar sight
by
side
as alike as brothers,
side
both
and
bills.
tottering,
it
home-cropped
if
haunted by
all
In
fully
wagon
piece by
piece into a small leather sack under the old man's steely eye.
They
lived
on the
heads
the
off.
lid
sometimes wondered
Jake
if
him what
he had
was darned near
a dirty trick
and sometimes
alive,-
if the kid had had his choice, that little fourwould have been under the turf of the cemetery these
foot coffin
eighteen years.
Those were
my mouth
idle thoughts,
though, and
had no proof. So
kept
shut.
front gate,
He and
hunted
duck and deer in season, and whenever he had a Job in which he had
to depend on a steady hand with a gun, he usually called on me to go
along.
wagon
laughed. "Don't
tell
me
"Maybe
"Jake's
ain't
he's
that.
been on
But
it."
he's sick."
let
He's dead."
257
in silence
Joe, the
Doc and
and
were
riding
stopped
at the
went up
easy,
as
if
soft
We
the
the bones of his skull were impatiently thrusting against his skin.
It
and old
for bed,
Jake would certainly not have been in another part of the house
He
in.
Johnny looked
if
when
for two.
he were
just as miserly
about using
it
as
rusty, as
else.
Joe went on, "I notice Jake ain't been to town these past few days,
and dropped in to see if anything was the matter."
Keeping his finger in the magazine to mark his place, young
1
Johnny said emotionlessly. "He drapped daid three four days ago.
Bury him t'morra if can spare time from the egg route.
Six feet tall, harsh-boned and scrawny, the image of the old man,
you'd never have taken him for eighteen. He looked a hard-used forty.
And his words, as calmly as they were spoken, were callous enough to
have curdled lead. But what else could you expect, when everything
had been squeezed out of him except the bleak desire for money?
"Mind if take a look at him?" Joe's voice hardened.
Johnny shrugged. "Go right ahead," he said disinterestedly. "He's in
there." He tossed his thumb limply toward the parlor.
Joe gave him a sharp glance and he and Doc went into the other
room, while stayed in the kitchen to keep an eye on young Johnny.
had a gun stuck in my waistband, under my coat.
From the tail of my eye,
saw the beam of Joe's flashlight flick
around the parlor,- then
sharpened my
heard both of them gasp.
ears. Johnny hunched over his magazine.
Having difficulty with his tongue. Doc mumbled something about
a stroke. Joe stumbled through the doorway with a small hatchet in
his
He
Johnny
258
didn't
chopped him
it?
He
was dead, wasn't he?" Then, with sudden, blazing hatred. 'That was
way
damn
the only
better,
him!
waste after
Now
that he
knows
that
little
Now
he should
coffin didn't
feel
go
to
all!"
Ignorance of Art
hy Vincent Hall
They speak enviously of Pop Townsend in the art circles, an artist
who won recognition painting the portrait of a murderer from a photograph in the Rogues' Gallery. "For copying old masters in the Museum, he hardly made enough to pay his rent," they say. "But for a
they gave him
killer's picture,
Paradoxically,
cess,-
it
ignorance of
masterpiece hangs
thousand
five
was ignorance of
a
of killers not
trio
in the
dollars."
Art Museum.
Pop on
to suc-
And
for murder.
It all
started
of the
criti-
Pop did
as
"
he was
scowled
at
station,
he
set
put a label on
man
man,
who was
"It isn't
it."
standing on the
felt
259
hat.
There was no
Pop guessed
his sketchbook.
show
the
at
good sketch
to
Shifty black eyes murderously regarded the old man,- the .38 cali-
and
It
his
street below.
carrying a black
throbbed.
was
amazed
rigid,
The
a scant
The
that his
still
figure.
For a
moment he
that
his
lay
temples
twenty paces.
station agent
How
could the
dashed out of
killer
miss?
old man.
Pop staggered
"Easy," the
to his feet.
man
"I
said.
He
police."
police a de-
said.
snapped an order to
a patrolman.
He jotted down
and handed
it
killed instantly."
The pungent
bore
it
around
stoically.
He was
his eyeglasses,
There was
260
tore a sheet
killer,
lucky to be
put
fifty
on Pop's wound
alive.
He
grand.
The
hurt, but
he
his
sketchbook.
cover and right through the pages to the cardboard on the other
side.
this
He
alongside.
"There's your man," he declared.
"Trigger Madden!"
Glennon dashed out, followed by his men. Three detectives remained to guard the old man. O'Brien read from the late morning
newspaper. "We've got you down as a dead man unidentified," he said.
'That's to
make
who
persons
"Liars!"
swear
supported by
alibi
in a
bungalow
sixty miles
Pop exclaimed.
And
didn't
with
five
find the
alibi
you wear
eyeglasses,"
bullet
went
that
we'll
see
own
his
responsible
at
"1
five
stick."
see
good
"Of course."
"He'll
make
will
reasonable doubt
'Take
of earshot,
me
to a
"
He
room
stopped
as
Pop came
over.
Pop
suggested.
"What
"I'm
for?"
Glennon wanted
to
saw
know.
this
morning."
on the
easel,
set
He
smiled as he soaked a brush into turpentine and erased the six figures
of the bank employees he had painted
wonder what my associates would say
for
if
they caught
me
"I
painting in a
rogues' gallery."
261
The
went
out. "We'll
Pop put
that
all
his life
Madden might be
when they
The thought
made him
his composition.
get a look
at this painting,"
liars will
he told himself.
Glennon poked
his
"Look
at
my
Pop
painting,"
said.
invited.
spit of
Madden."
criticism?"
Madden was
Pop looked
portant details
me
sour.
"It
when
never
fails.
"A professional
critic
Whether
green
suit,
or a black,
it
is
still
the man,
if
the
you're painted in a
artist
likeness."
"Of course
He
admitted
does he see?
me
it's
had made
He
a likeness of those
sees that
Glennon ran
Madden
blue suit
Pop
will say
his fingers
Headquarters
men
a stage in
262
it's
damn
sign
wants
a jail."
going to give us
Madden," he
static."
said.
room
in
the basement.
man
was Madden.
is
tweed on
There was
know
through his
your painting
when he had
witnesses
alibi
in that
"Sure."
Detective O'Brien caught his cue. He took Pop's arm, escorted him
to the stage. A bright light was shifted on the old man's face.
Madden's
olive skin
became
caught
in a
sob.
it
nice blue
suit.
pistol
a dirty frame!"
Madden
"Go
Madden
that a likeness of
"Isn't
shrieked.
roof?"
it,
suit,-
it
was
affably.
tweed
Madden
gasped, overwhelmed by the slip of his tongue that convicted him. He cracked under the grilling that followed. He
named
the two who had committed
money was cached.
tims and
kill
it
"1
took those
men
them
"And always
my
details.
They
force
me
to
coats.
Madden would
criticize
me
for
on their
painting him in
had
hunch
263
Incident in a
Neighborhood Tavern
Bill
When
down
was
Proniini
end of the
owner, Matt
Candiotti.
was
It
little
lull
time in
would jam the place from four until about six-thirty, when the last of
them headed home for dinner, the hard-core drinkers wouldn't begin
was the
filtering back in until about seven-thirty or eight. Right now
1
only customer.
come
in
to ask Candiotti, as
glaries that
if
police hadn't
in the
neighborhood. The
me to see what
had been born and raised
in the Outer Mission, which to them meant I understood the neighborhood better than any other private detective in San Francisco.
So
though,
far,
me
because
None
of the merchants
ideas,
into
wedges
as
we
He
reminded
He
me any new
talked,-
I'd
me
"Wish could help," he said. "But hell, don't hear nothing. Must
be pros from Hunters Point or the Fillmore, hah?"
I
"Out of
I
264
this
my
draft.
city,
said,
"Nah,
doubt it," he said. "Guys that organized, they don't crap
where they eat. Too smart, you know?"
"Maybe. Any break-ins or attempted break-ins here?"
got bars on all the windows, double locks on the
"Not so far.
storeroom door off the alley. Besides, what's for them to steal except a
I
bucks
in the
He
that's all."
till,
"One thing
down
in
"1
that?"
"Not much of
a lead there.
somebody he
didn't
from
it
guy
at
flea
market,
it
think?"
off a fence."
sense.
be,"
said,
otti. "All
the
money
in
Candiotti nodded, reached out slowly for the sack and then turned
When
No
he punched
hunched up
his shoulders
thump
of the
cash drawer sliding open seemed overloud in the electric hush. For a
my way
bills
had looked into the muzzle of a handgun before and it was the same feeling each time: dull
fear, helplessness, a kind of naked vulnerability.
"Your wallet on the bar, man, all your cash."
did as was told. But while was getting my wallet out managed
to slide my right foot off the stool, onto the brass rail, and to get my
had to make
right hand pressed tight against the edge of the bar. If
any sudden moves would need the leverage.
Candiotti finished loading the sack. There was a grayish cast to his
face now
the wet gray color of fear. The kid said to him, "Pick up
this dude's money, put it in the sack with the rest. Come on come on
come om"
Candiotti added my wallet to the contents of the paper sack, put
eyes and the gun skittered
again.
the sack
down
closed.
In
if
He
a tighter grip
reach out and drag the sack in against his body. But he
to leave with
it.
"Now we go
Instead he said,
stayed
it
his
and starey
it
on
it,
made no move
were almost
as the kid's.
in
your
office."
scratchy voice.
"Nothing valuable."
"Oh man
He
ain't playin'
no games here,
office.
It's
rummaged
in-
the register."
"Hurry up!"
Candiotti turned back to the register, rang
it
open,
side with his left hand. But with his right hand, shielded from the kid
266
by
his
inside,
1
own
in
opened
for
me
to
of
do anything but
fire.
The
it
damn gun
bringing up that
it,
he was
state
was too
in,
late,-
shot
off.
Candiotti's
first
slug
knocked him halfway around, and one of the three others that followed took him in the face. He was dead before his body, driven
backward, slammed into the cigarette machine near the door, slid
down
to the floor.
it
When came
1
arms down
up out of
my
Some
lock on
of the tension in
security gate
its
hand;
kid's
tridges.
checking the
bent, pulled
it
who
a queasiness in
my
him
in
"I
know," he
"1
thought
.
said.
was
still
come
clutched
in
live car-
it.
It
wasn't any of
my
in
the
my
damn
You could
killed."
"Why'd you do
piece
my
Special
And
reaction
I
free,
he'd been.
went
it
kid's
now,
There was
knees
eased as
business,
me
and fastened
bar. Staring at
if
know."
"1
it?"
.
hell,
that
."
.
"Yeah,"
said. "Call
"Nine-eleven. Okay."
"Put that gun of yours
He
down
first.
On
the bar."
again
when he
finished the
"They'll have
call.
somebody here
in five
minutes," he said.
267
know
"You
said,
that kid?"
"Christ, no."
him
"Ever see
anywhere
before, here or
else?"
"No."
how
"So
did he
safe?"
"The
your
safe in
"How
should
"He seemed
"Well
till
to think
nothing
don't. There's
in
it
it?"
make?"
in that safe."
it."
"That's right,
the
office.
fifty
bucks
in
overnight."
"Yeah."
a safe,
all
money
to take the
Still,
it.
he wasn't
wind of
he'd gotten
bank every
to the
if
if it's
empty?"
used to keep
"I
my cash
Then
receipts in
figured
I'd
it,
all
be smarter
night."
just after
what was
heavy stash
in the
till.
No,
it
was
as
grand or more."
you took, using that .32 of yours," said. "How come you
make your play the first time you went to the register? How
come you waited until the kid mentioned your safe?"
"Listen, what're you getting at, hah?"
"Another funny thing,"
said, "is the way he called you Mister
Cyclone Man. Now why would a hopped-up kid use a term like that
to a bar owner he didn't know?"
"Big risk
didn't
"How
"Cyclone,"
said.
know?"
"What's
can think
of."
"A fence.
Candiotti
made
cyclone fence."
a fidgety
pallor
stolen goods.
Candiotti?
came
in
how
equipment
here
in
know
down
in
suppose the
268
We
stuff
taken in
all
in this
neighborhood,
left
in fact. Hell,
the neighbor-
hood. Suppose it was brought to a local place and stored until it could
be trucked out to other cities a tavern storeroom, for instance.
Might even be some of it is still in that storeroom. And the money he
Except maybe
somewhere
made
Candiotti
leveled at
my
who
poor junkie
sudden grab
Who'd
safe.
figure
it?
backed up
a step
ought to
kill
with
you
it
too."
still
enough time
for
me
to get clear."
He was
talking to
"Goddamn
said.
it.
He
put
his sad
it
dropped
it
for a
long time."
And
as
he
did,
of his eyes.
submerged
up
down
a little
He was
in his
while
own outpouring
of self-pity,
when
the cops
woman,
showed
later.
In the Library
hy W. W. Jacobs
The
fire had burnt low in the library, for the night was wet and warm.
was now little more than a grey shell, and looked desolate. Trayton
Burleigh, still hot, rose from his armchair, and turning out one of the
gas-jets, took a cigar from a box on a side-table and resumed his seat
It
again.
The
269
opened them
a little
half of
"It
denly, "that
smoke and
am
"I
to
deal,
slowly out.
roll
of the firm?
You
are a
good hand
at a
James Fletcher."
am
"I
it
he continued. "You
here sole proprietor of the house,- you will stay at the office
will stay
sole
let
in possession?"
'There
pay the
is
money
me
will
the
interest easily,
penny
but
will
be no man's confederate
at all costs,
will
my
in dishonesty,-
firm
answer
is
sit in
the
every
will raise
it
house
this
after tonight."
and penal
you won't
frighten me,
can
many
am
to live?"
"1
will
give
table.
in his
is
Fletcher nodded.
"and Jane
said, slowly,
will
be back
too,-
at
they
half-past
let
me
He
in
rose from his chair again. This time Fletcher took his pipe from
He
from
crossed over and shut the door, as he turned back Fletcher rose
his chair
its
his
hand to
sheath of carved
toward him.
give
"By
"1
He
other.
looked round
suddenly
a sharp
at
at
the
last
moment
for a
fist
He was
and
fell in
heap to the
floor.
it was all
him to rise again. Then he took
out his handkerchief as though to wipe the sword, and thinking better
of it, put it back into his pocket again, and threw the weapon on to
over,
so
still
for
the floor.
The body
up to the
of Fletcher lay
gas. In life
say vulgar,-
where
he had been
it
had
fallen,
to
now
until
271
the
He
down
carefully
sight,
he
and examined
his
Then he
table,
looked
crossed the
had realized
He
stood
to think.
The
that
at
it
It
struck twelve.
all
looked so prosaic and familiar that he could not realize what had
occurred.
He
stairs into
now
light out.
The
dark-
the lighted
hall,
and snatching
down
to the gate.
The full realization of what he had done broke in upon him when
he found himself turning to fly from the approach of the constable.
The wet cape glistening in the lamplight, the slow, heavy step, made
him tremble. Suppose the thing upstairs was not quite dead and
should cry out? Suppose the constable should think
to be standing there
tude,
good-night, and
made
in?
and
it
He assumed
as the
man
strange for
him
a careless atti-
Ere the sound of the other's footsteps had gone quite out of hearing,
he turned and entered the house again before the sense of com-
pockets such
The
articles of
jewelry as he possessed.
now
by the
272
first
horror had
fear of death.
most elementary
damning
made some
He
common
sense.
stupid blunder,
He had
left
heard
hands
it
said
loaded.
clue.
If
from cheery
would
took
the worst
friends,
stay in
and
from
from
a sister,
write, as
became
a brother.
man who
described himself as a
journalist.
Or
nels,
Who
would look
for
him
He
pondered.
life,
in flan-
sat
and
it
a little
He went
to the door,
and open-
that he could hear the ticking of the old clock in the kitchen
below.
He opened
the door a
little
stairs,
into the
the
He
fought his fears down, and opening the door, determined to see
273
what was beyond. The light from his room streamed out on to the
landing, and he peered about fearfully. Was it fancy, or did the door
room opposite
of Fletcher's
close as he looked?
Was
it
fancy, or did
In perfect silence,
as
Then
stairs.
library door,
his
jaw
which he
and he turned
fell,
distinctly
remembered
and
five inches.
He
down
faint again.
closing,
when he went up
now
sick
the
The
and which,
stairs to his
room,
Then
plainly
and
He
it
the
it
key
in
down
stairs.
fearful
cry sounded from the room, and a heavy hand beat upon
down
to the hall,
The
tened.
lis-
God's sake to
let
him
out.
At once Burleigh saw what had happened and what it might mean
for him. He had left the hall door open after his visit to the front, and
some wandering
him to go now.
the felon's
cell.
again just
stairs
No
as
the
prisoner
in
his
furious
efforts
to
escape
me
cried, loudly.
fired
The
ceeded by an unearthly
stillness,
274
down
the
stairs,
noise, suc-
window
hastily
happened that
It
met
in the road.
The
stairs
prisoner was
still
inside,
still
trying to demolish
the lock of the sturdy oaken door. Burleigh tried to turn the key,
damaged
to admit of
its
He
at
open.
it
shafts of light
A man
at their belts
Burleigh,
made
dash for
it,
together.
himself for the scene which was to follow. Except for the stumbling of
men and
the
noise.
men
helmet
from the
floor,-
off
standing figure
The
fell
fell,-
light fell
felt in his
still
held the
tall
face
and
fair
The
on the flushed
floor.
figure rose
lit
the gas.
He
was bare-headed, and his hair dishevelled. Burleigh entered the room
and gazed eagerly at the half-insensible man on the floor a short,
and
a black
moustache. His
was cut and bled down his neck. Burleigh glanced furtively at the
The cloth had come off in the struggle, and was now in the
place where he had left Fletcher.
"Hot work, sir," said the sergeant, with a smile. "It's fortunate we
were handy."
lip
table.
The
he
By
The
"It
been
in the
I've not."
sergeant regarded
him
curiously.
but
was locked
he
tried to get
in."
"take that
I
sergeant.
said, desperately.
275
The
Then, with
table.
sharp exclamation, he
wall.
catching him,-
"all
Turn your
right.
head away."
He
teeth, but
he drank
it
a chair,
glass of
to him.
it
greedily,
The
faintly.
The
sergeant
"Who is it,
"My friend
He
gether."
he asked
sir?"
at length.
"We
lived to-
"You damned
villain!"
"He was dead when come in the room, gentlemen," said the pris"He was on the floor dead, and when see 'im,
tried to get out. S' 'elp me he was. You heard me call out, sir.
I
oner, strenuously.
"All
if I'd
killed him."
the sergeant,
said
gruffly,-
The
"I
down and
sergeant knelt
nothing to do with
'ad
nothing to do with
it.
it,"
raised the
at
it
never seen
it
man on
down,
left
it
down.
It
'ad
"I
only been
I've
sir."
him.
snatched
the floor.
The
repeated the
left
Fletcher a
little
while
ago."
"How
my
"I
went
to
bedroom."
The man on
"You done
swing
for
it!"
he
cried, fiercely.
"You done
it,
him narrowly.
to
it."
The
sergeant
let his
He
276
devili"
he
said,
menacingly.
little spirit
into a glass
and
took
it
Then he
hand.
in his
put
down
it
leigh.
"Feeling better,
He
he asked.
sir?"
faintly.
this
still
and taking
held,
it
it
he
sir,"
said, anxiously.
"This one,
He
in his
"1
saw
it
just
now."
his
some-
thing hard and cold, which snapped suddenly on Burleigh's wrists, and
held them
fast.
The
him
in
furiously.
them
off!"
off!"
"All in
good
'Take them
off!"
in a
and gleaming
end of the room and pushed him into
"Collins," he said, sharply.
steadily at his white face
"Sir?" said
eyes, forced
him
to the other
a chair.
As the man
is
at the
comer hard
as
you can
not dead'."
left
the
room
head and
tried to
comer, watched
pour
like
a little
one
down
in a trance.
He
men bending
his
all
three
stepped toward him and placed his hand on his shoulder, and obedient to the touch, he arose and
277
Ink's Jinx
by Anthony Clemens
Kemmerer finally decided upon
doing away with his employer, Jake
place,
first
it,
means of
it would be
place,
Kemmerer was
second
and never disturbed him. The station that broadcast the setting
up exercises wasn't on the air yet, it would come on at six forty-five.
He had not removed his clothes on going to bed, and now stepped
that,
fully
opened
the street.
it
was
a soul
wry
face.
What
fire
escape.
He
He was on
the
flights of stairs,
and was
in
was about.
As he hurried along, he
made
the
a skylight,
Not
window onto
row
of old-law
flats
unwashed
and
stoops,
The
Banff Metal
memos
at six-thirty sharp,
in his truck
Kemmerer had left for him the night before, and departed
to make the rounds in Long Island, Connecticut or Jersey,
as the case
might
that
be,
He had
built
up
a nice busi-
ness in thirty years, and being sixty-four now, and alone in the world,
had made
employees.
The only
thing that
this vital
morning
was the fact that the other two employees wouldn't even know
enough to thank him when they inherited their share of the business.
He put on a pair of gloves, entered the old building, and walked up
278
wooden
stairs to
was located.
Jake Banff had heard the steps and was looking up from the desk at
which he'd been working. When he saw Kemmerer, he put down his
fountain pen and said, "Hello, there. What brings you around so
early? You getting ambitious, maybe?" This with a friendly grin, for he
always treated his employees as equals.
didn't allow himself to hesitate. He had planned too
and time was important. He first went over to a radio in the
corner and tuned it into the same station as the one in his room. He
Kemmerer
well,
told Banff,
to see
"I
came
over.
got something
"
you about
Why
Over the
air
came
everybody. Setting-up
purpose
gram.
He
The
he
for
said,
his
Banff's throat.
Banff was weak, and old, and his resistance was negligible. But his
sound resem-
and
unbelief. His
arms
vest pocket,
flipped out.
out,
it
It
flailed wildly,
Kemmerer
his fingers
and
and shattered to
swore to himself.
He
caught
just as Banff
in
Kemmerer's
gasped
his life
pieces.
body back
in the chair
and
might
He
find them.
Then
them both
at
it
Kemmerer picked up
Banff's pen,
capped
it,
wiped
it
off
with his
279
and put it in his pocket. There was one thing he'd have to
remember, though Banff always used green ink in his pen an old
habit. He'd have to change the ink; but not now, time was short. The
gloves,
one-two-three
He
The
"
exercises
were drawing
to a close.
bent to the floor again. There was only one piece of the broken
prints.
He wiped
it
off carefully.
The
sack
splattering black
burst,
ink
street.
Two
room.
the
own
His
was
radio
just saying,
fast
to
you through
When
green ink
it
filled
it
from a
He was careful to see that there were no stains anywhere, that the
pen was dry on the outside and showed no signs of having been recently filled. He tried it on his memo book and nodded. It wrote good
and
black.
He
tie
replaced
and
shirt.
it
He
in his
his door.
in
no?"
He
said,
280
He was
The
He
that.
He
and
the
left
bathroom.
A man
was waiting
for
him
in
was
cited.
man
wants
The
He
iss
Kemmerer
said angrily,
morning? What's
The
it
to
detective held
all
He
I'll
morning?
all
you?
up
a placating
at a
quarter
rehearsed.
He
tive's coat.
Mrs. Freling
let
out a
room doing
in his
little bleat.
Mr.
mouth full of
do with it. He was
Freling, with a
to
We
The
you?"
didn't hear
him
did
you
if
me what
want
to see,
If
we
can
do with
it,
minute
you'll cooperate.
to
settle
you'll
this
show
Kemmerer asked.
"Your fountain pen!" The detective rapped
"What's that?"
it
out,
watching him
keenly.
"My
fountain pen!"
Kemmerer looked
281
Mrs. Freling,
after
When
came
in,
it.
woman
house dress
in a
An
Irreducible
Detective Story
hy
The mystery had now reached
undoubtedly murdered. Second,
ceivable person had done
It
He
its
it
First,
the
it.
whipped out
climax.
Stephen Leacock
at
the corpse.
In
moment he
microscope.
"Ha! Ha!" he said, as he picked a hair off the lapel of the dead
He
held up the
"Listen,"
he
The
The
is
now
solved."
said,
is
hair.
in
who
our hands."
New
On
the
fifth
head enveloped
lost a hair.
day he discovered
in a
man, disguised
"This
282
is
as a tourist, his
for
ears.
Gloritania.
his
full
his," said
"It
proves his
guilt."
height,
"Remove
entirely bald.
moment
of hesitation.
"He
Ware
sat
up with
Her
a start.
little
the car. As long as the train was moving, her thoughts carried her
into
swiftly
the future.
But
The hours
just
stopped, too.
in
Chicago
widen on
less fingers
been
still
floor.
his
Once more
stiff,
white dress
shirt.
warm,
Francine
time
in
sprawled on the
stain
when
slightly moist.
his nerve-
had
"We
The damp
night
air
was sweet
"It's
it's
just a
called."
She stepped
off
in Francine's lungs,
but
it
didn't quiet
the nerve that twitched at her temple, or put strength into her water-
weak knees and elbows. Gravel crunched under her restless feet.
The raw arc light gleamed on the sleek sides of the crack Transcontinental,
on the
Kansas City.
It
silver
web spun
box near the huge engine wheel. Francine unconsciously stretched out a brown suede toe to tear the web down. Then
she checked the impulse. She felt a curious kinship for the spider.
Hung precariously near the powerful wheel, it worked quietly, weavacross a small, black
ing
its
web.
would be
in
fifteen minutes.
From
there, the
Transcontinental sped north, and the other train trudged south across
the desert to El Paso.
room
And on
DO NOT
DISTURB.
this
She
said
his
board of
and made certain he would come home to dress before going to the
Crowley's dinner. James put her on the slow train
will
be
all,"
Was he going
at six-fifteen.
"That
the train pulled out? "Send the porter in and you can go."
tip. "I'm
this to the
"I
at
the size
conductor
for me."
testify
had
made her
left
flesh shrink.
Standing alone
in
felt
this
clammy,
she wanted.
One more
Now
money and
money was
freedom.
car.
284
slipped away. She craned her neck to peer out the window. The dark
was broken by bobbing lanterns of the trainmen hurrying up the
minutes
track. Six
She rang
seven
Ten minutes
train
it
soon."
plains,
The slower
tween them.
twenty
The minutes raced away. Fifteen
Francine knew what would happen. Back in Chicago, James would
.
He would knock
He would
discreetly, then
Kansas City.
Cold
They'd
fear
find
It's
on the
El
call
the police.
since they
suicide
it
dismissed
shot.
Now, sooner
or
later,
"Why had
she
left
men
with
it
in
her
"Why had
hours?"
web
She ran
shining
of
made
reservations
lies.
to the
rails as
she
end of the
car.
in
the
at
train.
maybe
in
Kansas City.
Kansas City."
285
It
was
like a
nightmare
own
bound, caught
ically
in
the
web
of her
clever
alibi.
Abruptly she
her.
Her plan had been so perfect. Why had it failed? She had to know.
She clutched the conductor's sleeve with taut fingers. "What what
was it held us up?"
The conductor's uniformed crispness vanished for a moment. He
pushed his cap on the back of his head. "Believe it or not, lady," he
was a spider web. Yes sir, a spider web spun across the electric
box near one of the engine wheels."
A spider webi Francine remembered the spider web she had seen
her impulse to tear it down, her sudden sympathy for the spider weaving a web as perfect as her own had seemed then. But it was ridicu-
said. "It
control
lous.
Her mouth
often.
The
It
tell
me
a spider
web
tripped the automatic air brakes and shut off the power."
slowed to
train
man whose
felt
entered, pushing
car.
swift eyes
a stop.
seemed
He was headed
and weight,
felt
with the cold fear that gripped her, and she heard the conductor's
voice.
286
web.
It
it,
didn't
"It
was
Knit
Fergus Truslow
kept
nails
winked
out.
Her hands
didn't tremble.
sure.
diamonds again,
if
if
don't mind."
Of
course
it
John Martin, the absurd, freckle-faced boy next door who had grown
up to be a detective, might come.
He used to try to scare her on Halloween. He hadn't moved her
from her calm then, and he wouldn't now.
for
carbon under
were
different.
Her
heart
felt
like a
terrible pressure.
She stood up, smoothed back a wisp of graying hair and checked
make sure she had everything in her knitting bag.
carefully to
Her
shoes.
she called
"Ah,
The
it's
Max
glass.
"Max,"
softly.
you. Miss
bald
little
Van
Jeweler
Arsdale!"
let
Max
Kunkel chuckled.
hands.
She came
monds
"Not
again.
at
all,
Max,
if
not at
you
all,
don't mind."
not at
all!"
he
trilled at her.
He
led the
of metals
and
way
acids.
287
One
quick glance told her the dust barrel, the safe and the door were
do
"I
downtown
don't
come
"Yes,
as
to the front of
my
Max
jewelers.
don't care
many people
if
shop."
he cocked
safe.
two
of having a stone or
some
in
firm grip
on the hammer.
The
bald
little
The sound
you
couldn't
The hammer
wrapped around
Max
Kunkel's
one easy
cade of
The
pull
It
she
dropped,
wallet, slid
after
then,
she thought,
taking
it
off
the
newspaper
dirt across
But
little.
eggs.
handle.
its
dirt didn't
woman.
barrel,
With
sending a cas-
the floor.
spread as
far as
the
sill
opened
on the alley. She'd thought of that. Without hesitation, she thrust her
hand into the barrel and brought out more dust, scattered it carefully
across the floor.
man had
if
hammer
blows.
Going back through the darkened shop to the front door, she
paused by a showcase. A trayful of rings caught her eye.
She hadn't planned on what happened then. Before she knew it she
288
had reached
into the
glit-
down
Her needles had been clicking busily for more than half an hour
when light, hurried footsteps passed her door. Presently a long, moan-
Max
woman
wailed. "Ah,
Maxem"
down
...
police
The
Max
late
young man
He
walked
in a neat
you with
scream
"If
like
to scare
mask
come
it
it,
door of
you've
face of
at the
who
"Who tried
throng of uniformed
tapped
door
suit
in.
at a
gray
"On
the
the killer scuffled with old Kunkel, upsetting the dust barrel,
made
off
through the
"Why
don't
like
an afterthought to
fit
in,'
rings from a
me
full
a last-minute decision
features
on
his
it
way
looks
out."
were calm.
289
or something, and
touching anything
hooked the
else.
It's
the only
sniffed.
way
."
.
detective shrugged.
real exit
and the
killer
Miss Van Arsdale permitted herself a bleak little smile. "You're still
the little boy next door, aren't you? With a head full of wild notions."
She began to
armhole of the
suit
she was
knitting.
John Martin drew his chair close to hers. "You know one of the
had when was a kid? That you hated life for passing you
notions
I
by."
seemed
women had
"Other
didn't.
used to think
She
felt
lips
love,
it
fair.
have to do
fingers.
He
still
do."
this."
first
time
in
Dust
is
her
life
she
felt
feminine
a clean
fingernails.
her
wasn't
He
in
to turn over.
if
nailfile.
I
my
only dust!
"You cased the job O.K. except for one point," John Martin explained as he worked.
sweepings from
He
put
the chill
a stitch
was
in
thinking
nailfile.
felt
listen-
ing to John Martin's next words: "All jewelers save their floor sweepings for the gold dust
into that dust barrel
290
When you
and
in his eyes,
thrill
those
warded him on
As
say,
a scale
it.
He was
gloom
as
by
thrills
romance
in his
he produced.
narrow-hipped, narrow-shoul-
To him
to get a story
there was no
thrills
noth-
had
Oh,
yes!
It
was nothing.
to
All
you
a lion to a standstill
with an ordinary
hit
With the far-away look in his eyes and his soft flow of words he
showed me his scars. There were many of them, and one recent one
where a tigress had reached for his shoulder and gone down to the
bone. could see the neatly mended rents in the coat he had on. His
right arm, from the elbow down, looked as though it had gone
through a threshing machine, what of the ravage wrought by claws
and fangs. But it was nothing, he said, only the old wounds bothered
him somewhat when rainy weather came on.
Suddenly his face brightened with a recollection, for he was really
1
as
anxious to give
me
a story as
was to get
it.
291
"I
who was
hated by an-
He
cage opposite.
was putting
head
his
in a lion's
The
He
who
in
all
over the
years
knife-throwing
and
act,
De
wood
knives, sinking
them
into the
Ville
all
kept the
air
on
fire
with his
skin.
pull the knives out to get him loose, for he was
So the word went around to watch out for DeVille, and
no one dared be more than barely civil to his wife. And she was a sly
pinned
bit of
fast.
all
who was
afraid of
it
into the
a big,
'King'
De
Ville.
afraid of nothing.
good-natured beast
Wallace
He was
He
head
we
called
who
could
him
was
I've
seen him drunk, and on a wager go into the cage of a lion that'd
292
fist
on the
nose,.
finish. Just
did
it
with
"Madame de
Ville
was
around the
was trying
had had
partition,
to pull
off
it
paw
its
by main
key's
Man
Leopard
seized
No
who
stretching
elastic,
a terrible din.
by
strength.
keeper was
at
hand, so the
light
looked
head into
Ville's
"De
Ville
Madame
in
de
Nothing had happened and was beginning to think it all a scare over nothing. We were West by that
time, showing in 'Frisco. It was during the afternoon performance, and
the big tent was filled with woman and children, when went looking
for Red Denny, the head canvas-man, who had walked off with my
"Several
months passed
by.
pocket-knife.
"Passing
if
me was King
between
a quarrel
glanced
He
in
through
hole in
ment
tents
lions.
He was
couple of trapeze
artists. All
people in the dressing tent were watching the same thing, with the
exception of
De
Ville,
whom
"But
saw
it
with
it
Wallace's back.
(it
He
was
all
what followed.
made
the canvas.
in
as
though to
at the
De
mop
Ville
drew
his
of the handkerchief
kept right on to the doorway, where he turned his head, while passing
out,
and shot
a swift
I
look back.
see hatred in
it,
saw triumph
at
as well.
293
"
when
breathed easier
was
lace
in
his
said
to
myself,
and
really
to the circus
later
had overhauled Red Denny. King Walturn and holding the audience spellbound. He was
was doing
in a particularly vicious
they were
was
just
snarling, that
all
too
fat
"Finally
in a
far-
eyes.
...
"It
"Snuff
it
was
that
De
?"
Ville
dropped on
it.
He
Old
only sneezed."
Conway was
movie
serials,
tan's
forty-three,
Lower
position of
when
radio,
V. Drexel
J.
East Side,
file
idols of
he resided alone
in a
American youth.
where he commuted
daily
by subway
Baylor,
to his
Leeds and
Mr.
did
fact,
He
purpose
in
was the accumulation of nostalgia in general and nostalgia pertaining to that most inimitable of all super-heroes. The Shadow, in
life,
particular.
Orient
the Power
Power
that, as
minds so
to cloud men's
Conway more
the
in
air,-
filled
words spoken by
Who
knows what
him with
hero
his
at
as
much
of men? The
and the
eerie,
with as
much
security
as,
delicious anticipation
when each
it.
Shadow knows
Nothing
filled
him
among
Mr.
a
wide range of pulp magazines. (He now had well over ten thousand
issues of
Savage,
Wu
strips, to
others.)
Doc
comic
Tales,
to
in invisible ink. In
the 1950s he
He
advertisements
wrote
fanatical.
letters,
in
made telephone
calls,
go
that
Mr.
came
gone
that
on
Saturday evening
With the
way back to
hood bookshop
his
still
strip carefully
the subway
in the
years,
He had
River, to pur-
basement of
a small
neighbor-
crumbling brownstone.
It
was
browse.
in
many
for so
in late June.
there
was.
the magazine
it
it
it
ten-
Colors un faded.
And
the price
Fifty cents.
Fifty cents!
him
a strange look,
Conway
without a word.
Two
Margo!)
Conway
impulsively en-
plunged into the story again, savoring each line, each page, the
mounting suspense, the seemingly inescapable traps laid to eliminate
The Shadow by archvillains Isaac Coffran and Birdie Crull, the smashing of their insidious counterfeiting plot: justice triumphant. The weed
of crime bears bitter fruit, crime does not
at
pay
So engrossed was Mr. Conway that he lost all track of time. When
last he closed the magazine he was startled to note that except for
296
he entered.
in
He
looked
at his
It
full when
mouth dropped open
amazement.
Mr.
diner.
ominous,
deserted
He
forbidding.
now
it
He had
night breeze.
Mr.
night.
walk
a short
Conway
He
took
its
And
its
morning of
but
was four
life. It
in daylight
swift
was
far,
his
if
he walked
walk.
No
cars passed,
no one appeared on
foot.
of his
were the only sounds. And yet Mr. Conway's heart was
footfalls
He
He was
been
Run! he thought.
run.
He
And
left,-
saw
alley,
way
along.
What am
for flight,
he did not
moving
come
certain that
his right.
But
It
Mr.
slowly, feeling
still
he continued
came from
Conway
inside a
put out a
hand and eased the door open wider, peered into what looked to be a
The thudding of his heart seemed as loud as a drum roll as
warehouse.
The
of the warehouse.
Shadowy shapes
movement
in
in
He
side.
crates of
advanced
the
the
light.
in hesitant,
watchman's
last
office.
he
He
glass.
when he saw
the
man
lying motionless on
297
managed
here,
and
Conway
Mr.
to
stifle
turned
it.
He had
froze.
hulking figure stood not three feet away, looking straight at him.
Mr. Conway's knees buckled,- he had to put a hand against the
glass to keep from collapsing. The murderer! His mind once again
compelled him to
stare
back
beneath
mouth,
at
in
low-brimmed cloth
the yawning muzzle
Conway
"No!" Mr.
at the
and
one
a cruel
fist.
front of him.
Conway
Surprise, bewilderment,
mask
Conway opened
his
looking right
"I
at
sudden trapped
up
his hands.
fear
made
twisted
Mr.
and
it
again.
He
could
him!
Conway
words.
The murderer
The sudden
fired.
Conway
to
jump convulsively aside,- the bullet came nowhere near him. He saw
the gunman looking desperately from side to side, everywhere but at
him and in that instant he did understand, he knew.
"You can't
see
me," he said.
The gun discharged a second bullet, but Mr. Conway had already
moved again. Far to one side of him a spiderwebbed hole appeared in
the glass wall of the cubicle. "Damn you!" the murderer screamed.
"Where
are
you? Where
are
you?"
Mr.
for a
floor nearby,
terrified
picked
up.
it
Without
hesitation,
he advanced on the
man and
Mr.
police
Conway
would have
to be
mouth. Could
it
summoned,
The
was plenty of
feat
he had per-
formed, his devotion and his passion, had stirred some supernatural
force into granting him the Power that he now possessed? Well, no
298
matter. His
his
into the
mean
years,
at
once
up practice
at
man
after eighteen
nerve!
Not
anyone had
that
particularly
mourned
mer house
that
a certain
on
gerprints
it
in his
when he was
bullets missing,
sum-
measure of sympa-
Jem
the discovery of
which were
his fin-
later
found
young M.D.'s
but
damn
But
it
the
it,
a stinker,
if
paid his
life
and
And Plummer, no
line of his face the
neat
ming
little
wreck of
in
expense book, and stared dully out into the night, drum-
softly
to have tried
it.
it
was no go,
after
little
all.
He had
been crazy
would
299
man
side. Well, a
it
so
He
months of
The
months of
it.
Six
hell!
harsh
br-r-r-r
groped absently
He
"Hello."
The
"Doc!"
subdued undercur-
want you
once. Case
"Doc
Pond
shooting lodge on
Elk's
to
at
come
out to Melville's
Hurry!"
"Right."
Plummer mechanically
"Oh
"
from
memo
"someone
The
instrument
Doc swore
he picked up
softly as
Then
he'd
The
through
Someone
of the
and stretched
layout.
Man
his
human
contact.
large table
was
first
man who
Then as his
the
a blurred nonentity.
he started violently,
his grop-
The supposed
mirth.
"Right the
Jem Tripp
first
to you,
time
Herman Jacobs
you two-timing
heel.
to the wide
When
open spaces
heard that
my
old
was free,
couldn't resist this opportunity to see you once
more. My," he sneered, "you sure are glad to see me."
friend
"But,"
Doc murmured
300
this little
don't,
weakly,
"I
don't
understand
why
ar-
servant glided noiselessly to his side and as silently departed with the
"Now, Doc
He
as his legs
to attempt
dog,"
came
tensed for
The man
it.
lated jealousy
back into
it
half rose,
"You rotten
even
moment
a leap
he realized that
it
would be
suicide
shrugging helplessly.
"And now"
he continued,
drink
until you're
you were in the old days only this time you won't leave
me under the table and make love to Elsie. Remember Elsie, Doc?"
With a shrill cackle of satisfaction he noted the white knuckles strain
as
drunk
as
find
he mused
like
em
died the
knew
Sorry.
it?
seemed almost
mock
in
You
wanted you
to squirm
under
it
before
my
He
face."
had not
stirred at
the news.
"Well," he
resumed impatiently,
"to business!
Doc, you're
you
see
that
once more
your
trial?
you."
He
He
way
just
remember how
You even
rubbed
his
hit
calm old
you
hits
it
want to
me
for
just
that
damn
way
jaw reminiscently.
bell.
'Two
tall
well chilled.
like before
"1
you
swer
you and me
and then
I'll
an-
get a reaction,
all
right.
Only, so help
me God,
if
that
301
chair once,
I'll
Plummer
in silent
my
friend."
stared, gulped,
merriment.
like a dog!
away
a full hour.
sat as before.
Plummer
highballs
stiff
wavered
it
to Plummer's estate.
His beady,
rat-like
to
game
it
He
to earth with
"Now Doc,
ture of this.
your imagination.
strain
There we were
you
an'
want you
your
in
You never knew, did you, that my drinks that night were spilled
into the vase beside my chair. Nary a swallow did
take
had business to do. Finally, you passed out, like you're almost doing now. put
the hobo in the summer house, poured gasoline over his body. Then
fired a coupl'a shots into him. Back in your room again
squeezed the
gun butt in your hand so the prints would show clear.
"You can probably guess the rest of it.
set fire to the body, saw
that the summer house itself was going good
and skipped town forever. Next day
read
was dead. Hah!
followed your trial thoroughly it was swell. Ah! now you're getting hot."
study.
He
gazed expectantly
Doc
stared at
him
at his visitor.
dully,
high
in his
he enunciated
"And
so"
me
"you framed
to a lifetime of regret
and remorse
for a
crime
never committed."
Tripp clapped his palms together
302
first
safer for
in
mock
could have.
didn't
want
you
to die
Then somehow,
fury,
sudden
pallor, the
spasmodic diaphramic
fore.
He
noted the
dou-
"Say let me look at you, he demanded, forgetting for the moment everything but the symptoms. Lurching slightly, he walked towards Tripp. The latter stiffened as he approached, and fear crept into
his narrowed eyes.
"
The
want to make
tricks,
or
a diagnosis
."
regarded the
true
men, and
if
you
in his eye,
He
I'll
to take
The examination
queer glint
waved to him
Now, Doctor
and
as
he did so
Plummer
arose again, a
a flicker
his
his fea-
tures.
when you
called
me
out here."
this
noon
his eyes
The vague
and made
stirring
cal.
"Pity
you
didn't
tell
me
about
it
when
arrived,"
dogged
murmured Doc,
ineffectiveness of the
friend.
303
My
now
diagnosis
He
is
me
let
operate right
smiled,
place yourself in
it
first
was a hurry
little
my
call,
You were
care.
only
it's
a pity
you
right,
my
see, in
you forced me
firewater."
fallen
con-
and
summoning me
to disregard the
Doc
directions,
kit,
his
knees
much from
voice had said he'd never live to get back to town, but his manner had
said as plainly that the operation
He
rose
unsteadily,
would be
pressing
his
side,
homicidal travesty.
and staggered
to
the
threshold.
"Wait!"
He
turned.
Doc looked
at
him,
still
smiling.
"I
never reach the hospital. In about twenty minutes your pain will
appear suddenly.
is
over, but
it
will
dis-
only be the
time you get on the table, you'll have a raging fever, peritonitis will
start,
panic rose to
"I'm
crescendo.
Doc
insisted,
still
manner.
"No, blast you," sobbed Tripp, throwing on his
ulster, "not
drunk.
what you used to say in the old days, when you couldn't even
walk. Frenchy, keep him away from me.
don't believe you, damn
your soul; slight indigestion, that's all. But I'm going to the hospital
to be sure. Frenchy, keep him here till 1 go, then follow in his car." He
304
That's
moment
silence.
Doc watched
bump
the car
smoldered
He
after
he
first
grey eyes.
in his
spoke over
him? Maybe
his shoulder.
let
me go
now
"Not
your bus,
like
said.
dis-
in
departure.
Doc
white cylinder.
He
around
his
a receptacle
at the
adroitly,
The
blue
tip of
the
The same
long
had occupied
rette stubs
fectly
lift.
sought the
moment
another cigarette.
lit
trifle as it just
for
good
floating idly
In
it
glasses of Scotch.
they sure
"Ahhh,
Feds on
ain't regulars.
I
Dressed
this.
We'd
a sister act,
and
in leather, too."
Remember
better be sure."
"Yeah, yeah," Frank said. But he was thinking, fuck the Feds. They'd
come
to
him
for help
on
this
all
know
shit
a real
cop
305
them."
said.
"Since
when
and mighty
involves a
madam who
sets things
up over
Mann
lation of the
Act."
them to make a federal case outta a little free enterprise," Frank had said. He didn't like the FBI. Ever since they investigated him on that brutality rap five years ago. The one that had gotten him transferred from Homicide to Vice. From the top of the heap
"Leave
it
to
said.
It
surveillance
van outside.
"Better get
Just then
Frank snorted
in first,"
he
in disgust
beer.
drunk was
receiver from
him and
He
said.
wall.
off.
sleeve.
said, "This
If
of
it.
306
know anything
like that.
"This
No
Partial,"
shit,
wasn't
Agent
Special
is
it?
as
"Yeah,"
you had."
if
Wally answered.
"I
think so.
couple of babes
Imperative?
me
put
it's
a mile
we
My
creeping
"Proceed as directed."
he thought,
got them.
"
away
Jesus,
way," Wally
this
hooker
their
Where
it
in their late
That was
it?"
"Let
"It
if
this
as
he hung up.
He
there was
noid.
Wally returned to the bar and ordered another beer. Frank looked
across the bar and winked at the two blondes, who immediately
perked up.
"They
said,
"Christ,"
to
and
muttered Frank.
make the
He
donuts."
asked,
glass.
"How
Correct
can
this be?
This beautiful
this immediately."
if
they minded
his
if
shy friend joined them. They giggled again and said that would be
right.
as
he
set the
empty
glass
all
onto the
Who
them
glass
and put
find out
on
their
who
own.
it
me
in
the
about?
He
replaced
all
307
moved down
said.
"And
this
is
my
friend Bambi."
"So you
girls
from
"I'm
New
They
Bacall's voice.
"I
call
it
"I
love Lauren
whiskey tenor."
at Sherry.
"We
at
girls
want
didn't
to
waste any time. Before he could answer Wally grabbed his sleeve.
"I
gotta go drain the monster," he said. His beeper was going off
again.
bad
idea.
Would you
ladies
excuse us a moment?"
at
me
curious."
said.
Frank and Wally got up and went to the men's room. After checking the
stall
again,
"Frank,
gimme
"What
for?"
asked Frank
who was
"Well,
"He beeped me
"I
his pockets.
a quarter"
"My
again."
fuckin' bladder
beeped me."
want
to caution
said.
defense
if
"We know
all
about
commit the
it.
It's
not a
crime."
Remember,
ity.
listening to
"All right,"
"Not
this
is all
being recorded.
Wally
said.
"Anything
at this time."
He
308
it."
walked to the
urinal.
else?"
federal
grand jury
will
be
"Knock
off.
it
a federal
When
grand
jury."
Wally was
fin-
"You
girls
He
felt
"We
sure did."
Wally grinned and started to say something, but the next thing he
knew Bambi's tongue was working its way into his mouth, jesus, she
was strong.
"Hey, you
girls don't
would
said,
in his
purposefully
mouth, hoping
any germs.
kill
"We'd
there's a catch."
"Oh?" Frank
Wally
"I
said.
sales pitch,
he thought.
Just then
felt
"Hmm,
I'll
do
Bambi
He
asked.
wants to stroke
"I've
that
it's
imperative that
"Well,
come on
in
"Detective Myers,
my
it."
said demurely.
familiar
number.
"He
have to
states
testify."
remember what
Wally hung up. Frank pushed the door open and asked him what
man
"Who?"
"Special
Oh
Agent
Partial."
Don
Knotts
in a
to the bar.
we
"^3^hy don't
all
"
"Come
I'll
you head
you
like
said.
said.
down
to Frank's groin.
at
a catch."
who came
give
man
in a
three-piece suit
and sat a few stools down. But Frank noticed. It was that
Fucker Partial. Good. Let him see the bullshit they had to go through
to get a vice arrest. Just then Sherry's tongue invaded his mouth.
"Let's go out to the car, Frank, Sherry said.
"But what about the catch?" he said.
in
"
"Oh,
get
it,"
Frank
said.
girls,
that
is
it?"
each other.
at
"If that's
it,
we
don't mind."
"Right," Frank added.
"We got
his
name and an
He handed them
insurance
each a
company logo on
it.
"Lemme
put
it
this
Wally added.
added Wally.
I'd feel bad charging you," Bambi said.
wouldn't want you to feel bad, sweet cakes," Wally said. "But
the price
is
right,"
"We
don't
took out a
more where
"Well,
candy
for
mind paying
fifty
dollar
that
we
my
bill
came
and
laid
it
money
He
felt a
310
for a
good
palming the
said.
He
cause.
Got some
bill.
Frank
from."
business."
is
his
silicone
"Bam-bam,
wearing
this motherfucker's
a wire,"
Sherry
said.
Bambi's
spit
in
Wally's face.
"Too
late, ladies,"
Frank
said, pulling
the stool.
down."
Sherry suddenly brought a foot up and snapped a kick into Frank's
His
groin.
balls
He sagged
who deftly
like
felt
him to the
"Hey,
Partial,"
Agent
Special
stepped
enough
"How
some
'bout
was fumbling
help?"
identification
for his
which twisted
Sherry's skirt
Agent Par
"
he started to
off
was not
a natural
What
was
a full set of
genitalia.
"You
off.
male
he
as
scrambling bodies.
the
of
called.
Partial
front
in
floor
he
and
over his
Upon
felt
lips,
seeing
floor
"all"
He
Partial's
all
did a
little
fast,
Two more
in.
After a few
more
sec-
onds, the squirming bodies were untangled and Sherry and Bambi
in cuffs.
mopped
Suddenly he
felt a
kill,
as
My
sister
and
in
bad
He
as the other."
matching leather
outfits.
just flew in
from
New
.
anybody
York and
business
311
Memento Mori
Alex Saxon
There
are
grisliest I'd
seen
and functional
and
seemed to be
books and art.
Crane said,
me
"If
wasn't seeing
it
for myself,
it
It
wasn't; there
it,
despite the
don't think
I'd
believe
it."
"Yeah."
He rubbed at the bald spot on the crown of his head. "Well, I've
had enough in here if you have."
"More than enough," agreed.
We crossed to the double entrance doors and went into the hallway beyond. At its far end was a large living room containing more
teakwood furniture and primitive art. One of the two patrolmen who
had preceded us on the scene stood stoically beside a long sofa,- the
other officer was waiting outside for the arrival of the lab crew and
the coroner. Sitting stiff-backed in middle of the sofa was Douglas
Falconer hands fiat on his knees, eyes blinking myopically behind
I
312
thick-lensed glasses.
He was
about
forty,
we
All
owned
guilt well
enough.
an expensive Spanish-style
this house,
else
We
blind fury."
pared
at all for
in Falconer's
had no idea
room.
no
moment
of
said,
prised
city's
said his
one of the
words, "during
as to motive,
in the
villa in
had been
at
He
and
dried stains
on
shirt.
earlier,
confirmed his
one
when
hour
with
him
of his rights,
us about
tell
it,
Falconer?"
We'd already
ap-
murdered Asher," he
"1
done
it.
practice.
up,
now on."
"Why did you
said.
it
kill
not
so
much
of
him sooner or
said,
"Why
later,
to answer as a
a refusal
We
would get
it
Where
out
it.
like that?"
He
shelf
did
behind
his desk.
He was
sitting at the
desk
when
it
.
on the
when
it."
"He kept
incredulous.
"He had
tone was
macabre sense of humor. He claimed to enjoy the reacwhen they saw it. it was his memento mori, he said."
tions of visitors
"His what?"
said.
Asher was
a fearless,
least. In
one
sense,
was
it
his
he devoted
life,-
his life
to the dead."
that right?"
is
and other
his expedi-
parts of
spondence."
"How
"Eight years."
"Do you
"Yes.
live here?"
have
"Does anyone
room
south wing."
in the
He had no
Crane
"I
left
him
close relatives."
said,
"The two of
his death?"
didn't plan to
kill
He
this
head
asked.
again,
something not
at
in
the room.
At length he
said, "It
was
revelation."
"Revelation?"
A
ogist
heavy
sigh.
"I
I'd
said, "asking
me
and
offer,
But
when
tion.
He
it,
in his
employ or
would take
"Wait a minute,"
in his
steps against
I
said.
my
He
if
my
continued silence
ordered
didn't
his per-
considered the
house.
me
he refused to accept
no longer
said he
this
I
become
to
me
it
down.
resignaif
were
to remain.
He
."
.
"What something?"
He
314
said,
"The death of
his wife
at Asher's
summer lodge on
Lake Pontrain."
We
Crane
stared at him.
"Did
I?
had
Yes,
left
suppose
said,
it's
at
same
lie,
in exactly
the
the truth."
die?"
"it
then followed
lodge
in
my own
When
to have
been
reached the
dred,
Mil-
bed
in
Los Angeles,
visiting a friend in
I'd
was stunned.
infidelity. She was
"Yes.
as
fied
I'd
asked.
beautiful, yes
but
thing
."
.
"Was Asher
"He seemed
suggested
we
also stunned?"
we could
do.
swer."
"Which was?"
"He suggested
them somewhere
way
we dispose
Then we could con-
of his that
at the lake.
moved
this explanation,
He
insisted
his reputation.
As
it
happened, he
at
the time
315
rocks."
Crane
said,
something happened
this
morning."
"Yes."
"These
employ
'steps'
were they
you
if
kill
me."
two accidental
said the
"And?"
"He
me
told
didn't
die
dered them?"
He
"That's right.
found them
in
alive, his
massive ego had been wounded, the sin was unforgivable and had to
be punished
that
fists.
looked closely
at
Then he
my
distraught state
noticed
suffocated
"Did he
you
tell
If
me
hadn't believed
and
too, then
it,
if
hadn't helped
there."
that too?"
"Yes."
"So
murderer the
for a
up a cold-blooded double
control and picked up the skull and bashed his
head
in
with
it."
wanted
by
my
part in the
"What was
"Something
he told
it,
made me do what
this
affair,
about
It
was
his
did."
me
his confes-
second revelation?"
it,
film.
"Mad
ghoul.
It
don't
A mad
know
ghoul."
it?
316
was sickened by
why
whole ugly
"Mr. Falconer
He
let
as
Lake Pontrain.
always believed;
these years,
all
loved grinning
came from
it
when he
struction,
come
from Mexico,
told
me
these years,
at
me
I'd
one
that
fitting
been working
promontory
weapon
in that
study of his
at
woman
all
ever
."
.
Ritner Anderson
Ching, the Chinese houseboy, found Mrs. Belcourt out on the moonlit terrace necking with a phony French count who grandly called
himself Louis Henri Jean Pierre D'Valois.
Bowing, Ching
he
call
sanitar-
Wanda
It
showed
in
pale blue eyes and the feverish redness of her cheeks. Voice savage,
you
little rat!
How many
times do
have to
tell
call,
me
tell
lipped mouth.
'That's
all!"
handsome
Wanda
grin.
He'd warmed
been
it
added
needlessly, "a.m."
317
In the faint
brightness.
kill.
down
to a
with triumph.
shrill
"Who?"
Why
"My husband.
died?"
She hugged
money,
should Orst
at this
call
herself fiercely,
said,
hour
if
Larry hasn't
The
"It's
mean."
"If
your husband
is
dead," he
said,
There was a long, tense silence and far away they heard the hoot
and rumble of a train. Wanda Belcourt stood ramrod-stiff and straight,
and her eyes shaded from blue to indigo. Voice edged, she declared,
"Larry was pronounced insane by a court of law. A judge committed
him
to the sanitarium
possibly
make me
on the advice of
at all
day punch.
He
much when
he's drunk.
said,
experts.
However can
that
it
his Sun-
"How
droll!" said
tion."
Pierre D'Valois
He
took
a stab in
the dark. "Your husband has only been in the sanitarium two weeks.
Perhaps
if
statement hang
Little
flecks
Belcourt's eyes,
."
.
He
left
the unfinished
in mid-air.
appeared
of blackness
and her
lips
in
a thin,
red
We
line. In
the
Wanda
compressed into
in,
said,
"Look,
split fifty-fifty
when
couple
gets a divorce."
The
stiffness
lips
with the
tip of
her tongue.
she confessed.
"Think
it
Wanda
Belcourt gave
him
much
your husband,
would
see that
of a nuisance of himself."
a frosty smile,
stiff-
leggedly into the spacious hallway where her spiked heels sank noise-
318
guests were
in
pattern
writers
who
never wrote,
artists
who
ebony
desk.
She
room
at large,
"Oh, no. Dr. Orst!" She repeated it until she was sure her voice
held just the right note of shocked tragedy and anguished grief. She
One
There was
me
She
Mrs. Law-
is
said.
came on
the
line. "I
"So
surmised.
am
pre-
pared."
Dr. Orst took a deep, gusty breath. "Your husband escaped an hour
ago."
chills
until
in
Wanda
feet.
and
Belcourt's ears,
her knuckles whitened. "No! Nol" She heard herself say. "No!
me
It's
"It
speaking
The
fast.
husband
can't
climb the wall that surrounds your place. So you are perfectly safe."
Mrs. Belcourt's panic abated, and her eyes slitted with sly cunning.
"Keep
me
a steady hand.
She
lit
a cigarette,
phone with
smoke ceilingward.
sanitarium was less than a mile away. She had selected it to
give the impression that she was a devoted wife who wanted her mentally sick husband as near to her as possible. Her restive eyes surveyed
the room. She got up and went to the French doors that opened on a
flagstone walk. They were locked. She unlatched a door and opened it
the
The
out an inch.
Then she
319
Back
at
the desk, she opened the center drawer and took out the
his
a target
marksmanship with
joy. Small
arms were
in
Wanda
range
it
the opportunity to
widow. Unfortunately, servants had always been present to care for weapons and targets.
The plan had blossomed in her brain so crystal clear, with details
stage an accident that
There was
top.
She emptied
the cigars into the drawer, placed the pistol in the box, closed the lid
and tucked the container under her left arm. She went out into the
hallway just as Ching came out of the music room with an empty tray.
"Go to bed!" she ordered him, shouting to be heard above the
tumult of the party.
Ching bowed and hurried back toward the kitchen. Pierre D'Valois
came in from the terrace, smirking with triumph. He walked up to
Mrs. Belcourt, gripped her bare shoulders and laid his cheek next to
hers.
?"
is he
"Signed, sealed and delivered," she said. "I'm going to the sanitar-
ium.
You
stay here.
rolling hot
tell a
soul!"
"If
you want
you think
a ride
it
better
on the gravy
."
.
train,
do
as
you're told!"
He
will,
at the leather
Wanda
Belcourt changed to a
black suit and covered the white of her throat with a deep blue
pistol to
room, she
filled
it
Ready to leave,
and dialed the state police barracks.
320
scarf.
"This
is
husband
is
hiding
said.
"I
a firm voice.
understand that
my
woods."
in Jessop's
"He was seen going in there," Swale hedged. "We'll search the
woods in the morning. In the meantime, I've posted a trooper at your
gate.
Your husband
can't
you'll
be perfectly
safe."
"Yes.
'Thank you," she said, and hung up feeling warm and excited.
The kitchen was deserted. She left by the back porch and walked
to the garage. Ghostly moonlight flooded the scene with a silvery
radiance and towering shrubs cast elongated shadows. Heart hammering, she slipped behind the wheel of her black convertible. Even at
that distance she could hear sounds of revelry from the music room.
The trooper
at
alert.
six feet
convertible.
"I'm Mrs. Belcourt," she explained
town and
"You'd be
wall and
"I'll
time
in
stay at a hotel."
all
have
room," she
said,
then asked
idly,
"What
it?"
is
The
a tight
nod
sight.
off
then
frowned.
She
She sneaked to the south end of the building. The road was deserted.
The pavement was hot beneath her feet.
The heavy oak door was partly concealed by vines. The lock
turned easily with the pressure of the key, but the hinges grated chatteringly,
ground and
and
It
a tiny geyser.
'The
faithful
the
door."
She made a complete circle around the house. The light in Ching's
room above the kitchen was burning and she imagined that she saw
his shadow on the wall. Indianlike, she approached the music room by
rushing from shrub to shrub and keeping where the shadows were
deepest. Both
windows
of the music
a profusion
She
fixture
was
off
and
floor
lamps diffused a soft orange glow throughout the room. The radio
was waging a losing battle with a group of brassy males voices trying
to harmonize on How Dry I Am.
She had to lock her jaws to keep her teeth from chattering
her head and peeked over the sill. She was in luck.
lifted
window studying
as she
Pierre
the glow-
ing end of his cigar with the rapt, dreamy expression his face acquired
when he sank
Heath
sat
on an end of
coffee table.
money
matters. Frank
The red-headed
girl
some
of safety matches.
Wanda
firing
pumped
Her
as
the
first
target.
there.
She
somed
fired.
Magically,
a red rose.
The
around
a
in
beacon.
it
The second
like
his
was an
inert
heap on the
floor.
woman's
Someone turned
sudden silence
the radio
off.
air.
The
strident
singing
like
the
thunder storm.
322
left in
her
nylons and her feet were swollen and sore from rocks and gravel. She
felt
no
a cut that
would have
left a
blood
from the
Her swollen
feet
made her
station, she
in the
distance before she turned on the lights. Halfway across the three-
and
It
weapon
in
the muck.
She parked the car outside the main entrance of the hotel and
grandly told the doorman to have
it
Safe within the privacy of the suite, Mrs. Belcourt undressed and
sat
feet.
The
hastily
conceived plan had worked to perfection. In due time she would be-
come
widow
either a
man
or the wife of a
life.
Either
way, she would come into possession of immense wealth, and with
Pierre D'Valois
would
She switched
ical
her brain.
inactivity,
The
an air-tight
had
it
The
Had
She
rallied,
letter perfect.
police
came
at five.
Even
so,
handled
a cigarette
dominated by
detectives.
One was
a jutting jaw.
tall
one
said,
men and
ankles.
and
lean,
had
a sad
grey
The
establish
face
the trooper at
Could Ching
kill?
hats.
The
cat
tall
man
sighed, said, "I'm not going to drag this out and play
and mouse. You can add. Your husband escaped from the
ium wearing
a strait-jacket.
He was
captured wearing
sanitar-
a strait-jacket.
323
man
at
in a strait-jacket
on
is
a par
The words of Dr. Orst, Corporal Swale and the trooper at the gate
marched through her memory on leaden feet. "Your husband can't
climb the wall," they had all asserted with conviction. She should
have asked why.
first
month before
the murder,
little
En-
upon the Avon not far from Stratford. The autumn had been warm, and it was almost like a summer's
day when he first visited Rose Cottage where Major Wen lived with
glish village of Merryside, nestled
"You came
all
the
my
greeted
you
by the window.
"1
Prepare
to
die in
you
And
October 5th
the sins
of
is
the
first
your youth'
unsigned, of course."
Wentworth pointed
what especially disturbed my brother. He has no enemies
here." She was a slim woman, somewhat shorter than her brother and
lacking his obvious charm. Inspector Greene imagined she spent much
"But mailed right here in Merryside," Grace
out. "That's
of her time tending the garden he'd glimpsed at the rear of the house.
324
"I'll
time,
and
try not to
any
"I
ideas?"
want to see
woman named
Jennings
Elizabeth
Jennings."
remember she was a beautiful girl. The major used to come down from Cambridge in his fancy
car and take her to country dances. That was forty years ago and
was eighteen. I've married and raised a family since then."
"I'll have a talk with her," Greene said.
"Her mind's a bit wobbly since her husband died of a heart attack
"Sure
last year.
"I'm gentle
Elizabeth Jennings
retained
still
some
"Anonymous
let-
ter-
Heaven help
rorists
us
still
smiling.
and murderers!"
"Wentworth
in
my
^yes.
TTiat
life
A good
It
will
"Of course
On
the
not!
way
is
it?"
named
Wentworth
McCrae
Paul
McCrae. "Ever
place?"
all
325
the gardening, so
They keep
to
themselves since he retired from the army. She goes out on Wednes-
sticks close to
home."
it
need you,
sir,"
Rose Cottage."
"Major Wentworth?"
"No,
sir.
his sister
it's
The
out front.
"Out
he
said,
it
parked
woman
hadn't an en-
her garden.
in
picking the
was
still
the world."
in
"Where did
it
terrible thing,"
emy
later,
killed."
last
of her vegetables.
a hunter."
Inside,
comfort him.
threatening letters?"
his head.
of
my
killer
It
was
in
visit.
We
were hoping
hunting jackets that was hanging by the back door. Could the
"It's
likely,"
you, but
it
it.
earlier.
figure."
example?"
"No one.
326
It
"So only the two of you and the writer of the letters
knew about
them?"
"I
suppose
that's so."
"I'll
want to
call
believe
I'll
on Elizabeth Jennings
have a solution to our
mystery."
said.
"I
"1
knew you'd
worth."
inside.
letters, didn't
"After your
Charlie
"I
left
crazy. But
"1
stopped
after
your
visit last
week.
"I
fact that
Grace did
didn't
"It
kill
Grace."
was
known
all
you'd be blamed."
He
victim."
letters to
own
sister?"
Greene shook
family.
Wednesday
Maybe
afternoons.
she decided
wife. For
he
letters,
it
was time he
rid of
left
his
When
on Guy Fawkes
killed her
don't
'The
had
killer
to
They
Sloane.
yet
letters,
tell
Wentworth
said
told you."
just
con-
tried
to
Murderer's Handicap
by Alex Barber
Gerald Beauchamp crumpled the
it
pounds
"Fifty
won't get
it!
in
money.
He would
he knew the
get
and
fllung
it
truth.
in three days, as
staring
down
he demanded
into the
fire,
or he
an elegant
eyes.
He
ball,
have to wait!"
will
it,
man
savagely into a
The swine
letter
fire.
lit
a cigarette,
After
all,
it
wasn't as
if
curious gleam
came
a cloud of smoke.
he was unprepared
was
it? It
simply meant that a certain plan, which might not have proved necessary,
328
would have
to be adopted.
He
took
deep breath.
He
glanced
"Just
at the
He dropped
materials
And
then
were ready to
it
was here
Writing
fire.
murder-mystery novels and short stories. The deep leather chair at the
end of the hearthrug was ideal for pondering plots, but too luxurious
for the actual writing.
When
he had finished
way
message,
a halt.
A homely woman
look.
Beauchamp strode
reached
as the caller
me
open
it
just
it.
and pulled
me
didn't
know
coming!"
at
affection
which
human
"You'll
by
excuse
me
without you
self can't
'as
be bothered seeing
like.
after
always think
on
'is
at
thought,
all
was carrying.
"Beggin' your pardon for the liberty,
sir,"
she added.
"I
you
'ope
don't mind."
a cold stare.
thought
"for
am
329
extremely annoyed
And he
night!"
"Oh,
being disturbed
at
Good
fell.
sir,
I'm sure."
Her good-hearted
still
on your
table for
And
tick.
you now
You
gardener to
you
I've
dislike
table
If
but
And
for
Wally
Beauchamp
being interrupted."
see,
"1
sir? It
"I
me
put them
won't take
Burchell,
angrily,
strong in her,
let
me
he used to be
am
writing.
flowers,
come
shall
in
be writing
all the
my
jerked savagely at the taps over the wash basin. Mrs. Plucknett or no
Mrs. Plucknett, he had to get his face ready for the grease-paint.
Half an hour
later,
"No
finger-prints,"
He went
and put on
cut,
at
commonplace
a pair of
suit of
he said slowly.
room
that served as his study, he drew the heavy curtains across the
window, lighted the hanging lamp, and stood the wire guard in front
of the
fire.
"That's everything,
think."
He
let
softly
copse.
Soon he was
a hazel
his
come over
And
being incurably
talkative,
He knew
Keynesford Heath.
330
this evening!
in
visit
to Mrs. Jordan,
who was
well
known
rate,
hear of the
would he
did,
him what
remember what
the evening.
Of
course,
way
helps, in the
little
mused Beauchamp,
said,"
he
if
learn?
explain that
every
And
visit.
"She'll tell
ing
me
for interrupting
I
my
be no proof that
will
it
grinning. "She'll
at
And
work.
go on
writ-
did so
but
of corroborative evidence!"
For an hour and a half he followed the winding path through the
crossed
a clearing,
it,
It
at
by
a little delay,
a scholarly old
his
was
him
"Who
"It's
is
it?"
only me,
sir,"
Beauchamp
said
"Good
gracious, so
"Come
ishment.
in,
my
Gerald,
Ephriam
Sir
ing
the
down from
in!
It
in
his explanation.
do
But to
for.
of
sir.
I've
come
to
dome
As easy
easy.
work
his
my way
And
that's
thin, stringy
"suffers
of thinking the
simple one.
and the
perfectly
one do best?
name
is
the
was going to be
provided
in aston-
in
plot."
the shining
icap of having to
off
hey?"
What
comfortable chair
in a
champ continued
come
boy,
see
and he pulled
it is!"
reassuringly,
his face.
way
details.
to achieve perfection
What
does
sort of job
this story."
"Simplicity
"Exactly,
ourselves,
"shall
is
sir.
safety, hey?"
And
could
it
test
occurred to
my
me
say a rehearsal? So
that
if
used characters
Beauchamp laughed
made myself
like
lightly
sir,
the victim!"
He
How
made
331
Still,
brown complexion
the
of a
a necessary
"The
hey?"
you
devil
And he went
on
momentary
To cover
his
"You
it's all
tric
see,
whom
agitation,
Beauchamp hurried
There
quite simple.
own
is
He
retirement.
settled
down,
on:
as
a life of scholarly
in a
simple country
alone with
his
beloved books."
"Was
Or was he one
"Anyway,
God and
And
in
me, looking
as
Beauchamp
do
that
that gate
who
think
it
the after-life?"
"1
hurriedly.
hadn't thought
man
like
an author.
He
"like
feel sure
which would normally have found expression in love for his wife
had she lived and in a number of friendships if he had stayed in
society
these affections came to a focus on this author-friend of his.
So much
so,
in
fact,
man
vided
it
it,
young
friend.
Sir
And,
Where does
strictly to
come
in,
hey? Must do your job, you know!" Again that thin chuckle which
II
"I'm
coming
ing that
was
it
bad
looked
hat.
less strained
Went
in for
than
it
felt.
"You
chap
and lived
well, an
all
this.
immoral
How
life.
should he?
He
was
down
buried
had
way
man
in
er
He knew
pleasures.
of his goings-on.
Beauchamp
his
mind
that
if
gone
That nice
will.
like that!"
at
him
in
he would be
ears,
would be
half-share in a fortune
little
And he snapped
Sir
slowly, "there
you can imagine without much trouble. A certain unsain town gets to know too much, and puts the screw
on this author laddie threatens to expose him to the old boy, you
understand. A rather nasty position. For a while it works all right, but
"The
vory
rest
little
man up
comes
there
time
when
out so
much
literary
work,
as a result of
The
them.
He
pounds
champ
licked his
lips,
which
felt
turns
in three days!
turning
isn't
blackmailer finds
"the
He
be
favorable position to
in a
because
is
known
friend
let
man
is
left.
life
traced.
see
softly,
if
one
when
"will
the old
should he?
It
means running the risk of being landed himblackmailer. Even anonymous letters have been known to be
What
is
good reasons
it
more,
this
and more
profitable
particular blackmailer
happens to have
why
think
have committed
least likely to
me
"1
He would
Ephriam.
dead.
immoral
Sir
do so
And, of course, he
nodded
situation,"
police.
Yard.
"And
will
so, as
you have
said,
sir,
the author
is
the evening.
was busy
writing.' Well,
why
in a
good
He
position.
home
all
it?
says,
'I
was
at
333
There
chance, though
a faint
is
encouraged
most
it's
he hasn't
unlikely, because
callers, that
he
is
out.
'They will see the light, but will get no answer when they knock.
was writing a passage at white-heat positively inspired,' says
Why?
'1
noticed
they'd smashed
if
it
The same
down!'
call.
you think of
are.
shouldn't have
So there you
What do
are!
it?"
story.
why you
don't see
me
seem to
Beauchamp laughed.
"Perhaps
tion.
And
ally tried
He
wasn't,"
it
was
there
he said
just
one thing
my
imagina1
actu-
it."
see,"
when he knows
"Well,
victim's chair
like this.
Beauchamp,
in a
far,
curious whisper,
no one
safe,
is
"is
be
else in the
sure.
want
to know,"
"Oh,
is
just as well to
that everything
So
a talk
said
helps
"You
house
it
want to know."
that," said
Ephriam.
Sir
There
wasn't.
Ill
of
late, as usual,
for
next morning.
his
breakfast,
in
He had
fried
two
the sunny
little
dining
room, when Superintendent Jordan arrived with the news that Sir
Ephriam?
why, he was
my
That break
"Brutally
334
Good
best friend!
in his
and
in his study.
voice
You
can't
mean
Why
admirable!
agely.
deserves to swing,
Beauchamp sank
so,"
"My
best friend
it
all
acting.
His
stroking
superintendent,
the
said
"Quite
The
fly.
right!"
all
square
his
chin
thoughtfully.
when Beauchamp was calmer, he faced the anticipated quesThe superintendent cross-examined him.
"We have to check up on people, you know, sir. Matter of routine."
Later,
tions.
"1
evening.
in the
room next
was
in all last
to this."
at all?"
"No."
"How
"Several hours.
exact,"
eleven."
"I
and
women
well, there,
will talk!
comes
to
you
in the
morn-
Beauchamp drew
"Why,
"Been
yes,"
super was
no suspicion.
in to give
The
this
fine roses."
Beauchamp shook
"I
his head,
with a
them water,
been
in
my
as
He
it.
As
a matter of fact,
will give
1
haven't
hadn't
faint smile.
No
in case
was
"I
wondered.
rather
hoped you
right."
his shoulder.
"1 arrest you
warn you that
evidence at your
murder of
Sir
may be
taken
as
trial!"
in
reached
this stage.
known he would
if
it
about
evening!"
last
He
stern satisfaction.
was not
afflicted
"I
flowers.
Of
course,
you wouldn't,
liberate, brutal
why
me you didn't
realized. That's
but
asked you
if
know!"
"Flowers?
"You
Those
devil,"
Beauchamp,
explain.
She
me you
still
was
know
but you
it.
he
roses
evening.
336
If
Murder Offstage
by R.
There's no other way," Garrison Smith said, putting
the
"One
time.
first
Paul Drayer
of us will have to
let his
it
Stevens
L.
words
into
for
him."
kill
set eyes.
"I
all
in
it,
once
her
in
life.
else to
It's
not just
my
reputa-
"Then
even
it's
when
it
came
"Which one
to directing a murder.
of us shall
it
be?"
Cliff
Contrell
cleared
his
"What
throat.
are
the
appointment
times?"
two
"Contrell at
thirty.
He
o'clock,
Drayer
at
two
thirty,
and myself
at three
the nega-
tives."
"I'm
first,"
the leading
man
in
guess
it's
up to me."
He was
always
position now.
"On
will
we
word
of caution.
in his office?
be?
Where
will
kill
him
for
he'll
nothing
Aster be?"
You might
kill
him, but
it's
blackmail forever."
337
this? Contrell
at his office at
Then
Paul meets
"You stay here and wait," Smith told her. "You've caused us enough
trouble already."
It
was
king of yesterday's
When
busy to give
jet set
been too
all
less
than that.
Whatever
Aster Martin
automatic
dingy
a
else
in
office
they might be, Paul and the other two were loyal to
and
his
Now,
carrying a
little
.22
It
was
day of
brow
man
There was
single closed
seated in a
a filing
window, and an
wooden
room was
as bare
and dingy
on top of
as the build-
itself.
338
wooden
came
proper order."
like
my
is
much
that
to have a
girls
1
suppose
but then
now
of
that she's a
star."
Paul
them.
no
money
me
tricks
or
while I'm
at
you're
I'll
take
Contrell's
it."
Leonardo Flood kept smiling. "You mean the Fan Club would
for dear, dear Aster? Even that?"
kill
"The negatives!"
"Suppose
you they
tell
aren't here?"
He
"I
said
1
know
in
the hall
room and
they're in this
want them."
"It'll do you no good to kill me. You'll never find them."
"We'll see," Paul said, and he swung the little gun at Flood's temple,
catching the actor with a blow that knocked him unconscious to the
grimy
floor.
Now
film
he had to work
easy
inch of
it,
fast.
The
35mm.
to hide,
ing else. Paul checked Flood's necktie, and the soles of his shoes, and
everywhere
He
else.
He went
and
sides
legs,
and
and back
its
for
hidden compartments.
He
He
at the legs
the filing cabinet, even carefully lifted the whirling black fan to look
beneath
sides.
rack.
its
What
base.
else?
He opened
the
window
closet,
not even
and
coat
office infrequently.
After twenty minutes Paul gave up. Flood was beginning to regain
go the
limit
and
not
unless
He went
The
street
was
hot,
He
walked
a block,
339
'The phones are jammed up. We just had a power failure and the
whole area's knocked out. All those damned air conditioners!"
Paul sighed and sat down to wait. Fifteen minutes later, the drug
store's fluorescent lights flickered back on and the afternoon's minor
power crisis was ended. The telephone traffic dropped to normal and
he made his call to Smith's office. No one answered. Obviously Smith
had gone to keep his 3:30 appointment with Flood.
Paul drove back across town and parked his car in the lot next to
the theater. Aster and Cliff were up in the director's office waiting for
him, but there was no sign yet of Garrison Smith. "Did you find the
negatives?" Aster asked him.
"No.
damned
tore the
office apart
and
He
sank into the familiar chair and took out his cigarettes.
"But
know he had
"Here's your
money. At
least
found
that."
He
wad
"I
didn't
kill
finally.
"1
gether anyway."
"Maybe
it
that person keeps his secret, he could continue the blackmailing, pos-
you think
killed
in the
back of
alive, just
his
...
"I
That leaves
340
full
half
hour unaccounted
for. If
left
till
Flood,
still
three thirty.
The
had
pieces
would
"Look
man
with as orderly
Odd amount
for
it
mind
$12,500 each,
far
more
as
Leonardo Flood
a total of
likely there
$37,500?
was
a fourth
She gave
Paul nodded-
know,
first
He was
sure of himself
fifty
grand.
if
hour
in his
"1
Drayer
at
What
two
to
seem
got to thinking
skip
me he
proper order.
You wanted
it
thirty.
Contrell
at
two,
"I
think
it
in plain
The
view
there was a
tell
wetting her
He was
lips
the police?"
smiling slightly.
"If
we keep
it
at Aster.
worth to
you?"
341
long wail from the engine's whistle rose above the vibrations of the
It
that there
on
of steel
steel
Queer
that
at this
A moment
pushed
his
hour
later steps
in
the morning.
sounded
in
curtain.
His black
face, extra
dark against
the spotless white of his jacket, was set in a frown halfway between
worry and
fear.
"Boss, lady
A woman
pushed by him
She and her husband had made the run from New York. Her white
face and haggard eyes brought him to his feet.
"My
disappeared
husband's vanished
right before
my
eyes," she
blurted huskily.
"Vanished?"
"Yes.
He went
The frown
"But
my
to get
left
dear
me
and he
moment.
a drink of water
hasn't
come
yourself so quickly?
back."
Maybe he
342
in a low,
would be
here. Something's
vanished before
my
And
happened
very eyes."
was
that
He
saw
in
It
her face
was more than the temperature that made her shiver and turn
it
her stricken eyes toward the slightly swaying curtain to the corridor.
He nodded
for her to
go on.
"He was coming down the aisle with a cup of water when he disappeared. It was so strange and sudden thought was dreaming at first.
looked through
"A few minutes after he had gone for the water,
the curtain and saw him coming down the aisle with the cup in his
pulled myself up in bed to take the water. A moment later,
hand.
I
when
thought
The
it
looked out
again.
aisle
when
was gone
features
The
too."
demands
woman's story was a new
The door
of the vestibule
of
"Stay here and keep calm, Mrs. Saunders," he said evenly. "We'll
curtains,
like a puff of
smoke.
It's
queer story."
porter.
stiff.
hasn't spilled
343
Hunt peered
don't like
"1
it,"
he ground out
tensely.
The
light
The
aisle,
snores of several of
the sleeping passengers droned from behind the heavy green curtains
and mingled with the steady clacking of the wheels on the rail joints.
Stanley walked
listening intently.
his
down
He
reached
Number
in a
warning
for silence
aside.
A man
in
lifeless as a
wax
figure.
blades to the small of the back was a dark, moist red that glistened
like jelly in the yellow ray of the light. His head was half turned
toward them, revealing the wild agony in his eye and the
back for the scream that had never passed them.
Stanley's unsteady fingers pulled at the pajamas.
slight,
The
lips
shirt
drawn
came
Stanley pushed the door of the vacant drawing room closed and
Murder on the Limited! Momen-
stunned
as
in."
back. Don't
let
on to
woman."
the
A moment
rough-hewn
were
sleeve.
"Well?" he breathed.
344
features
like
down
way he vanished."
door and peered down the dark pullman.
He opened the
"And the murderer is lying behind those
ing us now," he added softly. "Waiting
thought of
Probably watch-
curtains.
for
He
in
if
stumbled upon.
Kelley licked his
while the
lips.
woman was
own
in his
berth
of the
still
searching the
of the
aisle speculatively,
"Saunders
life
months ago. There were some other witnesses but they won't talk,
refused to be
scared to death. Saunders was a pretty high-class man
intimidated. He was the state's star witness and on his way back for
the
trial.
"Before they
left
New
He
couple of telephone
He
got a telegram on
two words Cojfin Car
Stanley's thin, resolute face hardened and his lips set in a grim line.
It would have been better for Saunders if he had listened to the warning. It would be better for himself if he heeded the threat embodied in
Saunders' lifeless, staring face. He felt that warning now as his eyes
roved down the aisle, felt himself being watched, and the menace of
calls,
warnings to lay
off.
laughed 'em
off.
invisible eyes.
he rasped.
low
in his
make
getaway
all
in
we
is
wise.
he lays
If
Might
the car."
softly. "But
it's
You
level
gaze of
Stanley opened the curtains of the berths with deft, cautious fingers
He was
wary,
passed on.
He
eliminated the
women
alert.
Some
and
from consideration.
345
Lower Ten was a man, sunk deep in the covers, snoring fitfully.
Only the top of his black hair showed. They were all like that, asleep,
apparently innocent.
"How
can
softly.
"Of course one of them might have clothes on beneath those covers,"
can't
go down the
line
Jeb
moved
closer
you know
so's
all
He
but
on the shadowed
Lower Ten, bored through it, and seemed to meet the
sinister, watching eyes that he had been steadily conscious of.
He and Kelley and Jeb moved silently down the aisle and closed in
on the berth. His sharp ears detected a rustle and then silence.
He spread the curtains and turned on the flashlight. The passenger
was in the same position as when they had first gone through the car.
Stanley watched him, could hardly detect his breathing. He got the
impression of a coiled spring, held by a hair trigger. His free hand
stole down, grasped the rim of the bedclothes, pulled them down
words
in
that look.
fell
curtains of
gently.
He had a flash of the dark blue suit the man was wearing, saw an
arm swing back. The flashlight was dashed from his hand, the berth
As he tried to draw away, a stunning blow
head and he stumbled back against Kelley.
The muzzle of a black, snub-nosed automatic thrust through the
split in the curtains and fanned them menacingly.
plunged
crashed
in
darkness.
down on
his
froze
and
He
sucked
in
his
The
'The
first
346
until
train."
moment
shuffle of a foot
to
him.
"Stop. He'll
drill
you."
The
aisle
his arm.
"If
he doesn't make
break for
only blood-stained
sheets
him
there.
At
in
we uncovered
least
him."
They sped into the outskirts of Muncie, flashed by streets and facThe long whaaa, whaaa of Schwartz's whistle screamed twice,
tories.
flinging a
warning ahead.
Stanley saw policemen and plainclothes dicks every few car lengths
as they rushed down the platform. A great shudder
ran through the
train, a grinding, tearing jar,
He swung
off
and
in
his
momentum
to a stop.
tall,
"You the pullman conductor?" the stout officer shouted. "I'm Braden, chief of police here. We've got your train covered.
What's the
story?"
He
go
in
plainclothes men."
347
the observation car with him and Kelley. Stanley explained to them
tersely with set jaw.
"We'll
work
passenger's ticket.
He
And
can't
if
he
show
can't
show
giv-
the finger on
him."
The two dicks kept their hands in their pockets, ready for trouble.
Most of the passengers were still asleep. Stanley woke them and made
them show their stubs. Some wanted to start an argument but he
moved on, left them spluttering.
There was only one car further ahead when he took the
the
last
Muncie passenger,
ticket of
"What's the big delay?" he growled, drawing his watch and waving
it
half
Am
hour now.
in this station
almost a
a milk train?"
"Sorry, sorry,
"
me
into St.
Louis on time."
The pullman
in silence.
He
glanced
expected.
more
car
in
way
out.
It
was empty,
as
he had
He was getting into that frame of mind. There was only one
ahead. He wondered how the killer had tricked him. He had
frowning.
Stanley knocked on the door again and pushed
ately.
"Now
in
it
open immedi-
floor.
what?"
348
They
smooth black
rested on his
hair.
berth.
"What's this
all
The
key
porter's
doorway.
in the
As the
shelf
swung down,
shoulders rolled over the side, and dragged by their weight, the whole
body crashed
strips torn
The
to the floor.
fellow was
figure
suit be-
Muncie.
The
black eyes of the other passenger flamed and his hand stole
toward
his coat.
"Hold
one of the
Got
good crack
"A clever
"What's
it
trick,"
all
man on
in the
the floor.
head, though."
in front of
He
glanced up
him.
it."
He struck with
When he came
fool,"
his foot
he hissed.
to he
hum
of the
wheels.
grinned.
one
thing
those
dicks
relief.
couldn't
understand,"
Kelley
that guy?"
349
my
took his
his
watch
face?"
"Yeah."
delay?"
"Yeah?"
him supposed
to be getting
on
at
Muncie."
The Mystery
of the
Rue de Peychaud
hy O. Henry
midnight
'Tis
in Paris.
line the
Champs
Rouge
Vendome and
it
et
flows
Notadam.
The
It
is
the hour
is
astir.
Luxury and poverty brush each other in the streets. The homeless
gamin, begging a sou with which to purchase a bed, and the spendthrift roue, scattering golden louis d'or, tread the same pavement.
When
The
other
first
scene
of
our story
cellar
Peychaud.
The room
350
is
filled
is
stifling
with the
reeking breath of
scene,
which
is
inmates.
its
loved to paint.
gar9on
is
it
He
He
selling absinthe to
is
in
broken teacups.
Carnaignole Cusheau
generally known
Gray Wolf.
man
is
the worst
is
more than
in Paris.
and
looking face and the mass of long, tangled gray hair that covers his
face
from
his belt.
One
stroke of
its
his
French sardines.
"Voila,
Gray Wolf,"
how
is
cries
"How many
to bite?"
by George,"
hisses the
There
is
no
vic-
St.
Gris!
living in Paris
me
Gray Wolf.
thus.
garroted
in a fortnight.
"Bah! those Democrats. They have ruined the country. With their
income tax and their free trade, they have destroyed the millionaire
n it!"
business. Carrambo! Diable! D
"Hist!" suddenly says Chamounix the rag-picker, who is worth
the rickety
steps.
He went
absinthe,
his
little
a drink of
mirror, set
it
up on
the counter and proceeded to don a false beard and hair and paint his
face into wrinkles, until he closely resembled an old
man seventy-one
years of age.
He
then went into a dark corner and watched the crowd of people
with sharp,
ferret-like eyes.
Gray Wolf slipped cautiously to the bar and examined the card left
by the newcomer.
"Holy Saint Bridget!" he exclaims. "It is Tictocq, the detective."
Ten minutes later a beautiful woman enters the cellar.
Tenderly nurtured, and accustomed to every luxury that money
351
la
when
young vivandiere
at
the
Convent of
by his many crimes and the knowledge that his business never allowed
him to scrape his feet in the hall or snore.
"Parbleau, Marie," snarls the Gray Wolf. "Que voulez vous? Avezvous le beau cheval de mon frere, ou le joli chien de votre pere?"
"No, no, Gray Wolf," shouts the motley group of assassins, rogues,
and pickpockets, even their hardened hearts appalled at his fearful
words. "Mon Dieu! You cannot be so cruel!"
"Tiens!" shouts the Gray Wolf, now maddened to desperation, and
drawing his gleaming knife. "Voila! Canaille! Tout le monde, carte
blanche embonpoint sauve que peut entre nous revenez nous a nous
moutons!"
The
back
in terror as
the
Gray Wolf
Marie by the hair and cuts her into twenty-nine pieces, each
seizes
his office.
He
first
woman
to a
month and
the
upon the
"Mon
He
little
Dieu!" he mutters,
"it
in a
feared
human blood."
as
memorandum book the result
is
of his
man with
It
is
"I
lairs.
The apartments
mellow
light
The company
352
is
are playing
behind
bring
a portiere
between
gay-laced livery
in
in
guests.
Duchess du
Valerie, seventh
est,
on
leans back
Bellairs,
a solid
gold
the capital.
in
when
senses,
"Saw
The
remember
you
most
my own
off!"
it
Prince
You
inheritance.
bows
to the heart.
is
says, as
he
the room.
Beebe
"Voila," says
Franqiillon,
Flatter
kiss
The
mon
"Ah,
go with him,
devil
is
ear at
his
say."
Balzac says,
another.'
"Cheese
it!"
with him?"
upon me.
I'll
shake
Folies
you."
She
is
Fleury, the
about to sing.
gum upon
and
first
lays a voluptuous
cud of chewing
As she prepares
to sing, the
Duchess du
arm of
as
Armande de
353
turns white
as
snow and
breathes a sigh of
falls
they look upon the music rack and observe that the
as
Twenty minutes
from
the Duchess
floor,
relief.
later a
a recess in the
"Sweet Marie."
is
rapidly northward.
The network
of
It
is
It
is
The
same time
at
by making
a casual observer,
20,000
a rapid
Cathedral
this
the vicinity.
in
feet
at
is,
double the
least,
feet.
man
closely muffled,
and disguised
as a
wholesale grocer.
Old
who
window
is
studying
in
shudders as he turns his telescope upon the solitary figure upon the
spire.
"Sacre
Bleu!"
While Tictocq
tre,
is
wonder
whom
he
is
he suddenly hears
"It
is
following now?"
hill
of
Montmar-
W.
U.
Tel.
softly
said.
am."
"Then
listen.
am
354
and depreciatingly.
whom am
What was
to do? Yet
my
life
is
sweet to me.
are
on
my
do not wish to be
track.
It
guillotined.
is
is
in
your hands?"
"It is."
"Thank
le
bon Dieu,
then,
am
saved."
on
his feet
and de-
last,"
he
says,
"I
have
it.
a clue."
Three days
he happened to look
in
dozen
"You are
my
"On what
charge?"
saw you do
it,
spire
of
Notadam."
this,"
he
said, "here is
failure."
Tictocq looked
It
was
check
at
for
the paper.
100,000 francs.
reveals the
flashing eyes
and
detective.
visitor,
wig and
false
eyebrows
before him.
The murderer
of Marie
355
Naked
Darkness
in
hy Hugh
They were
Had
B.
all
had issued
slit
of
hlurri-
office at Palisadoes
Cave
from Moore
Town
the
was slowing
a warning. Flora
until she
down
trip
Ahead
inch.
floor
and
shotgun an
his
captor's flashlight.
"You could
least
at
break
my
neck!" he snarled.
"Keep moving."
"Why
don't
me
"Try jumping
again,"
had come
cave,
the
little
at
Sheppard
McCoy,
him
like a
it
over with?"
said,
"and
will."
McCoy
He was
it
was
fond of that
little
Beretta.
It
its
stock against
it
the entrance.
came
denly
a spectral train
it
the muttering.
their
careening
down
be-
It
in Jamaica's
slit
slit
of daylight at the
mountains
was vulnerable.
It
boy, and
opened on a
as a
all
The mountain
but vertical.
boulder crashed on the ledge, rolled, and dropped over the edge.
up with
fantastic quickness.
Then
came the slide itself, earth and trees and rocks, with a roar so loud
that the shockwave staggered him.
He watched the earth fill the opening and block out the light. By
the gleam of his flash he watched it flow toward McCoy and himself,
filling
it
worm, before it
had stopped, too. The only sound now was
slowed and
giant
stopped.
finally
The
feet,
like a
awful thunder
For a long
moment
ton-born, with a
thought
amusing to
it
peasant and
"No way
neither
"Is
there another
way
out of here?"
Sheppard was silent. He did not know the cave well, himself. He
had only known there was one in this almost inaccessible region, and
it was a logical place to look for his quarry. He did know it was a big
cave, with dozens of chambers and a maze of tunnels. To explore it
would take more days than he could hope to stay alive.
He walked forward to examine the great worm of earth. Behind
him McCoy said dryly, "Us can't dig through it, mister. It want a
bulldozer, and them couldn't get any 'dozer up here even if them
knew we was trapped. Anyhow, them would never know where to
begin. That slide cover the cave mouth."
"Talk English," Sheppard said.
"Certainly, pal.
Sheppard gave
back to that
last
the smell of
you
McCoy
Any
it
we
moment's thought.
sit
"Yes,"
down.
don't like
It's
you
these clothes."
a large one. In
"What
What
it
McCoy
they
sat
laid his
twenty
feet apart,
manacled hands on
at his captor.
"I'm in coffee."
357
"Something
women, McCoy."
"So?"
"One was my
McCoy
what
me
sister."
shaped
a thing
you
his slack
say.
mouth
into an
mister,
of astonishment.
me know
if
she you
"Now
sister,
never do that."
"And you've murdered two policemen."
'Them
McCoy."
The handcuffed man lifted his massive
"Me told you is not me you smell. Is me
"You're an animal,
rags.
shoulders and
clothes."
He
let
them
frowned
fall.
at his
His
stinks."
"I
"A
flash of
white rum
in
don't drink."
"I
"Shoo!
some
"
McCoy
said.
Me
goin' get
sleep."
Sheppard's eyelids were heavy with fatigue, too, but he willed them
to remain open.
He
glowing on the
sat
were
finished,
"Naked
he and
He had
When
for
they
McCoy would
in darkness,"
McCoy opened
it
be in darkness.
Sheppard murmured, gazing
at his prisoner.
say?"
'Naked
in darkness.'
Me
it.
What
that suppose to
mean?"
"1
said
darkness
It's
a line
from
poem. 'Naked
in
we
"Very good,"
McCoy
said,
dropping the
patois.
"1
like that."
He
closed his open eye and seemed to doze for a moment, then opened
"How
They
couldn't
"I
do
"Yes,
man. 'Naked
in
it."
studied you."
"Studied me?
358
at
good.
that's
How?"
I'll
"When
you.
worked
a
man
with.
life
when
story,
McCoy.
things go
in this region,
wrong
for you.
learned
left hand you began calling yourself Threeyou admired the original Three-finger Jack so
He was a
McCoy
much.
killer too."
"So?"
'The
knew
So
said.
McCoy
enough
chuckled.
remained
out of here."
he chuckled again.
silent
smart.
"You're
way
to figure a
He
Sheppard nodded.
"Kids?"
McCoy
hangman
shook
his head.
sooner or
He
it
it's
Half an hour
very
me
later,
tired.
neck and
later
McCoy
The muzzle
He awoke
of the Beretta
me
"Just give
He was
McCoy
said.
was
loaded, mister.
so
looked.
in front of
it
loaded, mister
that key!"
to the floor.
were
McCoy
is
was sleeping,
is
when
you, didn't
"I
He
his
while
way
lying."
crazy-wild
when
Beretta's barrel
so hand over
It's
The
it?"
I?
things go wrong.
even with
this
You
When you
gun aimed
at
said yourself
first
my
found
gut.
turn
me jumped
1
Did
go crazy
Sheppard
"But only
said.
one of us
those clothes
all
is
me
outside."
359
McCoy
himself naked.
at last
these."
The
Then with
shoes.
on Sheppard's
shotgun and
wrists.
McCoy
his rags
the
flashlight.
'Naked
my
into
the gun.
in darkness,'
"
McCoy
like this?"
even crawling under them to keep warm. You said yourself they
He
looked
down
at
the naked
man and
laughed.
"Now
stink."
hands."
He
slid
he turned
fore disappearing
good.
I'll
have to
just
He was
Spanish Town."
Sheppard lay
He
shivered.
still
that to a
'Naked
little
in darkness.'
girl
Man,
that's
gone.
as the
sound of
footfalls
hands touched
He
tell
"
his head.
died away
in
the dark.
a flat stone.
turned the stone over. His fingers found the spare key he had
hidden beneath
it
McCoy
floor before
each
step.
it,
a continual
weaving
in front
of him.
In
Naked
in
darkness,
On
felt.
Still,
bare feet were better than shoes for feeling out the irregularities of the
floor or the
edge of an unseen
pit
his
way.
The
strain
on
his senses
began to
tell.
He
stopped to
rest.
But after
Near the end of the second hour he found McCoy's discarded rags.
did not touch them. Twenty minutes later he saw daylight. It was
only a shining pinpoint far ahead, but it grew in size as he approached
it. It became an opening large enough for a man to crawl through.
He
360
The
He
He
studied them.
stooped.
up to
was
it,
A moment
littered
with stones.
he wriggled through
yard-wide ledge thick with
The mountainside
later
fell
McCoy
be damned,"
I'll
said.
"You found
He was
it."
very
tired. Still,
he was
relaxed.
"You
left
your
McCoy."
trail,
"What
trail
did
is
still
loaded,"
McCoy
warned.
leave?"
"The smell, McCoy. The smell of your clothes. Even after you
dropped them, the smell stayed with you." With his gaze fixed on the
gun, Sheppard shifted his bare feet ever so slightly, to grip the
ledge
better.
You
you
told
in coffee.
"I
McCoy,
smell the
"There
isn't
moment
didn't say
was
a planter,
McCoy.
you
any to smell."
laughed.
after a
powder
McCoy
see
was
"I
at the
and looked
at that.
McCoy
the gun
emptied
it,
sleeping.
Find out."
fired.
down
adversary.
pigeons
stones.
He was
still
good
at
it.
He
didn't miss.
361
Night Watch
hy
At
five
minutes of
five
Scott
O'Hara
recording by the All Stars. Barney Bigard's clarinet was sweet and
strong, to the counterpoint noodling of Fatha' Hines.
He
like a
he
memory
cupped
in
his
as
radio,
lit
another cigarette.
When
was finished he eased the car door open and stood out in
predawn air, the wet spring-smell of the woods. Four
months of waiting and watching. The tiredness was deep in him, and
the boredom. A leaden-muscled, sag-nerved tiredness.
Behind the house, three hundred feet away, the roosters screamed
brassy defiance at distant hen runs, and, lonesome through the dregs
of night, came the far-off sigh and pant of a train.
Barry Raymes leaned against the side of the government sedan,
sensing, for the hundredth time, his own unreality
neatly dressed, as
the Bureau demanded, the regulation special making its familiar bulge,
the regulation hammer on the regulation empty chamber, the entire
it
the crisp,
Georgia countryside.
In
the ship, so long that things that happened before faded away, and
the future was immeasurably distant. This was not unlike that time
on the
ship.
midnight,
when once
in
until
the bundle of sandwiches from the hotel, would begin the vigil that
had begun to seem pointless. But no agent of two years seniority can
hope to point out to the Special Agent in Charge that the assignment,
in his measured opinion, is of no value. Patience is a quality more
precious than gold to the Bureau.
A man
last long.
And
362
hundred and twenty-six nights thus spent, and the possible hundred
and twenty-six yet to come. Even though each night added another
cumulative factor to the deathly weariness. Weariness came from
current alertness, the adrenalin that
whenever
seemed
a car
unidentifiable
to slow
fast into
re-
the blood
because the Bureau was gambling that Craik Lopat would return
had intended
to marry.
tall,
as she
moved about
in
bedroom
for her,
this past
dooryard, and
The
dirt of the
for
sweater was a
it
had
He
this
her ignorance and her superstitions and her unlettered tongue, and
in
And
from
also, in the
in sleep
lips
parted just a
bit,
the pillow. She was three hundred feet away, and one night
clubbed
it
fist,
later
you
quite
in the starlight
and
moment.
Raymes had always been a quick and competent, though
somewhat shy young man with a wide, dark line in his mind separating right from wrong. The frequency with which his thoughts and his
dreams turned to Marra Allen disturbed him because he sensed
Barry
wrongness
in
female
any
in
case,
no matter what
intrinsic
to possess.
made
trick,
ing to the hour, and in the beginning he had laughed in the expected
late
he had
felt
When
paling the
dawn
light
was
door and looked over toward the small side road where
hidden
in
brighter,
light
artificial
his car
was
the
usual, saying,
mister,"
as
"
'Morning,
though he were
a small
wood
the
at
"Not today."
"Gives
me
do you?"
"Of course
funny
trust you,
Marra.
just
He
You don't
trust
me much,
down
They
wall.
thick-
pocket.
He
him do
it.
slipped
it
plate,
in his
of the fee he had arbitrarily semorning breakfast, and he knew that she
away until he left.
"When we
ta give up?"
she asked.
get Lopat."
we'll find
Maybe
him.
come back
he'll
to be found."
while.
'em.
Now
be
jail.
none of the
They know
his cigarettes.
When
boys'll
there'll
"Love
is
a big
mountain
cats.
just
do you
out of meanness,
think,
Marra?"
She frowned, took her time answering. "I can't say. He always
wanted a big shiny car and money in his pocket. He got fired off the
gas station and they wouldn't take him back in the mill again because
of the trouble last time.
guess he was sore at the mill and that's why
he done it."
Barry Raymes, thinking aloud, said, "And he had beginner's luck, all
right. If they'd gotten the safe closed ... if it hadn't been payday
1
...
if
Lots of
ifs.
He
got
off in the
plant manager's car to boot and took that payroll clerk with him.
That's
how we come
"He
remember, and
The
when he was
just a
kid."
"Oh,
given
me
bad time,
that's
365
for sure.
me
around.
have
eye on me!"
a fat
"if
you had
chance to go with
steadily. "Mister,
might."
He wanted
He
to hurt her.
pushed
his chair
He
little
back to the small city eight miles away and went to bed.
He was up
at five,
to a movie.
At
eleven he finished his lunch, picked up the sandwiches and coffee and
The long
want
He
He went
fast,
"1
come
said,
"I
Marra."
can
sell
you
coffee, eggs
and bacon
acted like
if
you want
it."
"1
I'm sorry
She looked
"1
had
"What
was
a reason."
reason?"
ugly."
happened
She moved
to
me, but
don't
know
."
.
up into
his eyes.
He
felt
the
warmth
of her
breath against his chin. As he bent to kiss her, her hands fastened
with hard force around his arms above the elbows. His reactions were
delayed.
"I
He
was aimed
366
man
said softly.
Back
real
in his
hand
Hands way
there, mister.
wad
Marra, a
of
Craik.
Go
me some
git
cloth,
it.
suit,
stained with dirt and one button was missing from the suit coat.
wore no
and
tie
his
white
shirt
flat in
was open
at the collar.
He was
He
thick in
met
over the bridge of his nose and the mouth was heavy with cruelty and
sensuousness.
"A cop," he
my woman! They
up
up
the
in
around,
until
hills
been here
for
When you
two days,
it'll
layin'
looked
be nearly two
hours before the next one shows up. You couldn't find me before, and
got a good car stashed over
you won't find the two of us, either.
beyond the grove
I
"
me
"No. Give
it
to tear
here.
it
wad
of sheeting.
got to
wad
it
this
here .45
because
it
noise.
"Right
go on
in
up
if
name and
'em
in
all
a lot of
good neighbors
prints.
my
find.
He wrapped
wife."
said.
got a nice
never
in a place you'll
like
He
new
told
the barrel
afore
you
run for
"I'm
it
kill
him.
without
It'll
my
make some
we
get
1
my
don't
stuff
want
together
to have to
things."
"After
me
noise and
stuff,
honey."
get married?"
367
honey.
"I'll
man
see a
we
"If
new
stuff
him
get time to
papers,
anyway."
yet.
want
to see
it,
Craik.
never did
They
watch
Craik's eyes.
in
tonelessly, the
made
They might
over to the
flick
girl
when
she
came
back into the kitchen. At that moment he'd throw himself to the
snatching the revolver as he
He
fell,
hoping to get
in the
back of
his thick,
full
in the
bedroom
caught
man
stum-
bled one step forward, his head nearly severed from his body, and
heavily,
full
fell
length, the .45 spinning out of his dead hand, his face
left,
one shot.
in at least
Craik Lopat
his
Raymes bent
floor boards.
wall.
He
to live here,
you know."
She
held the
still
lifeless
hand.
He
watch, the black hair curling harshly on the back of the hand, be-
didn't
mean anything
to him, mister.
It
didn't
wall."
mean
damn
thing to him."
He shifted his weight uneasily and said, with mock joviality, "Well,
no matter why you felt you had to do it, I want you to know that I
really feel
368
."
.
She wasn't listening. She had started that toneless crooning again,
and he suddenly realized that it was the sound many women make
when they wish to soothe infants, wish to send them off to sleep.
it'll
saying, "Did
It
sure
would
He
walked through the door yard and across the vegetable patch,
The
warmed up he
When
lifted the
Night Work
hy Gerald
Tollesjrud
Hogan's Roadhouse.
I'd
Damn
sure wouldn't
go there
stiffed again,
again.
my territory, what
had looked like an easy fee. A strange twist with the fat, gray-haired
old guy in expensive Burbridge coat and raw silk suit wanting me to
find out what his shorts refused to believe in spite of what his head
told him. Was his ripe, young plaything suckering him with her occasional steamy romps for the expensive gifts and paid ocean cruises he
bestowed on her? With pledges of undying love? Was she at the same
time hanging on to the young, yuppie stockbroker she had married
and had sworn to have left for him?
time in two years. Chicago suburbs, usually out of
Easy surveillance.
in
Some thousand-speed
in the
still
film, a
hadn't paid
start,
off.
Five
hundred
delivered. Package
fee.
369
kissed.
Guy had
hundred
six
in
disappeared
in his
Merce-
five
hundred and
ago.
enough
to
My
buy
a tonic of
Scotch
next
at the
my
fist,
exit.
Hogan's Roadhouse.
what
needed. Not a fancy, upscale oasis where I'd have to
up with the rosy-cheeked affluent. That would depress me even
more, just a dump with booze and a lonely waitress with an empty
Just
belly
mind and
The
a full
body.
ing that passed for music and the sour smell of old beer and
new
toilet
chemicals.
Perfect!
I
hung
my
at the far
end of
dark
With
its
my
far
As
drink in
approached the
my
bar, blinking
feet.
The
girl
tasting the
next to him
walked ahead of him, hips pistoning under tight, denim cut-offs as she
tugged her red halter top up with her left hand and reached the other
for a transparent plastic
bar's end.
370
his full
beer
mug and
nodded
hall-tree at the
woman
be-
hind the bar, and followed. His shoes and the bulge under his coat
That was
I
came
all
right.
in for a
The
joint.
the rigs
bed,
wanted to play.
Nice choice of watering holes, Doyle.
ordered a beer and a shot instead of my usual J and B. It seemed
more fitting for my mood and for the joint. The old war-horse behind
the bar served me silently, her pancake-makeup face impassive. She
looked like every woman's worst nightmare whenever a birthday came
along, like the proverbial twenty miles of muddy gravel road. She
I
slapped
freely
my
change next to
under
my
a sweatshirt that
Maytag, and went down to chat with the members of the ecstasy
corps.
I
my
left
"Buy a
at the
edge of
flat-nosed
my
man
vision. But at
knee.
Her eyes locked on mine, but they couldn't see anything. The
pupils were the wrong size.
checked her out as she pressed one hard,
I
my
shoot?
who would be
list
of wonderings,
in
and
still
State in
step-father's
certain that
life is
pay
for
it."
bullshit.
And
a freebie.
bucks
six
under
my
left
hard under
my
get a whip-freak,
buy me
back where
it
never
hand
to feel
sport coat. "Aw, shit!" she spat. "You must be the other
my
left.
now
a beer?
it's
We
My
my
lucky night.
Sheriff. Jeez!
First
Could you
as a ques-
Nice.
The guy
only glimpse
had
I'd
Occasional cream
and
my
Thing by
"Later,"
headed
for
the
my
need
looked
mineshafts produce
girls'
I
side.
mumbled, and
my
glanced
around
didn't
some
slid
be followed by
coat, to
in
bills
my
car,
my own
him
at
place and
dream tonight.
didn't
his face
Then
front of her.
hopes that
me, the
like
kinda
maybe even
^was cop,
other raincoat
in the
from
cold,
puff
smoke
followed me. Must be the guy Eddie said was coming. Enjoy the bufbutt-head.
fet,
was
far
end
just pulling
it
and launched
face
soft belly
from
his
at the
mouth under
death
in his
my
snugged
tossed
my
caught the
exploded
glanced
my
gun. His
blocking
behind
brain reacted
his groin.
head
my
knee into
my
left
and
my
its
holster, gathered
up
my
coat,
and
bent over the guy, hearing his hoarse breathing, smelling sweat and
needed
it
side,
inside
thick envelope
my
shirt. In his
went from
bar.
hip
his breast
This time,
it.
their
nice bottoms to
The
372
wallet ID'd
my
hit
my
my
their minds.
coat,
and used
it
fiercely.
to shield
my
turned
movements.
Couple hundred
address.
No
shit.
why
clues
put
dered
if
back
it
All bull-
a shocker.
in crisp
my
in
six
hundreds.
My
pocket.
some
a little.
gorilla
had
won-
tried to
Was he
had
same name.
cards,
mechanic?
was the
it
me
provide
all
Hit money"
Charge
in bills.
really after
He'd
a stranger to me.
my
tried to ventilate
me
as
turf
he
if
a mission.
for the
among her
wore
a self-satisfied smile
Then
hit
it
ginmill.
Maybe
l.O.U.
my
bill.
last
name,"
somewhere out
Then
just serviced
it
added, jerking
me and
to
mut-
on her glossed
a smile
my
head
stuck the
at
bill
of sight.
led
him
hand
him and
tered,
lay out an
I'm stupid.
lips.
Maybe
Then
in
Or maybe
I
He
was looking
plastic
business associates.
at his side,
its
contours.
When
five feet
thumb hooked
in his belt.
Near the
"Who
th'
fuck put
you
charge?
in
"You don't
tin
out of
He
his
head to
the pocket of
hand, too.
It
my
slacks.
He watched my
five bills.
tell
slowly
Da
me
to keep going,
moved my hand
eyes, but
into
my
he could see
handed them
you want?"
Used to carry
hell
Private.
to him, but
he
bar.
373
lucky day.
your attention
a hired hit
"
named Vito
Inglese?"
He knew
seen
I'd
it.
"Who're
you?"
my
Know
could
feel
shoulders.
"Doesn't matter.
know, Sutton."
need
a favor
my
I'll
let
you
coat,
Sound
He shook
"Nahl"
to
his
Needs
goddamned
said.
wanted
eyes
side, his
at his back.
Name
You
is
Harry so
went
to the
still
me
give
still
boring
a cop.
minutes. Deal?"
five
rain
was
still
1
falling,
the
remembered.
in
air
from the
Interstate. Be-
people dashed back into the bar, the pale legs of the
girl
come
be a
know who
you'll
you'll
crazy."
moved away.
he's
know who's
He
If
fair?"
out behind
me
so
walked to
my
flashing in
He
didn't
the highway.
Stiffed by the gray-haired guy in the fading light of early evening
on a rainy day. Made a lady of the night smile. Dodged a shank
meant for someone else but aimed at my gut. Got five thousand dollars richer.
I
Not
374
bad
night's
work
for
momma
in
my
pocket lovingly.
Doyle's
little
boy Harry.
Novel Forgery
hy Rodri^ues
Ottolen^ui
Mr. Barnes was wondering whether he would soon have a case which
would require special mental effort in its solution. "Something that
will make me think," was the way he phrased it to himself. The same
idea had occupied him for some time. Not that he had been idle, but
his "cases" had all been of such a nature that with a little supervision it
had been safe to intrust them entirely to his subordinates. Nothing
had occurred to compel his personal investigation. On this morning,
however, fate had something peculiarly attractive for him. His officeboy announced a visitor, who, when shown into the detective's sanctum, introduced himself thus:
"I
am Stephen
Is
this
Mr. Barnes?"
"Yes, sir," replied the detective, "is
"It is
"I
am
interested to the
Barnes arose and closed the door of the office after instructing the
to prevent his being disturbed. Returning to his seat, he said:
boy
"Now
tell me the story. All of it, as far as you know it. Omit
however unimportant it may seem to you."
"Very good. My bank has been swindled out of forty thousand
dollars in the most mysterious manner. We have received four checks,
each for ten thousand dollars. These were signed with the name John
Wood, one of our best customers. In making up his monthly balance
these checks were sent to his house in the usual order of business. Today Mr. Wood came to the bank, and declared them to be forgeries."
"Were these checks paid by you personally?"
"Oh, no. We received them through the Clearing-House. They had
been deposited at the Harlem National Bank, and reached us in the
routine way. They were taken on four different days."
"Who was the depositor at the Harlem Bank?"
no
detail,
"There
is
is
375
Harlem Bank shows that he has been a depositor for about a year. He
had a seemingly flourishing business, a beer-garden and concert place.
Recently he sold out and returned to his home in Germany. Before
doing so he drew out his deposits and closed his account."
"How is it that you did not yourself detect the forgeries? supposed you bank people were so expert nowadays that the cashing of a
worthless check would be impossible."
"Here are the forged checks, and here is one cashed by us since the
accounting, which is genuine. Compare them, and perhaps you will
admit that anyone might have been deceived."
Mr. Barnes examined the checks very closely, using a lens to assist
his eyes. Presently he laid them down without comment, and said:
"What do you wish me to do, Mr. West?"
should like to
"To me it seems like a hopeless task, but at least
will gladly pay five hundred dollars as a
have the forger arrested.
1
reward."
Mr. Barnes took up the checks again, examined them most carefully
with the
desk a
his
lens,
moment and
laid
re-
"
"Why,
Mr. Barnes.
Mr. West,
"I
thousand
more."
"The terms
suit
I'll
you
report to
as
"I'll
do
my
promptly
best.
Leave these
as possible.
One
moment," as Mr. West was about to depart,- "1 will make a memorandum of something you must do yourself." He wrote a few lines on a
sheet of paper and handed
today,
if
it
me have
those
possible."
One week
later
Dear
call at
Sir
my
have completed
fifteen
my
If
may as well
made payable to
John Barnes
convenient, you
hundred
bring
dollars,
"Great heavens!" ejaculated the cashier upon reading the above, "he
tells
me
to bring fifteen
the money.
376
hundred
dollars.
sudden release from the suspense of the previous week, and a few
tears trickled down his cheek as he thought of his wife and little one
now be
who would
not
make good
his loss.
Promptly
at four
right?
home
once:
at
thief,
thousand dollars?"
"All safe
to
"Am
little
last after a
except the
lose a dollar
his eye.
how was
me,
"Suppose
riddle?
more
am
is
this trick
give
you
just in the
compared
a trifle
played on us?
a detailed
humor
account of
for telling
is
just
what
did
expected. But
it?"
my work
in solving
it,
will
the
be
"We
what
appreciative."
"That
when,
to
Who
my
mind, and
taneous.
will
knew
go back
will
that
if
it
to the
moment
a suspicion
had en-
not explain
now why
me
was
right. But
first
will tell
place, as
were
that they
tracings.
The
"All that
some one
is
in
how
to proceed?"
instructed
been made,
upon the
other.
similarly a
First
as
argued that
thousand times,
if
from habit
doubt
if
it
The
tracings.
test of placing
one over
me
that they
Still this
left
artistic
with me.
No
a different
name very
times he would, or
were not
would follow
in a million
if
it
gone so
far
me
with your
my
mind,
if
is
if
at
any stage
be allowed to occur.
may prove
in either of
glass or agate.
was
at
any time.
careful,
suspicion
for
is
The former
determined to be most
up suspicion
made
so
is
an omission, or a misconstruction
a suspicion,
dislike following
prejudgment, and
a mistake,
step.
a lead-pencil, or
tracing can be
with a stylus of
makes an indentation upon the paper. In the first case the forger
will attempt to remove the lead with an erasing rubber, but will not
succeed thoroughly, because some of it will be covered by the ink,
and because of the danger of injuring the surface of the paper. In the
latter
378
latter instance,
his knife or
with
remove the
solution to
ink.
reverse side.
sort.
applied a
the stylus. In
fact,
became
traced."
"But
by
what did that prove? They might have been imitations made
penman.
'They might have been, but
a clever
my
give
reasons. In the
first
doubted
it,-
ask,
will
were accepted
at
sibility
that
it
would be
Had
it
been necessary to do
man
to
It
line of research.
who
in
the
my
to be
a hint as to
who
Once
zant.
his
pen of which
looked up such
likely
it
sequence of special
his friends
forged his parents' names to excuses for absences from school. Later
In this instance
was
fi-
nancial condition of the concern, and the ability to write the checks,
mean
cashier. "Impossible!
Why,
that
would
"
that
If
one
Wood
sense,
and
the bank could rightfully charge the amounts against his account. But
let
me
was
at
tell
you why
that an expert
for forty
were four
penman
a
check
feel
absolutely sure
379
upon that point was John Wood. But there is another pretty point.
These checks being spurious, and yet being numbered, could arouse
your suspicion in two ways. If the numbers upon them greatly varied
from those upon genuine checks coming in at the same time, the fraud
would have been detected quickly. On the other hand, he could not
give you correct numbers without being either in collusion with his
bookkeeper or else duplicating the nurribering of other checks. That
the latter course was pursued, exempted the bookkeeper. All the numbers on the forged checks were duplicates of those on genuine ones."
"But,
why
is
"
me
let
tell
checks helped
me
About
there.
a year
you why,
list
as the
of this man's
count
month
after Carl
Grasse
moved
to Harlem, there
a duplication in
Wood,
but he said
it
was simply
this,
February
1st
find that
list
gave
Wood
me even
He was
me
that
was on
better corroboration.
On
On
who
his balance
On
October
day before
12th, this
for twelve
fully,
his
checks are
all
he deposited
five
to dealers,
1st
thousand dollars
any time.
at
in cash.
Wood
that.
is
and
None
and
thousand
made
is
is
repeated
in
in
money
to Grasse.
On
On
On
a
the
the
check
strictly cash,
On
commands
large
varying amounts
time being
this
Wood
January 2d,
has
Wood's check
for ten thousand dollars. This goes through the Clearing-House, and
is accepted by your bank. The Harlem Bank is therefore satisfied of its
authenticity. On the 5th, Grasse deposits check number two, and at
the same time cashes a check for ten thousand dollars. The second
spurious check goes through all right, and on the lOth and 15th, the
transactions are repeated. On the 20th, Grasse explains to the Harlem
Bank that he has sold his business, and is going home to Germany. He
closes his account, taking out his money, and disappears from the
scene. You are forty thousand dollars out by a clever swindle, with
his
few coincidences
the bank-
in
to arrest
Mr. Wood?"
'To arrest him, yes. But to convict him? That is another affair.
Without conviction you do not recover your money. No, my work
did not
was by no means finished.
first sought to follow Grasse.
found him booked,
have far to go. At the Hamburg-American line
but investigation showed that he never sailed. The ticket which he
I
"
accomplice
is
is
still
in this
country?"
learned that
o'clock in the
he
morning
went 'down-town'
five
when he
slept elsewhere,
game
made some
night.
at nine.
in the afternoon.
all
also
It
was
his general
Extending
my
at eight,
When
and
still
381
morning.
are
same person?"
"That idea entered
rriy
mind about
man may
to
change
Wood
empty
difficult for
him
the
is
he was never
this
men used
a beer saloon,
Wood
see,
the
his plans,
it is
You
bottles attest.
same make
fluid,
the saloon
at
a probability.
predilection, as the
malt. But
was
his habits
Up
this time.
this
man,
who
so carefully laid
in
the
Wood
establish-
ment."
"Perhaps he did that so that he could make the spurious checks uptown instead of down-town, where he might be discovered."
"More than likely, but he should have taken it away with him.
There is always some little detail of this kind that even the most
skillful
He
overlooks.
nothing
one
in itself,
fact,
however,
at
Wood
shaven
Grasse
face.
whiskers.
Of
made
it
mends
a break.
is
is
a stout
man,
if
Wood
would
found that
whom
false whiskers,
upon
and whiskers'
382
for
Wood
hunt
There was
always dressed
inIt is
when
went
began
my
to several with-
found a
was a record of 'red wig
the same costumer. Moreover, they had furnished
at last fortune
favored me.
this
fat
wadded
guess what
so as to
did next?"
think not."
"I
"It
was an
the plaid
in
Can you
them,
soon
as
inspiration.
suit.
ordered a similar
me
was shown
Wood's
to
began to
place.
talk in a
As
most
last
speech
is
did not
my
intense satisfac-
to impersonate anybody.'
"What happened
though,
in line
my
him,
"I
had expected,
with
words,
and
for the
moment thought
He was
charge.
endorsement
that
and stammered
is
'I
did not
signature,
and the
out,
no such
person.'
Then
am
a detective,'
on a pair of manacles, 'and arrest you for swindling the Fulton Bank,
whether your offense be forgery or not.' That settled him. He wilted
and began to cry for mercy. He even offered me money to let him
I
escape.
delivered
him
you
Mr. West?"
am more
than
satisfied.
am amazed. Mr.
Barnes,
you
are a
genius."
"Not
at
all,
Mr. West,
am
a detective."
383
Fulling Fishman
sir."
He was
right.
The new
official,
who
J.
was entirely new to the game, with the usual witticism which
Old Calamity had heard so many times that he guessed it was easy
that he
so that
"Certainly,
certificate of
appointment,
"Yes, indeed.
Here
it is."
assume?"
a piece of
make
"Yes, indeed,
384
a little
I'll
frame for
be glad
to.
it? I'd
Shall
like to
we
start
hang
it
now?"
up
in
my
office."
"Might
The
as well,
guess."
making
in
a tour of the
huge prison, with its twenty-three buildings and its thirty-foot wall
which was nearly a mile around. The deputy went patiently over various details of administration which he had explained so many times
during the past thirty years to so many politicians who had come and
gone
was
as
The warden,
wardens.
like all
whom
he had read
in
the
officials
mob
seven of them."
"Pretty
bad bunch,
aren't they?"
to himself.
The
said.
They
Men
They
He
in the hole."
paused for
don't they?"
"Perfectly," replied
walked back to
his
thought. Suddenly,
phone and
me,
will
is
Fletcher,
up
when he
at the Pen.
you?"
An hour and
a half later.
you want."
Old Calamity,
in
package.
The deputy
his
winning
it
to
anyone
want you
else.
I'll
to take this
telephone him,
385
so
he'll
fifty
cents.
five dollars.
Make
it
The
you
change."
Old Calam-
away,
will
course of a few
to
my
stared at
at Fletcher. In
insti-
tution Mr.
opened
down
was
a little too
mouth
his
slightly.
"You mean
on
this
this
Old Calamity.
"Yes," said
"That's
fine
what
mean."
if
you can
classify them."
There was
and
a small pointer
much
a part of
him
powerful
as his
arms and
which
as
"1
can classify
five of
patiently by.
them," he said,
At
last
Enslow
them
"five of
are
The record
"Nothing
in
we
have."
clerk departed
our
files,
sir,"
and
few moments
later reappeared.
he reported.
thank you."
"All right,
Old Calamity
He
sat
"Hello, Fletcher,"
on your mind?"
"Want to give you
WO
L-6 L-9.
He
Got
rap,
September
"Nothing
"No,
else?"
that's all."
3,
L-10
it?"
"Only one
386
a classification.
we have
it,"
came the
reply.
"Thank you." Old Calamity hung up the receiver and once again
walked slowly back to the warden's
office.
at
the clock.
well.
stay
be glad
I'll
My
family won't be
theater. But
if
down
you want me
to
to."
see
I'll
at
all.
you about
You go
in
it
right ahead.
If
the morning."
II
It
was
cold
December
home
at
in.
Old
then changed his mind and walked rapidly along the wall which
started
south sallyport, which constituted the entrance to the prison yard for
trucks
and
around to
"Oh, I'm
"All
freight cars.
He was
when he heard
startled
right,
Who's on the
"Fredericks,
sunk so deeply
sharp,
who
it
was.
me
here.
sallyport tower?"
sir."
down from
by
entered.
He
lit
yard and
let
himself into
the end of the main corridor, through which the prisoners entered to
hall
in
sir,"
he
said.
"I
did,"
Old Calamity
replied.
He
to the
387
down
rapidly
on duty
the
same
"Anything wrong,
sir?"
"I'm
guard
said,
"Save
in his
mouth, put
it
till
later,"
"Yes,
sir.
six
it
in his
pocket.
it?"
to find Delafield
me
"go out the south sallyport one or two at a time and meet
him. "Just a
someone
that
in Springfield called
He
watch.
he sent
it
I'll
go
first."
up and said to
him
Captain Kearney,
for
in his office.
in
you
tell
first
want
night
list
men down
'No.'
Immediately
charge of the
he directed.
list,
men
are
"Yes,
If
want to
talk to
I'll
"Very well,
sir."
on benches outside
of each
to the
show them
sir,"
members
of the worst
them.
of
here,"
to talk to them."
Spider
at
He
with you?"
here, isn't
still
and the
gum
you
cage.
front
surprise as Dela-
had.
field
said,
the
to
hall
mob
all
the
his office.
at a time.
all
as
cells, until
freely.
only the
One
cell
or two
house,
by the time the Darnley gang was summoned, only three remained. From the muttered conversations of the members of the gang
who had been interviewed, Captain Kearney gathered that the warso that
388
down
in a
his startled
gaze
in front of
them
And
stood the warden, agitated and perspiring, his hands held high above
him, beside him Ed Darnley, gun in hand, shifting the
weapon from
of
All right,
The men
in
Within three minutes Captain Kearney and the guards were gagged
at
In thirty
it
en-
With
fifty feet
into the
He
had
heard a soft
his
rustle
It
forming the cage. At the outer door McCabe, Darnley's chief lieutenant, turned.
He
was
a soft "plop,"
then a sighing
steel grille
door with
floor.
evidently hurried
wrong
in
"Why
in his
there's
something
choked
"Give it to me, you damn fool," hissed Darnley. He grabbed the
key from the warden and jammed it into the lock! Something there!
"It's chewing gum, Ed," came from the other side of the car.
it's
Ill
never go back
But
alive!"
his guards.
Darnley screamed.
for him.
He
powerful wrench which pulled the gangster sprawling out on the road.
389
Within
back
in
five
the
latter's office.
The warden
finally
found
his voice,
and told
his story.
"
"
ing.
"What was
"I
that?"
said you're a
liar,"
repeated
Old
him?"
talking to me?"
"Yes,
three. I'm
going to shoot.
One
two
don't do that. I'll tell you, I'll tell you! He's all right. We
him any. We've got him tied up in a house out on the
Morgan Road. About ten miles away. I'll take you there, swear will!"
"My God,
didn't hurt
"But
the
in
first
just related to
place?" the
him the
Governor
details of the
"Why, several things, Governor. The first was when he used the
word mob, referring to the Darnley crowd. Only gangsters, cops and
prison men refer to them as mobs. Other people call them gangs."
"Yes, but
"No," admitted
him
me what
was before
to ask
it
390
and
with
him.
And
"When
Darnley mob,
all,
at all,
"And
at
it
made me
but someone
else.
you know."
"Was he actually
suspicious.
men
six revolvers
The
rest
"Yes.
He knew
member
in a
general
of their gang?"
way how
to
go about
it
because of the
For a
moment
"Oh,
one
sure," said
silent. Finally
it
is
Old Calamity.
Old Guy
hy Maitland LeRoy Osborne
"This
is
me now,
it
hand over
a college
undergraduate
if
his expensive-looking
expression.
Only
entire normality
Smoke
his
and
movements were
his voice
spiraled slowly
a little
was tonelessly
up from
a cigarette
flat.
He
tilted his
head
slightly to
bored
little store.
his expressionless
unwinking eyes.
The
man
with
391
once black hair that was mostly gray. The well worn, carelessly baggy
draped his form somehow
suit that
were
been piercing.
of a store, as
Hands
He
if
a frosty blue.
He had
that looked as
big hands.
the youth on the other side of the counter into bloody pulp.
young
dangerous
tially as
He was
thug's pocket.
most hardened
as the
killer.
The amateur
More
gangster
poten-
so,
perhaps
still
intent
on
"Why
"there's
lars
"
only a
or so
little
and
a few small
bills.
till
maybe
Hardly enough
for
couple of dol-
you
to bother
There was no discernible trace of excitement in the storekeeper's voice. He was taking the hold-up, it appeared, pretty calmly
with."
almost,
"We
much
don't have
as a
now
trade here
matter of course.
since that other store around
the corner on the main street opened up. This place used to take in
sometimes
that
fifty,
worth of goods
but
good day
week now. We're lucky
or sixty, dollars on a
much money
in a
in
If
it
if
we
matter of fact
it
it
don't take in
sell
ten dollars
hardly pays to
wasn't that
His emotionless voice flowed smoothly on. With his calmly considering gaze fixed
on the
face of the
young
sufficient reason, to
be deliberately talking
against time.
"Aw!
Can
in.
His
flat
flat
voice.
"I
didn't ask
392
The hard-eyed youth whirled suddenly and swore with vicious emphasis. "Smart bird, ain't you? Maybe you won't be so smart, if take a
I
He
in his side
coat pocket.
ways
"Don't
tell
me you
put
it
in
curiI
al-
was watching
lie.
you through the window when that woman paid you this afternoon.
You go around the first of the month to those four houses, collecting
impatiently.
"It ain't
the rent.
things.
about a
lot of
afternoon
this
you were late in getting around, and came back here with the money.
And you haven't been out of the store since. So you've got it right
know all about you, old guy.
here, hid in a crack maybe. You see,
never get
that's why
don't mind letting you know that I'm smart
why I've only been nabbed a couple of times and both times beat
I
the rap.
"I've
sometime you'd
money
slip
and then
myself. This
is
She
ain't
in
and collect
the kind of
dame
knew
a little rent
the time.
could walk
got
a date
don't
want
waiting."
The
"
fool
who's
a fool
who's
like a
clock
"It's
the safe here, under the counter," the storekeeper told him
is
locked.
It
all that." The hard-eyed youth shifted his feet impa"Open it up, and hand me over the money. And no funny
business, mind you. Don't keep me waiting any longer, old guy. It
"Never mind
tiently.
ain't
The
again,
you old
soak!"
he moaned
me
waiting."
hiccupped
realistically.
in a shrill falsetto,
"Drunk
inarticulate mutterings.
The
He seemed
thumb
was
393
open the
to
on the
fixed speculatively
still
he confessed
safe yourself,"
My
suppose
and
"All right
right!
all
Can
"It's
can't
"I
the chatter.
open the
I'll
safe.
What's the
combination?"
"Do you
at
The
He shook
I
guess.
head
so seldom lock
it,
is.
his
have to keep
Sometimes
up.
with
me
helplessly.
have to
down on
quit
your
till
I'll
it's
because
a card.
stalling,
old guy.
Old guys
mixed
all
that try to
"It's
"Funny
written
it
I
get
it
stall.
wouldn't want to get hurt, you know. Here's the card, tucked away in
a corner. I'd forgotten just
think this
my
eyes.
is it.
If
When
where
put
it,
to
tell
you'll wait
till
get
my
glasses
dance before
kind of nervous myself, old guy," he snarled. "Old guys that make
nervous sometimes get something to quiet their
own
nerves.
me
guess
is
the combination,
dial
all
right. There's
You stand
right there,
fingers.
on a showcase,
The
watched the proceedings with interested eyes. There was the faintest
suspicion of a smile on his thin lips, but otherwise his face was expresstorekeeper, leaning at ease with one elbow
sionless.
"Nine
four
eight
seven
three
"
course.
The
You
ain't
a blinding flash
394
here
it
is."
loud report
backward
He
to the floor.
huddled
still,
an inert
in
mass.
The
broaden.
"Well
it
worked
perfectly,"
and feathers
He
ruffled.
on the counter.
carefully
He
pride.
17/ get the thing pate}ited
safe-breaker's trap
line
Catches 'em
bling an old-style
now
regarded
there
that ought to be a
alive.
ought
it
to be
oj
lot
it.
and
set
it
somewhat resem-
money
And
And
police.
if
in
it.
Williams'
might never
sort of thing
young
sure
is
to be repeated.
The
rose and
door.
the distance,
fell in
and presently
Two
filling
blue uniformed
men
their hands.
way
at
two policemen
you worked
that
there he
many
so
were
is.
out, Inspector.
on the
"Just a
gas,
He'll
be
all
on
in
dead,
supposed to render
for the police to
Oh
off?
he?"
a safe-breaker insensible
By that time
It
I'll
have the
ought to be rather
very instant
in.
film
interest-
when he swung
trap."
isn't
the expression
invention
it
his head.
developed and
ing
He
set
young thugs
he?
isn't
still
a swell
and correspondingly
young
hesitated just a
trying out
my
little at
the
last
foolish,"
he explained, "that
I'd
spent so
much
as a subject for
time in the
last
395
took
this place
being
at
my
a vacation at
a storekeeper
expense
besides
carefully baiting
him along to stick me up. If he hadn't rubbed in the 'old guy' stuff
quite so much,
might have just slapped him down, taken his gat
away from him, and thrown him out."
I
to
lift
dit
"Well
guess you could have done that, all right. Inspector. I
happened to overhear the Skipper bragging about you only the other
day. He was telling the Commissioner that you're the best instructor
I
The
He
lads!"
"Lively,"
cocked
head knowingly.
his
T.
Meade
was beginning
when on
to
a certain
Tuesday
in
the
November
"I
am
defeated
now."
"Indeed,"
What
"I
is
it
replied, "this
all
is
interesting.
tell
are defeated.
perpetrated.
You so seldom
about?"
He
on during the
is
last
are
still
being
cleverest agents in
without
result.
396
he gambles, and that such gambling is not very scrupulous, but assure you the matter is not at all looked at in that light on the Stock
1
Exchange.
my
is
friend's
morning
hands
in his
Lennox Court. The details are discussed by him and his partner, Mr. Le Marchant, and he immediately afterwards goes to his broker to do whatever business is decided on. Now, this special broker's
name is Edward Gregory, and time after time, not invariably, but very
often, Mr. Gregory has gone into the house and found Mr. Gildford
doing the identical deals that he was about to do."
office in
"That
"It
is,-
is
strange,"
answered.
first
place
is
it
will
tell
how
every
its
Marchant."
"Wireless telegraphy/'
suggested.
an office
in
Lennox Court,
Stock Exchange.
and has no
is
man who
also has
clerks.
He
Now
room on
the
portant
cable
adopted.
course
Two
was expected,
unknown
to
him
one
actually took
up
his position
on the
landing outside his door, so that no one could enter by the door
at
being
office
known
when
to the clerks,
who were
397
opened
in
The
by Mr. Hamilton
one
office.
cable was
No
himself.
left
place. Thus,
both
Mr. Gildford's
at
and
office
at
it
inquired, beginning to be
latter."
much
interested
"You
will
Gregory,
at
left
call
it
Mr.
in
the office.
On
Stock
latter
went
to say that
the market was spoiled, Mr. Gildford having just arrived and dealt
heavily in the very same shares and in the same manner.
make
of
it,
"There
is
What do you
Dr. Lonsdale?"
me
to arrive
offices,
at,"
answered, "the
arranged channel."
"1
should have agreed with you but for one circumstance, which
am now going
to confide to you.
at
"Only
this:
she
night.
want you
state of things?"
is
me
and
let
"But
emphatic whisper,
"I
"Good heavens!"
his own loss."
"Not
at all.
He
cried,
short,
difficulties,
imagine
that.
and
mind,
in
don't accuse
in
frauds are to
the business.
the hands of
in great
some money-lenders,-
him yet
an
Le
in the plot."
The
in
398
to-
that
he
is
in
staving off
himself.
came
the crash
If
first,
marriage. But
when
do something
know about
much
as
and
friend of mine,
We
scoundrel.
quickly
ready.
If
place next
is
it is
in
already at
Monday. You
it
now
my
my
Now
want her
don't
past seven, so
if
brougham. Evelyn
you
think
is
to
dear
marry
it,
the
is
you
will dress
to
spend the
is
to
We
not,"
is
wedding
no time
many
will
went up
short time.
at
can prevent
were, forced to
it
do myself. Evelyn
"There certainly
and
if
will be, as
going under.
till
to take
is
to lose in
up the mystery."
wait here
I
he
of the situation as
clearing
a jait accompli
dine at eight
am
is
it
my
you
if
once drove
will kindly
minutes."
in
off to
tall,
dark-eyed
girl
very
at the door,
me
into
fire.
may
have
I
just
me
talk of
my
took the hand which Evelyn Dudley stretched out to me. She had
an attractive, bright
me
to her
me
some time, and taught me what the sin of rebellion meant. loved my
mother so passionately. did not think when she was taken from me
that
should ever know a happy hour again."
"And now, if report tells true, you are going to be very happy,"
continued, "for Miss Cusack has confided some of your story to me.
You are soon to be married?"
1
"Yes," she
"You are
1
right:
hope
else
I
on
to be very
I
love
moment
earth."
felt a
intuitions
like
him of underhand
all.
Miss Cusack's
Henry Le Marchant
must
399
be wrong.
divert
hoped when
my
saw
this
"Ah! there
know
young man
perhaps that he
is
should be able to
down
sat
my
"you have
said;
is
that
another channel.
near the
best wishes."
moment. "He
she spoke,
fire as
coming. You
is
be so pleased to
shall
introduce you."
"Our guest has arrived," she said, looking from Miss Dudley to me,
and she had scarcely uttered the words before Henry Le Marchant
was announced.
He was
a tall,
moustache
a black, short
and very dark eyes. His manner was easy and self-possessed, and he
looked with frank interest
The
and
my
next
moment
was considering
at
me when
what words
wrong
occurred which
thought very
something
tack,
little
was des-
The
servant
peculiar
had
room when
if it
a slight whiff of
my
nostrils.
some
was glanc-
particular fruit,
when
"What
lyn,
frowning
slightly. "Eve-
"I
it."
it,
who had
and
pale.
is
said, as
the
his
His embar-
memory
it.
of
what
it
is,"
he replied, recovering
his
smile.
cannot think
it
for
me
yes-
terday."
went on
Perhaps
400
common-place
reply,
as before.
my
attitude of
mind was
it
me
occurred to
Valerian
is
man
and
was
truth.
attend,
took
my
departure
shortly afterward.
my mind
were
all
wrong
place.
was awakened
my
who
servant,
entered with a
note.
it
an early hour by
at
follows
tling. It ran as
"/
want your
Do
After breakfast
steps at
not fail."
The
streets
were thronged
with the usual incoming flux of clerks hurrying to their different offices.
made my way
person
me
turned to
'This
hurry.
We
is
first
of you, doctor,-
at
eagerly.
good
Come
just
followed
in
my
Street,-
moved
down Bartholomew
rapidly
left,
Lennox Court.
guide with the greatest curiosity, wondering what
landing.
me
The
little
door with
room was
glanced around
quite bare,
will
is
some
in
and locked
alarm.
Lennox Court.
ourselves
office furniture
"Now we must
office.
This room
in
in
which we now
find
is
between that and Mr. Hamilton's office two doors further down.
have rented this room a quarter's rent for one morning's work. Well,
401
if
am
be cheap.
It
it
at
all."
as
"You
she proceeded to
make
noise."
She leant out and drew the ends of her boa along the
ledge
little
Her eyes
said.
sparkled with
was
stood
window
in
in
still
in a
say a word.
We
when
ter of an hour,
in this
window, and with an inconceivably rapid thrust she drew it back. She
was now grasping by the back of the neck a large tabby cat,- its four
legs were drawn up with claws extended, and it was wriggling in evident dislike
"A
cat!"
at
being captured.
cried, in the
itself
most
sweet pretty
"Yes, a cat, a
utter
who changed
The
it
as,
moment
greedily.
mind and
its
next
its
As
it
it
did
neck.
inner flap to the outer leather covering, she drew out a slip of paper.
"In
drel!
she held
"Yes,"
I
cried.
"What
scoun-
We
it
in
her hand.
she answered,-
"see!"
read with bated breath the brief communication which the tiny
piece of paper contained. It was beyond doubt a replica of the telegram which must have arrived at Hamilton's office a few moments
402
Cusack
ago. Miss
the ground.
picked
this,
evidence,"
is
it
said.
"Yes," she
methods
fore.
God it
man with whom
been
one
curious
It
to
up.
it
as this be-
has succeeded.
her
life
We
would have
intolerable."
"But
led
you
said.
replied.
on
this.
Marchant
to
do with
which
me
set
was so obviously
valerian
on the
a lie
for a single
moment.
it,
and
his
on
was not
it
first
it
was that
it
as a
fact
nerve sedative
embarrassment was so
way
maddening
face of
evident, that
his handkerchief?
till
came
which has
clue
much
cats, so
looked up
its
to me. Valerian
properties in
is,
as
a sort of intoxicating,
you
of
almost
They
itself to
Then
method em-
me
that the
are an
"Come
to the
in
a cat.
window and
You see
will explain.
you
moment
ago.
It
Mr. Gildford. All Mr. Gildford had to do was to sprinkle some valerian
would be detected by
Hamilton's office
my
is.
thought
peculiar smell
on Henry Le Marchant at
the office with the express purpose of seeing if there was a cat there.
"I went with a message from Evelyn. Nestling on his knee as he sat
at his table writing in his private room was this very animal. Even
surmises were correct,
called yesterday
test.
my
suspicions, but in
namely,
his marriage to
now
moment to
course
is
clear.
have
a painful
is
not a
lose."
slowly
it
and put
it
her extraordinary
that night
demned
in
such cases.
But
why
married a
man
am
in
Packed House
hy Robert Zacks
dare
"I
show
can't
it.
As he knew damn
come,"
"My
said.
didn't
well.
wife and
friends."
I
promptly
my
cations,
felt sick at
the
last
remark.
my
it
for a
touchdown.
Mr. Stanhope
He nodded
sweat as
thought
reluctantly took
"1
lifted his
me
"If
can
rest of the
see."
me up and
it,"
said,
at
hard as a
as
will."
The
legs got
"I
began to
pulled tooth.
my
five o'clock
404
Wednesday
night at
some
Palace Bar.
It
going to be
is
there and
hair.
"I
you're smart
made
a face.
Mac and
It
Mac was
them.
telling
noyed
We
as the devil.
nice about
it,
Ellen,
but
could
tell
he was
as an-
when we got
together.
player and
said, "Well,
dollars
it's
a pity.
Josh White."
I
felt
down
We
like
I'd
it:
went
dim with
ornate, brassy,
indirect light-
band blaring
floor so small
was
it
until
which
you get
didn't help
my mood
we came
It
any.
in.
forced a
When we
were seated
Mary
two,
said doubt-
fully,
tables."
crowd was
terrific,
growled.
and the service terrible. After a few moments of jazzy blaring by the
band took my hand away from my ear and saw Joe Halliday, the
I
fellow
who works
next desk to
me
in
the office.
He waved
gloomily,
a chair.
like,"
in too?" he asked.
Mary. Joe grunted and looked around.
growled Joe,
looked
at
Mary and
Markham would
at me queerly.
405
Markham was
Mr.
He had
of the well-bred, educated man, and his tastes ran to literary and
He
tic things.
artis-
wasn't the night club type, and this joint was far from a
night club.
my
watch. It was well into the evening. No Mr. Markwas beginning to burn. So was Mary.
"I'll bet he doesn't come," said Mary.
She had crystallized the feelings we all had. Joe said, slowly, "Well,
don't get it. Unless Stanhope
looked
ham
at
yet and
He
didn't get a
chance to
finish
down
at us.
he asked.
folks?"
He was
little
high, but
yet.
Mary
dandy," said
brightly.
said, politely,
it
was
terrific.
He wished
good
us a
time.
It
would
"1
told
certainly be nice
tonight."
There was
moment
He
We
a
initial
smiled
of stunned silence.
this party
tonight
my
is
Then Stanhope
on me.
It
initials."
at us
said
table.
trolling herself.
As
Intently
my
would be
It
said.
fell
knew
there.
He
looked
like
until
want anybody
"Why don't you join the
just to
be
sure,
said,
didn't
"Nice crowd,"
"Isn't it?"
Raphaels.
406
Then,
He
he
said, feeling
said.
You know
He
"
my
watchwaited
to see this.
fun?"
said.
way.
"My name
he grinned sheepishly
is
Raphaels. Jack
"I'm thinking of
buy-
he
boss. This,"
what
like
"Is
my
all
to get a chance to be
my own
want."
that so?"
giving
said,
coming
to
it
life
said,
us.
"I
here."
told
him
before the
straight
man came
make
finished just
filling
it
week or two
to
Then, with
my
table.
drifted
back to
men
face.
didn't get a
He
was now
really
silly.
reproving
finger. "Aren't
said happily,
and
meant
The Pattern
hy Alex Saxon
At 11:23
P.M.
room
in
a small
April,
suit
man
thought he might be
draws
its
Rauxton,
a crank.
who
first
in
any large
who
city
confess
or because of
some
any
407
number
But
chiatrists.
He
left
went
wasn't up to Rauxton to
it
the small
man
in to talk to his
company
the
in
a decision either
Dan
way.
Tobias, and
who
women
make
of his partner,
Sheffield turned
his desk;
come
in his
own
volition?"
"He says
"And his
"So
He
far,
it's
Andrew
Franzen."
story?"
just that
he
killed them,"
Rauxton
said.
"I
name through
"You want
"It
me
we
Rauxton
in
question him."
said,
good
idea."
and went
file,
to get a stenographer?"
would probably be
"Right,"
the weirdo
out.
He was
a lean,
sinewy man
in his
He had
dark-
brown eyes that had seen most everything there was to see, and been
appalled by a good deal of
they were tired, sad eyes. He wore a
plain blue suit, and his shirt was open at the throat. The tie he had
worn to work when his tour started at 4:00 p.m., which had been given
to him by his wife and consisted of interlocking, psychedelic-colored
concentric circles, was out of sight in the bottom drawer of his desk.
He picked up the folder with the preliminary information on the
three slayings and opened it. Most of it was sketchy telephone comit,-
in
sory report from the local lab, a copy of the police Telex that he had
sent out statewide as a matter of course following the discovery of the
later alerted the other authorities in whose
two subsequent corpses had been found. There was also an
Inspector's Report on that first and only death in San Francisco, filled
out and signed by Rauxton. The last piece of information had come in
less than a half-hour earlier, and he knew the facts of the case by
memory,- but Sheffield was a meticulous cop and he liked to have all
first
areas the
The
408
first
body was
of a
woman named
Janet Flanders,
who had
been discovered by
neighbor
at 4:15 that
duplex on 39th Avenue, near Golden Gate Park. She had been killed
by
several
instrument.
neighbor
in
in
South San Francisco. "Cause of death: several blows about the head
The
by
at
who had
stopped by to return
acquaintance
a casual
wooded
in a
6:37
p.m.
borrowed
hillside
They would
in
factors, that,
and
thirty-five,
on the plump
Item: each of
side,
and blonde.
of California,
having come to the San Francisco Bay Area from different parts of the
advised
women whose
all
bludgeon
"the
locked doors.
slayings."
had kept
the case
Or
blessed events
a
first
promised a
still
Now, however,
Crank?
a strictly
the
Andrew
Franzen.
Was
Or was
multiple murderer?
hell of a lot of
there was
simple case?
this
and got
Sheffield thought,
to his feet
In the
He came
weirdo
He
soon enough.
just finishing a
at
in
the
off
inside,-
the
glass-
computer check.
"Nothing on Franzen
said,
Jack."
file.
metal desk
his office.
confessed,
stiffly
Andrew
Franzen, was
waiting inside, stoically seated in the near corner, was one of the
police stenographers.
He and
let's
let
and
like
tall
Rauxton
to
chosen.
He moved
the
left
and Rauxton to
that he
on
at the small
man
sitting
slightly, so
flat
his thighs.
and
410
lately cut
it
it
gave him a certain boyish character, even though Sheffield placed his
age
around
at
forty.
behind
spaniel,
liquid, like
those of a
and tapped
in his
it
hands
when he was conducting an interrogation. He broke the silence, finally, by saying, "My name is Sheffield. I'm the lieutenant in charge
here.
Now
it's
my
rights."
He
all
The
small
"Are
you
man
willing, then, to
counsel?"
"Yes, yes."
Sheffield continued to
teeth. "All right,"
he said
against his
have your
full
front
name."
in
San Francisco."
"Nine-oh-six Greenwich."
"Is
"No,
it's
an apartment building."
"Where?"
"I'm
an independent consultant."
"What
sort of consultant?"
"I
Rauxton
"It's
firms
said,
very simple,
really,"
"If
two business
up a
like to set
me.
like a
said.
"Yes."
"What kind
of salary
do you make?"
411
a year."
Two
appeared
in Sheffield's forehead.
Franzen
"Why
Sheffield said,
did you
come
walked
in a
"1
told this
man
that
when
"The murders."
"What murders,
specifically?"
women
in
"Yes."
as yet?"
"No, no."
"Suppose you
"And
that's
Francisco
in?"
killed them."
Franzen was
pose not.
me why you
tell
"Why? Because
moment. Then
silent for a
went walking
Aquatic Park
in
when
came back
this
knew
that
it
was hopeless.
It
sup-
to San
The more
was only
know how
matter of
I
do that.
I've always done things on impulse, things
would never do if
stopped to think about them. That's how killed them, on some insane impulse,- if had thought about it
never would have done it. It
."
was so useless
Sheffield exchanged glances with the two inspectors. Then he said,
"You want to tell us how you did it, Mr. Franzen?"
guess
wouldn't
to begin to
"What?"
"How
did you
kill
One
women keep
of those big
in
wooden
steak."
It
was
412
no
details to the
all
at
Rauxton, and
news media
as to the
kind of weapon
in-
volved
in the slayings,
report on the
initial lab
had sharp
victim
stated the
it
was
and the
wounds
of
making
"teeth" capable of
first
a series of
deep indentations
as
it
Sheffield asked,
"I
threw
mallet,
Mr. Franzen?"
away."
it
"Where?"
"1
think so."
road."
suppose
later on?"
so, yes."
woman you
last
killed?"
"Yes."
her
kill
in?"
'The bedroom."
"Where
in the
bedroom?"
first
"Janet Flanders."
in
in
the bathroom,
the kitchen
is
that right?"
."
.
"Why
Why
would
"Mrs. Gordon was the middle
"I
didn't.
"Yes."
kill her?"
'The kitchen."
"She was sewing, wasn't she?"
"No, she was canning," Franzen
serves.
cookers
all
jars
in Franzen's
hand.
He seemed
Sheffield,
The
relief
said. "She was canning plum preand boxes of plums and three big pressure
to be
watching him,
."
He
at the tears
eyes now.
and wiped
off
felt a
chair.
was no doubt
in his
mind
413
nor
in
that
thrown
and
detail
all
one right
knew
after another,
particulars that
had
also
not been given to the news media, that no crank could possibly have
known, that only the murderer could have been aware of. The case
had turned out to be one of the simple ones, after all, and it was all
but wrapped up now,- there would be no more "bludgeon slayings," no
public hue and cry, no attacks on police inefficiency in the press, no
pressure from the commissioners or the mayor. The sadness was the
result of twenty-six years of police work, of living with death and
crime every day, of looking at a man who seemed to be the essence of
normalcy and yet who was a cold-blooded multiple murderer.
Why? Sheffield thought. That was the big question. Why did he do it?
He said, "You want to tell us the reason, Mr. Franzen? Why you
killed
them?"
The
life
small
man moistened
his lips.
"I
light
"They were
414
my
wives," he said.
Point of
Honor
by Larry
Se^rijj
was
of
my
right.
packed with
City,
was
thicker brunette.
gave the
wicked
command
attack.
anywhere
I'd
mask than
At
least, that's
what
I'd
always thought.
than a second.
415
think
buzzing
my
had
among
ing to rise
about them.
My
box
in
horrified
first
murmurs
detective's
badge was
still
just start-
could do
strictly private,
in
this state.
had gone
Laurie
shock when,
into
at
It
and we
all
got to see the blood on the end. She collapsed then, falling into a
"And you
are?"
"Carl Jackson.
My
friends call
me
Jax."
Jeffrey,"
and
his
it all?"
He
gave
me
a pained look.
'The director
calls
"What does
that mean?"
match."
Malone gave me
Officer
was going
it.
knew what he
gave him a level stare in return. "I was officiating, yes, which
makes me about as responsible as the ref at a football game where
some kid gets his leg broken."
'This is a lot worse than a broken leg," he replied.
nodded. "Yes, but much more rare." thought he might take that
opportunity to dig a little, but he didn't. I mean, the last recorded
fencing-related death occurred in an Olympics thirteen years earlier,
1
The only
other death
when
fore that,
as
a fencer in
years be-
a series of
hard
bouts, leaned
this
was
certainly suspicious.
Officer
Room
"We'll
be
in
all
he
said.
He
started to
"You
317."
touch
if
information."
turn away.
He
versity property.
416
When
be contacting me?"
our baby."
JesMS,
He
thought.
and
Janet's dead,
Not
couple of hours
for
me,
knew
but
fries,
the investiga-
wasn't.
most of us ended up
later,
it
he's
let
found
in a
nearby
bar. I'd
beer.
We
could
had
a table
The
get.
as far
local football
TV
as
conference
we
rival,
man
some questions
He was
little
it
the
had
for him.
more than
guy, no
all
fast.
it
A dumpy
was
already receding, and he looked at least ten years older than the
twenty-six
of times
knew
his
wasn't
much
"Chuck,"
said,
keeping
He
He
thought he was.
I'd
my
fans.
saw
in
voice as soft as
"Chuck,
my direction, and
He took another deep
in
them. "Yeah?"
recoiled
drink of
whiskey.
I
sipped
at
my own
it
in?" Stan-
dard tournament rules required that every piece of every fencer's gear
be checked by
This had been
looser.
a qualified
a smaller
My own
this
morning.
"Hell, Jax,"
he slammed
his glass
down on
me. "You were fencing sabre. For one thing, that wasn't even scheduled to start
till
this afternoon.
are
all
thrusts. There's
with the
up
foil,
his drink
The
in
know damn
sabre
is
stiffer,
well that
and I'm
and took another long
pull.
417
know
is
the
first
at,
all that.
Christ,
it's
not
passed.
it
she
let
"Oh,
"I
me
and clung to
in,
me
know,
Laurie.
was so
know."
horrible."
After a moment, she pulled away, heading toward a table near the
window. There was a Kleenex box there, and lots of them wadded up
on the floor around one of the chairs. followed her and took the seat
I
at
the parking
lot.
little
"They've agreed
it
said, staring
be any charges."
I
couldn't
felt
awkward
as hell.
crimes, but
I'd
said.
I'd
who
I'd
and
lot of
had turned to look out the window. studied her profile for
a moment, trying to marshall my thoughts.
She was not pretty. Even taking her condition into account the
red-rimmed eyes, the lack of make-up, the sweat from her earlier fencing
wondered, could she have been jealous of
she was not pretty.
Laurie
Janet?
lot,
in
Omaha
every year,
in again.
nodded,
still
"I've
bouts."
"Hell, Jax," she said,
nodded
again. "Don't
implications of
418
my
you
If
on her?"
would be
over.
She nodded, though, without turning her head toward me. "Sure. 1
know if you knew it or not, but Janet started out as a foil fencer.
don't
She tends
tended
to
a little
attacks."
said, as softly as
you
Why?"
line, Laurie.
She shrugged. "The wrist shots weren't working. You asked how
many
times
She was
fenced
I've
right.
you
her,-
didn't ask.
how many
didn't ask
need
didn't
moment
the
was
it
all
had.
know,"
"I
won."
I've
my
my
at
said softly.
a bit,
my
"I
I
times
to.
blade."
nodded a third time. It was a standard tactic, and Janet was cerone of the shorter fencers. Maybe the campus cop was right.
Maybe it really was just an accident.
didn't know any more. The only certainty had left was the pain
could see on Laurie's face.
1
tainly
I'd
ask them.
It's
a person,-
too
hard
line
much and
"Thanks, Laurie."
headed
find
said,
final
as
mean,
it
all,
but
killed her,
I?"
looked
The
no words
to
left
it,
still
but so
stiffened.
felt
my
lips
far
I
without replying.
anybody guarding
little
"Yes?"
"I
least, I'd
walk: too
"Jax."
didn't
we
unattended when
that
had been
girl,
left
Jax?"
"Who?"
419
light up a
making everyone feel special."
picked up the punch test from the table. It looked something like a
pistol. There was a metal bar that, after cocking, was designed to
strike a mask with a very specific amount of force. Grabbing the mask,
started almost idly punching it with the test, snapping it against the
same spot, over and over again.
pressed. "Did you mistake her
"Is that what happened. Chuck?"
friendship for something more? Did you ask her back to your place
last night, and did she turn you down?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
We'd known each other for a lot of years, he and I, and been good
friends for most of them, but none of that showed on his face or in his
voice now. Mine either, for that matter.
I'd snapped the mask about a dozen times, more or less. Setting the
punch test down, wedged the mask up against some other stuff on
the table and picked up one of the epees lying there.
"I talked to Laurie,"
said. "You've been coaching her. You knew
she'd be keeping her point up against Janet. What
don't know is
why. Chuck? Why?"
didn't let him finish. Lunging forward,
"I don't
" he started, but
"Janet, of course. Petite, but cute,
way
of
I'd
mesh on the
been snapping on
The
epee tore through the metal and struck the object behind the mask.
I
turned to
at one of our
you pretty badly a few months earlier.
That was, in fact, the last time you ever fenced in competition. You
were still mad about that, and didn't blame you, but thought you
took it a bit too far when you doctored the punch test. It passed right
through his mask on the first try, and he wasn't allowed to fence. I've
meets. As
recall,
he'd beaten
He
and putting
it
ball players
back on the
He
table.
to him, slipping
And
date.
not to
last night;
it
epee
off the
my
room, but
like
it
just
nice.
out on a
was an accident or
He
fell
and waited
mask, but
420
for
I
him
looked
to continue. "Yeah,
didn't
at the
set
up
mean
just
He
1
had been
that
a little,
out,
maybe
it
in Laurie's.
"My God,
Jax,
didn't
in his
eyes
His eyes flicked to the mask and then back to me. "What are you
going to do?"
I
sighed.
mind:
his
was
What
it
likely to
would probably
still
be
upon
my
alive.
do anything,"
make
tongue, "except to
said,
sure that
He
nodded, but
relief.
thing,"
added.
"Yeah?"
I
how
strip.
long
it
myself included.
And
then
down, but
hit
him, as hard as
could.
He
went
my room
to
pack.
The Rosary
Michael A. Black
crunched under the sole of Doyle's shoe. He stopped to pick it up.
bead. Dark colored. Almost black, with a hole through the center,
as if it had been strung on some kind of necklace. But it was wood. As
It
he rolled
it
in his
hand
it
seemed out of
same time
421
strangely
familiar.
scanned the
floor.
tan-
gled heap of the remaining beads, the string, and the crucifix.
"Hand me an evidence
bag," he said.
"I
think
found something."
I've
Doyle used a pen to extricate the rosary from under the furniture.
Then he bagged it and scribbled the crime report number on the seal.
"Find something, Jim?" asked his partner, Roger McKay, coming
into the room.
Doyle
"Yeah,"
said,
"A rosary?" said McKay, his brows furrowing. "What do you make
of
it?"
Doyle shook
know."
McKay, holding
his pocket.
brutal crime,
her mid-seventies.
Now
his nose
else?"
S.
by
a stroke.
fetal
then looked
at
the stretcher.
me
more facial shot before you cover her," the photographer said. He was breathing through his mouth because of the
smell. The dress that Margaret Page had put on now barely contained
"Let
get one
this
McKay,
was
flat.
back and
"I
He
The
talk to
some
one
attempt
of the neighbors
had
"Let's go
at levity
said,
up."
No
his
want to
knew
first,"
said Doyle.
They
all
Her only
neighborhood.
422
"I
Aunt Peggy
is
Ed Roberts covered
dead."
eyes briefly.
then
his
patted his
shoulder.
to strangers?"
He
lit
before answering.
it
Then added,
don't
"I
think so."
know how
"You
Ed scratched
some stranger?"
"It
the offender
let
He moved
armchair as he spoke.
The
it
in,"
uncomfortably
furniture
fit
the house
in
let
in
were no
the chintz-covered
upscale suburban
a decorator,
"Dead
dered
"It
is
"But
mur-
blowing
bracketed by hard
Ed put
in
head.
his
."
.
his
cloud of smoke
at
all
lines.
hands over
his face
his cigarette
the ashtray.
"Is
any more of
somewhat
He was
band?
"We
realize
some
'Then
"It's all
with.
how
part-time
on the
find out
who
did
it
it
is.
again.
to
is
who
did
"We were
They looked
McKay.
I'm a special
baliff's identification
out
this
nasal
and
my
hus-
protective.
investigation."
know how
will find
down
leads
bellicose. "Can't
this,
all
us,"
deputy myself."
and showed
she said.
He
it
over
pulled out a
423
interviews.
van.
He was
in Ireland
on
and
reports
Father Sulli-
had been
Quick
and neat. However, there was also evidence that the victim had been
tortured before she died. Numerous bruises were found on her face
and body. The fingers on her left hand had been bent backwards,
fracturing the bones. The body had lain in the house for approximately a week. The more brutal aspects of the crime were not released
killed
by
9mm
bullet that
had entered
skull.
to the press.
When
taken. But without any solid leads the investigation slowed to a stand-
rapes, a
The
first
real
fice
file.
McKay was
in
the of-
He
who now worked in
"Hey, Frank,"
"How's
it
McKay
said,
first
ring.
going?"
"Well,
said.
"I
got notified about a week ago that they'd pinched a junkie for shoplifting
so
didn't think
much about
it.
McKay
"Margaret Page?"
It
voice.
424
where
is
He
this
stared at
guy now?"
McKay
said.
He
looked
"So
like a sick
McKay
runny nose.
tell us,
monkey on
gave him
Jesus,"
McKay
lighter.
card?"
his
head cocked,
in
me?"
for
it
"Listen, asshole,"
Doyle
said.
hoarse whisper.
"What's
"1
The
fidgeting, shivering,
string:
a cigarette
a
in
for
it
me?"
been
tell
us
in the
murdered
how you
it."
"Then we
"Maybe
McKay.
good enough," Jesus
that ain't
said.
He
took
long drag on
the cigarette.
"If it ain't,"
said
retail theft to
suspicion of murder.
The
cupped
hands around
his
finally,
He had no more
his face.
Sensing
cigarettes.
that they
McKay
said. "It
was Herman."
at
in
to Garcia.
"Herman
Brinx.
met him
We
burglaries
what
that's
my record."
McKay nodded
thought
this
was gonna
be.
You can
check
reassuringly.
in there's this
old lady.
thought we'd
just put
on her.
by one, asking her where her
stash is." He lowered his eyes and shook his head. "I ain't never been
in on something like that before.
keep telling him to hurry up. Let's
get outta here,
say, but he just laughs and says to be cool.
mean,
off
me
to
about
it.
cash and jewelry. Nothing big. Nothing that can be traced. But
the card, figuring
it
before
took
it
got
425
He
reported stolen."
shrugged
his
McKay
above
offered
him another
cigarette.
He
in
my
get
pocket."
it
He had
Doyle asked.
on his square. "That's the weird thing."
Residual smoke lingered around his mouth as he spoke. "She let us
right in. Herman made me dress up like a priest."
The
in?"
inhaled deeply
Jesus
It
came back
to a
phone number
pay phone
that Jesus
in a transient
hotel in
They radioed for two uniforms to meet them at the hotel. Doyle
showed them Herman's mug shot. It was easy to picture him as the
shooter. The smug expression, the blank eyes. Killer's eyes.
"He's served time for offenses ranging from auto theft to
armed
out of County
Jail
on an I-Bond."
jail's
so fucking over-
crowded they got to. They got that fucking federal judge telling them
he don't want no poor inmates sleeping on the floor."
They paired off and McKay and the older uniform went into the
hotel. Once it had been a well-kept building. But after several years
on the downslide, it had slipped into a state of disrepair and neglect.
Dollops of paint hung from the ceiling in the lobby. McKay showed
the mugshot to an ancient, bleary-eyed deskclerk. He gave them the
pass-key to room 304.
They headed upstairs, The halls reeked of vomit, booze, and urine.
Standing on either side of the door, McKay slipped the key into the
lock and turned it slowly. The knob turned, but the door held fast.
Double locked.
"Who
is
it?"
"Police," said
a voice called
McKay. "Open
up."
He
was going to kick the door. Suddenly two shots pierced the
426
anti-
quated wood.
home,
his foot
it
was
sturdier
then slammed
just
ing against the wall. Surveying the room, one aiming high, one low.
No
movement, except
the
McKay
escape."
fire
the room.
a clattering
Then
McKay
sound.
to the
seal
Doyle and the other uniform had been waiting at the mouth of the
They heard the sound of shoes striking the metal stairs. Doyle
saw that Brinx was already jumping from the metallic scaffold to the
ground. The big automatic in Herman's hand exploded twice, and
Doyle hit the alley floor, calling out a warning to his uniformed partalley.
ner.
Herman turned
to run
on
dumpster, leveled his .38 Chief's Special, and squeezed off a round.
Doyle followed.
Brinx ran across the street. Doyle had a chance to get a clear shot,
many
ran for
returned
pedestrians to risk
fire
off
fire.
"Watch out
Herman rounded
ploded over
muzzle
mouth
flash,
from
his face.
Doyle
fired
twice at the
in his sights.
flat,
The
jerk with
at his
they
When
had entered
"Well," the
shoulder.
the body.
fingers
When
just
under the
young copper
killer's left
eye.
we won't have
to
worry
427
room
as
he
"Jim," said
and
fee
be
priest's collar
a donut.
at
You're supposed to
"You slept
line.
He
asked McKay.
all?"
sat
down
at his
desk and
leaned forward.
Doyle shook
his head.
some
get
rest.
finish
I'll
up the paperwork."
already seen
it,"
McKay
said. "So?"
number.
"I'm
going to see
if
Father
"Yes, detective,
was
in
need to know
is if
for
another priest
told her
He was
to see about
supposed to
some chores
for
her."
"When
"A
call?" said
They
stood
at
cancelling the
visit."
room
the
call
far wall.
McKay
at District
sat across
Headquarters. Doyle
from
her, his
came
to the
arms rested on
killers
door masquerad-
"A
priest?"
she
said.
"Father Sullivan
McKay
428
"To
McKay.
"But he
made arrangements
for
"In
special lady."
Her head
Lopez received
"But Father
"A
call
from
he pulled
rette,
day before
Doyle.
killed," said
a ciga-
tell us,
Paula."
"You see," said Doyle from across the room. "We've already picked
up Ed. From work. He admitted arranging the Individual Recognizance Bond for Brinx when he was working at the jail."
McKay
said, "He's
already spilled his guts." Staring directly into her eyes, he added,
'Told us that
was
it
all
your
same
idea."
it,"
said Doyle.
She glared
at
feral
'That asshole never could keep his fucking mouth shut," she spat.
"So
much forced
The corner
I
huh?
it,
Gimme
a cigarette and
do anything."
I'll
tell
you how
his face.
wash the
city grime
from
He
wished he
as easily as
he could
And the memories, too. The memories of this case bothMore than he felt they should. But why? The actual trigger
man was dead. And those that had hired him, the poor victim's family,
to remove.
ered him.
at
in
Justice.
had seemed so
It
clear
ated from the Academy. Right and wrong, indelible in black and
white.
Roberts
He wondered
.
if
seemed so exalted
Ed
to
killer to collect
an early inheritance.
Maybe nothing
existed in black
The dripping
back
at
429
many
Was
Margaret Pages of
this
Slowly he dried
off,
world?
No
solace?
He
found
it
in
the top drawer along with a discarded watch from his long ago graduation, his forgotten military medals,
Doyle grasped
it
and
in the semi-darkness.
"Our
father
down on the
Then he began:
sat
and
bed.
He
felt for
."
.
Safety Deposit
by
B. B. Fowler
Ace Davis, the detective, stopped under the street lamp on the corner
and stared at the screaming headlines of the paper the newsboy thrust
before him. They were scare headlines, big and black across the head
of the page.
BIG
down
Big
Tom
The hard
whistle and
as
if
a coin
lips of
little
the head-
lights
danced
in his
black eyes.
street lamp.
Now
Then he looked up
He had
been alone,
men
with
One
at
of
them was
in a
lustrous white.
bulged.
coat,
The
The
in
He
face
looked
was
pocket that
to act as a sling.
430
fat
just as
if
He stared unsmilingly
"Funny how many guys get it
shoulder.
at the
at the headlines.
tone.
Ace
didn't
him. "Yeah,
The man
it
meant anything to
in
"You'd be surprised.
We'd
like to
go up
to
Ace."
Ace
agreed.
The
felt
"I
was
four of
would be
them
started walking
down
just
nice,"
he
going up anyway."
just
fast
my
hand. Ace.
with yourself
lately?"
boy.
head.
Outside the apartment they stopped while Ace unlocked the door.
Polo Coat went
whose
face
in
first.
Ace hadn't
"Stay outside.
We
He
halted in the
doorway and
said to the
man
seen:
against
him
as
Ace
to
go
in.
There were little beads of sweat on his forehead and the white
was more lustrous than ever. Ace grinned crookedly. He walked
face
into
the apartment and dropped into a chair and stared up at Polo Coat.
"Come
clean, dick.
the big-shot.
it
it
to
you
to
hand
431
on
DA.
to the
come up
for
it
Ace
"Nice,"
way, wasn't
Nice of us to
it?"
He
said tonelessly.
when
"Not so nice
Ace shook
got
it.
if
got rid of
you get
it
Go
think
on
give
said.
one hand
in his
that thunked
muddy
"I
to him!"
it
on Ace's
ribs.
when
little
it
color.
we
didn't
come here
just to
Peaked-Face yanked
fully.
He
"He
it.
got
ain't
he picked
What
along Ace's
felt
it!"
if
legs.
He
said Peaked-Face.
it
the hell do
He
rolled
up
garters.
we do now?" he swore.
Work him
when
he comes to. I'm going to see Lantz. We've got to have that envelope.
They've got the big-shot down at headquarters now. That envelope
will burn him
and us." He walked out, closing the door softly.
were
far out.
kicked him
face.
He
rolled heavily as
if
he
down at him. He
detached viciousness. Then something
in
it
is!"
head came around the corner and Ace slapped down with the
blackjack. He carried the lookout in and threw him on the bed,
432
snapped
around
a cuff
his wrist.
He
was none
in sight.
That was
jammed
way. Something
were you,
"I'd
freeze
He
looked around
neath his
if
bum
"Where
arm.
in hell
as
he
felt
that envelope?"
in Ace's
hand.
he asked.
little
1
lights
slipped
were dancing
it
Coat grunted.
He
looked
a corner,
his
said:
an envelope
rat."
He saw
was
a
at
He
looked
at the cops,
at the taxicab
there
when
it?"
who were
hurry-
in,
Gordan Kahn did not set out to kill someone every day, and so this
particular Wednesday was special in his life. He dressed carefully,
making certain that the conservative striped tie was positioned just
right, taking an extra few moments to polish his shoes.
He was meeting Dennis Marret for a drink in a private room at the
College Club, supposedly to discuss the possibility of a settlement.
But he already
knew
work away
Now
for a
many men
few thousand
like
dollars.
fair
settlement. Dennis
die.
subway
to
42nd
Street
two blocks
even glance up
as
The woman
at the front
desk didn't
He had
difficult.
with
Gordon cleared
much time."
He
his
well!
his throat.
Good
think.
don't have
which could
easily
room
men
seemed lost along the sides of the big table, facing each other like
opponents in some ritualized chess match.
Marret touched the service bell and almost immediately an elderly
waiter appeared to take their order. Kahn managed to blow his nose
and turn his head at that moment, so the waiter could not see his face.
He mumbled an order for a Scotch and water through the folds of his
handkerchief, and held it in place until the waiter had left.
"Well," Marret said again. Gordon Kahn remembered that word
from the first time he'd ever met him, in the plush presidential offices
of Marret Enterprises, Inc. "You asked for this meeting. Just what did
you have in mind, Gordon?"
Kahn cleared his throat. It was a nervous habit that dated from his
youth, and he'd never quite got over it. "About the transducer.
thought we might come to terms." He produced a little notebook and
a ballpoint pen from his pocket, and carefully placed them on the
table in front of him. The notebook was blank except for a single
number he'd written on the first page months earlier.
'Terms, terms! Gordon, you don't seem to understand. That's all
settled and done with. The transducer is now the property of Marret
Enterprises. You were paid for it
a perfectly fair and aboveboard
I
transaction."
"1
also received
my
later
you
fired
me.
when
left
your
for
"Gordon," Marret said with an exasperated sigh, "these are the ways
of the business world.
434
had
to let
along the
all
line.
it."
my own
time, before
joined
Marret Enterprises."
"You would have a
took certain
difficult
risks in
development.
its
We
in court. Besides,
invested a
good
we
deal of
money."
The
Kahn covered
his
seem to have a bit of a cold," he mumbled. As the waiter shut the door behind him, Kahn returned the
handkerchief to his pocket. "You were saying?"
face with his handkerchief.
"I
was saying you were damned lucky to have gotten what you
"I
did,"
thin.
Marret shrugged. "Or worth nothing. You had no money to develop and produce
"How many
it.
did."
you cheated
others have
like this?"
Kahn
asked.
"Others?"
"We should
out of their
life's
work."
talk about,
hand
in dismissal.
"We
my
even
in
being
quickly across the table until the gun was only inches from Marret's
head.
left
When
temple.
on coughing
for a
and kept
in
a stain
on the white
cloth.
Kahn held
his breath
anyone would come running, but the sound of the little .22
had not passed through the massive oak door. He glanced around the
room, seeking anything he might have touched, but his fingers had
carefully avoided the glass of Scotch and water, and the gun was now
to see
safely
if
back
For a
in his pocket.
moment he
it.
bell,
435
more.
He
door to prevent
'Telephone
"He
can't
its
opening.
Mr. Marret,"
call for
a voice
announced.
a message."
"Yes, sir."
Kahn cursed
silently
clear
He
a crack,
watching the
it,
him.
Kahn
apartment
him
office
where an
at the office
Kahn's name
efficient secretary
Florida,
else
He knew
he would be
an appointment book.
in
meeting.
But of course Marret had called his office and told them where he'd
Had
be.
to find out
at once.
and asked
"Ah
ret at the
he's
on
The
his
paused
in
Then he
a pay telephone.
this
is
Mr. Rogers.
was supposed
to
way?"
girl's
Rogers.
He
phone him and they said he couldn't be dishad another appointment first at the same club. He
me who he was meeting."
just tried to
turbed. Perhaps he
didn't
tell
"Well,
him.
I'll
He hung
not
up and
left
Kahn
said, relief
No
flooding over
name, no clue
as skillfully as
retrieve the
else
found
it.
But as he turned down the hallway he saw the elderly waiter just
opening the door. The waiter was holding a slip of paper in his hand
the phone message from Marret's secretary. No one had answered
Kahn
outside mingling with the afternoon crowd. He'd gotten away, but
just barely.
He knew the waiter hadn't seen his face, and no one in the lobby
had noticed him. The secretary back at Marret Enterprises didn't
know his real name, and he'd left no fingerprints. He'd gotten away
with it except for that notebook with its damned number written on
the
page.
first
He
now
would
fail
to discover
its
significance.
The
came
case
to Lieutenant Burns of
Homicide
East,
and
it
was
The murder
of
some bum or pusher was one thing, but the murder of Dennis Marret
in a private dining room at the swank College Club was something
else again.
time in his
life
first
as to
his progress.
after the
nil.
Only
the waiter's prints were found on the Scotch glass, and there were no
prints at
all
half the
men
when
in
New
who had
waiter's
fit
from
a mysterious
Mr. Rogers
enemies
who had
a motive?"
in business
437
dealings he was a villain. His favorite trick seems to have been finding
scientists
firm.
change
for a cash
fire
in ex-
for murder,
"
same stunt on
thirty, forty
are a
prises
right
business."
Burns began tapping his pencil against the edge of the desk. "What
else?"
who
"How'd he have time?" Burns asked. Then, to another of the de"You've checked all the employees of the College Club,
tectives,
Riggs?"
Nobody saw
stared down at the
"Every one.
Burns
What
in hell
does
mean?"
"Does
it
mony, the
in the
room.
since he'd
ceptional
Why?
left
It
nothing else
^you
in
the room.
bring the
"But
killer
testi-
killer
back
what does
it
after
this
The notebook
a dollar in
notebook,
itself is
any stationery
unex-
store.
So
to
it."
mean?"
room
for
a crime.
He
chalk dust and wrote the number, very large, in the center of the
board.
5560894.
"Seven
digits.
He
some
sort of identification
the board:
438
It's
to look at
number
1.
Social Security
2.
Telephone number
3.
Army
4.
5.
Membership number
serial
number
"Let's start
Frost shifted his weight in the chair, reaching for his wallet. "Social
security
"So
ing.
digits,"
he said
moment
after a
of check-
that's out."
suppose
a smaller store
We
"And check
all
itself."
For the next few hours four detectives were on the phone, checking out various possibilities. Burns himself took a break only long
enough
at
to
phone
his wife
and
tell
her he'd be
late.
it.
By dinnertime they had nothing to show for their efforts. The ColClub numbers never exceeded five digits, and a random sampling
of a dozen department stores had turned up only one Fifth Avenue
men's shop that used a seven-digit charge number. They informed
Burns that 5560894 was unassigned at present.
Burns sipped some water from a paper cup and called across the
squadroom to Frost. "How about the phone numbers?"
lege
"Nothing
with
yet. Lieutenant.
double number
like 55.
None of
Some of
we've got
through
"All right,"
Burns decided.
"It's
started
on
new
He
erased
list:
439
2.
Auto
Auto
1.
license
number
number
registration
3.
4.
Prison serial
5.
Gun
number
number
registration
letter in
out.
"All right."
is
They worked
That would do
it.
states."
for auto
and other forms, but the number in quesSeven-digit numbers also appeared on auto
tion failed to
check
out.
inspection stickers in the state, but here again they drew a blank.
number
The
in
"It's
like
yesterday. Lieutenant.
just
Only
gun
registration
what would
She eyed
sister in
this
Minnesota
He went
feeling
case
at the
in
in
the
code?
My
to his wife.
digits?"
him
that the
"All right,"
it
to you?"
poured
had grown
if
He showed
55614."
is
sleepily
number mean
indifferently as she
it
In the
replies
the blackboard.
The
to the entire
come up
with.
"I
Anything that
want to
this
num-
board.
440
The
list
to look at the
1.
2.
Lottery
code of some
sort
number
3.
4.
Football signals
5.
6.
date or time
number on currency
7. Serial
8.
Baseball lineup
9.
Magazine
"We could go on
circulation
Radio station
10.
call
numbers
he decided. "Things
number back
ber, but
if it
was
in
we can check
code.
It's
New
the
codes
like
York State
lottery."
"Ham
"Baseball lineups,
ing,"
Burns
would
said.
that
magazine circulation
said, crossing
tell
them
out.
all
"Currency
number what
had a reason
serial
something the
killer
let's see
down. Latitude and longitude would be
latitude, and 89 degrees, 4 minutes longitude."
He consulted the atlas in his desk. "Without north and south or east
and west indicated, it could be in four spots on the earth all of them
for writing
55 degrees, 60 minutes
either," Frost
grumbled.
detail,
came
in
"Any break
"None."
in
He
and passed
it
to him.
it
mean
to you,
Burbank?"
"This
is
He went on
is
"Nothing
like that?
"How
Marret
a big outfit."
in
seven
digits,"
Burns mumbled.
"We checked
it
the
first
day."
"How
connects the
something, or the
irritation. "\t
killer
killer
in
it
back."
maybe
combination, or
a safe
it's
no,
guess
not."
"Not
He
glanced
at a
about
hit
rock bottom
"
"And no dog
license number."
checked
We've just
"I
don't
know
want
to speak to
Gordon Kahn was humming a little tune as he opened his apartment door and stepped into the hallway. He stopped humming when
he saw the three men waiting there.
"Gordon Kahn?" the oldest of them asked. He was a ruddy-faced
man
"That's me.
Can
who
looked as
if
he hadn't slept
in days.
help you?"
The man
ant Burns,
flipped open his wallet and showed a badge. "I'm LieutenHomicide East. We'd like to question you about the murder
of Dennis Marret."
Kahn glanced around, looking for a way out. One of the younger
men placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well," Kahn said with a sigh, "it
took you three days to find me."
"You need not make a statement until a lawyer
know, know," Kahn said with a wave of his hand. "How'd you
me? It was the number in the notebook, wasn't it?"
The man named Burns nodded. "That, and a seven-digit number
finally noticed on the bottom of a stapler on my desk.
phoned the
Patent Office in Washington, and they told me 5560894 was the patent number on the invention you assigned to Marret Enterprises."
"I
get
442
Shroud
with a Silver Lining
by Marion Lineaweaver
Daisy Baldwin was a typical chorus
blonder, her skin whiter, her
mouth
girl,
only more
Her
so.
hair
was
riper,
neath she was as tough as nails and, true to the romantic notion about
her profession, pure as the driven snow.
"Be good," her father had told her
"Men
when
she decided to
make
use of
it."
that."
far
on
chalet in the
Adirondacks. Daisy had just skied four miles, and she was
tired.
"Where have you been?" The door was flung open by the chalet's
owner, whose unwinking black eyes, and the mustache inadequately
hiding a long razor scar made him look more like a gangster than a
sportsman.
"Oh,
I've just
been trying to
ski
that
on
a hill
is,
back
I'll
there,"
disgrace
Daisy ges-
you
at
White
car fixed."
car
Daisy pouted
as
firelit,
"We won't be
Daisy's
female
like to
who might
rior decoration.
and
alone.
fancy, baby.
girl
inhabit
it,
to please any
but Daisy was not concerned with inteherself into a black velvet skirt
a blouse,
443
by placing
in
volver.
my
had
said.
But her mother had admonished her, "Use your brains instead.
They'll keep
you out
of trouble."
Daisy was trying to use her brains. With the graceful walk that was
second nature to
a
her,
and
her job
a feature of
in
show, she sauntered to the closet and took from her coat pocket
floor
newspaper photograph.
It
showed an assortment
The
Daisy
felt
socialite
that pricking
come
"1
room
into the
like
it
fine,"
as quietly as a snake,
comb
at
in the mirror and stud"Diamonds would go fine with this dress, Louis."
He strode over to her and clasped his flexible hands tentatively
around her neck. "Pretty baby. It would be a shame if anything happened to you."
She leaned back against him and gazed up at his expressionless
ied
her golden
hair.
it.
face in the mirror with her beautiful violet eyes. "You're wonderful,
Louis.
"It
it?"
"You're
handsome, Louis."
"Think so?"
"1
know
so.
"
Her rosy
lips
together."
444
would say
it
again,
"A
She
boy
girl likes to
wear
a piece
"1
said
pulled a handful of rings and bracelets out of his inside pocket and
arranged them
one
for size
one
of the brace-
lets."
leaned over her again, but she whispered, "Listen! Don't you
He
hear something?"
them." Louis thrust the jewels back,
"It's
my
take
"I'll
all
when
Now
three of
"Have
a drink.
nowhere."
"Let's get
down
to business
first,"
muttered somebody.
on baby-doll's arm."
"My
can't give
"No, but
my
to
it
girl?"
let's
They looked
"Any reason
evil,
the jewelry in the center of the table, then his gun, and the others
followed
suit.
hand, with the other she opened her pink satin bag and withdrew the
revolver.
seriously.
comments
"Why
resulted.
They
all
"Want
to see?"
proud of
laughed
at
her.
"Show
Then
ning
that
an
in
bull's
My Dad
me how
says a
girl
to shoot
is,"
It
helps
me
in vaudeville.
"Oh, he
it.
man must be
as
it
In the
to hear
and he taught
act.
skirt
us,
the idea.
Daisy wiped her red mouth daintily and rose, swinging her
like a velvet bell.
"You
it?"
do
445
large
sometimes
fire
in
satin,
the
one thing
can.
why?
Why
does a dame
me
if
like
to ski for?"
two miles
you want
is
can't ski."
a girl
"my mother
sports."
The Sign
hy Tom Curry
The warning
was missing
trail
at
of
"They stopped
here,"
he told Whitey,
Men
drink."
some
at
hand. Another
to Next Water.
canteen,-
at the
corners of his
slitted eyes.
Hale was twenty-four hours out of Gila Bend, the point from which
the two easterners, a
nephew and
his uncle,
had ridden
into the
painted desert.
When
446
who
The
shifting sand,
the desert, he
felt
would
reach them before they perished. From the storekeeper he had learned
George Vernon, the nephew, had been around Gila Bend for a
month and knew a little about the country, although the uncle, whose
name was Stone, had arrived only a couple of days before.
that
By the running off of their horses, the two were bereft of supplies
and water, but they could hold out, for the next spring was good to
drink.
Yet
began sucking
They
them.
in
this
left,
stuff,
rested, but
gone on.
"Now
in
what's that?" he
wondered
He
filling his
reading.
On
the point
to the spring.
horseback he made
it
by
dark, afoot
it
would mean
long,
weary
He came
men
good water
until found.
Unable to trail in the dark he slept till gray dawn. Spruced up, he
wide hat on his bullet-shaped head, as he saddled up and put a
boot in the stirrup to mount Whitey, he saw another small hole in the
set his
at
it
showed
in
the
they stopped more often to rest and their foot indentations were
"Nephew
He began
was not
it
lost green-
horns.
They were
muddy
but
drinkable.
447
tall
this was
George Vernon, the nephew,- he had sparse black hair and his face
was burnt lobster-red, his dark eyes were sunken and wild, lips dry.
The elder, stouter man, Robert Stone, the uncle, lay on his stomach,
My
uncle's dead,
and
nearly am!"
He
was gone,
It
was
as
Vernon
said;
Stone
lips bluish.
Hale stared
partaking of
The
at
it.
he informed Vernon.
Uncle Bob. He'd hardly taken
water's okay,"
"It
killed
it
when he
died.
me
Give
The
thirsty
man
filling up.
holes.
let
they pulled
'They
and ran."
on the ropes they brought in." His eyes hardened
as he watched Vernon. "I understand your uncle was a very rich man.
You his heir?"
"Yes." Vernon's voice grew defiant. "What do you mean by that?"
Hale was suspicious, yet there was nothing on which to base this,
no evidence of struggle, no weapon in sight. He pushed back his
Stetson, scratched his close-cropped head: Vernon watched him,
"Huh!
No
their stakes
stakes
plainly worried.
"How
about getting
me
back to town,
officer?"
he demanded.
"I'm
"Why
way
me
he wasn't very
it's
like.
They
well."
'That was the reason," replied Vernon sullenly. "He came to Ari-
zona
wrong
448
in that?"
We
a bare
A sudden hunch sent him to his knees, peering closely at the earth,
Vernon watching every move he made.
Hale said, "Reckon I'll wash up, I'm mighty dusty." He unbuckled
his gunbelt, holding his .45 caliber Colt revolver, and put it on a flat
rock.
reached
wasn't long
Spring.
till
then he
a skull-and-bones
It
from Green
It
face,
in his
words
Do Not
Poison, Arsenic,
It
Drink!
"Now
under.
it
Vernon,
so's
hid
in
your
shirt,
a drink!
to stick it up at
you could grab a mouthful of water when
you had to. All those springs save the first were good but your uncle
read the warnin' sign you put up and wouldn't drink!"
to pull
it
"You
up,
didn't suffer
much
lie!"
"Nobody
him
snarled Vernon.
else has
dyin' of thirst,
finally
yourself,
drank
if
"I
didn't
touch that
for a
here,- thinkin'
it
sign!"
have to
being his heir and havin' the motive, you should get you
at
least
twenty years."
to the
flat
gun,-
wouldn't give
The
it's
its
his
hand on the
belt,
dragging the
pleated holster.
true,"
me any more
than enough
my
life,
money
to
die,
He
scared
himself to death, thinking he'd drunk poison water, but that's not
fault
and
you'll
he
my
449
Hale was
but the
starting for
hammer only
down with
"Maybe
a
I
hard brown
his
hammer
from
pistol
fist.
in prison!
We
thought
hold of the
gettin'
to prevent accidents!"
The Sign
of the ''400''
by R. K. Munkittrick
For the nonce, Holmes was slighting his cocaine and was joyously
his favorite
picked
CHINCHBUCCE
"Why,
it's
it
up.
PLACE, S.W.,"
the
at
once,
were soon
Holmes,-
we need you.
seventy-two
read.
We
"come
a telegram.
remarked.
"call a cab."
room gave
The
It
was an old-
the place an
air
of unstud-
quietly.
We
trated
We
went
at
450
cept that the windows and furniture had been smashed and the pic-
tures
walls.
An
the thief to steal the wallpaper, also. However, he had not succeeded.
had rained the night before and muddy footprints led up to the
from which the jewels had been taken. A heavy smell of
stale cigar smoke hung over the room. Aside from these hardly noticeable details, the despoiler had left no trace of his presence.
In an instant Sherlock Holmes was down on his knees examining
the footprints with a stethoscope. "H'm!" he said,- "so you can make
It
escritoire
nothing out of
"No,
sir,"
this,
Jones?"
answered the
detective,- "but
hope
to,-
ward."
all
"It's
very simple,
my good
fellow," said
was committed at three o'clock this morning by a short, stout, middleaged, hen-pecked man with a cast in his eye. His name is Smythe, and
he lives at 239 Toff Terrace."
Jones fairly gasped. "What! Major Smythe, one of the highest
thought-of and richest men in the city?" he said.
"The same."
In half
tions,
an hour
we were
at
Holmes," said
when we
1,
returned to our
"Oh,
room,
it
was
made
dead
easy,
husband by
a study of cigar
we
entered the
a cigar that
smoke.
It
his wife.
Any
soon
could
as
tell
that,
for
have
man throws
the man had
my
may be
as well to add,
if
far as
we were
concerned.
my
most conclusive
as the thief,
gifted friend.
alibi,
on the
He
flimsiest proof,
a notorious burglar
had been caught while trying to pawn some diamonds that seemed to be
a portion of the plunder taken from 72 Chinchbugge Place.
451
Of
He
counts to Holmes.
all
the credit.
violin,
"You see
said:
As
how
ac-
it
is,
perceived he was
myself.
Smoke
Sign
by Dale Clark
Some weeks
dirt
as
many
as a
dozen
parties
Mountain,- and they all seemed to think they were the first,
no one and nothing else ever broke the monotony of Riley's
Round
that
solitary vigil.
"Don't see
said
how you
stand
by
typically. "All
it,
It
Round Mountain,
from the
state
the county.
The
groves.
big, blue-suited
book. Certainly
or under
The
man
yourself. I'd
Fire Patrol
it
their eyes.
two miles
lookout
in
valleys
smaller,
is
he?
There was the Patrol truck crew housed at the foot of the two-mile
grade. Daily, Chuck and Lew or Ed Sturgis came up with water and
rations and small-talk. When he unhooked the phone, he could gossip
with lookout men at Wheeler, Big Bow, and the Pass, he had his one
day
week
He
did not
tell
the blue-suited
man
so.
Knowing he wouldn't be
452
a laugh.
made
It
name
in
man
"1
you."
His glance went around the small, single-roomed, glass-walled stakerosene stove filled one comer. His chair and table filled
tion. Riley's
The
a lot of time," T.
him
Smith
said.
much."
it
kill
"It's
middle of the
article in the
room stood on
tall steel
table
floor.
showed
stations,
fire is
where
Little
brush
fires
how
two
stations, of
crew houses
all
The photographs
and
are
marked
at
each lookout.
off in these
use
fire trails."
did.
Cresida.
"No,
we have
Not open
it's
to
privately
cany
like a short-cut
through to
to the public?"
owned
keys.
land.
They keep
we
"You notice
453
mine
to carry that
Patrol
guy
on
sits
Four days
it
ratio
back sometimes."
in flames."
my
on
too?"
fires,
no
bet. Brother,
and low
had
"I'll
very probable.
later, at
when
footfalls
came up
He jerked
around then.
Chuck with
wasn't
It
was
it
soon
face,
as
unshaved, with a
lot of
face.
Riley
felt
was
He
knew, though,
a harshly
sunburnt
And
Tepaki's
It
a cold, tightening
knot
hundred
miles.
stomach.
He
hell.
announced
"Where we won't run into any posses."
Riley's noon meal warmed on the stove. The percolator bubbled
busily. His heart thudded about as loud, and much more rapidly.
"You're going to drive us over that Cresida short-cut,"
T. Smith.
"I
can't."
It
sound
didn't
like his
own
voice at
all. "I
can't leave
my
station."
T. Smith laughed
"I
lips.
mean
it,"
a brittle
Jim Riley
insisted.
He
to. If
headed my jalopy down the
whole truck gang would be out to see why."
take care of them," the man with the quarry dust on his face
grade, the
"We'll
said.
what I'm afraid of. They aren't cops, and they're friends of
want to get them mixed in this, shot up or killed."
T. Smith asked: "You don't want to get yourself killed, either, do
"That's
mine.
don't
you?"
Riley had thought of this. Supposing he drove the pair to Cresida,
would they turn him loose alive to set the police on their fresh trail?
454
for you.
So the coast
is
started
clear."
can
sure-
me
call
a false
alarm.
"Listen,
you got
to.
noon's the
likeliest
said,
fire,
station
might
went
me, and
call
If
to help put
If
turn in a
out."
it
He
pressed his
back."
Riley's
"There's quite a
smoke
The
Ed
It
for speech.
on
sign
Bow.
Little
He
One hundred
said:
seventy, ele-
receiver
Sturgis,
ridge, Jim?"
"This side.
The
Coming
this
way."
busy on
Ed
it.
down
Dutch gripped
hairy,
his
in
fire-trail
quarry-dusted
map and
fist.
T.
fired questions
years, his
memory
The pair
Then their
at
the foot
of the grade.
At the
last
left a
hole big enough to drop the front wheels of the jalopy through the
bridge. Six paces away, the barrel of a deer
roadside bushes.
The
voice belonged to
Ed
rifle
Sturgis:
Two
shotguns pushed into sight along the bank of the dry water-
relief that
his
compan-
figure
anything
both of
He
out of
didn't
know
if
you could
it."
455
figured
"It
There was
itself.
a radio
coming from."
?"
Riley's
it
was more
like
a nervous giggle.
Tepaki prison."
Smothered Mote
hy
When
Stephen Dentin^er
busy day
at the
agency,
it
got.
pondering
it
man
his next
Hunched over
fill
his
check and
in
all
for the
the chessboard,
money-making
waking hours.
them
"It's
smothered mate.
My
pieces!"
"Oh,
all
right.
"Another game?"
"No! You always win!"
"I
said,
cigarette.
"I
do!
He
agency
is
'The
456
intent
on
contest your
running
it.
"It's
floor,
at dinner. "This
first
prize
is
fifty
judges
clients."
pounds of
gold!"
to
pounds of gold
is
worth over
when
the market
"It
them
that
first
it
"I've
it
all
my
husband."
figured out."
want to hear
it.
fi-
"I
don't
going to bed."
I'm
move, she dreamed Ken was smothering her with a pillow. She
woke up choking, gasping for breath. Beside her, he was snoring.
nal
Over
is
on the back of
a postcard
I've
all
in this picture
It's
have to do
and write
it
Anyone
simple!
is
in the
of
drawing.
It's
strictly luck.
wrong guesses we
else
make
get.
is
the
it
chosen
number
suppose, or
He
nodded.
"I'm
We're
going to win
it!"
on your
is
salary.
Is
these days."
that a crime?"
is.
And
it
how."
"We'll see."
He
didn't
hoped
it
time Sara
a
in
her job,
and the postcards get dumped into the big revolving drum
in
is
yet,"
al-
ready."
457
"Will they
"Oh,
all
the drum?"
in
fit
No
sure!"
On
tries
On
first
warm day
until
of spring.
When
she reached
came
in
He
the drawing."
just
want
to
tell
his
a flat surface
a signet ring
with
a seal or initial.
"What's that?"
for you."
"It's
a gift
"It's
awfully large,
"What
He
is
all
it.
Ken?"
this.
took some cards from his pocket. They were the size of post-
cards,
these?
It
cost
me
plenty to have
Look
embedded
drum
flat
total.
it!
of cards.
percent of the
five
in these cards,
mailed
hundred, and
in five
that's
about one
the
first
"No,
the
"Maybe
won't do
it
a few times.
Maybe
won't.
If it isn't
toss
it
back.
cards,
You
you
told
just say
me
it
has
that happens
a lot."
"It
won't be
me
anyway," she
insisted.
"It's
winner."
"It'll
be you," he said
quietly.
tell
It
office
she'd miss
through with
it
you're part of
it,
Sara.
We've got
go
to
now."
That night she dreamed again that she was being smothered.
The
detective's
He
arrived at the
room
at
While one of the others turned the drum, thoroughly mixing the
Gresson said to Sara, "I understand this would have been Miss
entries,
She shrugged, nervously fidgeting with the ring on her finger. "We
she answered simply. "It's no big deal who does it."
take turns,
The
"
others had
crowded
into the
He was watching
for Sergeant
opened the
drum and stuck her hand inside without looking. The first card out
had the number 33 on it. "A loser," she announced. "A thirty-three!"
She tossed it back in and dug for another. Her vision was clouded so
that she could barely see, but she knew it was a government printed
postcard and not one of Kens special ones. "Thirty-five," she announced without looking. "Another loser."
Gresson to leave but he
On
didn't.
as she
the third try she saw one of the gray cards clinging to her ring
finger as she
withdrew
it.
She
felt
sudden surge of
she
relief as
closed her fingers around the card and blinked her eyes to clear her
vision.
Erica
"It's
a winner!
Manning
of Philadel-
phia."
who
delphia.
"All right,"
in for
He
turned to
we
"Maybe you'd
suggested.
bristled,
"I
know
into
your
He
the
sat
down
empty desk
across the desk from her, and she tried not to stare at
that
be of
459
The
glanced
some folded
detective took
at
in front of that subway train. It wasn't any accident. It may have been
someone who knew her, even someone from this office."
"No," Sara insisted. "Marian hadn't an enemy in the world. Every-
one liked
her."
"Was she
occurred to
"Oh
in
me how
no! We're
all
done anything
an instant like
Ken on
"1
"Could
the desk
at her,
he seemed for
to his pocket.
it
easily
have
He
a sigh.
She reached out and picked one from the little plastic conon her desk. It was only as she handed it over to him that she
"Sure."
tainer
"1
And
that, so
figured
I'd
give
it
a test.
thought
card.
it
magnet,
isn't
was something
like
"1
at
don't understand."
that second card
was
a loser,
you were
How
did you
it
so necessary to
kill
460
name
is
Ken.
."
.
Snapping Out of
It
felt
emptied out
way
feel this
He
after
as
he killed someone?
stopped walking
for a
moment
He
couldn't remember.
to think about
it,
to try to re-
member. The sea was grey and the shore was a long curving line of
black. Orange light tinted the farthest clouds, and the wind tousled
his hair.
It
good.
felt
The Sea Breeze terrace was up ahead. He could stop there to watch
rise. Of course, they'd look for him there. They always did.
the sun
it
easier to
remember.
man.
Weber was
It
wasn't
face until
all
the
first.
the
salt
laxed him.
He walked
all
On
him,
the
When
all
room and
"it
way
in.
visit
doesn't do
But he didn't
he stopped to
liked
The beach
re-
rest at the
Sea Breeze
to the Center.
come
He
After Dr.
of his
his
he stopped struggling.
in
to be alone so
much.
Now come
on."
body un-
He walked
off the
about
all
it.
"You don't fool me, Craig," Blake told him. "You don't fool
minute. You could snap out of
it
if
you wanted
to.
me
for a
So snap out
al-
461
ready.
got better things to do than chase after you and haul you
I've
back, okay?"
last.
fat
guy
the
in
room who wanted to talk when Craig didn't want to talk. Craig
blew him up with dynamite. And then there was Dr. Weber again. He
was still being pushy about Craig's medication, so Craig drowned him
dining
in
it!"
What
things to do.
everybody
if
at
"I
have
a lot of
away?"
"1
killed Dr.
"You didn't
"Oh
yes
Weber," Craig
did.
When we
You'll see.
"Uh-huh. Just
said.
kill
like
the
come
for me."
last
When you
And Nurse
Fitzgerald
was
when
you
fine after
really killed
him
worked
at
You
this time."
kill
just don't
can
tell.
who
chooses to be crazy."
"I really killed Dr.
"Craig,
who do you
Craig looked
think told
at Blake,
me
to find
you and
drive
you back?"
said.
"
have to do
this."
Center
at his
is
just
is
an excuse to be irresponsi-
ble."
"Why
"Dr.
Weber wouldn't
"Aha!
me
this
not?"
He
like
it."
it,
doesn't he?"
Craig frowned and twisted his fingers some more. "He wouldn't
like
I,
we might
kids.
I've
as well live
got
braces and
stuff.
So
We
different planets.
it's
work two
home
Blake's knuckles
on
and
five,
I'd
some
appreci-
Id
clothes and
in
get
is
that
we
all
my
"You can hate me," said Blake, "so long as you make
easier,
okay?
If
you
snap out of
can't
it,
then
at least quit
life
little
running away
don't like
He
used a
He knew
tire
iron
in a culvert
until dark.
it.
He'd
really
done
it.
it.
He had
It
was
walked
real this
time.
terrace,
ing to be crazy.
Maybe he
Or
about choos-
not.
van.
He
sat
down on
rose, Blake
it
wasn't Blake
who
came.
It
The
psychiatrist came and sat down beside him and said, "I had a
you might come here."
"I expected Blake, Dr. Weber. It's always Blake who comes."
Dr. Weber hesitated like he was about to say something and
changed his mind. 'This time, it's me," he said simply.
For a moment, he was afraid. "Blake's alive, isn't he?"
"Yes," said Dr. Weber. "Blake's alive."
On the drive back, he told Dr. Weber about what Blake had said.
Maybe it was true. Maybe he could snap out of it.
feeling
463
Weber looked
Dr.
at
him thoughtfully.
Doc? People can decide
can't they?'
"Not
Weber
as
"Then
going to do
I'm
it,"
he
said. "I'm
it.
I'm
There were two police cars in the circular drive. Dr. Weber got out
and talked to the officers. When the psychiatrist came back to his car,
the policemen came with him.
Again, he was afraid. "You said Blake was alive!"
"Yes,
is,"
said Dr.
at
each other.
Weber.
"Blake's alive."
didn't hit
Detective Kelly frowned as the squad car drove away. "Doc, are
you
sure he
"But
to
"Well,
One
is
it.
had
"1
You
Weber
didn't,"
said he
work
"It's
his head.
don't get
"No,
one.
faking?"
isn't
Weber shook
said he
was perfectly
what happened
is."
sane."
employees are
when he came
tested."
to him?"
It's
"Apparently
man he
killed?"
so."
judge
if
know
if
he's
really crazy."
464
it
by then."
thoughtfully.
"If
Something Green
Edward D. Hoch
It
was Sid
led to his
capital
in
1942.
late in
The
that
nation's
women who'd
taken their places in every conceivable job. Frazier had been inter-
viewing them
many
other
The
car-pool vehicle was late that day, and he passed the time
One
drilling
all
gazed
beat.
She
"Could
come
along?
We
my
When
he asked her
trolley."
trip."
at
him
again, taking
465
and ready
He
smile.
was
more
some
10 years older
at least
"If
of the other
you
insist,"
women
she
have
far
Department."
He
"That's great!"
seat together.
"Ginny
Pratt.
that
He
We
I've
a year.
to
I'm
P-r-a-t-t.
plan
Forces.
Is
this time.
smiled back.
was hoping
ways
interest stuff,
in
work."
"Well,
said,
my
to
So
reports.
New
dictate
"Well,
not exactly
it's
Is
that a funny
little detail?"
."
.
women
work
to
won't allow
women
to
wear
what
had
in
here's one.
mind."
He
slacks,
stories," Frazier
effort."
would loosen
her up, making quick notes of her replies as the trolley jostled them
past gray
"Here's
government buildings.
where get off," she said suddenly
1
a stop in a residential
"Everyone
calls
If
neighborhood.
you want
to
"It's
walk
as the trolley
been
a bit
slowed to
a pleasure talking
.
with
."
converted to apartments.
"Tell me about your personal
He hoped he wasn't being too
"Nancy and
else?"
466
obvious
where
life.
My
in his interest.
boyfriend
in the Pacific.
haven't had a letter in two months. Anything
She stopped walking and turned to face him. "Forgive me for
I
snapping
Do you
on edge.
The one
street?
see that
man
He
saw
middle-aged
squat,
"He's followed
'That's
"1
across the
in
He
"I'll
The man
street.
she'd indicated
He
with ex-convicts.
When
stood
left
had
a pale
smoking
a cigarette.
He winked
at Frazier.
following her."
"You
know how
Frazier
her,"
with a grim
sly smile
stare. "Stay
away from
he warned.
The
watched
block,
jotted
for a
Ginny.
"Maybe
relief.
"Let's
much more
of a talker than
"Well
rant,
am. She
all
tells
me
the time."
."
.
"She's
Why
work
working
late tonight,
but
know
We
if
she'll
be
home tomorrow.
you
let
the check."
"Fair
He
left
and asked
her
at
his secretary to
went back
six."
to the station
jotted down.
467
apartment
He made
it
to Ginny's
10 minutes.
in
at
follow-
ing
down
construction, and
wood around
past a tiny
bathroom under
The
room, between two beds, lay the squat man Frazier had accosted the
in the back, the knife was still buried
wound. If Frazier had been worried about Ginny before,
his worry doubled now.
He bent to examine the body. "Have you called the police?"
'They should be here any minute."
Working quickly, Frazier used his handkerchief to remove the dead
man's wallet. He found some small bills and a Washington driver's
license in the name of Rosco Keen.
"Keen," he muttered. He looked at Ginny. "That car he was driving
deep
in the
somebody
else.
And
"Why's
"Look
siren.
seals
on
'Tve heard about those from Nancy," said Ginny. "They're used in
didn't
know
'There are a
if
that."
lot of things
publicize."
blond
woman
is
my
Frazier.
'The one
commentator
Nancy was
shivering in
told
tall
468
The
siren
stopped
footsteps on the
uniformed
officers
in
stairs.
and
it
to the
just before
look and
a short cigar
know
'You
two
his
jowly
mouth.
all
know." Fra-
zier fingered the paper in his pocket, deciding against revealing Taylor's
He wanted
name.
he
'The
a sardonic smile.
Army
As an
officer
took
flash
women. "Anyone
"He probably brought it with him
on the door,"
to use
Frazier
"Looks
like a
kitchen?"
"Downstairs,"
erator."
"The landlord
"In the
Norman
live
on the premises?"
right.
"His
name
is
Dengler."
Dengler was
He had
balding
bandaged
Frazier guess
it
was
left
officers. "Bring
here."
a recent injury.
the
him over
body with
shirt.
made
young
distaste.
"Nope."
"How
"No,
sir!
Is
it
The
bathroom
at the
end of the
It's
hall."
me
asked.
469
"I'll
go,"
Nancy
volunteered.
"I
in the
refrigerator."
down
girls,"
the
bloodstained carpet.
at the
He shook
he told Ginny.
his
"I
body was
thought you
head
as
he disap-
stairs.
from here,
if
you're up to
it.
He's right," Ginny decided. "Gome on, Nancy. Let's have the Blue
Network buy us dinner."
Nancy led them to her favorite booth and hung up her raincoat.
Wearing a light blue sweater with a string of pearls and neatly tailored
navy
"I
looked
slacks, she
know
we should
you're upset,
anyone's
like
"
next door.
girl
why
man was
that
to see
think
following Ginny."
gested Nancy.
"What was he
"I
though?"
after,
"Do
either of
Ginny
Nancy
asked.
sighed.
"In
my
job
office?"
that's forbidden."
"Is there any way that Keen could know both of you? How'd you
two get together anyway?"
"Mr. Dengler ran an ad for the furnished room and we were the
first two arrivals," Ginny explained. "With the city so crowded we
decided to take
"The rent
fighting this
is
it
together."
outrageous,"
war
Nancy chimed
and
something green,
them back
in.
"We're supposed to be
blue, but
like
Washington land-
money."
470
felt
street.
women
a little
Frazier
were
all
Taylor's
right,
Georgetown
When
address.
in
to see
if
they
Street to Joseph
Thursday afternoon.
up the driveway just as a young man
with a deep tan came out the side door and headed toward the back
of the house. Frazier followed, confronting him at the trash cans.
He
in last
left his
was murdered
A man named
Rosco Keen
last night.
He was
on Thursday."
Army
a trash
off.
again.
The
"Who
man with
"Mr. Taylor
under
is
the
arrest,"
man
came
to interview Taylor."
credentials.
"May
ask
is
against him?"
When
said, as
if
Ginny
Frazier reached
Pratt's
in slacks,
known
he'd always
come with
apartment
scrubbing the
it.
us."
floor.
he
"Hard work,"
he sympathized.
"We're almost finished,"
"That's good.
Nancy
is
just
about wrapped up. Rosco Keen's partner, Joseph Taylor, was arrested
by the FBI
this
"I'm glad to
all
morning."
hear that," Ginny told him. "Nancy and
were awake
from the
lift
shelf.
'Taylor and the dead man, Keen, learned about a special Federal
They
stole
two packages
containing $100,000 each, but one of the packages got away from
"Why was
he trying to recover
it
when he was
it
in
stabbed."
reached for
it.
"Because this
is
landed.
Nancy
money come
from?"
When
He
turned to
special Federal Reserve shipment, she misplaced the request for additional guards
Nancy
"That's crazy!"
"The
theft
was
instead."
insisted, struggling to
her
feet.
made
plans."
The color drained from Nancy's face. "Did you kill him, Nancy?"
Ginny asked softly.
"I
it was self-defense! He had a knife. He would have killed
.
me!"
who was still frozen with disbelief. "Reyou told me about Hoover not allowing women to
wear slacks? Nancy was wearing them last night when she came in,
supposedly right from work and grocery shopping. She covered them
Frazier looked at Ginny,
member
the story
Ginny
to see them."
"It
was
She broke away and ran into the hallway. Two FBI men were waiting for her at the top of the
472
stairs.
chair.
as
"I
still
worried as
can't believe
I
it!
She was
was!"
"But for a different reason. With Keen dead she feared Taylor
would come after the money," Frazier explained.
Ginny looked at Nancy's rumpled bed and shook her head. "But
why did she do it?"
"Like she said last night
for something green."
Something Wrong
by
The
I
instant
walked into
stopped
my
flat,
Bill
Pronzini
my
pull-
me and
she
matter?"
I
didn't answer.
mismatched
my
my
collection of
more
thick San Francisco fog crawled sinuously across the night. There
Somebody had
and you
have,
learn to trust
and
you develop
kind of pro-
it.
were out
to dinner
hall,"
said.
do it."
had been together long enough and she knew me well enough
not to argue. Frowning now, worry-eyed, she moved past me and out
"Just
We
shut the door after her and turned back to face the room. Noth-
473
...
now
couldn't identify
it
still
regretted
my
fundamental distaste
some
licensed Pis,
Laguna
I
was
Street,
which
leather case in
keep
all
money were
my
my
still
in place
under
my
The
a small
clean shirts.
The
likewise untouched.
of that reassured
of a violation of
it
set
secured by
still
me
only
private space,
in
a little.
The
feeling of wrongness,
as
"Something
I
got
like that."
made, but he
do
can't
without a key
I
asked Kerry
it
in
this
way, then,
if
Kerry asked,
"Is
anything missing?"
"For
"I
474
what reason,
don't
know
if
yet."
someone was
not to
steal
in here."
something?"
"How
"I
don't
We
know
prowled the
together,
flat
far as
could
come from
hadn't
We
same
room
I
all
tell.
in,
that either."
off just
room
the front
in
checked
to
'
were
again
when Kerry
said,
with an edge of
been an
intruder."
wrong,"
"I'm not
said.
"Did
isn't
say
her patience
funny, Kerry."
it
is
being
tried. "I'm
said.
in
room
slow
quadrants. Couch, end tables, coffee table, leather recliner Kerry had
me on my
given
last
birthday, shelves
cliner,
The
The
left
circuit:
And
full
it.
it
should
a third circuit:
re-
recliner.
chair's footrest
was pushed
in,
out of sight.
chair
was
is
a sm.all thing,
rest part
Why
way
out,
with
its
it
to kick
it
out of sight?
was supposed
my
chair in the
said aloud,
and the
first
place
Only one
way and
to be that
why would he
be
my
neck.
475
moved over
it.
plate
on
The weight
slit in
kind of detonator
it
plate
"My God!"
Kerry was standing behind me, staring open-mouthed
in
the chair.
"Not
"I
said
in to
"It's
a pressure -activated
about as long as
who
"But
bomb, not
a time
bomb. Nothing
to worry
it.
caught her arm and steered her into the bedroom, where
phone.
named
bomb
with the
When
hung
How
did whoever
just don't
it
along with
Howard
it,
still
underlocked.
arrived,
the
only
Lynch,"
said to Jordan.
in
"Owns
is
"I
And
possible answer.
name
keep
knew
be right over
"His
said he'd
had no answer
were
He
squad.
the thing
something. This."
leave
my
at
come in.
grimly. "Somebody who came
ago to find
found out
later
blocks away."
"Pretty story."
'That's the kind of business we're
"Don't
know
it.
476
in.
Mack."
who
who
the one
he's
planted the
bomb?"
to give
me
check
for
my
week
and to
services
me
tell
knew about
there were
it
no
hard feelings.
for
him
sorry
way
it
makes
sense.
To begin
dows
are
all
getting into the building because of the security lock on the main
entrance downstairs. That leaves the alley staircase and the back
door."
"But that one
"Right. But
was
double-locked
is
is
too."
a chain lock
with a tool or
a credit card,"
Jordan
said.
wide enough
floor.
When
free,
rest of
is
among
first
sliver
hardware
store,
and so
is
new ones
the
screwed the old chain-lock plates from the door and jamb and
stalled the
and
in-
are
Simple
way
to lock automatically
dead
key,-
bolts,
and you
when you
leave.
as that."
There were
silence.
dered and
down
sat
said,
God you
'Thank
in that chair
felt
If
you'd
."
.
it,
"
said.
Souls Burning
hy
Hotel Majestic, Sixth
address
Street,
up housekeeping. Sixth
used to be called
more than
for
I'd
hell of
an
Street, south of
Market
South
A name
recognized
years since
Francisco.
Pronzini
of the Slot,
it
half a century.
Eddie Quinlan.
which
is
downtown San
Bill
and
when he
neither of
I'd
even
real
seller, gofer,
would help keep him in food and shelter, liquor and cigaof man you looked at but never really saw: a modernday Yehudi, the little man who wasn't there. Eddie Quinlan. Nobody,
loser
fall guy. Drug bust in the Tenderloin one night six and a half
years ago,- one dealer setting up another, and Eddie Quinlan, smalltime bagman, caught in the middle, hard-assed judge, five years in
Folsom, goodbye Eddie Quinlan. And the drug dealers? They walked,
wise, that
rettes.
The kind
And now Eddie was out, had been out for six months. And after six
months of freedom, he'd called me. Would come to his room at the
Hotel Majestic tonight around eight? He'd tell me why when he saw
me. It was real important would
come? All right, Eddie. But
couldn't figure it.
had bought information from him in the old days,
bits and pieces for five or ten dollars, maybe he had something to sell
now. Only wasn't looking for anything and hadn't put the word
I
out, so
If
478
why
pick
you're smart
me
to call?
street at night.
South
of the Slot.
walked over to
were
that
as
is
Sixth.
It
now
wet, but
still
The kind
hard as black
of night
seems to bounce
it,
and sharp
lights
and
streets
off the
glare
is
your eyes.
jammed
old men, young men, bag ladies, painted ladies, blacks, whites, Asians,
addicts, pushers, muttering mental cases, drunks leaning against walls
in tight little clusters
new
outfits
topped
liquor,
off
who
in filthy rags, in
smart
in
Cheap
hotels,
greasy spoons,
seedy taverns, and liquor stores complete with barred windows and
liquor,
like
hidden
in
in
was
warily.
I
mean
may be
hooker
in
am.
Two winos
The
street, Sixth,
Majestic was
man and
tried to
sell
me
walked
it
panhandle
me and
a fat
trouble.
five stories
Howard
of old
wood and
plaster
and
narrow entrance,
dirty
a crack
dealer and one of his customers were haggling over the price of a
moved
night.
past them.
It's
regularly;
Drug
deals
go down
in
me
as
not that the cops don't care, or that they don't patrol Sixth
just that the dealers
it's
less
is
to one.
On
strictly
low
priority.
old
hung
want
to see.
said,
no
furniture of
swamp
gas.
479
Order
sign
on
lips.
it;
my
"Yeah?"
it.
identified myself.
for the
voice said,
first
was look-
He
forty
The
was thinner and the lines in his face were longer and
deeper, almost like incisions where they bracketed his nose. Otherwise he was the same Eddie Quinlan.
sand.
hair
mean
it,
thanks."
"Sure, Eddie."
"Come on in."
The room made me
packing
them
think of a box
the
inside of a
huge rotting
crate.
much
"Not much,
I
a bare ceiling.
is
it,"
Eddie
said.
He
there. Unless
you want
as
to
sit
to
sit is
that chair
are clean.
try to
can."
"Chair's fine."
I
went across
to
it,-
Some
A room
with a
480
that right?"
like that.
ain't in
me
"Prison taught
casm or irony
"I'm glad to
been
"I
hear
good
"What
are
goods
been
got out.
No
lie.
haven't had a
in a bar."
you doing
money?"
for
said.
nodded. "What
sar-
it."
on Brannan.
outfit
got a job," he
"I
a lesson.
in the words,-
don't pay
It
much
but
it's
honest work."
is
it
something."
"Understand what?"
glass.
him
in
on
tic,
is
see them."
"I
down
at the end.
is
his
Majes-
stiff
believe
"I
"And they
"Before
see
went
to prison
lived
clear
Not
the worst."
mean
just
from up here.
you
ain't
"I
and
it."
It
makes you
never saw
it.
like that
Now
do,
you
see
when
"Why
481
into.
They're
Used
to be
Now
all
was
it
just
like
they're everywhere,
day.
You know?"
know."
"I
that
were no explanations
described.
"Religion?
talked to
had nothing
was cold
It
Next
the window.
cold
in
too,-
what you
to the
doin' with
my
in there,
door was
a rusty
more than
few hours
it
a day,
was
even
way
"That's the
long,
"Don't
let
"Don't
it
".
.
way
said, "If
too
it's
his
to try to
"
can't tell
He
said. "Souls
Sometimes."
Yes.
Eddie
fire."
get to you."
it
in the city,"
get to youi"
He bobbed
to be a
it is
all
you what
we
all
it
is,"
said.
It
ain't
too
late.
You
don't think
all,
you
just
late?"
"No."
"Me
neither. There's
"Hope,
faith,
still
hope."
blind optimism
said,
sure."
nodding. "That's
got to
believe."
outside,- a
woman
screamed, thin
and
brittle.
damp
air
Eddie came off the bed, hauled up the window sash. Chill
and
came pouring
street noises
in:
ing, cars
Mission,
more
shrieks.
He
On
in a leopard-skin
Chasing behind
yelling.
pocket knife.
hiked up
hideously
laughing and chanting "Rape! Rape!" as the hooker and the transvestite
ran zig-zagging out of sight on
seem
Howard.
The
in.
flickery
after night,
day
way
my
skin.
his
it
intense,
it
had enough of
I'd
penetrated
my
and of
this
it,
Sixth Street.
"Eddie, just
"I
down
is
it
"Ain't
it
you asked me
here?"
enough?"
He
is
it
there."
"Is
is,"
after day."
got to
my
else
"Nothing
else."
feet.
"I'll
say?"
Good
"You too," he
went out
be going now."
you go ahead."
you want to
He walked
"Nothing
appreciate
it,
and
it,
really do."
luck, Eddie."
said.
I'd
left
my
car.
And
all
the
and
gave
What
I
tins
it
to
found out
It
was
all
over the
TV special
bulle-
Twenty minutes
dow
after
left
at
the win-
483
powered semiautomatic rifle he'd taken from the sporting goods outfit
where he worked, he shot down fourteen people on the street below.
Nine dead, five wounded, one of the wounded in critical condition
and not expected to live. Six of the victims were known drug dealers,all of the others also had arrest records, for crimes ranging from prostitution to burglary. Two of the dead were Baxter, the paraplegic exVietnam vet, and his bodyguard, Elroy.
By the time the cops showed up. Sixth Street was empty except for
the dead and the dying. No more targets. And up in his room, Eddie
Quinlan had sat on the bed and put the rifle's muzzle in his mouth
and used his big toe to pull the trigger.
My first reaction was to blame myself. But how could I have known
or even guessed? Eddie Quinlan. Nobody, loser, shadow-man without
substance or purpose. How could anyone have figured him for a thing
like that?
Somebody
No.
self
I can talk
What
he'd
note.
to,
to do.
Somebody he could
Somebody
trust to pass
it
that's all I
him
to help
want.
justify to
him-
on afterward,
tell it
right
and
You want
out the
fires.
to
There has
to be
to
try
The
The
soul that
day
to
j\x
it
somehow, put
a way.
souls
on
in critical
condition
fire.
spring,
some
late Earl of
484
Beaconsfield
then
plain
years ago,
a case
Mr. Disraeli
spoke
of as 'the
am
Hon. Richard Shaw Fenton was a confidential clerk in the War Office,
where he was looked upon with very great favour by his superiors. He
was the son of Lord Jeffery Fenton, who so greatly distinguished himself during the Crimean War, and was honoured by being presented
with the freedom of his native town and a jewelled sword subscribed
for by his fellow townsmen.
Young Fenton was a handsome man, endowed apparently with almost all those qualities which are calculated to endear men to men,
and beget the love and admiration of women. He was unmarried, and
consequently he was in much request by designing mammas,- for although he had little to look forward to apart from his own efforts, it
was confidently anticipated that he would rise to high position, as he
had powerful friends at court. And xhis advantage, backed up by his
own
abilities
fail
so
people said
to ulti-
One
left
the
War
Office in a han-
Hyde
attack of gout.
It
was during
a severe
arisen
half-
classes,
the barber
who
The
sensation so
it
all
would
at last. In
be.
485
The
was on his
accustomed rank, stood limp-legged and with drooped head. The
the railings of the square.
reins
his back.
The
driver
was on
his perch,
but the upper half of his body was prone on the roof of the cab.
Inside
was
feet.
efforts of the
on
policeman
and
seemed sunk
it
in
aid,
police station.
its
men were
do not
dead. So he
hastily
jump
all
out,
members
the
all
failed to
summoned
crum-
and
for
of the
man
is
When
perfect blank.
The post-mortem
some powerful
drug,
as a heart-
cumbed.
486
had managed
to struggle against
and
condition of absolute
In the
it
had been
left in
it
in a
rest.
meantime Vincent
Trill
had been
set to
The
work.
missing
for
for
which he
it
framed,
is
and invent
report that was finally brought up was to the effect that the
man had
far
it
recovered
at the
way
to
Hyde
whom
Park he called at
he remained
con-
in
off,
be
true.
The
He
then
It
was proved to
The two
friends
there was nothing whatever the matter with him, while the land-
lord of the house indignantly disputed the insinuation that the fatal
mystery
Trill
as ever.
It
may be
as well to state
cealing something
came
Richard
at his
lied,
some
Hon.
light
on the
affair. It
only too evident that the drugging was done after the hotel was
was
left,-
left
but to endeavour to
of
Trill:
Firstly,
Secondly,
it
papers.
it
why
the
his quest.
When
for
some
Fenton
left
time, during
which he kept to
most intimate
still
his
weeks
after leaving
the hospital he had so far recovered his health and spirits as to accept
who
who
resided near
widow
of a military officer,
^which
lavish
between them and her entertainments. Her house was a magarmy of servants, and lived in a style
that suggested that money was no object.
When Fenton arrived he found a large number of guests already
488
barrier
assembled.
On
on
Jete
showy and
seductive-looking
woman, with
due
mass of
in a large
measure to
She was
lithe.
he had been
and
pink
a figure
seemed
him under her wing, and treated him much as
art
and
and
a great boy.
Amongst the
was
guests
a singularly striking
woman:
woman
so
dark that she might have passed for a Spanish gipsy. She had ravenblack hair, intensely dark flashing eyes, an imperious bearing, and a
about her
thirty-five,
was known
'Madame
as
Fenton looked
near
it
seemed
as
ill,
if
of
marvellous
that
was abso-
Revel.'
he
And
yet,
Madame was
when opportunity
teeth gleamed, and her dark flashing eyes peered into his until his
The
jete
was
her.
a brilliant affair.
was
shone through
was
It
made
it
brilliant
a languid night.
a haze,- a crescent
in
moon
The
sailed
and Fenton.
fellow,
Madame
mooning, clumsy
Revel
sort of
who had been rated several times during the evening for his
He was known as John Stokes, and when the supper was in
stupidity.
full
it
mattered
very much, for there were plenty of attendants without him,- but
shadow
of
some beech
he was lying
still,
at full
With
489
startling
and dramatic
as
ceive.
The night was not dark. The crescent moon and the stars shed a
dreamy Ught over the scene. The trees were sharply outlined, and
looked ghostly and grim. The light breeze that stirred the foliage
somehow sounded like a human moan of pain,- and the laughter and
conversation of the revellers
subdued by distance only seemed to
accentuate the silence of the night that brooded like a spell of enchantment over the landscape. From his concealment in the shadow
of the beeches, Stokes, the waiter, gazed on a lawn, in the centre of
which was a very fine statue, by Canova, of Apollo stringing a lyre.
Against the pedestal of the statue was a rustic seat, and two persons
occupied it. They were the wonderfully handsome Madame Revel
who might have been the spirit of the scene, the goddess of night
and the Hon. Richard Shaw Fenton.
At such a time and under such circumstances, it might have been
supposed that the man had led the lady to the seclusion, away from
the fret of the throng, that he might pour into her ears an impas-
The
ill
far
man
from
tells
this
when he
at ease.
it,
but his
Two
a fool
in this attitude
word
the
listener.
It
'Never, never!'
was
like
some
though
this
subtle
air,
like
under the
stretched
and
for a
as
if
made
one whose volition had gone. She passed her hand over
He
shuddered
as
if
his
convulsed, but
490
if
Madame
once more
back
the soul-
Madame
rose
and departed
time the
man
sat in a
He
stillness of death,
some
For
skirts.
fro-
last
spell passed,
he
fell
Thank
ill
sir,'
hurried for
down
was of
them with
a strange, unnatural,
bless
my
life!
How
both
his
how
strange!
light.
He
His
his eyes
staggered to
murmured: 'God
must have
been
am
ill,-
wish to be alone.'
waiter
on
his temples,
his throat.
rays falling
unearthly
hands to
fainted. There,
The
moon
seat
but not
and,
far,-
still
watching,
hands, though he did not maintain this attitude long, but, rising suddenly, he rejoined the
'O you
truant!
you been
flirting with?'
is
cried:
to?'
'Now
then,
confess!
sir,
eyes
what
ill
you
Your
look!
'O nothing,' he
Well, that
is,
with
said,
is
blank
can't
fill
think
and
assure you.
fainted, well,
fancy
in.'
with
me now, and
charged
as
will give
Madame
town house
in
he was
ill
and
Sloane Street.
The
491
morning
after
her return
gentleman called
at
in his card,
***
that
is,
three stars.
Revel's presence.
in
one corner
few minutes
later
in
him
to
hand
for
touch. She was attired in an elegant and costly robe, in her raven hair
was
a tiny
name
'Your
unknown
is
You belong
you are
Three
Stars?'
my
card,'
he answered evasively,
his evasion.
'You have business of importance?' she asked, with a shade of anxiitself over her handsome features.
madame. The president of the Brotherhood in Paris is
pleased that you have succeeded in obtaining such valuable informa-
ety shedding
'1
have,
'Monsieur
le
quickly.
answered:
seems
'It
'Ah! that
is
Fenton and
came
lady,- 'but
friend at Haslemere,
he
so.'
and
secrets,
at
better.
which
myself.'
'Yourself?'
'Yes.
leave
Paris mail
from
Victoria.'
'You are a wonderfully clever woman,' said the guest. 'You seem to
She smiled
tool,
my
finger.
slave.
My
Again
Coppe's
pleased
and
is
my
will
yes.
is
tremendous.'
gratified
expression
spread
itself
over
features.
you was
the
He my
twisted him round my
is
is
earnestly desired in
in calling
Paris,-
'O
yes.
'Then
492
had determined on
that,'
she answered.
further,
and
my
on
but you
mission ends.'
In a little
while
departure, after
some
hospitality
dispensed graciously by
The
was
laid
is
insult.'
am mistaken, that is my affair, and will accept the penalty,do not think am mistaken. My name is Vincent Trill.
am a
detective. As John Stokes, the waiter,
witnessed the scene on the
lawn at Haslemere, when by your infamous designs and arts you deprived Fenton of his power of independent action.'
'If
but
Madame
if
and
cast
momentary, nervous
Trill
again
touched
her,
avoid a scene.'
clever capture of
band of
whose
suspect
Madame by
he was
in
He had come
become madly
to
infatuated.
On
whom
he had
vey the papers to the house of the General at Hyde Park, there is no
doubt he called at Madame Revel's house on his way in compliance
with a note he had received from her. There he and the cabman were
dosed with some subtle drug. The unfortunate cabman was included,
presumably because it was deemed advisable that he and his fare
might fall into the hands of the police as 'drunk and incapable,-' and in
order to avoid a scandal, Fenton would necessarily have preserved
493
movements.
silence as to his
Madame
When
from
managed
Revel
she arrived at
however,
illness,
lapsed into insensibility from which nothing could arouse her, and in
had ceased
breathe.
to
stakes,
in
life.
fore the
in
my
fire.
in
Bret Harte
feet,
at
his boot.
me to get
one that it
concentrated
face,
and
the
other
that it
a good look at his bent,
seemed to indicate my reverence for his superhuman insight. So absorbed was he, even then, in tracking some mysterious clue, that he
was wrong as always was
did not seem to notice me. But therein
was induced to do
this for
two
enabled
reasons,-
in
my
"It is
raining,"
he
said,
without
lifting his
head.
said quickly.
intellect.
is
off
as
if
Lis-
ten."
1
listened.
It
man!
"Have you been busy lately?" asked, changing the subject. "What
new problem given up by Scotland Yard as inscrutable has occu-
this
He drew
494
back
re-
turned
trifles
my
to
it
Then he answered
original position.
its
nothing
The
to speak of.
wearily:
"Mere
elled sword.
beheading
after vainly
my
his
entire
of Pretzel-Brauntswig
is
desirous of
discovering where her husband was on the night of the 14th of February,
and
he lowered
night"
last
me on
stairs,
wanted
to
lodger in this
"a
bell.'
the
until
saw
frown gathering on
his
inscrutable forehead.
apparently
his Wife,'
I
question that
trivial
became dumb
at once.
He
paused for
pitiless,
"When
are so in
now
is
before me.
trifles
have been
you.
in
amazement,
"Yes,- listen.
my
lowed
career,
admired
he
comparison to an
affair
who would
"you wonder
said,
I,
nevertheless,
Hemlock
rising
who know my
it
conceals
my
to
no
my
table as
faced him.
who
whom
have
fol-
have partly
my
confidences, passionately
become my
call,
start,"
So did
would confess
who have
they
robbedi"
"You robbed
gasped
it!
Ferroll killed
to Jones'!"
that
it
slave, grovelled at
my
feet,
my
beck and
whom,
in
moments
of abstraction over
my
and arsenic
for
Epsom
me
you
salts,I
you,
who
make my con-
fidant!"
I
in
rose and
thought that
upon
his
"have a cigar?"
"I
"Why?" he asked.
hesitated, and perhaps coloured.
I
said.
had
really given
it
up because,
495
with
my
a pipe.
What
diminished practice,
prefer a pipe,"
"I
have you
He
it
me
tell
of this robbery.
lost?"
and planting himself before the fire with his hands under
looked down upon me reflectively for a moment. "Do
you remember the cigar-case presented to me by the Turkish Ambasrose,
chorus
girl at
"And the
mean
It
me
"You told
yourself.
in
the
was
in-
the cigar-case."
largest
It
paste,"
know
said.
that?"
have
lost
it."
He was
shall
still
fellow,
moment.
silent for a
find
when
And by
member is
it.
"No,-
it
matter in
my own
true,
but
my
dear
for
him-
severely
ill
self,
it is
we
differ.
hands."
"And where could you find better?" said enthusiastically. "I should
say the cigar-case is as good as recovered already."
"I shall remind you of that again," he said lightly. "And now, to
show you my confidence in your judgment, in spite of my determinaI
am
from you."
He drew
with a grave
smile,
my
Hemlock
hand
his
"First
and began
reverently,
1
in a
Jones!
kissed
joyous tone:
should next
visit
my own
He
gravely
"Perhaps,"
made an
pockets.
speak
relatively,"
496
added
until
"Now,
my
dear friend," he
you excuse me
at
should thoroughly
for a
return, there
few moments?
may be some
Make
things,"
"would
yourself perfectly at
home
hand towards
his
his
heterogeneously
may
interest
you, and while away the time. There are pipes and tobacco in that
And nodding
he
inscrutable face,
methods
to think
left
much
no doubt he was
the room.
me
to
off to investigate
some
clue
to his
and made
number
There were
There were
in
public places," "Cigarette stumps and match ends from floor of Palace
Theatre,
Row
A,
to 50."
this
wonder-
ful
looked up
as a stranger entered.
shabby overcoat,
still
down
the
stairs.
intellect
own
tried
dirty
if
my
fell
and
lulled
asleep.
was right
its fullest
ex-
forgot
it,
resolved to
alas! until
but
am
story.
to
fastidious cleanliness,
belong-
may have
at last
my
sleep
When
on the window,
had
my
vague semi-
no
pockets
came
fully to
my
497
senses,
sitting
on the other
his
"1
fire.
my
rubbed
eyes.
asked.
"How
ceeded?"
he
expected,"
owe much
"Better than
note-book
his
Deeply
membered
he added, tapping
think,"
to you."
"1
gratified,
in vain.
ought to have
that in his
told
"and
said,
intrusion, but
reticence
re-
itself.
he only laughed.
when
married man," he
"1
said,
sure!
"For once
you
are at fault,"
is
my own
you
will perceive,-
have
just
my
"Come
down from
me on
the back.
"At any and
all
times,"
said enthusiastically.
my
and the
rest of
my
time
is
office
"I
as
at
you
know."
"It is,
Nevertheless
afternoon,
when
nearing
vourite disguises
him
home when
at
my own home
a long,
blue,
Of
next called.
in
one of
One
his fa-
tambourine.
met him
and white
hat, carrying a
it
shop.
was delighted
and
gestions,
my
in
to see that
joy
ventured to
him
tip
a wink,
my
sug-
was ab-
it
stractedly returned.
Two
days later
my
rence of
I
life,
received a note appointing a meeting at his lodgThat meeting, alas! was the one memorable occurand the last meeting ever had with Hemlock Jones!
I
down
it
recollection of
calmly, though
which
which
fire
may
my
pulses
still
it.
our acquaintance
look
call
ratiocination
from which all that was human, tender, or sympathetic,
was absolutely discharged. He was simply an icy, algebraic symbol!
Indeed his whole being was concentrated to that extent that his
much reduced
in
by his mental compression that his hat tipped back from his forehead and literally hung on his massive ears.
After
had entered, he locked the doors, fastened the windows,
and even placed a chair before the chimney. As watched those sigsize
with absorbing
nificant precautions
"Hand over
Even
in
my
involuntary.
He
reply!
my
to
it
he suddenly drew
that cigar-case!"
my
bewilderment,
"I
haven't got
it,"
said.
me now
let
down
his revolver.
expected that
"I
He drew
from
"But surely,"
believe
"Silence!"
I
a re-
Then
interest,
his
pocket a
roll
he roared.
"Sit
lethal
guilt!"
for a
moment
down!"
obeyed.
demned
my
yourself on
processes
when you
first
saw the
cigar-case.
it
indication.
mere
From
detail,
'I
'How
lence! But as in
my
wish
can
it
I
first
were mine' to
make
methods,
it
it
"Con-
We
will
go back to the
wish
pitilessly.
'How
step in crime
'1
will
have
it
in
beautiful!
and my
mine,'
first
and the
was obvious.
Si-
499
overwhelming inducement
yours for the mere trinket
unholy admiration of
are a
smoker of
cigars."
"But,"
told
"I
you
cigars."
"Fool!"
yourself.
Of
course,
you
told
is
still
in passion,
would
call
the strongest of
he added
it,"
find that
overwhelming,
man
like you.
That motive
it
impulses
"that night
bitterly,-
all
in
accusa-
had to
found
prevent
your
love,
you
suppose you
called!
You had
sleeve."
almost screamed.
he thundered.
"Silence,"
if
are not
my
methods."
So overpowering was
innocent,
licked
my
lips
my
after
had
and
carelessly
knew myself
crime.
and
although
thrown
it
in that
instant
later visit to
your
tailor
500
that drawer'."
It
proved to be
sat stunned.
"The
mere corroborative
rest are
when
details!
Do
so.
not
muffler on
The
start!
was my-
More,
purposely
had placed
you
left
alone.
had the
any other
cigar-case, or
me
confirmed
manner and
in
once
in the
"But,"
burst out,
how
you
of
it
the
in
believed you
still
was on your
in the
window
of the
pawnshop
"if
unjust
articles,
"Fool!"
pawnshops.
Do you
suppose
On
the
me what
to
avoid."
"And
suppose,"
your
drawer."
was
for the
and pulled
it
first
out sharply.
It
stuck as
it
it, however,
discovered that it was
impeded by some obstacle that had slipped to the upper part of the
drawer, and held it firmly fast. Inserting my hand, I pulled out the
impeding object. It was the missing cigar-case. turned to him with a
I
cry of joy.
But
was appalled at his expression. A look of contempt was now
added to his acute, penetrating gaze. "I have been mistaken," he said
slowly. "I had not allowed for your weakness and cowardice.
thought
I
in
your
guilt;
but
see
you
possibly
it
to
me
in this feeble,
like
my
infallibility.
three policemen
Go!
who
give
you your
liberty.
shall
room
not
summon
but out
of
my
the
sight
for ever."
501
ever!
I
my
my
few of
and a house
in
the
recovered
had a brougham
often wondered, pondering on that
became
had not
if,
rich.
some
in
lapse of con-
Summer's End
by William Manners
bent, straining
own
heat.
Jim looked
moved
habit strengthened
He'd
tell
at
by endless
And
then he marched
at
his
knees.
its
with
across his
wet
had
just
moved, out of
habit, a
out.
A man
down
Down
washed
it
repetitions.
in
her arms.
It
aisles.
He
was
himself,
still
the
up,
bags of groceries
someone
fighting
field,
moved mechanically
corn
at the
it,
wasn't picking on
hoe.
as his forearm
tassles
little
It
in his east
forehead.
its
body and
clouds.
size in
He
mocking gray
big
Fine,
502
The Piecework
Kid.
All afternoon,
self,
do
thinking of
this to
him.
it.
He
Words
He
wouldn't
him take
let
Bernice.
wouldn't
let
him
If
a baby, if there'd only be money now, that would hold her. The
same words over and over again to make his tongue strong, so that
when the time came he'd be able to say them. Get out, he'd say. Get
been
out.
He
walked along the fence. Slid down the clay bank. Cut across
meadow. His heavy shoes were on the cinder road now, crunching loud in the stillness with each step. He held the hoe at his side
the
like a rifle.
silo.
There was
it
it.
carrying
still
He
He
Then he
wide, with the giant, black coal stove, the varnished kitchen cabinet,
window
though the
cisterns
The
fly
sunbeam. The
He
walked across
buzzed through
Bee
!"
He
stopped
at the
dining
room
it
many
times before, as
if
He
it.
it.
read
it
as
lines after
he had
it.
if
he had
His eyes
finished.
dear,
I've
gone
Months
It's
the
only
way
that's
always wanted.
now
to his wife's
let
it
name signed
in bold,
at
the bottom
503
left
him was
of
dot
a little
in
the
ferocity out of
fields, a little
dot
after
Jim picked up the sheet of paper and walked about the house holding
He
hand.
in his
it
always
from
burning building
doing.
You
can't
blame
girl;
she
person fleeing
life,
they were a
burning building. Winter was running toward him, and his house with
its
bare shelves,
empty smokehouse,
its
its
barren
cellar.
Eleventh Street
fleshy face.
wanted
in that fire.
spoke German.
His stepfather,
When
to
John stayed on
in
New
hard,-
York
He
after that.
he was
in English.
hadn't taken
it
way
the
Jim landed
in
man who'd
him
offered
a job.
He worked
last
hitch also
months.
Then
in
little
farm
the Challenge
...
acres, ten in
house,
outbuildings,
And
woodland.
scattered
fruit
trees,
forty
the
in as part of
transaction.
He
never dreamed,
let
The
made Jim
all
the
talk
beautiful.
He
was
clumsy ...
fat,
at
nobody
her,
all at
504
the
the
more miserable
try-
in
her
life.
be-
fell
in
serious,
the only
the
Now
from Bernice
in his
still
in
Walked
The note
they had
come up
the
hill
had seen
it
for
"What
first
huge
it.
When
the
hands.
love, marry,
the World's
Fair,
The evenings
trip.
detective story, her eyes wide, shining. She read thousands of them.
The day
fire,
out of sight.
its
engine missing
its
She's a wild one, the people in Greeley said. But he only laughed at
them and
field.
How
afraid.
life,
robin
gift.
Every day,
he
living,
It
didn't take the polished John, in his tailored clothes, a very long
time.
didn't
You could see he liked Bernice ... in his way. And she he
want to think about that. And then this noon, when she'd come
fire.
And
at
it,
watched
it
as
it
dropped from
his fin-
in
the
initials J. S.
Long
on
its
strides
it.
stock, rested
on wooden
filled
it.
He
the back
porch.
505
Sunset Rock.
many
day end
painfully
He'd go to Sunset
days.
all
there.
would be
It
Shadows sprang out at him as he went down the road between the
The gun was wrenched out of his hands. "He's goin' rabbit
barns.
Jim struggled
in the
it
whine of
He
The
off
three
him.
man
impatience making
want some information, that's
We
all."
Jim looked
at
car,
engine purring.
its
We
Jim
The
said: "There's
three
men
no one
here.
The house
He
He
at
is
?"
.
empty."
the
windows
of the house.
Then
feet
the
There was no daze in Jim's mind now. It was cold and clear as a
He had to get to Bernice. He had to take her away
from John. Those were orders he gave himself. Greeley. The
Redmen's Hall. This was Saturday night. Maybe
maybe. It was a
long shot, but there was no other choice.
frosty morning.
The
Eastman
Street,
two and
hall.
The
lows and
stairs
girls sat in
filled
it all.
Fel-
506
They
Down
place was a
in
and up the
stairs.
A young
girl
giggled at his
He moved
set face.
dance
floor,
around
its
The number
rim.
faces,
The
He
"Thanks."
said.
lady's
clothes.
They stood
who were
stiffly.
"Say, Ed,
what did
this
He
details.
One
of the three, shorter than the others, a dent across the bridge
He
couldn't get
He
line
in the
wide,
empty
village of
limit,
Elmwood. He couldn't
street.
Then,
as
It
nice.
They were
pure white.
Lined along the curb, they reflected the glint of red and green and
blue neon that ran up and
down
'Thank God! Jim exclaimed. Those three hard men in new clothes
who'd come to murder John
one look at the white cars of the
law and they'd been frightened off. Or was that it? "Oh. God!"
507
"
Jim hurried out of the truck, ran across the walk and down the
tree-bordered path that led to the night club. State troopers were at
its
double doors.
One
of
fast!
there, mister?
"My
wife!"
wife!
He
She
could
his
feel
heart
she's in there."
,11
Jim!
The trooper turned at the shrill shout behind him. Jim dashed past
him into the amber light of the foyer and into Bernice's arms. Tears
were running down his cheeks. He held Bernice with both arms tight
about her.
Over her
"She's a swell
swell
little
little
nodding
on
his head.
his coat.
"You got a
lady."
The
'em down!"
"Let's get
Bernice's tiny
hand was on
officer.
Jim
wait
a minute. I've
It's
get."
met
way
had
"He
was saying.
knew
all
You mean,
trap John?"
tried to kiss
me.
first
good
stiff
him
in
his business
"Darling,"
508
"It
to trap him."
"Trap him?
"I
hers.
How
you had
he
punch
felt
didn't like
to leave
them both
alone."
in
I'd
couldn't;
don't
"I
didn't
Bernice
"May
know what
want
wanted
made
just didn't
do with
wasn't a drinker.
of that.
"He
"I
wasn't a lot
women he knew
.
it."
thought."
other
to do.
to have anything to
in
He
knew he
Then he had
Tom
own
in
words. So
my
couldn't take
Collins,
honor.
believe
it,
it
eloped
whiskey
because he
was, on top
phone
that's really
when
was
why
at Greeley.
did
.
it,
."
cheek to
hers.
you listen to me? This morning when was at Greeley, Doc Moorhead
Jim dear, we're going to have a little Jim."
Her eyes were sparkling in that way again.
"Jim dear, will
The Terrarium
Principle
by
J.
V. Drexel
latest project
Jerry's car
the driveway. She took off her gloves, brushed flecks of potting
off her
gardening
shirt,
and went
meet him
as
soil
he
One
most
of the
is
frustrat-
"Why?"
"Because a man named Harding committed murder in a locked
room this morning and can't prove it. That's why."
"Want to talk about it?"
He made a face. But he said, "I might as well. It's going to be on
my mind all evening anyway. You can help me brood."
Andrea took the ice tray away from him, shooed him into the
living room, and made drinks for both of them. When she brought
them in, Jerry was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, elbow
1
resting
like
Columbo
and
a cigar.
tonight. All
in his
palm.
He
a trench coat
She handed him his drink and sat down beside him. "So why can't
you prove this man Harding committed murder? You did say it happened in a locked room, didn't you?"
"Well, more or less locked. And
can't prove it because we can't
find the gun. Without it we just don't have a case."
"What exactly happened?"
I
"It's
house out
money
kind of simple,
classic
or had
a lot of
in
Roehampton
in oil stocks
Estates,-
The
penchant for
fast
women and
is
down
slow horses.
"This morning Harding went out to his uncle's house to see him.
The housekeeper
let
him
in.
According to
her,
They were
sure
it
study,-
both ran straight for that door. But the door was locked,
It
510
they
said.
Only he
didn't
right
it."
get around to
doing
as
that time?"
"What did he
say he was
killer.
Harding's claim
is
that
"But
gun somewhere
in
the
room?"
"I
know
that's
ble
said.
"His story
as sin
is
implausi-
over
money
I'm sure of
it!"
We
"No.
"Well,
if
it
had
"
it
away some-
it."
"No chance,"
Jerry said.
where during those eight and one-half minutes. His uncle's stereo unit
was playing, fairly loud, and if he made any noise the music covered it
Sampson and the housekeeper didn't hear anything unusual."
"Didn't one of them go outdoors to look in through the study window?"
"Sampson did, yes. But Harding had drawn the drapes. In case the
phantom killer came back, he said."
wall
"I
full
Andrea asked.
decor: hunting prints, a stag's head, a
guess
He
like?"
"Big
"What
else
was
in
fireplace
chimney," Andrea
"First thing.
Nothing but
And model
said.
soot."
the room?"
model
all
air-
kinds of
around.
"Oh?"
"Evidently Granger built models in his spare time, as a hobby.
There was
"I
also a small
wall."
see."
511
in there
radio, record
in-
side
still
had an
just
idea. Tell
bench?"
"Glue?"
"Yes.
and
it
"I
bond
dries instantly."
"How
"I
suppose
"I
think
minutes,"
so.
at?"
know what Harding was doing for those eight and a half
think
know just where he hid the gun."
she said. "And
I
Jerry sat
up
straight. "Are
you
Come
serious?"
"Of course
She led
Why?"
I'm serious.
on,
terrarium?"
"What about
"Well,
Like a
it's
it?"
it
now
opening
except
at
one end,
soil seeds,
right?
but pretty
soon
there'll
don't
how
in
it
and
say,
who
'Now
you get those plants through that little opening?' It doesn't occur to them that you didn't put plants in there,- you
put seeds and they grew into plants."
"I don't see what that has to do with Harding
in
way
have to do
went
is
dinner
512
in
town."
He
no longer looking
hurried inside,
phoned
police headquarters.
When
Columbo, and
like
tele-
Andrea that they would have word within an hour. And they did
when
took
it,
"You were
right,"
bottle
lowed
out,
we
because
it
It
"I
overlooked
it
gun through
it
inside."
good name
we'll
We
automatically assumed
inside
for
it.
Come
coat,-
right now."
Men and
Three
magnum."
a Corpse
hy
The
Victor K.
Ray
black coupe slid along the dark street, and a gun spat flame.
three of them,
explosions,
fell
black Ford.
The
34
some-
thing.
Joey's
up he had
a .38.
Then he
put
it
he
fell,
back inside
his coat.
"What hap-
pened?" he gasped.
When
The
car
mixed and
for us.
got
The
my
breath back,
said,
'They missed."
lost in the
sounds of the
city.
The
street
its
engine
cast long
shadows
in
our
direction.
Then we saw
the alley
mouth
that
a few feet
ahead
513
We
of us.
a
crumpled
figure
which
before.
it
We
looked
down
the alley at
on the cement.
lay
"Look, Steve!" said Joey. "They weren't shooting at us." Joey's voice
in this
who
moved down
He was
"I
know
"Cops'll
He
my
be swarming
he
quick!"
you
moved back
can't
my
pen-light into
out of here."
said.
"We ought
light.
all
in three minutes."
was
could
sweat on
a film of
it.
He
ing
shined
dead.
wheeled,
turned out
realized he
all.
"Let's
and
relieved,
walk into
we ought
it.
Not when
my
force,
friend
this
Hamp
morning. He'd
said, "Steve,
you guys
are
always on the wrong side of the law. Murder's not very pleasant any
when
way you
take
worse.
it,
but
you're looking at
eyes of a
Then
in
in
He
started to
it's
into the
can't af-
move down
the street.
I
side,
been
right. I'd
it
at all."
said,
we walked
fast
little
back
in
breathing.
"You
"No.
We
in trouble
"
faster,
with
haven't got any trouble with the cops, Steve," he said. "But
"Not
Hamp
"Yeah,
514
think."
Sprague?"
think
Hamp would
try to pin
some-
thing on me, would you? Looks like he'd have better things to do with
his time."
Joey
it.
air.
let
little
it
is,"
he
said. "Let's
have
a drink.
We
went
We
in.
Hamp Sprague
trouble. When I'd
cisco, he'd said
Joey and
Of
Hamp
course, Joey
Hamp
thing on him.
Hamp
known
time
last
I'd
it.
We
seen Joey.
We'd been on
wo.
Joey had come
But good.
hadn't
finding guys
Hamp
He'd
knew
my
business.
And
"I
wasn't having
much
well.
luck
said,
as a private detective,
it.
outfit.
Hamp
It's
just a
had brushed
his
his
'llt's
hard to protect
a guy,
when he
doesn't
want to be
protected."
"The mortality
till
Joey gets
The
before
till
it's
picture
was
somebody
too
Hamp
rate
is
high," said
Hamp.
"It's
just a
matter of time
it."
late.
had
clear.
else did
Hamp
it
wanted
to
We
don't even
at
know who
"Maybe he was a priAnyway, it may take us three or four days to find out.
Then any hope of running down his killer will be gone. That's the
way Joey will end one of these days. In a ditch, or in an alley. The
vate detective.
mortality rate
is
high."
515
Maybe
When
said.
he'd
private detective.
street. I'd
made my
I'd
He'd
said,
"It's
offer.
But
made
it
thinking about
Joey and
had
money
my two
in
first
friends.
said,
"It's
it."
One
hadn't gotten to
we'd
it,
first
them thought
was too clean.
of
it
private
owned by Shade Cantrell, the Crystal Club, and we'd run into the
gunfire, and the body in the alley.
Now, back in the little bar, the drinks had their effect. began to
I
calm down.
I'll
never learn to
like
looked
in
the
pale, tight.
still
It
jarred
knew him."
"Nobody you'd know,"
Our drinks arrived. We
spirits
said. "He's
some
of our high
were gone.
didn't
know him
very
well."
Joey turned on
couple of nickels
his stool,
went over
and put
in.
in
it,"
words almost
lost in
the music.
We
two.
up.
It
thing.
listened.
could
began getting an
made me know
feel Joey's
idea.
The
eyes turn on
thing
in
still
time.
me
every minute or
young
Hamp
in this
kind of
right.
When
516
said,
look at
"No."
"He was a young guy. The last I saw of him was a couple of
months ago. He was working his way up, carried a Russian automatic,
remember.
don't think he'd used it yet, but you couldn't be sure.
Nobody could be sure. He was on his way up."
spun around on my stool, went over to the juke box, played the
first number over again.
said, "There's been quite a bit of hell raised
in San Francisco lately. Everybody's trying to set himself up in some
nice spot. This guy, Bruce Wardell, was going up fast.
don't think
he'd bumped anybody off, but when somebody got bumped, Wardell
was there to take his place." waited to see how he took it.
I
was
catch his
time
just a question of
killer,
a cigarette.
lit
maybe they
till
he got
One
won't.
it,"
said.
thing certain,
"Maybe
they'll
won't make
it
at his collar,
wiped
show up
We
at the Crystal
his face
Let's get
out in the
air. I've
got to
Club."
got off the stools, and started for the door. Joey stopped.
"Steve,
let's
He was
"Okay."
went over
He waved
ting.
down
He
When
sit-
his jaw.
I'll
do
it!
I'll
stool,
red, grinned.
He
stool,
kid,
and so was
Hamp
I.
had been
The
I
right.
like
said,
'The
Joey
with
home.
ear.
It
We
told
in
want
Hamp
about
to
a fine
at
killing
had done
it.
one guy
tell
him
want to
tell
about
right now."
Sprague's address.
five
minutes.
Hamp
was
The
there was.
"I
hell
We
and
that's
had
just gotten
wonderful."
Hamp
did.
517
had
to report
in
Bruce Wardell.
Maybe some
it.
murder
as
it
happened
There
you
Hamp,
Yeah,
find
is
Hamp
"
Whyuh.
the kitchen,
In
it?
a killing tonight.
we
."
minute
it.
Hamp.
Report
fast!
we saw
old man,
ice.
"Joey and
said,
tried to say
it
said, "Yeah?"
He
for us again.
Then he went
into the
followed him.
saw
my
calmly, but
pitch.
Hamp
"We saw
a murder."
"Yeah?"
He
said?"
let
the cubes
fall
into a bowl.
"I
said
He
we saw
refilled
a murder.
We
didn't report
it."
the ice tray with water, and went back to the ice box.
get
"Yeah," he said.
I
Hamp?
is
the
first
re-
ported."
"Wait a minute."
said,
to call headquarters
"What
already.
518
are
We
You
working up too
in
on the
dial.
And
minute. TTien
then
maybe
"Four
"It
er
was
me on
stopped.
was
it
Hamp. You
four,
put
holes did
you
my
down
finger
mid-air for a
in
say?"
three."
murder was
like
me
morning.
this
said,
it down slowly.
"How many bullet
put
turned around.
He was
San Francisco.
in
fast."
all
right.
But the
time
first
be
it.
"You staged a
said,
Wardell, because
me
on
He
1
my
looked
at
Joey's benefit.
business to
to
himself."
it's
'killing' for
Hamp
know guys
parallel
figured
I'd
know
ice.
grinned.
street,
three shots.
I
You
like
"That
said,
number 26
car, license
34
That was
yours."
Then
body,"
"You had to
said.
And
steal the
it
body
morgue."
Hamp
looked
at
me
mock
with
seriousness. "Steve!
wouldn't do a
"The
hell
if
I'd
reported that
'killing'
to
headquarters?"
slipped," continued
even
if
you thought
Hamp
should have
hell
fired.
that,"
said. "But
We
laughed, too.
thought of Joey
hard,
his ear
He
us,
went
in
glued to
at that
Hamp
We
both looked
in the
ain't
He was
I,
kid?"
sitting
it,
said,
"I
We
I
looked
filled
lines of strain
at
kid!"
I,
nodded.
without you.
The
Hamp.
You're so smart
we
blackmail.
And
could do
it,
too.
us,
if
have to try
a little friendly
winked back
at
him, and
Today's Special
we
drank.
Poison!
by
V. E. Thiessen
When
Dermott Slade turned to murder he did so with the same rehad made him a successful confidence man.
Sitting in the one room that was his temporary quarters, Dermott
lifted his head to stare out the window at the man he intended to kill.
Rex Whitehall, a tall, grey-haired man, was walking down the street
toward him. Dermott glanced at his watch. It was precisely seven in
the fall evening, almost dark. As he glanced out the window, Dermott
could see Whitehall turning into the entrance of the Vopopulous
Grill, across the street. Dermott grinned. Whitehall was on schedule
as usual. Dermott could set his watch by the punctual arrival of
lentless precision that
Whitehall
at the grill.
fifteen
minutes to
finish
the murder.
it
into his
machine
to type.
When
also
draw
in his
back
in a
the night.
of murder.
The
Dermott,
the error was not in leaving the fingerprint, but in being suspected, for
only then did they take the second print for the comparison.
521
The only
possible connection
while companion
in
Sam was
erst-
dead.
Dermott pushed his way into the Vopopulous Grill. Nick Vopopuhim from the grill, and Nick's twelve-year-old kid
beside him said, "Hi, Dermott."
"Hi." Dermott tousled the kid's hair, handed the menus to Popo.
lous grinned at
list,"
he kidded.
a cigar.
take one of those too," Whitehall said, behind him, at the front
counter.
Once
inside the
of
man
to
He
hamper himself
522
in
Sam
cessful
scheme,
it
was due
to
at
diamond was
hall's
interest in illegal
his,
just before
and
this
he died.
The more Dermott had considered the facts, the less it appeared he
demand the diamond, or that Whitehall would honor such a
could
he lived
in
tiny
this
who
ate there.
tirely alone,
When
It
means
for
until conditions
first
was merely
And
for
so Dermott Slade had decided. There had been only the prob-
some new
it
hiding place
in
in
lay in
still
its
place.
Dermott glanced
at his
watch. By
now
another step
in
satisfied.
the lonely
and
It
retire.
made any
in his heel
was
thing that
publicity undesirable.
Still,
life,
made
for a
knowing
that the
friendships danger-
hundred thousand,
523
man could
And
life.
at least
White-
hall
and
down
of the
room
the stairs into the night and began to walk slowly toward the
park.
He knew
his
Dermott tensed, turned his head this way and that. The crucial
moment had arrived. If luck held there would be no wandering lovers.
His luck held. The match flared, and Whitehall drew on his cigar.
The end of the cigar glowed for an instant. Then Whitehall took the
cigar from his mouth, looked at it. He choked once, half rose from
the park bench, then fell twisting onto it again. Dermott's heart hammered. The diamond if only the diamond were still there.
By the time Dermott had slipped noiselessly beside him, Whitehall
had stopped breathing. Dermott wasted no more than a single glance,
dropped to one knee and began to use the screwdriver on the right
heel of the dead man's shoe. A moment later the heel came away and
a cool hard lump fell into Dermott's hand.
He
gasped
at the size of
it,
risked holding
524
it
It
momentarily under
glittered with the
thousand irridescent
it
gems
He
contain.
Dermott
thrust
let
Then he
back to
room.
his
cyanide had
The
somehow found
police
hundred
miles,
actions traced,
way
its
who
taught ana-
at the laboratory,
the
laboratories.
And
filled
in his
it
desk drawer,
now
an innocent receptacle.
in a
He wrapped
cylinder thus developed. Then, opening the back of his radio and
pulling the chassis out, he
and
densers
dropped
The
it
resistors
added
in a
for bed.
He
slept as
soundly
The
inside.
screwdriver
drawer.
to prepare
as a baby.
When he arose, the pattern of the night before came back to him,
and he checked it again, smiling at the neat perfection of the plan. He
would have to show up for the menus, tell Popo he would be leaving
at the
It
leaving now.
When
he reached the
grill
he found Popo
in a dither.
at
the paper.
With
make the
final
edition of the
morning paper.
525
Dermott ordered
hamburger, french
carefully.
Ac-
two police
the afternoon
in
He
last
fries
At two o'clock
and
detectives were at
mind began
had anticipated this.
As a bare possibility, Popo or the kid had mentioned him, and the
cops were merely making the routine check of anyone known to have
Dermott's door.
eaten at the
One
grill.
to ask
we want
knew
man named
Whitehall. You
him?"
He
said,
"I
didn't
know
chest.
all,
With
time
Popo
can't write
worth
a darn, so
menus
for
meals."
"When do you
hunting the
Popo
rest of the
gives
me
go job-
"Yes."
Dermott considered.
"Yes,
come
racing.
to think about
it,
did."
told
him about
Whitehall's always eating the day's special. That had been hamburger
the
last
noticed such
"1
let
facts.
didn't notice,"
Dermott
said.
french
fries.
said.
Dermott
526
relaxed. Suspicion
it,"
he
to
have
"
lifted
without realizing
to Whitehall's
after
he was
amazed
eyes. "But
it.
man
he writes what he
is
writes
and
thinking about
I'm afraid
murder
killed,
else,
why?" he demanded.
when
is
you typed this menu before Whitehall ate his fatal meal."
His mind whirling, Dermott lifted his eyes to the menu that was
thrust before him. The day's special was before his eyes, the typed
letters as black as the maw of a dungeon. In the dim recesses of his
mind, imagination flared fiercely, and he could see the tentacles of
yours. But
the law, reaching, plucking a fact here, a fact there, learning about the
laboratory in California, finding the jewel after days of
combing the
room.
He
in the
palms of his
hands.
The menu
read simply:
The
Trailer
Murder Mystery
hy Abraham
In the
in
Lincoln
the State of
three brothers
westerly direction.
William,
still
older,
and with
527
whom
for
he did
lodged
little
May,
in
and
at his
house,
resolved to
single
On Monday
first
Monday
of
avowed purpose
left
in
company,
in
for the
all
returned,
The
last
coming
After
One by
and each
Fisher.
next day, both before and after breakfast, they went profess-
still
Henry expressed
unsuccessful.
Dinner
a determination to
give up the search, and start for their homes. This was remonstrated
was somewhere
spectively.
Up
knowledge of
little
at Myers',
and
Henry returned
528
some
making
when
in
ineffectual search,
it
No
On
the Friday,
week
Postmaster at
Warren county,
without Fisher, and was saying, rather boastfully, that Fisher was dead,
hundred
dollars
masters.
The
officers started
529
that,
home, on Tuesday, the day after Fisher's disappearance, Wilcommunicated the fact to him, and engaged his
assistance in making a permanent concealment of the body,- that, at
field for
left
woods
at
the North
West
way through
of the city,
yards to the right of where the road they should have travelled, en-
came
intruder, that
in a
it
from
Archibald then
moved
off
buggy was
in
he could
his station
and did
as a sentinel, to give
dead
William and
had put him in a safe place,- that Archibald then left for town, and he
and William found their way to the road, and made for their homes.
At this disclosure, all lingering credulity was broken down, and
excitement rose to an almost inconceivable height.
Up
to this time,
Till
then, those
who were
in
it.
down
all
as confident that
Archibald
jail,- and
by no means objectionable to
it
him.
buggy
tracks at the
In
thicket,
it
a trail
all
to,
and
it
pond, but
was found
edge.
Search was
now
to be
made
in
it
was made
in
every
530
fish-
ing, and draining. After much fruitless effort in this way, on Thursday
morning the mill dam was cut down, and the water of the pond partially drawn off, and the same processes of search again gone through
with.
About noon of
man
came
in
with
It
officer arrested
William
at his
Dr. Gilmore arrived, stating that Fisher was alive at his house, and
that he
trouble,- that
Dr.
Springfield,
On
and
at his
house. At
without
reaffirmed his
faltering,
and
at
that
Gilmore was
tale
he was
own
started,
own
story
and became
nearly,
if
at its zenith.
partner,
him back
who
telling, to
alive,
this,
alive, as stated
by Gilmore, and
if
so, of
bringing
faltering or exposure.
The
and
day evening of
man whom
Mon-
whom she
know, but whom
saw Archibald,
and
still
timber
and
at
after
the North
West
all
enter the
by Henry,)
Fisher.
531
liam and
started for
At
he resided
in
known
Fisher for
several years,
early
life.
There was about Dr. Gilmore so much of the air and manner of
truth, that his statement prevailed in the minds of the audience and of
the court, and the Trailors were discharged, although they attempted
him the now famed Fisher, in full life and proper person.
Thus ended this strange affair and while it is readily conceived that
a writer of novels could bring a story to a more perfect climax, it may
well be doubted whether a stranger affair ever really occurred. Much
of the matter remains in mystery to this day.
woods with
Fisher,
The going
into the
Trailors,- their
same place the next day, after they proup the search, the signs of a struggle in the
thicket, the buggy tracks at the edge of it, and the location of the
thicket, and the signs about it, corresponding precisely with Henry's
story, are circumstances that have never been explained. William and
at the
William
in less
is
532
Henry
is still
upon the
many
facts of this
narrative, yet
most
certainly,
It
in the vicinity,
it is
found
fate
in this condition,
difficult to
and
his
in
al-
had
mental
body been
if he
had died, and his body never found, the case against them would have
been quite as bad, for, although it is a principle of law that a conviction for murder shall not be had, unless the body of the deceased be
discovered,
Fisher's
it
to be remembered, that
is
Henry
testified that
he saw
dead body.
A Tulip
in
the
Snow
by John McCurnin
The yellow
warmly
lit
evergreens. Street lamps, getting farther apart now, stood like desolate
sentinels against the
man broke
and then
let it
a sullen
mask
in
flat,
snow-
covered countryside.
At
his side,
another
man hunched
his red
his
pulled-up coat collar and shifted two trench spades in his freckled
flare
of a
533
He
sound
tried to
casual. "So
Bleeker sucked
Joe's.
in
on
Bleeker
it's
we
Big Gun
Bleeker,"
he said ner-
going, Bleeker?"
his cigarette
and
smoke
the
let
curl out.
'To
Joe wants you," he said dryly. Each word was spoken so that
hung by
it
itself,
and turning
silent
window, watched the telephone poles flashing by and the snow, like a
great white sheet streaking away from the car. Nervously, his hands
stole into his jacket pockets
tulip bulbs he'd
and
for a
moment he
If
yen
Joe would
still
had
to be planted quick
fore the
first
snow.
And
The
blood red
tulips,
Still,
If
in the
he didn't have
be-
like that.
big sedan swerved, half skidded, and the trench spades grated
together as
it
at the endless
He
other times he had sat where Bleeker was now, ready to do the job
Bleeker was going to handle.
at the
the open
rolled
maw
He
recklessly
Bleeker
lit
finally asked.
534
tried to see
He
it
full,
rushing
haw
a cigarette
window and
over them
river,
trees closed
and he could
"Why
did you
feel Bleeker's
kill
The
blood
knew everything
trying to settle
why blow
But
in his face.
feel
"Gimme
a cigarette,"
he
said,
down.
Bleeker handed
lit
match.
"Why
did you
kill
"1
didn't intend
with Joe.
me
out
you
"But
hit
him
"1
didn't
aim
"1
wish
right."
like that," Bleeker said. "Joe's
been
a kill-
tall,
Even
in
ultra neat,
of.
feel
the car.
made
moved on toward
Even
over.
strictly to his
his buttons
all
had
said,
be
to
own
just right
let
the younger
man
out
The
first.
other doors opened and the trench spades grated together harshly as
had gone
the red-headed
breath
"Joe!"
he suddenly sputtered.
"Listen, Joe.
didn't
mean
to
kill
His
the
kid"
"Ready, Bleeker?" Joe cut him
'Joe! Listen,
Joe's
Joe
"
off.
down
feel his
hold
the
"For a rod that could eat a steak a half hour after handling a job,
Joe's voice
stopped him
535
and he groped
get
for control.
it?"
"Go
commanded. Then
to the driver
and the
he
started, his
made and
Joe and Bleeker followed, one on either side, Bleeker flashing the
torch so he could pick his way.
They
derby
shot him in the back of the head just under the brim of his
hat,
and
for
right,
once to the
right again,
white tablecloth.
The driver and the red-headed man with the freckled hands buried
him there in a shallow grave in the soggy wet earth under the snow
and within an hour the spot was as lonely and deserted as it had been
for months and years before.
April came and the swollen river almost overflowed its banks with
the spring thaw. May came and the marsh grass turned to livid green.
June came and a boy, barefooted, with overall pants rolled up to his
knees, stopped and dropped his fishing line into the river just near the
row of small haw trees along the banks.
And when his young eyes fell on a single, deep red tulip blooming
near the pine thicket, he arose at once and wondered what his
chances were of digging it up and transplanting it to his own front
yard at home. With his bare hands, he dug carefully around the roots,
and he kept digging until his eyes, horrified, glued themselves on a
hand, a human hand, holding the bulb from which the deep red tulip
had grown.
In the other hand, the police found one large, imported horn button and it was of such an exclusive design that they had very little
trouble in tracing down the tailor that had sewn it on the coat of the
ultra neat, well-tailored man who had ordered it
exclusively.
536
at
my
short
summer holidays
happened
whose
hospitality
is
my
C.
to be spending a
friend
that
is
name
summer months
the attractive
during the
the
Upper Thames.
It
The
pass up (or
James
beauties of
known
to
by the varied
Umbrosa (for
all
who
those
of
Had
Sil-
amusements
Lehmann
Holes the
results
disaster to
many
dis-
tinguished families, but the acumen of Holes saved the situation and
the family plate, and restored the peace of
mind
The
party at
Umbrosa
guests. In fact,
it
members
of the
Picklock Holes
to
be
lence which
had
is
skimmed
just
by, propelled
by an
life
athletic
he
strange,"
"It is
the
said, "that
man should be
at large."
still
"It
and
well,
distress.
know
"I
the lad
"I
He
perfect.
is
wearing a red
by blood.
stained
That
tie.
tie
by something. Blood
stained
therefore,
is
with evident
Silver,
never breathed."
a better fellow
Now
of a lighter shade,
it
it is
known
well
is
red.
that the
red.
was,
It
It
is
was,
therefore,
the bigamy, you will have noticed that as he passed he blew two rings
of cigarette smoke,
ring
is,
is
therefore, a bigamist."
For a
this
moment we were
"Holes,"
You
silent,
will of
broke out:
said,
do not care
to
mix myself
pered
in
"Not
my
a
ear.
word
of
what
am
about to
tell
science of
vants,
my
friend,
warn the
anything
dreadful expectancy.
you
May
at
would be
not
tell
myself
with blunderbusses
"Potson,
we
"had
Mr.
you
better than
this
ser-
sit
up
state
of
Silver?"
will
my
methods."
in the
meantime.
never learn
had to be content
pleasantly as evenings at
Umbrosa
al-
ways
538
pass.
in the
followed.
We
were
after the
customary interval
smoking-room,
many
in
plans
for the
had been sleeping for about an hour, when was suddenly awakheard the voices of the
ened with a start. In the passage outside
youngest Silver boy and of Peter.
I
the house.
Johnny
Silver,
"I
Isn't it a lark?"
"Oh,
it's
job ourselves.
told the
girls,
and they've
safe.
all
we'll
locked themselves
do the
in and
"Yes."
"Come on
then."
With that they went along the passage and down the stairs. My
mind was made up, and my trousers and boots were on in less time
than it takes to tell it.
went to Holes's room and entered. He was
lying on his bed, fully awake, dressed in his best detective suit, with
his fingers meditatively extended, and touching one another.
I
"They're here,"
said.
"Who?"
'The burglars."
"As
did
silence
so.
No
sooner had
was broken by
"Good
we reached
me
silently."
heavens!" was
all
could say.
over. Thanks,
think
"That fellow," said the great detective to me, "was the best and
539
cleverest of
and
my
his associates
Those
count.
Through him
burglars.
boys nearly
infernal
care to
They
understand
can't
my
scientific induction.
Waiting
Jim Knapp
was powerless
last night.
to stop
it.
wanted to stop
it,
but
couldn't.
It
happened.
had waited
had
empty house
the dark,
in
woman
screaming "Another
will
for hours.
mind was
woman
died.
The
sketchy.
victim's
The
today's newspaper.
in
it
article
and they
the hospital.
well
it
is
When
no match
much.
can
tell
affluent.
you
And
very
she
woman
aged
in
is
.
is
notification of fam-
ily
My
on the kitchen
floor
it
doughy mound
was
a simple
of lifeless flesh
matter to remove
all
the valuables. There was the whole night to remove cash and jewelry
and
Now
ings
isn't
anything
might
robbery.
police detective
else.
and he
tells
me
friends.
killer.
things.
He
The police
They figure
much.
probably
it's
kill-
know
me
things
done
a psy-
tells
shrinks have
with an intense hatred of his mother. She was probably wealthy and
540
why
also
It's
why
his
victims are
always
killing.
hope
it
be the
will
last.
hope
can
stop
The
first
waited in the
still
home from
killer
had
the hospital.
neck.
had to find out exactly what the police knew about last night's
punched in the number to my cop
murder. Grabbing the phone
buddy. He answered on the third ring. His voice had the mellow
I
New-
man."
"Hi, Eddie.
case?"
"Yeah."
"Anything new?"
"You know, buddy,
talked to
whitehouse
rich,
We
hospital admissions.
say
it's
class.
we
What
crap!
robbery.
No
prints,
He
steals
it's
just
in,
the perp
stuff to
we
when
live in
he'll
is
simu-
enough
strike again.
a
I
We
need
a little
luck."
'Thanks, Eddie.
"Listen,
guess
buddy, take
it
my
I've
advice.
enough
to
541
If
I'd
trip."
"Maybe
it lie.
It
you're right,"
And
suspect he
Damn
wouldn't be able to
knew
it,
let
too.
Sure
had had
But of course
said.
a heart attack.
in better
near cashed
now
shape
than
One month
L. Collier
III
St.
drunk.
knew
should get
my
head.
Why
would do.
At three o'clock in the afternoon clipped the phone line to the
Collier residence, rendering the burglar alarm ineffective, and used my
locksmith picks to let myself into the lovely, silent home.
waited. Waited as
Then
had waited in other elegant, lonely
homes. Waited while the grandfather clock ticked and the air conditioner cycled on and off. Waited while the automatic ice maker
couldn't
dumped
its
Watched
hands sweating
woman
kept
in
vigil
psychologist said.
my
presence
buried a
542
He
needed.
never
witness.
fist
I
in his
snapped
his neck.
did
carried
him
it
my
faster beating of
second
to the
body
floor
my
to
head
shoulders
first
off the
Then
my own
my
highball glass.
heavy
in
my
portrait of
frame to
sixty- five-year-old
as
raised
it
on the
wall, the
Vivian,
your wife
He was
dead.
is
broke
but
we had
his neck.
the
He
forever,-
of circulation."
"Yes,"
The
said.
'Thanks."
Away
by Dorothy Dunn
Bill
the
way
he'd looked
when
night
last
left
him
He
only
looked
messier,
just
more
bleary-eyed.
I
waded
knocking
across
empty
a glass over.
bottles
The
last flat
He
"Come
out of
it. Bill!
This
is
like a
"Look
ing in on
"Damn
all this.
It
Nine o'clock
in
the morning.
stinks."
the sun!"
543
"And you,
you.
Come
know which
Don't
Bill.
is
clothes.
xMartha's
"Have
And
a drink, Julien.
you
if
just scram."
"1
But
will.
if
you think
I'm
going to
Martha
let
find
you
way,
this
you're nuts."
Bill
gave
me
"Whaddaya
a sly
care
how Martha
finds
my sister.
"And my wife.
"Granted. Look,
Bill,
"She's
me?"
Bill."
just
know
you wouldn't want her to find you this way. You'll thank me later."
"I'll thank you to mind your own business."
."
"I'm doing that. Martha is my
"Cut it out, Julien. You're a little ridiculous, you know." He fumbled
toward the half-emptied bottle of bourbon and got it to his mouth
with a trembling hand. "Brrr!" he shuddered, as it went down. "Hair of
the dog ..."
.
off
on
this bat?"
now
asked,
little
that
he seemed
trip to see
the folks
fully
is
no
not blind."
"Okay
"Not funny,
Julien."
"Not meant to
started
be,"
said.
"Look
you.
What
anyway?"
it,
blister
if
that she
she found
Bill in this
much
didn't
want
just four
hours
that to happen.
She was
to get
Bill
arriving
much
was plenty
decent
544
I'd
need
protest, Bill
tired,
but
gave
had
The
thought.
we were ready
cleaners.
train.
for
Martha.
and gabardine
kill
He
looked quite
among
friends?
had
a bottle beside
me
to
We
dishes,
were ready.
pit.
setting a stage.
told him.
"Maybe," he
lighting a cigarette
said,
and holding
over the
it
say that
I'd
it's
your angle?"
"Charity,"
said, "begins at
home."
my
"Martha's
sister.
she's not
good
con-
at
"No," said Bill, running a shaking hand across his face. "She's not
good at concealing things, is she?"
Something about the way he said that frightened me. He looked
bitter and harassed, as though the bottom had dropped out of his
dream house.
"What's wrong, Bill? What's eating you that you break one of
Martha's commandments? You've been a good boy for the two years
He shook
Why
thinking about.
doubt
if
he'd heard
much
of
what
I'd
he'd been
last part.
"Good boy,
Julien.
Yes,
indeed!
I've
been
model husband,
"Martha thinks
so,
no doubt about
that. That's
why
."
I
it,"
"I
should have
let
I
you wallow
feel
like
."
.
the devil
now."
I
tried to
be sympathetic.
"Want something
to eat?"
He
looked
like
drawn.
fix
He
"I
could
you
a sandwich."
And
that table!"
545
two.
in at
It's
almost
three now."
Bill
looking miserable. At
last
he
said:
"All right,
you asked for it. You had to hang around and wait. You had to
clean house and play nurse and now you've had your fun. The joke's
on you. Martha isn't coming hacki"
Julien,
"You're kidding!"
me
my
said, getting to
me
and told
left
feet angrily.
she'd be back
on the
"Martha called
fifteenth at
two
o'clock."
Bill
"Why
grinned unpleasantly.
ing back
should
not com-
ever."
didn't get
it.
looked around
silver coffee
ing basket with her crochet needle stuck through a ball of thread.
she'd been leaving
Bill
for
left
If
candy box.
"Where
is
Bill just
she?"
asked.
know whether
asked. "Did
me
furious.
her, or
from the
folks?"
"Something
your
folks.
She's overbearing.
do
it.
I'm
sat
first
around
"Aren't
for
husband to collect
Why
world
who knows
that
his insurance.
Bill?"
should
quite a self-sufficient
546
you worried.
"Worried?
in the
woman."
"Yes
she
is."
know
Bill
didn't
"Why
you phone
don't
she's
if
there."
He
gave
me
them
"Call
your
folks
didn't like
them any
They were
it.
better than
stiff-
needed money.
chase
she's
Bill?"
down with
his beer.
"You put up with Martha for two years and then decide that your
marriage
wanted
is
gasped.
thought
Bill
If
kill
hadn't
me
before," said
known about
could see
my
first
bum
his
Bill?"
hadn't intended to
me
too plainly.
else
tell
you, but
if
if
you're going to
as well
you drop
know. Cyait
into your
tea."
Lord,
Bill!
Why,
have
"Good
I'd
money. Nothing
husband's
husband,
putting
you
if
calmly.
Bill
Martha's
sit
Why
a divorce?"
just a
drop of that
drop or two.
stuff
."
.
547
It
me
was
to die.
face
no
committed
idea."
cautioned.
am!
poured some of
Then
whiskey into
his
at his insistence,
me
then.
Martha to get
my
thousand.
a little
to get
it.
Maybe
had
a bird in
something on
Bill
that
change.
'Terrible thing to
and drained
five
would be worth
a shot glass
Bill.
can't
understand
it.
She must have gone out of her head to try a thing like that. I just can't
."
imagine Martha attempting
"Can't you, Julien? Even if she was doing it for money?"
"Money? You don't have that kind of money," said. "Not the kind
.
people murder to
I
had,
wanted
to
how deep
get.
Or do
know about
I
you?"
Bill's
money
right then.
How much
later on.
he
needed
permanent source.
He just
laughed. "Insurance
beneficiary.
I'm
"Martha?"
"Yes.
girl,
in
me
into
future.
"Yes?"
"Why
sister?
against your
feelings
this
morning."
I
gulped
down another
Martha if
didn't seem
her
own
shot before
548
my
logical to
me
Bill?
sister
Why
Martha.
should
I,
if
He gave me a
"Why should
I
steady
stare.
lie?"
didn't
wondering how
far
lie,
in front of
seum
piece.
never
sell
it,
tion, she'd
knew
that.
walked toward
had
my
been
startled. But
He
open the
'The window. Bill?"
The
right.
meant the
teased. "You
chest, didn't
moodily into
just stared
you? You
pretty confident
all
noticed.
at
was
About
of my-
felt
much
chest. Right?"
He
didn't answer.
was
face.
Bill's
chest.
He
voice
sure
Bill's
after you've
back to
it,
self.
house
in
way
it
came
"The bloodshed
It's
tell
out of a royal
hooked up with
pirates
and
it."
smiled.
"The
chest.
Bill.
chest."
He
gave
me
a strange look.
Julien?"
my
mind,"
told him.
"I
was very
fond of Martha."
"And you'd be
"Sometimes
shrug.
"If
satisfied
man
with
money
only person
in
instead of justice?"
^well,
own
hands,"
said with a
549
They're glad
And
if
you'd
when they
pay
like to
me
the folks
for
enough
."
.
five
thousand dollars
five
"Why
know how
little
work.
thousand,
five
can clear up a
wished
made
I'd
when you
yelp
They always
it
two
filled
glasses
just
Bill,
believe
be very cheap
at that price
because
have a
little
it
have another
I'd
little
It
would
later."
thousand.
five
Bill.
gadget
that's real
Bill's
"I
said.
is
and what
fingerprints
It
husband
left
suppose he had a
with Martha's
first
Chandler commit-
lot of insurance?"
"Yes,
Martha's
killing
it,
ted suicide.
proves."
it
in
They
guilt.
your
wife
paid
just
off.
of
course
this
evidence
my
insurance policy
sentence."
"I
it
would," said
I've
vanced to have
Bill.
"You know,
it included, but
didn't suspect her at the time and let
go through. Later, began to wonder about it."
"Lucky for you that you wondered. Bill. Do you think ten thousand
is too much for my complete
uh cooperation?"
"Not at all, Julien. consider my life is worth that much. You see,
was in a very strange position. couldn't have Martha locked up be-
it
cause
foolish
if
it.
my
And
tea.
I
My
story
couldn't just
of murder.
have
No
tried
again.
it
murder without
At the
body,
looked
"But
tonight?"
told him. "It's in my safe-deposit box
needed time to go out and buy an eyedropper and there wasn't any point in looking too anxious.
"Tomorrow, then," said Bill, reaching out to shake hands.
"Afraid
couldn't
do
that,"
it.
Then he
tied
knew
My
I
felt
And
he'd
couldn't jog
my
chair around.
lid
it.
Then
came over to the desk and took a gun from the side
chamber open, making sure it was loaded.
"Don't shoot me, Bill! I'll give you the evidence for nothing
drawer.
Bill
He
flipped the
I'll
."
.
Of
give
it
to you.
He worked
so that
The
knew
always wondered
Bill!
Only
don't
kill
me
the
way you
did Martha!"
my
chair around
small
lot like
"I
took
It
his
I've
a little
man
while for
sitting
me
on the
had yellow-colored
lid
first
husband. But
and looked
wasn't Avery.
hair
it
"Yes. But
Tom
It
don't understand
."
.
bitter.
551
couldn't prove
good
you, Julien.
tell
When my
it.
suicide, that
bit of
who had
"No, Julien,
turned to
wasn't lying.
about
just
mother.
Bill.
is
this.
Then
you."
kill
The only
I
Finally,
evidence."
it.
Martha had
realized that
I'll
trip to see
'To
why
trip
listen
wanted you
on the
wires. But
to
was
at its
afraid you'd
own
sneak-
ing conclusions."
Then my
that
It
that killed
Avery Chandler
not me.
Bill,
haven't
anybody."
"Just sit
still,
she'd be here
cially that
Tom
home any
due
Julien. Martha's
on the
her."
ready now," he
said.
The two
men
plain-clothes
police. "We're
She came
in
taxi driver to
be careful
Tom
said
Tom
Bill in
at last."
all
this?"
all
a grim voice.
552
home
as
she demanded.
white
"Bill,
is
as a funeral
you know
Julien tied
lily.
can't
up
for?"
for the
He
detectives.
time.
first
"I
When
it
"In
my
He
got
me
out of
it
?"
said
look of hatred.
one of the
detectives.
told him.
my
it
in
his palm.
"Shall
we
money
to keep
brother helped
me
said.
it
"I
know what
hidden. Sure,
plan
it.
believe
because
you'll find
killed
I've
paid a
you ought
to take
my
him along,
too."
me
She flashed
inside of me.
I'd
And now
rest.
felt a
new crawling
fear
acci-
name me
as an
accessory!
"That's a
"Come
I
lie,
officer!"
had
been untied.
same bored, quiet
just
detective handcuffed
my
Bill
voice.
tripped me.
The
wrist to Martha's.
just
Her
didn't care
if
wondered
if
she was
553
The Wire-Pullers
hy Morris Cooper
Barry
is
dead,
silent,
in
a red
his heart,
circle
on
his throat.
my
endlessly through
in the city
.
head, repeating
like a
in
moment
another
the lights
and
yell "Surprise!"
would
flash
on and
would
Barry's laughter
Only
it
my
arm when
reached for
"Why
does
1
is
don't
make
shook
he
Travis?"
my
it
really
ever
is."
me
stupidly.
"Barry's dead, Nick.
Barry's
and
pile dirt
ounce
said.
double-shot
dark hole
glass.
to be his
over him."
all
know," Nick
"I
filled a
I've
known
He
let
the brandy
roll
down
his throat. In
all
the
drink.
1
me
my
hair, ran
down
my
reddened
of the
skin.
the back of
and toweled
554
bar,
shower
He waved
my
in the police
wet hand
in
locker
my
room
direction
ducked the miniature spray. slid down the bench, making room
him to get into his locker.
He was tying his shoelaces when said, "I guess it must be true."
could see the tiny bridge of
"What?" Barry lifted his face and
freckles that arched across his nose and disappeared into the dead-
and
for
"What must be
1
eye
a sort of puckered-up,
my hand
and
a cigarette
lit
word
pinch. 'The
left
impish look.
is
shook
like a
made
first
Two
we'll
ruling."
He
Krantz
is
on the three-day
a special dispensation
a
polka-dot
tie
want you
to
nodded
my
my
way
'That's the
want
it."
Unconsciously he ran
want
to
the parking
police headquarters.
left
lot,
we
hammered
my
at
"1
followed him to
brain like tiny
trapped goblins.
We
rode
Princess
in silence.
At 9:15
P.M.
Karl Melcig
window
in
the
rising,
little
would
III.
sit
And
J.
1
B.
thought of 9:15
in a chair
and buckled
p.m.
straps
and
a pellet
what you
say.
J.
B.
van Nostrand
is
a big
man.
He
pays for
555
pew by
his
and people
But
B. sells influence.
J.
he was offered
with
it
him
call
pictures in
first
the newspapers.
all
work with
didn't
J. B.
Barry.
miles away, and at five times the salary he was getting. There was
poor
vision.
but they
tell
me
his voice in a
When
fit
the great
in his life
man
J.
B.,
raised
of temper.
the storm cooled off and while they were waiting for the
trial,
first
picture.
boy had tagged her with that name when she first became a
night club show girl, and it stuck. The Orchid of Death.
Whatever it was. Orchid had it. She wasn't beautiful, but when you
looked into her eyes something stuck in your throat and you became
the only man in the world and Orchid the only woman.
licity
Orchid handled
lots of
message
Melcig
still
money
for
B.
J.
coming and
brought
will
payoff
trial.
going.
He
got a
in a verdict of guilty:
he
ij
had
to
make
that trip
by
himself.
don't like death threats, but Barry only laughed and kept on strok-
III.
And
Orchid.
Princess
So now Barry and Orchid had a marriage license and a judge. And
Karl Melcig was waiting for 9:15 p.m. And J. B. van Nostrand was still
selling influence, only it didn't look as if Melcig was going to get his
money's worth. And a guy named Klymer, whom no one remembered,
was dead and buried because he'd been too greedy to keep on paying
a
money
Barry
parked
1
in front of Tylo's
followed Barry
was one of
in
his metal
plated padlock.
to the syndicate.
to sleep
Barry grinned.
on me now, Ray."
We
were
Jewelry Store.
and he showed
Army
me what
he'd had
made
up.
It
"It's
"Yeah."
let's
put on the
get drunk."
I'll
tated
"I'm
meeting Orchid
he
hesi-
at 9:30."
Barry
ary."
come from
said.
world, Ray.
They found
the meat
me on
the back.
"It's
a great
in."
were trying
if
pedigreed cow."
one
to get
his
puckered
last look.
left
eye was
still
open, as
if
he
If
Karl Melcig didn't have to wait more than half an hour for company
on that trip to the next world. But I've got a hunch that they didn't
stay on the same road long.
Police routine
Influence
some
is
automatic but
is
was
ite wall. J. B.
still
it
wear
a gran-
deliver.
can't
selling influence
sometimes
a copper's
other way.
rain
was
still
running
the front entrance without seeing me. They'll never learn that turned-
pegged him
in
as
was riding up
was
a substantial
Any
Hell,
portion of the
other time
woke
One
of
elected controller on a
up, Santos
city's treasury.
"Come
in,
Ray."
557
could understand
for her,
her.
Princess
had liked
Barry had
My
to
jumped
her, so
my
into
didn't
shown me
a drink, but
and made
wondered
idea
we'll
Barry's
felt
wet
like
plaster
did
me and
my
felt
me
I
woman.
vaguely uncomfortable
memory.
false to Barry's
Why
lids
dropped.
kill
tell
started
across from
Orchid?"
it.
faintest notion.
"Don't
and Orchid
down
were being
be casual, but
tried to
who
remembered Barry
if
almost as though
room.
a platform
me
my
shook
hard to realize
"It's
down.
sat
off.
yesterday.
mix
when
lap
shove her
said, "that
haven't the
role of
innocence she
"I
Barry?"
my hand
at the
mention of
Barry's
name.
"That."
spoke slowly,
who
carefully.
"I
nothing
left
to
sell.
shoot people."
B. A man in his position
Once that's gone he's got
and now he's cold meat in the
believe in
J.
be shaken.
morgue."
to con-
clusions."
I
it.
Orchid. Barry believed what you said about making a clean break."
"And you?"
I
shrugged
when
was
my
five.
enough money
Orchid took
tightened.
558
shoulders.
I
"I
got them
when
saved up
selling newspapers."
in
silk
Santa Claus."
across her
bosom
And maybe,"
"Maybe.
added
guy was
"the
softly,
just plain
in
love."
She
B.
J.
organization."
Orchid
1
felt
to do.
going to take a
said, 'That's
lot of proving."
I'll
ever be able
has long arms, but someone must have fingered Barry for
J. B.
him."
like curiosity in
a purr
ears.
"What
difference does
it
no one's
J.
B. killed Barry?"
make whose
fool,
finger
and despite
all
was on the
his joshing
trigger?"
about that
death threat, he would have stayed on guard at least a few days after
Melcig's execution. But there wasn't the slightest sign that he'd been
suspicious
"I
wish
how
wish
himself."
could
anything
feel
last
asked.
all
"Maybe he mentioned
Orchid's voice.
in
"I
didn't
yesterday."
"I
thought he
had
be married."
"Just that?
No
"Just that,"
she answered.
his voice
1
other message
"My
or
last
maybe
felt as if
was going
to be sick
and
a note?"
memory
1
was an
effort to
move my
got to go."
nails
"
The
was
rain
stuck to
me
became
easier.
walked
fire left
my
still
like a
I
falling
made
and
a telephone call
and then
My
my
blood and
clothes
breathing
Blue Parrot.
was
make
a call."
and
glasses
me
a big
one
box
silent.
went
The
to a
and when the desk sergeant anSend a couple of boys out to 298 Fillmore and they can pick up John Santos."
I
swered
The
said, "This
Travis.
'The McCoy.
is
got
it
from
girl
call to
was
money
phone num-
left
rain-wet fingers.
Santos had
left in his
And
long green.
It
takes
and Orchid
off.
went back to the bar and to the drink that was waiting for me.
The face in the mirror watched and thought of tomorrow and of all
the days that would come after. The ground over Barry's grave would
thought of a
harden, and grass would grow and die and grow again.
girl named Orchid and a guy who loved her.
thought of Barry and a
dog-tag and a mutt who had gotten under his skin. And thought of J.
B. and what happened to a squealer.
A bell kept ringing in my head and then I heard Nick's voice.
'There's a call for you, Mr. Travis." He pointed to the same booth
had used.
The sergeant was jubilant. "That was a hot tip, Ray. Nabbed Santos
just as he was pulling out. He must have had a hunch we were comI
ing."
"Yeah."
minutes ago
560
you ought
about Orchid."
to
know.
call
came
in a
few
waited.
"Someone
in
Whoever
did
it
When
got away.
Tough."
I
"I'm closing,
I
dropped
Mr.
to the bar.
long time
later
Nick
said,
Travis."
It
561
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100 Dastardly Little Detective Stories is your chance to mate
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