Dime Detective - October 1950
Dime Detective - October 1950
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II U 1 T • 1450 W. 19th St., Chicago 8, Ill.
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I Name.... .... .......................................................... I
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Address.. . . .. ..........................................................
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1 Town . . . . . . ........................ . ... State............................ 1
--------------------------------------·
At State and County Fairs
and EVERYWHERE
More men and boys wear Work Clothes bear•
lng a Lee label than any other 5wandl For longer
wear • . . greater comfort • • . better fit and appearance • • •
2-TIMELY FEATURES-2
Aar resemblance between anr character appearing In fictional matter, and anr penoa.
living or dead, Is entirely coincidental and unintentionaL
Published mClllthl7 lliJ Popular Publ1u.t10ill, lllo., &t 11!5 E. Vr.lle A•e., Kokomo, 11141&Da. Editorial and lllleentl•e Olllcei
lOG East Und Street, New York 17, N. Y. B<m7 Btee�rer, Preoldent and 8eclei.&J7, ll&rold S. Oo'lll8m1th, Vloe-Prooldeat
an4 TNIIIUlel'. Entem aa IIOOOId I ·clau matter at the Poot Oftloe at Kokomo, llldlana. Cop;vrlcht 10110, ll1 POJJU]ar Publloatlona.
Inc. Tbla IBaue Ia publillhed slmultaneolW:J In the Dominion r Canada. Copyright under International Copyrlaht Conven
o
tion and Pan·Amerloan
Crht Conveotlona. All rlehta ,.._.ed, lncludlntl the r!Rht of
refrodoctlon, o In wh le or In part,
lOG Eut '2nd Btreot, New 17, N. Y. When 111bm!Wna ID&DUIOI'ipta, onolole llt&mJ>e4. ..U-IAidr..ed ••elol>e ror their
retum, It round UJI&vallable. The JJUI>llahera W1ll oeralle oare In the llan4llna Ill 11D1011olted ID&DuacriJita, but assume no
reswnslblllt.y tor thdr return. Printed In the U, B.A.
RE4UY FOR THE RACKETS
Doc Gone It
Dear Sir:
I'm employed as a taxi cab driver, have twenty
years experience in this line. We get quite a
Dear Sir:
few long hauls out of town. Most of these trips
I would like to tell you about a man picked
come after midnight. We are always on the
up recently by the police. His racket was an
lookout for these trips-especially when business
old one and probably known to a lot of victims.
in the city is slow. We work on commission
The idea of his game was simple. He would
and must pay the fares ourselves when we get
get in his car and drive out to a pretty well
beat out of them.
to-do section of town. He would cruise around
On these long trips, you should collect the
out there until he would spot a couple of dogs.
fare in advance. But a lot of customers get in
When he did, he would stop the car and get
sulted because you ask for the money before you
go, and a good many times they will walk over
out, first making sure no one was watching
to another driver and let him take them. This (Please continue on page 8)
6
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will stand by you when emergency
comes. We urge you and every family
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and be convinced that no other hospital
Hospital for Sickness or Accident Talk It Over- Then Decide
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Jo�or Doctor's Bills wh1le in
lf,ooo RECONOIDONED with all your neighbors' well samples. You pay
him the ten dollars.
Mtc.E:S
....,...
FORD ENGINES
�u
"I'll send these samples to our laboratory for
ANP ENGINE ACCESSORIES a complete analysis," he explains. "The official
cos+s only a few
61VE1LII<E NEwNPEP ANO ft)W� . ..
reports will be ready in two or three days. I'll
dollars�waek !0\\11 OH G/>6, 011. AAO IC6fi\IR'l
see you then."
You watch him drive away and you feel hap
(Piease continue on page 10)
a
A TRUE I. C. S. STORY taken frOID an actual letter
WEI.GOME TO NATIONAL 1\IKI-.nc;,
YOCfU. START AS CITY nAFFte.
MANA&ER HERE IN TAMPA.
GOOD I.UGK!
\APPRovEo1 ;_
·> .- .INTER � AT:ION-AL-·-� 0-RR E SPON.DE'f�CE ·- S CHOOLS�-·�
-
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BOX SCRANTON 9, PENNA.
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Wlllloat easl or obQIItfoa.lll- Mild .. .,..UCodlrt about die -IIUOIIE wlllcfll have ..rktd X:
3279·0,
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Loom Flxtn� a.,.. w.nlll
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8 �=:�,���= 8 ��d.';,���1nterlq 0 T.-n 8 �::::1::1 e/;'::,• ==��=:B:u,_
El-rloel Cou"" 0 Ship Drollina
0 Chemistry, Mfg. Iron & Stool
0 Chemistry, Industrial 0 Ship Flttint 0 Accounting AdVtltitlnl
0 Tool Designina
0 Toolmokina 0 App. Psychology
0
0 Eteclrlcal Drallint 0 BookkNplq
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K���r:S ��:: io a.._ .... o
Civil Engineering, Archtteo- 0 Llthting Technician ' Railroad CouraM 0 Certified Pur:fic Ac:counUn1
tural and Mining Cou,_ 0 Procticol Electrician 0 Air Brake 0 Car losptclx>r 0 Commercial 0 Comllllfdll Art
Intern• I CombultloOn
0 loco o !v• E!Jemeer
0 Archilocluro 0 Diesel locomotive 0 Cosl Aceountina
[J Enalnea 9ouraH mt 0 Flnt Y•r Colftte
0 Bridge and Bulldina F-
Drafthtt
Architectural 0 federal Tax
0 Auto Ttchnicion 0 Aviation 0 locomollve Foreman 0 Foremanship 0 Froncb
8 ��ltdk��i=:•c
0 Cool Mining
8 g::�-�::�:
Mech•nlcal Couneo
o Gas [ntlna 08 �:!;� h
Stttm-Diesel Loco. Enc.
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0 Industrial Svperviofon
0 Controctina and Bulldlnl Aeronautical Enainotr' Jr. Sta tlonar:r Eng'r'g Cou"" 0 Motor Traffic 0 Postal Civil Sorvlce
8 :::a,:�:....9PRelall Bus.c�.=l
8 Droftin �
8 ���::J:.�""""' o :�<;;
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0 Heat Troatinentof Metals 0 Sign lelloriRI
0 s-.,.,..y
0 Reodina Slruclurol a._... 0 Enatno Runnina
0 Sanitary Enatneerlq 0 Morine Engineerlq
D l'llwer Plant Ena'r't D Slteal [ftlr. 0 Troffic ,....,.....,.
0 Industrial Enalnetrina 0 Spanish
0 Strucllonl Droftiq 0 lnduotrlal lnstramentaU..
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....,_________,world..,.,.,.,______.A.M. IIIIII.---- 1'.M.
CHJ---------------------1Me
�tllfti��----------------------- Emplo�dbJ--����---------------------
Lenath of Service Ia Earoll-1 under G.l. Bllloppmod lor World War II Vtlorant. SPtCial tuition rotoe Ill 1111mborool lilt Arrnod '-
World War II C.rll<lian retld..ts - .._ llllnlamatlooal Corres...,..,... Scboolo Canadian, Ltd.. Monlroo� Colloda.
10 Ready for the Rackets
(Continued from page 8) my friend's cage and presented a check to be
py, because you know he is trying to safeguard
cashed i.; the amount of�.000. The man did not
have an account at the bank and was a complete
the health of your loved ones.
stranger to my friend. ,Having no authority to
Four days later he returns with good news.
cash checks under these circumstances, he re
"Your well hasn't enough virus in it yet to
be dangerous, but within a year it will be pol
quested the man have one of the officials on the
"island" okay it for !lim.
luted. You are certainly lucky that you had it
analyzed in time." He's very friendly, and seems My friend watched the man approach one of
to have your problem at heart. the cashiers and did not divert his attention
"Do you have the chemicals to treat the well until another customer iemanded his services.
today?" At the time, he attached no significance to the
"Yes, I got a new supply this morning," he man's quite normal action of putting one hand in
says. "A couple of gallons will make the well his coat pocket as he strolled over to the
safe for at least two years." "island."
"Good," you reply, "and what will it cost?" When the distinguished-looking man returned
"Only $12 a gallon." with an okayed check for $5,000,
my friend
You pay the $24 and he empties two jugs cashed it without hesitation and immediately
of pale bluish fluid into your well. It smells a dismissed the matter from his mind.
little like anti£ reeze. However, the repercussions which followed
"Your well-water will have a slight taste for were terrific, to say the least. I mentioned them
about twenty-four hours, but it certainly won't in brief at the start of tl.is account. We, as
have any germs in it," he explains as he puts his friends, knew he was ir.••ocent of any wrong
the jugs back into the car. "Your family will be doing but to this day I can hear him telling
safe from polio now, unless they drink from some about the lifted eye;.,rows and the frigid be
well that hasn't been tested or treated." haviour of many of his co-workers. It bit in
"I'll see that they don't do that I" You smile rather deep.
with real relief and thank him sincerely. He Here's how the decep�on was executed. The
thanks you again and bids you a pleasant good
man had walked into the bank with three checks
day. in his pockets-follow this closely: One was for
Unless he gets caught by the law, you'll prob $5,000 without an okay on it. One was for
ably never know that you were gypped out of $5,000 tdth a forged okay on it, and another
thirty-four dollars. If he is caught you'll read
in the papers that none of the water-samples
was for $1.00without an okay on it.
were ever tested . . . and that the "chemical" This suave crook had presented the $5,000
fluid was nothing but very diluted antifreeze. check without the okay on it to my friend. Then,
Beware of the polio well-tester and treater I in the process of walking over to the "island,"
James D. Callahan, he had switched to the $1.00 check which he
P. 0. Box 271, presented to the cashier and had okayed without
Lincoln 1,Nebraska difficulty. Almost any banker will quality a
$1.00 check for any person of good appearance.
Then, while walking back to my friend's cage,
The Double Switeb he made another switch by bringing forth the
forged $5,000 check which was presented and
Dear Sir: cashed.
While employed as teller in a neighborhood In his confession, Lhis swindler told how he
bank a friend of mine cashed a worthless check had been in the bank several months prior to
for $5,000. After some investigation . by �he this time and bad a legitimate but small check
bonding company, the bank requested h1s resig okayed by the same cashier. He had used that
nation. He had explained his version of the signature for his model when forging the
incident to apparently deaf ears. $5,000 check, prior to entering the bank this
His version was as follows. It later proved second time. He also stated that he never tried
to be the true story of v·hat had actually hap this particular method of fraud again as he
pened, since the swindler was apprehended years could not find another ba1.k with that specific
later and confessed it as being only one of the type of physical layout.
many frauds he had perpetrated.
The whole thing, fortunately for my friend,
It is necessary that one know the layout of
had a happy finish to it since he secured a posi
this bank in order to get a clear picture of just
how the swindler pulled his hoax. Lining the
tion ·tater with one of the large newspapers here
in the city and now holds a responsible job in
walls \'ere the usual tall, heavy wire screens in
back uf which sat the various clerks, stenog
a field he had wanted to be associated with in
the first place I
raphers, bookkeepers, etc. Each teller, however,
A.M.
had his own separat wire cage.
Directly in the center of this huge bank floor Chicago, Ill.
was a marble enclosure about four feet in
height which acted as sort of a fence encin:ling That's the line-up on rackets for this
the minor executives. It was like an "island"
in the center of the �ank floor. In fact, it was month, detective fans. Keep writing us
called that by th� employees. about your own experiences.
On the particular day in question, a well
dressed, important-looking man stepped up to The Editor
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·13r �EL
t:OLTO�
12
Hanl �oiled C.-itne-.4.d't'entul'e llllio't'elette
...
CHAPTER ONE
Scarlet Spotlight
T
inverted V, the lights go off and an orange
at the Flower-Hat. Signed: Lois." spot picks her up in front of a mike.
When Lois La Monte starts to "Picking her up" is a weak description.
sing at the Flower-Hat, a classy Sunset She is a bundle of wrapped-'up curves,
Strip bistro, the velvet curtains do an well rounded and soft, acc�ted by a
�
........,....- �'����=� They seemed to come from
all directions.
13
14 Mel Colton
black gown that has more twists than a cigarette container and plucked out a
mountain road. Lois sings low and lazy nickel cigar and smiled back. She was
with just enough sadness to make you about to say something real nice when
want to climb up on the stage with her. she suddenly stiffened to a curt, "Thank
She scorches a few numbers, lets them you, sir," and walked off.
smoulder around the edges. Then the I had another guest.
curtains close and the lights go on and you Small, active, bushy-haired Lee Gates,
are left hanging. No encores and no re night-dub columnist pulled up, horned
peats. No extra helpings. That's it, rim glasses and all, and leaned his elbows
brother. And the men hang limp and on the table. He ran a column with a
the women bite into their lips. question-mark ending; the type that reads :
And this invitation to paradise wanted What loco banker has been paying too
to see me-which meant she was in a much interest to a glamorous account and
jam of some sort. That was all right with if his wife finds out look for a quick with
me as I was the· boy to see on jams, drawal? Stuff like that.
buttered or smeared. Besides, doing a He said: "How're things going, Ser
public favor for Lois was bonus, plus. geant?"
Two years ago or so, when I was as I shrugged with a so-and-so movement.
signed to the Bunco Squad, I had done a "Business in the police department
little favor for Lois. When she came in must be picking up," he mentioned, "see
from New York a couple of boulevard ing you operating in this gyp joint. Or
hoodlums had tried to force a fast contract are you casing a high-class bindlestiff?"
on her, and since then I had received "I'm off-duty, Lee. I'm human and
gaudy Christmas cards from her just to curious. They say Lois La Monte is tops
keep us friendly. Now, as Detective among the singers right now.. Now that
Sergeant Dan Winters of Central Homi I've heard and seen Lois, I agree."
cide, I was sitting at a table and applaud He laughed. "If you'd like to meet her,
ing her like the rest of the suckers. I can arrange. Power of the press reaches
As the lights went on, I discovered a farther than law and order, Danny-boy."
cigarette girl had put her cigarette con "You hounds know the dolls real well."
tainer and small candid-camera on the He winked. "Real good. Want to
table and had sat down during the per meet her?"
formance. I shook my head. "Not just now. I'll
She smiled at me. I mean it was a drink a round first for stability."
special kind of a smile that makes your Lee got up and patted my shoulder.
heart pull a sneak rabbit-punch. Her "Any time, Danny, any time." He got
hair was reddish-brown with curly dips lost among the crowded tables.
clinging about a just-right oval face. Her An hour and thirty bucks later, Lois
eyes were of marine-blue, deep-pitched as came on again and went off after a few
depthless water. A small, pert nose numbers. Same system and more hang
shadowed knife-thin nostrils over all ing tongues.
purpose lips. I ordered another drink and wrote on a
You could tell she was a tall girl, cur napkin: Lois-Dan Winters, and gave it
ved and well formed because her saffron, to the waiter with an extra five spot.
balleHype costume allowed your eyes He said: "I'll try."
that privilege and her long, slim legs Thirty minutes later the waiter re
showed a lot of black nylon display. turned with a "so-sorry" look. Lois had
I reached for a buck and put it in the finished her singing and had left the house.
Kill and Make Vp 15
She closed her eyes, held them tight, cigarette girl at the Flower-Hat ; we found ·
then gradually opened them. She got to that we liked to talk, twiddling our
her feet, quickly. "What happened ?" glasses now and then.
Mel Collon
Then I said �bruptly : " Break it down, Flatfoot with distaste, flatfoot with sar
kid. You hammed it all the way when you casm and flatfoot for a definite reason. I
came in the apartment. You knew Lois was supposed to get mad and get up and
was dead." take a swing at him. He stood looking
Jenny held her glass tight, looked at it down at me and he was playing it showy.
and kept her eyes to the contents, wig He took a pack of cigarettes from his
gling the glass, as a frown played her pocket, took one, put it in his mouth and
forehead. " Smart, you. I knew some waited.
thing was wrong. Last night I came to I said easily : "You give me motive,
the house but I saw the police cars and Bert, like going up to Lois' apartment and
all the lights on." . finding out why she threw you over for an
" You suspected foul play ?" older man-"
"Yes, in a way. Lois was stretching her His face squeezed and his lips curled.
luck too much. She played all her men He took the cigarette from his mouth with
that way. Lee Gates, Bert De Lorenzo dramatic affect. "Don't put frills on it, "
and-" She hesitated. he warned. "And maybe we'll talk over
I helped her out. "Calvin Johns." your theory sometime, flatfoot." A faint
She lifted her eyes. ''You knew about smile greased his face. "In an alley," he
that ?" A swath of clean air swept our added.
comer. Some ten bootbs away someone Then he looked at Jenny and his face
bro�e out into a raucous laugh and glass softened. "Look, kid, I need a singer for
broke. Jenny kept looking at her glass, tonight. You got the looks and you can
pushing it in small circles and watching sing. Want to give it a try ?"
the ice jump and waddle. Finally : "That's
Her eyes lit up and she tried a broad
smile. She looked at me and I knew the
all, copper."
"Scared a little," I offered.
pitch, but I said : "Go ahead, take a crack
She lifted her head slowly. "Maybe."
at it." I shrugged. " I'm not holding
"Who's pinching you ?"
you just yet."
Her face flushed. "Look, fellow, you're
She got up. "I know-" she grinned.
doing a goOd job of tearing me apart."
"Stay in town and don't run away." She
She tried a laugh. It was unsuccessful. It
reached over and pinched my cheek. "I.
was forced and unsure. " Is this the
. like you, fellow. You're a human cop.
modern police approach ? Soft lights . . .
And don't get too drunk-Danny."
eool breezes . . . drinks ? "
" What did you want with Lois early
CHAPTER THREE
this morning ?" I asked abruptly.
i
•Leave her alone," came sharp from Boomeranging Blackmail
the front of the booth, and I was looking
up tO Bert De Lorenzo. His mouth was
T
HE Johns' residence lay back from
tight, his eyes small in that smooth face. the road like a haughty patriarch
He opened his small eyes a little wider aged in red brick and green vines.
and said slowly : "That's a fair warning, A wide pavement circled the grounds
law or no law." coming to its apex at the entrance. It was
'·Th�re happens to be a murder," I the last of the stone aristocrats of the·
said casually. West Adams' district in Los Angeles· be
He closed one eye at me. ''I know that. fore the modem sweep to the west and
And it sttll goes. She had nothing to do Beverly Hills to the ocean. A fading land
with it. Leave her alone, flatfoot!' mark of Angelos culture and tradition.
Kill and Make Up 19
There was a lazy smell to the flowers aware of the fact that a Miss Lois La
and the air hung with a heavy, sleepy in Monte is dead."
difference. A whirling water spout sent I got no response from him, but Jud
flying sprays, touched into rainbows by shuffled his feet some. I added : "I under
the sun. The ca1mness was suddenly rup stand you knew Miss La Monte."
tured by a bus screeching to a fast stop "Let me see your credentials, Ser
at the corner. geant, " Johns snapped suddenly. I took
At the 1arge oak door I was met by a out my wallet and showed him all be
butler with shoulders like a swinging needed to see. Then he seemed to loosen
bridge and a face that had caught many a up. His face clouded and he waved me
Mow. But he bowed stiffly, took my mme to a leather chair by the fireplace. We
and told me to wait. When he came back, b@th sat down.
he bowed again, and led me into a -cool, A few minutes passed with silence. I
dark halt, through an arcade effect and to could hear the water sprinkler whirling
another door at right angles to the pass faintly outside. Then he said : " With an
ageway. He knocked lightly, then opened opening like that, Sergeant, without the
the door, aUowing me to enter. proper credentials, I would have had to let
I was in a large library-study affair, J ud take care of you."
with redwood paneling up to the -ceiling. I didn't interrupt. He was beginning
On the far wall, hooks lined to the top to work it up himself in slow spasms,
and on the other wall a huge fireplace had getting it out of his system, touchy and
large leather chairs circling about it. sensitive. You could see it in his fingers
From one of the leather chairs, a head tapping the leather arm.
turned. It had a perplexed look on a He said : "I appreciate your discretion,
handsome face. Sergeant, but just how much do you
Calvin Johns got up from the -chair. know ? "
He was a large, well-proportioned man " Not much," I admitted. "Just a lead."
about fifty with an outdoor chest ami Irritable frowns played his forehead
ruddy cheeks. His eyes were deep brown and his mouth pressed. He nodded but
and clear, but there were worry lines seemed unconvinced that I was telling
begging around his tips. everything I knew. And that was the way
He said : "Yes, Sergeant ?"' I wanted it.
The butler closed the door and stood He looked curiously at me, brushed a
in the room, his back to the door, his knuckle against his chin and said : "My
eyes on me. relationship with Miss La Monte was a
I said : "It might be better if we were great deal like any other relationship
alone, Mr. Johns. " between a man being blackmailed by a
"That's all right, " he replied. "Jud woman. "
can stay." Jud twisted his lip in a I said softly : " Care to tell me about
snicker and stayed, folding his arms it ?"
across his chest, guard fashion. " Now," Calvin Johns got up from the chair,.
Johns continued, "what is it you want ?, went to the other side of the room and
I wok a .deep breath. " Mr. Johns, I'm looked at a vacant space on the wall. He
fully aware of your position in this city stood, hands in pockets, thinking. Then
and what you have been attempting to do. he came back and stood in front of me.
That is the reason I am here without my When he spoke, it came deep from his
superiors knowing this move." Jchm' chest.
eyes sltarpeneci up. " You may not be "I'm forty-nine and a baobel()r. The£e's
20 Mel Colton
no law saying I can't fall in love. There's slapped one fist into the palm of his other
nothing psychologically wrong in that. hand. "But, damn it, man, it doesn't
Lois had spirit, looks and ability and I make sense. We were to be married
fell in love with her the day that I met next week ! "
her at a swimming party. " He said I said : " Maybe it goes this way. When
hoarsely : you were rushing the boys a bit too hard,
"As I see it now, the party was a they sic lovely Lois on you. And she
plant. I was pushing against gambling on knows the game. But maybe she falls in
the Strip and I didn't realize she worked love with you after all, and maybe she
for Bert De Lorenzo. " forgets about the photo plant until the
I just sat and drew i n a long breath boys remind her about it. Then maybe
and let it slide out, waiting for the re she goes all to pieces and commits suicide."
former to continue. His face was empty of expression and
"I've come up the hard way," he added, he winced at the thought of suicide. He
ahowing me a pair of well kept hands but leaned forward again and shook his head
with memories of hard calluses within from side to side, earnestly, and with an
the palms. He had the large knuckles and amount of patience. "Then where does
stubby fingers of a hard-working construc the fifty thousand come in ? "
tion man. "That's nice," I snapped, "just where
"You say you didn't realize she worked does it ? " This fifty thousand was a brand
for Bert, " I pushed in, "but you knew new job to me, but it started to turn over
she sang at his spot." the motor. Maybe I was finally getting a
little spark.
I S face hardened and he put a hand "For fifty thousand dollars-" Johns
H into his coat pocket and brought out pointed a finger at the photo-"! get
a photograph of the commercial size and the negative."
flipped it into my lap. I picked it up, Now it was beginning to take shape. I
turned it over and saw a sweet little leaned back in the chair, crossed my legs,
swimming-cove scene between Calvin took out a pipe and pouch and set the
Johns and Lois. pipe bowl in the pouch and dug out to
"We both liked swimming," Johns ex bacco. Johns was watching me closely as
plained quickly, "and we thought it great I punched the few extra shreds of to
sport to swim at midnight when the water b�cco into a neat packing. Without look
fs cool and clean and it1s quiet. " He made ing up from the pipe, I said :
a little gesture with his hand. "A bit "Bert De Lorenze didn't send you that
romantic at my age, perhaps," he ad photo."
mitted, "and I never gave it a thought He stared at me with bright, interested
after our date." eyes. "What makes you so sure ?"
I kept staring at the photo. " This was I shook my head, knowingly. "You're
the little trick to tell you to lay off on your worth more to De Lorenzo's gambling in
reforming the Strip." terest on the leash, Johns. No, this fifty
He nodded. "Except for one thing. grand is a little sideline job. "
That photo was taken months ago when Johns' shrewd brown eyes atudied my
we first met. I just got it by mail yester- face, then he said irritably : "Just what
·
with her at the Flower-Hat-so that I looked out the window. The sky was
getting a: lazy bronze coloring and the
leaves after the show. Did you visit her
traffic was beginning to pick up office
late last night ? "
workers starting the trek back homeward.
His face paled and his lower lip tight
I turned to Lee.
ened. Moisture set on his forehead. For
" The phone off the hook in Lois' apart
a full second he stared at me, then he
ment denotes what ?"
threw up his hands. " I visited her last
Lee took out a pack of cigarettes and
night, late. She was dead . . . on the bed
punched a cigarette an inch from the
. . . I saw her . . . she committed
pack. He lifted the pack, caught the
suicide . . . "
cigarette with his lips, then slowly slipped
I jumped at that. " How do you know
the pack back into his pocket. He lit the
it was suicide ?"
He shrugged and turned aw<- y. cigarette and kept his eyes on me.
" Like I suggested-,-murder. Big fight
I said : "Okay, that does it. Thanks
for the cooperation, Mr. Johns, and I'll and she managed to grab for the phone in
oak door myself and was out in the "It smells, " I offered as I picked up the
warm air. I scratched the back of my neck lab report. "It smells to high heaven be
and stood watching the whirling water cause the house is loaded with every Tom,
sprinkler. Then I walked slowly back to Dick and Harry's prints but no prints on
the car and drove to headquarters. the dangling receiver."
I finally decided that I should light my Lee did a stock-stop, took his cigarette
pipe. from his mouth and funneled out smoke.
22 Mel Colton
"No fing�rprints ?" Lee concentrated on tured her on the bed, gun in hand and
a spot on the floor, then lifted his head. those sightless eyes.
"Like I said. Big fight and the phone is The bed was set so half the legs were
accidently knocked off-" on the rug and half on waxed floors. I
"The base would be on the floor as got down on my hands and knees and ex
.well. No, Lee, that receiver was placed amined the waxed floors. There were
off the hook, not knocked off." no scratches and no streaks where the
Lee got up. " Strictly assumption, Dan legs stood.
ny. Strictly convenient police thinking. I got up and opened the clo:;et which
Well, see you later, but don't get mad if was a part of the mirrored wall. Clothes
I write it up as I see it-confused police were lined up neatly, but the shoe rack
department. " had been tipped and Lois' dozens of
I tried a sour grin as Lee left the room. pairs of shoes were piled up in a semi
I stood and thought of Jenny Lake circle.
which was not doing your best for the I looked down at the floor, whistled,
city when a murder was involved, for I then closed , the closet, switched off the
was thinking of that small stucco dream light, said good night to the guard and
house with a short red-brick wall, with went downstairs and on home to my one
acres of grass and a view of the Pacific roomer.
on a sergeant's salary ?-and I was com I took off my clothes, letting them fall
ing home to the little woman-Jenny Lake where they may and took a shower. I
Winters-and she was in shorts and hal rubbed down, I shaved and ( dressed in
ter and cutting roses in the garden. the best suit in the house. I ended up
All of which was not very practical with a gray suit, a white shirt and hand�
thinking becaus� Jenny was involved in painted tie, black silk socks and black
the La Monte case clear up to her pretty shoes.
neck. With such thoughts, I was just My hair was groomed as the ads say it
begging to get caught off first base. A has to be, and I slapped a dab of men's
sergeant in love j ust wasn't worth a woodsy cologne behind the ears just to
tinker's damn. cinch it.
Then Captain Charles, a tall, thin, gray I was definitely not myself-! had
haired veteran of Homicide came in. He murder on my mind and a cigarette girl
batted around a few La Monte case ideas in my heart. I was calling at the Flower
which ended up being long foul balls. Hat to see that cigarette girl-now a
After the captain left, I loped back to singer, perhaps-and hoping I hadn't
the La Monte apartment, which still had fallen in love with a murderess.
a guard, and sat down in a chair in the Then the phone rang. Lee Gates with
living room and tried to pull out some his silky know-it-all voice said : " Danny,
inspiration. No soap. Ideas began to here's a lead I j ust di scovered. Listen :
float into my mind like Saturday refuge Jenny Lake and Lois were sisters. Lois
down a rain-drain, · rocking, colliding, was a Lake, and I think they had a sweet
burping, but strictly refuge as ideas go. little racket all by themselves. Take it
I got Calvin Johns and Bert De Lorenzo for what it's worth. "
and Lee Gates and Jenny Lake and I I said : " Thanks, Lee. I was going to
got panicky with doubt. I got up and see the little chick. She's taking Lois'
went into the other room and switched place on the stand. "
on the lights. Everything was the same Lee said : " No kidding ? The little
except Lois was not present, but I pic- gal's stepping right up. "
Kill and Make Up 23
FTER we hung up, I drove over to Jennie quick and happy-eyed at my table.
A Hollywood Boulevard and had a " I'm glad you made it, Danny," she
steak and French fries. When I finished said excitedly. " How'd I do ?"
it was seven o'clock, daylight saving time, I grinned. " Great. Better than your
and old Sol was getting time and a half sister anytime. "
for overtime. There was a warmish feel The happiness snapped off in her eyes
ing in the air, the palm trees were hulu like a blown fuse. She sat down slowly,
dancing to a high-top breeze and a slight her face flushed and her eyes a little dull.
tang of j asmine was mixing with the " So you know," she murmured quietly.
steamish atmosphere. I said : "Fifty thousand, sweetheart."
Cuties were beginning their Holly Her eyes became wide and curious.
wood stroll, eyes crawling with side " Fifty thousand ? What are you talking
glances hoping you might be the producer about ?"
looking for them. Then came the berets, "The sister act," I said. "Lois poses
the goatees, the dark glasses and the big with rich playboys, little sister snaps can
parade. did-camera shots. Nice and pay-offish.
It was early for the Flower-Hat to How about a midnight swim and a nega
operate, so I took in a movie and fell tive, infra-red and all that technical stuff,
asleep right where the high-class boys in darling ? Bang-bang stuff. Ten years. "
Uncle Sam's income tax division were A waiter came over to give her a mes
closing in on a lisping, saucer-eyed sage but she waved him away. She
blonde. I woke up to a loud _rabbit knaw dropped her lashes and she clasped her
ing on corn in a cartoon. It was nine hands and kept looking at them.
thirty, and time to see Jenny Lake-or I pointed a finger at her. "That's the
hear her. reason you were visiting Lois in the early
The Flower-Hat on the Strip had a morning hours. After each night's per
canopy, a doorman and glass doors. I t formance, you scooted over with the
had a lush foyer and I didn't think the camera so you could pick out the possible
Maitre D' recognized me, but there were suckers."
plenty of tables as it was still early. I sat Her lower lip pushed in and her teeth
down just as the lights went down and came out and pressed against it. Her voice
the spotlight came on and Jenny Lake was hushed. " Danny, Lois was my sister
strolled through the invedted V o£ the and I did take the camera up to her apart
curtains. ment every morning, but believe me I
J got that feeling again as she took wasn't part of it-that is, intentionally. "
hold of the mike and started to sing. She When a guy gets the brass-knuckle
was dressed in a white gown which treatment in the heart, it hurts. "Set that
flowed to the floor with yards of soft ma to music," I snapped. " Your lyrics are
terial to spare. It was split on the side up swell. "
to the knee to give the proper nylon dis She placed a hand on my sleeve.
play. " Danny, please. The first time I did it, a
Brother, you never missed Lois. Jennie rich old goat came across plenty. I was
had it in voice, in display, in personality. trapped. Lois said that if it was dis
She gave you that smile and wink and covered I took the picture, then I was as
another song. I ordered a couple of drinks much to blame according to law. After
and lined them up to fortify myself. that-" Jenny moved her shoulders slight
When the lights went on, I tried an ly-"it was just another routine for
other napkin message. This time I got greedy Lois. "
24 Mel Colton
" What about the Calvin Johns' deal ?" them, is at the morgue with a bullet in her
I never got the answer for that. A temple. "
waiter coming around the table conven " So you're o n the L a Monte case, e h ? "
iently dumped his drinks on my suit. I His eyes steadied to mine. " I should say,
moved to get up when another waiter you were. You. know what this'll mean.
came by and pushed me into the waiter You're off the case. " He leaned over
trying to pick up the glassware. hopefully. "You got something on De
Then they seemed to come from all di Lorenzo ? "
rections. " Not yet."
I was being lifted roughly and dragged. " Okay, Danny, nice seeing you. I'm
I wiggled and I caught a free-lunch sorry as hell about having to make out a
punch. I doubled and shifted getting rid report on this. How tough is Captain
of one escort. Another fist caught my Charles on his sergeants disturbing the
cheek and scarred it. I swung and caught peace and bothering singers ? "
a jaw and it fell away. "Rough. It'll b e suspension until the
There was shuffling of feet and screams. board meets. "
I was being given the bum's rush into the The lieutenant shook his head sym
lobby. By the time we straightened out, pathetically, and I was free without book
I was being firmly held by two house ing. The sheriff's office, a county func
mugs and Bert De Lorenzo was talking tion, can be nice to a city cop if they want
rapidly to two uniformed sheriff deputies to be.
standing in the lobby. CHAPTER FIVE
Jenny was nowhere among the little
intimate group. Power of the Press
" Drunk, " I heard Bert report to the
T
HE cool night air, chasing
deputies. "A drunken officer getting
away the sickly warmth of the day,
fresh with our new singer . • Just because
revived me somewhat. I was on
he's a sergeant he thinks- " Bert stopped
my own now, with suspension facing me
and sneered at me.
in the morning and possible demotion or
A nice plant. It was staring me in the
elimination from the force, depending on
face and yelling " Stupid ". The older
how hard the whip struck.
deputy cocked his head and looked me
I had approximately twelve hours be
over and shook his head disgustedly.
fore that report went through channels
Guests had come into the lobby to rub
and laid itself on the captain's desk for
ber and some wise john flashed a photo.
the necessary action.
I was getting it, but good.
In the sheriff's squad car we kept a I had one hope. J enny knew I hadn't
respectable silence. At the sub-station I been drunk or tried to bother her. But
ran into some luck. I knew the lieutenant. then again, whose side was she on ?
He sat back in his desk chair and bit I drove out on Sunset clear to the
at a cigar. "You're entitled to a sobriety ocean and then rolled up toward Malibu
test, Danny . " He grinned. in an effort to get myself together. I
"I had a couple of drinks," I admitted, thought I had the answer three times
"but not this, " and I pushed a hand down only to discover loopholes. On the fourth
my liquor-flushed suit. try I turned the car back and headed for
The lieutenant looked amused. " What's the house. I might need a gun for what I
De Lorenzo got against you, Danny ?" had in mind.
"A murder. His girl friend, or one of I opened my door to discover Lee Gates
Kill and Make Up
sitting comfortably in my one club chair. found in the alley behind the Flowt'r
He had pushed my pajamas on the floor. Hat. " Lee got up and wi ggl ed i n his suit
"You must have had it bad, Danny," and pressed it down with the pal ms. " I ike
.
he grinned, " leaving your door open . " you said, Danny, it's getting smelly. "
I remembered dressing u p and dabbing Lee started for the door, turned, hesi
cologne and feeling like a dapper-dan. I. tated, then said : " You wouldn't by any
had probably forgotten a lot of things, my chance have-" His hand was on the
gun, for one. I crossed in front of Lee knob when the phone rang.
and went behind the bed where the closet I answered it, and it was Jenny. Her
was and took my shoulder holster and .38 voice was sharp, clear, quick. " Danny,
off the wall hook and put it on. Bert's been shot." She waited for a reply
Lee watched me with interest. "Looks that never came. " I've been trying to get
like the infantry's got its orders." I said in "touch with you. I tried the sheriff's
nothing. " Danny, 1ieard things about the office and they said you left hours ago-"
Flower-Hat a couple hours ago. What " Checking up, " I sna,pped. I shook
happened ? " with inward fury. This dame was doing
I told him. He said : " Tsk, tsk." He a complete job of putting a noose around
stretched his legs out. " And the one hope my neck for Bert;s murder.
you got, Danny, is Jenny Lake." I Her voice was hurried now. " No, no,
nodded. He nodded right back, mock Danny. Listen. I took flash pictures of
ingly. "And who do you suppose might your fight at the club. I can prove you
have taken that flash picture with you all were framed ! "
tied up with the house ?" Something heavy inside of me suddenly
That stopped me. dissolved and the old ticker started pound
" And that means," Lee said, " that at ing against my ribs. I said quickly :
the board your word is as good as De "Jenny, go on home and I'll meet you
Lorenzo's, but an actual photo ? " there. What's your address ?"
He was rubbing i t in good and he knew She said : " 144 South Camino Drive."
it. But he was right. And he was still I repeated : " 1'44 South -Camino Drive.
loaded. " But you won't have to worry Okay. Now listen. I want those candid
about De Lorenzo, Danny. He's dead." camera shots of my trouble and those you
He made a quick cutting motion with his just took of De Lorenzo when he was
hand. alive."
It was coming too fast for me. I j ust Jenny said : "What ?"
stared at him. " Shot an hour ago and "The ones you have just before he was
Get Bromo-Seltz•
jumpy nervee that often go with it.
second action, ready to go to work at of the Emerson Drug Co. since 1887.
26 Mel Colton
shot, and the alley shot pictures-" lieutenant and they both peddled back
Jenny exclaimed : "What are you talk wards into the room, the captain trying to
ing about ?" grab him to keep from going down. Slam
I said : " Okay, honey," and hung up. ming the door, I ran down the hall. I hit
The one room had filled up. Lee Gates the first floor rear entrance in record time,
had left, but Captain Charles and the lieu cut to the side street and then down to
tenant from the sheriff's sub-station stood the main drag. I flagged a taxi, pushed
in the doorway. They wore frowns that my police badge in the cabbie's face and
meant trouble. gave him Jenny's address. He didn't
Captain Charles said : " Winters, let me spare the horses.
have your gun." At the entrance, I stuck a _bill .at the
driver and dashed out. "Any time I cin
help th' law-" he grinned-" sure t'ing. "
J TOOK the gun from the holster and
handed it to the captain. Then he The door to 6 C opePred. Jenny hesi
broke it, looked it over carefully, and tated when she saw me. She was in a
smelled it. He handed it to the lieutenant, hostess gown of burgundx, red with puffed
who did the same. I stood like a bad boy sleeves and a high neck. Her reddish- '
who has been caught making spitballs. brown hair jumped with highlights, her
Captain Charles looked down at the lips trembled and she looked undecided.
carpet, then with a deep breath straight She didn't say anything ; she j ust stood, ·
ene<i up. His eyes were hard. "Danny her face drawn · and pale.
Winters, this gun of yours ·killed Bert De I pushed into the room, taking her with
me and snapped :
·
Lorenzo."
I snapped back angrily : " That's im "Where is he ?"
possible. I just came for that gun. It was "Looking for me, Danny ?" Lee came
in its holster in the closet." out from a room and walked over and sat
Captain Charles said : " One shot fired. down on a couch. I went over and
You were thrown out of De Lorenzo's grabbed his lapels, picked him up, then
club for drunk and disorderly conduct slammed him back onto the couch and his
and you knew you were facing suspen head hit the back of the couch and it
sion. I under�tand you and De Lorenzo wobbled.
have been feuding over a girl. Is that His eyes glared. " Be careful, chum.
right, Sergeant ?" You're in bad enough shape so that you
I said nothing. I was wasting time, could use a little of my help."
time that every second was piling up in " For instance ? "
value. " For instance, I came over here im
The captain looked at me steadily. " I mediately when I saw the cops in your
don't like to believe this, Sergeant, but I place. I thought maybe Jenny had photos
have to. " on Bert's killing and we could save you."
"If you'll give me an hour-" I asked. He smiled. " But she didn't know what
He shook his head. "You re coming you were talking about over the phone."
down to headquarters. " The lieutenant "You came running over here, " I
from the sheriff's station just stood look growled, "because you thought maybe
ing at his fingernails; I had nothing to Jenny djd have photos of the Lorenzo kill
lose. I started for the door and the cap and 'you wanted those pictures becatise
tain fell behind me. you took my gun and killed him."
At the door I turned and shoved Cap Jenny backed up a few steps and Lee's
tain Charles back. He backed into the eyes dulled behind his glasses, but his
Kill and Make Up 27
smile was still frozen on his lips. " You'll suicide. But what happens ? Calvin
have to prove that, chum. In the mean Johns comes in, trying to find out about
time, I think I'll have the cops hear this." the photo deal. He sees her dead and
He got up and went for the phone. I leaves but fast.
batted it out of his hands. " Not yet," I " And, brother, you think fast. You
ordered, and I threw some more story at now want it to be murder. You got Johns
him. where you want him, so you overturn
" You were anxious to make it murder, chairs and smash perfume. Because now
Lee. Why ? Because it was fixed for mur that fifty grand is j ust peanuts. You got
der. Because you and Lois had a sweet a murder rap over his head."
racket. She'd get the picture poses and Lee began to squirm and he put his
you'd follow with a question item in your hand in his pocket. It wasn't that cold in
column and the guy that got stuck knew the room. He had a gun and I knew it.
the game was rough, so he came across Jenny knew it for she stiffied a small
quick. You caught Johns the same wa , y scream.
only De Lorenzo paid you for that be " Go on," Lee urged. "Amuse me."
cause it tied Johns up on his gambling I amused him some more. "Johns ad
crusade."· mitted to me he was up in the room and
I took time out for a deep breath. " But it looked like suicide. Because when he
Lois goes feminine on you and falls in saw Lois, nothing was disturbed. But
love with Johns and she wants out of the when I discovered her body, I get a
racket. You can't see it, because you need roughhouse brawl appearance. Now, why
the dough. Your gambling runs high and would the murderer leave the phone off
your suits run high and you are use to the hook ? Simple. You wanted the body
living higher than the mere hundred bucks to be discovered as quickly as possible
the column gets you. " after Johns had left-and an open circuit
is a good method.
LEEtening.
was listening and Jenny was lis-
I had to make it good. " Lois,
"But you didn't want your fingerprints
on the phone. You knew you couldn't
in love, threatens to expose you if you wipe all fingerprints from the room, so
don't release her. But you mail the photo you made it a point to account for your
to Johns anyway, hoping to break it up. fingerprints in the room by telling me how
Then Lois calls on me because I helped chummy you were with Lois."
her once and for a cop I can keep my Lee said : " Shall we call the police now,
mouth shut. Sergeant ? "
"But you spot me at the club. What's " Not yet. You hid i n the closet, Lee.
a cop doing in a ritzy night-club ? So you I know, because the shoes were upset as
get Lois home before she can talk to me. " though someone j umped in· quickly and
It was getting windy, but Lee just sat knocked the rack over. But you over
and crossed his legs and folded his arms looked two things, smart-boy. The waxed
and seemed perfectly at ease. I hoped I floor showed no signs of the bed moving
had him tagged right. yet the phone and the chairs were over
" Go on, Sherlock," he urged. "It's turned, and number two : Footprints on
great. " the waxed floor in the closet and they'll
" In the apartment, you probably tell lab-test to your shoes. Okay, now use the
her you'll quit. But you get her gun, get phone. "
close enough and shoot her. You put her I started for the phone when Lee
gun in her hand and you make it look like jumped to his feet and came out with a
28 Mel Colton
gun. His face was pasty, a yellowish- since I left their house and they made
white, and his eyes looked like big black good witnesses. Especially Johns, who
marbles behind his glasses. His hand knew them all from the governor on down.
shook. Captain Charles forgave me since he
" So you figured it out," he said jerkily. had to, but Jenny wasn't so easy to fool.
" Smart, but what good is it going to do "I get everything, " she admitted, "even
you dead ?" as to why Lee had to kill Bert. Bert was
His finger tightened on the trigger and getting to know too much about his
his knuckles were white. I lunged for- activities. But how can a lab test a man's
ward as a reddish flash blinded me and I shoeprints ? Aren't most shoe-lasts of
felt a sharp, knife-thrust sting my shout- standard sizes ? "
der. Another shot. I grinned. I was happy, so what the
On the floor I looked up to see Lee hell. I said : " Honey, a lab man would
turn slowly, his mouth twisting and his laugh at me if I asked him to test a shoe
small face tight with agony . His glasses print. But when a guy with a guilty con
fell as he tumbled to the floor a foot from science gets all nice and built up, and then
me. I saw more. I saw big Jud with a you spring a clincher on him, logical or
smoking g4n and Calvin Johns following not, he jumps to protect himself. It adds
him into the room. up too _quickly for him. It is known as
Jenny was on the floor holding my snowballing evidence."
head. It was my shoulder that had taken She smiled, and then frowned. " I hope
the shot but it was nice as it was. Jud when we're married," she cooed, "you're
and Johns had been following me ever not so tricky with words. "
THE END
• • *
• • •
Here's the sad case of a man from St. Louis, who was hurried to
the hospital with a sharp puncture wound. The patient's gripe was
that he had been awakened from sleep by a stabbing pain. A bed
spring had snapped loose, pierced the mattress, ping-g-ed the dis
comfited sufferer in the middle of his nap.
by Lil Mehlman
EXC L U S IVE
SUCKER
13y W.4.LTER
SNOW
HE
• • •
\\\\\\\\\\\\\
1k Sl& lWKIJ
MINIATURE
S A LT A N D jl
PEPPER '/
S H A K E R S �t:>""
""
1MJ w4f�A.�.
Send 1 5 cents in coin or stamps to defray cost
of pocking and moiling pair of �It and peppM
shakers mode from miniarwes 4 Vt Inches toH.
Address hpt. S. P.
THI AMIIUCAN DISIILLINO CO., INC,
PlkiN, ILLINOIS
34 Walter_ Snow
dicate. Let's see. Longshoremen and big easily, quickly located her apttrtment.
oough. you give me an idea, little one . " Not being willing to wait twenty min
Since I couldn't venture into that utes for the next newscast, I walked down
known hangout, I outlined a few questions ()ne floor, took the elevator to the base
for Sally to ask, told her to phone Mr. ment, sneaked out through the service
Daily-me-at this bar. She vetoed the entrance to the next building.
.
latter part, packed me off in a taxi with Only a few Night Editions of the a£- •
the key to her own apartment. ternoon sheets were left on the nearest
The three modest rooms for $50 a stand. All front-paged· good photos of
month looked more homey than Rose's myself. They made me pull down my
$ 1 50 place. I had a shower, more first fedora brim.
aid and then tried to keep myself awake At the Newspaper Division of the Pub
with black coffee . . Nodding groggily, I lic Library on West 25th Street, the Globe
decided to dose my eyes for just forty for . July 1 5th exposed � aterfront loan
winks . . . . sharks. Heading a list of persons expected
The western sun was blinding my eyes to be questioned · by the Grand Jury was
when I awok �. The alarm clock said '2 · Mrs. Dqra White, former showgirl' and
p. m. I had been dead to the world for peroxide blonde. .
fourteen hours. If I had slumbered
·
through Sally's phone calls, why hadn't H E name suddenly rang two bells.
T For my- Rose had furnished that tip,
·
�., w. !).
�ROTHERS
, '' s URE, I trust you, honey:'
Myrtle said sweetly. "It's j ust
that you shouldn't carry the
Meet Myrtle-
stuff around. Suppose a copper gets
nosey. He finds it on you. Then where •canvenger in the ruiru
are we ?" She spoke in her most persua- of a back-firing double-cro...
37
38 W'. P. Brother•
si* 'tones, but her voke was still a whine. to himseH. ! I f · he hadn't overheard a
Louie stubbed out his cigarette on the scrap of her· cod�ersati on on the phone a
edge of the table and let the butt drop couple of days before they'd gone out to
to the floor. At the bar a lone man nursed get the stuff, he'd be falling for that line
a beer. The bartender chewed on a ham right now. Myrtte was playing a sweet
sandwich and let a mask of boredom slip little game-a double-cross game. Only
over hi s face. he was wise. That was why he had a
"The cops ain't touched me in weeks," second little package in his coat pocket .
Louie said, a thi n smile spreading over his He and George could split it t wo ways
face. instead of three. Anyway, he was getting
"But that don't mean they ain't gonna," · t ired of Myrtle, tired of her cheap pain ted
Myrtle said quickly. "You leave the stuff face and her whining and nagging. He
with me, Louie, and go on down to the and George would have a good laugh over
boat and get Geo rge. · I 'll be here when it. He trusted George and George trusted
the both of you get back. You know him. Hadn't George waited at the boat
me. I would n't run out on my Louie." while he took the package up here to meet
She smiled. Myrtle ? G eorge was all right. And a
Louie grinned back. Let her beg for it, two-way split was easier to figure.
he thought. If he was too easy, she'd get He didn't know who Myrtle had her
suspicious. The "stuff ," a small package deal cooked up with. But it didn't matter.
in his breast pocket, was almost pure Only, he'd like to see her face when she
heroin. He and George had run it in, past opened her little package.
the harbor police, past the Treasury Louie scratched the bade of his · head
agents, past everyone. A hundred thous and then rubbed his hand over his thin
and bucks worth of it ! And Myrtle face. He waited. "Maybe you're right,
thought she was going to get cut in. Myrtle," he conceded with reluctance.
He and George would have a good " M aybe I had oughta leave it with you.
laugh over that. Only he'd like to see You never can tell what ideas a stray
Myrtle's face when she opened the sub flatfoot might get. But don't you be get
stitute package he would give her after ting any ideas."
she'd beg a little more. ''Louie ! You know me better than that.
The man at the bar walked back to We been together a long time. I wouldn't
the juke box and dropped a nickel in the do nothing l ike that."
slot. He waited until the music started, Louie summoned up all the serious
then went back to hi s place. Louie watched ness he could muster. "You know I'd
him until he picked up his beer and started get you if you tried to. skip. You know
to drink. Then he said to Myrtle : that, don't you ?"
''No, honey. The coppers won't touch "Sure, I know it. Louie. Give me the
me. I go down to the wharf where George stuff and you do down and get George.
is :waiting , and the two of us come back. He'll be waiting. I'll be r ight here when
Then we all go up-to wn and get rid of this you get back."
stuff. We'll split the money at the same Louie paused a moment for effect, then
time. " he pulled a brow:n string-tied pa rcel from
"It ain't safe, Louie, I tell ya, " Myrtle hi s coat. He passed i t to her under the
said, her voice rising. "We worked too table. She q\lickly slipped it into her
hard to risk things with some stupid cop handbag.
pet". It ain't safe. " "I'll be sitting . right here when you
She's some little worker, Louie thought and George get back," she said flatly.
Mourner's Hencli 39,
Louie slid out of his seat. "I won't be trust and confidence. Myrtle was a smart
more'n a half hour," he said softly. kid.
Outside the bar, a soft, warm rain had George walked halfway out the deserted .
started to fall. As Louie hurried away pier and stopped beside three posts that
through the drizzle to meet George, a stuck up. From their base, he groped un
little parcel still tucked neatly in his breast til he found the gun with the sacking
pocket, he could hardly keep from laugh wrapped around it.
ing. He heard Louie when the other first
stepped on the pier. George fingered the
0UTSIDE the telephone booth at the gun and waited as the footsteps clicked
base . of the wharf, George waited and over the heavy boards.
cursed Myrtle for not calling. The faint He called softly, "Louie. "
slap of the water below him and the falling Louie turned. "Oh, it's you, George.
rain were the only sounds he could hear. Let me tell you something funny. About
The dim light fro� the phone booth cut a Myrtle. She-"
yellow square in the blackness. The blasts from George's gun were
He wondered if ' Myrtle could have muffled in the sacking he had thoughtfully
double-crossed him. After all, she'd been provided. Louie jerked and gave a short
Louie's girl a long time. Maybe she heavy grunt and went down. George we:qt
squealed to Louie. He was about to light closer. He fired twice more.
another cigarette when the phone inside ·
It took him several minutes to find the
rang shrilly. parcel in Louie's pocket.
He was through the door in an instant, That was when he saw the police car
receiver in hand. "Yeah, Myrtle," he pull up. Their spotlight swept the pier
half whispered. "He's on his way ? All and fingered him out of the darkness. He
right. Leave it to me." heard their cries of "Halt I"
�hen he came out of the booth again, George lost his nerve then. He was
George's nerves were quieter. Every trapped. The little package and the dead
thing was going according to plan. Louie-he gripped the gun and started ad
All he had to think about now was vancing toward the police car. He had to
killing Louie. get away. He saw the shadowy figure of
After Louie was taken care of, he and a policeman. He fired. For a second
Myrtle could get the stuff sold and head there was no sound. Then the whole
for other parts. It was easy to figure. A world before him seemed to explode.
hundred grand split easie!ll two ways than George was dead before he hit the pier,
three. And Louie was in the way where the small brown parcel clutched tightly
'
Myrtle was concerned. George's heart in one hand, the gun in the other. . . .
beat ·quicker. She was too cute a doll for Back at the bar, Myrtle paid the bar
a dope like Louie. tender and left. She would have liked to
And she had brains, too. It had been have gone down to the wharf- just to
her idea to give Louie the heave-ho. A make sure. But she knew it wasn't neces
few days before they'd made the run out sary. She had given the police the exact
to pick up the stuff, she'd sounded George location over the phone.
out. Louie hadn't suspected a thing. Clutching her handbag tightly, she
George had even let him take the stuff hurried up the street. She smiled with
when he went to meet Myrtle. That was satisfaction as her fingers felt the bulge
Myrtle's · idea, too. Let Louie get full of of a little brown package tucked inside.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
�,ste..,- p..jo�elette
of a
St.-ange Sell-Out
�.,
T.4L�.4.GE
I>OWELL
THERE WAS A
40
Into the Florida scrub cou,ntry
CHAPTER ONE
Backwoods Booty
STOOD in the clearing and waited
Janie and I were trapped in
the middle of the river in an I for Janie in the thickening dusk. I'd
been here at the Oldawaha House for :
a week now.
open boat.
I had delayed longer than
I should, longer than was safe or smart,
because of Janie. What would Karl Razzo,
CROOKE() �4� 41
42 Talmage Powell
or any; of 'the boys, say if they heard that like a caged anirrial: I searched the crowd·
smart ' tookie Sam Stane had fallen all ing, oppressive: dtisk for Janie, listening
the way for a nineteen-year-old waitress for her footsteps in the raked-out paths.
in a backwoods hideaway glamor hotel ? We're going to make that break, Janie,
I lighted a cigarette from the red I told myself. Sam Stane; the only man
glowing butt ili my fingers. I had seen in the world Karl Razzo trusts, is going to
Janie the first day I arrived, and I had cross his boss. A quick flight to South
been telling myself all week that it was America. And paradise with Janie.
going to be all right. The world was The thought of what I was going to at
going to belong to Janie and me. I tried tempt hit me hard. Standing there, I
to tell myself I was through with lone could see huge, heavy-jowled Karl Razzo
liness and the fast, empty life I'd begun as he had been the day he returned to his
to loathe. apartment from a visit with Joe Kruger
Was I just kidding myself that I alone at the New York Sanitarium. Razzo was
was smart enough to cross Karl Razzo, sweating that day ; he waddled and
beat him out of a quarter of a million· breathed through his fat tips when he
dollars-and get away with it ? walked. But his small, pig eyes had been
I clenched my fist to stop the trembling lighted up that day in their folds of gross
of my hand. From where I stood in the lard.
clearing, I could see the Oklawaha House usammy, " Razzo had heaved, slumping
coming alive with golden lights down on down into the wide, custom-made easy
the sweeping curve of the narrow, cypress chair and spilling over the arms of it like
black river that cut its treacherous way warm tallow. " I 've been a patient man.
through the scrub country of central Haven't I, Sammy ?"
Florida. He was the most patient, the most
Save for the Oklawaha House, civiliza deadly man I knew ; Razzo could wait
tion was a thousand light years removed forever, like a bloated spider in a web
from the raw, brutal life of this backwoods of his own spinning. I nodded, knowing
from which I had run, a tattered scrawny he would tell me about Joe Kruger.
kid who longed for bright lights, race I had guessed most of it. Kruger had
tracks, free-flowing money, and beautiful, been one of the three hoods who'd
good-smelting dames. knocked over a plush Miami gambling
And Sam Stane had had all that, until spot, collected enough lead poisoning to
I was fed up with the stink of the life kill ordinary men. In fact, two of them
I'd made for myself in the wildernesses of had died, after a long, bloody run up
Br()adway and Harlem and Chicago and Florida from Miami with the sheriff's
Reno--wherever the vast, crooked enter posse breathing more of that inexhaustible
prises of Karl Razzo stretched their slimy lead down their necks every step of the
tentacles. way.
AU around me were the hard, dry jack The cops had taken them, too, up in .
oaks of the big scrub, spreading out over the centra:t Florida scrub country. Two
the gray, lifeless sand into eternity. Out of them had died in the prison hospital
there, in the slash pine and palmetto lived at Raiford. But Joe Kruger hadn't died.
the people I'd been born among. Ironic. I He was an old-time pal of Karl Razzo,
thought. I went away to find my fortune, and Razzo gave · ·rum every legal and
but I had to come back here for the big medical aid. .
chance, the quarter-million payoff ! Kruger beat th�' rap in Florida, and for
i walked back and forth in the clearing two years, had been dying, babbling in
There Was A Crooked Man
the New York Sanitarium , fqr .mental I heard Janie coming up the gravel path
patients. But I happened to. know Joe then. It began again, as it had the first
Kruger was broke, and that patient Karl minute l saw her, that stirring inside me.
Razzo was paying all the bills. Looking This Janie was different. All through my
at Razzo,� knew Kruger was dead or life women had just been dames as far
dying, at last, and I knew that Razzo's as I was concerned. But Janie was sweet
bloated, watchful p�tience was going to and simple, and good and clean. All my
pay off again. life there had been something lacking,
"A quarter million dollars ! " Razzo something I was seeking, and here she
sighed. "Nobody knew where it was, was, coming toward me in the clearing.
Sammy, but poor Joe Kruger. Poor little Looking at her, I was aware of the
Joe. He died less than an hour ago, rest way my heart pounded, I was aware of
his soul. But now I know, Sammy, where the muted music up from the Oklawaha
I can pick up the easiest dough I ever house, the chill sting of the February
made in my misspent life. " night. Janie was still wearing the white
Sure, I . thought. You'll grow bigger waitress smock from the restaurant down
and fatter and more evil, spreading your there.
self and your web to entangle more, help She loved being a waitress ; she served
less souls like Joe Kruger, and all the the tables of the bored and the sated with
other poor devils who got their blood a gleam of fresh loveliness and excitement
sucked out by patient, bloated Karl Razzo. in her face and in her dark eyes. It thrilled
I didn't say any of that. I had gotten to her to be among these people, to smell
be Razzo's right hand by playing it smart, their rich perfumes, to gaze awed upon
keeping my mouth shut and my eyes their gowns and their jewels. I had seen
open. the pleasure in her face, I recognized the
"You're going to get that money for poor little hunger the first time I saw
me, Sammy, " Razzo had heaved. " I'm her.
going to tell you where it is, where it's She saw me then, and a half smile
stayed untouched for two years-and tugged across her lips. I saw the frown
you're going down there and get it. " that the smile couldn't touch. I took her
icy fingers and drew her to me.
� INKING all that for the millionth She struggled, enough to send a chill
time since I'd gotten. down here and of apprehension along my spine.
met Janie, I crushed the cigarette under "Janie," I said softly, " what's the mat
my heel. ter ?"
AMAZING THING
SENSATIONAL N£W 'f/NQ
CREAM FOR
FIJ!L(Fwn
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Tell
H£Gllt.AR liS£ H£/..PS _ ORI/66/STS
.(1£U£11£ ITCHIN6 - SOOTH£5 61/ARAN"Te.E.D
8URNIN6 8£TW£EN CMCK£0 f TIN& MtiST
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P££1.1N6 rots - . W(ltN I
HA��/1.£/)fNYMIAZIK�
SATISI'V
AIDS H£AL/NG
A W££K- OR I r1N6 CU..W �Y.'
AIAAZIN6t.Y! MONEY' 8ACIC/ I GIVASEt&SS, S1"AIK/.£SS
I A/.t. atlt/tU.I.Sr:!S
44 Talmage Powell
She opened her mouth to speak. And thought crazily, What does a husband mat
her head tilted and I saw the glitter of ter! What does anything matter, Janie,
tears filling her eyes. Her mouth was but you and me!
soft and I wanted to kiss it, the way I had " Go on, " I said, my mouth twisting
yesterday and last night. over th� bitter taste of the wor.ds. " Get
" Sam, wait, " she begged. " I want to out of here. "
kiss you, too. I've been thinking about She started to speak again, stood for a
you all day. I 've never known anyone moment searching my face. Then she
like you before, Sam . " Her fingers trailed was gone, across the clearing into the
upward ,and caressed my cheek. dry void of darkness. Crickets, bull frogs
" I'd never ridden in a convertible until and frantic night birds made the night
I met you. But you must listen to me, eerie and loud. Loneliness swept all
Sam. I don't know how to tell you. See through me with the chill of the rising
ing all these people all the time who have wind.
- everything, all the money in the world, Janie's scream broke across my
with servants to wait on them, lovely thoughts. I was pounding toward her be
clothes and fine cars. All the things I fore the scream died out and the second
love, Sam-" one began. Screams of terror and pain.
"You're going to have them, honey," They went through me, and I ran without
I vowed huskily. " All of them . " thinking what I was running into.
"Wait, Sam. That's it. Maybe I don't The first thing I saw was Janie. She
really want them. Maybe I've got what was on her knees in the dirt, and this tall,
I want. See, Sam, I went a little wild lean backwoodsman had her hair twisted
when I met you. You were the sort of in his left hand. With his free hand, he
man I 'd dreamed about. Power, money, was beating her back and forth across the
strength. You can take care of yourself, face, and snarling that no wife of his could
Sam. And you could take care of the go sneaking off into the arms of a city
woman you loved. You were everything punk.
I dreamed. . . . I know I've led you on, As I plowed toward him, I saw this
Sam. I'm as much to blame as y�u . other thing. And even running, I got
But-1 can't see you again. Sam, I'm the creepy feeling you get when you come
married. " upon something evil and unwholesome in
I had her shoulders i n m y fists before the darkness. It was another backwoods
I knew what I was doing. My jaw was man, tall, rawboned and thin aS' the man
tight, and aching with the tightness. beating Janie.
" What is this, Janie ?" I said. But this man watching, his pale eyes
" I 'm sorry, Sam. I wouldn't have done glittering, and with spittle flecked on his
it, but for a little I let myself dream. " pale mouth, �ad sandy hair and almost
I laughed. A hard, rasping, bitter laugh. colorless brows. His pale face danced,
That was great. For the sweet and simple and he missed pothing, j umping with ex
little Janie Hickens, Sam Stane was going citement and crowing a j umble of mean
to gamble his life, double-cross Karl Raz ingless jargon as he nodded, urging his
zo, and run for South America and a companion on. " Beat her, Robe. That's
new, decent life ! it ! ,
I released her. I was holding her up And Robe replied, " I'll beat her, Ab,
so tightly, she siumped back,- staring at I'll take care of her. "
me. Her mouth worked, and tears spilled Robe saw nie coming in time to re
down over her face. Looking at her, I lease his grip on Janie's hair. In time to
There Was A Crooked Man 45
catch my left full in his handsome, narrow CHAPTER TWO
face. I felt his nose give, and his eyes
flew wide as he reeled out backward ' Redheaded Gal's Warning
beyond my reach.
I
STRUGGLED back to the clearing,
I kept on going after him. He scram
across it, down to the hotel. I
bled around on the ground, getting a
stumbled my painful way along the
footing and lunged against my legs. We
gravel drive where the big, slick cars were
went out backwards, and he shot his knee
parked to my cottage on the bank of the
into me. I felt the agony in one horrible
Oklawaha. There was a light on in my
jolt at the base of my neck. I hit him
front room, but it was only a blur through
and hit him again, feeling his face tear and
the blood in my eyes. I dragged myself to
his head rock back. But when he wrenched
my front door and leaned against it for
free, my legs weren't quite ready to stand
a long time while the world wheeled and
on. Before I could roll over, he had kicked
whirled, spinning and exploding before
me in the side with his heavy brogan.
my clouded eyes.
The breath exploded out of me. I
I heard the swirl and suck of the black
heard Janie scream as I rolled with his
river below me, the sigh of the chill wind
kick. In the flash of that instant, I saw
in the slash pines across it. I could feel
Ab jumping up and down, his vacant
the darkness of this place crowding in
upon me. I had been away since I was a
eyes round with excitement.
I came up on my knees in time to catch
kid, and this dark land was alien. I got
Hobe's boot in my fists as he kicked again.
I heard Hobe's growl of
the shakes, and for a moment I couldn't
I twisted hard.
stop. I felt a tearing need for Janie's soft,
agony as he lunged away. I was up on my
cool touch. ·
her eyes undeceived and hard. then, tantalizingly. " All I want, Saunny,
"Now, Sammy, suppose you tell me. is half that money. That's not very much.
Just what gives ? What are you up to ? " Is it ? I want half the mo ney, and I w;�nt
" Nothing, " I said. " I'm down here on to go where you go, everywhere you go,
business for Karl Razzo . " all the rest of your life, Sammy."
Her red lips twisted a little. "Did you I shivered, sensing the steel-hardness
have to run out on me, Sammy ? Couldn't ·of hrr.
you even say good-by ?" Chris was a hungry, redhead from the
"How did you know I was here ?" streets. The lean years of the chorus.
She looked at me levelly. "The girl on She loved me. I knew that. I knew the
the switchboard heard the telegram you way she kissed me, in the practised, know
dictated for a reservation here. She came ing way that set fire to you in spite of
high, Sammy. It cost me all of fifty bucks yonrself.
to find out where you were . " Her eyes P. ut I knew I had to get rid of her. She
glinted. meant to keep her talons in me until she
"It isn't hard for me to add two and had half that money, until we were run
two. I know Razzo paid Joe Kruger's ning together, to spend the rest of our
keep and that Kruger was one of the boys lives that way. And I knew if I even let
who cached that little fortune down here. her think I meant to deal her out of it,
You're after that money, Sam-and you're she'd call Razzo without thinking twice
planning to cross Razzo. If you were about it.
playing it down the alley, you wouldn't As I kissed her, I made up my mind to
have run out on me that way . " get rid of her. And in the m iddle of the
M y face was inches from hers, but her kiss, I almost laughed aloud. Bitter
gaze didn't waver. Abruptly she turi1ed laughter. The girl I wanted was married
away, her voice hard and bitter. to a snake-mean backwoodsman. And
" Stop it, Sammy. Do you think you hard, glittering Chris Collins had her
There Wa3 A. Crooked Man 47
arms locked about my neck, with the fish-lines were strung drying in the sun.
threat to expose me to Razzo like a sharp Beyond the clearing, cypress, sweet-bay
pointed knife at my heart. . . . and water oak hung out over the creeping
river, nodding at their dark shadows. The
THE next morning before eight o'clock place was oppressively silent, with bottle
I went to Chris' cabana to wake her. flies humming over fish heads along the
The previous evening I had spent trying wooden planks of the dock.
to make her trust me again. The rest of 'When I came into Lon Willerston's
the night I had been turning plans over i n shack, the old man was sitting with a
m y mind, thinking and discarding. Robe's gnarled, scarred hand clutching at his
beating and the prohlem of Chris left me shirt front over his heart.
with a dark brown taste in my mouth and "Got a stinkin' ticker," he gasped out.
a pain in my head. But I had a plan "Be all right in a m�ute. Get me a
simmering in my mind that made me feel drink of that corn whiskey there, will
better. you ?"
In her cabana, she smiled at me, and I poured some into a tin cup, kept pour
stretched out her arms languidly. I kept ing until he nodded when with his long,
my voice the way she wanted to hear it. weathered head.
" I 'm going down to talk to a guide, I watched him drink it off. He sighed
Chris. At Dozier's Landing. I won't be expansively and wiped his hands down his
gone an hour. " blue overalls.
"I'll be waiting, Sammy. Think of it, "Wanta go fishin', eh, mister ? " he
all the rest of our lives together like this. said.
I'Jl take care of you. You'll see." "I want to go up the river. I don't
A t that, I felt a crawling at the nape know just how far. A few miles. I don't
of my neck. But Sammy went on smil want a fishing party. You understand ?
ing. . . . Just you and me alone. "
Lon Willerston's fishing camp was a "Yeah. "
ring of brown, single room shanties, with I laid a fifty dollar bill on the table.
wooden drop-windows, bright tin chewing "Will you take me ?"
tobacco signs nailed on sides and roof, "Yeah. "
a rickety wooden pier built along the "We'll need some gear. W e might have
muddy bank of the black water. Fifteen to sleep overnight. Food. Will you get
foot flat bottom boats slapped about at it?"
the end of frayed ropes, and nets and I put another bill on the first one. His
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MADE-TO-MEASURE CLOTHES
FOR MEN AND WOMEN
(two--pi«� IIJils)
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'48 1'almage Powell
.Whiskery face slowly moved into a smile. possible, I sk for a while in a deck chair,
' �'Yeah . " watched a game of tennis out on ·the
" I want to be ready t o g o b y noon to courts.
day, " I said. "Will you be ready ? " ' But at five minutes to twelve, I stood
His witch fingers closed over the up, yawned, stretched in the dazzling sun,
money. "Yeah," he said, nodding. Then walked slowly through the hotel lobby, out
his voice jerked me to a stop at the door. on the walk, beyond my convertible, to
"Just fish, mister ? " the vine tangled undergrowth at the end
"What else ? " of the clearing.
"This back country i s fulla talk of Once inside that brush, I stopped any
buried money. You know ? Lotsa folks pretense, and slumped over low to the
around hunt tha! money when they got the ground, I broke my way through the
time . " palmettoes and brittle growth toward Lon
" Not me," I said. "Just fish. " Willerston's fishing camp.
"Yeah . " It came out of him okay. His Who'd suspect until too late, I thought
suspicion of anyone going up-country was exultantly. Keys in the car, I had pur
probably routine. He sounded convinced. posely planted there for Chris to seek for
By the time I got back to my cottage, reassurance.
I was feeling better. There were a few Quickly I pressed through the scrub
things to take care of. Chris. Robe oaks ringing Lon Willerston's camp by
Pickens. And I hadn't given up hope of the river.
taking Janie with me when I hit for The first thing I saw was an outboard
Brazil. But I was going to get my hands motor boat, all rigged out for our trip up
on that money, now. river. A little trip that was going to net
Chris had ordered breakfast served in me a quarter million dollars.
my cottage, and she clung to me a little The place was quieter than ever at high
when she kissed me. "You look happy, noon. There was not even the insistent
Sammy," she said. " For the first time in hum of the bottle flies.
so long." I ran across the clearing and bounded
" It's settled, " I said. " We get the into Lon Willerston's shack. The place
money in the morning, Chris. You and was wrecked. Tables . were overturned,
I and a guide-tomorrow morning at the coal oil stove was upset. Stretched out
seven. " in the middle of it, that gnarled hand
I had to make that lie stick by making clutching at his shirt front, was Lon
Chris think I was glad she was down Willerston.
here. It was almost eleven when I left He looked. like he'd been kicked and
her to take her nap. I strolled out to the beaten. He croaked, eyes rolling, " That
convertible parked in the gravel drive dirty Hobe Hickens done it. Questioned
behind the main building of the swank where you was going. Been watching you.
retreat. Water. • . ."
Taking my keys out '<>f my pocket, I I spun to a bucket with a dipper handle
slipped them into the ignition. Then I sticking out of it. But that ticker of his
stood, looking around. Lighted a cigarette. gave out and Lon Willerston died without
Strolled casually out to the sunlit veranda ever tasting the water.
that looked down on the river. I could I hunkered over him. Robe Hickens.
feel the excitement rising in me, but I Why ?
kept my face clear. Because Hobe' Hickens was after that
Keeping my movements as casual as money that lay hidden in the scrub.
There Was A Crooked Man 49
CHAPTER J"HREE like me ?" She looked disgusted. "I'm
disappointed, Sammy. There's only one
Pale Man's Bullets thing for me to do. I'm going to call
Karl."
SAT there on my haunches staring
accentuated the. loveliness of her, and to get rid of Hobe and Ab first. Get them
made her seem younger and sweeter than off our trail. Get them out of our way.
ever. Behind her, at the corner of the Tell me, Janie, where is he ?"
shade, two hounds whined, their bodies Terror swirled in the darkness of her
shaking, tails between their cringing legs. blad� eyes. She . shook her head.
"Sam I " she cried. Her hands were " No. Hobe would kill me. "
tense on my arms. "Get out of here. " Hobe's never going to touch you again,
You've got to get out of here. Stay away Janie. I ll show · you the sights of the
'
from me, Sam." Her voice broke • " I'm world. Paris. Rio. People waiting on
poison for you I " you. Going where you want to go. Doing
"Where i s Hobe ? " I said. what you want to do. It's me or Hobe,
She was trembling. She didn't answer Janie. You've got to choose. I'll give you
me. "Please go, Sam, and don't ever the world-"
come back. Hobe has sworn to kill you." I felt her tremble. I saw the way her
I held her shoulders tightly in my eyes lit up, the fires smoldering behind
bands, forced her head back so her eyes them. I felt her quickened breathing
had to meet mine. across her lips. I knew I'd won. I held
There Was A Crooked Man 51 .
her close and spoke into, , , her fragrant into me by Karl Razzo, and I knew � was .
· ·
at
" Get ready, " I told her, "there's a boat
Willerston's landing. We'll go up
I seemed to stretch into eternity as
bullets slapped into the water all
around us. I had' the .38 in my hand, but
river now."
there was no target, and anyway it was
She moved like a dream-walker, nod out of range.
ding without looking at me, hearing me
There in the middle of the river, the
gun was useless as a toy.
without being aware of me. When she'd
I pulled over
donned cord pants and boots and pulled
hard, driving the boat straight in for the
on an old jacket, I took her ann and
shelter of the same bluff from which the
hurried her through the brush to Wil
shooting was coming.
lerston's camp. And with Janie sitting
"Get down," I told Janie. " Down in
in the bow of the boat, we started against
the bottom of the boat . "
the current, up the narrow, black
S h e toppled o ff the thwart, and huddled
river . . . .
there as the boat struck the bank so
Hours passed that way. Janie wouldn't
sharply every timber in it shuddered.
talk. She wouldn't look at me.. I knew she I leaped out into the shallow water as
was being tortured by her guilt. No mat
a bullet struck the top of the motor with
ter how low and mean Robe Hickens was,
a singing spang. I ran into the tangled
he was her husband, and I was making her
thicket at the water's edge.
sell him out. No wonder she wouldn't With the .38 at my side, I crouched low
even look at me yet. I felt rotten inside,
and Ii1oved upward toward the crest of
myself.
the small bluff.
All I could think was how dean Janie I was on even ground with him now.
was, and what I was doing to her. I told Hugging against an oak, I spotted his pale
myself that l was d ragging Janie down hair. At that instant, Ab's round, vacant
into this mess j ust once. When this is eyes found me. He threw up the rifle
settled, I promised myself, no dirt will and fired twice. The explosion was loud
ever touch her again. in the silent scrub country. Bark leaped
We worked upstream . in sileoce. As . from the tree beside me. .
the day wore on, I began watching the Then it was silent. I inched my head
banks of the changing stream. I knew out. I saw why. Ab was feverishly re
what I was looking for ; it had been drilled loading his smoking rifle. I stepped out
S2 Talmage Powell
from behind the tree. "Ab," I said calm above me. I waded out into the water and
ly. began surface diving. On the third dive,
He looked up, his pale brows moving my fingers touched the heavy strong box.
in horror, his vacant eyes wild, his mouth When I surfaced, Janie must have seen
working in agony. I lifted the .38. The the triumph in my eyes. Her lips parted,
bullet punched into his skull. and her dark eyes grew bright and dry as
He took two crazy, long-legged steps she watched me haul the heavy box over
before he fell. He stumbled. I stood the side of the boat. It was a heavy thing
there watching him hit on his knees and -it had to be to lie buried in the mud
bound up a little so that he sprawled out and withstand the downward pull of the
hard on his face. current.
I didn't move for a moment. Ab was Holding my .38 at arm's length, I shot
very still, and I knew he was d�ad. I was off the thick lock. Inside was the money.
glad Janie didn't have to see it . . . . Money that had lain wrapped in oilskin
When we started up river again, the for two long years.
silence between us wa!. deeper than ever. Her eyes fixed on the piles of green
Before Janie had been silent. Now she backs, Janie pulled herself over the
was withdrawn fron1 me. She had looked thwarts that separated us. I wanted to
at me when I got back to the boat, then yell, I wanted to let it out of me, and
looked away, as if she'd read the answer yet I couldn't speak. I just grinned,
to the shooting in my face. flushed with victory, and watched Janie
I remembered the way it had been be gaze hungrily at the money bared in its
tween us when I'd first known her, when oilskin wrapper.
I'd first kissed her soft, cool lips. Some
A Hobe's rifle.
thing was dying between us. N D I didn't really hear the snap of
I still had my gun in my hand, and I I only felt the bite of
kept my eyes looking for Hobe Hickens, its slug low in my chest. Suddenly, my
and that other thing-the place along the eyes clouded, and my side was afire with
river that I sought. But I couldn't think agony, and I felt the blood loosed and
about Hobe, or about the money, either. flowing, not out, but inside me, filling my
All I could think was, hurry, I've got to lungs and choking the life out of me. I
hurry before it's all gone and dead be tried to go on standing up, but I just
tween us. couldn't do it. I sank to my knees in the
In a clearing ahead there was a sheer water, and clung with all the strength in
bluff, topped with sand-smooth boulders my fingers to the oar lock of the boat.
rearing against the afternoon sky. I I stayed there like that, my head
looked at Janie. But she wouldn't lift her slumped over. I listened to the slow foot
eyes to the excitement in mine. steps as Hobe came along the embank
I cut off the motor, drifted into the ment toward the boat. He must have
shore, directly under the high bluff. I thought I was dead ; I had every reason
moored the boat, with Janie still sitting to be, but I guess he moved cautiously,
silently in the bow. It's going to be over his eyes on that money, his rifle slung in
soon, I told her in my mind, I'll get you the crook of his arm.
out of it, Janie, and I'll make it up to you. I felt him, across the boat from me.
I stepped out on shore, roped myself to But I couldn't do anything about it.
a stunted pine twisting out of the side of " Dirty, rotten little double-crosser," he
the bluff. With Janie's eyes pinned on me, snarled at Janie. " So you sold me out I"
I took a sighting on the apex boulder I heard the crack of his hand across
There Was A. Crooked Man 53
her face. I heard Janie's agonized scream. To get away with it, she had to have 'a ·
I lifted my head then. He was just a fall guy. She was smart enough to see
fiery blur to my eyes, but he was there, that. And she killed her love for me,
and he didn't even bother to look at me just as she would go on killing things
until I started the .38 upward in my inside herself from now on. She picked
agonized fingers. I laughed, choking, and Babylon-not me.
feeling the blood in my throat. By the She let me stay, huddled and sick in
time Hobe saw me, it was too late. the bottom of the boat as we went down
It took everything I had to press that stream.
hair-trigger, but I heard the blast, and I She brought me hack to the sheriff and
heard the thud of the bullet. The fiery I lay there, with a doctor over me, hear
blur folded, but not far enough, and I ing Janie swear me into the electric chair.
kept pulling the trigger until the blur In a way it was funny, bitterly funny,
stumbled out and fell face down in the the way Janie told it, her eyes wide.
swift current of the river. It was funny the way they believed her,
Knowing that Hobe Hickens was dead too, the sheriff shaking his head over her
must have given me a will to live. I and pitying her. The way Janie told it, I
pulled myself over into the boat, my eyes had been making a play for her. Hobe
seeking Janie's face. I had to see that was wild with jealousy-naturally. To
sweet, fresh young face if I was going to day I forced her to accompany me on a
cling to life. trip up river. Hobe had followed us, and
But when I saw her face, all the triumph in the fight that ensued, I had killed him.
in me turned to horror. And the moaning and the yelling about
Janie was looking, not at me, but the
money. She was playing in it, running
her fingers through it, touching it, feeling
it against her skin. I felt the · creeping
feeling of sickness worming through my
veins.
She sat there, her hands buried in the
money. She looked up at me, with a ,
B L I N D J USTICE
We all have days now and then when things just seem to be going
round and round. In Dunn, N. C., J. K. Stewart was hauled before
the bar of justice on a charge of dribbling a bum check. It may have
been a sunny day, with the flies buzzing and the fish biting-anyway,
when Stewart proffered another check to cover his fine, the judge
took it on without batting an eye.
It bounced two days later.
• • •
Big Al was the first to go. The news Johnny Doyle was laughing inside, but
papers called it the Alarm Clock Murder still he got one of his headaches ; and
not knowing Sonny had shot him down to
• •
Skipper was next to go. With Mandy's Johnny had to get him out of the way
help-and Sonny's temper-it was easy and exit with his TRI-KILL CUTIE, in
to manage. Only • • the one cop who
• the new John D. MacDonald novel • • • in
couldn't be bought had the scent. the Nov. issue, published Oct. 4th.
ss
T H E F4T4 L
FOOT LI G H TS
!?>.,
t:OR�ELL WOOLRICH
• • •
56
"Don't be jittery," she began
scomfully.
CHAPTER ONE
E
Curtains for the Cutie
to see more than just their baby-blue eye� .
The ticket seller had said : " You will . "
H
SAW Vilma first. She was the
blonde one. Then he saw Gilda. He'd been right, it turned out.
She was the golden one. Natural At the moment Benson took his seat .
ly strawberry dark, but gilded. He didn't there wasn't anything going on that <t
see the man at all, that first night. He fourteen-year-old schoolgirl couldn't hav. ·
didn't know any of their names. He didn't watched with perfect propriety. A yellow
want to. He'd j ust gone to a show on his haired singer in a flowing, full-lengti J
night off. dress was rendering a sentimental tune.
He had an aisle seat, alongside the run And she was good, too. Benson notice< I
way. He'd told the ticket seller he wanted several onlookers, who certainly hadn'r
57
58 Cornell Woolrich
coqte , in to be reminded of mother, fur a pool. Again she held the graceful P? se.
JU�T
tively sticking thumbs i�to the corners of
their eyes. before t}:!e curtains obliterated
But this was his night off and he felt her, Benson thought he saw her waver
kind of cheated. " Did I walk in on a a little, as if having difficulty maintaining
'
funeral ?'' he asked himself. He shouldn't her balance. Or maybe it was simply
have asked that, maybe. The mocking fautly timing. She had prepared to change
little gods of circumstances were only too positions a little! too soon, before the cur
willing to arrange it for him. tains entirely concealed her from view.
The singer walked off, the orchestra That slight flaw didn't discourage the
gave out with an introductory flourish, applause any. It had reached the pitch of
and the proceedings snapped back into a bombardment. The audience wasn't a
character. The curtains parted to reveal a critical one ; it didn't care about complete
living statue group-five or six statuesque muscular control as lon g as it got illusions
chorines presided over by a central through gold-plating.
�·statue" poised on a pedestal in their The pause was a little longer this time,
midst. This was Gilda, the main attrac as though there had been a slight hitch.
tion. Benson wondered where the dancing came
Gilda stood up there, head thrown back, in. They had billed her out front as " The
seemingly in the act of nibbling at a dan Golden Dancer, " he remembered, and he
gling cluster of grapes. Whether she was wanted his money's worth. He didn't have
as innocent of vesture as she seemed was long to wait.
beside the ·point ; her body was coated . The footlights along the runway, un
with a thick layer of scintillating golden used until now, gushed up, the curtains
paint which was certainly far more pro parted, and Gilda was down on the stage
tective than any ordinary pair of tights floor now, and in motion. The audience
would have been. But that didn't dampen forgot it had homes and families.
the general enthusiasm any. She got a She was coming out on the runway to
tremendous hand w ithout doing a thing, dance over their heads, wearing a mantle
just for: art's sake. of gauzy black. She wasn't any great
The curtains coyly carne together again, shakes of a dancer ; nobody expected her to
veiling the tableau. There was a teasing be, nobody cared. It was mostly a matter
pause, maintained just long enough to of waving her arms, turning this way and
whet the audience's appetite for more, that, and flourishil)g the mantle around
then they parted once more and the " statu her, a little bit like a bullfighter does his
ary " had assumed a different position. cape, managing to keep it all around her
Gilda was now shading her eyes with one at all times, in a sort of black haze, like
hand, one leg poised behind her, and star smoke.
ing yearningly toward the horizon-or, But indifferent as her dancing · ability
more strictly speaking, a fire door at the was to begin with, a noticeable hesitation
side of the auditorium. began to creep into its posturing after she
Benson caught the spirit of the thing had been on the runway a moment or
along with everyone else and whacked his two. She seemed to keep forgetting what
hands. The curtains met, parted once to do next.
more, and again the tableau had altered. " They hardly have time to rehearse at
This time Gilda was up on tiptoes on her all," Benson thought leniently.
pedestal, her body arched over as though Her motions had slowed down like a
she was looking at her own reflection in clock that needs winding. He saw her cast
The Fatal Footlights 59
a look over her shoulders at tHe ti hoccti " Guess I've spoiled the show-" It ended
pied main stage she had just come from, with a long-drawn sigh-and she was
as if in search of help. The lesser chorines still.
hadn't come out with her this last time,
were probably doing a quick change for the
next number. THE laughter and handclapping was dy-
ing down, because her head didn't bob
For a moment she stood up there per up again at the place where she had disap
fectly still, no longer moving a muscle. peared from view, and they were catching
The swirling black gauze deflated about on that something was wrong.
her, fell limp. Benson's grin of approval A hairy-armed man in rolled blue shirt
dimmed and died while he craned his neck sleeves popped partly out of the wings,
up at her. Suddenly she started to go off not caring if he was seen or not, and wig
balance. wagged frantically to the bandleader, then
He had only had time to throw up his jumped back again where he'd come from.
arms instinctively, half to ward her off, The droopy music they'd been playing for
half to catch her and break her fall. Her her broke off short and a rackety rhumba
looming body blurred the runway lights took its place.
for an instant, and then she had landed A long line of chorus girls came spilling
across him, one foot still up there on the out on the stage, most of them out of step
runway behind her. and desperately working to get their
The black stuff of her mantle came shoulder straps adjusted.
down after her, like a parachute, and Benson was already struggling up the
half-smothered him. He had to claw at it aisle with his inert golden burden by that ·
to free his head, get rid of it. . . . time. A couple of ushers came hustling
Those i n the rows further back, who down to help him, but he elbowed them
hadn't been close enough to notice the aside. "You quiet the house down. I can
break in her performance that had come get her back there by myself. "
just before the fall, started to applaud and A man with a cigar sticking flat out of ·
even laugh, like fools. They seemed to his mouth like a tusk, met him at the
think it was still part of her routine, or back, threw open a door marked Man
else that she had actually missed her foot ager. " Bring her in here to my office,
ing and tumbled down on him, and either until I can send out for a doctor. " Before
way it struck them as the funniest thing �losing it after the three of them, he
they had ever seen. stopped to scan the subsiding ripples of
Benton already knew better, by the excitement in the audience.
inert way her head and shoulders lay " How they taking it ? All right, keep'em
across his knees. "Take ·it easy. I've got down in their seats, usher. No refunds,
you, " he whispered reassuringly, trying understand ? " He closed the door and ·
N
pencil stub.
An usher sidled in, asked : "What'll we Benson a typewritten autopsy re
do about the marquee, boss ? She's still port. Benson didn't place the name
up on it, and it's gotta be changed now for a minute. Then :
for tomorrow's matinee." "Oh yeah, that girl in the show last
"Just take down the 'G' from 'Gilda', night-Gilda. " He glanced down at his
see ? Then stick in an 'H' instead, make own form with rueful recollection. " It's
it 'Hilda'. That saves the trouble of chang going to cost me two bucks to have the
ing the whole-" front of that other suit dry-cleaned. Okay,
" But who's H ilda, boss ? " thanks. I'll take it into the lieutenant."
" I don't know myself I I f the customers He scanned it hastily hims.el£ first, be
don't see anyone called Hilda, that'll teach fore doing so. Then he stopped short,
them not to believe in signs ! " frowned, went back and read one or two
Benson was saying quietly : " Is this of the passages more carefully.
Frank Willis ? Are you t�e husband of
Annie Willis, working at the N ew Rotter Death caused by sealing of the Pores
" . • .
He tapped a couple of nails on the desk THtoEseemanager acted anything but glad
him back so soon. "I knew that
undecidedly a minute or two. Finally he
wasn't the end of it ! With you fellows,
picked up the phone and g,ot the nanager
these things go on forever. Listen, she
of the New Rotterdam Theater. He hadn't keeled over in front of everybody in the
come in yet, but they switched the call to
theater. People are dropping dead on the
his home.
streets like tbat every minute of the day,
"This is Benson, headquarters man that
here, there, everywhere. What's there to
was in your office last night. How• long
find out about ? Something gave out in
had.this Gilda-Annie Willis, you know
side. It w as her time to go, and there
been doing this gilt act ? "
you are. "
"Oh, quite some time-five or s1x
Benson wasn't an argumentative sort of
months now . "
person. " Sure," he agreed, unruffled.
"Then she wasn't green a t it ; she
"And now it's my time to come nosing
wasn't just breaking it in. "
around about it-and there you are. Who
"No, no, she vvas on old hand at it. "
shared her dressing-room with her-<>r
He hung up, tapped his nails some more.
did she have one to herself ?"
" Funny she didn't know enough by this
The manager shrugged disdainfully.
time to take it off before it had a chance
"These aren't big stars playing this house.
to catch up with her," he murmured half
She split it with Vilma Lyons. That's
under his breath.
the show's ballad-singer, you _know-the
The report should have gone to his
only full-dressed girl in the . company
lieutenant, and that should have ended it. �
and June McKee, who leads the chorus m
Accidental death due to carelessness, that
a couple of numbers. "
was all. She'd been too lazy or too rushed
"Are her belongings still in it ? "
to remove the harmful substance between
"They must be. Nobody's called for
shows, and had paid the penalty.
them yet, as far as I know."
But a good detective is fi �e-sixths hard "Let's go back there, " Benson sug
work and one-sixth blind, spontaneous gested.
"hunches. " Benson wasn't a bad detec• "Listen, the show's cooking to go on- "
tive. And his one-sixth had come upper ..
"I won't get in its way, " Benson as
most just then. He folded the examiner's sured him.
report, put it in his pocket, and didn't take They came out of the office, went do � n
it in to his lieutenant. He went back to the a side aisle skirting the orchestra, w1th
New Rotterdam Theater, inste?d. scattered spectators already lounging here
It was open even this early, although the and there. A fifteen-year-old motion pic
stage show didn't go on yet.
A ha � ful � .
ture with Morse Code dots and dashes
of sidewalk beachcombers were dnftmg �
run ing up it all the time, was cleuding
in, to get in out of the sun. the screen at the moment.
The manager had evidently thought bet Climbing onto the stage at the side,
ter of his marquee short-change of the they went in behind the screen, through
night before. The canopy still misleading the wings, and down a short, damp, feebly
ly proclaimed "Hilda, the Golden Dancer," lighted passage, humming with feminine
but below it there was now affixed a small voices coming from behind doors that kept
The Fatal Footlight• 6.J
opening and closing as girls came it1' from Remember ? I do-it was only yesterday."'
· ·,
the alley at the other end of the passage, "Where is this gold stuff ? I'd like to
·
Y
" ES, sir, I'm Jimmy, the handy
and had eaten right in the dressing-room."
man." He put down his bucket,
Benson cocked his head slightly, as
followed Benson out into the
when one looks downward into a narrow
alley, where they wouldn't be in the way
space. "Are you sure this bottle of re
of the girls hustling in and out on quick
mover couldn't have been in the drawer
changes. "Yes, sir, Miss Gilda done send
and she missed seeing it ?"
me out last night between shows to try to
"That was the first place we cased. We
get her another bottle of that there stuff,
had everything out-even two cockroaches
which took off the gold paint."
that lived in a crack on- the side. I re
"Why didn't you get it ?"
member holding it up in my hand empty
"I couldn't I I went to the big theat'cal
and thumping the bottom of it just for
drugstore on Eighth where she tole me.
luck ! "
It's the only place around here where you
His wrist shot out of his cuff, hitched
can get it. Even there they don't keep
back into it again, like some sort of a
much on hand, never get much call for it.
hydraulic brake. "Then what's it doing
The drugstore man tole me somebody
in there now ?" He was holding a smaller
else just beat me to it. He told me he just
bottle, with liquid contents and a small
got through selling the last bottle he had
sponge attached to its neck.
in stock, before I got there. "
It got quiet in the dressing room, death
ly quiet. So quiet you could even hear " Keep on," Benson said curtly.
the sound track from the screen out front. "That's about all. The drugstore man
They both had such frightened looks on promise to order another bottle for her
their faces, the superstitious fright of two right away from his company's warehouse
giddy, thoughtless creatures who have or the wholesaler what puts it up, see that
suddenly come face to face with nameless it's in by the first thing in the morning.
evil. So I go back and tell her. Then she send
The McKee girl's lower lip was trem me across the street to bring her in a
bling with awe. "It was put back-after/ sandwich.
Somebody wanted her to die like that I "When I come back the second time,
With us right here in the same room with she already sitting there acting kind of
her I" She took a deep breath, threw open low, holding her haid. She said she was
her own drawer, and with a defiant look sorry she ordered that bite, after all. She
at Benson, as if to say, " Try and stop me," didn't feel well. Gee, she said she hopes
tilted a small, flat gin bottle to her mouth. nothing happened to her from leaving this
�The ballet singer, Vilma Lyons, sud- stuff on too long."
'
Th� Faial Footlights
·l . , , .
Benson told him : "You COtll� ��qng �d And then, somehow, between the foqt
point out that druggist to me." of the stairs and the street door, he wasn't
alone any more. Benson was walking
• • • along beside him, as soundlessly as though
his own shadow had crept forward and
" Come in, Benson . " overtaken the mourning man along the
"Lieutenant, I've got a problem. I've poorly lit passage.
got a report here from Jacobson that I He shied sideways attd came to a dead
haven't turned in to you yet. I've been stop against the wall, the apparition was
keeping it until I know what to do about so unexpected. He was gaping.
it. , Benson said quietly : " Come on, what're
"What's the hitch ?" you stopping for ? You were leaving the
"Lieutenant, is there such a thing as a house, weren't you, Willis ? Well, you're
negative murder ? By that I mean, when still leaving the house, what's the dif
not a finger is lifted against the victim, not ference ? "
a hair of her head is actually touched. They walked o n a s far a s the street en•
But the murder is accomplished by with trance . . Benson just kept on fingertip
holding something, so that death is caused touching the other's elbow, in a sort of
by its absence or lack. " mockery of guidance. Willis said : "What
The lieutenant was quick on the trigger. am I pinched for ?"
" Certainly ! If a man locks another man "Who said you were pinched ? Do you
up in a room, and withholds food from him know of anything you should be pinched
until the guy has starved to death, you'd for ? "
call that murder, wouldn't you ? Even " No, I don't."
though the guy that caused his death never "Then you're not pinched. Simple
touched him with a ten-foot pole, never enough, isn't it ?"
stepped in past the locked door at all." Willis didn't say another word after
Benson plucked doubtfully at the cord of that. Benson only said two things more
skin betWeen his throat ltnd chin. "But himself, one to his charge, the other to
what do you do when you have no proof a· cab driver. He remarked : "Come on,
of intention ! I mean, when you've got we'll ride it. I'm no piker. "
evidence that the act of withholding or And when a cab had sidled up to his
removal was committed, but no proof that signal, he named a precinct police station.
the intention was murderous. And how They rode the whole way in stony silence
you gonna get proof of intention, any from then on. Willis staring straight
way ? It's something inside . the mind, ahead in morbid reverie ; Benson with his
isn't it ? " eyes toward the cab window-but on the
The lieutenant glowered, said : "What shadowy reflection of Willis' face given
do you do ? I'll tell you what you do ? back by the glass, not on the quiet street
You work on your bird until you get the outside.
intention 014t of his mind and down in They got out. Benson took him in and
typewriting ! That's what you do ! " left him waiting in a room at the back for
a few minutes, while he went off to attend
THdown
E man was alone when he started
the three flights of stairs in the
to something else. This wasn't accidental ;
it was the psychological buildup-or
shoddy walk-up apartment on West 135th. rather, breakdown-preceding t�e grill. It ·
He was still alone when he got down to had been known to work wonders.
the bottom of them. It didn't this time.
Cornell Woolrich
"All right, you can take him out now," a lifelong friend of the. wife ; the kind of
' be said to the suborninate who had been friendship that is more often met with
helping. between men than women, a real thick
.Willis went out on his own feet, waver and-thin partnership. She even lived near
ingly, leaning lopsided against his escort, them, up at the 135th Street place, for
but on his own feet. A sense of innocence awhile after they were first Q1arried. Then
can sometimes lend one moral support. she got out, maybe 'cause she realized
But so can a sense of having outwitted three's a crowd and a set-up like that was
justice. only asking for trouble."
"The guy must be innocent, " the other " Have you found out who this other
dick remarked when he had come back. woman is ?"
" He knows we can't get him. There's " Certainly. VHma Lyons, the ballad
nothing further in his actions to be un singer in the same show with the wife.
covered, don't you· see ? We've got every I went up to the theater yesterday after
thing there is to get on him, and it isn't noon. I questioned the two girls who
enough. And we can't get at his inten shared Annie Willis' dressing-room with
tions. They got to come out through his her. Qne of them talked a blue streak.
own mouth. All he has to do is hold out. The other one didn't open her mouth ; I
It's easy to keep a single, simple idea like don't recall her making a single remark .
that in your mind, no matter what hap during the entire interview.
pens. " She was too busy thinking back. She
" What breaks down most of them is the knew ; her intuition must have already
uncertainty of something they did wrong, told her who had dpne it. At the end, she
something they didn't cover up right, suddenly buried her face in her arms and
cropping up and tripping them-an ex cried. I let her take her own time. I let
ploded alibi, a surprise identification by a her think it over. I knew she'd come to
material witness. He had none of that un me of her own accord sooner or later.
certainty to buck. All he had to do was " And she did, after curtain time last
sit tight inside his own skin." evening, down here at the station house.
Weren't we going to get the person that
ENSON said to his lieutenant the next had done that to her friend, she wanted
B day, " I 'm certain he killed her. What to know ? Wasn't he going to be punished
are the three things that count in every for it ? Was he going to get away with it
crime ? Motive, opportunity and 111jthod. scot-free ?"
He rings the bell on each count. Motive ? " Did she accuse him ?"
Well, the oldest one in the world between " She had nothing to accuse him on. H e
men and women. He was sick of her ; hadn't said anything t o her. He hadn't
he'd lost his head about some one else, and even shown· her by the look on ' his face.
didn't know how else:. to get rid of her. And then little by little I caught on, by
" She was in the way in more than j ust reading between the lines of what she said,
the one sense. She was a deterrent, be that he'd liked her a little too well. "
cause of the otlfer woman's sense of loyal He shrugged. " She can't help us, she
ty, as long as she remained alive. It admitted it herself. Because he started
wouldn't have done any good if he walked giving her these long, haunting looks
out on her or divorced her ; the other when he thought she wasn't noticing, and
woman wouldn't have had him at her falling into reveries, and acting discon
friend's expense and he knew it. tented and restless, that isn't evidence he
" It happens that the other woman was killed his wife.
The Fatal Footlights 67
" But she knows, in her own mind, just with this stuff insidiously injuring her
as I know in mine, who hid that remover system, so that she had to send this Jimmy
from Annie Willis, and with what object, out to see if he could get hold of any for
and why. She hates him like poison now. her ? "
I could read it on her face. He's taken " We can't get anything on him for that,
her friend from her. They'd chummed to either. He did the natural thing ; he went
gether since they were both in pigtails, at scouting around for it in other places
the same orphanage. " the way a man would, who was ashamed
"All right. What about Opj)Ortunity, to come back empty-handed and tell her
your second factor ? " he'd just smashed the one bottle they had
" He rings the bell there, too. And left in stock, afraid she'd bawl him out
again it doesn't do us any good. Sure, maybe . "
he admits he was sitting out front at the Through thinned lips Benson added
matinee day before yesterday. But so was acidly : " Everything he did was so natural.
he a dozen times before. Sure, he admits That's why we can't get him ! "
he went backstage to her dressing room, The lieutenant said : "There's an im
after she'd g<me back to it alone and while portant little point lurking in that
the other two were still onstage. But so smashed-bottle angle. Did he know it was
had he a dozen times before. the last bottle on hand before he dropped
" He claims it was already missing then. it, or did he only find out after he stepped
She told him so, and asked him to go out back to the counter and tried to get an
and get her another bottle. But who's to other ? "
prove that ? She's not alive, and neither Benson nodded. " I bore down heavy o n
of the two other girls had come off the that with the drug clerk. Unless Willis
stage yet. " was deaf, dumb and blind, he knew that
"Well, what happened to the second that was the last bottle in the store before
bottle that would have saved her life ? " he started away from the counter with it.
The clerk not only had a hard time finding
"
HEitPAID for it. The clerk wrapped
for him. He started out holding
it, but when he finally located it, he re
marked that it was the last one they had."
it in his hand the way one does any circular " Then that accident was no accident. "
package. And at the drugstore entrance, "Can you prove it ? " was all Benson
he collided with some one coming in. It said.
was jarred out of his grasp, and it shat The lieutenant answered that by dis
tered on the floor ! " carding it. "Go ahead, " he said sourly.
And a s i f h e could sense what the lieu " I checked with every one of the other
tenant was going to say, he hurriedly places he told me he'd been to after leaving
added : there, and he had asked for it in each one.
"There were witnesses galore to the in They corroborated him on that. He wasn't
cident ; the clerk himself, the soda jerk, in much danger of coming across it any
the cashier. I questioned every one of where else and he knew it ! The drug
them. Not one could say for sure that it clerk had not only forewarned him that
wasn't a genuine accident. Not one could he didn't think he'd find it anywhere else,
swear that he'd seen Willis actually relax but his wife must have told him the same
his hand and let it fall, or deliberately get thing before she sent him out. "
in this other party's way." Screwing his mouth up, Benson said :
" Then why didn't he go back and tell " But it looked good for the record, and
her ? Why did he leave her there like that it kept him away from the theater-while
68 Cornell Woohich
she was dying by inches from cellular with the bottle back within her reach.
asphyxiation, without knowing it !" She couldn't take the gilt off now for an
"Didn't he go back at all ? Did he stay other three hours. Using it continuously
out from then on ? " had already lowered her resistance. That
" No one saw him come back, not a soul. brief breathing spell she would have had
I made sure of that before I put it up to between shows spelled the difference be
him." Benson smiled bleakly. "I know tween life and death.
what you're thinking there, and I thought " In other words, Lieutenant, he left her
of that, too. If he didn't go back at all, alive, with fifty people around her who
then he wasn't responsible for making the talked to her, rubbed shoulders with her
remover disappear in the first place. Be in the wings, after he'd gone. And later
cause it was back in the drawer before the she even danced onstage before a couple
next matinee-I found it there myself. hundred more. But he'd already mur
Now get the point involved. dered her. "
" But you say he didn't have to admit
W natural
" ILLIS had a choice between the he stopped back at the theater, and yet
thing and the completely he did."
exonerating thing. But an exonerating "Sure, but to me that doesn't prove his
thing that would have meant behaving a innocence, that only proves his guilt and
little oddly. The natural thing for a man infernal cleverness. By avoiding the slight
sent out on an errand by his wife is to re est lie, the slightest deviation in his ac
turn eventually, even if it's an hour later, count of his actual movements, he's much
even if it's only to report that he was un safer than by grasping at a chance of auto
successful. matic, complete vindication. Somebody
"The exornerating thing, in this case, just might have seen him come ba<;k, he
was for him to stay out for good. All he couldn't be sure." Benson paused, think
had to do was claim he never went back, ing it through again.
and he was absolutely in the clear, abso He took a deep breath. " There it all is,
lutely eliminated. " Lieutenant : motive, opportunity and
"Well ? " The lieutenant could hardly method. And it don't do us much good,
wait for the answer. does it ? There isn't any more evidence
" He played it straight all the way to be had. There never will be. There's
through. He admitted, of his own accord nothing more to uncover-because it all is
and without having been seen by anybody, uncovered already. We couldn't get him
that he stopped back for a minute to tell on a disorderly-conduct charge on all of it
her he hadn't been able to get it, after put together, much less for murder. What
chasing all over the Forties for the stuff. do I do with him now ?" .
And that, of course, is when the mysteri The lieutenant took time answering, as
ously missing bottle got back into the though he hated to have to. Finally he did.
drawer. " "We'll have to turn him loose ; we can't
The lieutenant was almost goggle-eyed. hold him indefinitely. There just aren't
" Well ! She was still alive, the murder any loopholes here."
hadn't even been completed yet, and he " Gee, I hate to see him walk out of here
was already removing the traces of it by free," Benson said.
replacing the bottle from where he'd "There's no use busting your brains
taken it. " about it. It's a freak that only happens
"The timing of her act guaranteed that maybe once in a thousand times-but it
she was already as good as dead, even happened this time."
The Fatal Footlight• 69
CHAPTER FOUR But she was already holding a little
j igger glass of colorless liquid between two
An Eye for an Eye
of her fingers, as if trying to cauterize
inner resentment that was continually
A TER that same morning Benson
W
HAT followed this event was
you receive me-as a criminal under the
even more incredible yet. A cop
modern law or a legal executioner under
came in to him, down at the pre
the old one ? "
cinct house three nights later, said :
He looked straight up at her with pierc
"There's a lady out there asking for you,
ing directness. "The modern law failed
Benson. Won't state her business."
you and me, didn't it ? Then what right
Benson said : " I think I know who you
would I have to j udge you by it ?"
mean. Look, Corrigan, you know that
She murmured half audibly, as if en
little end room on the left, at the back
deavoring to try him out : "Then why not
of the hall ? Is there anyone in there
you ? Why me ? "
right now ? "
"The inj ury was done t o you, not me.
A friend is a personal belonging, a pro The cop said : " Naw, there's never any
fessional disappointment isn't. Nothing one in there."
was done to me personally. Under the an "Take her back there, will you ? I'll be
cient law, a frustrated job can only be re back there."
paid by another frustrated job, by making He got there first. She stood outlined
the person who injured you suffer a like in the open doorway first, watching the
disappointment in his work." cop return along the hall to where he'd
She laughed dangerously. " I can do come from, before she'd come in.
better than that, " she said softly. Benson acted slightly frightened. He
72 Cornell Woolrich
kept pacing nervously back and forth, macabre delight, gloated with pleasure.
waiting for her to come in. " It'll tell you in a minute." He went
When she finally turned away from over to the door, opened it and looked out
seeing the cop off, she came in and closed again, as if to make sure there was no one
the door after her. He said : " Couldn't out there to overhear. He'd dropped his
you have waited until I dropped over to cigarette on the way over to it.
see you ?" She misunderstood. " Don't be jit
" How did I know when you'd be around tery-" she began scornfully.
again ? I felt like I couldn't wait another He'd raised his voice suddenly, before
half hour to get it off my chest. " There she knew what to expect. It went booming
was something almost gloating in the way down the desolate hallway. " Corrigan !
she looked around her. " Is it safe to talk C'mere a minute ! "
here ?" A blue-suited figure had joined his in
" Sure, if you keep your voice down. " the opening before she knew what was
H e went over to the door, opened it, happening. He pointed toward her.
looked along the passageway outside,
closed it again. " It's all right." "ARREST th£s woman for murder!
She said, half-mockingly, with that in Hold her here in this room until
timacy of one conspirator for another : I get back ! I 'm making you personally
" No dictaphones around ?" responsible for her ! "
He was too on edge to share her banter A bleat of smothered fury ripped from
ing mood. " Don't be stupid," he snapped. her. "Why, you dirty, double-crossing
"How did I know you were going to pull a The guy isn't even dead yet. "
raw stunt like this ? This is the last place "I'm not arresting you for the murder
I ever expected you to-" of Frank Willis. I'm arresting you for the
She lit a cigarette, preened herself. murder of his wife, Annie Willis, over a
" You think you're looking at a cheap month and a half ago at the New Rotter-
ballad singer on a burlesque circuit, don't . dam Theater ! "
you ?" The greater part of i t came winging
"What am I looking at, then ?" back from the far end of the hallway,
"You're looking at a legal executioner, along which he was moving fast on his
under the ancient code. I have a case of way to try to save a man's life. . . .
justice to report. I had a friend I valued They came trooping down single file,
very highly, and she was caused to die by fast, into the gloom. White poker chips
having the skin of her body deprived of of light glanced off the damp, cemented
air. Now the man who did that to her is brick walls from their torches. The janitor
going to die sometime during the night, was in the lead. He poked at a switch
if he hasn't already, by having the skin of by his sense of memory alone, and a feeble
his body-and his lungs and his heart parody of electricity illuminated part of
deprived of air in the same way." the ceiling and the floor immediately under
He lit a cigarette to match hers. His it, nothing else.
hands were so steady-too steady, rigid "I ain't seen him since yesterday at
almost-that you could tell they weren't noon, " he told them in a frightened voice.
really. He was forcing them to be that " I seen him going out then. That was the
way. His color was paler than it had been last I seen of him. Here it is over here,
when he first came in. gents. This door. "
" What have you got to say to that ?" They fanned out around it in a half
She clasped her own sides in a parody of circle. All the separate poker chips of
The Fatal Footlights 73
torchlight came to a head, focused on one lock. " Not too deep, " Benson warned.
big door, which was fireproof ; nailstudded "Give it flat strokes from the side, or
iron, rusty but stout. But it was fastened you're liable to cut in and- Got that
simply by a padlock clasping two thick pulmotor ready ? "
staples. The axes held o ff at his signal and he
" I remember now, my wife said some pulled the dangling lock off the splintered
thing about his asking her for the key seams with his bare hands. They all
to here, earlier in the evening while I jumped in, began pulling in opposite di
was out, " the janitor said. " So he was rections. The trunk split open vertically.
still all right then. " A face stared sightlessly into the fo
" Yes, he was still all right then," Ben cused torchbeams, a contorted mask of
son agreed shortly. "Get that thing. Hurry strangulation and unconsciousness that
up ! " A crowbar was inserted behind the had been pressed despairingly up against
padlock chain ; two of the men with him the seam as close as it could go, to drink
got on one end of it and started to pry. in the last precious molecule or two of
Something snapped. The unopened lock air.
bounced up, and they swung the storage
ILLIS' body, looking shrunken,
space door out with a grating sound.
The torchbeams converged inside and Wtumbled out into their arms. They
lit it up. It was small and cramped. The carried him out into the more open part
air was already musty and unfit to breathe of the basement, one hand that ended in
-even the unconfined air at large between mangled nails trailing inertly after him.
its four sides-and it was lifeless. All the An oxyden tank was hooked up, and a
discarded paraphernalia of forgotten ten silent, grim struggle for life began in
ants over the years choked it. the eerie light of the shadowy basement.
Cartons, empty packing cases, a dis Twice they wanted to quit, but Ben
mantled iron bed frame, even a kid's sled son wouldn't let them. " If he goes, that
with one runner missing. But there was makes a murderer out of me ! And I won't
a clear space left between the entrance let myself be a murderer ! We're going
and the one large trunk that loomed up to bring him back, if we stay here until
in it, like a towering headstone on a tomb. tomorrow night ! "
It stood there silent, inscrutable. On the And then, i n the middle of the inter
floor before it lay, in eloquent meaning, a minable silence, a simple, quiet announce
single large lump of coal brought from the ment from the man in charge of the
outside part of the basement and dis squad : " He's back, Benson. He's going
carded after it had served its purpose. again ! "
Two smaller fragments had chipped off Somebody let out a long, whistling
it, lay close by. breath of relief. It was a detective who had
"A blow on the head with that would j ust escaped being made into a murderer.
daze anyone long enough to-" Benson At the hospital later, in the early hours
scuffed it out of the way with his foot. of the morning, when he was able to talk
"Hurry up, fellows. She'd only left here again, Willis told him the little there
when she looked me up. It's not a full was to tell.
hour yet. The seams may be warped with " She showed up and said she wanted
age, there's still a slim chance-- " to get something out of that trunk she'd
They pushed the scared, white-lipped left behind here in our care, when she'd
janitor back out of their way. Axe blades moved away. I got the key to the storage
began to slash around the rusted snap- room from the janitor's wife. I should
74 Cornell Woolrich
have tumbled she had something up her your line of reasoning. I miss the con
sleeve when she asked me not to mention necting links. "
who it was for, let them think I wanted Benson said : " Here was the original
it for myself. equation. A wife in the middle, a man
"Then she got me to go down there and a woman on the ends. She was in
with her by pretending there were some the way, but of which one of them ? Vilma
things of Annie's in the trunk, from their Lyons claimed it was Willis who loved
days in show business together, that she her. Willis didn't claim anything ; the
wanted to give back to me. man as a rule won't.
"I didn't open my mouth to her, didn't
say a word. I was afraid to trust my "I WATCHED them to see ·which
self, afraid if I came out with what would approach the other. Neither
was on my mind, I'd beat her half-sense one did. The innocent party, because he
less and only get in more trouble with you had never cared in the first place ; the
police guys. I couldn't wait to get rid guilty, because he or she had a guilty con
of her, · to see the last of her- science, was not only afraid that he was
" I even helped her to open the trunk, being watched by us, but also that the
because it was pretty heavy to handle. other might catch on in some way, connect
Then she asked me to bend down and see the wife's death with him or her, if he
if I could reach something that was all made a move too soon after.
the way down at the bottom of one of " But still I couldn't tell which was
the two halves, and I stepped between which-although my money was still on
them like a fool. Willis, up to the very end.
" Something that felt like a big rock hit "Here was the technique. When I saw
the back of my head, and before my senses neither of them was going to tip a hand,
had ll chance to clear, the two sides had I tipped it, instead. There's nothing like
swung closed on me like a-" He shud a shot of good, scalding jealousy in the
derec1. "Like -a coffin when you're still arm for tipping the hand. I went to both
alive." He swung one finger-bandaged of them alike, gave them the same buildup
paw in front of his eyes to shut out the treatment. I was bitter and sore, because
recollection. "The rest was pretty aw I'd muffed the job.
ful. . . . " " In Willis' case, because we'd already
The lieutenant came in, holding the con- held him for it once. I had to vary it a
fession in his hands. Benson followed. little, make him think I'd changed my
"She put away ?" mind, now thought it was Vilma, but
"Yes, sir." couldn't get her for it.
The lieutenant went ahead, reading the "In other words, I gave them both the
oonfession. Benson waited in silence until same unofficial all-clear to go ahead and
he'd finished. The lieutenant looked up exact retribution personally. And I lit
finally. "This'll do. It's strong enough to the same spark to both their fuses. I told
hold her on, anyway. You got results, but Willis that Vilma had taken up with some
I don't get the technique. What was this other guy ; I told her he had taken up
business of her coming here and confiding with some other girl.
in you that she'd made an attempt on "One fuse fizzled out. The other flared
Willis' life tonight, and how does that and exploded. One of them didn't give
tie in with the murder of Annie Willis ? a damn, because he never had. The other,
You hit the nail on the head. This con having already committed murder to gain
fession proves that, but I don't follow {Please continue on PtJ.r1e 127)
S I? O I L E R F R
.4 W I S E G U
"Freeze!" the little man
wamed in a hoarse voice.
once been Fisher, his manager. There Mayby you didn't kill him, but you could
was a bloody bruise on the temple, and have gone through him . "
on the reddening shirt front stood an inch Danny steamed a t that, but kept his
of blade and the hilt of the Brown-Shirt temper. The dick was just fishing.
dagger. The wiry little man had fled into The car pulled up at the police station
the blackness of the night. and they went in through a side door,
Danny steadied himself against the cab leading to a stairway with an arrow sign,
door, unable to tear his eyes away from Detectives. Spinelli was saying : " We're
the bloody sight. A few minutes before not out to get anything on you, Danny.
he had hated Fisher enough to think he'd We'll just write you up and print you,
enjoy seeing him dead. The reality of and then you can probably go home."
his ex-manager's body was something Danny wanted to say that nothing
else again. would suit him better, but the dick's use
He forced himself to walk back to the of the word probably started him think�
ginmill, to phone the police. . . ing : Spinelli means maybe I can go home,
I can probably go into
.
84
T H E
He'd do anything for a miUion bucks,
soldier-of-fortune Ramsey thought
until he got a corpse in hi• arms • • •
CHAPTER ONE
The Heiress Was Impatient
R
AMSEY got out of the taxi in the moving figure. Ramsey's heart pounded
drive before the wind-swept ter a little harder. Even her shadow brought
race. There was a dim light shin back a flood of memories.
ing behind the French windows, and "Want me to wait ?'' the taxi driver
through the glass he saw a slim, slowly asked.
85
86 Robert Martin
"No," Ramsey said, and he stood until "Rack," she whispered, "it's been so
the taxi had circled the drive to the long."
nighway. Then he ran lightly through the Suddenly the jungle filled his mind. He
rain across the terrace, and rapped softly couldn't forget it-ever. The heat, the
on the gl ass . The door opened immedi sweat, the mud. Six months, and she
ately. Ramsey stepped quickly inside, and had promised to wait for him. Six months
kicked the door shut with his heel. of dreaming about her, and all the while
She looks marvelous, Ramsey thought. she had been married to a cold-eyed
Slim and straight, her glossy black hair lawyer namd Jefferson Carr.
falling softly over her shoulders, her red He pushed her away from him. She
lips parted �!!i;htly, her large dark eyes stared wonderingly, and her red mouth
searching his face. She was wearing a trembled. Then she reached for him, her
pale blue silk robe, long and soft and cling fingers beckoning. " I love you, Rack,"
ing. In one hand she held a drink in a she whispered. "Really, I do."
tall thin glass. The ice in the glass tinkled "You wrote me a letter," he said
gently, and Ramsey saw that she was harshly. "Remember ?" He jerked an
trembling a little. envelope from his pocket and waved it i n
He glanced quickly around the room. It her face. "You said you weren't the
looked tbe same--a blood-red rug, an waiting kind. Remember, my love ?"
enormous low glass table, the soft light She made a kind of a moaning sound.
falling on a high shelf of books. On his "I didn't mean it, Rack. I was so lone
right a wide archway led into the big dark some for you. But Jeff, he--"
ened living room where he had once sat He cut her off. " Skip it," he snapped.
and gazed out over the moonlit gulf. Ex "You're married to Jeff now.Why did
cept for the light in the room where he you ask me to come here ? What do y ou
now stood, the big hcuse was dark. Dark want of me now ? Tell me, so that I can
and hushed. The only sound was the get the hell out."
rain beating on the glass doors behind She gazed at him with sad brooding
him. eyes. "You-you're different, Rack.
The girl took a step toward him. "Rack, You . . . . " She paused, and made a slight
oh, Rack. . . . " hopeless gesture. She turned away from
Ramsey forgot that she was married to him. "I remember-"
Jefferson Carr now. He forgot the "Stop it," he almost shouted. But even
Guatemalian jungle, and the marvelous then he knew that he wanted to hold her
forest of mahogany, and Nevil Simpson, again, to kiss her, to tell her that he didn't
and the sight of the fer-de-lance clinging care about Jeff Carr. Nothing mattered
with its fangs to Pete Davos' wrist. He very much any more but Marcia, a gorge
forgot Phil Wheeler, and Sara Brand, and ous creature with more than enough
the rest, and all he remembered was Mar beauty for any man-plus the Stockton oil
cia. millions.
She stepped into his arms with a little He looked at her straight, slender
cry. He heard her glass thud to the thick figure, at the smooth arch of her back
rug. Her fingers dug into his shoulders. beneath the sheer silk, and at the way her
He grasped her roughly, kissed her. Her black hair fell softly over the curve of her
lips were clinging. cheek.
To hell with Jefferson Carr, Ramsey She took a cigarette from a silver box
thought wildly. on the low glass table. Ramsey stepped
She moved her lips against his cheek. forward, picked up a booklet of matches
Murder on the Make 87
from the table, and struck a light for her. ter what it costs me. I'm determined."
As she inhaled, he glanced at the cover
S do
of the booklet. The printed words jumped HE turned slowly to face him. "How
up at him : The Starlight Club. . . . Sand you feel about me now, Rack ?"
Road . . . . Phil Wheeler. . . . she asked softly. " Do I mean anything
He looked at Marcia. She was watching to you any more ? You said you loved
him with grave eyes. me once. How is it with you now ? "
"So you know Phil Wheeler," he said. The soft light made shadows o n her
She shrugged slightly. "Yes. He was cheeks and beneath her eyes, and glinted
here tonight. That's why I couldn't see with a moist redness on her full lips.
you earlier." Ramsey wanted to hold her again, to
" Friend of yours ?" forget all that had happened since he'd
" Not especially. He was here on-on last seen her. She was too beautiful, and
business. " she had too much money-a girl alone in
"Of course, " Ramsey sneered. " He the world with ten million dollars.
didn't know that your husband was out She had lived fast, according to her
of town." whims, with never a thought of the morn
She turned abruptly away from him. ing after. But he knew that he still
"Why do you talk that way, Rack ? Phil wanted to marry her, in spite of Jeff Carr,
Wheeler means nothing to me. He's just in spite of everything. It showed in his
a-a gambler. He called me this after eyes, and she saw it. She smiled, and
noon, said he wanted to see me about took a slow step toward him.
Jeff. I've warned Jeff about his gambling Then she paused, and her smile was a
debts, and-other things. He owes Phil slow sad one. It was a smile Ramsey
Wheeler twenty thousand dollars, and would never forget. It was a sober, com
Wheeler wants to know what I'm going passionate smile, and it changed all her
to do about it. I told him I wasn't going features and gave them a sad, inscrutable
to do anything about it. I'm finished do quality, older than the pyramids.
ing things about Jeff. I'm going to divorce He moved to meet her.
him, Rack. " She turned to face him. " Do The room rocked with a hammering
you hear ? " explosion. For a blinding instant, the
"Why did y o u marry him ?" windows gleamed with a flash of flame.
She inhaled deeply on her cigarette. Marcia Carr's head jerked back, like the
"I didn't want to. We had been to a party, head of a puppet on a string, and an ugly
and I'd had a lot to drink. " She turned black hole appeared on her cheek. She
away, and stared at the rain-spattered stood frozen, her body trembling, and a
windows. final bright gleam of life flared in her eyes.
"It was just one of those things-all Then her face seemed to crumple, and
part of a merry evening. We took a her body too. Her eyes went dull and
plane to Mexico, a whole party of us, and dead. She collapsed limply to the floor.
Jeff and I were married. Afterwards I Ramsey stared stupidly, his voice trap
was sorry, of course, but there wasn't ped in his throat. He took a slow step
much I could do about it. Jeff is a toward her. There was a swift scurrying
lawyer, you know, and he played it smart. sound behind him, and something slam
And I didn't know if you'd ever come med against the back of his head, jarring
back from that silly hunt for mahogany. him to his heels. He swayed drunkenly,
So I drifted. But I can't stand it any and wild lights danced in his brain.
longer. I 'm going to divorce Jeff, no mat- He fought to stay on his feet, but his
88 Robert Martin
knees buckled, and he couldn't focus his Then one night, in a waterfront bar,
eyes. The floor slanted upward, and Ramsey and Pete Davos met a drunken
through a shimmering haze he saw the geologist named Nevil Simpson who had
limp twisted body of Marcia on the floor, just come up from Guatemala. He told
with the sheer folds of the robe spread them about a fabulous stand of virgin
like a silken fan beneath her. . . . mahogany a hundred-odd miles south of
the Motagua River, and said he needed
* * * a couple of partners to help him finance a
Ramsey had met Pete Davos beside a survey.
bombed-<>ut church in Normandy. Davos " My friends," Simpson mumbled, " the
was short and thick, with heavy dark main thing is to find a way to get it out
features and curly black hair. Ramsey to the river. Awfully rough country down
was tall and broad and blond. Neither of there. Rougher'n hell. But if we can
them had any family, except for Davos' lick the transportation problem, we'll be
sister in Saginaw. fixed for life. "
After the war, the two of them drifted Pete Davos and Ramsey winked at
around the country, following the sun. each other, bought Simpson another drink,
Mostly they worked on construction jobs and presently left. But the next evening,
-when they needed money. In the Simpson looked them up at the Gulf Hotel.
autumn of 1 948 they went to the Texas He was sober, and he repeated his :;tory.
oil fields, and Ramsey became an expert Pete and Ramsey listened. Soon they
well rigger. had mahogany in their blood.
One night, in a gulf city night club Between the three of them, they scraped
called the Jungle Tavern, Ramsey met up seventeen hundred dollars. Simpson
a dancer named Sara Brand. She was insisted upon drawing up a partnership
small and dark, with a creamy skin and agreement. They picked an attorney out
brown eyes that tilted slightly at the outer of the phone book. That is how Ramsey
corners. She had been born in Mexico first met Jefferson Carr.
City. Her father had been an American When the three of them walked into
mining engineer, her mother Mexican. his office the following morning, Carr was
When Sara was fourteen, her parents standing by the door with a brief case
had been killed in an auto accident near in his hand, talking to a red-headed sec
faxco. An aunt in Acapulco had taken retary with sea-green eyes. He gazed at
her in, and had taught her Mexican the trio coldly from behind rimless eye
dances. For the past two years she had . glasses. He wore a stiff white collar, a
been dancing in night clubs from Miami dark plainly cut suit, and his gray felt
to Detroit. She hoped to eventually work hat sat squarely on his head. His mouth
her way to Hollywood. At the time Ram was small and thin-lipped.
sey met her, she had been at the Jungle Simpson said politely, " Mr. Carr ? "
Tavern for almost six weeks. She was " Yes, but I 'm just leaving. I've got
nineteen years old. to catch a plane for Austin."
Sara Brand fell in love with Ramsey " Very well, " Simpson said quietly. " We
and his brawny good looks, and she made will take our patronage elsewhere. " He
no secret of it. Ramsey was pleased, but turned to go.
a little embarrassed, because girls were " Wait, " Carr said. " Uh-perhaps I
where you found them, and he and Pete can spare you a few minutes. What did
Davos hall been talking about heading you want ?"
north to Oregon to the lumber camps. "A partnership agreement, " Simpson
Murder on the Make 89
said. "To consist of the three of us." fingers. "Of course, darling. Run along. "
Carr glanced at a clock on the wall. Carr hesitated, a doubtful expression on
"I have a little time," he said shortly. his thin face. Then he turned abruptly
" Come inside." and went out.
It took Jefferson Carr twenty-five min Simpson and Davos moved past the red
utes to draw up an agreement to Simp headed secretary to the outer door. Simp
son's satisfaction. " That will be twenty son said gently, " Coming, Rackwell ? "
five dollars, " Carr said. Ramsey glanced at the girl, and he
Pete Davos whistled softly. "A buck saw that her eyes were faintly mocking.
a minute," he murmured. He said to Simpson, " I 'll see you at the
"I am not charging you for my time," hotel." As he spoke, a sudden flame of
Carr said coldly. " I am charging you for excitement flared in the girl's eyes, and
knowing how to draw up a partnership Ramsey grinned to himself.
agreement." Simpson and Pete Davos left, but be
" Very well, sir," Simpson said, and fore the door closed, Pete gave Ramsey a
he paid him. " P lease keep the agree broad wink.
ment for us. We will return in about six Ramsey gazed at the girl. She smiled.
months . " " Rackwell, " she said softly. "That's
They had signed the agreement and an odd name. "
started to leave, when a girl came in. She "The name of my maternal grand
was tall and dark, and she walked with father. My friends call me Rack."
a long-legged arrogant stride. Her black "I'm always glad to meet Jeff's clients,"
hair was combed back over her ears, and she said. " I'm Marcia Stockton. "
she was wearing a dove-gray silky suit Ramsey started. In this part of Texas
which clung softly to her slender form. A the name of Stockton meant money. Oil
red silk scarf was knotted at her throat, money. He knew that old Clint Stockton
accentuating her rather large red mouth had died leaving ten million dollars, more
and her white skin. or less, to his daughter, Marcia. And this
She went straight to Jefferson Carr, was Marcia, gazing at him coolly with
and kissed him. "I came to say good-by, her mocking dark eyes. Then he saw the
darling," she said. " Have a nice trip." big diamond on her left hand, third fin
Carr looked faintly embarrassed. ger.
"Thank you, Marcia," he said stiffly. " I'll She caught his glance. "Jeff and I
be back in a week. " He moved to the are to be married next month," she said.
outer office. "That's nice. " Ramsey moved toward
the door. She was way out of his league.
THE
girl gazed curiously at Simpson, In the outer office the redhead began
Davos and Ramsey. When her black to peck at a typewriter. Marcia Stock
eyes met Ramsey's, he thought he detected ton stepped quickly to the door and closed
a sudden glint of interest. Ramsey it. The muffled sound of the typewriter
watched for things like that. He smiled stopped for a second, and then began
at her, and her eyes never wavered. Some again. Marcia Stockton stood about a
thing like a shiver went up Ramsey's foot away from Ramsey with her back to
spine. the door. He stood stiffly.
From the outer office, Jefferson Carr " What's the matter, Mr. Ra:ckwell Ram
said impatiently, " I really must go, Mar sey," she said softly. "What are you
cia. My plane. . . . " scared of ?"
She blew him a kiss on slender white " I' m not scared." Ramsey's voice was
90 Robert Martin
a little unsteady, despite his efforts. up from her typing, her eyes narrowed.
Her black lashes lowered. " Show me," Marcia Stockton said lightly to Ramsey,
she murmured. " M r. Carr will be glad to take the case
Ramsey put his hands on her shoulders, for you, Mr. Ramsey. "
and he pulled her gently to him. Her " Fine, " Ramsey said.
arms went around him. When he kissed Marcia winked at him, turned to the
her the floor seemed to tilt and all the redhead, and said pleasantly, " Good night,
world went crazy. Her lips were like Miss Whitney . "
fire, and she clung to him fiercely. Present "Good night, " the redhead said sul
ly he pushed her gently away, and he lenly.
took an unsteady breath. Marcia and Ramsey went down to the
She laughed softly. " Did you like that street. She had a yellow twelve-cylinder
-Rack ?" convertible at the curb. "You drive,"
Silently he reached for her again, but she said. He got behind the wheel, and
she placed her hands gently on his chest. they swung out into the late afternoon
" No, not now," she whispered. She traffic on velvet wings.
moved her head toward the sound of the
typing. " Little Miss Snoopy out there. " CHAPTER TWO
"To hell with her, " Ramsey said, and
he kissed her again. Jumping Through Homicidal Hoops
Minutes later they stood apart.
M
ARCIA STOCKTON lived in a
"What did you like about me-when
big white ranch house overlook
you first saw me ?" she asked.
ing the gulf. There was a swim
" Everything."
ming pool, and a tennis court. Ramsey
She laughed happily. "It was that way
parked the convertible in a curving drive,
with me, too. Why should we pretend ?
and they walked up to a windy terrace.
Life is too short. "
The gulf stretched blue-green below them.
"Do you always get what you want ? "
Marcia said, "Excuse me, Rack," and
"Usually-one way or another.
the high heels of her snake-skin sandals
How did you get that scar on your
clicked over the tile. She disappeared
cheek ?"
through a pair of French doors.
"A sniper's bullet in Germany . "
Ramsey sat down in a deep chrome-and
"Oh, the war . • . . Are you married,
leather chair and gazed out over the gulf.
Rack ? "
He lit a cigarette, and stretched out his
" Not yet . "
long legs. He thought of an old army
She placed a cigarette between her red
expression, You t1ever had it so good,
lips, and Ramsey struck a match for her.
and he smiled to himself.
She inhaled deeply, and gazed at him
Marcia Stockton came out, followed by
thoughtfully through the smoke. " Now
a little Mexican maid carrying a tray of
what ? " she said.
bottles, glasses and ice. The maid placed
Ramsey glanced at his wrist watch.
the tray on a low table, and Marcia said,
Twenty minutes after five in the after
"Thank you, Theresa." The maid smiled
noon. " It's drink time," he said.
and left the terrace.
She gave him a slow smile. "Shall we
go to my place-or to a bar somewhere ? " Marcia said to Ramsey, " How's your
"Your place, i f it's okay . " touch on martinis ? "
"Good. " She smoothed her red scarf " Perfect, " he said. " I once tended
and opened the door. The redhead looked bar in Havana. " -
Murder on the Make 91
" You've been around a lot, haven't He nodded slowly, told her about the
you ? " mahogany deal with Pete Davos and
"A little, " h e admitted. Swiftly and Nevil Simpson. When he had finished,
expertly he stirred the cocktails in a tall she said, " But that's silly, Rack. You
glass and poured them. don't have to go-now. Stay here with
Marcia sipped. "Wonderful. " me. "
Ramsey sat beside her, a glass in his "And wait for a lawyer named Jeff
hand. "Theresa forgot the olives," he said, Carr to come back from Austin ? "
"but who cares ? " " Who's Jeff Carr ?" she said. " I never
They laughed together, and Ramsey heard of him."
said, " How did you ever get mixed up The sun had gone down, and the ter
with a cold-blooded character like Jeffer race was in the shadow of dusk. The
son Carr ?" wind whipped a strand of dark hair
She looked at him over the rim of her across Marcia Stockton's face, and she
glass. "Jeff ? Oh, he's all right. He shivered.
handles the legal end of the business for "Are you cold ?" Ramsey asked.
the Stockton Oil Company. Dad always She shook her head silently, and her
liked him. Before he died, I promised eyes searched his face. He looked away,
him that I'd marry Jeff, but-oh, hell, and gazed out over the gulf. He thought
I've been stalling him for two years. He about Pete Davos and Simpson waiting
finally pinned me down to a wedding date for him at the hotel. This was a hell of
next month. After all, it's what dad a time for him to meet a girl like Marcia
wanted. " Stockton.
" What do you want ?" She stood up and gazed down at him.
She shrugged, and for an instant her Her fingers touched his cheek, and she
full lips twisted bitterly. Then she said softly, "Stay here with me. We'll
laughed, and held out her empty glass. have fun, Rack-more fun than you ever
" Another drink, right now. " dreamed. Tomorrow we could drive west
As Ramsey filled her glass, she said across the desert. I've got a place high
quietly, " I've known you less than an on <t hill at Malibu. In November we
hour, Rack, but I feel that it's been for could shoot pheasant in Dakota. Stay,
ever. Do you feel that way, too ?" Rack. You won't be sorry-1 promise.
"Yes. " Don't go away. I've got plenty of money. "
"Do you have a girl, Rack ? I mean He grinned up at her. " You trying
one special girl ? " to buy me ? "
Ramsey thought o f Sara B rand, and "Can I buy you, Rack ? To keep ? You
for an instant his gray eyes clouded. don't have any silly ideas about the Stock,
" Yes, " he said soberly. ton money, do you ? "
She frowned. " Who ? " Ramsey thought : I've got ideas, honey,
Ramsey grinned at her. " You. " but they're not silly. Not by any means.
She touched his arm. " It's crazy, isn't A gorgeous creature like you, plus ten
it ? When I saw you in Jeff's office, my million dollars. Sillyf Then he thought
knees went weak. But it happens, doesn't of Sara B rand. No ties there, really. But
it ? " Pete and Simpson-they were different.
" Sure. ' ' Ramsey raised h i s glass. " But They were his pals, his partners, and he
time's a-wasting. I'm leaving for Guate had promised. He looked up at the girl,
mala in three days. " and he shook his head slowly.
Her eyes widened. " Oh, no, Rack. No. " "You don't have to buv me, " he said.
92 Robert Martin
"You can have me for free. But I made mildly, "don't talk like that to Rackwell.
a deal with Pete and Simpson, and I've He's given his word. We are partners
got to go through with it." now . " Simpson was a thin man with a
"You're a fool. " red mu stache.
" Maybe. " Pete's heavy face was sullen. " You
She began to cry, like a little girl, and don't know him like I do. I remember,
she turned away from him. Ramsey stood one time in Las Vegas . . . . "
up and gently grasped her shoulders. " I'll Ramsey went into the other room and
be back in six months. That isn't so closed the door . . . .
long. " It was the third night, and a soft wind
She turned to face him. Her face was blew off the gulf. Ramsey sat on the ter
wet with tears. " I-1 '11 be married to race beside Marcia Stockton. Both of
Jeff then. Doesn't that mean anything to them were silent, and the ice tinkled soft
you ? " ly in their glasses. Ramsey thought fleet·
"You don't have t o marry him. " ingly of Sara Brand. He hadn't seen her
" I will, I will-if you don't stay." since two nights before he'd met Marcia
" No, you won't. " Stockton. She had called the hotel sev
" Hold me, Rack. Hold m e tight." eral times, but he hadn't called back.
Sara was fine, h,• thought, but he'd
HE told him to drive the convertible never meet another girl like Marcia. Not
S back to town-and to come back the another girl with her looks and her money
next day. When he entered the hotel down through the years of his life. He
room, he found Pete Davos and Simpson thought of all the jobs he'd had, the places
playing two-handed gin. They gazed at he'd slept in, the meals he'd missed. For
him silently. the first time since the war he wanted to
Ramsey took off his coat and necktie. stop moving around. To hell with Simp
"Hi, boys. " son's mahogany.
Pete Davos said, " You got lipstick on He felt Marcia's hand on his arm.
your kisser . " "Don't go, Rack. Please stay here with
Ramsey dabbed a t h i s chin with a hand n1e. "
kerchief. "I've got to go," he said to Marcia
Pete said, " That babe looked like dough. miserably.
You still going after that mahogany with There was a silence, and the wind blew.
us ? " Her fingers tightened on his arm. "All
" Sure. Why not ? " right, Rack. You win. If you want to
" Sara called for you a little while ago," marry me, I-I'll wait for you."
Pete said. " Said you had a date with Ramsey turned his head. Her face was
her." a pale oval in the darkness. He slid out
" I forgot, " Ramsey said. of the chair and knelt beside her. Her
" Forgot, hell. Sara's a nice girl, Rack. fingers caressed his face. " I 'll wait,
I told her you'd see her tomorrow. " Rack," she whispered.
" I 'll make my own dates, " Ramsey " What about Jeff Carr ? "
said. " I 'll tell him-as soon as he returns.
"All right, " Pete said. " But remem· You don't have to worry about Jeff. Or
ber we got a date in three days with a anybody."
boat., " I 'll be back, " he said, and he kissed
Nevil Simpson peered over his gold· her. It was a long kiss, because it had
rimmed glasses. " Now, Pete," he said to last for six months. . • ,
Murder on the Make 93
Six weeks later Ramsey, Pete Davos Simpson worked like a mad man. Then
and Nevil Simpson stood in a clearing he slashed at Pete's wrist with a knife
south of the Motagua River and gazed at and bent over to suck at the two bluish
their mahogany. Acres of it in the middle punctures. " Serum, " he snapped at Ram
of the tangled j ungle. Strong, thick sey. " Hypo . "
trunked trees, some of them seventy-five Ramsey filled the needle, and handed i t
feet high. Ramsey and Pete shouted and over. Simpson used i t with a stearly hand.
waved their arms, but Simpson just But Ramsey, watching the stiffening body
smiled and lit his pipe, a faint proud smile of Pete, silently cursed the maho�any.
on his lips. The two men worked feverishly. Even
" Enough wood for all the bars on Third when the stricken man began to scream
A venue , " Pete breathed. in delirium, they didn't give up. But Pete
"And then some, " Ramsey said. Davos died at sundown.
Simpson took out his thick leather note The mosquitoes began to sing, and
book and frowned at the rough map he'd Ramsey built a fire, while Simpson gent
drawn of the trip in. " If we can find a ly wrapped Pete's body in a blanket. Simp
way to get it out," he said softly. "If we son said, "Fer-de-lance. Snakes don't
can only find a way . " come much deadlier. Pete didn't have a
" Hell, " Ramsey said, "strip out an chance. One of the fangs punctured a
airfield, and fly it out." vein." He left the body, and came over
Simpson nodded slowly, and puffed on to squat by the fire beside Ramsey.
his pipe. " Maybe that's the only way, Ramsey said, " It's a high price to pay
Rackwell. " He paused, and sighed. " But for mahogany. "
it's the expensive way. A road to the river Simpson nodded silently. The firelight
would be best-but we'll see . " made hollow shadows in his lean, sad face.
Pete Davos moved away from them. " I In the morning they buried Pete, and
wanna feel them beautiful trees." He piled stones over the grave. Then they
waded through the high grass toward the started the slow trip back to the coast.
mahogany. Three weeks later they struck the road
Suddenly Pete screamed, and leaped leading to Puerto Barrios, and they made
backward. Simpson and Ramsey caught their way up the coast to Livingston.
a glimpse of a long writhing body, and There was a letter waiting for Ramsey.
they saw the dusty coils as Pete tried A dainty pearl-gray envelope smelling
frantically to shake the snake's fangs from of sandalwood. He opened it with a feel·
his wrist. Simpson cursed and ran for ing of pleasure and anticipation.
ward, drawing his revolver. Ramsey
plunged after him. Simpson fired, and Dearest Rack: Please try and forgive me.
I am married to Jeff Carr. lt was a nice
dream we had, but l guess l'm not the wait
the flat report echoed through the forest
of mahogany. And then Simpson had an ing kind. You shouldn't have left me-if
you rrally wanted to marry me. Forget
arm around Pete Davos, and was drag
me, darling, and be happy. Marcia.
ging him away. Behind them Ramsey
saw the writhing coils of the snake, and Ramsey left Simpson in Guatemala.
he emptied his gun in a surge of rage Simpson said he wanted to stay and find
and hate. Then he turned and ran to a way to get the mahogany out, maybe
where Simpson had laid Pete on the grass. make a deal with a lumber company. He
Pete's eyes were bright and glassy had made several contacts, but the answer
with shock, and his lips were trembling. had been same--the transportation was
With a tourniquet from the first aid . kit, too costly. Simpson got a job with a min-
94 Robert Martin
ing company, and said that he was going agreement. Simpson, Ramsey and Davos.
to keep trying. You're Ramsey. " He paused, and gazed
But mahogany no longer interested at his fingernails. " Did you want to see
:Ramsey. He was restless, and he wanted me about the agreement ? "
to get away. They divided the money they " What else would I want t o see you
had left, and sent Pete Davos' share to his about ? " Ramsey asked, and he saw Carr's
sister in Saginaw, along with a letter tell eyes shift for an instant. "I want a new
ing how Pete had died. Then Ramsey and agreement drawn up. Davos is dead. "
Simpson had a last drink together. Carr looked directly at him. " D ead ? "
There were tears in Simpson's pale " A snake bit him. It's just Simpson
blue eyes, and he brushed a finger across and me now."
his red mustache. " Take care of yourself, " Is Simpson here ? "
Rackwell, and let me know where I can "No. H e stayed i n Guatemala."
reach you-in case I make a deal about " But you came back here-to this city ?
the mahogany. " Why ? "
"To hell with the mahogany, " Ramsey Ramsey grinned t o himself. S o Carr
said. " Forget it. But you write to me in knew about him and Marcia, and he was
care of the hotel. I'll leave a forwarding j ealous. He said easily, "I like this town
address. " -and I wanted to change the agreement. "
"We are still partners," Simpson said "That could have been arranged by
gravely. " M aybe you'd better see that mail," Carr said coldly. "And Simpson
lawyer-what's his name ?" will have to sign it to make it legal. "
"Carr," Ramsey said, and his voice was " I 'll mail i t to Simpson. Send the new
harsher than he had intended. agreement to me at the Gulf Hotel. How
"Tell him about Pete, " Simpson said, much do I owe you ?"
"and have him change the agreement. " Ten dollars. "
You can mail it to me here for my signa Ramsey tossed two fives on the desk,
ture . " and turned to go.
" Okay," Ramsey said. He shook hands " Ramsey , " Carr said harshly.
with Simpson, and went out. Ramsey turned.
"I know about that foolish conversation
you had with Marcia, " Carr said. " She's
D sey got into a poker game, and when
URING the voyage up the gulf Ram-
my wife now, you know . "
he walked off the dock in Texas there were " Yes. I know . "
eighty-four dollars left in his pocket. But "Are you going tQ b e i n town long ? "
he didn't worry about it. A good derrick " Maybe. It depends."
rigger could always find a job in oil coun " I wouldn't think there is anything here
try. At the Gulf Hotel he shaved, show to interest you . "
ered, changed his clothes, and walked to Ramsey grinned. H e felt mean. " There
the office of Jefferson Carr. It was three might be, " he said.
o'clock in the afternoon. Carr compressed his thin lips. There
Jefferson Carr, wearing a tight dark was hate in his eyes. Ramsey wanted to
suit and a high stiff collar, was sitting laugh. Then he thought of Marcia. Mrs.
behind his big desk. He didn't get up. jefferson Carr. Ten million dollars. He
Looking at him, Ramsey thought of Mar no longer wanted to laugh.
cia, and he felt a sudden surge of j ealousy. Carr said, "You know what I mean,
He said, " Remember me ?" Ramsey. "
"Yes," Carr said. "A partnership "Do I ?" Ramsey asked softly. He
Murder on the Make 95
moved to the door. "Just get that agree "What's the matte r ? "
ment over to me. " He went out quickly, " Everything, Rack. It-it's all wrong.
slamming the door. Listen, I want to talk to you, but I can't
He spent what was left of the afternoon now. "
walking the streets of the city. At six "Jeff listening ? " He couldn't keep the
o'clock he went to the bar of the Gulf faint sneer from his voice.
Hotel. He was on his second martini " No, no. Jeff's out of town. He left
when a bellboy came in and peered about. for Austin . " She lowered her voice. " But
" Mr. Ramsey ? ' ' he called. there's someone else here . . . . Can I see
"Here," Ramsey said. you later ? "
The boy came over and handed him a Ramsey hesitated for only a second.
slip of paper. It was from the hotel desk, Then he said in a tight voice, " When ?
and the penciled words read : What time ? "
"This is Theresa's night out. She'll
Mr. R. Ramsey, Room 421, 4 : 10 P.M.: be leaving after dinner. Can you come
Mrs. J. Carr telephoned while you werl! out.
out about ten ? "
She asks that you call her as soon as you
return. " All right. "
" I-I'll be waiting, Rack . "
He read it twice. Then he said,
" How did you know I was i n town ? "
"Thanks, " to the waiting boy and handed
" I 've got t o hang up now. Good-by."
him a quarter. He ordered another drink.
The receiver clicked in his ear.
To hell with Marcia. He finished the
drink hurriedly, went out to the lobby
and sat down. Two minutes later he was CHAPTER TII REB
in a phone booth calling her number. The
Uke Old Time.
little Mexican maid answered.
" Mrs. Carr, please. " He felt the sweat
R
AMSEY had a lonely dinner at
on his forehead. " Mr. Ramsey calling. "
the hotel, and afterwards he
"One moment. " strolled slowly up the street, kill
Then Marcia's voice. Soft, throaty, ex
ing time. He came to a corner, and he
citing. Once more he was back on the
saw a familiar sign. The Jungle Tavern.
He thought of Sara Brand, and he had a
wind-swept terrace, and her lips were
•
A
MAN came out of the door, and stood " Oh, I'm sorry ! " the gray-haired man
before them. He was handsome in said. He whipped out a handkerchief and
a heavy, rugged way. His yellow hair was began to dab at Ramsey's suit. " Very
combed neatly, and parted on the side. He clumsy of me. "
was wearing a midnight blue tuxedo with " Forget it, " Ramsey said. " It's all
carefully tailored shoulders. He smiled right. "
at Sara Brand, showing strong white " Let me buy you a drink," the gray
teeth. haired man said. He glanced ruefully at
'"Evening, Sara, " he said easily. his glass. "And I seem to need a re-fill"
98 Robert Marlin
He smiled. He had a smooth ruddy face, the stool, started to leave the bar.
black brows, and friendly blue eyes. " I'm Wheeler touched his arm. "Wait. "
Phil Wheeler. " From a thin leather wallet he extracted
They sat together at the bar, and ord a card and handed it to Ramsey. The card
ered drinks. "Ramsey's the name," Ram read : The Starlight Club. Fine Food antl
sey said. Liquors. Private Parties by Appointment.
" Stranger in town ? " Sand Road. Phil Wheeler, Owner.
Ramsey grinned. "How can you tell ? " "That's my place, " Wheeler said. " If
Wheeler laughed. "You don't talk you'd like some action with the cards or
like Texas. You talk like Ohio, or In dice, we'll accomodate you."
diana." "Thanks. Maybe I could build up my
" I was born in Toledo," Ramsey said, shrinking bank roll," Ramsey said.
"but I haven't been back for a long time. " Perhaps, " \Vheeler said gravely.
I just came up from Guatemala. " "You'll get a fair play for your money . "
Wheeler cocked an eyebrow at him. He took the card and wrote on it with a
"Oil ? " fountain pen. O.K.-P. Wheeler. "That'll
" Mahogany. One o f m y partners died, get you into the gaming rooms," Wheeler
and I pulled out. I lost my shirt. " said. "We have to be a little careful right
Wheeler sighed, and twirled the ice in now. There's a new reform sheriff in the
his glass. " Everything's a gamble. coUtity, and we haven't yet come to an
What're you going to do now ?" agreement on his-ah-financial arrapge
Ramsey shrugged. "I don't know. ment. " He laughed. "How about pay
Probably get a job in the fields. I used ing us a visit tonight ? "
to be a rigger. " "Why tonight ? Any special reason ? "
Wheeler gazed into his glass, and said " Frankly, yes. I think maybe I have
carefully, "I hope you won't take offense, something which might interest you. A
but I couldn't help hearing your conver job, sort of. "
sation with Blake King just now. I gath "Tell me about it ?"
ered that Miss Brand-a charming girl, Wheeler shook his head. " Not here.
by the way-is an old friend of yours." Not in Blake King's place. Say, in an
" Sort of," Ramsey said. " I knew her hour ? "
before I went south. " "All right," Ramsey said.
Wheeler took a sip o f his drink. "I Wheeler smiled. "Good. I'll expect
gathered from your comments, " h e said, you. "
"that you are a little out of touch with Ramsey went back to his table. Sara
present conditions at the Jungle Tavern. Brand danced again, this time in an off
It is generally understand in these parts the-shoulder peasant blouse and a swirling
that Miss B rand is-ah-Blake King's skirt. She avoided meeting Ramsey's
girl . " gaze, and when the dance was over she
Ramsey glanced a t Wheeler, but there did not come to his table. Puzzled, Ram
was nothing but friendly interest in his sey was about to go back to her dressing
eyes. " She didn't say so," Ramsey said. room, when he realized that it was time
" I'll take my chances." for him to keep his appointment with Phil
Wheeler smiled. " Good for you. I like Wheeler.
that. How about another drink ?" He went to the check room, and wrote
Ramsey shook his head. " No, thanks. " on the back of an envelope : Can I take
He wanted to get back to his table before you home! I'll be back. Rack. He gave
Sara Brand came on again. He slid off the check-room girl a dollar, and asked
MU'I'der on the Make 99
her to see that Sara Brand got the note. A pearl-handled .38 revolver lay on
Then he went out to the street. top of the desk. Wheeler motioned Ram
It had started to rain. A taxi pulled up, sey to a chair, and sat down behind the
and Ramsey got in. "Starlight Club," he desk. As he moved the revolver aside,
said to the driver. he caught Ramsey's glance. " Paper
The place was three miles out of town, weight," he said, grinning.
a low rambling structure with a discreet Ramsey saw the glint of brass in the
neon sign and surrounded by a wide park gun's cylinder, said, "With slugs in it. "
ing area. Inside, there were only a sprin "You have sharp eyes, " Wheeler said,
kling of people at the bar, and in the big still smiling. "But after all, we don't
dining room. Ramsey laid Phil Wheeler's operate a frosted malt and hot dog stand
card on the bar, and the bartender nodded here. " He cleared his throat. "We'll get
gravely. " This way, sir. " · down to business. I suppose you, like all
Ramsey followed him down a passage of us, are interested in making some
way to a closed door. The bartender money ?"
pressed a button-. A slot in the door Ramsey jerked his head toward the
opened, and a pair of eyes peered out. It door. " Sure-but not out there. "
reminded Ramsey of the old speakeasy " Something a Iitle more certain, per
days. The bartender held up Wheeler's haps ?"
card. The slot closed, and the door opened. " Preferably," Ramsey said. " However,
A fat man in a brown tweed ·suit smiled I'm not too choosey . "
at Ramsey, and led him through another " Good, " Wheeler said, and h e gazed
door and into a big brightly-lighted room, thoughtfully at Ramsey. "Can I trust
to where customers were. There were you ? I mean, .can I trust you-for a cut
. three crap tables, a roulette wheel, · and .· out of maybe a hundred thousand dol
walls were banked solid with slot ma lars ? "
chines. Four poker games were -in .prog Ramsey kept his ·face composed. "How
ress. much of a cut ?"
: · · Wheeler's lips tightened.
It was all very quiet anc:h>i'd«rly. M · "You said
. most the only sounds were · the · click bf I y()u' weren't choosey. I'm talking about a
chips, the whir of. the wheel, and ,the low, · ten per ·cent cut. "
·
. monotonous voices of the house men at "Go on."
· the dice tables. · · " I told you that I overheard your con
P.hil . Wheeler detached himself from a versation with Blake King tonight. Ob
group around the wheel and came toward viously, he didn't scare you. I liked that.
· Ramsey. As he approached, the fat man And now, I must ask a rather personal
said, "Okay, boss ?" question-are you in love with Miss
Wheeler smiled and nodded. . The fat · Brand ?"
·. man moved away. Ramsey was a little startled, but he said
carefully, " She's a nice girl, although I
pHIL WHEELER didn't . look like a guess I never thought about being in love
gambler, Ramsey thought. ! · He looked · with her."
: more like a banker, or a corporation lawy " Is she in love with you ?" ·
er. "We'll go to my office," Wheeler said. " What is this ?" Ramsey asked ·curious
: He kd Ramsey to a door at the far end ly. " Advice to the lovelorn ?"
of the big room and into an oak-paneled "Never mind. I know she likes you. I
· office containing a · big desk� . deep leather : watched · quite carefully as she talked
. chairs, and a modern steel safe. with you tonight. " He smiled. " She
100 Robert Martin
·��uld be in love · with you, I think. Your Wheeler grimaced in distaste. " Don't
clothes are good. You talk all right� and be crude. Nothing like that. Those days
. your appearance, while rugged, is not are over. Now, listen. You're young.
exactly repulsive. You're the man I need. Your life is before you. One girl, more
A local boy could never do the job I have or less, won't mean a thing." He smiled
in mind. When it's over, you can pull crookedly. " I'd like the job myself-ex
out-with ten thousand dollars." cept that I'm a little old for Miss Brand,
Wheeler paused, and gazed at Ramsey and I want to stay in business here.
with level eyes. "Before I go any further, Everyone thinks that she is Blake King's
I want to make sure of one thing. I'm exclusive property. I don't know how
about to offer you a job. If you take she feels about him, but I know that he
it, fine. If you don't, can I have your trusts her. He trusts her a hell o.f a lot.
word that you'll keep quiet about my of "Last year the income tax boys, and the
fer ? And about what I tell you ?" F.B.I., gave him a scare, and now he keep s
Ramsey nodded silently. his cash in a safe deposit box in a bank
"All right, " Wheeler said gravely. up town. He's got at least a hundred
"First, there's this : Blake King's Jungle grand salted away, probably more. We
Tavern is a flossy front for King's chief have ways of learning those things. But
activity-narcotics. Are you shocked ?" here's the pay•_off-the safe deposit box
Ramsey wasn't shocked, but he was is registered in Sara Brand's name. She's
surprised. "Nothing shocks me any covering for him, so that the money can't
more." be traced to him. When he needs cash, she
Wheeler smiled faintly. " Good. The gets it for him-no check books for that
Jungle Tavern is a clea.ring house for account. Do you follow me ?"
the stuff from across the border. Big Ramsey did, and he didn't like it. "Go
business. Well organized. A lot of us on," he said.
around town know about it, but so far "I've made a thorough study of the
King's steered clear of the law. I suspect situation. Blake King keeps close watch
that he's greasing a few palms where it'll on Sara Brand. And I've watched her.
do the most good. Anyhow, if he can She's lonesome, and a little scared of
get away with it, it's no skin off my nose. King. He sees that no men get chummY,
None of us wear halos." with her at the Tavern, and he keeps tabs
He paused, and sighed deeply. "I'm on her after hours. But it's obvious that
a corrupt man, Ramsey. Life has corrupted she likes you. You could cultivate her
and warped me. When I see a chance for friendship, and-"
a killing, I began to figure the percent Ramsey said, "And she gets the money;
ages. Oh, I take chances, but the dice for me out' of the safe deposit box. "
have to be talking before I do. They're Wheeler smiled. "That's the general
talking now-through you. We can't idea. It shouldn't be too difficult. Just
miss, if we play it right. All you have to gain her sympathy. You're broke. The
do is make Miss Sara Brand love you." mahogany deal ·cleaned you out. You'll
Ramsey thought a minute. Then he take her away with you, that sort of thing.
said, " So I make Sara Brand fall in love I'll leave the details to you. Don't you
with me, and I get ten thousand dollars ? " like the idea ?"
"Attractive deal, don't you think ? I "No," Ramsey said. "I'm not that
envy you, Ramsey. " hungry yet."
"And how many guys d o I have to Wheeler frowned. "I didn't think you'd
machine gun ?" be squeamish, Ramsey. I picked you for a
Murder on the Make
man of the world. It's dog eat dog in this Ramsey stepped to the passageway, and
rat race we call life. I know. I thought you slammed the door. The fat man in the
knew, too. If you don't get that money brown tweed suit was leaning against the
through Miss Brand, somebody else will. opposite wall smoking a pipe. "How do
It's there, waiting for the right man. And you get out of this rat trap ?" Ramsey
you're that man." snarled.
Ramsey stood up. "Thanks for noth Silently the fat man led him to a door,
ing. " and opened it. Ramsey stepped out into
Wheeler's eyes held a cold light. the dark parking area behind The Star
"You're a fool, Ramsey." His voice was light Club, and the door closed behind him.
:flat and hard. " I took a big chance in It was still raining. He turned up his
telling you this. I won't take any more. I coat collar, and ran across the road to a
think you'd better leave town-tonight." gas station. It was five minutes until ten
Ramsey laughed, and moved to the door. o'clock. He called a taxi from a pay booth
" Get out, " Wheeler said bitterly. "Get in the station, and when it came he ran
the hell out." <'�Ut and got in.
I Of, Robert Martin.
T-he driver said., "Where to� Jade ?" reproachfully. "And suoh a pretty girl"
Ramsey gave him Marcia's address. As "I dicfn't kiit her." Ramsey's voice W&!J
the tui swung around in the road, Ram a eroa.k.
sey glaoced back. He thought be saw a "What's that in your hand ?'' t:he voic;e
cu puU away from The Starlight Club asked. "A squid gun ? Come cm-cet
and follow the taxi &on,g the rain-swept up..H
road. Then he lost sight o.f the headlights Ramsey turned his head. He saw that
in the rain, and he leaned hack in the he was holding a blue-steel revol'V'er tight
seat. ly in his right hand. One finger was
"Nasty night.'' he said to the driver. crooked over the trigger. He opened his
«Off the gulf, " the driver said. "It'll fingers quickly, and pulled his hand away.
last for a week. " The gun lay on the rug, a wicked blue
Ramsey thought about Phil Wheeler's · thing. Ramsey pushed himself slowly to
fantastic proposition.. What had happemed his feet, his :eyes avoiding the hody 4f
to Sara ? Was she in cahoots with a d.Bpe the girl.
nmning heel ? He didn't want my part of The fat man moved swiftly. He dropped
a cnzy deal like that. He was gGin:c to a handkerchief over the gun, and placed
see Marcia for one last time. and then it itt his cBat pocket. Ramsey stared
he'd shake the dust of the gulf coast from stupidly. The fat man said :
· his beds. He'd head north. To heU with "You're in bad trouble, son. I followed
Marcia, and to hell with Sara Brand. you here to this bouse, and I waited out
The taxi driver &aid, "Along here some side. Then I. beard a shot. You didn't
• oome out, so I came in and round you. I
place ?•
Ramsey looked out through the rain. called Mr. Wheeler, and he told me to
He saw the curvittg drive leading up to bring you back to him. Ready ?"
Mucia's house. "Yep,,. he said. "Tucn Ramsey's head pounded, and he couldn't
in.H think. The whole world seemed to be in
a fog. He felt a hand on his arm, pulling
CHAPTER FOUR him to the dopr, and he followed dwnlt<ly.
The cold wet air hit his face, and be
Trapped! shivered. He .felt the hands push him into
a car, and he didn't protest. From some
HE toe of a polished tan
T
shoe where in the darkness he heard the moan
kicked gently against Ramsey's chin. of a siren, and he saw a blinking red
He stirred feebly, and the shoe light. He felt the car move, gather speed.
kicked him again, not so gently. He opened "The oops," the fat man muttered.
his eyes si()wiy. Marcia was lyittg close "They got tipped off fast. " Ramsey saw
to him. The silken robe was draped limp the wide wet ro;:1d ahead. The police car
ly over her body, and her g1ossy black roared past them, and its brakes shrieked
hair was spread out beneath her head. as it swung into the drive of Marcia Carr's
Her fa-ce was no longer beautiful. Ram house. . .: .
sey dosed his eyes quicldy, remembering. Ramsey sat. limply, �taring with dull
Above him an urgent voice said, "Get eyes at the roa� ahead. After a while he
up. We gotta go. " saw the light!\ pf, The Starlight Cluh . His
Ramsey rotted over on his back and head began . to dear, and he. sat up
squinted upward. The fat man from Phil straight. "What does Wheeler want ?"
Wheeier's Starlight aub srood over him. he muttered.
"Why did you kill her ? " the voke asked " Shush," , .the fat man said. "You're
.Murder on the Make
damn lucky to get away from back there "Would you like a drink ? "
before the cops busted in on you . " He " No. "
wheeled the car into the parking area and Wheeler sighed, and leaned forward.
stopped behind the building. He got out, " Earlier this evening you and I discussed
said, " Come on, son. " Ramsey followed · a business proposition, " he said smoothly.
him obediently . . . . "You refused. At this time I would like
He sat in a leather chair. His head still to renew my offer. "
pounded, but he knew where he was. In Ramsey thought fast. He thought of·
Phil Wheeler's office again. The pearl· Sara .Brand, and of the money stashed
handled .38 was still on the desk. Beside away in her name, and of Marcia Carr,
the gun was something·wrapped in a white dead on a blood-red rug. He thought of a
handkerchief. Wheeler sat behind the lot of things, and he remembered Whee
desk readi� a single sheet of paper. ler's phrase, It's dog eat dog, Ten thou·
Ramsey recogniz�d the pearl-gray sand dollars would take hirri a long 'Way
paper. Marcia's letter to him telling him from Texas. He said to Wheeler, "And I
that she had married Jeff Carr. He started still get my cut ? "
to get out of his chair. " Hey- " he said, " Not quite,'' Wheeler said. "The terms
Wheeler laid the letter on the desk, and have altered slightly since our first dis·
looked at him with cold eyes. "A nasty cussion. Due to the present circumstances,
business, Ramsey. No wonder you your share is now-ah-five thousand."
·wouldn't accept my proposition. You had "I see , " Ramsey said shortly. " But I
murder on your mind. The gun that V\,c· still get the gun, and. the letter ?"
tor brought me will have your fi ngerprints " Of course. "
on it, and this letter shows she jilts you Ramsey hesitated. Then h e said, " What
for Carr-so jealousy is your motive. If I j ust tell you to go to hell and walk out
" But you're lucky. You should be very of here ? "
grateful to Victor for getting you away Wheeler shrugged. "That would be
before the police arrived. Fortunately for very unwise. I will merely turn over the
you, I had Victor follow you when you gun and the letter to the poli<;e-together
left here. After all, I had tipped my hand. with Victor as a witness. "
You might have gone straight to Blake "A complete frame job, huh ? "
King and told him of the offer I made to Wheeler looked annoyed. " Why . do you
you-" keep harping on that ? You killed her,
"I didn't kill her," Ramsey said, "and didn't you ? "
y()U know it. Somebody was hiding in the " No; " Ramsey said, and he sighed. It
adjoining room and shot her-while 1 didn't make any difference. "What if I
was talking to her . " can't talk Sara Brand out of the money ? "
" Who, pray tell ? " Wheeler sneered. "You can try, " · Wheeler said. "It
" Maybe your fat boy, Victor. I suppose should be enjoyable work . " He smiled
I killed her, and then knocked myself faintly. " However, I am not asking the
cold ? " Ramsey paused, waiting for his impossible. If you fail, if Miss Brand
head to clear, trying to remember. does not succumb to your charms-well,
" You're grasping at straws," ·Wheeler you leave town, and no harm done. "
said coldly. "All I have to do is turn over " Nothing foJ my time ? "
this gun and the letter to the police, and " Oh, maybe a hundred bucks or so,"
you'd be arrested for murder. " Wheeler said carelessly. "I don't ask peo
Ramsey began to sweat. " I get i t now , " ple to work for me for nothing. "
h e said bitt�rly. " A frame. What's next ? " "You're very generous."
104 Robert Martin
Wheeler smiled pleasantly. " It's a tough spotlight glitter was gone, and she looked
world, Ramsey. Do you need some ex-
·
as cute as a high school girl getting dressed
pense money ?" for the senior prom. She stared silently
1'Yes-unless you think I can do my at Ramsey with big eyes.
courting on the sixty dollars I've �ot left." " Hello." He smiled at her. "Did you
'
Wheeler took a roll of bills from his get my note ?"
pocket, and tossed two fifties on the desk. "Yes-but listen, Rack, please. You
"If you need more, let me know. But re mustn't see me any more."
member this-if you get in a jam, don't "Why not ?"
expect any help from me. I don't know "Because you mustn't. Please . . " • .
you, never saw you before. All clear ?" "I thought maybe we could go some·
"Perfectly. I do a nasty job, and you where and talk."
collect." She shook her head quickly. "No, Rack.
"Don't be bitter, Ramsey. Perhaps you Please go."
would prefer to stand trial for murder ?" "I'll call you tomorrow."
Ramsey picked up the bills, and moved She shook her head, and started to close
to the door. He felt trapped, caged, and the door. Then her gaze shifted beyond
he wanted to mash his fist into Wheeler's him, and her eyes widened. Ramsey
face. Wheeler saw the anger in Ramsey's turned. Blake King stood in the hallway
eyes, and he couldn't resist a final goad. behind him. Big shouldered, still immacu
He quoted softly, "Romeo, Romeo." lately dressed in the midnight blue tuxedo,
"I'll do your damn job,'' Ramsey said, his neatly parted hair glinting in the light.
and he tried to keep his voice steady, "and His heavy lips were smiling, but there was
I'll collect that five grand. But, someday, no smile in his eyes. His cold gaze fiicked
I'm coming back here." He went out and over Ramsey, dismissing him, and he said
slammed the door. to the girl, "Get dressed, Sara. I'll take
you home. "
" Did you see them ? " Ramsey asked you skipped out . "
him. Ramsey said harshly, " What really
VictO£ nodded soberly. " Yes. Rafael happened at Jeff Carr's house last nigh t ? "
and Sonny. Blake King's boys. Bad ones, V ictor said reproachfully, " Now, there's
too. They had the girl with them. " no sense in dragging out dead cats. I
" What am I supposed to do now ? " followed you, like Wheeler said, and I
Ramsey asked harshly. " Get o n a horse heard a shot, and I went in. There you
and chase them ? Tell Wheeler I quit ! " were, on the floor with a gun in your
A police car cruised slowly past them, hand-and Mrs. Carr dead. "
two grim-faced officers in the front seat. Ramsey said, " How could I kill her ?
One of them glanced sharply at Ramsey, When I was knocked cold ? That gun was
and Ramsey .had a sudden cold feeling at planted in my hand. "
the base of his skull. Victor shook h i s head slowly. " I only
Victor said quietly, " Son, you can't know what I saw. I told Mr. Wheeler,
quit . " and I did what he said . " Fie paused, .and
As Ramsey watched the· police car move added hopefully, " Maybe you fainted or
slowly up the street, he knew that Victor something after you drilled her. "
was telling the truth. He was in.too deep Ramsey said bitterly, " Have you got a
now, and Phil Wheeler would never let gun ? "
him quit. " Yes, son-but you can't have it. "
Victor said sadly, " You seem like a "Maybe you'd drive me over to the
Robert Martin
J u ngle Tavern ? You may as well be of
some help." LA TE FLASH : After this edition
had gone to,press police reported that
"I can't do that. Blake King, or one of
an anonymous telephone caller had
his boys, might see me. Mr. Wheeler named the killer of Mrs. Carr as a
wouldn't like that." man named Rockwell Ramsey, cur
rmtly registe'red at the Gulf Hotel, of
"And neither would you," Ramsey this city, who was described as an
alleged former suitor of Mrs. Carr
sneered. /;efore lier marriage four months ago
"No, " Victor said slowly, "I guess I to Mr. Carr. Ramsey was described
by the unknown informer as about
wouldn't. " thirty years old, six foot tall, weigh
ing around one hundred and eighty
"I see, " Ramsey said. "The wife and
pounds, and having gray eyes and
kids." He pulled his head out of the blond hair, cut short, and wearing,
when last seen, a gray f/a1mel mit and
coupe's window.
a dark brown hat. Police traced the
"Good luck, son , " Victor said to him call to a pay booth in a downtown
quietly. drug store, but there the trail ended.
However, police believe that the per
Ramsey walked away from him, shoul son who made the call was the same
ders, stiff. person who telephoned them immedi
ately after the shooting in the Carr's
"Wait," Victor called after him. " I fashionable gulf coast home.
almost forgot. "
Ramsey_ turned, and Victor handed him
a folded newspaper. Ramsey opened it. Ramsey handed the paper back to Vic
The murder of Marcia Carr was on the tor. "Have you got a putty nose and false
front page. mustache I could borrow ?" he asked.
There were• lots of pictures, including "You're on a spot," Victor said solemn
several of her in a bathing suit. Ramsey ly. "A very hot spot. "
gazed at her laughing face, and her mar "What's Wheeler trying to do ?" Ram
velous figure, and with a dull feeling of sey asked bitterly. " Double-double frame
pain he remembered her as he had last me ?"
seen her-dead on a blood-red rug with " I j ust work for him," Victor said. "I
her dark hair falling over her face. Grim told you that. Right now my job is to see
ly he scanned the headlines, and skipped that you don't leave town. That's all."
through the story : Ramsey turned and walked away. At
the corner he caught a taxi and headed
OIL HEIRESS MURDERED Mrs.
back across town toward the J ungle
. . • .
Police Comb City for Mystery Killer . • • • Tavern. He glanced back once, and he saw
Taxi Driver Says He Can Identify Late
the green coupe following at a careful dis
Visitor. . . . Mysterious telephone call sum
mons police immediately after shooting . . • . tance.
Robbery not motive. ·. . . Husband away on
business trip to Austin told today of tragedy
AMSEY left the taxi a block beyond
. . . . Victim daughter of the late Clinton
Stockton, southern Texas multi-millionaire
oil tycoon . . . . .
R the Jungle Tavern, and walked back.
He went down an alley and turned into a
Ramsey stopped reading. He had read courtyard at the rear filled with stacks
enough. of empty beer cases and garbage cans. H e
Victor said, "Go ahead and read the didn't look back t o see where Victor was.
box, son . " To hell with Victor.
Ramsey's gaze' returned to the paper. The long black sedan was parked be
Halfway down the front page was a boxed hind the Jungle Tavern. The door on the
item. driver's side was hanging open. Ramsey
Murder on the Make ,1 09
was scared, and yet a little ·excited. He squinted one eye down the wavering
felt a kind of anticipation, and he wished barrel.
he had a gun, but he didn't worry about it. Ramsey crouched, jumped for him, and
He tried the knob of a door which he came up under the gun. The kid laughed
guessed opened into the kitchen. To his wildly, and wrestled clumsily. Ramsey
surprise, the door was not locked. He grasped the kid's wrist, jerked him for
opened it an inch, and waited. It was very ward, and brought his right fist up against
quiet. Quietly he stepped inside and the kid's chin. His head snapped back,
moved across the kitchen to another door. and Ramsey caught him before he hit
He opened this door a crack, and peered the floor.
through. The whiskey bottle rolled on the floor,
He could see the edge of the dance floor, and settled down to a steady gurgling.
an expanse of empty tables and chairs, and Ramsey twisted the gun from the kid's
the bar through an alcove at the far end limp fingers, and shot a quick dance down
of the big room. The place looked as empty the hall. Both doors were still closed. The
and as still as only a night club can look kid hung over him, motionless, and Ram
at one o'clock in the afternoon. sey started to lower him to the floor.
From somewhere beyond the bar he He felt a sudden hot pain in his side,
heard the sound of muffled voices. Then just above his belt, and he flung the kid
silence. He tip-toed over the dance floor violently away from him. The kid slumped
to the bar. The door to the hall leading to against the wall, his hair in his eyes, and
Sara Brand's dressing room was open. He Ramsey saw the bright gleam of the blade
heard a thudding sound, as though a chair in his hand. He held the knife before him,
had been knocked over, and then a man's and he made little jabbing motions toward
harsh voice, loud, but muffled. Ramsey.
The sounds seemed to be coming from " Come on, guy," the kid whispered.
a door beyond Sara Brand's dressing "Hit Sonny again. " He stuck out his
room. Ramsey moved slowly forward in chin for Ramsey to hit. "I like it. It feels
the semi-darkness. He heard a new sound, good. Guns are nasty. Knives are more ·
and stood still to listen. A woman sobbing. fun. Come on, guy. But don't let Blake
There was a soft, furtive movement be and Rafael hear us. They'd spoil our fun."
hind him. He turned. The kid with the He danced toward Ramsey, jabbing with
chestnut hair was standing at the end of the knife.
the hall, between the door and the bar. Ramsey kicked the kid in the stomach
In his right hand he held a big black as hard as he could. The kid doubled up,
automatic pistol. In his left hand was a sucking in his breath. Ramsey stepped
whiskey bottle, open. His thick hair fell in, smacked him over the head with the
over his forehead, and his eyes looked hot automatic, and jumped clear. But the kid
and glazed. He stood there swaying, grin didn't go down. He stumbled toward
ning like an idiot. Ramsey, his legs wobbling, thrusting the
He held the gun loosely, carelessly, as if knife forward in short delicate motions.
he didn't know he held it, and he stepped "Aw, come on, guy, " he panted. " Play
into the hall, moving lightly, lifting his fair with Sonny. It'll be so much fun.
feet high, like a cat walking on fly paper. You'll see . " The knife snaked out.
He mumbled something, and then he Ramsey jumped sideways, and brought •
giggled. He raised the automatic, pointed the automatic down with thudding force .
it at Ramsey, and held it at arm's length, behind the kid's ear. The kid dropped to
like a shooter on a target range. He his knees, and Ramsey hit him again. The �
Robert Martir
kfd· :sighed, and fell on his face. Ramsey Ramsey shoe him in the right leg, j ust
flattened himself against the wall, his eyes above the knee. King hit the floor in an
on the closed doors. attitude of prayer, his lips twi�ted in pain.
Nothing happened. Nothing but silence. He tried to struggle to his feet, but he
He hefted the automatic in his hand. Colt couldn't make it, and he lunged for Ram
.38-a lovely weapon. Slowly he edged sey, his hands out-stretched.
along the wall to the door beyond Sara Ramsey struck him on the temple with
Brand's dressing room. He heard a soft the gun. King hit the thick rug, and lay
movement from inside, and the knob still. Sara Brand stared dumbly. The blood
turned slowly. Ramsey held his breath, was bright on her chin. She took a deep
and pressed against the wall. His side felt shuddering breath.
wet where the kid had jabbed him. But no "Rack," Sara Brand said, "he slapped
pain. He didn't feel a thing. me. He wanted to know why you were
The door opened slowly, and the thin trying to see me. He was like a crazy man.
brown man called Rafael poked his head I found out today that he had the tele
out. Ramsey struck with the gun. Rafael phone in my apartment tapped. He sent
pitched forward into the hall. Ramsey Rafael and Sonny to get me, before you
jumped over him into the room, the auto came. He-he said he was going to kill
matic out in front. you. . . . "
Her voice broke, and she got slowly to
CHAPTER SIX her feet. " Rack, " she said unsteadily,
"Oh, Rack. " The beginning of hysteria
Loaded-and Lammin' glinted in her eyes.
" Never mind," Ramsey said gently,
E WAS in an office. Elegantly
H
and he placed an arm around her shoul
furnished. Thick tan rug, soft in
ders. "Come along. " He led her swiftly ·
direct lighting. Blake King whirled
from the office, over the still form of
to face him, his handsome face contorted
Rafael, and down the hall past the limp
in rage and surprise. Sara Brand sat
body of Sonny. He sat her on a leather
huddled in a chair. There was a thin
bar stool. " Stay here. "
trickle of blood on her chin, and her eyes
He ran to the kitchen, found a ball of
were big with fear. When she saw Ram·
heavy twine, and returned to the hallway.
sey, her eyes got bigger.
Sara Brand watched silently as he tied
Blake King's gaze flicked over the silent Sonny's ankles to his wrists, and dragged
form of Rafael sprawled in the doorway. him to the door of King's office. Then he
Then he bawled, " Sonny I Where the hell trussed up Rafael, and pulled them both
are you ?" into the office. Blake King was next, and
"Shut up, " Ramsey snapped. "And sit Ramsey worked feverishly.
down." When he finished, he yanked the tele
There was no fear in King's eyes-just phone on the desk from its wiring, and ·
anger and contempt. He said, "I see now tossed it into a corner. As he started for
that I should have had the boys do a more the door, King opened his eyes. He began
complete job on you last night." to struggle violently; and the blood oozed
"Sit down," Ramsey said. " Now. Or I from the wound in his leg. " Damn
start shooting. I'm going out of here, and you-" King choked.
the girl goes with me. " Ramsey went out quickly, slammed the
"Like hell," King said, and he j umped door, and locked it from the outside. Ten
for Ramsey. seconds later he was pushing Sara Brand
Murder on the Make Il l
into the front seat of the black sedan for a while-not with a .38 slug in his leg.
parked in the rear. He got in, saw with He said to the girl, " Forget the oil
relief that the key was i n the ignition lock, heiress. Just forget her. " As he spoke he
and started the motor. He was panting, wondered suddenly, and with a · shock, i l
sweating, and his side was beginning to she knew about Marcia's death. He waited
burn. He laid the automatic on the seat tensely for her to speak.
beside him, and backed �ut of the alley. But she seemed not to have heard him.
" Where are we going ? " Sara Brand " Rack, " she said, "I owe you a lot-for
asked. what you did for me. When I saw you
"Away from here fast, " he grunted, and come i n that door, I-I almost fainted
he swung the sedan into the southbound with joy. I was scared silly. But there i s
traffic. He glanced at the gasoline gauge. �omething I want t o tell you-to tell some
Half full. Plenty. He looked in the rear one: lt's worried me for a long time . " She
view mirror. A green coupe was four paused.
cars behind him. Victor, the bloodhound, " Go on, " Ramsey 'said gently, and he
was still on his tan. He looked sideways kept his eyes on the traffic.
at the girl. She had wiped the blood from " I came to town eight months ago, "
her chin. she said. " My money was gone, and I was
She laughed shakily. " Golly," she sick-running a temperature. I tried to
breathed. get work, but no one could use me. Danc
He patted her arm. " Never mind. Re ing is all I know. I went to the Jungle
lax . " He watched the street ahead. Sud Tavern. "
denly he swung right. " Listen, " he said, Blake King gave m e a job, and he
"we've got to think fast about what we're got a doctor for me. It seems that I
going to do. You can't go back to work was in the early stages of pneumonia. The
for King now . " doctor sent me to a hospital. Blake paid
" No, no. I-I hate him. And Rafael, for everything.
and Son'ny. " She shivered a little. " I'll " When I was well, I went to work for
never go back there. " him. It was the least I could do. After a
Ramsey gripped the wheel tighter. Now while, I suggested leaving, but he wouldn't
was the time. This was the time for the let me. He said he needed me, trusted
sweet-talk. ""We had fun once, didn't me.
we ? " As he spoke, he realized suddenly " He raised my salary, and then one
that he meant it. It had been fun with day he gave me a . sealed package and
Sara. Maybe, if he hadn't met Marcia asked me to take it to a bank and put i t
with her ten million dollars. in a safe deposit box i n m y name. I d i d it.
" Yes, Rack, " she said quietly. " We had After that, he sent me to the bank almost
fan-before the oil heiress came along. " every week with a package. I knew what
She couldn't keep the bitterness from her it was-money. Lots of money.
voice. "One day I asked him about it. He
He thought about the oil heiress. laughed, and told me it was his gambling
Marcia. Dead now, cold and dead. And winnings, the race track, and dice. He said
the cops were looking for him. Phil Whee he didn't want to pay income tax on it,
·
ler had him in a two-way squeeze, and that cash couldn't be checked. I believed
Blake King and Sonny and Rafael were him, but I didn't like it. From time to
.
maybe at this minute · on the prowl for
·
time he'd ask me to get money out for
hin1. him, but there's still a lot in the box
Not King, though. He wouldn't prowl thousands.
1 12 Robert Martin
" F I leave now, he can't get it. The H e smiled at her. "Just j ittery, I guess."
J, box is- in my name, and I have to She rested her head against the back of
sign a register when I open it. But it's the seat and stared out over the blue
Blake's money. What shall I do ? I can't green water of the gulf. "What are we
go back-! don't want to see him again." going to do ? What about the money ? I
Ramsey stopped for a red light. He saw can't just leave. "
that the green coupe was still behind him. H e looked quickly away. I t was still
A beefy policeman stood on a corner. They raining, but the air was hot, muggy.
were all around him, Ramsey thought, There wasn't any breeze, and the water
closing in on him. The law, Wheeler's lapped sluggishly at the shore. He moved
watch dog, and Blake King's boys. There restlessly, and he said, " Money is nice.
was no longer any time for a build-up with It will buy things. Things like plane
Sara Brand, no time for finesse. That tickets west-for both of us. _ You can't
time was long gone. He'd have to play his stay here any longer, and neither can I . "
cards fast, and play them smart-and "Us ? " she asked wonderingly.
hope. " If you'll go with me."
The light turned green, and as he She smiled faintly. "Rack, there isn't
prodded the heavy sedan forward, he said, ten million dollars in that box at the
"King was using you, honey. For a cover bank. "
up, so that the money couldn't be traced " Stop talking about Marcia. "
to him. It's profits from narcotics-dope. " I hate her. I've hated her for a long
The Jungle Tavern is a clearing house for time. I hate her type. "
the stuff. He has to keep his dirty money Ramsey's thoughts whirled wildly. Did
some place, where the income tax boys she know that Marcia was dead, or didn't
can't trace it to him." she ? Hadn't she read a paper, or heard a
She was silent for a few seconds, and radio ? He tried to smile at her. " She's
then she said quietly, "I believe you, married now. Forget her. "
Rack. I've seen them-those men coming _Sara Brand sighed. "I know. But a
into the Tavern late at night. Horrible husband wouldn't stop her. " She looked
men, and Sonny and Rafael would take up at him. " I'll go with you, Rack, if you
the little packets. And in a few days Blake want. But we don't need Blake's money.
would give me some more money to take I've got a little saved-over four hundred
to the bank . " She shivered. "What are dollars. That will get us to the coast, and
we going to do about it, Rack ?" maybe I can find work in one of the
" We'll see," Ramsey said. He felt ex studios."
ultant, and yet sad. What he had to have " I was thinking of poor Simpson, "
was almost within his grasp, and if he Ramsey said, not looking at her, "and the
played it right from here on out. . . . mahogany. It's there, acres of it, and if
He came to the gulf road, where the we had the money to get it out."
traffic was thinner, and he drove down the She gazed at him thoughtfully. "You
road for maybe a mile before he turned want that money, don't you, Rack ? Blake's
off into a narrow sandy lane leading down dirty money. You know I can get it, and
to the beach. He stopped the sedan, and it's eating at you. Isn't that it ?"
looked back. Up on the highway a green "Do you want King to have it ?" he
coupe slowed to a stop close to the lane's asked harshly.
entrance. She shook her head slowly. " No one's
Sara Brand said, " Why do you keep going tp get .it.---except the police. "
looking back ? " A tiny thought sprouted in Ramsey's
Murder on the Make 113
brain. It bloomed, and he turned to grin CHAPTER SEVEN
at her.
Discard One Dame
"You're right, honey. I guess that I
had kind of a brainstorm. That's the only
R
AMSEY parked at the curb in
thing to do, and then we'll be dear of
front of the Arcadia Arms, and
this damn town. You get the money, and
Sara B rand ran inside. After she
we'll go to the airport to see about plane
was gone, he had a few bad moments.
reservations. "As soon as that's done,
What if she took it upon herself to call
we'll take the money to the police-to
the police about Blake King's money ? He
gether. Do you suppose they need derrick
began to sweat, and he looked nervously
riggers in California ?"
up and down the street. The cars passing
"I like you when you talk like that, were just cars, some of them with kids in
Rack, " she said softly. "You were kind of them. No prowl cars, no sirens, no Rafael
-of mixed up, talking like that, weren't and no Sonny. He relaxed a little.
you ?" He . heard a step on the sidewalk, and
"Yeah," he sighed. "I guess I was. But he swung his head. Victor leaned in the
I'm not any more." He put an arm around open window, and said softly, "Is she
her, and he kissed her. Her lips were cool going to get it for you ?"
and soft, and for a long minute he forgot Ramsey nodded.
Marcia, and Phil Wheeler and Blake "I give you credit, son. Mr. Wheeler
King. will be pleased. "
Presently he released her, and she " H e should be , pal, h e should be . What
smiled into his eyes. He turned abruptly, do you hear from the outside world ? Is
and put both hands on the wheel. Sud my trail getting any hotter ?"
"
denly he wanted to get it over with, this " I don't think so, Victor said gravely.
thing that he had to do. He started the " I suppose you know that you can't go
motor, and swung the big sedan around back to your hotel ?"
in the sand. Ramsey nodded gloomily. "I had a full
As he left the lane and turned out on bottle of bourbon in my bag, too."
the highway, he shot a glance at Victor "You can buy champagne now-with
sitting in the green coupe. Victor looked the money Mr. Wheeler will give you."
the other way, and Ramsey gunned the "If I get out of town alive," Ramsey
sedan toward town. He didn't need to said.
look back. "What happened back in the Jungle
He knew that Victor would still be Tavern ?" Victor asked.
following him. Ramsey told him quickly, and Victor
sighed. "I wanted to help you, but I ain't
He said to Sara Brand, "We'll have to
paid for any rough stuff."
make it fast. King and his boys won't
" Sure," Ramsey said.
stay holed up too long. Are you ready to
" You going to the bank now ?"
leave now ? "
"I'd like some clothes," she said. "Can "Yes. And then to the airport-to make
we drive back to my apartment for a min plane reservations to California for the
ute ? " two of us. Then we're supposed to turn
"Sure," he said. "Sure thing, honey." the money over to the cops. I'll duck her
He was riding high, and he would have while she's making the reservations. "
driven her to Hong Kong and back for a "Do you have to do it that way ?" Vic
hundred thousand dollars. tor asked sadly.
1 14 Robert Martin
''Yei," Ramsey snapped. "It's all fixed. dered that rich dame I You mean that
Shut up." one ?"
Victor sighed, and withdrew his head. '�Do you remember the call, Miss Hud
"I'll see you at the airport. Leave this son ?"
heap there. We'll change to my car." �<Sure I do ! The name was so unusual
Ramsey didn't answer. When he looked -Rackwell. They said to have him call
around, Victor was gone. Where was Mrs. Carr, and she's the dame who-- "
Sara ? He thought over all that bad hap ••was it a man or a woman who called ?"
pened to him in the last twenty-four hours. "A man. Sounded like a butler, or
A hell of a mess. And Sara would soon something. Have you-"
learn that he was really dirt. He wished Ramsey hung up. He heard the click of
he'd stayed in Guatemala with Simpson. high heels on the marble floor of the lobby,
Random thoughts nltered through his and through the glass he saw Sara Brand
keyed-up brain. walking briskly toward the door. She was
Abruptly he sat up straight, and his carrying two bags. Ramsey left the booth
fingers drummed nervously on the wheel. and called to her. She turned surprised.
He got out of the sedan. and strode into She bad changed to a pale tan suit.
the Arcadia Arms. T�re was a small He grinned at her, and took the bags
lobby, and two telephone booths. Ramsey from her bands. He heftm tbem. 11 Qne
entered one of the 1Jooths, and called the heavy, one light." he said.
Gulf Hotel. 11There are clothes in one, " she said.
A pleasant female voice answered. 11The other is empty."
"This is the police department," Ramsey '1 Smart girl. Come on. "
said gruffiy. " Please connect me with the As they drove away from the Arcadia
operator who was on duty after four Arms:, Sara Brand said, 11Are we doing
o'clock yesterday afterooon." the right thing, Rack? About the money,
"Just a moment, sir." I mean ?"
Ramsey waited. Then : "That was Miss 11The cops will give you a medal.,.
Hudson, sir. She doesn't come on duty 1'It-it's true ? About the-the dope ?"
until three. " 11Sure, honey. Really. Where's the
"Can you give me her home number i" bank ?"
11Miss Hudson's home number is Mesa She told him, and presently they were
3901. " driving past it. Ramsey c:ircled the block
"Thank you." Ramsey hung up, de twice before he parked the sedan. u rn
posited another nickel, and spun the dial. wait here," he said, and he tried to keep
He got six long rings before a sleepy his voice steady.
vc»ce answered. She got out quickly, took one of the
11Miss Hudson ?" bags from the rear seat, and walked
"If you want to be formal. My name's swiftly toward the glittering brass and
Lucille. Is this Harry ?" glass of the bank's front doors. With her
"Miss Hudson, this is the police de hand on the door, she turned, and looked
partment. We're doing some routine over her shoulder at Ramsey. He cursed
checking. Do you remember a telephone under his breath.
caU yesterday lj.t the hotel switchboard
shortly after four in the afternoon for a UDDENLY she came back across the
Mr. Rackwen Ramsey ?'' S sidewalk and leaned in the window of
"Police ? Rackwelf Ramsey ? Hey-his the sedan. "I-I'm scared, Rack. Why
name was in the paper. The guy who mur- don't we just reave the money and can
Murder on the Make 115
the police later ? I'll feel tfluch safer. " the girl, and got in beside her. ·As 'he
"Don't you trust me ?" he snapped. started the motor, her heard her draw in
"There isn't much time. Sonny and Rafael her breath sharply.
are p robably on our trail right now. If " Rack-look ! "
they catch up with us, it'll be rough. I Two men were walking swiftly toward
don't want to scare you, but that's it. them through the crowd on the sidewalk.
B lake King won't fool aroun d any m ore. Sonny and Rafael. They spotted the black
Now hurry." sedan, and they began to run. Ramsey
She stared at him silently, her eyes bi g wheeled the car out into the traffic. B rakes
and scared. Then she said, "All-all right, screeched behind him, and he heard a
Rack , " and she turned quickly and entered policeman's shrill whistle. He kept going.
the bank. At the corner the light was red. Cars were
Ramsey lit a cigarette with a trembling drift in g across the intersection. Ramsey
hand. Victor appeared from nowhere, and picked a hole, and roared through. More
poked his head in the window. "Take it screeching of brakes, and an outraged
easy," Victor said. "It's almost over." symphony of horns. But he was th rough.
" Go away," Ramsey snarled. "Where are they ?" he snapped to the
Vic to r sighed. "Ain't it a hell of a world ? girl.
Sometimes I wish I'd stayed in the post She was looking back. "1-1 don't see
office. Just carry a sack around to the them. "
same houses every day, and wait for your "Cops ?"
pension. That's the life." " No-no."
"Why didn't you stick to the mail He fed gas, cleaving between the cars.
route ?" He swung into an alley, tires protesti n g.
Victor lifted his heavy shoulders. "Oh, A narrow alley, brick-paved. Ahead a
different reasons. My feet went bad, and truck started to back away from a load
then Rochelle-that's my wife-she needed ing platform. Ramsey laid on the horn.
an operation, and one of the kids broke The sound blasted his ears in the narrow
his leg, and a bearing burnt out in my alley. The truck stopped dead, and the
old clunker. It all came at once. One sedan skimmed past. Ahead, a dead end.
night, after lodge meeting, I went to The The solid wall of a building. . Ramsey cut
Starlight Oub with a couple of the boys, the wheel and locked the brakes.
and I got to talking to M r Wheeler, and
. A sign loomed up. One Way. An arrow
he offered me a job. And here I am. I'm pointed right. The sedan was now headed
a kind of a ge ne ral handy man, and he left. An oncoming car swerved to the
pays good." wall. The driver shouted shrilly as the
"That's fine," Ramsey said. Where was sedan zoomed past. A street ahead, cars
Sara! zipping along. Ramsey stood the sedan on
Victor pulled his head out of the car, its nose, and Sara Brand braced herself
like a turtle withdrawing his head into agai n st the dash.
his shell. " See you at the airport, " he said, R amsey shot one quick glance to his
and he shuffled away. left, and swung right. A sky-blue con
Sara Brand came through the bank vertible skittered away like a frightened
doors carrying the bag. Ramsey got out, colt, and the sedan straightened out. Two
and took the bag from her. It felt surpris blocks, four blocks, six. The lights all
ingly light. How much did a hundred green. Then a long ramp ahead, leading up
thousand dollars weigh ? He put the bag to the express highway. The sedan
in the back of the car, held the door for hummed up the ramp, and merged with
1 16 Robert Martin
the four-lane string of cars headed west. stant, an�f then she got out of the car.
This was more like it, Ramsey thought. "All right, Rack . " There was fear in her
No traffic lights, no intersections. He eyes, and trust, too.
prodded the big car. Ramsey's jaw tightened. Good-by,
Sara Brand was looking back. honey. This is the end of the line. Now
" See anything ?" you'll know that I'm really dirt.
" No." She gave him a half smile, a little girl's
" Hang on. Airport the next stop. Do uncertain smile, and swiftly she turned
you know anything about plane schedules and walked away, her high heels clicking
west ? " on the cement.
" No. Remember the police, Rack-and Ramsey watched her until she had
the money." entered the big building. Then he started
" I'm not forgetting. We'll call the police the motor. Something green crossed his
from the airport as soon as we see about a vision in the rear-view mirror, and he
plane. " turned his head. Victor's coupe was be
"But i£ we went to the police now-" hind him, blocking him from backing out.
"We can't, " Ramsey said. " Sonny and Ramsey smiled grimly, and waited.
Rafael are after us now, and the police
won't protect us-not enough. They'll ICTOR appeared beside the w indow.
have to nab Sonny and Rafael first, and V He was breathing hard, and there was
Blake King. We've got to get away from sweat on his fat face. "You gave me a
Texas-far away. We'd better leave the chase, son. Come on-let's get the hell out
money at the airport office, and tell the of here . "
police to pick it up. I don't know. Hell, "Sonny and Rafael spotted m e in front
we'll figure it out. " He kept talking, to of the bank."
keep her from talking, and at last he saw "Didn't see 'em." Victor glanced nerv
the tower of the airport. ously over his shoulder. " Mr. Wheeler
Two minutes later he swung the sedan will be waiting. "
into the huge parking area beside the Ramsey reached over the seat, picked up
landing strips. Overhead a silver plane the bag Sara B rand had taken into the
circled into the wind for a landing, and a bank, and opened it. He saw the mass of
loudspeaker cracked with a voice announc green bills, and snapped the bag shut.
ing arrivals and departures. Ramsey Carrying the bag, he followed Victor to
stopped the car in a vacant space in a long the green coupe, and got in. He felt old
line of cars. From his pocket he took the and tired and sick. His head still ached,
hundred dollars Phil Wheeler had given and the knife wound in his side burned
him, and he handed it to Sara Brand. dully. It had stopped bleeding, felt hot
" Get tickets to Los Angeles. This is all and dry. As they drove away from the air
I have. " port, he looked back once. He didn't see
"But I have my own money, Rack. I Sara Brand, and he was glad of that.
told you. I drew it out when I was in the They hit the highway, and the coupe
bank." gathered speed. The bag was on Ram
"Take it, " he said harshly. sey's knees. He said softly, "Look, Vic
She took the money. " Rack, are we tor, there's a hundred thousand bucks on
doing right ?" my lap, and here we are, j ust we two.
" Hurry. We've been luckly so far. I'll Does that give you any ideas ?"
stay with the bags." Victor kept his eyes on the road. " Sure
Her eyes searched his face for an in- it does, son. I've thought about it-don't
Murder on the Make
I
think I haven't. But Mr. Wheeler has tering sound, and damp air rushed against
played square with me, and I won't dou his face.
ble-cross him. And he made a deal with "Hey ! " Victor yelled, and the coupe
you. He'll stand by his word." swerved dangerously.
"A murder deal," Ramsey said bitterly. Ramsey leaned out of the window, hold
"A frame. " ing the .38 in his left hand, and he
" Now, now, you wouldn't want Mr. squeezed the trigger. The gun bucked in
Wheeler to give that-uh-evidence to the his hand, and powder smoke whipped
police, would you ?" away from the muzzle. A sound like an
" Shut up," Ramsey said wearily. angry bee buzzed past his head. He fired
The fiat plains of the gulf coast were twice more.
all around them. There were few cars With shocking suddenness the front
passing, and the wide road stretched wide wheels of the sedan seemed to buckle, and
and empty before them. It was still rain the big car swung sideways in the high
ing a little, more of a mist than a rain, and way. · It straightened for an instant. The
the sky was the color of lead. rear end whipped around, and then the
Ramsey felt uneasy, restless, and he car seemed to leap for the ditch. It rolled
looked back through the rear window. Far twice, and chunks of wet Texas earth shot
down the road behind them he saw a lone into the sky. Then Victor wheeled the
black car. It grew bigger as he watched, coup·e around a curve, and the sedan was
and he knew it was coming fast. · lost from sight.
"King's car, " he snapped to Victor. Ramsey laughed, a harsh sound above
"The one I drove to the airport. Behind the roaring wind. He turned around in
us." the seat, the gun in his lap. He was trem
Victor shot him a quick scared look. bling.
" No kidding ?" His gaze swung back to "You got 'em ! " Victor yelled exult
the highway. The coupe's motor sang a antly.
higher song, and the tires hummed on the "Yeah," Ramsey breathed. "Yeah."
wet cement. The Starlight Club was j ust ahead. Vic
The black car was gaining, and Ramsey tor braked the coupe, and swung into the
saw two men in the front seat. " Sonny big parking area. He ran the coupe into
and Rafael," he said. "They figured I was a garage behind the building, got out, and
heading for the airport, and they followed closed the overhead doors. Ramsey got
-probably in a taxi. They'd have keys to out stiffly, holding the b�g in his right
the sedan, and then spotted it. Won't this hand. From somewhere, far away, he
crate go any faster ?" thought he heard the lonesome wail of a
" Doing . eighty now," Victor grunted. siren. An ambulance, a police car, some
"It ain't far to Wheeler's." thing. He didn't care.
"We won't make it,'' Ramsey said Victor shuffled over to him. He was
SQarply. " They're coming up on our tail. " sweating, and there was an embarrassed
H e rolled the window down, and from his look on his wide fat face. " Uh-if you
inside coat pocket he took the .38 auto don't mind, son, I'll take that gun. "
matic he'd taken from Sonny. Silently Ramsey handed the .38 over.
Victor rolled his eyes at Ramsey. " Do Victor took it, avoiding Ramsey's eyes,
you have to shoot ?" and moved to a door in the far wall of
" We've got to do something, " Ramsey the garage. "This way, " he said, and he
snapped. As he spoke, . the rear window . opened the door.
·
and the windshield cracked with a splip- Carrying the bag, Ramsey stepped into
.
Robert M(lrtin
a (lark passageway hesitated, stopped. Again Wheeler shrugged. "I am not
Vi�tor touched his arm. " Don't worry, good at riddles, Ramsey. What does it
son," he said in a hoarse whisper. " You matter ? All of us here know that you
done real good, and everything will be all killed her. I- have told Mr. Carr of my
right. " arrangement with you, and he has agreed,
under the circumstances, not to interfere.
CHAPTER EIGHT Now, if you please, I will take that bag. "
He reached out a hand.
Unlucky Murderer Ramsey shook his head. " So Carr
thinks that I killed his wife,• and yet he
P
HIL WHJ!ELER was not alone in
just sits there-because he's a friend of
his elegant office. Another man sat
yours, and because you happen to have a
slumped in one of the deep leather
private deal with me. Is that it ? "
chairs. A cold-eyed man wearing a dark
Wheeler smiled and spread h i s hands.
suit and a stiff white collar. Mr. Jefferson
" We are all civilized, intelligent people,
Carr the husband of the dead Marcia, sad
and �emote. When he saw Ramsey, his
Ramsey. · I asked Mr. Carr to come here.
He understands the situation. No matter
thin lips began to work, and he made a
how he fe(:!ls about you, or how great his
move to stand up.
sorrow, it will not bring his wife back to
Wheeler stopped him with an easy ges
him. The bag, please. "
ture. " Now, just take it easy, Jeff. I'll
Ramsey felt a tightness in his throat.
handle this. "
Wheeler wasn't even being very subtle
Jefferson Carr sank back into his chair,
about it. Wheeler didn't care any more.
but his cold eyes never left Ramsey's face.
He knew that he had Ramsey trapped,
Ramsey stared woodenly at Wheeler, and
and he was sure of Jeff Carr. Suddenly
he was aware that Victor stood silently
Ramsey remembered something that Mar
behind him. Wheeler smiled at Ramsey,
cia had told him, a few minutes before the
and he nodded at the bag in Ramsey's
buller had struck her.
hand.
He said to Wheeler, " Y Olt saw Marcia
"Nice work," he said. " Let's have a
Carr last night . "
look at it. "
Wheeler laughed pleasantly. " Oh, did
Ramsey j erked a thumb at Carr, and he
she tell you-before you killed her ? Yes,
said bluntly, " What's he doing here ? "
I was there, early this evening. You see,
"Mr. Carr is an old friend," Wheeler
Jeff owes me a sum of money, and he
said smoothly. " He came here from Aus
couldn't pay it. So I went to his wife
tin early this morning to learn of his
about it. Those things happen, you know. "
wife's death. I might add that he is aware,
Jefferson Carr looked stonily at the tips
of course, that you are wanted by the
of his shoes.
police in connection with th � shooting . "
"And she refused to pay her husband's
" Who tipped off the police ? " Ramsey gambling debt," Ramsey said.
asked. "Who gave them my name and Wheeler saiq coldly, "That does uot
description ? " concern you. It was a private matter be
Wheeler shrugged his tailored shoul tween Mrs. Carr and myself. If you will
ders. "The police do not know that. How hand me the bag, please. "
would I ? " Ramsey said, " I think I 'll go �o the
"Who called the cops in the first place ? " cops and take my chances."
Ramsey said stubbornly. "They got there " All right,' ' WheeIer snapped . " It's
plenty fast last night. " your neck."
M.ur.der on the Make 119
Jefferson Carr spoke for the 1 first time. her tell me that she was going to divorce
"Damn you, Phil, he can't do that. You you-and you shot her, from the adjoin
told me he wouldn't go to the police. 1- ing room. Then you knocked me cold,
l've had enough unpleasantness." He planted the gun in my hand, and ran out
sighed, and lowered his head. "I just someplace and phoned the cops to hurry
want to forget the whole thing. Nothing to your house, expecting them to nab me
we do now will bring Marcia back." red-handed.
Ramsey gazed sullenly at Wheeler and "But Victor got me away before the
Carr. All that had happened to him cops arrived. Then, when I wasn't ar
creeped slowly across his brain. Abruptly rested, you knew that something had gone
he asked Carr, "Do you have a butler or wrong. You called the police again, gave
a man servant ? " them my name and description, and where
Carr turned t o Wheeler. " Phil, I won't I was staying. You-"
have it. Get this-this character out of " I was in Austin ! " Carr shouted, and
here. I-I can't stand any more." he j umped to his feet. "What kind of a
A quick flicker of interest showed in fantastic stunt are you trying to pull ? You
Wheeler's eyes. "I understand, Jeff," he killed my wife-"
said soothingly. "He'll be leaving short
ly." He turned to Ramsey. "That's an " HUT up, Jeff," Wheeler said quiet-
odd question, and I'm curious. I'll an S ly. " You are not on trial here."
swer for Jeff. No, he doesn't have a but He paused, and there was a bright gleam
ler or any men servants. He has a maid in his eyes. "You were in Austin, of
and a cook. Two females. Does that an course, at the time your wife was shot.
swer your question ? " You can prove that, can't you ?"
Ramsey was trembling a little, and h e "Certainly," Carr snapped. "But-"
took a deep breath. "Yes," h e said. H e "How can you prove it," Wheeler
looked a t Jefferson Carr. "Listen. You asked softly. "Your hotel registration,
knew from the way I talked in your office perhaps ?"
this afternoon that if your wife encouraged Carr stuttered, "1-I-"
me, I would probably try to see her again "He wasn't in Austin," Ramsey said.
-even if she had married you. Maybe "He never left town. He tried to rig a
I'm a no-good heel-but I don't murder frame-so that I'd be nabbed for his wife's
people. murder. At first I thought that you had
"After I left, you had an idea. You're framed me-so that I'd be forced to go
in debt to Wheeler, here, and you're in through with the Sara Brand-Blake
terested in other women. Marcia found King deal. "
out, and threatened to divorce you. You Wheeler smiled. He seemed happy, and
couldn't have that-you'd lose your claim he shot an amused glance at Jefferson
to the Stockton millions. So you went to Carr. He said to Ramsey, "I wouldn't do
a pay booth in a drug store, called my a thing like that. You said just now that
hotel, and left a message fot me to call Jeff faked a telephone call to your hotel
Marcia. for you to call his wife. How do you know
"Then you went home and told Marcia that ?"
that you were going to Austin. · But you Ramsey said grimly, "That is why I
didn't go. You hid yourself in the house asked if Carr had any men servants. The
somewhere near a phone, heard her make switchboard girl told me that it was a man
a date with me for ten o'clock. You stayed who phoned the message. He killed his
under cover until I showed up. You heard wife. It had to be Carr-because at the
120 Robert Martin
· time the call came, he was the only person you owe me is twenty thousand dollars."
who knew I was in town. Marcia told me Again he paused, and he seemed to be
that she hadn't phoned, but I didn't believe smiling to himself. " I now find that an
her-then. I do now. " error was made. The correct sum due me
Wheeler's eyes were thoughtful. " It is five hundred thousand dollars. Isn't
sounds reasonable, " he said, and he turned that correct, Jeff ?" Little hot lights
to Carr. "Well, Jeff ? " danced in Wheeler's eyes.
Carr's thin lips worked soundlessly, and Carr's face seemed to shrivel, and his
his pale eyes bulged behind the rimless eyes held a mad, stricken look. He sank
glasses. " It-it's a damn lie," he blurted. trembling into his chair, and covered his
"All of it. Phil, you don't believe-" face with his hands.
"Now, now, Jeff, " Wheeler broke in " Isn't it ? " Wheeler insisted gently.
smoothly. " Don't get all upset. All you "The correct sum ? "
have to do is prove that you were in Aus There was a brief silence in the office.
tin at the �ime of the shooting." He And then Jefferson Carr spoke one
paused, and when Carr didn't answer, he choked, muffled word. "Yes . "
added softly, " You can prove it, can't Phil Wheeler drew himself erect, and
you ? " there was a look of triumph, of power, on
Carr found his voice. " I don't have to his face. Then he leaned toward Carr, and
prove it ! " he shouted. "You told me you he seemed to have forgotten that Ramsey
had enough evidence on Ramsey to hang and Victor were in the room. Trembling
him . " a little in his excitement, he purred to
" I see," Ramsey said. " Working to Carr :
gether, you two." " Forgive me, Jeff. Again I made an
Wheeler shook his head. He was still error in calculation. The correct sum due
smiling, as if he were enjoying some secret me is-one million dollars. Do you agree ?"
joke. " No we aren't, Ramsey. My busi Carr sat like a man of stone. He didn't
ness with Mr. Carr does not concern you speak, or remove his hands from his face.
at all. However, because of my promise From his post by the wall, Victor coughed
to you, I was obliged to tell him of our slightly, and shuffled his feet restlessly.
arrangement, and to ask him to refrain Ramsey said to Wheeler, "You're over
from turning you over to the police. He playing your hand . "
agreed. " He paused, glanced briefly at Wheeler ignored him. He was watch
Carr, and then returned his gaze to Ram ing Carr intently. " Come, come, Jeff, " he
sey. said softly. " Speak up. One million dol
"You understand that I sincerely be lars ?"
lieved you guilty of the murder of Mrs. Carr cowered in the chair. He uttered
Carr. The evidence was indisputable. But a kind of a moaning sound, and again he
now, in view of your recent statements, a spoke the one word at the end of a throaty
slight doubt has entered my mind, and-" sigh. " Yes. "
"Damn you, Phil," Carr shouted. Wheeler straightened and turned slow
" What're you trying to pull ?" ly. There was sweat on his temples, and
Wheeler raised his eyebrows. " Why, his eyes held a strange light. He lit a
nothing, Jeff," he said blandly. " Let's cigarette with shaking fingers, and inhaled
see. " He gazed at the ceiling. " Since deeply. He stared at Ramsey through the
your wife is now dead, you are worth, swirling smoke, but his eyes were vacant,
roughly, ten million dollars." He lowered unseeing.
his gaze to Carr, and added, "The sum Ramsey said, "You get to be a million-
Murder on the Make 121
'
aire fast-but that's between you and " rm gtvmg you a break, Ramsey,"
Carr. " He hefted the bag. "I don't sup Wheeler said pleasantly. " I 'll wait thirty
pose you'll want to bother with this small minutes before I turn the gun and the let
sum any more ? " ter over to the police . . o o Good-by,
Wheeler started, like a man awakening. sucker. "
" What ? Oh, the bag. Put it on my desk,
please. " CHAPTER NINE
Ramsey said, " I get my cut, and the
Good-by Sucker
letter and the gun ? "
R
"Of course, " Wheeler said impatiently. AMSEY stood very still. He
"That was our arrangement." should have expected it, he told
Ramsey laid the bag on Wheeler's desk. himself bitterly, when Wheeler
Wheeler opened it, and stared down at the had begun to suspect the truth-that Carr
·
mass of bills tied in neat bundles. His had killed Marcia. It was a million dollar
smooth white hands caressed the bills lov shake-down, and he was the goat. The
ingly, and his lips moved in a silent tenta gun, with the fingerprints on it, and his
tive counting. At last he closed the bag, letter from Marcia, would be clubs that
and raised his head. He glanced once at Wheeler could hold over Carr's head for
Victor standing behind Ramsey, and then ever-and his, too.
he swung his gaze on Ramsey. A little W heeler knew it, and he was drunk
smile flickered around his lips. with the power he held. Carr, in his fear
1 22 Robert Martin
of exposure, knew it too. Wheeler would An agonized sigh escaped Wheeler's
never give the evidence to the police. It lips, and he lurched violently against the
was too valuable to him. And Victor, the wall. With a horrified squeak Jefferson
fat man-he had known all the time that Carr leaped from his chair and scurried
Wheeler would double-cross him. around the walls. Ramsey whirled, and
That was why he had taken the auto started for him.
matic from him before they entered Behind him, \Vheeler's voice was a
Wheeler's office. He, Rackwell Ramsey, gurgling bleat. "Victor ! "
was just a babe in the woods, trying to Ramsey kept moving for Carr. He
play with the big time. A fall guy, a didn't care about Victor. He wanted to
sucker, a fool, a Grade A heel. feel his hands on Carr, and he rushed
He thought of Marcia, a mixed-up girl blindly forward. Carr crouched in a cor
with too much beauty, too much money, ner, his teeth showing in a rodent-like
and too much time on her hands. He snarl, his hand fumbling inside his coat.
thought of her lying still and cold i n a The hand snaked out with a stubby blue
flower-banked casket in the flossiest funer revolver, and the muzzle bore on Ramsey.
al parlor in town, with her lovely face Even in his rage, Ramsey knew what was
expertly puttied, painted and powdered to coming, and he checked his charge, his
hide the ugly hole where the bullet had eyes on the gun.
entered. Carr laughed like a mad man, and he
If it hadn't been for him, Marcia might steadied the gun with both hands. " Give
at this moment be driving happily along my regards to Marcia ! " he screamed.
the gulf in her yellow convertible with her " I'm sending you where I sent her ! " H e
hair blowin g in the wind. And then he sucked h i s thin lips down over h i s teeth,
thought of Sara Brand, mixed-up a little, and his finger croo�ed tight over the trig
too, loyal in her way to a man like Blake ger.
King, and he was filled with a deep bitter Ramsey was poised for a leap, but he
sadness. knew that he would be far too slow, and
Phil Wheeler glanced at a gold' wrist he was filled with a wild sad despair. In
watch. " Twenty-nine minutes left, " he the last fleeting space of time left to him
said, as if talking to himself, and he gazed he thought of Sara B rand with sad regret,
past Ramsey at Victor. " Get him out of and he j umped for Jefferson Carr.
here, Victor, and turn him loose . " He Wham ! The single blast rocked the
turned away from Ramsey. He was fin walls. Ramsey stopped his headlong rush,
ished with Ramsey. He picked up the bag and stood trembling. He was still on his
containing the money, and moved toward feet, he thought with solemn disbelief, and
the safe in the corner. he wondered with quiet detachment where
Jefferson Carr stirred in his chair, and Carr's bullet had struck him.
leaned his head back. His pale eyes stared But something was wrong with Jeffer
vacantly from a haggard face, and his thin son Carr. His m()uth hung open, and all
mouth was slack, like an old, old man's. expression faded from his eyes. The
Ramsey leaped for Wheeler. He knew stubby blue gun thudded to the carpet,
that Victor was behind him, but he didn't and he slid slowly down the wall until he
care. To hell with Victor. To hell with sat in an awkward cross-legged position.
everything. His fist slammed against the Just beneath his stiff white collar there
side of Wheeler's jaw, and he felt a deep was a black hole, and a spreading wetness.
surge of satisfaction. He thudded his left He stirred feebly, and his breathing was
into Wheeler. a loud rasping sound in the sudden quiet.
Murder on the Make
Ramsey stared dumbly. Behind him a You Can't Beat
soft voice said, "Take it easy, son. Seems.
we got a couple of rats here." �
Ramsey turned slowly. Victor still stood
by the wall. The .38 automatic he had
for Quality Fit!
e We would like to introduce an·
taken from Ramsey was in his hand. It
was now pointed at Phil Wheeler, who other Carhartt innovation,-Pants and
stood frozen. Shirts-to-Match for warm weather
wear. Attractively tai lored, Natty in
Without taking his gaze from Wheeler, appearance Sanforized pre-shrunk
Victor said, "Carr was going to plug you l
and availab e in a choice selection of
Chino Cloth, Sun Tan Spruce Green
-for keeps. I had to shoot fast. I aimed �
Herring one and Si (ver - all last
for his gun arm, but I guess I need more colors. Y ou'IJ li�e 'em ... just as millions
of other men have enjoyed the quality
target practice. " fit, roominess, long wear and genuine
"Victor, " Phil Wheeler said from be economy built into Carhartt's cham·
pion line of work clothes and overalls.
tween clenched teeth. Ask lor Carhartt's-and be comfort·
Suddenly Ramsey laughed, and his able on the job.
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He stumbled forward and sat on the edge
of a chair. "Victor," he said weakly,
"Thanks. " He took a deep breath, and
nodded at Wheeler. " Is he packing a
rod ? "
"Naw, not him."
Wheeler stared at the two of them, and MAKE S50 · �tu_;_: FREE GIFT.
. . e . COUIIONS!
..
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hft.ndaome oaah �trofttt an oomltlete fine.
Sample
I
Ramsey grinned. "And I ' m going to
stick to rigging wells." He felt good, bet
ter than he'd felt in a long time. "We
need the cops," he said, and he glanced at
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Ramsey opened the door. " Tell the
Make moneJ. Know how·to break and cops I'll be back. "
train honM. WriU WtJov'!or IIIIo b�
FRBlil, �eUler WIU> opeolal oller of Victor said, "Uh-look, son. I f you
�Uf:' �
are tnter an'il llfa*\e ���
)
o
horae, ebeolt here < Do Cl Wdov-aow. wanted to, you could take that satchel full
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" Me, neither," Ramsey said, " I 'm
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1.:l4
Murder on the Make- · -
Wheeler started to speak, but Victor
silenced him with a wave of his gun, and
spoke over his shoulder to Ramsey. "Go
ahead. Take my coupe. I'll handle things
here." His fat face broke into one big
grin. " I hope you find her, son."
"Thanks, pal." Ramsey went out and
closed the door.
He backed the green coupe out of the
garage, and headed up the highway. As
he rounded the curve beyond The Star
light Club, he saw Blake King's black
0 �rlect Shro for l'odcet or
,.,,. (3¥2' JC 2¥2')
sedan lying on its side in the ditch. A
0 loob lxactly Uko 11-1 Gun �-•
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police cruiser was parked nearby, and the
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�
shattered windshield felt good on his face.
•12 S. 705, Chicago 7, Ill.
DRESDEN ART WORKS
Market St.. Dept.
He found Sara Brand sitting quietly in
the big waiting room at the airport. She
looked up at him, and a happy light came
into her eyes.
•
•
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• • •
125
Robert Martin
hospital with injuries received when Ram
sey's bullets crashed into the motor of the
sedan, causing it to overturn, wer e labeled
accessories and placed under police guard.
The money from the safe deposit box
was placed in escrow, and Treasury De
partment experts prepared to file charges
of-income tax evasion against Blake King.
Victor and Ramsey were not held, but
were to be witnesses at King's trial.
No immediate charges were filed against
Phil Wheeler, but he, also, was scheduled
as a witness. But he never appeared. One
day two weeks later, The Starlight Club
failed to open for business. Wheeler had
disappeared. He never came back.
Two days after Blake King's arrest,
Victor, Ramsey, and Sara Brand stood on
the sidewalk in front of the Gulf Hotel, 1
I N VEN TO R S
disappeared· in the crowd.
Ramsey picked up two bags. " Let's
Loam bow to protod Jour lnYenllOD. Special))' prepar�
walk to the bus station, " he said to the
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"Paten' Guide" contalnln1 detailed lnformallon coneernln1
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" When you get to be a big movie star, "
he said, " will you be ashamed o f a well
rigger for a husband ? "
" Husband ?" she scoffed, but her eyes
were shining. " That's news to me."
Abellboy come running out of the hotel.
" H ey-Mr. Ramsey. Cablegram. "
Ram<ey put down the bags, handed the
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127.
Harvey Weinstein
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129.
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anteed against runs, snags or excessive wear, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE! It's
amazing, but true! No matter what the cause--hard use or deliberate abuse--Kendex
nylons are replaced FREE tf they run, snag or become unfit for wear within entire
guarantee period! Every weight from sheerest 15 denier to heavy 70 denier-all gauges
up to luxury 60 gauge--all sizes, lengths, popular shades, fancy heels, black seams
full fashioned and seamless. Nothing is missing to make sure every woman is pleased.
In spite of the amazing guarantee, retail postage prepaid prices start at $1.08 the
pair for sheerest 15 denier 51 gauge. Should free replacement be necessary, actual
cost becomes 54¢ a pair ! How could any woman possibly resist saving money and
solving her hosiery problems ? NOT SOLD IN STORES. Men and women wanted
NOW, spare or full time, to write orders and earn big money. You can get orders
even if you never sold a thing in your life!
hosiery line actually guaranteed for rayon, cotton and N:rLON. Nothing
A D 'IER TISED
ONE YEAR ! Any pair not giving is lacking. Unbelievable prices that
satisfactory wear within 12 months is defy competition and make women Kendex has advertised. in Life, Look, Col·
eager to order. Imagine a beautiful lier's, McCall's, Saturday Evening Post,
replaced FREE without question. All
Ladiea' Home Journal, Good Housekeeping,
all NYLON slip, with NYLON lace,
at $2.95 or a lace trimmed rayon
styles, patterns, colors, yarns (includ· etc. Carries the Good Housekeeping Guar·
ing nylon) at lowest prices that mean antee Seal. Thousands of orders shipped
steady income for you 52 weeks a satin slip at $1.58! Kendex values daily. Yearly volume in millions. A de·
sell themselves. pendable responsible national organization.
year.
KENOEX CORPORATION •
BABYLON 69, N. Y.
WE SOLVED OUR
NOUSINI ,ROBLEM .
Q U I C K LY, I N EX PE N S I V E LY
/dQte-v L I B E RTY T R A I L E R ! !
JA.
are but a few o f the many unusual features.
All Liberty trailers are Comfort - Conditioned which
keeps them WARMER-in-WINTER- COOLER-in-SUMMER.
�
Go to your Liberty dealer today or fill i n coupon
below now for full information. Get all the facts con
c e r n i n g L i be r t y's s m a r t A i r - Q u e e n , Car a van a n d
Coach models. �
Licensed U n de r �
i6S 'Y
Spencer Patents, U . S.
Pat. N o . 2 , 2 2 5 . 2 44.
�';.�·a.· ,......
r·-H. L. S P E N C E R , President, Dept. PF-G-1 0
·
, A m e n c a 's
. L I BE RTY C O A C H C O M P A N Y , I n c.
I B R EMEN, I N D I A N A
P l e a s e s e n d me F R E E w i t h o u t obligation f u l l information .
I on a l l L I BERTY T R A I L E R S a n d t h e 5 year easy p a y m e n t LIBERTY
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