ELLERY QUEEN'S

MYSTERY MAGAZINE
the psychological crime story
Thou Lorx> Sebst Mb Q. Patrick 3
the professional manhunt
The Trail of inn Brown Sedan MacKitilay Kantow 21
the realistic detective story
The Bio Shots John Di Silvestro 35
the "unusual method"
Dirge Hector Balitbo 57
r ooue' s oalle r y
Karmesin, Blackmailer Gerald Kersh 65
the human interest detective st.ory
Floor, Please Stephen Vincent Benit 71
the hardroiled detective story
Tno Rainbow Murders End Ratal Whitfield 81
the documentary detective story
Subject to Review Mary Adams Sawctt 92
the prison detective story
Condemned ! Francis Deeding 103
leaves from the editors' notebook
Queen's Quorum: part two ElUry Queen 109
oiscovbry
Out of His Head Thomas Bailey Aldrich 115
the "gun moll* DETECTIVE STORY
Collared Cornell Woolwich 125

publisher: Lawrence E. Spivak editor: EUery Queen

F.lirry Queen's Mystery Magazine. Vol. 14. No. 6S, July 1949. Published monthly by The American Mercury,
Inc., at iSf a copy. Annual subscription $4.00 in U.S.A. unit porseniont; $5.00 in ail other countries. Pubiitatiow
office. Concord, N. H. Editorial and General offices, 570 t*exingtan Ave, New Yor^ 22, N. Y. Entered at second
dakf matter Aug. 28, 1941, at the post office at Concord, N. II. under the act of March 3, 1879. Copyright, 1949,
by The American Mercury, Inc. All rights, including tranttation into other languages, reserved. Protection secured
under the International Copyright Convention and the Pan-American Copyright Convention. Primed in U£^i.
The publishers assume no responsibility fat unsolicited manuscript!.
K .in
. ]\ Miii-. Managing Editor
ii '
Joikfh W. lump. Greierttl Managrr
< t ii
-i i i
R. Spivak, Auociate Editor
-
1
1
i i .
'•<;.. Salt km. Art Director
,
ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Invites you to Bitter its Fifth

$6,000 SHORT STORY CONTEST

(again with the cooperation of Little, Brown & Co., of Bosi i.

6. Prize winners will bn announced and j

prizes awarded by Christmas 1949. The p e-

w inning stories will appear in Ellery Queen's
Mystery Magaaine during 1950.

7. All prine winners and all other contestants

whose stories are purchased agree to grant
Ellery Queen's Mystrry Magazine first book-
anthology rights, and when these rights are
exercised, they will be paid for as follows: $3.5
for the original edition, $25 for reprint editions,
$25 for British book anthology rights, and a
pro rata share of 25% of the royalties if the
anthology should be chosen by a book el'ib.
Authors of all stories bought through t Mi-
contest agree to sell Don-exclusive foreign rights
for $35 per story.

8. Every core will be taken to return unsuit-

able mnnupuTtptrt, hut Kllrry Queen 'b Mystory
Condi lions of the Contest Magazine cannot aeoepl responsibility for them.
1. Ellerv Queen'a Mikity Magazine offer* a Manuscripts should be typed or legibly written,
eaah award of $2,000 as First Prize for the best accompanied by a stamped self-ad dressed en-
original detective or crime abort story. In velope, and mailed by first-class mail to:
addition, FQMM will award five (5) Second
EOMM £6,000 Detective Short Story Contest
Prizes of $r>(HI each, gad Rv*j (S) Third Prise* of
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magnetite
$300 each. All princn include publication right*
in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, subject 570 Lexluftoii Avenue, New York 22, N. V.
to tbe provisions of paragraph 7. Other accept-
able stories will be purchased at EQMM's
regular rate*.

2. Preferably, stories should not exceed 10,000

words. You don't Ttwd to buy Ellery Queen's Mystery
Magazine to enter the contest. Bui ij you want it,
3. Awards will be made solely on the basis of and tkould find your nru 'dealer told out, use
merit — that is, quality of writing and original- \
coupon • •

ity of plot. The contest is open to everyone

except employees of Ellery Queen's Mystery Ellkhy Qckkn's Mystrrv Mac»zink
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Magazine, The American Mercury, Inc., and 570 Lexington Avenue, Now York 22, N. Y.
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their families. Stories are solicited from ama-
teur as well as professional writers; from be- Plesss send me Ellery Queen's Mystery
ginner* as well as old-timers. All will have an Magazine. I enclose . . . f 7.00 for two yean.
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equal chance to win the prizes. $4.00 for oat year.

4. The judges who will make the final decision

In the contest will he Ellery Queen and the
editorial staff of Ellery Queen's Mystery Adirmt ,
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Magaaine.
City Zone
5. All entries mnst be received at the office of |

the magazine, 570 Islington Avenue, New j Stols Q7

York 22. N. V., not later than October 20, 1949.
 WINNER OF A SPECIAL AWARD: Q. PATRICK
Q, Patrick has won a prize in allfour EQMM
contests to date and may —
they continue to,ad infinitum. Thefour prizewinning stories are, from every
possible standpoint, a quality quartet
11
—
Witness for the Prosecution"
"I^ove Comes to. Miss Lucy" "Mother, May I Go Out to Swim?"
and now, "Thou Lord Seest Me." Indeed, we wonder seriously if many
detective -story writers can match thatfoursome with short stories produced
in the last four years . . .

The title of this year's tale derives, of course, from the Bible. The
original wording, in the 16th chapter of Genesis, r$, reads: Thou God
seest me. This was a popular text chosen by maimers of Victorian samplers
— remember seeing them framed, on parlor tables and on wails? butfor —
some reason difficult to analyze the sampler- makers could not bring
themselves to use the word God. So, it became: Thou Lord Seest Me —
and in that form started Q. Patrick on their creative labors.
The more obvious sources of the story are twofold: a trip to England
during the war and a brooding on the human need for love. The terrible
food shortage in London suggested a plot in which the authors could show
how lacl{ of food and the great longing for it can disrupt family life
and bring about a whole complex of antagonisms in a society hitherto ac-
customed to relative plenty. But this larger theme got sidetracked when the
authors noticed an ordinary, shabby, dispirited little office worker getting
into a bus to go home; the vision of this little man's probable home life,
with a probably dreary wife, in a probably dreary suburb and lo, the —
character of Mr. Loomis was born —
the little office worker who craved af-
fection so deeply that . . But we must not tell too much.
.

In the cauldron of creation the food shortage was mixed in, and the
text of the Victorian sampler, and a fantasy of love, and a golden santonin
world. Not the Shakespearean brew of eye of newt, and toe offrog, wool
of bat, and tongue of dog, but boiling V the charmed pot you will find the
one ingredient which remains constant — the poison 'd seeds of'murder . . .

THOU LORD SEEST ME

by Q. PATRICK

most men
The
Loomis
office clock struck five.
looked up at it
Mr.
and
five o'clock as
And for him it
fear death.
was the death of each
frowned. Mr. Loomis hated and feared day!s life since it meant leaving the

3
4 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
office. It was only in the office that smiled, showing almost perfect teeth.
Mr. Loomis felt himself a man of Unfortunately they were her only
stature and importance. really good feature. Her nose was too
He closed his ledger and with a little wide and behind their rimless glasses,
sigh carried it over to the safe. He her eyes were too small. Her hair
spent as long as he could tidying up always looked like the nest of a clean
his already meticulous desk. He ar- but untidy heron. Nevertheless, Mr.
ranged his pencils in a neat row, first Loomis liked her appearance.
vertical then changing them to In fact, being an incurable roman-
horizontal; lie shuffled his inkpots and tic, he had been perhaps a shade in

next went to fetch his hat and coat. love with her for quite a number of
As he appeared from the cloakroom, years. Oh, it was a perfectly respect-
wearing his old bowler and his black able sentiment, for Mr. Loomis was
coat with its worn velveteen collar, very much a married man. Indeed, he
he looked like any tired little man in would not have known Miss Hender-
post-blitz London. His mustache was son's "Christian name had he not, as
frayed like his cuffs; his front teeth the firm's cashier, had to make out a
needed attention; and he stooped too salary check to Rose K. Henderson
much for a man of fifty. every month. Sometimes he wondered
His office day was over. Now there what the K. stood for.
remained only the pleasure of saying It had all started with the, faded
good night to Miss Henderson. Mr. snapshot of herself which Miss Hen-
Loomis hastened his footsteps slightly derson had showed to Mr. Loomis,
as, passing downstairs, he saw there just for a lark, about ten years ago,
was still a light in Mr. Tinker's at the picnic celebrating Mr. Tinker's
office. Rose Henderson was secretary wedding. It portrayed bare-legged
to the president. She was also Rosie Henderson at the age of
little

sales manager and occasionally for— eight, happily sucking a stick of

Tinker and Smythe dealt largely candy rock on the sands of Burnham-
in patent medicines for children — on-Sea. Mr. Loomis had purloined
Mother's Service Manager. The lat- this picture shamelessly and kept
ter term was used when she signed itface downward in a locked drawer
letters dealing with the Croup Elixir of his desk at home. Occasionally, he
or the Worm Eliminant which were took it out and thought to himself
two of the firm's best sellers. how Miss Henderson, who must now
"Been kept busy, Miss Hender- be about forty, should by rights be the
son?" It was the usual formula re- mother of several little girls who
peated almost daily for years. looked just like that. And perhaps
"So, so, Mr. Loomis. I'm just he thought that if he and Miss
few letters."
finishing off a Henderson . . .

Rose Henderson looked up and But, no. It must be repeated that

 THOU LORD S BEST ME 5
Mr. Loomis was married to a most work toys made secretly in his own
estimable and faithful wife whose tiny workshop. There was short-
lips had never touched liquor, to- haired, freckle-faced Belinda Wren
bacco, or those of any man but her (now a mother herself) for whom he
husband. had ransacked his wife's ragbag to
"Well, good night, Mr. Loomis." make stuffed dolls and teddy bears.
"Good night, Miss Henderson." There were many others, plain and
Mr. Loomis put on his bowler pretty, whose faces had lit up eagerly
again and passed out into the thick at the sight of Daddy "Bloomers."
miasma which is Clerkenwell on a His latest love was Dinah Milton
January evening. He saw with some who had recently come to live with
satisfaction that there was quite a long her mother in the house next door.
queue waiting for the Pimlico bus. She was a wisp of a child with an
With any luck he would miss the appetite which would have done
first one, possibly the second, and thus credit to a regiment of guardsmen.
delay the ineluctable moment when But Mr. Loomis saw her skinny little
he would have to knock on his front frame through rosy spectacles for she
door and find himself at home. reminded him a tiny bit —
oh, such a
As he waited, his fingers ran me- tiny bit — of the little girl whose
chanically through his pockets. The faded snapshot he kept locked in his
contents would have disgraced any drawer.
sclf-rcspccting schoolboy. There were There was something particularly
two lumps of sugar, the rock cake touching about Dinah's greediness
(twopence extra) carefully saved from because the shortage of food in Eng-
his tea. There was also a cough land was hard on hungry little girls.
lozenge, half a biscuit wrapped in an An added bond was the fact that Mrs.
old invoice and two of the firm's Loomis disapproved monumentally
medium-sized manila envelopes. Into of the easy-going habits of Dinah's
one of these Mr. Loomis squeezed mother. That she disapproved of
his squirrel hoard with some satisfac- Dinah herself went without saying.
tion, for these fragments were offer- Mrs. Loomis' childlessness had not
ings intended for the gratification of made her sympathetic toward the
his most recently acquired "daugh- offspring of others.
ter." The bus disgorged Mr. Loomis at
Mr. Loomis, a father, who had last and he made Ms way through the
missed his adored little
vocation, gloom of the familiar streets, past
girls. He had had scores of "daugh- little brick houses, all alike, until he
ters" ami he had wooed them in reached the one which was called his
scores of different ways. There was home.
blue-eyed Lucy Green of the ringlets He slowly climbed the steps anil
whose heart he had won with fret- gave an almost inaudible rap on the
 .

6 ELLERY QUEEN*S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

knocker. He was not trusted with a Mr. Loomis rose obediently and
latchkey of his own. after retrieving the manila envelopes
The door was opened by his wife, from his overcoat in the hall closet,
a large, not uncomely woman with passed into the tiny dining-room
a complexion, once peach-like, now There was a clean cloth on a neatly
purpling to damson plum. set table which bore a whale steak
"You're late, Loomis," she said in smothered with onions. There was
the voice of one who has said the same alsoa dish of fried potatoes, another
thing many times before. "Kept late of Brussel sprouts, and bread, and
at the office, I suppose?" margarine. It was as good a dinner,
"No, no, mydear." Mr. Loomis so Mrs. Loomis averred every eve-
pecked hurriedly at the damson ning, as they were sitting down to in
of his wife's cheek. "It's these bus Buckingham Palace.
queues. Really, I don't know what It was also a familiar dinner. And
London's coming to." his wife's dinnertime conversation
He moved crabwise to hang his was equally familiar. Mr.' Loomis only
coat and hat in the hall cupboard, half listened as of her Mabel told
fearful lest his wife's x-ray eye might indomitable prowess in pushing to the
detect the contraband in his pocket. head of the butcher's queue; of her
"Well, don't blame me if dinner's tactical success in wheedling a little
burnt to a crisp." Mrs. Loomis turned extra flour from the grocer; of the
her broad back and flounced into the shocking moral laxity of her neighbors
kitchen, while her husband made his in general and, in particular, of Mrs.
way into the parlor where he drew a Milton next door.
box of matches from his pocket and bottles and bottles of beer
. .

lit the wall gas-bracket. Electricity . . men at all hours of the day and
.

had not yet reached this particular night that brat of hers
. . . . . .

section of London. it's my belief she's no better than her

Mr. Loomis sat down gingerly on mother. Sitting on our garden wall
one of the hard chairs by the small with her bare legs hanging down . . .

gas fire which he did not dare to at this time of year bare skinny . . .

light until after the evening meal. legs . .

."

He surveyed the room gloomily While Loomis chewed his

Mr.
without noticing that it was, as Antarctic Steak, vague sentimental
usual, scrupulously clean and scrupu- pictures passed through his mind of
lously tidy. He knew only that it was little Dinah Milton on the wall,
scrupulously dull. waiting hopefully for the tidbits that
His eyes settled on the framed wool he always tried to bring home for her.
text above the mantel —
Thou Lord Incongruously, the bare skinny legs
Seest Me. merged into another pair of childish
"Loomis, dinner's on the table." legs as seen in a discolored photo-
 THOU LORD SEEST ME 7
graph snapped at Burnham-on-Sea. supper, when he should feel free to go
"Bare legs in January!" Mrs. around pub and discuss
to the nearest
Looinis had risen heavily and started a game of darts with the boys over a
to remove the plates. It was one of her pint or two of mild and bitter. But
many admirable qualities that she Mrs. Loomis believed that the place
seldom allowed her husband in the for the husband, when not safely in
kitchen. This virtue, however, ren- was definitely at home. And
his office,
dered far more difficult Mr. Loomis' Mr. Loomis, whether he believed it
task of stealing morsels for his insati- or not, was obliged to agree with her.
able pet cormorant next door. He This evening he sat in his chair
took advantage of his wife's absence before the now-lit gas fire and pre-
to slip a small square of bread and tended to listen to his wife's daily
margarine from his plate into the recital of her own perfections. In
manila envelope in his pocket. fact, he was not listening; his thoughts
Mrs. Loomis returned from the were wandering along unexpected
kitchen bearing a dish of six delicious- and incurably romantic avenues.
looking jam tarts. As she withdrew Lately they had been walking these
again for the inevitable custard, her avenues with increasing frequency,
husband made some lightning calcu- but they had taken the first step into
lations. Dare he risk stealing a tart this make-believe land some years
now? No, Mabel was not, as he well ago, after his wife had discovered the
knew, like the proverbial mother bird doll's house he had made for little
who can count only to two or three. Lucy Green and had insisted on pre-
Perhaps he could claim that an over- senting it herself — not to Lucy
whelming greed had constrained him Green —
but to some orphanage
to pop one of them into his mouth which she helped piously to support.
without waiting for her. No, alas. Mr. Loomis' anger had been none the
For she knew only too well that greed less violent for being unexpressed,
was not one of his weaknesses and this nor had it been quick to fade. The
would only be inviting suspicion. next morning, as he took his ledgers
But his luck was in. Mrs. Loomis out of the office safe, his eyes had
was so carried away by the iniquities settled on a small green bottle which
of Dinah and her mother that she stood on the poison shelf. On its
noticed nothing. By the end of dinner label they had traced the word San-
Mr. Loomis had been able to secrete tonin.
one and three-quarter tarts in the Now Mr. Loomis was not a chemist,
manila envelope. but he liked to think that his long
Now every sensible wife will agree association with Tinker and Smythe
— and many who are not so sensible had given him a little more knowledge
— that there comes a time in a man's of drugs than that normally possessed
day, usually in the evening after by the layman. Mr. Loomis knew
8 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
that minute quantities of santonin in his den, sat down at his small,
were used in the firm's Worm Elimi- home-made desk. With one ear
nant. He also knew
that it was a cocked toward the bathroom, he
poison — but rarely used
a powerful drew out the manila envelopes and
poison whose effects might well made two neat piles of the foodstuffs
baffle the normal medical practi- they contained. That done, he re-
tioner familiar with the toxic symp- turned them to their envelopes which
toms produced by arsenic, cyanide, he wrapped around with string, Then,
or strychnine. measuring off about ten feet of slack,
From that day on the small green he lowered the parcels out of the
bottle had become very important window so that they dangled a few
in Mr. Loomis' day dreams. They feet above his wife's chrysanthemum
were nothing but dreams, of course — bed below.
daring fantasies in which, by some With a pleasant tingle of excitement
eccentric accident, the bottle of santo- he gave a long, low whistle to signify
nin and Mabel. These thoughts
. . . to his young conspirator next door
remained in Mr. Loomis* mind as that the coast was clear.
unfinished symphonies. Almost at once a small nightgowned
Now, as his wife's voice ground form appeared at an open attic win-
relentlessly on, colored reveries floated dow in the Milton house.
before him —
little Dinah Milton
1
'All righ t, Dadd y B loomers ?"
and a jam tart, little Rosie Henderson whispered Dinah.
and the stick of candy rock, Mabel For an answer Mr. Loomis jigged
and the little green bottle. . . . the food packages up and down on
At last the time came for Mrs. the end of the string, and Dinah
Loomis to retire, which left Mr. disappeared from the window.
Loomis a chance to retire also — Mr. Loomis knew that this method
not at once to the conjugal bed, but of delivery was melodramatic and
to the small den which was the one quite unnecessarily dangerous, but
place he could almost call his own. he employed it because it made him
Here he was planning to prepare the feel that he and Dinah were living in
parcels of scraps for delivery to some fairy tale, a prince and princess
Dinah Milton. banded together against the wicked
Just as he was entering the den, lie ogress who might at any minute pop
heard his wife's voice from the out and catch them red-handed. This
bathroom. was the only spice to his home life; it
"Light the gas and the gas fire in brought a heightening of every
the bedroom, Loomis. And shut the sensation —
somewhat similar to that
windows. It's turned a bit nippy." which he had felt during the worst
Mr. Loomis did as he was bid and days of the London blitz.
then, having also lit the gas-bracket At length a small white figure
 THOU LORD SEEST ME 9

emerged from die back door of the Surprised by this unexpected at-
Milton house. Dinah scrambled over tack, Mrs. Loomis looked up, mo-
the wall which separated the two mentarily weakening her grasp. Dinah
gardens. Crouching in the shadows was quick to seize her opportunity.
like an experienced commando, the Wriggling herself free and leaving a
little girl ran to the chrysanthemum large piece of her nightgown in her
bed where she trampled relentlessly captor's hand, she dropped her pack-
over the plants in her eagerness. ages and made for the dividing wall
Sitting angler- fashion at the win- as if all the trolls of Grimm and
dow, Mr. Loomis felt a tug on his Andersen were after her.
line and released the string. Immedi- "I'll deal with you in a minute,
ately, he heard die kitchen door slam Loomis."
and his heart missed a beat as lie saw But Mr. Loomis' only reply was to
the figure of his wife standing, large slam down the bedroom window. He
and formidable, in the narrow path- hardly noticed that he shattered a
way, blocking Dinah's sole avenue of pane of glass as he did so. Angrier
escape. than he had ever been in his life, he
For a moment the child stood ir- withdrew to his den for the inevitable
resolute then, deciding to
;
make a dash encounter.
for it, she crouched again and ran Soon Mrs. Loomis swept up the
under Mrs. Loomis* outstretched stairs, carrying the two manila enve-
arm. lopes and trailing the string behind
But that lady was too quick for her. her like the tail of a comet. Her face
Sensing her opponent's strategy, she was blotched with purple wrath.
pounced with surprising agility and "Food!" she screamed. "My food!
grabbed Dinah by the tails of her Giving my food to that skinny little
flowing nightgown. daughter of a cheap .
.".

"Caught you, my fine miss," she The words exploded in a violent

panted. "Trampling on my chrysan- hiccough. Mabel had been addicted
themums." She swung her free hand to hiccoughs recently and they were
and delivered several hard slaps to almost the only force strong enough
Dinah's face and head. "Thief I to stem her overflowing indignation.
Wicked, little thief!" "It's only scraps," cried Mr. Loomis.
Quivering with outrage, Mr. Loomis "I wasn't hungry."
shouted, but his voice did not seem to "Scraps! Myjam tarts — scraps!"
carry. He rushed into the bedroom, Mrs. Loomis just managed to expel
tugged open the window just above these words, but they were destined
his wife's head and cried: to be her swan song, for now a veri-
"Stop it, Mabel. Stop it at once! table hurricane of hiccoughing swept
The child is not stealing. I told her over her. Muttering something about:
she might come over." "My indigestion — now see what
10 ELLERY QUEENS MYSTERY MAGAZINE
you've done," she hiccoughed her eyes, smiling and friendly, gave her
way out of the den and into the an expression of almost childlike
bathroom where, Mr. Loomis knew, aaiveCC.
she was taking the sedative which "Oh, "You're Mr.
hello," she said,
Dr. Heather had prescribed for her Bloomers from next door, aren't you?
last week. In a few moments he heard Do come in."
her go into the bedroom where she Mr. Loomis followed her into the
slammed and locked the door noisily hall, stammered an apology for his
behind her. wife's action, offered the manila
Mrs. Loomis, being an old-fash- envelopes for Dinah and expressed a
ioned type, believed that the most hope that she was none the worse for
effective way to punish a husband the encounter.
was to deny him physical access to her "So that's what all the shindig was
person. It is perhaps superfluous to about!" Mrs. Milton gave a careless
state that, forMr. Loomis, this was laugh and peeped into one of the
no punishment but a blessed relief, envelopes. "Oh, my! Jam tarts.

even though it meant a choice be- What's a box or two on the ears if you
tween the unmade bed in the spare get jam tarts? I'll pop 'em up to
room or (an alternative which he Dinah while you make yourself comfy
infinitely preferred) the narrow couch in there."
in his den. She indicated the open door of the
But Mr. Loomis felt by no means living room which, when he entered
ready for bed. Indignation had given it, was warm and cosy, smelling pleas-
him unwonted courage. Those care- antly like an inn parlor. The wireless
fully hoarded morsels were meant for was going merrily and there were
Dinah. Dinah should have them. He several bottles of beer, some full,
scooped up the crumbled remnants of some empty, on the center table. An
food and put them back into the enormous man rose to his feet.
envelopes. Then, without even both- "Name of Potts," he said, holding
ering to go on tiptoe past the bedroom out a large, horny hand. "Al Potts
door, he made his way down to the and pleased to meet you."
kitchen pantry where he found the Mr. Loomis murmured his name
two remaining jam tarts. Defiantly he and indicated that the pleasure was
put these also into one of the enve- mutual.
lopes and proceeded to the house of his "So you're Bloomers, eh? Mamie's
next-door neighbor. Dinah don't talk of nothing but her
His ring at the bell was answered by Daddy Bloomers." Al Potts winked
a rather pretty little woman with a and poured out a tumbler of beer.
crumpled pink dress and a great deal "Here, have a drink, Bloomers."
of crumpled pinkish hair. Her face For a moment Mr. Loomis hesi-
was heavily cosmeticized, but her tated. He had not touched any
 THOU LORD S E EST ME 11

alcoholic beverage since his fire- to have a sympathetic audience.

watching days. But this had turned Their casual friendliness was most
out to be a new, reckless type of gratifying too. Soon they were all
evening. chatting with pleasant intimacy. Al,
"Thank you, Mr, Potts. I could do who was a small-time contractor,
with a drop." expressed his dissatisfaction with cur-
As he seated himself and sipped at rent conditions in England and an-
his beer, Al continued: "She's a nounced that he had decided to im-
greedy kid, Dinah, but you can't migrate to Australia. With a broad
blame 'em these days. We none of grin he confided that he was trying
us get enough solids. But I myself am to persuade Mamie to marry him and
more of a one for the liquids." He come along. Mamie laughed and
laughed heartily at his own joke and called him "a card" and "a caution."
then drained his glass. Later, after another round of beer, she
Mrs. Milton returned to the room. sat on his lap.It was so free and
"Dinah says thank Daddy Bloomers relaxing. Mr. Loomis found it delight-
and give him a big kiss." She looked ful.
archly at Al. "What would you say if And the time, adding a touch of
all

I was to do it, Al?" rhapsody, was the thought of the

Al grunted good-naturedly. little girl,her hunger sated by jam
"And she sent another message to tarts, curled happily asleep upstairs,
another party with words in it a kid dreaming, perhaps, of her Daddy
didn't ought to know, so I told her Bloomers.
to hush her mouth and eat up her In his own happiness Mr. Loomis
tarts." lost count of time and was only
The beer was making Mr. Loomis brought back to a sense of the hour
a trifle giddy. "Mabel had no business when a voice on the wireless an-
to slap the child. I told her off my- nounced the familiar nightly message:
self. Yes, I told her off good and "Residents of the Pimlico district
proper." Mr. Loomis expanded his are warned again that, because of the
meager chest. present coal crisis, the gas will be
"You did?" queried Mamie ad- shut off at the main in three minutes
miringly. — that is at eleven o'clock. Service
"I certainly did. And she went off will be resumed at 5:30 tomorrow
to bed and —
she locked the door." morning. If your gas is on now —
Mamie said: "Well, I never." Al whether for lighting, cooking, or
refilled Mr. Loomis' glass. As the heating —
turn it off immediately."
warmth engendered by the beer in- "Well," exclaimed Mr. Loomis in a
creased, Mr. Loomis felt that the happy haze, "eleven o'clock already.
"telling-off" was worth enlarging I declare. I had no idea."
upon. It was gratifying and unfamiliar Despite his hostess' coaxing offer of
\2 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
a nightcap, Mr. Loomis took his leave saw in the thin early light thai it was
and let himself into his own cold, twenty-five minutes to six. lie sat
dark hall. The familiar chilliness and up on the floor and sniffed. Still half
the knowledge that instead of the in the dream, he was certain he could
slumbering Dinah, Mabel lay asleep smell gas. All nonsense, of course. But
upstairs, did not cool his exhilaration. was it nonsense? Mr. Loomis held his
Mabel, he knew, would become a re- breath and listened. Yes, there was
ality in the morning. But now was no doubt about it. He could detect a
now. He groped his way up the stairs faint hissing from the neighborhood
and through the darkness of his den of the gas-bracket above his desk. The
to the couch where he fell into a smell was growing stronger too. In a
warm sleep. Hash lie remembered the unfamiliar
pleasures of last night. Before going
Dreams of children lulled him all over to the Miltons', he had lit the
night, culminating with a dream in gas in his den, but in his rapturous
which he was walking on the sands of return he had forgotten, since the
Burnham-on-Sea with Dinah clutch- company had stopped the flow, that
ing one hand and little Rosie Hender- the tap was still on. He ran to the
son clutching the other. Both little wall and turned it off at the bracket.
girls were sucking gay pink sticks of The hissing ceased. Then he threw
candy rock. They romped together the window wide open, admitting
on the sands; they paddled they made ;
cold gusts of morning air.
castles; they rode donkeys. Feeling shaky but rather important
Then something went wrong with from such a near brush with disaster,
the dream, A great purple cloud Mr. Loomis put on his carpet slip-
formed over the sea. It began to pers and dressing gown, went out into
swoop toward them. The little girls, the passage, and closed the den door.
scuffing and dancing, seemed to As was his regular custom, he pro-
notice nothing. Mr. Loomis knew ceeded to the kitchen and filled the
that was some new horrible form of
it kettle preparatory to making morn-
gas invasion. He tried to shout out to ing tea, a cup of which he habitually
warn them: took to his wife in bed.
"The gas . . . the gas . . As he applied a lighted match to
But his voice would not sound. He the gas ring, another chord was
heaved himself up in a mighty effort struck in his memory. Last night,
to throw off the dream tentacles that before the quarrel, he had, at his
held him immobile. Then, conscious of wife's request, lit the gas fire in the
a bump, he woke up to find himself bedroom. Mabel was a sound sleeper
on the floor, having rolled off his who fell asleep almost as soon as her

narrow couch in his struggles. head touched the pillow. It was her

Vaguely he looked at his watch and invariable habit to leave the gas
 THOU LORD S EE ST ME *3

burning for him to turn off when he had been responsible for all the trivial
came to bed which, in normal cir- littleactions which had led to this
cumstances, was far earlier than the moment. His dream of the
private
gas company's deadline of eleven santonin bottle —
even at its most
o'clock. In addition, she had last roseate —
had always involved some
night taken one of the sedatives impossibly aggressive act from Mr.
prescribed by Dr. Heather. Even Loomis himself. But here was the
though she had locked the door dream in reality. By the obscure work-
against him, it was more than likely ings of Destiny, Mabel and the santo-
that she had fallen asleep without nin bottle — disguised now as a gas
remembering to turn off" the gas fire. fire —
had met, and in such a manner
Acting on automatic reflex, Mr. that no overt act was demanded from
Loomis was out of the kitchen in a him. No act, no courage, no skill —
twinkling and running anxiously up no risk.
the stairs. He reached the bedroom For a long moment Mr. Loomis
door and standing breathless on the stood quite still. Slowly he felt a
thick woolen mat at its threshold, terrible secret pleasure stir and scurry
tried the handle. through him like a mouse.
It did not yield. Deliberately, he stooped. He picked
"Mabel," he called. "Mabel." up the pink and brown mat, decorated
There was no reply. with roses, which Mabel had worked
Mr. Loomis sniffed. His nostrils on before The War. He pushed it
were still tainted by the odor of gas forward so thatit tightly blocked the
from the den bu t there was u n-
, air passage between the bottom of
questionably another leak here. It the door and the floorboards.
came from the crack beneath the He stood for another moment,
bedroom door, Mabel always slept sniffing the pungent but diminished
with the windows closed. She was odor, feeling a sensation far headier
lying in there suffocating to death. than the fisherman's thrill when
"Mabel!" Dinah had tugged at the string. Then
Mr. Loomis rattled ineffectually at he returned to the kitchen and made
the doorknob and then spun around a pot of tea. He carried it into the
for something with which to break living-room and sat down with it in
down the heavy wood panels. Panic the least uncomfortable chair. The
came and went. Its place was taken bleak morning light revealed the
by a strange feeling almost of awe, as embroidered text hanging above the
if Mr. Loomis were in the presence of fireplace. Thou Lord Seest Me.
Destiny herself. Mr. Loomis crossed to it and carefully
Mabel had locked the door against turned its face to the wall. He sat

him. Mamie and Al were aware of down again and picked up his tea
this fact. It was Mabel herself who cup.
14 ELLERY QUEEN'S I YSTERY MAGAZINE
He felt larger, somehow, than he he had joined irrevocably that twi-
had ever felt in his life. light confederacy of wife-slayers along
with Crippen, Smith, Greenwood,
One will never know —
one can- Armstrong, and Landru.
not even imagine —
what were the As he sat there, while the noises
thoughts that passed through Dr. of London started to clatter outside,
Crippen's mind immediately after he glanced every now and then at his
he had killed his wife and disposed of watch. Six o'clock ... six twenty
her remains in the cellar. One shud- ... six forty-five . . . Mabel al-
ders from speculating on the images ways arose to make breakfast at
which drifted through the warped seven. What would be thought later
brain of George Joseph Smith after if her husband had not detected the
he had drowned his various brides in disaster by that hour?
cheap tin bathtubs. The murderer's Mr. Loomis put down his tea cup.
mind is a closed book, not to be He moved into the hall. He glanced
opened by the impious fingers of nervously up the stairs. Anxiety, al-
average citizens like ourselves who most identical with genuine concern
have perhaps never been tempted to for his wife, seized him. Hardly
perpetrate this, the most spectacular knowing whether he was play-acting
and usually the most heinous, of all or not, Mr. Loomis rushed out of the
crimes. And so one cannot, one dare house, ran to the Milton's front door,
not, try to delineate with any ac- and started to bang on it. At length
curacy the mental processes of Mr. Mamie appeared in a crumpled wrap-
Loomis as he sat there in his un- per, her pinkish hair disheveled.
friendly but scrupulously tidy living- "Quick ," gasped Mr. Loomis.
. .

room, sipping his second and then his "My wife . . gas . door locked.
. . .

third cup of early morning tea. Phone Doctor Heather quick." . . .

Perhaps he thought merely of the Mamie grasped an emergency. "Al,

absurdly convincing story he would come down," she screamed.
tell the authorities when they came She was on the phone when Al
to investigate; perhaps he brooded rolled sleepily downstairs, buttoning
on the humiliations, the soul priva- his trousers as he came. In a few
tions he had suffered at his wife's seconds the two men were back in
hands; perhaps he dreamed of Miss Mr. Loomis' house.
Henderson, of a vaguely happy future "This door here," panted Mr.
with a dynasty of little girls which Loomis outside his wife's room.
they might found together; or per- "She locked it. I told you ... the
haps he merely toyed with the new, gas . .
."

immensely exotic realization that He smelt the gas; he saw Al's

he was a murderer — that by moving great bulk lurch against the locked
a mat rather than breaking a door, door; he heard the hinges creak. But
 THOU LORD SE EST ME I
5

suddenly all this seemed a spectacle he had helped to bring it about, he

fulfilling itself in some remote region saw with perverse clarity that this
of space. Once again Al hurled him- was the only success of his life. He
self against the door. Mr. Loomis had failed as a husband and as a
heard the splintering of wood, was father; he had failed even to amount
conscious of a strengthening of the to anything really important at
smell of gas. Tinker and Smythe. It had been left
Then, brown and pink, the roses to him to find his true niche as a
of the mat loomed toward him and murderer.
struck him in the face. A little murderer, perhaps, a mat-
pushing murderer. But a successful
When he came to himself, he was one.
lying on the small, uncomfortable The secret joy, which had come at
sofa in the living-room downstairs. He the moment when he first paused
was conscious of mental confusion outside the bedroom door, seeped
and a vague dread. He was conscious through him again-. Who could say
too of Mamie seated by him and now that he was a poor little man?
bathing his aching forehead. Directly Mamie had taken his hand and was
in his path of vision was the text murmuring to him vague inarticulate
above the mantel. Someone must sounds of comfort. He yielded luxuri-
have turned it around, for Thou ously to her pity.
Lord Seest Me stared back at him. A few moments later Dr. Heather
"There, there." He was aware of entered the room. Mr. Loomis, who
the pungent odor of spirits beneath had not before seen his wife's new
his nostrils. "Come on now. Take a physician, gathered an impression of
sup of this." a solemn young man with a formal
Mr. Loomis gulped down a mouth- face and a precise voice which said:
ful of brandy. He managed to ask: "I want you to know, Mr. Loomis,
"Is — is Mabel all right?" that you have my deepest sympathy.
Mamie looked down at him and he I also want to reassure you. Mr. Potts

saw that her good-natured brown has told me of your ah — —

little
eyes were filled with pity. domestic squabble last night. He is
"It's best you hear it from me afraid that you may feel responsible
instead of the doctor. She's gone, for the fact that the gas was not
poor soul." turned off and hence for the ah — —
In the tangle of Mr. Loomis' tragedy itself."
emotions the principal feeling was Mr. Loomis found the young man's
wonder. Mabel, the seemingly inde- pedantic mode of speech difficult to
structible, was dead. The thing he follow. He sat up on the couch, peer-
had cherished as an impossible dream ing in bewilderment.
had actually happened. And now that "In the first place," continued the
T6 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
doctor, "there was a pane of glass her heart condition, she insisted that
broken in the window. This in itself no mention should be made to you.
would have prevented a sufficient You had your worries at the office,
concentration of gas to prove lethal. she said. She did not wish to give you
But, as it happens, we may dismiss any extra anxiety." He laid a rather
the gas. Your wife did not die from cold hand on Mr. Loomis' sleeve.
asphyxiation." "She was a good woman."
Mr. Loomis at last understood the There was more —much more. Dr.
words and there rushed back to him a Heather seemed to talk interminably
picture of himself the night before about a death certificate, about the
banging down the sash after he had fact that an inquest would not be
shouted to Mabel from the window. necessary, about funeral arrange-
Yes, of course, he had broken the ments. There were countless tele-
pane. Blankly he ventured: "She phone calls and through it all, Mamie
didn't die . . .
?" and Al, friendly and comforting,
"Not from asphyxiation. As you handled everything. Mr. Loomis,
know, your wife consulted me a few coddled with cups of tea and nips of
days ago for what she believed to be brandy, got through the day in a
indigestion. I examined her and sus- state of suspended animation.
pected a serious heart condition. I But at last it was all over and he was
prescribed sedatives and advised her alone. He stood in the middle of the
strongly against all exertion or excite- room with his arms limp at his sides.
ment. The episode with the little girl The gray evening light, peering
last night must have proved too much through the window, seemed to muse
for her. She must have had a heart over the framed wool text above the
attack soon after she locked herself mantel. Suddenly feeling started
into the bedroom. She had certainly again with the violence of a bullet
been dead several hours before the tearing through his flesh.
gas started to escape." He had not been a success as a
Mr. Loomis, listening and under- murderer.
standing, began to shiver. Mamie He had been a grotesque failure.
put a consoling arm around him. Mabel had died, as she had lived, on
"And so," went on Dr. Heather in her own initiative. He had been a
the tone he had cultivated for sad foolish little man, inflated with
occasions, "you have no reason to self-importance, pushing a mat around
blame yourself for negligence. And, ineffectually as a child might push a
if on the strength of your little dis- toy.
agreement last night, you should be The doctor's voice came back to
in doubt as to your wife's affections, I him:
can lay your mind at rest on that She did not wish to give you any extra
score also. When I informed her of anxiety. She was a good woman.
 THOU LORE SEEST ME
Mr. Loomis felt dry and hollow snatched away. The future stretched
as an autumn seedpod. He gazed in ahead of him bitterly empty.
agony at the text in front of him. But slowly, daringly, the thought
It was a lie. Even God couldn't see of Rose Henderson came to comfort
him. He was too small. him. Romantic images stole through
him as he tossed against the pillows.
Everyone was very kind. Tinker Miss Henderson looking up from her
and Smythe insisted upon a two desk, showing her fine white teeth in
weeks' vacation. Miss Henderson a smile of pleasure at his return next
wrote a little note of condolence. day to the office. Miss Henderson's
Dinah Milton, now that the ogress shy acknowledgement as he thanked
was Pimlico ceme-
laid to rest in the her for her letter. Miss Henderson,
tery, gamboled
at will between the perhaps, across the table from him
two houses. Since Mamie, at best a in a little restaurant. "Oh, Mr.
slipshod mother, was more and more Loomis, all these years Vve waited, but
preoccupied with Al, there were I never thought .
."
.

blissful hours in which Mr. Loomis Why not? Why shouldn't it hap-
could take the walking in
little girl pen? Hadn't the dream of the santo-
Kensington Gardens and gorge her at nin bottle come true? These new
Lyons' Tea Shops. fantasies explored the future with
Gradually he began to believe that a delicious sense of certainty.
the Destiny, which had denied Mr. Loomis crept out of bed and
him stature, might also yield him fumbled the photograph from his
rewards. wallet.He did not need to turn on
But on the last night of his holiday, the gas to remember every detail of
after he had read Dinah to sleep with that childish body, those wistful eyes
Blac\ Beauty, this new budding hope and the solemn face absorbed with
was brutally destroyed. Al and Ma- the candy rock.
mie, their faces shining with happi- He put the photograph under his
ness and Bass, announced the fact pillow and drifted into a soothing
that Mamie had finally decided to sleep.
marry Al. They would immigrate
together. The boat for Australia was At precisely a quarter to two the
sailing soon and Al's papers would next afternoon Mr. Loomis passed
suffice for his wife and Dinah. the open door of Mr. Tinker's office
Mr. Loomis managed to twitter and saw, as he had hoped, that Miss
his congratulations but as he lay Henderson was standing by the desk,
sleepless and alone in his conjugal sorting papers. He stepped across the
bed, he felt all the pangs of disen- threshold and she glanced up.
chantment. Dinah had been a shining "Oh, Mr. Loomis, I didn't see
prize dangled before him only to be you."
18 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Mr. Loomis
wasn't seeing her, from his wallet- "A dear little girl
either. He seeing something
was with bare legs."
which he had out of dreams, a
built "Really!" Miss Henderson snatched
never-never-land creature, at once a the photograph from him. "Really,
littlebare-legged girl and the mother Mr. Loomis!"
of other little bare-legged girls yet to The tone of her voice edged into
come. Mr. Loomis' reverie. Dimly he was
"I wish to thank you for your aware that the dialogue was not
letter of sympathy, Miss Henderson. progressing as it should. He blinked
I deeply appreciated it." and, actually looking at her for the
Miss Henderson flushed a heavy firsttime, saw the awkward flush, the
pink. "Oh, of course I had to write." eyes, prudish and outraged behind
It was all beginning in a fashion so the opaque lenses, watching him as if
similar to Mr. Loomis' imaginary suspicious of his sobriety.
dialogue that he drifted even further "Miss Henderson, I was not sug-
into unreality. He was not the re- gesting anything . .
."

cently widowed cashier and she was "Really, Mr. Loomis, this is most
not Miss Rose K. Henderson, Moth- embarrassing. I think it would be
er's Service Manager. They were better if we forgot the whole episode."
characters in a debonair romance. There they were. The words were
"I was wondering, Miss Henderson, spoken. They could not be taken
if you would do me the great pleasure back. Mr. Loomis accepted their
of dining with me one night." inevitability,and with that clarity
Miss Henderson's flush was an which now seemed so often to plague
unbecoming carmine now. "Well, him, he realized that this last dream
I mean, I am sure it would be very had also been meaningless. It was too
nice. But I live with my mother. late to search for the little girl of the
She's old and not very strong. I photograph in the barren middle-
always . . aged spinster which was the 'reality of
"A little French restaurant," con- Rose K. Henderson —
thirty years
t inued M r. Loom is, h is ma ting too late.
gallantry undisturbed. "In Soho per- "Yes, Miss Henderson," he said
haps. A quiet little dinner. Wine." meekly, much as in the old days he
Miss Henderson patted nervously had said: "Yes, Mabel."
at the heron's nest above her thick Still icily clear in his mind, he

spectacles. "Wine ? I never touch returned to his own office and sat
wine, Mr. Loomis. And, really, I down behind his open ledger. Dinah
mean, isn't it rather premature? So was gone; little Rosie Henderson
soon, I mean, after your wife ." . . was only a faded photograph. For the
"I have kept this," confided Mr. first time he realized that in losing

Loomis, producing the photograph his wife he had lost the only thing he
 THOU LORD SEEST ME
had ever really had. For all her The crystals dissolved quickly in the
acrimonies, her scoldings, Mabel had paper cup of water. Mr. Loomis raised
been a frame for existence. Without the cup to his lips and drank.
the frame was blankness. Perhaps, if As he felt the bitter taste in his
he had killed her, there might have mouth, a tingle almost of relief passed
been some perverse sense of achieve- through him. Perhaps, vaguely, he
ment to support him. But he had realized that here at last was an
only tried to kill her, failed, and lost enterprise at which he could not fail.
her anyway. After he had dropped the empty
Mr. Loomis made an effort to cup into the waste basket, Mr.
reach some communion with the Loomis returned to his own office and
ledger entries which had once been sat down to wait. He was without
his friends. But even they eluded him feelings now. He had read somewhere
and he began gropingly to see that that the first symptom of santonin
his love of his work at Tinker and poisoning was a visual illusion in
Smythe had been inextricably tied to which everything seemed tinged with
his dread of homcgoing. Now that yellow.
dread was removed and replaced by On the wall in front of him was a
— nothing. calendar. He had hardly noticed it
Mr. Loomis struggled with the before. A charming little thatched
ledger. For hours, it seemed, he cottage nestled on the bank of a mill-
poured over a single column until the pond. A small boy —
or was it a small
precise little pounds, shillings, and girlP — sat fishing on the flowery
pence danced before his eyes like brink of the water. Evening light
midges. lulled the whole scene in a placid
It was no good. He closed the book golden glow. . . .

and carried it automatically to the Mr. Loomis was perfectly aware of

safe. He swung open the door and the fact that someone had entered the
put the ledger in its appointed place. room. He even knew it was Miss
As he did so, his eyes fell on the Griffin, one of the junior typists, and
poison shelf —on the little green when she said: "There's a gentleman
bottle of santonin crystals. to see you. Shall I send him in?" he
He knew at once what to do. It was heard her and nodded his assent.
as if the next step, which had never Both Miss Griffin and the office were
figured in his day dreams at all, was beautiful, bathed in the golden sunset
something he had rehearsed a thou- of the calendar.
sand times. He took down the bottle, When Miss Griffin's sparse figure
shook crystals into his palm, and was replaced by that of a large, burly
replaced the bottle on its shelf. man, Mr. Loomis immediately recog-
Carefully he closed the safe and went nized Al Potts. He didn't wonder why
down the passage to the washroom. Al should be standing there in bis
20 ELL ER Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
office. It only surprised him mildly let us leave her with you, say for a
that Dinah's stepfather- to-be should year —
till we get settled . , .

shine with such a heavenly light. "If you was to say yes, it would be a
"Well, Bloomers, hope you don't real act of friendship," concluded Al
mind me barging in this way." Potts, "and it'll make Dinah the hap-
Mr. Loomis heard the words dis- piest little monkey in the world."
tinctly and once again gave his regal The joy was so intense now that it
nod. was almost an agony. Everything was
"I wanted to catch you before gleaming —
gleaming gold. Dinah
wouldn't leave her Daddy Bloomers.
you got home. There's been a kind of
to-do and I've come to ask a favor." Dinah was going to be his after all.
Al was shifting his weight from one The gold was sand, a vast stretch of
large foot to the other —a dancing golden sand by the summer sea.
bear in a world of gold. Dinah was jumping and prancing,
"It's this way, Bloomers. Mamie her pigtails flying, the gulls curving
and me broke the news to Dinah to- above her in the gentle golden sky.
day and she's taken it real bad. Been Look, she had turned! She was run-
carrying on all afternoon, bawling that ning toward him and as she ran, there
she won't go to beastly old Australia, was another golden child running
that she won't ever leave her Daddy with her, a solemn little girl clutching
Bloomers." a stick of candy ruck.
Mr. Loomis was light as a piece of Laughing, sporting, Dinah and
paper, floating up, up. But he listened Rosie came nearer and nearer. In
and happiness floated with him. ecstacy Mr. Loomis stretched out
"Can't do a thing with her," hishands to them.
continued Al Potts, "and while "Hey, Bloomers," shouted Al Potts,
she was bawling, Mamie and me got "what's up? What's the mailer?"
to thinking. To begin with life's going "Happy." Mr. Loomis' outflung
to be pretty rugged; no time, no arms sank onto the desk. "So hap-
place really for a kid. So we was py • • -

wondering, seeing Dinah's so head As his head drooped forward onto

over heels in love with her Daddy his hands, the office clock struck
Bloomers, we was wondering if you'd five.
 '
MacKinlay Kantor chose The Trail ofthe Brown Sedan"for inclusion in
'

his fascinating author's choice, and here is what Mr. Kantor himself
wrote about the story:
"This was one of the last stories I did for Howard Bloomfield of
Detective Fiction Weekly, an ^ & was written in July, 1933, while I
was wording on long remember. My cops-and-robbers tales sprang out
of the old Chicago days. Every young writer who lias ever been a news-
paper reporter, or who has lived for a time on the fringe of the under-
world, can contrive countless stories of this sort. I think 'The Trail of the
Brown Sedan* has a kind of sharpness and pungency not always found
in pulp magazine material; it is the best of a series of stories which I wrote
about the fictitious Glennan brothers."
We do not mean to take issue with MacKinlay Kantor, but we can't
help wondering. Is it really true that every young writer, with the experi-
ence and background which Mr. Kantor specifies, can contrive countless
, stories like "The Trail of the Brown Sedan"? In all honesty, we doubt
it. The word "countless" implies mass production, and mass production

is admittedly not the safest or surest pathway to quality. True, many of our

most prolific writers have often produced gems of the finest cut and
clarity, but these were the coalescences of infrequent though inspired
moments. Mass production generally means a sloppy and slovenly style,
and plots patched together from outworn formulas. And note too tlie
verb which Mr. Kantor instinctively used: "can contrive countless stories" ;
if these numberless yarns, so easy to produce, clearly show evidence of
1

having been "contrived,' then they will not rise above an inferior grade
''

of "pulp magazine material," and will not achieve future reprint.

No, the simple truth is that MacKinlay Kantor's best stories, out of his
salad days, are at least a little better than he thinks, and that stories which,
fifteen years later, are a little better than one thinks are not hacked out
by the ream or plucked off an assembly line. It just isnt that easy!

THE TRAIL OF THE BROWN SEDAN

by MacKINLAY KANTOR

The
geant
recorded words of Ser-
last
Paul Van Wert, spoken
died, were directed at First-class
Patrolman Nicholas Glennan, who
about a minute and a half before he opened the door for the three detec-
Copyright, 1933, by Frank. A. Munsey Co.
21
 " "

22 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

tives and their manacled prisoner. Said Antonio Bambasino, proprie-
"Looks like more Indian summer," tor of the Union Terminal Smoke
said Sergeant Van Wert. Shop: "I was just looking out the
"Another good day," nodded Nick window when those men come out
Glennan, and pushed on the bronze with him. They is a blue touring car
cross-bar which served as handle for parked close, with another man he
the narrow panel. When you're con- sit at the wheel. One detective he get

voying a tough guy like Rainy Moper in front. Those two more start to get
out of a railroad station you don't use in back with the Rainy Moper fellow.
the revolving door. No, you use the Nobody say a word. Then the guns to
regular door —
Detective Johnson shoot they start, like this
—
goes ahead, and the tough guy follows Sister Mary Louis, Superior of St.
along, locked tight to Detective Co- Joseph's Mercy Hospital, was only
hen's wrist. You, Sergeant Van Wert, twenty feet away, walking toward the
bring up the rear. You nod to the cop station door. Accompanied by Sister
on station duty and say something Clementina, and having just emerged
about the weather. He opens the door from a taxicab, Sister Mary Louis was
for you, and you all go outside and get not expecting to see the very quintes-
killed. sence of murder . . She had level
.

Said the News-Detail, in its second gray eyes, a firm chin, and her calm
extra published about an hour and voice had only a slight tremble in it as
fifteen minutes later: "The three de- she talked to the police.
tectives were jubilant, for Rainy "I noticed," she declared, "that a.
Moper, murderer, mail bandit, and brown sedan was parked beside the
extortionist, had fought a hard battle blue touring car. Just as the group of
against extradition. Their arrival at officers got into the touring car, a
the Union Terminal was unheralded. man opened the door of the sedan.
They stepped from the Pullman, No, he had no mask. He held some-
brushed through the first crowds of thing in his hands; it must have been
office-bound commuters, and hustled a machine gun. A man was shooting
their prisoner out of the station." from the front seat, too. We heard the
Said the News-Detail, in its special shots ... we stood there, petrified.
copyrighted story which went ticking Looking at those men. No one
over twenty wires: "Officer Nicholas screamed. It happened too suddenly.
Glennan, hero of the raid which Then the brown car went forward
wiped out the American Packing across the low curb, turned past the
Company payroll bandits last March, lamp-post, and raced up the street —
was on station duty. He spoke to his Taxicab Operator Fred Cepak,
fellow officers and opened the door license No. 1786, got a good look at
for them, then started back toward the men in the brown car. "There was
the lower station level." three. One driving, one in the front
 "

THE TRAIL OF THE BROWN SEDAN 23

seat besideMm, and one in the back. could see Detective Johnson's wet, red
Two of them was big, fleshy guys, face sliding lower and lower in the
and the one driving was a little dark front seat of the police car. That was
runt. Naw, they weren't masked or enough; it told a long story to Nick
nothing. And well dressed, kind of. Glennan in just two-fifths of a second.
The guy in back pulls up with a The brown sedan swished across the
machine gun, but the fellow in front wide parking plaza, its left rear door
had an automatic in each hand. The jolted open, swaying, a wide gray arm
shots go bang, bang, plunk —
faster reaching out and trying to pull the
than I can say it —
then the little guy door shut. Glennan's revolver rang
says, 'Hell. You got him!' And with hoarsely, three times. Then, thinking
that they shag-tail outa there. The that he had missed, he expended his
cops in the touring car are sliding remaining three bullets in the direc-
down, dead as anything, all blood tion of the gas tank. A huge gray
and — The sedan door came open, shape tumbled out across the running
just as the gunmen bounced ofTa the board of the swaying sedan. Slowly,
curb. Then this cop comes out the painfully, it was trying to pull itself
station door and starts to shoot — back inside as the car swerved around
They were good witnesses, for the the corner into Comanche Street.
most part. Somehow they seemed un- Glennan had missed the gas tank, but
usually methodical in telling what one of his first three bullets had found
they saw. It was as if the blast of a fleshy resting place.
gunfire had robbed them of all hys- He leaped to the bloody running
teria. Eight o'clock, on a bright Indian board of the parked car. People
summer morning . there in front
. . screamed, all around him. Detective
of the sober railroad station. They Johnson and Sullivan, the driver, had
were mainly accurate in their state- the blank stare of death frozen in their
ments. eyes. Out of the red-spattered rear
Nick Glennan, with only thirty seat came a faint sigh. It was Cohen;
minutes left before he would be he.died in the ambulance, five minutes
relieved by Officer Canaday, thought later.
he'd see whether he had gained or Glennan snapped to the paralyzed
lost any weight during the hours behind him: "Switch on.
taxi driver
since he came on duty. He found a Back outl Switch her on, I tell
penny in his breeches pocket and you — " He ran to the lamp-post and
dropped it into the maw of the wrenched open the big green box. He
slot-machine scales, there in the south jerked the receiver from its hook and
corridor of the station. said rapidly: "Glennan on Number
Then the shooting began . . He . Forty-three. Carload of hoods shot up
had his gun out, before he reached the Bureau car just now, at this point.
street. As he opened the glass panel he Ambulances, squads, Union Terminal.
 " " " "

ELL ERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

Brown sedan went south on Coman- Glennan. He leaned out and waved
che Street — stop all brown sedans an answering hand.
at city limits! Medium-sized car — The traffic cop's face was familiar,
might be an Olds or Chrysler. I'm on but to save his life Nick couldn't re-
my way — call his name.
Atraffic cop was sprinting from the "Brown sedan? Think it's a Chrys-
Bailey Street intersection, and an- ler. She just made a left turn, on the

other from the east plaza. People yellow. East on Paxton. What's
—
screamed, screamed. "They just rubbed out a whole
Glennan fell into Fred Cepak's carload from the Bureau," Glennan
green taxicab. "Get going down snarled. "Get over on the box for or-
Comanche," he gasped. Through ders." But he was a hundred yards
the open window he howled down away as he said the last words, and
to the nearest traffic cop: "Stay on the cop could only stare after him with
it, BertI" and the cab went swaying puffy eyes.
toward the corner, with Officer At the top of thehill by the Episco-
Nicholas Glennan reloading his gun pal Church, Nick could see the long
in the back seat. length of the boulevard sluicing away
He snapped the cylinder home, and toward the misty smoke of suburbs.
climbed out on the running board. In Cars, glistening blotches, the wide
front of the Alcazar Hotel a newsboy band of concrete was dotted with
was out in the street. "That sedan — their beetle shapes. Between his dry
yelled Glennan. Hps Glennan muttered a curse.
"Went south — south — This would be the same old story.
There wasn't much traffic. The cab Lost in traffic. Give any car a min-
skidded around the left side of ute's start, and the driver had a good
a southbound street car, narrowly chance for a clean getaway. / had to
missed a northbound car, and screeched phone he kept hurling at himself, /
down the tracks. There were men
y

kadiol Block the highways —

get the
lining the curb —a few of them. news on the radio —
stop a brown
Somebody pointed, waved. Yes, they sedan at the city limits —
yes, he had
must have seen that fat gray shape on to phone —
And that extra minute or
the sedan's side, slowly pulling its two, which brought an ambulance: it
wounded self back to safety. "Keep might mean life for Van Wert or
the horn going, buddy," said Glennan Cohen. There had been that faint sigh
to Taxicab Operator Fred Cepak. from the shambles of the death car.
"Okay." An extra minute —
an ambulance
Looooooo, wailed the horn. . . had to phone.
.

A block away from Paxton Boule- "Keep going* bud," he said to the
vard they could see the traffic cop chauffeur.
waving his arms. "SIowI" snapped They raced on. At each of the next
 THE TRAIL OF THE BROWN SEDAN 25

three corners, Glennan shrieked to schoolteachers, radio repairmen, den-

pedestrians or grocerymen in front tists, Fuller Brush men — car after
of their shops: "See a brown sedan? car, they were overhauled and lined
Speeding?" up, their hands above their heads.
The men gaped at him. Yes, she What's your name? Where you been?
went that way. No, that was —
Did Let's see your license. Keep 'em cov-
you say a black car? Hey, Pete, wasn't ered, Jack. Car after car . . .

there a car just went speeding past? Detective Abraham Cohen died
Yeh, she went north. Right there. Up while the ambulance was still seven
that street. Yeh. Going like hell — blocks away from General Hospital.
With Fred Cepak and the green As for Johnson and Van Wert and
cab Nick Glennan went hurtling up the driver, they were past any need
the cross street. North. A car — for hospitalization. And Mr. Rainy
going like — He overtook it; a small Moper, extortionist and five times a
roadster with three high school girls murderer, had gone to his own private
in it. brimstone pool with all speed. The
"Swing her back," he groaned wea- women who had fainted were being
rily. "It's the same old story, sure revived in drug stores beside the
as life. The damn sedan's gone .". . station.Newspaper reporters, police-
They came back into Paxton Boule- men, gabbling witnesses —
a herd of
vard. Sirens moving toward them men festered around the blue touring
from the east and from ihe west. car with its shattered windshield and
Glennan jumped off the running wet leather cushions.
board and held up his hand. A big, Nobody was sure what mob had
black limousine let its brakes crunch; done it. It was hard to believe that
the tires burned in brown ribbons on any hoodlums, however hopped and
the concrete. Hard faces, hard eyes demoniac they might be, would cheer-
staring at him."Brown Chrysler. Out fully kill four officers in their eager-
thisway. That's all we know . . . ness to effect the demise of Rainy
Make for Five Mile Corners, Al." Moper.
They whistled away; someone was Nick Glennan got back to the
opening the rifle box and dealing out Union Terminal plaza in time to find
ammunition. his brother, Detective Sergeant Dave
And so it went. There was a cordon Glennan, on the job. Fourteen other
around the whole town in less than officers of various kinds were with
ten minutes. The telephones jangled him.
and squawled; teletype ribbons took Before Nick went away to report,
up the story, and state police began to he took a walk across the street. He
whine up and down the long, open found something lying on the asphalt,
highway on their motorcycles. Brown near the corner of Comanche Street.
sedan after brown sedan — farmers, It was at this point that the big man
26 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
in the gray suit had sprawled out of thing and some said another. You
the open door when Nick fired. couldn't be sure. It seemed fairly
Glennan picked up the object, looked certain that the gunmen had gone
at it dazedly, made as if to throw it north into the new additions between
away, and then thrust it into his Paxton Boulevard and the railroad;
pocket. Slowly he made his way at least they hadn't passed Five Mile
through the packed crowd and into Corner.
the wide, guarded circle. Eight police cars went cruising
"Four of the best guys who ever through the new prairies, the flat sub-
lived," his dry-eyed brother muttered divisions. Marble-eyed men examined
to him. every alley and driveway and private
Nick Glennan nodded dully. "Yes," garage. The human manacles around
he whispered. the main highways were drawn tighter
and tighter the teletype clicked
. . .

They checked up: block by block and buzzed, phones were a screaming
and man by man. As the brown chorus.
sedan passed the Alcazar Hotel,
the big man who sprawled through Patrolman Nick Glennan
First-class
the open door had managed to pull came slowly down the steps from po-
himself inside; a man in the front seat lice headquarters. "No," he told the
had reached back and slammed the clustering reporters, "they've got my
door. The cop at Pax ton and Coman- story, inside. Go in and talk to the
che was positive in his identification; Inspector. You don't want to talk to
it must have been the same sedan, he a damn foolwho missed because he
declared —a shiny one with three was a poor shot."
men in it — which made a left turn "Listen, Glennan," said McCail of
into Paxton Boulevard. He blew his the News-Detail and Luff of the Trib-
whistle at them. If they'd made the une, "nobody's blaming you. You did
turn on the red light, he would have everything you could
" —
grabbed a car and gone after them, but Nick shrugged. "That's all right,
it was getting on toward the rush but I should've got them." He ad-
hour for city-bound traffic, and any justed his peaked cap.
driver is apt to make a mistake and In a gray Packard parked beside
turn on the yellow light instead of the curb were Sergeant Dave Glen-
the green. Just a split second's dif- nan and Detectives Kerry and Horn.
ference. "Nick," called Dave.
But Paxton Boulevard is mainly a Nick went over to the car. His cor-
and in the shuttling
residential street, pulent brother was hunched deep in
stream of cars —in the absence of the rear seat with a feather pillow be-
more cops — the runaway car had tween his shoulders. Dave Glennan's
vanished. School kids: some said one back was still sore, after a famous
 THE TRAIL OF THE BROWN SEDAN 27

shooting scrape in March, "AH Dave Glennan nodded. "That's the

washed up?" he asked kindly. trouble; that's the reason it ain't no
"Yes. I've just been talking to In- clue. There's too many of them
spector Bourse." around."
"You're off duty now?" "Where'd he find it?"
Nick blinked at him. "Yes." Nick said: "Out on the plaza. It
"Want to take a ride?" was about where the car was when the
Promptly enough Nick climbed big guy slipped out through the
into the Packard beside his brother. door."
"Let's go," said Dave. They went, "You thought he might have
swiftly and silently, up the Avenue. dropped it? Dave, how many
. . .

The young patrolman turned his cars go by that station in a day."

sad eyes to the huge sergeant. "Where "One a minute, perhaps. Lots more
you rolling?" in rush hours. I don't know; your
"I've got an At Will assignment, guess is as good as mine . . The
.

but I keep in touch with the Bureau. Inspector said to forget it, eh*
Ifthey need me, they'll shoot it to us Sparrow Cop?"
on the radio." He shoved the pillow Nick turned his bitter eyes on
higher between his shoulders. "Did him. "I'm a sparrow cop no longer,'*
you show the Inspector what you he said softly. "Though I was on the
found?" park police last March, when I
"Yes. He said it was nothing." grabbed those hoods who shot you —
"That's what I say, me boy. Noth- out there on Acola Street."
ing." There was silence in the car for a
Kerry asked: "What did you be moment. Dave flushed; awkwardly,
finding, Nick?" he patted his kid brother's knee.
The patrolman fished a small object "Suppose Inspector Bourse had told
out of his pocket and passed it across you to regard this bottle opener as a
to Kerry and Horn. "A bottle clue, Nick. How would you work it?"
opener," grunted Horn. Nick took a long breath. "The city
"Yes, it is that." flusher," he said, "cleans off that plaza
It was three or four inches long a — at the Union Terminal every morn-
flat oval of silvered metal with a sharp ing. It was there this morning, a bit
tongue at one side, and a long handle. late — five o'clock, it was. It shoots a
HOFFBRAU LIGHT OR DARK. powerful stream of water; it would
Drin\ the best was stamped into the wash that bottle opener up to the
handle. curb, like chaff. So the bottle opener
"You get 'em with a case of Hoff- was dropped since five o'clock—"
brau beer," explained Horn. "When- "We're listening," said Dave.
ever you buy a case, they give you a "If a man dropped it from a mov-
free bottle opener." ing car —
or if it got jolted out of the
 " "

2* ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

side pocket of a moving car it — "You dope," said Horn wearily,
wouldn't roll far. It ain't the right "that's 'As you approach the desig-
shape. I picked it up ten feet from nated point, watch for criminals flee-
**
the curb, but to the north of the safety ing from the scene.'
island. And the brown sedan crossed "As if they hadn't fled from the
there, headed southeast, cutting across scene an hour ago," grunted Sergeant
the wrongside of the plaza . . You
, Glennan. "I always did say that if you
see? It was in a kind of no-traffic zone. didn't have a license number, you
If it fell from any other car it came didn't have much to go on."
from one traveling between the Nick grinned his tired grin. "When
stanchion and the curb, because all the day comes that they make it jail
traffic is supposed to move outside the for the man who drives with muddy
stanchion." license plates, we'll have a better
Kerry said: "And those cars are break. There was dirt an inch thick
few and far between. Maybe the big on those plates. Nobody got a smell of
guy did drop it, Nick
— them. You can't put teeth in an
"Shut up," Dave said. "Would you ordinance that carries a two-dollar
call up the Hoffbrau Brewing Com- penalty."
pany by long distance and arrest them Vacant lots began to flicker past
all, Nick?" them.
The radio began to crackle; Nick "Pearl Street," meditated Dave.
Glennan didn't answer. The grating "That's a block or two past Washing-
voice said: "Squads Eight, Nine, and ton. It's nothing but a big mudhole
Sixteen. Suspicious car reported on there — no houses or nothing . . .

Pearl Street south of railroad tracks. Turn right at the second corner,
Abandoned brown sedan. Signal Frank."
Twenty-four B. Squads Eight, Nine, Horn asked: "And no rise out of
and
" — anybody at the Gallery?"
"Here's Dorchester Avenue," Dave "No," said Nick. "We all looked
directed the driver. "Down Dorches- and looked. The taxi driver and the
ter to the Paxton cut-off, then left." nuns and all of us. It wasn't anybody
The balloon tires howled as the car ever mugged in this town."
swung quickly into Dorchester Ave- "I say they were trying to spring
nue . . forty, forty-five, fifty, fifty-
. him," grunted Dave.
five . . the speedometer ribbon
. "And hira handcuffed to Cohen?"
blurred. The siren sang in an endless "I know the Chief and most of the
alto. others think it was a push-off. But it
Kerry, not the liveliest-witted man wasn't worth it: if anybody'd wanted
In the squad, was mumbling to him- to rub out Rainy, they could have
Twenty-four B. Sig- managed it easy with stabbing, after
self,

nal
—"Signal he went to the pen. They never
 THE TRAIL OF THE BROWN SEDAN
needed to risk all this. No, they were burdock burrs. They went over to the
primed to spring him. Maybe they lone man who still sat in the black car
didn't realize he was tied to Cohen. — he had turned it around until it
They got rattled, maybe. Remember faced toward the railroad viaduct —
what the taxi driver said about it? and they said, "Hey, mister, buy some
*Hell, you got himV That was no fine popcorn, a big bag for a nickel."
push-off." But the man didn't want buy any
to
They shouted and argued back and burdock-burr popcorn. He had a
forth, above the wailing siren. The snarly white face and he said: "You
Packard skidded into the miserable damn and so they ran away as
kids,"
pavement of Pearl Street. No houses fast as they could go. They hid in a
here; the wasteland and marshes thicket of marshgrass, where the man
spread out, block after block. Rub- couldn't find them.
bish piles, tilted signboards . Far
. . Finally (it had been quite a long,
ahead near the railroad viaduct, a long time) the brown car came back.
dark group of men milled around a It came from the south, and the men
huddle of cars. Dave leaned out and jumped out of it hastily and jumped
squinted his narrow eyes. "That's into the black car beside the other
Rhineheimer's squad. Eight. They man, and went bouncing away toward
got here ahead of us." the railroad tracks ... An hour
passed before Irene and Anna mus-
Anna Watelowitz and Irene Krzan- tered enough courage to approach the
owski were the best witnesses who had abandoned brown sedan. When they
yet figured in the case. They had climbed up on the running board,
been playing games — playing house, they saw blood inside. They ran
mostly —since seven-thirty o'clock home, and told, and Mrs. Watelow-
in the vacant lot which bordered Pearl itz went clear down to the phone at
Street. Poppashveli's Handy Grocery, and
Along about the time they came called the police.
out to play, said Anna Watelowitz
and Irene Krzanowski, they peeked Dave Glennan sat with his feather
through a brake of dry weeds and cushion against his back, jingling a
saw two cars drive into the narrow handful of empty .45 caliber shells in
lane from the direction of the railroad his hand. "Yeh, you better do that,
tracks. One of the cars was brown and Rhineheimer. Take those girls down
one was black. to headquarters. Maybe they can
Two men got out of the black car pick those mugs out. How'd you like
and joined another man in the brown a nice fast ride in a great big car,
The brown car went away
car. . . . girlies?"
Anna Watelowitz and Irene Krzan- The little radio chanted: "Squad
owski picked two tomato cans full of Sixteen, attention. Communicate by
 " " " "

30 ELLERY QUEEN S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

telephone at once. Squad Sixteen — Glennan looked over at his kid
Sergeant Dave Glennan did his brother, the slim patrolman with the
communicating from the phone at old-young face. Nick was twirling a
Poppashveli's grocery. When he re- shiny bottle opener between his fin-
joined his companions, there was a gers.
slight smile on his grim lips. "That gadget, Nick —
"Let's go, Frank." He slid into his "Yes?" queried Nick smoothly.
seat. "They got the St. Louis paper "If you were wearing plain-
to cooperate and send some pictures clothes
—
over the telephone to the News-Detail Nick Glennan said: "If I was wear-
office.They've got 'em at the Bureau ing plainclothes, I'd sure regret that
now: pictures of four hoods who those kids didn't notice the license of
trailed around with Rainy Moper in the black car. The brown car, wc
St. Louis and K. C. have now learned, was stolen late
Even a telephoto picture means a last night from a roadhouse this side

lot. There wasn't any doubt in the of Midvale, and belongs to a dentist
minds of the police and detective named Holder. But — the black cat
an hour later, that tlicy
forces, half — those little girls did notice that it
were looking for Benjamin Farnum, had suitcases in it. It's their traveling
Joe Vitale, and Claude Powers. And car, like as not. And when men who
according to the two little Polish like beer go a-travcling, where do
girls, licking their ice cream cones in they buy their beer?"
the squad room, the fourth photo- "In grocery stores at home, before
graph was the living image of the they start out."
man who said, "You damn kids." The "Not if they're in a hurry. No, in-
fourth photograph was named James deed. It's only after they reach their
Lippert. destination, mind you, that they feel
"Farnum, Powers, and Lip-
Vitale, free to indulge in a bit of a drink. At
pert," chanted Sergeant Dave Glen- road-stalls. At hot-dog stands. That's
nan as lie climbed into the lean Pack- where they would be buying it."
ard. "We're all ready to put the finger Everybody grunted.
on them, except that we don't know "I'm cock-eyed, and I never ex-
where they are." pected to be taking suggestions from
Kerry swore harshly. "Highway a steer in harness," muttered Dave
cops! Sure, they'd let the whole army Glennan, "but we might take a drive
slide through them, if we were after in the country. It's a fine Indian sum-
the army
— mer day, as poor Van Wert remarked
"Never mind, Kerry. There's lots him
before those gorillas got . . .

of cars on the highway." "Highway Twenty-six is the short

"They'll be halfway to Buffalo or line from St. Louis and Midvale.
El Paso by now." Let's mosey out to the city limits and
 " "

THE TRAIL OF THE BROWN SEDAN 31

invest in a hot-dog and a glass of "There was those man —M Basilio
beer." wrinkled his forehead.
Three out of the first nine road- "Maybe they drove in with two
stalls were all that sold Hoffbrau beer, cars?"
and none of those three road-stalls "They have hamburg egg sand-
had sold a twelve-bottle case in weeks And they buy a
wich. Yes, it was so.
and weeks. No, they didn't remember twelve-hot* case."
any four guys in a black car. Yes, it Nick twirled the opener in his hand.
seemed like those guys might have Mr. Constanopolus let his eyes be-
been here No. No spikka En- come narrow and somber. "Those are
—
. . .

gliss. Sella nice hamburg free, for no money. They come in a

"As a plainclothes officer, Nicho- case."
las," said Dave Glennan to his broth- "They came in two sedans? Four
er, "you're a stiff pain in the — men?"
"Don't say it," whispered Nick. The Greek shrugged. "Maybe four.
"You insult me, and I'll be forgetting It was prettylate they come. They
that you still got a hunk of lead along- eat somethings; then they go away
side your chiropractor's delight! And with beer."
here's another hot-dog stand, gas "Now," crooned Nick, "you didn't
station, or whatever you call it." by any chance be noticing their li-
was a rambling one-story shack
It cense plates?"
at the intersection of Routes Twenty- Mr. Constanopolus said: "Not the
six and Fifty-five. There were four one car. I see the license on the one
gas pumps in front and two water- under the light, beside the pump."
closets in back. The owner was named Five pairs of hard eyes were on his
Basilio Constanopolus, and yes, he face. "Yes?" drawled Dave Glennan.
carried Hoffbrau beer. Light or dark. "Not the number. I see the name
How many bot' you want? of what state. All day I count how
"Not one!" snarled Dave Glennan, many state come to stop here. Some
and exhibited his badge. day maybe I see twenty-five. Utah,

"Listen, police," wept Mr. Con- I see — Col'rado, New Yawk —all
stanopolus, "I ain't never sold a boot- those place I see on the cars."
leg since we got a good beer. What "What was this one, buddy? What
the hell? No, police — state?"
"Talk to him, Nick," ordered the "Jefferson," said the Greek.
sergeant. Nobody spoke for a moment. "Jef-
Patrolman Glennan smiled his ferson?" asked Nick slowly.
sweetest smile. "Now, Mr. Constan- Mr. Constanopolus shrugged again.
opolus, you think hard and try to help "I see," he said.
us. Did you sell a case of Hoffbrau "But, listen, friend., there isn't any
during the night?" such state."
 "

3* ELLERY QUEEN S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

"On the car. It is a black car, I re- "Beautiful man," lie said to the
member now." mutt-faced Sergeant Beasley, "we did
"What color was the license plate?" have a colored chart that showed
"I don't know. Jt was Jefferson. I all the auto license plates in the
read. I have a kids what go to school. United States. What went with it?"
He tell me about once there was a "You'll find it tacked beside the
great man here in this country it is Museum in the other room," said
Jefferson. So,maybe he have a state Beasley, "and you ain't so good-look-
name' for him, uh?" ing yourself, punk. I may be within
Kerry sobbed: "Hell. Lay off, Nick. seven months of my pension, but I
I got it.'* bet I could still plug a gas tank in a
"What?" car if I had a full gun to do it with."
"He must have got it mixed up Nick's ears were purple. For want
with Washington. It was a Washington of any retort he went into the next
State license." room and looked at the chart of auto
Obstinately, Constanopolus shook license plates.He leaned upon a cabi-
his head. "I not get the number, see, net full of rusty revolvers and dusty
for why the hell I remember num- blackjacks and perforated stars, and
bers? Just the name, Jefferson. I spell studied the little colored oblongs . . ,

it, uh? Chay-ee-eff-eff-ce

— Washington, West Virginia, Wiscon-
"Aw," growled the sergeant. He sin . Most certainly there was no
opened the door. "Come on,
car State of Jefferson in the United States.
Nick. Get going. Maybe it was Wash- Suddenly he bent closer to the
ington, maybe not. He don't know chart. His ears grew pale and purple
what it's all about." once more. From the outer room
"Jefferson!" Basilio Constanopolus Sergeant Beasley watched him, sniff-
howled after them, as the Packard ing.
crunched over the gravel and turned Glennan came out. His eyes were
back toward the city again. very bright, and a slight flush still
First-class Patrolman Glennan tried clung around the roots of his hair.
to go home and rest, but it was no go. "Get me the Bureau, will you?"
Ordinarily he would have been sound he asked of the man at the switch-
asleep long before this hour. The board.
hands of the clock in his
little electric "Guests will use the house phones
kitchenette crawled past noon, and around the corner," mocked the
he merely played with the scallops switchboard.
which Alice had baked for him. Fi- Nick glared. He went around the
nally he put on his blouse and belt corner to the single instrument in its

and cap, snatched a kiss from the dim nook.

prettiest face this side of County "Is Dave Glennan out with his
Cork, and went down to headquarters. squad?"
 " " " " " "

THE TRAIL OP THE BROWN SEDAN 33

The dim voice of the Bureau said: names were Morgan, Fry, Adams,
"No. He's in with the Lieutenant. and Johnson , . .

Who's calling?" "The nerve, the brazen nerve of

"This them!" gritted Inspector Bourse.
brother.
is

Can
Officer
I talk
— Glennan, his
"Using the name of a man they just
"Sure. I'll get him for yuh." killed
—
Connections buzzed and stuttered He stood beside a bed in room 508,
. . Dave's voice. "Yeli."
. with a throng of officers blocking the
Nick said: "Tell me this, Dave. Do open door beyond. The operator con-
they still think those guys left town?" nected him with room 524, and a
"Left town? Say, what do
— coarse voice yelped nervously at him.
"With airplanes and state troopers "This is Inspector Bourse," said
and all, tailing them all over hell. the old man with the gold badge. "I
What do you think?" want to tell you sniveling hyenas that
Dave gulped once or twice. "Why you're washed up. No, hold on —
— what makes you think they'd lie I'll do the talking! Every room around

around here? Sure, it's been done be- you — on all sides, above and below
fore, but
— -
— has been vacated. There are officers
"At night they could make it. We at the top and bottom of the fire
know they went north under that escapes, ant! in opposite windows
railroad viaduct from the prairies, commanding your rooms. We've got
and there's two good streets, not much machine guns trained on your doors,
traveled, leading back to town. Take and tear gas all ready to let go. You
a small hotel — an outlying one,—you can come out, with your hands up,,
see. With garages near by, and or you can stay there and take it!"
"For God's sake," yapped Sergeant There was a long, heart-breaking
Glennan, "have you gone nuts, or silence. Then the rasping voice began
what?" to stammer —
"I'll be coming to the Bureau as "Break?" echoed the old Inspector.
fast as a cab can get me there," "Yeh, you gave our men a break this
snarled the ex- sparrow cop, "and you morning. Pie-eyed, hopped-up bums:
be going in with me to talk to In- you chopped the whole carload down!
spector Bourse. I'm going to tell you Only one of you got a shot in the arm
upholstered cushion -bellies what kind for his pains. Auto accident, you told
of a car to look for!" the chambermaid when she saw the
bloody bandages! Remember this;
It was at the end of the fifth -floor- you can only get life in this state —
west-corridor of the Hotel De Soto. so think over, and think fast
it
—
Two adjoining rooms, 524 and 526. Down the hall there was the sudden
The occupants were listed as the Hot- blam of an automatic. Old Bourse
Cha Orchestra from Louisville. Their dropped the phone upon the bed.
 "

ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

"So that's the answer, eh?" he Nick's ears were red again. "I just
whooped. "Let 'em have it, boys! played a hunch, sir, about them not
The taxpayers'U foot the hill for having run out of town."
damage — "But what good would the hunch
Five machine guns began to pound. have done if you hadn't lined up the
They carried them away in four car? Sure, it isn't every cop could
neat, body-length baskets of brown spot a car on the evidence you had and
wicker. Two officers had been wound- lead us right to the killers."
ed, neither seriously.Up in his tem- First-class Patrolman Glennan
porary headquarters in room 508, old wriggled, but his weary facewas
Inspector Bourse patted Nick Glen- grinning. "The Greek had a word for
nan's arm as that embarrassed young it, sir! he said, and of course
Jefferson,
man slid his gun into its holster. we thought he was crazy. But I went
"Smoke up!" he said to the Glen- down to headquarters and had a look
nan boys. "Here —
twenty-five cent- by
at the chart of license plates. Just
ers, and niver say the old man is a chance I noticed that Kentucky —
tightwad. Boys, I knew your grand- you see how it was, Inspector. The
father —I was just a little kid when Kentucky license was number 345-
he got killed in the anarchists' riot, 328 —
a hot car, no doubt but it —
but I do remember him —
and I want had the letters K-Y, very small in
to say that the old fellow must be one corner, and the number 33 very
very, very proud of you tonight." small in the other. And all the way
"I didn't do a damn thing, In- across the bottom was the name of
spector," growled Dave. "It was all the county: Jefferson. It's an odd way

the doings of my kid brother." they must have in Kentucky, putting

"And him still with a stiff arm and the names of their counties on the
unsteady shoulder from that affray license plates."
last March," nodded the Inspector. "From Kentucky," said Sergeant
"It's quite like a Glcnnan not to Dave Glennan, "come fast horses and
whine around and because he
alibi women. From the Glennan
.beautiful
wasn't shooting so good, and all of a family comes cops. If you wouldn't
sudden. Well, Nick —
and I hope to object, Inspector, I'd like to offer us
see you a sergeant like your brother all a little drink — just for luck. I'm
before you're many months older — mighty proud of my ugly relative,
I must say that your deduction on and —
those license plates was a slick piece Inspector Bourse thrust out his
of work. It was aisy enough for us to jaw. "Of course I object, SergeantI
run the car down, once you gave us It's contrary to law and regulations
the tip. The boys got it in the thir- and the best traditions of our depart-
teenth garage they went to, and the ment .Ring immediately for ice
. .

rest was aisy, too." and ginger alel"

WINNER OF A FOURTH PRIZE: JOHN DI SILVESTRO
u
We can't tell you everything theauthor of The Big Shot?' wrote to us;
we wish we
could; it would help every would-be writer to persevere, to
hang on, to k^ep the light of hope burning; it would help every reader,
casual or serious, to understand better tlu-, problems of the young writer,
and through that understanding, appreciate more tolerantly the near-
misses as well as the hits; it would help every literary critic and every
literary agent to remember what John Di Silvestro, who was only 20
years old when he wrote "The Big Shots" has yet to learn —
that money,
and what money stands for, is not everything an intelligent person can
want. Yes, John, there are things more precious than money; talent is one
of them, and to compromise talent for money is too big a price for anyone
to pay . . .,

John Oi Silvestro wrote "The Big Shots" bac\ in 1945- It poured

out ofhis typewriter lil<e blood spurting out ofa slashedjugular. He showed
11
the manuscript to a Chicago editor who said nice things about it" but —
couldfit buy it. So 20-year-old John threw the story into a dar\ place.
Ttvo years later John sent the manuscript to a New Yorf( editor. This
time it was returned without comment, without encouragement.
Tine next year John gave the story another whirl on the wheel of misfor-
tune. He sent it to a literary agent who promptly rejected it as "~not
bein& magazine stuff."
Tl\en another agent read "The Big Shots" and turned thumbs down
—
tl
it uyouldn t go for magazines?' he said.
Lcvst year John mailed the manuscript to EQMM. His accompanying let-
ter u^ld more between the lines than perhaps John realized the —
slow heartbreak^ of despair. We read the story and were immensely im-
pressed. We simply could not understand how it had failed to excite
at lec iSt one editor or literary agent sufficiently to be thrust into print.
" e rushed a special delivery letter to the author, praising the story,
making an offer to purchase it, and suggesting that the story be officially
sui ''muted to our annual contest. John agreed, and we cannot resist quoting
f oil 7 his letter: "Ellery Queen wrote me a special delivery. I was staring
at wet trees when the postman's car slid to the curb. I watched him. He
Qot out. I heard him at the box. I ran down the stairs.
" 'Mr. Di Silvestro?'
" l
Yes:
"I tore the envelope to shreds. I readandreadandread, then I put some
paper into the typewriter. I tried to be casual. I tried to be honest. I tried
35
 " "

to make Mr. Queen understand that his letter was the brightest, purest,
finest thing that ever happened to the one called John, by some."
In a later note John wrote us: '7 know you'll play down the slum
angle. I reck tne tnttn °f tne flutter is that your first letter hit me at a
time when I would have done anything —
maybe even be honest"
And now, completing the circle, we are back 10 our original theme:
John, there are things more precious than the golden apples paid to com-
promisers. This above all, be honest. Be honest until the cows come home;

be honest until hell freezes over; be honest to the end of time, to the crack
of doom, to the "lastsyllable of recorded" manuscript. And never make
any excuses for beinghonest. And dont worry that youve "yet to leave
the slums." You'll leave the slums, and help eliminate the slums by —
being honest."The Big Shots" is honest, and its honesty is a slashing
condemnation of the slum conditions which breed juvenile delinquency.
That is why we are so proud to publish it , . .

THE BIC \ SHOTS

by JOHN DI SILVESTRO
Tony Ovaki's face was an "Somebody picking on you?"
Fat
unhealthful pallor, his dirty blond "Naw, nobody's acting smart."
hair a mass of greasy ringlets shading Tony told him.
a meaty nose that was speckled with "For a guy with your built you're
blackheads; his squat body was plenty yellow," sneered Pete. "You
crouched forward as if futilely trying look sick. Come on, tell me. You're
to escape the sloven clothing. in my gang." i

He joined slender Pete Semo on "Just trouble at home," said Tony.

the corner of the street that was cool "Old lady want you to go to work,
and breezy in the early morning sun- huh?" laughed Pete. "I thought you
shine. The tall rooming houses on gave her the twenty bucks ycu had."
either side of the street were solid "I did," snapped Tony, his dirty
brick buildings with blunt, unpainted, face weak with rage. "She pulled
disreputable fronts of seamed and me outta bed, that dirty
—
cracked bricking, ever ready to spawn "Shut up. YouVe the only flky I
another generation of slumjohns. know thatgoes around cursing hi.J own
"What's the matter, Fat?" asked old lady."
Pete when he got within talking dis- "She's a —
tance. "You look scared." "1 told you to shut up. I don't like
"NothinY* said Tony Ovaki. that kinda talk."
 THE BIG SHOTS 37
Tony slowly met Pete's eyes. "You He dipped his hand into his right
angling for anything, Pete?" hip pocket and brought out the
Pete abrupt little
gurgled his nickel and three pennies. He walked
laugh. "You even act tough today. up the street, forcing his legs to wide
Fat. He brought out a crumbled
'
quick strides, his wide thin shoulders
pack of cigarettes, stuck one between swinging aggressively.
his lips. The cigarette burned his fingers but
Tony looked at the two cigarettes he managed to choke down one last
left in the pack. "You got an extra, swallow from it and flipped it into the
Pete?" gutter and walked into the smells of
Pete put the pack back into his cheeses and greens of Tompo's grocery
shii i
pocket. "Go an' call Tommy and store.
Roacby." "Longjohn," said Pete.
"Okay, Pete,* but save me the "Three for eight cents," grumbled
butt." Tompo.
"You heard me, didn't ya?" "Just want one."
Tony slowly turned away; for two Tompo wiped his hand on his green
seconds Pete fooled with the match sweater and waved the flics away I mm
folder. I Ic lighted the cigarette. the wooden tray and picked up a
The early morning sunshine spanked twisted longjohn.
against this side of the street; he "Gimme one with some sugar on
crossed, walking into the shade ol it," said Pete.
the North side of the street. "What the hell you want for three
Pete forced his eyes away from the cents?" Tompo said sharply, handing
littered curb, grimaced savagely; over the roll.
some day he was going to get outta Pete bit deeply into the greasy roll,
t his neighborhood, have an apart- pocketing the two cents change from
ment out on the drive with glamor the nickel. He now had some change
dames around and plenty of good to rattle.
liquor. He walked out into the crisp morn-
He sucked wistfully on the ciga- ing coolness. The stench of kerosene
rette, the smoke panging against his assailed his nostrils. He breathed
lungs, tie exhaled quickly; he was a deeply and again bit into the roll,
little dizzy. thoughtfully holding it away from his
He thought of food for a while. nose as he chewed the slightly cooked
Breakfasts just like in the movies — dough. He wished he had some place
those round glass dishes with big to go, maybe some girl who wore
grapefruits in them. He had tasted and had a tennis racket
tennis shorts
grapefruit once; he wondered why under her arm. Boy, that would be
the rich guys always ate them in the Would the rest of his gang get
class.

movies. hot . . .
 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
"Hey, Pete.*' Tony's voice neatly being diverted to make passage for the
penetrated his dreamy mood. lie Great Lakes boats to land their mate-
quickly gulped down the remainder rials at the warehouse loading plat-

of the roll, wiping away the flakes of forms.

sugar from his chin with his palm. "We see a guy called Rock," said
"Hi," chorused Roachy and Tommy. Tony. "He does the hiring."
"You got a cig?" asked Roachy, They walked through the shadowy
grimacing like Bogart. formed by the piled crates and
alleys
"I got a nickel," said Pete. "Let's oil cans leading to the employment
chip in and get a pack." shack.
"Fm broke," said Tony. "Yeah?" said Rock, turning from
"Didn't ask you. Fat," said Pete, the small scarred desk that was pa-
pushing out his palm and driving pered profusely with bills of lading
Tony against call, skinny Tommy. and routing sheets. -His bare arms
Roachy laughed, running his thin came up sharply, then thudded against
fingers through his bushy, black curly the arm-rests of the swivel chair.
hair. "What we gonna do, Pete?" "We wanta put in a little time,"
"Feel like goin' horse-back riding," said Pete."Tony here" —
he pointed
said Pete. "But where can we get four to the big figure of Ovaki "said—
bucks?" you hired him before."
"Jeez, do they charge half a buck "I know," Rock said. "You guys
an hour?" asked Tommy. kin work, but you better not let me
Pete nodded, hitching his belt catch you smoking."
around the leanness of his waist. "We ain't got no cigarettes," said
"Have they got black and white Roachy.
horses?
'
' said Tommy. 1
'Them are "Okay," wheezed Rock, slowly get-
called pintos, that's what they call ting to his feet. "C'mon, I'll show
them little horses." you where you work."
"I had a big one last time," said They followed him to the high plat-
Pete. "I didn't call it no pinto." form adjacent to the swirling dirty
"Let's go to the warehouse," said water.
Tony. "They need help there, they "You guys just take the crates that
pay half a buck an hour. I know." that boat will have on board," said
Pete looked at the aproned, loose Rock, pointing to a squat steamer
haired women shuffling onto the front pulling in toward the pier. "Got it?"
stoops to get some early morning sun- "Yeah," said Pete, matching Rock's
shine. He spat into the gutter. "Yeah, ugly grin.
let's go earn ourselves some dough." "You see that they do a good job,"
They walked to the huge towering Rock said to Pete.
Wong warehouse that bordered the Pete spat into the water. "Sure,
slit of the Chicago river, the waterway Rock."
 the big shots 39
As Rock got out of hearing distance all hisstrength. Pete easily dodged it,
Roachy cursed sullenly. "You lucky grabbing Roachy's left arm and stick-
baba," he told Pete. ing out his right foot. As Roachy
"I'm sorta foreman," grinned Pete, lurched past him, he smashed a pile-
"and you guys are gonna work." driving fist into his stomach.
"Who ihe hell feels like riding a Roachy thrashed on the splintery
horse?" said Tony. dock.
"I do," snapped Pete, "and if you They watched him choke, a trickle
don't work, Fat, I'll throw you in the of vomit slipping past his lips. He
river." didn't have any breakfast to splurge
They laughed for a while, then the on the pier. He rolled from Pete's
squfti river boat battered against the foot, got to his knees, and weakly
pier and two husky seamen were tying tackled Pete as he closed in. They
her secure. rolled and thudded against the plank-
"Go on," ordered Pete, "jump on ing.
the boat, and start bringing those Finally Pete had his knees on
crates up here." He watched them Roachy's arms, his feet effectively
jump aboard. He vaguely wished he keeping Roachy prostrate.
could join them. It must feel nice "If you really wanta get hurt,
(King on a ship, being so close to land Roach, just make a move."
with nothing to worry about. Roachy's head twisted miserably.
Pete pushed the crates farther back "Okay, I had enough."
onto the pier as Roachy, Tony, and Pete got up and before he could
Tommy dumped them on the edge of straighten up, the dock crashed against
the platform. his face. He twisted over on his back.
Two hours later they struggled onto Rock reached down and dragged him
the pier. to his feet.
"We put in a buck's worth," "You shouldn't've been fighting,
groaned Tony, "let's go get our sonny," said Rock. "Now get to
dough." work."
"We need car fare to get to the Pete shook his head numbly; he
stables," said Pete. "C'mon let's work reached up for it, tried to screw it on.
a little more. Then we can even buy A sudden flash blinded his vision and
something to eat." he fell against Rock's chest. He reeled
"Sure, you ain't doin' nothing," back rather than lean against him.
growled Roachy, knuckling the sweat Tony and Tommy caught him.
from his eyes. Pete shook off the protecting hands
Pete brought up his clenched fist, of his friends. "You hit me when I
smashed it into Roachy's shoulder. wasn't looking," snarled Pete, moving
Roachy's head bobbed down and toward Rock.
he charged Pete, swinging his left with Rock easily held him off. "If you
 "

ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

want another smack, kid, just keep "You kicked him," cried Tony. "I
on acting smart." ain't worried."
Pete lashed out with his foot, it Pe te moved toward Tony bu t
completed a shallow arc against Rock's Roachy weakly held him off. "That'll
thick shinbone. He yelped and hopped make it worse. We gotta stick to-
backward. Pete's foot came up again, gether."
this time against Rock's unprotected Pete quickly regained his compo-
stomach. Rock went over backward. sure."Sure." He was the boss, couldn't
The crew aboard the boat yelled let abig slob scare him. He'd showed
and moved toward the platform. them.
Tony and Tommy picked up the "Look," said Pete, sticking his fin-
small but heavy crates, and heaved ger into Tony's sloping stomach.
them against the oncoming crewmen. "You go home, hide in the hallways,
They cursed and jumped back onto tell your old lady to tell whoever

the deck of the craft. comes asking for you that you left
Pete grabbed Roachy's arm. town. If nobody comes, okay. I just
"C'mon, let's get outta here," he wanta know if that guy Rock's going
yelled, helping the unsteady Roach to do something."
to find his stride. "Yeah, that's smart," said Tommy,
They reached the comparative flexing his arms and straightening his
safety of high tiers of crates, then they dirty polo shirt.
raced through the street, weaving "Okay, get on home," ordered
through the tangle of traffic before Pete, "and run. He might've gone to
the street side of the warehouse. your house already."
Their breaths were hot and hatd Tony's face slackened. "Yeah?
against each other's cheeks as they What if he did already? I ain't going."
paused in the alleyway to catch their "You ain't yellow?" said Pete. "Or
breaths. areyou?"
"Dirty sklink," Pete said thickly, "Yeah," said Roachy. "Are you
"we didn't even get paid." yella?"
"Do you think he knows where we "Okay," said Tony. "I'll go home.
live?" gasped Roachy. If he does come around asking for me
"He knows where I live," Tony what do we do?"
said tonelessly. "I worked a week "We'll protect you," said Pete.
there. He even got my social security "Now get."
number." They watched him walk away.
"You lousy fat stink," shrieked Roachy smiled ruefully. "He's the
"You
Pete.
— guy who knows our names. Rock only
"Aw cut it," said Roachy. "It isn't knows where he lives."
his fault. We gotta think of some- "I know," said Pete.
thing." Tommy cursed. "He'll talk if Rock
 THE BIG SHOTS 4*

gets ahold of him, you can bet on it." She sighed deeply, viciously yank-
"We gotta take that chance," said ing the cord.
Pete. "Ma . . . you gotta listen."
She rummaged for some clothes-
Tony ducked into the alleyway, deep pocket of her dirty
pins in the
darting swiftly through the vast park- apron.
ing space of the Cab Company, and "Did anybody come lookin' for me,
had to pause for breath when he hit Ma?"
South Halstead Street. She jerked around. "What did you
His hands shook miserably as he steal?"
cleared the sweat from his eyes. He "Nothin', Ma, honest. Just some
wished he had a cigarette. big guy's looking for me. He's gonna
He cursed shrilly. Only two more beat me up."
blocks now. He carefully walked into Her thick neck reddened angrily.
another alley, automatically flattening "What did ya rob?" she repeated
his back against the wall of a building. doggedly.
The chipped bricking of the wall bit "Honest to God I didn't pick up
into his spine but he didn't notice. anything, Ma. I'll tell you: I went to
He panted but he knew he wasn't the warehouse to put in a little time
that tired. He remembered a George like you told me this morning."
Raft picture, but it seemed sorta silly "Then why ain't you working?"
now. He didn't even have the girl she thumped, rubbing the rust from
Raft had had to fight for; he was just her hand against her thigh.
acting scared. "I'm trying to tell you," he
He counted slowly up to ten, screeched. "Listen, Ma: Rock, the
glanced up the mouth of the alley; no foreman at the warehouse took me
danger from that quarter. He walked and the guys on to work. Then this
deeper into the smells and debris of guy Rock slugs Pete for nothin' at all.
the alleys that sliced up the neighbor- We guys just knocked around the
hoods just a ten minute trolley ride other guys who try to pile on us.
from the Loop. Then we ran away."
He looked up at the back porch of "What you worried about? You're
the tall, narrow building. His mother in the right."
was hanging shirts and pillow-cases on "Yeah ... but this guy Rock is
the clothes-line. It cringed every time tough."
she yanked the rope outward to place "It wasn't your fault," she re-
more clothing on the line. peated. "Anyhow, that kid Pete had
He carefully unhooked the bar of it coming to him; he's a trouble-
the door and went into the yard. He maker."
quickly went up the stairs. "Ma, will you listen," he snarled.
"Ma." "Rock doesn't know Pete's last name
 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
or address. He only knows my name "Ma?"
and address. Jeez, why did I have to "Yeah."
go to work there?" "Could you loan me twenty cents?
"What the hell you .want me to I'm dying for a smoke."
do?" "There's some beer bottles, go get
"Listen when somebody comes
: the deposits."
askin' for me you just tell 'em I went "I can't be seen on the street."
to the country, you don't know "Then get the hell outta here."
where." "Please, Ma. I mean it, I'll get a
She sighed, her meaty shoulders job, just give me twenty cents."
rising and falling with the motion; "Ain't got it."
her hand went to the back of her "C'rnon, Ma."
dress. At length she said, "Okay, I'll She picked up the empty basket
tell that. You really going outta and grunted as she stepped over the
town?" high wooden plank leading into the
"Naw, I'll be in the hallway." kitchen. For a minute she stood stock-
She laughed. "You nuts? Why still, her elbow working furiously. He

don't you go outta town? You'll learn looked at the swaying mass of clothes
what it means to be on your own." on the line.
"Oh, Ma. Honest, when this blows 1
"Go buy some beer an I'll give you
over I'll get a steady job and really the money," she said, flattening her
work." hand against her bulky hip.
"Okay, but don't hang around the "You bum," he choked out, and
hall." She stared at the reddish streak charged out the kitchen door.
of rust on her apron. "Somebody'll He made his way through the
see you skulkin' 'round and really get alleys. He walked slowly, carefully,
suspicious." sort of storing up his energy if flight
"Thanks, Ma." became imperative. He wasn't shaky
"What did ya steal?" any more. Hell, it it wasn't for him
"Dammit, I told you I didn't steal picking up those crates and heavin'
anything!" 'em at the guys on the boat, Pete
"Better be right orest I'll kick you woulda got killed sure.
out. Do you understand?" He ran across Meriden Street,
"Yeah, and leave the kitchen win- squeezed between the bent bars that
dow open. I'll sneak in late tonight. encircled the large YMCA baseball
So don't get sore." diamond, and trotted behind the park
She reached into the wicker basket benches, his feet dully padding against
and brought up a pair of tattered the loose gravel.
shorts, carefully pinning them to the He paused at the water fountain
clothes-line, jerking it forward with which stood at the path leading onto
another whine of the rusty pulley. Sholwa Street, drank deeply, the
 THE BIG SHOTS 43
water splashing against his bare throat. The quick precise clicking of heels
He gulped the air noisily, quickly stopped at their pew. They quickly
twisting around. Not a person in sight. turned. Father Littono regarded them
He walked slowly up Sholwa Street, suspiciously. "The Church is no place
waited for the light to switch to green, for gossip, boys."
dashed across the avenue, and again Pete gazed at the sleek blackness of
eased his gait. He glanced behind: no Father Littono's street suit, the glis-
one was tailing him. tening white collar about his throat
He walked very slowly past the being the immature halo that some-
Church, made certain that no one day he would lay permanent claim to.
was in sight, and quickly ran up the "We just thought we'd give a little
stairs and entered the gloom of the prayer," Pete said a bit quicker than
House of Worship. he'd intended. "We got a ball game
He dipped his finger in the Holy tonight."
Water font, hurriedly made the sign "Very fine thought," said the priest.
of the cross. He peered deeply into "Let me know how you make out.
the darkness of the Church. I'll remember your intention, boys."

"Pssst." "Gee, thanks," Pete said, hastily

He jerked erect. making for the entrance, his gang
"Over here, Tony." behind him.
He followed the damp echo, gently "Say, boys," called Father Littono.
making his way to the extreme right They turned.
where a row of pews were set. "You can tell me how you made
A sickly smile spread over Tony's out this Sunday —
at nine o'clock
face as he nodded to Tommy and Mass."
Roachy, who were sitting on the "Sure thing, Father," yelled Pete,
kneeling board below the benches. and they ducked out before the echo
Pete Semo was sprawled on the bench. thundered back at them.
"What did your old lady say?" They walked away from the
husked Pete. Church, heading toward the Loop.
"She'll tell 'em I went to the coun- "Damn you." barked Pete, after
try if anybody comes nosing around." the two required blocks from the
"Why didn't you stay in the hall- Church had been covered.
"I didn't do nothin',' Tony yelped.
1
way like I said?" croaked Pete, hope-
lessly trying to curb his tone to the "We coulda stood there longer if
cooly elegant quiet of the Church. you didn't haveta come. It's cool in
"That wouldn't be smart," said the Church."
Tony. "Somebody'd see me sneaking "1 told you I couldn't stay around
around and get suspicious." the house."
"Yeah, that's right," muttered "Okay —
okay."
Pete. "Hey? You know something?"
 "

It ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

said Roachy. "Us being in Church lar attitudefrom his friends. "I ain't
and all 1 just remembered." He waited got a nickel to phone with," he said
for their "yeahs." weakly.
"You know old man Stoki who "Jeez, are you yellow too?" growled
owns the Gaytime Theater?" Pete.
"What about him?" said Tommy. "I just ain't got a nickel."
"He owns the burlesque joint on Pete brought out his five pennies,
Water Street too." handed them over. He pointed to a
"I knew that," said Pete. drug store half a block up the street.
"Yeah," droned Roachy. "But he's "We'll be walking down the street.
an usher in Church on Sundays." You catch up with us."
"How do you know?" sneered They watched him hurry up the
Tony. street.
"I was in Church once," Roachy Pete brought out tiis cigarette pack.
said, staring hard at Tony. "I'll light it for you," olfered Tony.

"Okay, so you were in Church," Pete broke the cigarette in half,

grunted Pete. giving pieces to Tommy and Tony.
"Don't you get it?" Roach said ex- He lighted the remaining whole one.
citedly. "That's an angle,we could — The smoke was a hot burst against his
"Blackmail him," finished Pete. He lungs.
thoughtfully slitted his eyes as he'd Then Roachy joined them.
seen movie badmcn do at sinister mo- "What did he say?" asked Tony.
ments. Something could be done with "Almost nothing."
this. "About the money, the money?*'
"Here's what we do," commanded growled Pete.
Pete. "You, Roachy, since you "He laughed at me."
thought of it can go and brace him." "What did he say?"
"Hell, no, he'll call a cop." "I told hirn to have it or else."
"On the 'phone, dummy, on the "Or else what?" snapped Pete.
'phone," snapped Pete. "Or else I'd tell the priest."
"That's different,** mumbled Pete's face slowly turned skyward.
Roachy. "What did he say to that, Roachy?"
"You just tell him,*' continued "He said he didn't want to go to
Pete, "that if he don't leave fifty Church any more anyway."
bucks —
no, make it a hunnerd — They regarded Pete silently for a
with the guy who'll be near the fire full minute, then exploded into bursts
exit near the alley tomorrow night, of ragged laughter.
Father Littono will find out about "What's so funny?" growled
his owning the cheap feeler.*' Roachy.
Roachy shook his head negatively "I'm going home and listen to the
his bright eyes eagerly seeking a simi- ball game," choked Pete, trying to
 "

THE BIG SHOTS 45

catch his breath. "What the hell . . . tell you." She noisily gulped down

we ain't got any money and Rock some of the coffee. "He caught me
doesn't know where to find us." guzzling beer. The fruit, he wouldn't
"Yeah," s^id Roachy, his lower lip even have a drink with me. I told him
savagely protruding. "But Fat Ovaki you went out to the country."
here can get nailed." "Yeah, yeah. But what did he say?"
Pete sobered. "Remember, Tony, "That he had something persoird
no matter what time it is, if anybody to tell you."
comes looking for you, you let me Tony ran his fingers over his fuzzy
know." His lips relaxed with a smile. cheeks; the bones felt weak. He furi-
"Maybe Rock won't come looking ously tucked his shirt into the band
for you himself, see?" of his dirty pants. "Is he coming
"Yeah, yeah," said Tony. "Okay, back?"
I get in touch with you if anything "Said he'd try and locate you."
happens. Where will you guys be?" "God." The sweat swept to the
"We're all going home," Pete said base of his tightened jawline. "Was
wearilv. he a big guy, Ma?"
"Yeah," echoed Tommy and "Ya little runt, what did you
Roachy. steal?"
Tony raked them with hot, black "I told you, I didn't steal any-
eyes. "What if he does come looking thing."
for me. What do we do then? That's "Then don't try and trip me up by
what I'm worried about." saying the guy was big."
"We take care of him," said Pete. "Jeez, he sent one of his friends.
"Okay." Tony walked away. He Ma — Ma I gotta get outta town,

turned once but they were walking gimme a couple of bucks."

off into different directions. He won- "Ain't got it," she said promptly.
dered if he could buy cigarettes in "But, Ma —
jail. He wished he'd went and bought "Get outta here. If you're scared,
the beer for his old lady what you want me to do?"
. . .

"But, Ma —
The blistering rays of the sun "Nuts." She picked up the coffee
twined through the railing of the back cup, dashed the contents into the
stairway as he made his way up to the sink, washed the cup with cold water,
fiat. took the quart bottle of beer from the
His mother was drinking a cup of window ledge and slowly filled the
coffee. "He was here," she said. cup.
Somehow tears managed to trickle He dashed out, went down the
down his quivering cheeks. He blew stairs, and ran through the alleyway;
his nose. "What did he want, Ma?" the sun didn't reach the alley. The
"Said he had something personal to narro%v confines of the back pathway
46 ELLERY QUEEN*S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
lead to any destination — if you knew Tommy materialized quickly in the
the right short-cuts. doorway. "What's happened, Pete?"
He walked into a backyard, looked "Just go to the old trailer on Green-
about carefully. Two dirty tots played bow Street."
in the adjoining yard, clothes flut- "Okay but?"
. . .

tered from lines about him. He moved "Go on, get started," ordered Pete.
under the protection of the porch's "I'm getting Roachy."
shading, reached between the bars,
and knocked against the window pane Roachy answered his call and
of the basement flat. quickly they were moving toward
Pete peered out. "Come on in, my Greenbow Street.
old man's working." "Jeez," muttered Roachy after the
Tony entered. "Some guy came details had been given him. "Are we
looking for me, Pete." really gonna give Rock the big
"Was it Rock?" push?"
"No, my old lady said he wasn't a Pete smiled carefully, wondering if
big guy." his lips were properly shifted. They
Pete went to the radio and screwed just felt blubbery against his teeth.
itinto silence. "Did your old lady "Say," said Roachy. "Monty said
keep quiet about you?" he got something to tell you."
"Yeah, she said I went to the coun- Pete nodded absently.
try like I told her." "Ain't you gonna see what he
Pete glared at his dirty fingernails. wants?" said Roachy, pointing to the
"Go to Greenbow Street, you know, pool room across the street.
where all the factories are at. There's They crossed the street, walked
an old trailer there, the one we used into the gloom of the pool room. A
as a clubhouse before. Go inside, I'll dance tune coming from the radio
get Tommy and Roachy." harshly toned the large room. The
"Don't be long," Tony said, quickly clicking of pool balls penetrating the
darting out. low hum of conversation as effectively
Pete went out of the front entrance, as the music blared away any civil
walking swiftly, yet with an easy loose tone.
movement. He glanced in store win-, "Got something to tell me?" Pete
dows to check his strides. He grinned; said loudly to the very old, very thin
he was glad that he'd read that book man behind the narrow cigar counter.
telling about how tough adventurers "Yeah," said Monty. "A little guy
walked —
with quick, easy, effortless was in here asking for you. He didn't
strides. know your last name but he almost
He moved up the stairway of a described you to a T. He said you got
sturdy red brick building. "Oh Tom- brown hair, described your built good
my," he called. too. What'd you do, Petey?"
 THE BIG SHOTS 47
"What did he want with me?" bitterness that he could never have
asked Pete softly. emulated purposely. "That's why us
"Something personal." The old guys got to get our dough quick,
man smiled. "He wouldn't say." maybe start up some kind of syndi-
"Was he tough looking?" cate. I'll die first before I go to work
"You can't go much by looks." in shops like these."
Monty chuckled, running his stiff Roachy nodded. "There's the
fingers over his pigeon chest. He trailer."
continued gently, "This guy was They paused long enough to look
'bout five eight, but he had a crisp up the narrow alley between two
way of talking. He kinda made you squat, average-sized factories toward
wanta say yes-sir or no-sir." the weedy, sloping, uneven, wide,
"Copper," slammed out Roachy. empty space that comprised a hobo's
"Get the hell outta here," barked dream of home. After nightfall the
Monty. "You punks are too smart for many li t tie wood en shel t ers were
your age nowadays. Get out." peopled by the careless hordes of
"What did you tell him, Monty?" tramp adventurers.
Pete asked, almost catching Monty's They walked the weedy, sloping
dangerous inflection of tone. ground into a basin-like level which
"Not a damn thing," said Monty, reminded Pete of almost every cow-
pointing to the door. "Now get." boy picture he had ever seen. He
Outside, they walked silently side liked walking in this empty lot. You
by side, their arms heedlessly jostling couldn't see the buildings from here,
each other as they moved quickly but you could look up and just see
toward Green bow Street. the sky, all blue with little white
They walked up the silent street. clouds that drifted like wreckage in
The huge factory buildings on either technicolor movies.
side vibrated slightly from the vast They walked fifty feet to the edge
amount of machinery in operation of this plate-like plane indented
within, but once accustomed to these between the sloping gravel heaps.
deep, almost inaudible, rumblings There, amid the knee-high, rank
they paid no attention to them. growth of weeds and shoulder-high
"Jeez," said Roachy, "this street al- mounds of dung-colored, sandy piles,
ways gives me the creeps. Just think! stood the old trailer. Once it had been
There's hunnerds, maybe thousands, the pride of the Mulhooney freight
of guys working in those sweatshops lines. You could still make out the
and you don't see any of 'em by the bold red of the Mulhooney trade-
windows." mark.
Pete's gaze darted upward; he They went through the ajar doors
forced his eyes away from the dirty of the rusty trailer and tried to bring
windows. "Sure." He laughed with a into focus their friends' shapes.
48 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
"Tony, Tommy," whispered Pete. "Okay." Pete didn't waste a glance
"Wait'll I light the candle, Pete," in Roachy's direction. "Did you tell
Tony croaked. A match flare sent your old lady that we were with you ?"
shuddering shadows up the evilly "What difference would it make?"
warped sides and ceiling of the trailer. screeched Tony. "Everybody saw us
"We're hot," growled Pete. "Boys, over at the dock."
we gotta stay outta circulation for a "Did you?" growled Pete.
while." "Yeah, I had to. I told her the
"They'll remember you, Pete," truth."
Tommy said. "You're the guy that "Think," said Pete, "what else did
powdered Rock." she say?"
Pete laughed. The shadows were "She said that he wouldn't drink
comforting. Tall, bold, unflinching some beer with her."
shadows that moved with your every "He's a copper," Roachy said hol-
motion. The impotent guardian an- lowly.
gels of every man. Pete's voice lashed out viciously.
Pete swallowed carefully. "Tony?" "You said that before, Roachy. How
"Want a cig?" Tony said-shakily. do you know?"
"We got some now." " 'Cause coppers don't drink on
"No." Pete felt the same raw de- duty."
light he'd felt when he'd first at- Tommy laughed. "Wucko, the
tempted to shave, the same sensation street cop's always in the tavern."
as the powerful after-shave lotion "Yeah, but this was a plainclothes-
burning into his cheeks. "Tell me man," husked Roachy. "Jeez, are we
everything your mother said.'* in trouble."
"I told you," said Tony. "He wasn't "Look." Pete gripped Tony's shoul-
Rock because she said he wasn't big. ders tightly."You go home and tell
My Ma told him I went to the coun- your old lady that you're really going
try, that she didn't know where. He outta town. Tell her you'll try to get
said he had something personal to a job and make somethin' outta your-
tell me." self."
"That's the same thing he told "Gee." The darkness hid Tony's
Monty," Roachy said. blush; the gee had been involuntary.
"Dammit," whirred Pete, grabbing "That's swell, Pete. Will we hop a
Roachy 's arm and spinning him freight tonight?"
against the side of the trailer. "Yeah, Tony, just go on home and
"What the hell is the matter with get your clothes."
you?" yelled Roachy. "Gotta make it look good," agreed
"You mean they're after you too?" Tony, and he was quickly through
cried Tony. the half-shut steel doors.
"Jeez," said Tommy prayerfully. They waited for his forced haste to
 '

THE BIG SHOTS 49

diminish in the still heat of the after- him. We can bury hirr, out here to-
noon. night. If they find his body the cops'll
"Are we really going to leave blame the hobos."
town?" asked Roachy. In the candlelight their faces were
"You stupid baba," snapped Pete. white, milk white. For the first time
"You had to spill the beans." in their lives they couldn't thwart
"What did I say?" their plans with the thought of food
"You told him about the guy askin' and clean rooms and steam-heated
for me at Monty's." flats. The acute, perpetual need of

"Jeez, that don't mean nothing." food was iced from their bellies. Fear
"Like hell it don't." Pete's voice crookedly steadied their faces; the
was even, his tone murderous; he had boyish cast was gone from their
practiced it often enough before the visages. They were men now, taking a
mirror in his bedroom. He hoped step that was the only action that
there was more light in the hulk of would absolve them.
the trailer. "Don't you get it?" he "You going to do it?" Roachy 's
continued. "Tony musta talked." voice raggedly beat against the walls
"Then what are we gonna do?" and tumbled down over their heads
shrilled Tommy. and shoulders.
"Remember that I said we'd have "Yeah," said Pete. He took the
to give Rock the big push if it came pocket-knife from his hip pocket,
to him or us?" said Pete. opened it. "There's a certain spot in
The shadows converged. the back."
"Well, it ain't smart to push Rock," "I —
I'll wait outside for him,"
growled Pete. "He's got too many Tommy said with a detached tone that
friends, and anyway we ain't got any steadied the ache from swirling to his
guns." throat and choking him.
"Then what?" said Roachy. "If you can't take tt, okay," said
"Who's the only one who can spill Pete.
the names of us guys?" Pete said, "Okay, I'll stay," said Tommy.
eagerly picking up the dramatic cue. God, what if Pete thought he'd run
Roachy said stiffly, "You mean away and tell. No. "Sure I'll stay,
Tony?" Pete. What do you think I am?"
"He's the only guy," said Pete, "Okay."
"That's why I didn't want him to Somehow a chill wind sliced
know that Rock was getting close to through the blackness of the hulk,
me too. He paused thoughtfully.
1
blotting out the light.
"He's going home now and telling his "What if Tony told his mother that
old lady that he's leaving town. When he was leaving town with us, Pete?"
he gets back here I'll put the shiv Pete didn't recognize the voice. He
into him before he knows what hit swore. It hadn't been one of his
50 ELLERY QUEEN S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
friends. It sounded almost like Mon- Tommy's and Roachy's faces. Tommy
ty's dead, old voice. tried to trip Tony anything to —
"Who said that?" Pete yelled. keep him away from Pete but he —
"I did. Me, Tommy." misjudged the distance in the gloom
The candle was relit. and Tony was facing Pete.
"I'll ask him when he comes back," "Owww" cried Tony, "my shirt
said Pete. "Don't get jumpy over musta stuck to my back. Jeez, it al-
everything. We gotta keep cool. Re- most hurts bad."
member: If you make a slip or get Tommy and Roachy umped to j

scared, you're stretching your own their feet.

neck. We gotta stick together." Pete reached for the knife hilt
That, thought Pete, was a smart which was fast against Tony's back,
little speech. He almost felt happy, drew it out quickly.
but the hardness of the haft of the Tony screamed. "What happened
knife against his palm reminded him . . . a rat . . . guys, a rat bit me
of his chore. He lapsed into silence. . . . gotta get to a hospital."
Then Tony stormed in. "Got my Pete slashed the blade against
extra pair of pants and two shirts, Tony's throat. Why hadn't he thought
even a dollar. When do we get of that before? The jugular vein was
started? It's almost dark now." difficult to miss with a slashing sweep
"Did you tell your mother that of the blade at such close quarters.
you were blowing town with us?" Tony crashed against the wall.
Pete asked very, very ^gently. Finally he slid to the floor.
"Naw." Tony's voice was happy, "We shouldn'ta," sobbed Tommy.
almost tender with affection toward "Oh, God, please forgive me. I didn't
his buddies. "I couldn't; she woulda mean to. Oh God, please, God. I'll
t

thought I was just going to bum go to Church every Sunday, please,

around with you guys. I told her I God."
was going by myself." Pete stooped over and placed the
"Where did you tell her you were red knife next to the candle and
going?" Pete said. turned to Tommy, slashing viciously
"Told her I didn't know." across his face with clenched fists. All
"Got something to show you, the suppressed rage that came from
Tony. Come over here." killing a guy who wouldn't admit he
"Bring it near the candle, Pete. I was dying surged through his veins.
can't see in the dark good yet." He beat his fists against Tommy's
"I'll light a match, Tony." nose, eyes, ears, neck. Tommy began
"Okay, Pete." to slide down the side of the trailer.
The air moved sluggishly in the Pete held him; once, twice, again
trailer. Tony walked toward Pete, and again he slashed at the black blob
causing air currents to brush across before him with fists made of iron.
 THE BIG SHOTS S1
Tlien his arm was too weak to hold Frantically they covered the hole,
him up any longer. He allowed and the scattered weeds
tossing tlebris
Tommy to thump to the floor. over Tony's shoddy grave.
Pete slumped down next to the Roachy fell to his knees over the
flickering candle. He looked up. loose dirt. He spoke aloud, evenly.
Roachy had the knife in his hand. "God, I guess I'm a killer too. I
"Don't try anything with me, couldn't stop Pete f-from doing it to
Pete." Tony. If you wanta do anything to
"I hadda slug him, Tom. He was me, just go ahead. I ain't complaining.
pa-pa-panicky." I'm going to be good, God, even try
to be a priest. I ain't no killer, God."
It was dark out when Tommy Pete screamed savagely, hurling his
started to mumble. They quickly body toward Roachy. They thrashed
slapped him into consciousness. and twisted over Tony's grave, biting
"What happened?" Tommy asked. and gouging, the rusty cans and
"You went outta your head," said sharp gravel tearing into their bodies.
Pete. "I hadda slug you." . . Roachy rose slowly, glanced
.

"Okay, Pete." down at Pete. He was out. "Tommy,

"We gotta bury Tony now," Pete Tommy," he called weakly.
said. Tommy appeared at the iron swing-
"I'm too weak," said Tommy. ing-door of the trailer, clutching at
"We'll do it," said Roachy, leaning the panel for support. He stumbled
over and patting him on the shoulder. toward Roachy.
"Just take it easy, Tom." "Gotta bring him around," screamed
Pete went out; no one was in sight. Roachy. "Go on —
slap him around."
He called to Roachy. "We'll have to Tommy fell to his knees, pinched
bury him hear the trailer," grated Pete's bleeding face, slapped his lax
Pete. "We haveta ... I ain't got mouth. Pete stirred slightly.
much strength left." Then they were leaving the dark-
"Me neither," mumbled Roachy. ened lot, their faces clotted with
With their hands they clawed at blood, their clothes tattered.
the weeds, getting into the compara- As they reached the mouth of the
tive softness of the dirt below. Finally alleyway leading to the street of fac-
they were leaning, elbow deep, into tories Tommy halted abruptly. "What
the hole to bring the dirt out. about that little bundle of clothes
"This is far enough," wheezed Tony brought with him?"
Pete. "Let's throw him in." "Might as well leave it there," Pete
Roachy complied, dragging Tony's said, trying to keep his eyes from
leaden body toward the shallow pit. twitching by heeling them with his
Pete rose from the ground and helped blood-crusted hands.
Roachy tumble him into his grave. "Fingerprints?" said Tommy.
52 ELLERY QUEENS MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Pete laughed. His body was a swol- for a night and the hobos killed him."
len mass of skin and bones, but it was Pete laughed. "They won't find
forgotten. "We fooled around that Tony for a long time —
maybe
trailer before lots of times. Our prints never."
were there before tonight." They didn't exchange a word until
"But the candle?" Roachy's voice the wide streets of their own neigh-
sapped through. "And maybe the borhood materialized before them. A
cops can tell fresh prints." bolt of lightning shattered the night's
Pete stripped the remnants of his quiet. Rain hosed down . . .

shirt from his torso and back. "Wait They must have just been standing
here for me," he said. "I'll go back, there, for Tommy remembered when
get the candle and do a little wipe-up it had been just a thin drizzle.
job." They separated, each going to his
They didn't glance at his retreating own home. It wasn't a house tonight.
figure. It was their last and only haven.
"Why did you and Pete fight?" The rain kept them awake for long
Tommy said thickly, the gash on his agonizing periods.
lip reopening with the movement of Finally they slept.
his lips. The blood went unnoticed,
quickly seeping down his chin. Next morning Pete was sitting on
" 'Cause I prayed." the back porch of the basement flat
"I did too, Roachy." which was level with the backyard.
"I'm going to be a priest, Tommy." The rain had mudded the backyard
It was good saying Tommy's name. and the wind still hissed damply.
"I'll come with you, Roachy." He glanced at the sky. It was black.
"Let's go to Church from now on, He didn't feel like eating, smoking,
Tommy." or thinking.
"Try and stop me," He was sitting at the enamel-
Tears went down their cheeks, topped table in the kitchen with his
burning down the welts that streaked burning forehead against the coolness
their faces. of the table top when the two large
Then Pete was with them again. men entered through the open door.
"I wiped up as much of the place as "Your name Peter Semo, kid?"
I could and threw the candle away "Yes."
from the trailer. The cops are gonna "Come along,"
pull us in." "Who're you?" Pete said slowly;
"What will we say?" said Tommy. he had to keep a good grip.
"That we didn't see him tonight." The shorter one brought out his
"Yeah," agreed Roachy. "Then wallet, flipped it open; a badge was
his old Iady'll say he left town, and attached to it. Pete went along
the cops will think he just slept here meekly.
 THE BIG SHOTS 53
The station house was big; the desk "Jeez, is he okay now?"
sergeant didn't look as sappy as movie "He was stabbed twice," said
desk sergeants. He looked sore. The Pierce, lighting a cigarette. "You
cops floating around the room didn't smoke, Pete?"
talk to each other. And guys with "Nosir."
cameras took his picture. "Fine." He smiled nicely. "Oh,
"In here," said the larger detective, yes, we have your friends Tommy and
after he had posed with Pete for the Louis — guess you boys call him
picture. Roachy."
The was large and the man
office "Yessir."
seated behind the steel desk was Pierce exhaled noisily, the smoke
broad-shouldered and wore glasses. swirling over Pete's head. "Was it a
He looked like a piano-playing half- serious quarrel you boys had, Pete?"
back who's ready to stomp or grin at "Nosir."
a moment's notice. "You're all pretty well banged up,
"I'm Lieutenant Pierce," he said and Tony's dead. Why did you knife
good-naturedly. "How old are you, him, Pete?"
Pete?" They had squealed. One of them
Pete's tongue wallowed uncertainly must have. How could the cops have
in his mouth. "Sixteen, sir." found the body so soon? Pierce was
'
Wha t happened to you r face, lying about the hobos finding it —
—
'

son?" that was it nobody could have

Pete ran a hand over his swollen, found Tony's body so soon. But if
taped face. "Hadda little argument anybody had blabbed, it would be
with the gang —
my pals." Tommy. He'd even prayed when
"What about?" Pete had jabbed the knife into —
"They just acted smart." "Come on," Pierce's voice lashed
"You the Big Head, Pete?" out. "Your friends admitted you put
"Yessir, I'm sorta chief, we hang the knife into Tony. I haven't all day
out together." to waste on you."
"Too bad about Tony," Pierce said "I didn't," cried Pete. "Honest to
very gently. "He in your gang too?" God, mister. I didn't!"
Pete forced the rampant thought Pierce sighed wearily. "You did
from his mind that Tony's body had have a knife, didn't you?"
been found. They couldn't have. "Nosir, I didn't. When I was a kid
"What about Tony?" said Pete. I did, but my pa made me throw it

His voice sounded okay. away." Tkan\ God, he'd thrown that
"Some hobos found his body near knife down the sewer.
an old abandoned trailer in the Bo "Quit lying." Pierce rose, walked
jungle near Greenbow Street," Pierce around the desk, stood over him.
said with a detached tone. Here it came. Pete steadied himself.
54 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
They could kick him around all they Pierce pointed to Pete, roared:
wanted. Nobody talked on a murder "This guy stabbed that kid, didn't
rap. But somebody had. Maybe they he?"
did have him dead to rights, but the They remained silent. Pete's stom-
cops always used that old trick of say- ach jelled warmly; Pierce had been
ing your friends squealed on you. But trapping him with the idea that the
he knew Tony was dead. How did he guys had talked.
know? How? Pierce cleared his throat. "Did
"I didn't do nothing," said Pete. you do it, Tommy?"
"You and your friends' fingerprints "No-o, sir,"

were all over that trailer." He whirled on Roachy. "You?"

''We goofed around there. But at "No, honest, I didn't."
night bums sleep in there." Pierce looked down at Pete. "You're
Pierce stared at his palm, brought a smart kid," he said. "You kids are
it before Pete's eyes. "Don't try and allbanged up from a fight. You all
pin this on the bos," said Pierce, admitted you fought among your-
"they notified us of the dead kid. selves. How come there wasn't a
Tony even had a buck on him. If scratch on Tony other than the knife
bums had killed htm they would have slashes?"
taken the money and blew town." "We didn't do that," Roachy said,

"Maybe they're being smart," staring at Pete.

Pete shrilled, coiling back into the Tommy tried to look away from
chair away from that large, square Pete but the trembling lips, the
hand. "Maybe they 'phoned you glistening white face, were too strong
justa clear themselves." an attraction.
"You see too many movies," Pierce "They're covering up for them-
snapped. "There's a difference be- selves," cried out Pete. "You gotta
tween bums and hobos. Hobos just believe me, mister."
don't work but they don't panhandle "Rat," snarled Roachy. "He did it,
like bums. The boss of the hobos Lieutenant. We couldn't stop him.
C'mon, kid, spill it."
notified us. You see we got a job by the pier
"Honest to God I didn't kill him," and . .
."

Pete shouted, trying to evade the The police stenographer was called
hand that was a fraction from meet- inand Roachy repeated the story.
ing his nose. Roachy and Tommy were taken
Pierce turned quickly, pressed a from the room.
buzzer, and told the patrolman who "Okay, Pete," Pierce said gravely.
entered to bring in Tommy and All they had was Roachy's and
Roachy. Tommy's word against his.
Two big plainclothesmen steered "It was in self-defense," said Pete
Tommy and Roachy before Pete. quietly; he hadda keep cool. "I know
 THE BIG SHOTS 55
what you're thinkin', but it ain't "The rain was pretty hard last
right. Tony's a husky guy, it was dark night," Pierce said. "It loosened the
in the trailer — that's where we had dirt and Tony's hand was sticking out
the fight — he had me on the floor from the mud when the hobos came
and woulda killed me. I got him first to repair their shacks after the storm
with a knife." this morning."
"No dice, kid. Your pals say you Pete laughed loudly; his legs were
beat up Tommy after you knifed wet. "Gotta cig?"
Tony, and that Roachy jumped you The stenographer tossed him the
after you buried Tony." pack of cigarettes.
"They're lying! You gotta believe Pete lit one, inhaling deeply. The
me!" room twirled, he felt the cigarette
Pierce smiled at the male stenogra- drop from his mouth; he hadda pick
pher."Did you get it all, Mike?" it up. He reached over, crumbled to

The stranger nodded, lighting a the floor.

cigarette. Pierce dragged him up, slapping
"But it was self-defense," choked his face quickly. "C'mon, kid, save
Pete. "Honest, mister." that for the jury. Now, give me the
"Well, that's the D.A.'s job to fig- story straight."
ure," said Pierce. "But listen, kid, "Okay, okay, you don't have to
I'll give you a tip. You better plead hit me."
guilty.You might get a break — Fifteen minutes later the stenog-
maybe one to fourteen." rapher re-read his notes. Pierce was
"May I interrupt, Lieutenant?" the grinning.
stenographer said. "Throw him in box A," ordered
Pierce nodded. "Go ahead, Mike." Pierce.And when the policemen had
"Have you got a lawyer, son?" taken Pete away he turned to the
asked the stenographer. stenographer. "And, Mike, send in
"Jeez, does my old man know?" the reporters."
"He won't have anything to do
with you," said Pierce. "I don't blame Mrs. Margaret Ovaki stared at the
him. He works hard to keep you chipped sugar bowl before her finger-
eating." tips.Tony was dead. She thought of
Pete laughed. "Okay, I know. Get his father. God rest his soul.
me a city shyster, it's the law." She glanced at the alarm clock
"Yeah, it's the law," said Pierce. ticking nervously on the shelf over
Pete's eyes were wide, lifeless; his the sink. It was 10:30 p.m. The blessed
hands were limp, almost reaching to dark of night had finally fallen, the
the floor. "How come they found reporters had gone. She should be on
Tony so quick?" he droned. It was the street car now, riding to the loop
over now. . . . and then she should be taking
 " "

56 ELL ER Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

the pail and scrubbing-brush and Rock might get back at them through
washing the marble floor. your boy. 1 know that Rock's a
A light double rap on the door trouble-maker. He —
penetrated her thoughts, "Get outta here."
"Go away, I don't want to talk to "But Mrs. Ovakl," he pleaded.
anybody." "I must clear my conscience. I didn't
"Please," the voice called, "it's come here yesterday to cause trouble
urgent." for the boys. I just dropped over to
She rose and shuffled to the door, give your son the four dollars they
swung it open. earned — he was to give his friends
The little man still wore the same their rightful shares. You see, I'm the
dark blue suit he'd worn when he'd personnel manager and I always do
come asking for Tony yesterday right by the men who work
—
afternoon. She lunged for the sugar-bowl.
She mouthed an oath, but it failed He bumped into the door, ducked
to burst into sound. "You — you get as the bowl crashed over his head,
outta here." sugar covering his head and shoulders.
"Mrs. Ovaki, please listen to me." "All right," he shrieked. "I'll mail
She slumped into the chair. the check to you."
He began abruptly. "The papers She lumbered into the bedroom,
had the whole story. Did you read slowly reclined on the bed she twisted
;

it?" over, her face crashing into the stiff

She shook her head from side to coolness of the pillow.

side. The bed cringed under her great
"It he went on hastily,
said," weight.They wouldn't expect her
"that your boy and the other three down at work tonight —
she could
worked at the Wong warehouse sleep.
yesterday for a couple of hours — The black cat slid through the
two to be exact. That they had a opening of the ajar door and eagerly
fight with Rocky, our foreman, and lapped up the sugar that the moistness
that they ran into hiding fearing that of the wall had slightly watered . . .
 THOUGH THIS BE METHOD,
YET THERE IS MADNESS IN T
Most and crime stories employ the garden-
detective
varieties of murder methods: the bmmidic bullet,
bludgeon-, and blunt instrument; the stereotyped stab-
bing; the hackneyed hands — by pushing or strangling;
the mechanical device — by running over, squashing,
decapitating, or untidily tearing limb from limb; and
so on. Occasionally, however, an author hits upon an
unusual method, and we cannot help but be startled.
Dorothy L. Sayers, in her brilliant Introduction to
GREAT STORIES OF DETECTION, MYSTERY AND
horror: first series (known in America as the omnibus of crime),
listed "a brief selection of handy short cuts to the grave," all of them
unusual — or, at least, unusual when first used. By this time most of
you are more or less familiar with "poisoned tooth-stoppings; licking
poisoned stamps; shaving-brushes inoculated with dread diseases; poisoned
boiled eggs (a bright thought); poison-gas; a cat with poisoned claws;
poisoned mattresses ;'* and to get away from poisons, which lend them-
selves so easily to gimmickry, "fyiwes dropped through the ceiling; stabbing
with a sharp icicle; electrocution by telephone; biting by plague-rats and
typhoid-carrying lice; boiling lead in the ears {much more effective than
cursed hebanon in a vial) ; air-bubbles injected into the arteries; explosion
1
of a gigantic ''Prince Rupert's drop ; frightening to death; hanging head-
downwards; feezing to atoms in liquid air; hypodermic injections shot
from air-guns; exposure, while insensible, to extreme cold; guns con-
cealed in cameras [to say nothing of lethal weapons concealed in canes,
umbrellas, and crutches!]; a thermometer which explodes a bomb when
the temperature of the room reaches a certain height; and so forth."
This catalogue ofunusual short cuts to the coffin could be extended indef-
initely. You will no doubt remember Anthony Wynne's classic use of
anaphylactic shocks in "The Cyprian Bees"; Ronald A. Knox's murder by
starvation in "Solved by Inspection" ; Dorothy L. Sayers's own "new idea
for a murder" — transfusion of the wrong type of blood — in "Blood
Sacrifice" ; Melville Davisson Post's combustion power of the sun in "The
Doom dorfMystery" (although, believe it or not, this method wasfirst used
by M. McDonnell Bodkin in a Paul Beck^ short story, "Murder by Proxy,"
as early as iSgSt); E. C. Bend-eft loaded golf club in "The Sweet Shot" ;
Agatha Christie' s electrified chess piece in the big four; Marc Connelly's
 1

diabolical shortening of a walking stic\in "Coroner s Inquest" ; and so on,

almost ad infinitum.
Andy yes,we mustn'tforget: there isan extraordinary method of murder
in Donn Byrne's virtually unknown "The Brown Box"; whoever opened
the ancient case —
faded, mildewed, embossed, scrolled with crescent-
shaped Arabic script, and locked with automatic Damascan bolts and
tumblers —
whoever threw bac\ the heavy lid, died suddenly, spontane-
ously. No weapon of any /find
poison, no explosive, no actual indeed,—
the cause of death is unique in murderfiction. No, we won't tell yon this :

is one murderous memorandum worth your looking up in the original

text.
But if we kept on listing all the unusual means we couldfish out of our
memory orfind among our notes, it is unlikely that we would come upon
a duplication of the mortal method invented by Hector Bolitho in his
story, "Dirge." "There are things" as Dorothy L. Sayers once tvrote,
"beyond the power even of a coroner to imagine or of a coroner s jury
to believe" —
in London, New York, or the Congo. And Hector Bolitho
learned some of these things during his extensive travels throughout the
world.

DIRGE
by HECTOR BOLITHO"
lethargic swell ruled oncoming the stern of the boat, staring
A lines across the ocean, a swell so
peaceful that the surface rose and fell
sat in
out into the hot space. She could see
nothing but the sea and sky, laced
as gently as the breast of a sleeping together on the distant edge with
child. The water finally broke into what seemed to be a silver ribbon.
waves which moved indolently to- For an hour she peered, her hand
wards the Congo coast. They made over her eyes, her black hair falling
the finest possible white rim of foam down over her back, her dingy black
when they broke upon the sand. The cotton blouse stained with the white
visible circle of sea was tremendous, of dried salt water. Then she looked
for there were no clouds in the sky into the boat itself. In the bows,
and no mists upon the water. Far out, asleep, perhaps unconscious, was the
helpless as a twig, a small, dirty boat figure of Reek Drydcn. She watched
rose and fell in obedience to the move- his ugly, purple face with the passivity
ment of the tide. A half-caste woman of habit: she had been married to him
Copyright, i<jj6i fry Hector lioliUio

58
 DIRGE 59
too long to reveal any sensation of away from the octopus. The boat
hatred upon her face. He might rose and fell on the clear water. When
have stirred at any moment. Then it she knew that they could not drift
would all have begun again: the raving near the tangle again, she sat on the
and the screaming. She could not bottom of the boat and went to sleep.
have borne a refreshed attack of his
drunken insolence. She took a rope Rita Dryden had been found by a
out of the locker and tied him to the missionary on the fringe of a jungle
seats, his arms to one and his feet to in the Congo Basin; thus vaguely did
the other, She returned to the stern she know whence she came. When
and squalled there, her elbows upon she was older, all that the missionary
her knees, her chin in her hands. She could tell her was that he had walked
was far enough away from him now. from the sunshine into the cool arches
For still another hour her sad cold of the jungle to pick some orchids.
eyes looked out toward the limit of He had found her naked and forsaken,
sight. As far as she could see, there sleeping in the undergrowth. He had
might be no world left, no people; carried her to the mission station and
only this brilliantly lighted space there she had been dressed in a pink
between the lofty blue sky and the cotton dress and brought up as a
sea. Methodist.
The boat drifted and once it came In those days Reek Dryden owned
to the edge of a great floating island a stinking cargo boat, which threaded
of flotsam and jetsam. So tightly its dishonest way through the water-

packed was the floating rubbish that ways of the Congo, up slow-running
it looked solid and safe. Rita Dryden tributaries where he worked; always at
looked down into the water. They war with missionaries and traders. He
were drifting into the chaos of filth; represented a degree of moral outlaw
old fish baskets, torn canvas, twigs to which none of them dared aspire.
and ends of rope retained their iden- Rita Dryden had all the veneer of
tity in the vast floating mass. Some- the mission school: a siring of beads
thing of character and movement about her neck and her head full of
stared at her out of the jetsam. She Sankey and Moody hymns. She sang
saw two immense eyes, crafty, patient "Shall we gather at the river?" in a
eyes, looking at her. A gray-white pure contralto voice. She achieved a
mass stirred and a long, terrible arm superficial sense of physical modesty
moved gracefully in the water. Then and a parrot-like ability to quote the
another arm moved out from the proverbs which the starched mission-
shadow of the stinking mass. She ary lady had taught her. Her contacts
could see a beak, and more and more with human beings had thus far been
arms. peaceful. It was true that she had
She picked up the oars and rowed stolen and bed, when the discipline of
Go ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
the mission school obliged her to: oth- moved down stream among the
erwise she would have lost all free- interminable channels,
. towards the
dom. In the sixteen years she was
all sea.
at school, neither the missionaries nor Nobody in the world liked Reek
Rita herself suspected that the dark Dryden. He had begun his lite in
powers of a fiend were within her. Cape Town as a fisherman, professedly
Yet the powers were there, despite honest in the beginning. But there
the hymns and the proverbs: powers had been a stolen net and a quarrel
which she had inherited from her out in the secret spaces of the night.
mother, who had gone off into the A boat had drifted back, one man
jungle with a white man, wooed and short, and before a surge of suspicion
bewildered by his softly spoken and his fear of the law, Reek Dryden
promises. That was back in the old had disappeared up the coast. In ten
days, when her black uncles still years he owned his own schooner: the
walked silently through the forest, story of his cruelty was left in every
with smoked human legs slung over port or bay or river towards which his
their backs, for marching food. boat set its bows. There were hints of
On
her sixteenth birthday Rita slave trading and proofs of gun-
Dryden was allowed to walk alone running against him. Once when he
beyond the mission gates. Her first had had trouble with a black boy he
delight was to go to the river bank to had taken on board, he had hoisted
see the sights. one of the victim's black, bleeding
She had loveliness of a kind and hands to the top of the mast as a
she walked impudently. Reek Dry- warning to others in the village. The
den was the first man to observe her people were dependent upon him for
beauty, when he happened to look wages and supplies, and they were
out of the porthole. He twirled his afraid.
mustaches with a seducer's vanity. Rita Dryden cooked for Dryden
Lurching up on to the deck, he spoke and she worked for him. For two
to the girl and enticed her on board years she suffered the physical penal-
the Vanity Belle. From that moment ties of her marriage. In these things

the teaching of the missionaries she was docile and obedient. But
counted for nothing with her: she when his drunk hands touched her,
went back to the mission station, she tightened every muscle in her
collected her blouses and beads, her body, until her hatred seemed to
whistle and her ribbons and, leaving frighten his hands away from her. She
her New Testament on the dressing had sat back for five years in dumb
table, she returned to the river bank. patience, watching the decay of his
She accepted the invitation to go to senses. Once she had seen a witch
Reek Dryden's little boat, and in the doctor "go mad," screaming with a
darkness of the night the Vanity Belle voice that seemed to split the air.
 DIRCE 6*1

She had been thrilled. She had been saying, "No, not yet! It drove your
no more than a child then, but, with father daft. You'll never be a sailor.
ecstasy upon her face, she had watched Not you too."
the demented charlatan hitting his At night he'd lie on his bunk with
hands against the rock. When she the blankets piled up behind him
watched Reck Dryden move about The bed
against the wall of the cabin.
in the little cabin, she unconsciously was seldom made and seldom renewed.
waited for the time when he too Reek Dryden would turn in his
would dash himself against a wall or dreams, always with the dirge of the
beam and destroy himself. Yet she sea in his ears. When he went on
did not want him to die. The hatred shore and roamed among low, inland
which was strong in her was too bitter drinking hovels, where the sea could
and subtle to wish for finality or not be heard, he was a different man.
death. She just wanted to see Dryden But he was a daft loon on the filthy
drop to the final, witless depth of life, boat, with its ripped, flapping sails;
and stay there. so mad and cruel that there came a
It was the lapping and murmuring time when the crew mutinied against
of the sea that he hated he could hear
; him.
it licking the ship when he sat at the He had been saved knowledge of all
table, moving greasy cards about in that happened, for somebody had hit
an unintelligible game which he had him as he sat over the table under the
learned in his fishing days. The sickly, swinging yellow lamp. He had not
yellow lamp swung like a pendulum awakened until he was alone with
over his head. Mis shadow moved over Rita, marooned in the little boat.
the surface of the table and Rita Even now, lying in the bow of the
Dryden sat somewhere in the back- dinghy, rising and falling, his fuddled
ground and watched him. Sometimes brain was still leaning over the table,
he would turn and listen to the slow holding the cards between his thumb
murmur of the sea outside, and the and first finger. They had put Rita
faint slapping of the water against the with him because she had always been
hull. Once he turned to her with a a liar, telling Dryden this or that tale
gentle, resigned note in his voice. about them, mentioning them by
"That bloody sea, it will get me yet," name, to induce him to give her a
he had said. Then he would remember drink of the sickly, warm port which
a day when he had been a boy. He he kept locked underneath his bunk.
had been playing on the beach in They had put her with him in the
Cape Town with his mother, when boat and then they had sailed off in
he had run to her with a sea shell, the rotting schooner, with the in-
holding it against his ear, entranced congruous name of Vanity Belle
by the sound he had discovered. She painted in blistering letters upon its
had dashed the shell out of his hand bow.
62 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Reek Dryden moved a little and hung behind Dryden's horror of the
then he tried to sit up. The rope held sea. He had been held to it because
him to the seatsof the dinghy, but his sort oflife was not a life for the

he could lift his head up far enough shore. Men like him hung irom way-
to look to the right and left. There side trees, if they did not go to sea.
was a clitf, still indistinct in the Or they were stabbed in their beds
distance. by the black men of her own race.
They had drifted far in their long With all the missionary teaching, her
sleep. Dryden kicked his trussed feet breed had an instinctive sense of
against the bottom of the boat. He justice, at times.
was calm now. Rita did not speak to They moved in towards the shore
him. He cursed her quietly, and she and the gray-green mass of land be-
answered by taking the oars and came distinct; there was a place where
moving to the centre seat, under the cliif sloped down to saod and
which his feet were tied. She did not trees. •

undo the ropes which held him. He When Rita eventually dragged
went to sleep again, with the moaning Reek Dryden from the boat onto the
of the sea against the bottom of the sand, when he was released and was
boat, monotonous as ever, droning gentle and pitiful in his delirious
in his ears. Yet he pressed his head weakness, she laughed. Then, because
closer to the wood to hear the sound he was not looking, she laughed
more distinctly; the moan that he had openly, to convince herself of her
known ever since he was a little boy, freedom to do so as she pleased.
coming up from the immense depth. While he was lying back against
"Oh, God, stop that noise," he the sand, Rita bent down and picked
whimpered, without any curse, like a up two shells. She tossed them into
sad child, pleading. theair, and then held them against her
Once Rita rested on her oars and ears so that she could hear their
looked at him again. She hated him strange ocean voice. She smiled again
so much that she scowled at the ex- and put them into the canvas bag
panses of bare flesh, which she could which had been thrown to them in
see between his torn clothes. She the boat; the canvas bag in which the
became excited at the pleasure of biltong, the biscuits, and the bottle of
having him thus, completely depend- water were carried.
ent upon her strength and care. When
she had heard him whimper, "Oh, The hut in the hills was seventy
God, stop that noise, oh, stop that miles from the sea. When Reek Dry-
noise," she had smiled. She thought den was a little better, he could walk
of the floating island and of the gray- out, stand against the wall and look
white arms and the octopus eyes and down into a quiet valley. He could
hoped that some vision of such things hear the birds and the noises of
 «3
animals, but there was no sea, no resentment. He had walked out of
sound of the waves or of their moan- the hut after their evening meal of
ing. He had escaped. Rita Dryden fruit and fish. The hut was upon a
watched him sullenly and she snig- wooded hill; outside were the sounds
gered at his pleasure. He was kind to of the jungle, going to sleep. Leaning
her and he talked. His old cursing, against the trunk of a tree, Reek
spitting phrases ended; he helped spread his arms and smiled He heard.

her to mend the door and to wash the and knew the sounds of the darkness:
dishes. the cry of the water fowl in the valley
She gave little in return for his below, the discontented voices of
efforts to help her; she answered him birds, disturbed in their nests by
in slick, hard monosyllables, and she the ominous crackling of twigs or the
pushed his dish of food before him deeper sounds of animals.
with ungracious roughness/ He did "Come and listen, Rita," he had
not seem to notice these rebuffs. All called. "Don't let us be bad friends.
that he knew was that the Vanity It is all over now. Come and listen
Belle had sailed away without him. here with me."
The poison seemed to be drained out She had held her hands hard down
of his mind now. The sound of the upon the table, where she was stand-
sea, incessant as the torture of drip- ing, and she had grown more and
ping water, had mesmerized him into more sullen as she listened to him.
his old villainies. Now, standing upon She hated him more now. She would
the crest of a hill or walking down to not go out to him.
the water hole, with a gourd in his When the two chipped enamel
hands, he could hear the lap of the plates were put back in the box, she
tide no more. The "green and yellow threw herself down in the straw, and,
melancholy" was no longer his master. turning to the wall, breathed slowly
Reek Dryden and his wife slept on as if she were asleep.
opposite sides of the hut. Her straw It was almost midnight before the
bed was near to the door. She watched slow-moving, weak man came in.
him with dark resentment, seeing the In his eyes there was some odd light;
lines of anger and cruelty pass from like the keen light in the eyes of a
his face as if they had been smoothed boy. It was a gentle knowledge that
out of clay by a sculptor's hand. But shone there. The dream, the black
she never shared his happiness nor dream, with its persistent, accom-
did she cease to answer him with her panying dirge, was over. He went to
sharp, unsympathetic voice, whenever bed and lay there for a long time,
he tried to cajole her or ask her to watching the rectangle of moonlight
share the peace of his escape. There that came in through the rudely-cut
came a night when he made his last, window, enlarging itself upon the
pathetic effort to break past her silent opposite wall. It moved as the
64 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
angle of the rays changed, and his own should wake him. Then, gently, she
face was framed in the patch of light, drew the strip around his head and
lie was asleep then. tied it, with the shells pressed against
When she was certain that he was his ears. His face moved. He was
unconscious, Rita Dryden got up almost awake. Anyway, he could not
from her lied and walked over to move his body. She felt the rope that
him. She worked quietly for twenty tied his hands. It was tight. Then she
minutes, tying his hands carefully to placed her hands against the shells on
the side of the bed, his feet to the his ears and pressed them a little, as
lower legs. As she drew the rope taut, if she wished to hear the dirge again
she watched his face, white in the through her own hands. She knew it
moonlight, to sec if he stirred. She was sounding in his ears even then.
waited until there was a faint flicker She moved to the foot of the bed and
of consciousness in his eyelids. She felt the rope holding his feet. She

knew the rope was tight enough then. tightened it a little. Then she took a
He was crucified on his bed, with longer strip of cloth and tied it
his arms outstretched. She could see too about his head. At the end she
his chest rising and falling, within his drew it so tight that he moved and
blue shirt. She went back to her bed. awakened. Hut she held it with the
From beneath the straw she took the brown muscles thumping in her
canvas bag she had brought with her wrists, and she tied it.

from the Vanity Belle. The two shells "Oh, God, stop it! Stop itl The
were still there. She took them out sea, oh! God Almighty, it has come
and held them to her ears. The sea back!" he screamed.
moaned again. She shut her eyes and But he could not move. She closed
saw the cabin of the Vanity Belle, the the door of the hut and walked down
swinging lamp and Reek Dryden the hill. The power in her feet was
listening, with strained ears, to the tremendous. She walked; it seemed
dirge of the sea. "It will get me yet," •that she walked across the world be-
he had said. fore she climbed the faraway range of
She lifted his head very gently and hills over which she found the sea.

slipped a broad strip of cloth beneath But she never turned. When three
it. She held the shells to her cars days had passed, she came to the crest
again. The sound of the sea was of a hill. From there she looked
almost sweet to her now. She would down to the peaceful ocean coming in
go back to it; she'd find a boat to from the distance, blue, shimmering
take her back to the rivers of the with sunlight. A battalion of birds
Congo Basin, without Reek Dryden. rose from the sand dunes and flew,
She put the shells against his ears. screeching over the water. She smiled
She warmed them against her breast and ran down the last slope, towards
first, in case the cold touch of them the waves and the white foam.
 KARMESIN, BLACKMAILER
by GERALD KERSil

"Why
A street photographer clicked his
camera at us, and handed
Karmesin a ticket. Karmesin simply
yourself?"
don't you try the scheme

Karmesin ignored this question and

said: "P/w;7" and passed it to me. went on in an undertone: "On second
It was a slip nf green paper, primed as thought, have real cameras and real
follows: films. That relieves you of the neces-
sity for accomplices. Always avoid
Snappo Candid Photos
accomplices. Don't develop your
3 Film Shots have been made of
film: just keep it. Then if the police
YOU come, you say indignantly: 'Look,
by our cameraman
here are the pictures. Give a man a
Post this ticket with 25 cents
chance to develop them!' In this
to Snappo, John Road,
manner you can last for two or three
for Three Lifelike Pictures.
months. Never trust any man. Work
Name
alone.And speaking of photography,
Address
keep out of the range of cameras.
"There is an opportunity for you," They are dangerous."
Said Karmesin. "Procure nine or "Why?"
ten dummy cameras. Give them to "I once blackmailed a man by
nine or ten men, with your printed means of a camera."
tickets. Have an accommodation I was silent. Karmesin's huge,
address. A reasonable number of your plum-like eyeballs swiveled round as
tickets will come back with quarters. he looked at mc. Under his mustache
It will be quite a time before anybody his lips curved. He said:
complains. II someone docs, explain: "You disapprove. Good! Ha!" and
'Pressure of business: millions of he let out a laugh which sounded like
customers.' In three or four weeks the bursting ol a boiler.
you have made some money. Then I said: "1 hate blackmailers."

you can start a mail-order business. "The man 1 blackmailed was a

By the time you are forty you may very bad man," said Karmesin.
retire. Voila! I have set you up in "How bad?"
life. 1have done more for you than "He was a blackmailer," said
many lathers do for their sons. Give Karmesin.
mc a cigarette. Well, what are you "Oh," was all I could say.
laughing at?" "It was a good example of the
66 1-11. LERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
manner in which little fleas bite big he was using his office for purposes of
Seas. The man whom he proposed to personal profit. He organized bur-
blackmail was myself." glaries,arranged the return of the
"Make it a little clearer," I said. loot, took rake-offs from this side
"Certainly. very simple. We
It is and He was responsible for many
that.
were going to blackmail Captain murders. He was a dangerous man
Crapaud, of the French Police. He, to play with —
a French equivalent
in his turn, was blackmailing a certain of Jonathan Wild.
Minister. Trie man with whom I was There is the basis of the situation:
working was a certain villain named Captain Crapaud was holding a
Chcrubini, also of the French Police. certain |X)wer, to the detriment of
He, not content with blackmailing law and order; and his power was
Captain Crapaud, also wanted to built upon a certain incriminating
blackmail me." letter which he held.
"On what grounds?" You understand that? Good.
"He was going to blackmail me Now Crapaud had an underling, a
because I was blackmailing Captain species of stooge, a wicked little
Crapaud; and blackmail is a criminal Corsican named Cherubim. This Che-
offense, even in France. All he had rubini was also a bad man. He com-
to do was obtain evidence that I was bined nearly all the vices and, as is

blackmailing Crapaud." usual in such cases, was always short

"All this is very complicated." of money, although his income was
"Not at all. It is childishly simple," far in excess of the normal. You
said Karmesin; and having borrowed know the type: his dependents starve
a cigarette, he proceeded to explain: that he may bathe a couple of demi-
mondaines in vintage champagne.
Captain Crapaud (said Karmesin) Pfui on such wretches, I say! And
was a man for whom it was impossible pfui —and pfui! Tfoo! One ipits at
to feel any sympathy. He was, if you the very thought. Chcrubini was
will pardon the expression, a filthy little and rat-like. He had prominent
pig. It is not usual to discover such front teeth, and no eyes worth men-
men in high executive positions — tioning. He would stop unhappy girls,
in the police force of a great country, and say "Be nice, or else. ." But . .

like France. But as you know, such he had a weakness for the more
things happen. He had acquired a elegan t t y pe of woman and t ha t ;

sort of hold upon a very big politician kind of weakness costs money. Always
of the period. And he was using this beware, my friend, of the underling
man for all he was worth, which was with luxurious tastes, for the lime
plenty. This Crapaud was playing the will come when he will nail you to the
devil. Like that other police officer cross.
whose name, I think, was Mariani, I met Cherubini in Cannes. He
 K ARMESIN, BLACKMAILER 67

was going around like a Hungarian that he would be glad to part with
millionaire: with gardenias, and a the letter incriminating the Minister.
gold -headed stick, and a diamond But how could one incriminate
in his cravat, and an emerald like a Crapaud?
walnut on his finger, and real Amber Cherubini had a plan.
perfume on his mustache; smoking a There was one thing which, in
Corona Corona nearly as long as France, could never be forgiven or
your arm; English clothes, English forgotten; and that was Treason^ Out
boots, silk shirts, polished nails — of any other charge it was possible for
nothing was too good for this swine a man with influence to wriggle; but
of a Cherubim. not Treason. There was a spy scare at
I, needless to say, was a man of the time. (It was a little before the
superlative elegance. I believe I have infamous Dreyfus affair.) If one
mentioned that my mustache was could prove that Crapaud was receiv-
unrivaled in Europe. Yes, indeed, I ing money from German agents, in
am not exaggerating when I tell you return for information, then one had
that while dressing I used to keep my him.
mustache out of the way by hanging "But
is he?" I asked.

it behind my cars. Nearly twenty-two "Yes," said Cherubini, "Crapaud

inches, my friend, from tip to tip! isthe outlet through which so many
However. It did not take me
long to confidential matters concerning in-
worm all the secrets out of the ternal policy leak through to
wretched little soul of this Cherubini. Germany. He receives, in his apart-
He was second in command to the ment, Von Eberhardt of the German
unspeakable Crapaud. Yes. That, Embassy; and receives, in exchange
in itself,' was bad enough. But he was for certain information, a certain sum
a traitor even to his master. of money. If only one could prove
i will cut it short. Crapaud had a this."
hold upon the Minister ... let us I asked: "Have you means of get-
call him Monsieur Lamoureux. Follow ting into Crapaud's flat?"
this carefully. Crapaud also had a "Yes."
hold upon Cherubini. Do you get "Then the whole matter is simple,"
that? Good. The Minister Lamour- I said. "Find out the exact moment
eux wanted very much to break away when the money is likely to change
from the clutches of Crapaud, and hands —
and take a photograph. A
was prepared to pay heavy money good photograph of Crapaud, taking
for the letter which Crapaud held. money from Von Eberhardt, would
Was this letter procurable? No. be enough to hang him ten times
But was an alternative to
there over."
procuring it, and that was, to in- "Yes," said Cherubini.
criminate Crapaud in such a manner "There is only one drawback," I
68 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
said. "A camera
is too cumbersome." been worth four or five thousand
This,you must remember, was before pounds. Rare stuff. This pig-dog of a
the days of the candid camera and Crapaud did himself well. Near the
the lightning snapshot. . window there was a deep atawc:, with
"Not ai all," said Cherubini. "The another little window, or air-vent,
police in Puis are beginning to use at the back of it.
the portable camera invented by It was from this place that I was
Professor Hofaler. This camera can supposed to work. Cherubini had
be concealed under an ordinary over- keys, and everything necessary. He
coat and has a lens good enough to also supplied me with the camera —
take a clear picture by strong gas- a nice little piece of work not dis-
1
light.* similar to the Leica or Contax
"Can you get one?" I asked. camera of the present day. I was
"Yes." smuggled into the alcove, and there
"Then what are you waiting for?" I waited for four hours, not daring to
"I am afraid," said Cherubini. move. It was not very comfortable,
I paused; then asked: "How much my friend. in due course
However,
would there be in this?" Crapaud with his tmud
arrived,
"How much? Why, two or three Von I'.bcrharclt. They
sat. was 1

hundred thousand francs," said this admirably with them. They

in line
rat of a man. conversed. I photographed them.
"Then have no fear. I will take the They drank. Again 1 photographed
photograph, if you get me into them. They patted each other on
Crapaud's flat at the right time." the shoulder. Click! Again. Crapaud
Bon. It was agreed. took out an enormous gold cigar-case,
We arranged to go to Paris to- and ollered Von Eberhardt'a cigar.
gether, and setrlc the affair. Again, click! Then, at last, the Ger-
"I have entree to the flat," said man took from his pocket a lar^c roll
Cherubini, "and 1 know it like the of banknotes, and held it between
palm of my hand. It is simple." And his thumb and forefinger. Crapaud
he added: "But you must do the grinned and produced a sheet of
photography, mind." paper.Then as the paper and the
All right. I will skip the tiresome money changed hands click! — Per-
details concerning the house, and so fect.
forth. It was a huge place in the Another hour passed before Von
Avenue Victor Hugo, with rooms as Eberhardt left- Then, as Crapaud
large as three rooms such as are built went to escort his visitor to the door,
nowadays. The salon was like a I was up and out of the window, and

football field — vast, I tell you, and away. You would never believe,
most luxuriously carpeted. The furni- looking at me now, how agile I used
ture in that room alone must have to be. I thought I saw another figure
 KARMESIN, BLACKMAILER c9

away in the shadows, hut the

slinking plates in your camera were duds,
night was too dark. 1 got 60 the useless. You have no pictures. I, on
street,and walked quietly home, the contrary, have some excellent
where I developed my plates. ones of vourself in Captain Crapaud's
They were beautiful. The glaring flat."
gaslight, amply red ec ted in a dozen "Any decent counsel could kick
mirrors, was perfect. The photographs that case full of holes," I said.
were as clear as figures seen by strong "Oh, no. Not by the time Crapaud
sunlight. and 1 have finished with it," said
The next day Chcrubini came to Chcrubini. "Oh, my friend, you have
see me. There was something in the no idea what evidence our boys would
manner of the wretch which disturbed find, if once they searched your
me. He looked me up and down with rooms."
an insolent grin, and said: "So I was caught, was J?" 1 asked.
"Captain Crapaud's apartment was "Like a fish in a net."
broken into last night." "But Von Lberhardt?"
"So?" I said. Cherubini laughed. "Do you im-
"Watches, rings, trinkets, and money agine that we would let you into
to the value of fifty thousand francs the place with a camera? 1 mean, with
were stolen," said Chcrubini. a workable camera? With a camera
"Yes?" loaded with proper plates? Be reason-
"You were in the apartment, able, Monsieur, be reasonable. There
Monsieur," said Chcrubini. is nothing but your word, concerning
"Oh?" ,
Von Eberhardt. Who would believe
"Yes. You see, Monsieur, I was you? No, no. You had better pay,
behind you, also with a camera." my friend."
"Indeed?" I said. "And supposing I thought of all
"Indeed. And I am afraid that it that beforehand, and took the precau-
will be my duty to have you arrested tion of changing the plates?" 1 asked.
for the crime." "It would still have made no dif-
"Oh?" ference," said Cherubini. "The shut-
"Unless, of course, you arc prepared ter of your camera would not work."
to. . .
." I rose, and seized him by the
"Pay you off, I suppose?" I said. throat, slapped him in the face, and
"Fifty thousand francs," said Che- threw him to the floor.
rubini. "Listen," I said, "I would not
"And otherwise?" trust you as far as I could see you.
"Listen, my friend," said Che- I saw through your game from the
rubin i , th rowing h mself into a i first. I had the shutter adjusted, the

chair, "we are men of the world. I lens arranged, and the plates re-
will put the cards on the table. The placed. The camera was in perfect
70 ELL ERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
order. I will show you some pictures," letter, which I returned to the
I said; and I showed him. Minister.
He silent. Then I said: "And
was
now the ace of trumps. You remember I asked Karmesin: "What, you
how Crapaud offered Von Eberhardt returned it free of charge?"
1

a cigar?' "Certainly," said Karmesin. "I

"Well?" simply asked him to pay my ex-
"Look," I said, and threw down penses."
a It was an excellent photo.
print. "How much?"
One could see Eberhardt, Crapaud, "Chicken-feed. Fifty thousand
and the unmistakable luxury of the francs," said Karmesin. "But am I

salon. "Take that magnifying glass a blackmailer? Bah."

and look at the cigar-case, my friend," "And Crapaud?"
I said. Cherubini took the large lens "He left the country very suddenly
which I handed him and looked. and, I believe, came to an evil end
Clearly defined in the polished lid of in the Belgian Congo, in the time of
the case was an image of Cherubini, the Congo Atrocities. Probably some
lurking behind the curtains, perfectly cannibal ate him. Or a lion. Who
recogniza ble. knows? Perhaps an elephant trod on
"Who wins?" 1 asked. him. 1 hope so. He was a villain. He
And Cherubini said: "You win." was also a fool. He overreached him-
"And now who goes to Devil's self. I was not the first person whom

Island?" I asked. he had tried to blackmail in that

Cherubini simply said: "How much manner. Only he was a little too
for the plate?" clever. It should be a lesson to you:
And I replied: "Tell Crapaud this: never be too clever. Also, beware of
Ifhe does not give me that letter of cameras. And furthermore, remember
the Minister Lamoureux, then the the folly of Crapaud, and if ever you
day will come when one of his superior come into possession of an incriminat-
officers will hand him a revolver con- ing document, you will know what to
taining one cartridge." do."
"You are mad!" said Cherubini. "What?"
Nevertheless, three days later Cra- "Photograph it immediately," said
paud's nerve broke, and I got the Karmesin.
 A PARASITE IS A SNOB . . .
— Anthony Trotlope
Once upon a time {and it was not so many years ago)
any attempt on the part of scholars, historians, or
mere editors to linfy the names ofgreat literaryfigures
with the lowly detective story was greeted with im-
polite noises.Nobel Prize winners and Pulitzer Prize
winners ivriting detective stories? Ridiculous twaddle
and insidious propaganda! Yet in the eight short years
since EQMM has practised what it has preached, we
have proved the truth again and again and again —
that literary snobbishness is the sin of critics, not of
writers . Consider, if you will, the Nobel Prize winners: six English
—
. .

and American authors have won the most coveted of all literary awards
an award made in the field, may we remind you, of idealistic literature;
and of these, five —
Rudyard Kipling, Sinclair Lewis, John Galsworthy,
Eugene O'Neill, and Pearl S. Bucl^ —
have written tales (in the case of
O'Neill, dramas) of crime or detection.
Consider, ifyou will, the winners of Pulitzer Prizes: every single one of
the following has appeared in the pages of EQMM —
Edith Wharton,
Louis Bromfield, Elmer Rice, Marc Connelly, Susan Glaspell, T. S. Strip-
ling, Stephen Vincent Benet, Ellen Glasgow, John Steitibecl(, and soon we
hope to bring you tales by Oliver l^a Farge and Robert E. Sherwood.
Oh, the literary snobs have conceded, in their patronizing way, that one
of the earliest stories in the Bible is a tale of murder, and that it is possible,
from a perverted point of view, to regard Shakespeare's "Hamlet" as a
detective story —
indeed, as a psychological thriller; but they laugh off tliese
classical examples as prodigious freaks of nature. Perhaps murder can be
judged a frea\ of nature, but paradoxically the study of murder, in all its
fictional forms, is a cotnpellingly instinctive and natural theme and if —
murder comes, can the detective be far behind?
Yet the literary snobs, from their ivory towers leaning so Pisa-li\e in the
clouds, loof(down their long noses at the detective story. But the writers, we
dont. They recognize the detective story as a difficult and artistic
repeat,
medium, worthy oftheir sincerest efforts. How else explain that in addition
to the famous literary figures mentioned above, EQMXI has published
detective-crime stories by Mar^ Twain, W. Somerset Maugham, Theodore
Dreiser, H. G. Wells, Ernest Hemingway, J. B. Priestley, William Faulk-
ner, James Hilton, Arnold Bennett\ Charles G. N
orris, John van Druten —
an incomplete roster which does injustice to many other fine writers.
Snobbery, as Berton Braley has said, is the pride of those who are not
7<
 sureof their position. How different the literary attitude to detective stories
would be if the critics themselves could be persuaded to try to write
detective stories!
Snobbery, said Isaac Goldberg, is but a point in time. Let us have pa-
tience with our inferiors. They are ourselves of yesterday . . .

Detective-crime stories written by thefamous names of literature are usu'

ally oftwo types. Taleslike Maugham s" Footprints in the Jungle," Clas-
"A Jury of Her Peers," Hemingway s "The Killers," Faulkner's
pell's
"The Hound" and Steinbecl{s " The Murder" belong to the higher levels,
if not the highest levels, of their authors' literary development. The other
type of detective- crime story written by celebrated literary figures belongs to
the authors' salad days —
when the writers were doing experimental,
transitional, or formative wor\.
The story by Stephen Vincent Benet which we reprinted previously —
"The Amateur of Crime" — was one of Mr. Benet 's early stories, first

published in 192J. The Stephen Vincent Benet tale we now offer is an even
earlier effort; itfirst appeared in a pulp magazine in 1924 — yet only four
john brown's body, although thirteen years ahead of the
years before
DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER.
Admittedly —
and we have no hesitation in stressing thefact "Floor, —
Please" is not representative of Stephen Vincent Benet" s fully developed
talent. Its interest, both for the detective- story reader and the general reader,
is chiefly incunabular. But wherever the tale may ran\ in the scale of
Benet's literary achievement, it proves the catholicity and integrity of the
authors work: for Stephen Vincent Benet, in company with virtually every
other well-known andfamousfigure in literature, was not ashamed to write
a detective story, not ashamed to sign his name to it, and not ashamed to
have it reprinted many years after it was first written.

FLOOR, PLEASE
by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET

Floor, please!" said Sally Bunch playing teeth so white and even that,
mechanically. Then she smiled, as his personal stenographer had re-

"Why, it's Mr. Cavendish! Hot, isn't marked, "it just wasn't right they
it, Mr. Cavendish?" were in a man." "Yes, it is hot," he
The young man smiled in reply, dis- remarked in his pleasant voice.

Copyright, 1924, by Street & Smith Publications, Inc.

72
 FLOOR, please 73
Sally glowed. Sally had been an elevator girl in
"Those Palm Beach suits now," she the Metal Products Building for a
proffered timidly. "I hope you don't littleover a year. It was the "refined-
think I'm fresh, Mr. Cavendish, but ness" of the thing —
the opportunities
— well, I got a kid brother he — for acquiring culture and social polish
thought —are they really as cool now as well as, possibly, in the future, a
as the advertisements make out they real, "Ritzy" husband — that had
are?" appealed to her in taking the job in
Mr. Cavendish glanced over his the first place. She not only had the
quiet, expensive raiment apprecia- normal American yearnings to rise
tively. above the station in which birth had
"Oh, yes, they're as cool as any- placed her — she had original ideas
thing we poor devils of men can wear on how it might be done and was
on a day like this. My. floor? Good strongly determined to do it.

morning!" There were plenty of millionaires

He stepped out of the elevator, who married their private secretaries,
smiling. Sally dreamily revolved the their nurses,even their cooks. She
wheel that closed the doors and read about them in the papers en- —
started [he elevator up again. As a viously. But Sally could not spell,
matter of fact, she had no brother, sick people made her nervous, and she
but chances of a couple of minutes un- always goi hot when she cooked. Very
interrupted talk with a real gentleman well, then, why not start a precedent
like Mr. Cavendish were few. Even herself? "Wealthy Clubman Weds
as it was, she had risked something — Elevator Girl. Her Politeness Im-
the proprietors of the Metal Products pressed -Me From the First, Says
Building did not encourage talkative- New-made Benedict."
ness on the part of its elevator girls. She could see it all now, with many
"Complete refinement in deport- pictures, on the front pages of all of
ment," said the little booklet on the papers.
Service, "is a more than necessary ad- At first, the Metal Products Build-
junct for each and every one of our ing had seemed to offer a happy hunt-
employees." ing ground. The uniform she had to
Sally sighed. She knew her deport- wear was becoming, the pay accept-
ment was not all that it should be, in able, and clients of wealth and refine-
spite of the correspondence course in ment were in evidence throughout.
The Etiquette of Fashionable Society The Metal Products Building was one
she had just completed. But how were of the very latest downtown sky-
you ever going to get to know real scrapers. Hand-wrought bronze regis-
you just stood on your
swell people if ter gratings, vast marble columns in
day long, like a dummy, and
feet all the entrance hall, indirect lighting
never opened your face? from alabaster bowls; even Sally's
74 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
elevator had ihe air of a Roman however, she was rescuing a wounded,
boudoir. but uncomplaining, Mr. Cavendish
"Gee, this is the place for me!" from a burning building just as they
thought Sally, when she first en- do in the movies. Her reverie was
visaged the ensemble. -
rudely interrupted.
But now that a year had passed, "Well, how's Nellie, the beautiful
she began to wonder. It was easy cloak model, today?" said a jarring
enough to get acquainted, hut most voice.
of the acquaintances were the wrong Sally hardly bothered to turn her
kind —fat, perspiring men who called head. "Oh. hello, Mr. Considine," she
her "sister" and leered when they said wearily. "The nineteenth?"
were alone with her in the car — "Yea, my fair damsel, an' it please
scrubby, uninteresting bookkeepers thee," said the sandy-haired young
and filing clerks who, if she gave them man with the Irish nose. "Old King
half a chance, would doubtless display Brady is on the and trou-
trail again,
intentions as honorable as they were ble may be expected to pop almost
dull. Really, Sally thought, it was any time this morning. Say, Sally,
only Mr. Cavendish who kept her on when are you off?"
the job. "Five thirty," said Sally mechani-
She sighed again. He was certainly cally. "Here's your floor."
a darb. The perfection of his teeth The young man lingered. "Meet
when he smiled was what had first at- meat the trystingoak!" he murmured
tracted her, she admitted. Girls were with an absurd gesture. "The Merri-
so silly. Or, maybe, it was his looks in vale Street entrance, kid. I would
general —
handsome but manly he — have words with thee words of im-—
wasn't one of those pretty-pretty port and gravity."
boys. And his clothes! And his heavy, "Fat chance!" said Sally. She
expensive English shoes! And his slammed the doors and shot upward.
grand manners! And here he was — Billy Considine, she considered, was
couldn't be more than thirty, and yet just the kind of bird that didn't get
he was manager or something of the you anywhere! A little, fresh ham
Continental Perfume Company on detective —
an irritatingly unsquclch-
the eighth floor. That seemed a funny able hanger-on! No matter if she had
business, somehow, for a real man like had to tell him five times that she'd
him to be in, but then he .had his be a him, tonight she posi-
sister to
They'd talked about
artistic side, too. tively wouldn' t —
she positively
things, and he was always so nice and Five thirty found her sweeping
democratic with everybody. haughtily out of the Merrivale Street
Sally dreamed. To all appearances entrance. But a block away she found
she opened and shut doors, sped up herself taken affectionately by the
and down,said *' Floor, please!"Really, arm.
 FLOOR, PLEASE 75
She turned freezingly. "Now, Billy to some funny business or other. I
"
Considine trail him around all day, till Sullivan
"Aw, Sally, be reasonable!" takes over the job, and the worst
"
"Billy, I told you thing he does is to take a golf lesson
"Aw, yes, but this is important." at Mimbel's, with the thermometer
She groaned exasperatedly. "Well?" up so high it fairly makes me drip
"Well, the chief just kicked through every time I think of him. Then I
with a bonus on that bum check busi- write my report and quit and, oh —
ness. So how about Ugugli's and a yes —
strike the chief for my bonus,
couple of cups of red ink?" and he gives it to me all right, but
"I beg your pardon. 1 am engaged says I've been dead on my feet all
for the evening." month, except for that one piece of
"Aw, Sally, you're not! And then luck, and to get busy from now for-
we could go to Harmonyland and ward, or I'll be sleeping out in the
shake a little toe or two." park. If they'd only give me a real
Sally began to weaken. She loved case,once in a while."
to dance. "Well, Billy only, you— He
stabbed viciously at a flaccid
understand, it's the last time." slab of pimento. "How about you,
"Till the next time," said Billy, and Sal? Everything sittin' pretty?"
grinned. "Right you are, my queen of "Well, if you think you have a
the elevator shafts How's the beauti-
I stupid time, Billy Considine! Seems
ful Mr. Cavendish today?" to me every day I live's just like every
It took him four subway stops to other day, except for the date. Some-
pacify her, but he managed it. There times I think if they put me on the
was something horribly persistent other shift —
the expresses to the
about Billy Considine. Later, discuss- twentieth
"
—
things'd be different*
ing the dubious antipasto with which But
Ugugli's celebrated dollar dinner be- "Oh, there wouldn't be any differ-
gan, Sally found it necessary to be ence," said Billy gloomily. "What's
polite. the use? If I could grab off a big bunch
"How's the work going, Billy?" of kale —
or get hold of a classy crime
"Like a breeze, my fair flower," said — I want to start my own agency,
Billy gallantly, "like a Coney Island Sal —I know I could get away with

breeze ." Then hegrcw more veracious. it. I'm sick of these routine jobs. But
"
"And saps out in Hicksville Center you've got to have a rep to
think it must be the berries to be a Thick, steamy soup replaced the
private detective!" he groaned. "Oh, antipasto. They talked on, hardly
just so exciting and everything. Ex- heeding each other.
citing — blah! This morning
I get up "You know what the trouble is

in the night to go out and work on a with you and me, Sally," Billy was
tat Dutchman the chief thinks is up saying; "the trouble with both of us,
j6 BI.LEKY QUEEN'S I YSTERV MAGAZINE
we haven't got enough inccn in- — "Oh, all right," grumbled Billy un-
centive —
that's the big trouble. willingly. "All right, FD lay off. But
Now, Sally —
aw, listen, Sally if — Igot a hunch about this man, Caven-
you'd
"
dish —I just don't like him at all."

"Oh, yes, if we got married and had They talked forcedly of other
an apartment in the Bronx and a — things through the rest of dinner, but,
baby —
and a phonograph on the pay- by the time they got to I larmony-
every-month-till- vou're-dead system," land, Sally's ruffled feelings were
said Sally, with tired scorn. "No, somewhat soothed. Jn fact, when she
Billy, there's nothing in it." went to bed that night, she admitted
"Aw, Sally, you're a lot too good that Billy at times could be quite
for me —
don't I know that? But if sweet. If he wasn't so crude he
we got married we could sort of help might
each other —
two of us. I'd just have
to be a success if you married me, came
July August — and another —
Sally. And there's a lot of jack in this proposal from Billy, an even more
agency business, once you get started persistent one than usual, this time.
right. Won't yon, Sally?"- "Listen —
I've got my chance!
"You know I'll help you every way Are you listening to me, Sally? It's
I can, Bill," said Sally, a trifle moved; jewels," he gloated, "stolen jewels.
"
"but Just like in a book." They were alone
"Aw, I know," said Billy acridly; on a bench on Riverside Drive.
"you needn't tell me. It's that Caven- "Yes?" said Sally unintcresledly.
dish bimbo —
that ya-ya, stuffed She was thinking of Mr. Cavendish.
shirt, tooth-paste ad of a Cavendish. "The chief is wild. The whole de-
You used to listen to me before his partment's up in the air. I can't tell
fairy footsteps
"
came into your life! you much about it — only a job as
He's a big as a whale's been put across. Our
"Mr. Cavendish is a gentleman — client's one of the biggest bugs in
a gentleman
real —
a man anyone town —he's had the regular police on
should be proud to know!" it, but they can't show a thing.
"Then what's he doing in a perfume There's a knockout of a reward. They
works —
playing he's a geranium? know the crooks must be trying to
Sounds pretty funny to me." get the stuff out of the country, but
"Mr. Cavendish intended to be a that's all they know." He whispered
painter," said Sally stiffly. "He has a name.
"
very fine artistic tastes. He "Good Lord!" said Sally, impressed.
1
"A painter? Yeah, a sign-painter — "K.eep your face frozen tight about
that's about "
it, kid —
don't breathe a word Every- !

"If you persist in insulting my per- body in the ofhee is after that reward;
"
sonal friends, Billy but it's my chance, my big chance,
 FLOOR, PLEASE 77
and I'm going to collect on it or end —
fess it altruism,
isn't Miss
all
up smelling a lily!" He proceeded to Bunch. wanted to ask you something
I

more personal topics. — a favor."

The next evening, as Sally was "Oh, then I'll accept," said Sally
hurrying toward the subway, she gratefully.
suddenly found Mr. Cavendish at her The smooth motion of the car -
elbow. the cool air on her cheeks. She sighed
"Oh, Miss Bunch!" He was obvi- with content, relaxing. They said very
ously surprised. "Hotter than ever, littleuntil they were near Central
isn't it?" Park, but even in what little he said
She noddeJ; she felt too wilted to Mr. Cavendish displayed a graceful
speak. formality that thrilled her.
"You're on your way home?" "And now, Miss Bunch," he said,
"
"Why, yes, Mr. Cavendish." "If I might ask you

"The subway must be terrible these "Another letter?" said Sally hap-
days." pily. "Oh, I'd be so charmed."
"It's — it's very hot," said Sally "Yes, another letter." Cavendish
briefly. She felt a little sick at the glanced about him. His voice sank.
thought of the crowded train. "About the same deal, to the same ad-
le
I hesitated. "Miss Bunch" — dress. No answer. I'll pick you up in
Sally winced; she hated her name — ten minutes at the subway station. Of
"I suppose you'd think it rather im- course, you'll say nothing?"
pertinent of me," he smiled, "but my "I'd die first," said Sally.
car, as it happens — I always drive He laughed. "Oh, it won't require
home from the office — do you live that. But you know how these busi-
very far uptown?" ness things are — everyone out to cut
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Cavendish, the next fellow's throat. Miss Bunch,
but I couldn't — I really couldn't." 1 hate to impose on your good nature
He smiled again. "Why not? It this way, but I know that 1 can trust
isn't much to do. I assure you, it you. If I were mistaken " For a
makes me feel like a brute, riding moment his eyes were as blank and
back in the open, while you chilly as little hailstones. "And then
Come, why not?" we'll go for a spin in the Park," he
"1 couldn't," said Sally in a very ended.
feeble voice. "Besides, it's way up "That would be Just lovely, Mr.
on One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Cavendish," said Sally with fervor, as
Street." she took the letter. It had no address
He looked at her sharply. "Non- upon it, but she knew where to go.
sense! You're tired. Don't be silly. A
breath of air will do you all the good The man at the desk regarded Mr.
in the world. And, besides — I'll con- Cavendish distrustfully. The officers'
 "

J*
ELLERY QUEEN S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
of the Continental Perfume Company Cavendish in a small French restau-
were in conference behind locked rant off Broadway. This episode
doors. Mr. Cavendish considered "venture-
TheContinental Perfume Com- some."
pany was a blind; they were the fences And then the Saturday afternoon in
of a criminal organization. The letters the last week of August. It was hotter
were written instructions to arrange than ever, and nearly everyone in the
for the selling of gems to foreign Metal Products Building went off at
buyers. noon. The big main doors were shut;
"I don't like this business with the the only open entrance was the Merri-
girl, Jim," said the man at the desk, vale Street one, where a sleepy
"Miss Lunch, or whatever her name attendant dozed over a register in-
is. I don't like it at all." tended to keep track of those who
"Mydear man," said Mr. Caven- went in and out after hours. Few of
dish in his elegant drawl, "trust me — the elevators were running; the girls
trust me." took turns at staying in on Saturday
"We've darn well got to trust you afternoons. This afternoon it was
— all of us," growled the man at the Sally's turn to stay.
desk. "You know that, but I don't like She was startled out of what had
it allthe same." begun to be a waking doze by the
"Well," said Mr. Cavendish wea- sudden appearance of Billy Considine
rily, "/ can't go. You won't trust a hurrying toward her, accompanied by
regular messenger. You say they're two strangers in big, flat shoes.
watching all the rest of us. I know the "Take us up to your little friend
girl, and she's the safest route we can Cavendish's outfit, Sally," he said
try. Oh^don't be a fool, Red! Don't with a magnificent air. "We've got
you see — it's my idea that —— the goods on him at last!"
"Oh, / see all right," said the other "The goods?" said Sally, stupefied.
man with displeasure. "It's a good "The goods — ail wool and a dozen
enough idea —
you always have ideas, yards crooked. Make it fast, kid —
I'll hand that to you, Jim but how — this is a pinch. All set down here,
about guarantees?" Mike?"
"The best," said Mr. Cavendish. "All set," said one of the strangers.
He smiled and picked an imaginary "All right —
let's go, Sally!"

thread from his coat sleeve. "You The car shot upward. In the seconds
know about men, my dear man. Leave of its flight to the eighth floor, Sally
the women to me." thought desperately fast. Billy and
the stranger were talking together in
Talks with Mr. Cavendish — little absorbed, low voices. There must be
errands to do for Mr. Cavendish — some mistake. She must warn Caven-
once — incredible — dinner with Mr. dish.
 FLOOR, PLEASE 79
"Here you arc!" she said, half sob- footfall — sounded beyond the pile of
bing. The car stopped, and she boxes. Mr. Cavendish, rattled, was
slammed opes the doors. Hilly and galvanized into furious activity. He
the stranger dashed out Instantly she leaped back into the elevator and
shut the doors behind them, and slammed the doors. They shot up-
whirled her wheel. She had left them ward.
on the fourteenth Boot six floors — A furious buzzing began in the ele-
above the Continental Perfume Com- vator.
pany's offices. Even if they slid down "That's the alarm," said Sally dully.
the banisters, she would be able to "They're going to shut off the juice."
warn Mr. Cavendish before they "Oh, Lord!" said Mr. Caven-
reached him. dish, sourly realizing his recent er-
At the eighth floor she clanged the rors in judgment. "That breaks it.
doors open again. A cry of terror dried Well " He seemed suddenly in
in her throat. Mr. Cavendish stood the grip of a brilliant idea. He dropped
before her, and his right hand gripped the revolver —
tumbled horribly in
a stubby blue automatic whose little his mouth for an instant, mumbling
black eye looked directly at her solar disjointed phrases. "Try it —
nothing
plexus,, else to do — girl worships me —
"Oh, Mr. Cavendish!" she began "
might have enough luck to get
reproachfully, but Mr. Cavendish Suddenly, violently he was thrust-
seemed far too hurried to chat. ing some object into Sally's hand —
"Down!" Mr. Cavendish mouthed a moist, rough object, full of sharp
at her. "Down! Make it fast!" His proj ections.
mout and cruel.
h looked light "Hi* 'em!" he gurgled sharply at
"Not the ground floor, you little her. "Hi' 'em. Goo' girl! I!)oc nell.
fool! The basement the —
basement!" Never *ell. Ee oo a-er."
The elevator fell like a stone and The elevator shot down again
stopped. Sally shot the doors back toward the ground floor.
with incapable fingers. Emptiness — '"Op!" said Mr. Cavendish impera-
gray gloom. tively, and Sally stopped.
"Thank Heaven!" said Mr. Caven- Half fainting, Sally opened the
dish, his revolver weaving in front of doors. Mr. Cavendish stepped out
him. "Where's the door?" with dignity —
into the arms of
"There's a way out around that pile Billy Considine.
of boxes," said Sally weakly. "To the "Put 'em up!" said Billy.
right; but —
oh, Mr. Cavendish
"
Mr. Cavendish's arms rose slowly
"Keep your mouth shut, you poor to the perpendicular. The stranger
little half wit, or I'll plug you," said named Mike at once began an expert
Mr. Cavendish impolitely. survey of Mr. Cavendish's pockets.
A footfall — a heavy, solid, official "Uh ih uh caning uh is ex-or-ary
Si, liLLERV QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
er-or-ance?" began Mr. Cavendish. "The sparklers," said Mike. "Now
Billy laughed. I'd say this fella had the most ex-
"Say, 'Ritzy Jim,* what's the pensive false teeth in the world,
matter with your talk machine?" he wouldn't you, Bill?"
queried. "Run out of gas?" "Amy said Mr. Cavendish vio-
"£rrr." whirred Mr. Cavendish lently from the floor.
angrily and fell silent. Then they took him away.
"No dope," said Mike disgrun-
tledly. Some weeks later, as Victorias
Cavendish smiled. The infinitesimal romancers used to remark, a young
pause that followed was broken by a man and a young woman might have
scream from Sally. She had just looked been observed entering a large,
down at the object that Mr. Caven- official -looking building in downtown
dish had recently forced into her New York. The young woman wore
hand. a brand-new ring, and every lime the
"His teeth!" she screamed hyster- young man looked at it he smiled
ically. "He gave me his teeth." "It's a grand day, today, eh, Sally?"
She slumped toward the floor of the said Billy Considine.
car.Mr. Cavendish saw his chance tor "Billy, dear."
freedom and took it —
to be tackled "And next month there'll be yet
by the second stranger before he had a grander," proceeded Billy.
gone three steps. "Now will you be "Now, Billy, we may not be mar-
good?" said the stranger, sitting on ried for months and months. You
"
his chest. mustn't hurry
Sally, reviving in Billy's arms, "I'm not hurrying you I'm just —
opened her eyes and shut them at telling you," said Billy comfortably.
once. You're not going Cavendishing
*.*

"His teeth!" she moaned. "His hor- again, if I can help it, my dear, and
rible teeth! They're there! Oh, Billy, you were nearly an accessory, if it
"
take them away!" hadn't
"All right, kid," said Billy, soothing "Oh, Billy, it was sweet of you to
her. "All right, darling. Say, Mike, tell them that I'd helped you."

did you —
oh, hot cat!" For Mike, "You'll make a grand Mrs. Sher-
holding Mr. Cavendish's former teeth lock yet, Sally, my dearl"
in one large hand, was slowly unscrew- "Floor, please?" said a weary ele-
ing a prominent molar from its plate. vator attendant. Sally started.
"Some rilling!" he said and grinned. "Going up!" she began auto-
A thin shell of enamel-like sub- matically, but Billy interrupted.
stance lay in his hand —a shell with "Wherever they keep the marriage
a curious brilliant core that winked licenses, buddy!" he said, with a grin.
and glittered — a diamond. "And make it snappy!"
 "

THE RAINBOW MURDERS END

by RAOVL

The room was a cheap

few blocks from Market
in hotel, a
Street.
haps, he thought, Inspector Raines
had done better.
The room had two windows, one of He took from one of his few re-
which faced the Bay. Jo Gar, his small maining packages a brown-paper ciga-
body sprawled on the narrow bed, rette, lighted it. His gray-blue eyes
shivered a little. San Francisco was held a faint smile as he inhaled. Down
cold he thought of the
; warm winds of the hall beyond the room there was
Manila and the difference of the bays. the slam of the elevator's door, and
He sighed and said softly to himself: footfalls. A man cleared his throat
"Four more of the Rainbow dia- noisily. Jo Gar put his right hand in
monds —
if I had them I could return the pocket of his gray suit at his right
to the Islands. I do not belong away side,went over and seated himself on
from them — the edge of the bed, facing the door.
The telephone bell on the wall jan- A knock sounded and the Philippine
gled; Jo Gar stared towards the appa- Island detective called flatly:
ratus for several seconds, then rose "Please — come in."
slowly. He was dressed in a gray suit The door opened. A middle-aged
that did not fit him too well, and his man entered, dressed in a dark suit
graying hair was mussed. He un- with a fight coat thrown across his
hooked the receiver and said: shoulders. The sleeves of the man's
"Yes." suit were not within the coat sleeves;
A pleasant voice said: "Inspector it was worn as a cape. Raines had

Raines, of the customs office. I have sharp features, pleasant blue eyes. His
information for you." lips were thick; he was a big man. He

Jo Gar said "That is good

: please — said:
come up." "Hello, Senor Gar."
He hung up the receiver and stood Jo Gar rose and they shook hands.
for several seconds looking towards Raines' grip was loose and careless; he
the door. One
of his three bags had looked about the room, tossed a soft,
been opened the other two he had not
; gray hat on a chair. Jo Gar motioned
unlocked. The Cheyo Maru bringing y towards the other chair in the room,
him from Honolulu, had arrived three and the inspector seated himself. He
hours ago, and there had been much kept the coat slung across his shoul-
for the Island detective to do. In the ders.
doing of it he had gained little. Per- Jo Gar said slowly, almost lazily:
Copyn'ght, 1937, >Raoul Whitfield
 " :

82 ELL ER Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

"Something was found?" woman in black —
I had hopes that

The inspector frowned and shook the four diamonds —

his head. He took from his pocket a Raines said quickly: "So had we.
small card. His picture was at one When we got your coded wire telling
corner of the card, which was quite us that you suspected her of the mur-
soiled.There was the printing of the der of the man you recovered five
Customs Department, some insignia stones from, but that you couldn't
that Gar merely glanced at, a stamped prove a thing against her, we figured
seal —
and the statement that Albert we might be able to help. We weren't.
Raines was a member of the San But we did as you requested when —
Francisco customs office. sheleft the dock we had a man follow
Raines said: "The chief thought I'd her."
better show you that right away, as The Island detective said: "Good
we hadn't seen each other." — she went to a hotel?"
The Island detective smiled. Raines shook his head. "Don't sup-
"Thank you," he and handed
replied, pose you've ever been out around the
the card back. "Something was Cliff House, Senor Gar. It's a spot out
found?" on a bunch of jagged rocks, about an
Raines shook his head. "Not a hour from town, A sort of amusement
thing," he said. "We held her up for park has grown up around it. Seals
two hours, and we searched every- fool around in the rocks and the tour-
thing carefully. We even searched the ists go for it strong. The woman took
child — and the child's baggage. We a cab, and our man took another. She
gave her a pretty careful questioning. went to the amusement park near
For that matter — everybody on the the Cliff House."
boat got about three times the atten- Jo Gar's gray-blue eyes widened
tion we usually give. And we didn't slightly.
turn up a stone." "She spent more than three weeks
Jo Gar sighed. Raines said grimly: on the Cheyo Maru" he breathed
"If the diamonds were on that boat slowly. "And when she landed and
— they got past us. And that means had been cleared after an exhaustive
you're in a tough spot, yes?" customs examination, she went to an
The Island detective said: "I think amusement park. Strange."
that is very much —what it means." Raines made a grunting sound.
Raines said in a more cheerful tone: "Damn' strange," he said. "Took all
"Well, the chief said you recovered the baggage, which included a trunk
six of the stones, between Manila and we'd gone very carefully through.
San Francisco — that's not at all And the child."
bad." Jo Gar narrowed his eyes and looked
Jo Gar smiled gently: "I was — ex- beyond the inspector. He said quietly
tremely fortunate," he said. "But the "In Manila we have an amusement
 THE RAINBOW MURDERS END 83

park that is quite large. After entering trying to hide where she was going.
the main gate there are many places Maybe she figured she might be
one can go." followed."
Raines nodded. "It's like that here. Jo Gar nodded. "I think you are
Only this park has several entrances, right," he said.
and you can drive through a section of Raines got to his feet, held out his
it. The cab went in one entrance, right hand.
stopped for a while near a merry-go- "Sorry the office couldn't get some-
round —
went out another. Then it thing on her at the pier," he apolo-
went to a house and stopped. The lug- gized."But you know where she is —
gage was taken inside, and the woman and you know she acted funny getting
and child went in. Our man stayed there."
around a short time, but nothing else Jo Gar smiled and shook the inspec-
happened." tor's hand. He sat down on the bed
The Island detective said: "You again as Raines took his hat. When
have the address?" Raines reached the door, he said:
Raines nodded. He took from his "Luck on those other four." He
pocket a small slip of paper, on which grinned and went out. Going along
were scrawled some words, handed it the corridor he whistled. The elevator
to Jo Gar. door slammed.
The Island detective read: "One Jo Gar got to his feet with remark-
hundred and forty-one West Pacific able speed for him. He got his coat
Avenue." and hat, was out of rhe room quickly:
Raines nodded. "That's it — Cary He used the stairs instead of the ele-
said it was a frame house, set back a vator. When he reached the small
short distance from the road. The lobby he saw Raines light a cigar, go
section isn't much built up out there." outside and raise a hand. A cab pulled
Jo Gar nodded. "It very good of
is close to the curb. When it started
you to bring me this information," he away the Island detective hailed an-
stated. other, parked some feet from the hotel
Raines made a swift gesture with entrance. He said to the driver:
both hands. "That's all right," he "Follow that machine, please —
said. "Cary has another job just now, but do not move too close to it. When
or he'd have come along to tell you it halts, halt some distance away."

about it. Looks queer to me." The driver looked at Jo curiously,

The Island detective spoke slowly. but nodded his head. The two cabs
"It is not necessary to drive through moved from one street to another.
the amusement park, in order to There was a great deal of traffic, but
reach this address?" he asked. Jo's driver was skillful. For perhaps
Raines said: "Hell, no that's — ten minutes the two cabs moved
what seems funny. That woman was through the city, apparently keeping
 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
in the heart of it. Finally the leading know what train to take him to?" he
cab curved close to a building that had asked slowly.
a large clock set in granite stone. It The porter grinned. "ThaVs right,"
halted. Unfamiliar as Jo was with San he said. "He wanted the Chicago
Francisco, he recognized the building train."
as a railroad station of considerable The Island detective drew a sharp
importance. There were many porters breath. He handed the porter a quar-
about, and cabs were everywhere. ter, walked slowly back into the sta-
As his own cab pulled close to the tion's waiting room.
curb Jo watched Raines alight and "Mr. Raines had barely time to
pay his driver. The inspector hurried make his train," he breathed softly.
into the station, and when he was out "Yet he was very kind to me —
and
of sight Jo paid up and left his cab. He said nothing about leaving on such a
pulled his hat low over his eyes, journey."
straightened his small body a little, He took a cab back to his hotel,
went into the station. Almost in- found everything in his room in per-
stantly he saw Raines. The man was fect order. He called the customs
at a luggage checking counter; as Jo office and after considerable inquiry
watched from a safe distance he saw was told that Inspector Raines had
Raines handed two large-sized valises. left for his hotel some hour or so ago.
A porter picked them up; Raines ges- He said:
tured towards another clock inside the "Yes, he has been here. I won-
station and said something. The porter dered if he had returned."
hurried away, followed by the in- There was a pause, questions were
spector. asked at the other end, and he was in-
Jo Gar followed, being careful not formed that Raines was not expected
to be seen. When Raines and his por- to return for special night work, but
ter went through a train gate, the that he would be on duty in the morn-
Island detective halted near it, a ing. Jo Gar thanked his informant
peculiar smile on his face. After a few and hung up the receiver.
minutes the colored porter came He sat on the edge of the small bed
back through the gate. Jo beckoned and watched a light sign flash in the
to him. distance. A ferry boat was a glow of
"The gentleman whose luggage you moving light, on the Bay waters. The
just carried to the train —
1 think he air seemed very cold. Jo Gar decided
was a friend of mine. You saw his that the real Inspector Raines had met
ticket?" with injuries, and that a certain per-
The porter shook his head slowly: son had impersonated him, had told
"He tol' me his car and seat number him an untrue story about a certain
— didn't show no ticket," he replied. woman in black —
and had then de-
Jo Gar frowned. "How did you parted from the city of San Francisco.
 "

THE RAINBOW MURDERS END 85

He decided that he was expected to go He thought: They did not expect In-
to the house at One hundred and spector Raines to be found so soon.
forty-one, West Pacific Avenue, that They did expect me to go immedi-
he was supposed to believe the woman ately to the address the imposter gave
had acted suspiciously in going there. me. They might easily have escaped
He said softly and slowly: "I have with the four diamonds, but they
the six diamonds —
they have the chose to lead me to them. They wish
four. I am in a strange city, and a card the six in my possession, being very
with a seal on it was expected to make greedy. But I am warned, directly
a great impression. But one man's and indirectly.
picture can replace another's
— —
very The Island detective turned away
easily from the window and moved towards
He rose and looked at his wrist- the room door. He breathed very
watch. It was almost eight o'clock. He softly:
inspected his Colt automatic, slipped "Just the same —
I shall go directly
it back into a pocket of his coat. The to the address given me."
phone bell rang, and .when he lifted
the receiver and gave his name he was Jo Gar left his cab a square from
told that the customs office was call- One hundred and forty-one West
ing, and that Inspector Raines had Pacific Avenue. He had picked the
been found unconscious in an alley driver with care; the man was husky
not far from the piers. He was still in build He had a good
and young.
unconscious and it was not certain chin and clear eyes, and he said his
that lie would live. He had appar- name was O'Halohan. Somewhere in
ently been struck over the head with the Islands Jo had read that the Irish
a blunt instrument. The customs were fighters.
office felt that Senor Gar should He said now: "I am
a detective —
know why he had failed to arrive, anc| and I'm going inside of the house at
also that all passengers on the Cheyo One hundred and forty-one. Here is a
Mam had been passed through the ten dollar bill. In about five minutes
office. One had been followed as re- I want you to drive to the front of the

quested, but her cab had been lost in house and blow your horn twice. After
traffic. The office was very sorry. that just stay in your seat. Wait about
Jo Gar said: "I am very sorry to ten minutes —
than blow your horn
hear of Inspector Raines' injuries. I again, twice. If I do not come to a
will call at the office tomorrow. Thank window or the door, and call to you
you for calling." — go to the police and tell them I
He hung up the receiver, went to went into the house and was pre-
the window that faced the Bay and vented from coming out. That is all
the distant, lighted ferry boat. His — is it clear?"
gray-blue eyes were smiling coldly. The driver nodded. "I got a gun,"
86 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
he said. "And a permit to carry it. The driver nodded; his eyes met Jo
Suppose, after the second time I blow Gar's squarely.
my horn, you don't show. Why not "It ain't anything tough," he
let me come in and get you out?" stated.
The Island detective smiled nar- Jo Gar spoke very quietly. "It is
rowly. "You are young and strong, extremely simple."
but neither of those qualities might He half turned away from the cab,
be of too great value. Neither of us and heard the driver say harshly:
might come out." "Yeah —
if it works."
The driver said: "If it looks that The Island detective moved along
bad — what you goin' in alone for?" the broken pavement of the side-
Jo Gar continued to smile. He said walk, a thin smile on his browned
patiently: face.
"I have an idea it will be better "It will be just as simple," he said
that way. You must follow my in- in a low tone, a half-whisper, "if it

structions." doesn't work. But much more final —

The driver nodded. "You're doing for me."
the job," he muttered. "I'll be down
there in five minutes, and make the Number One hundred and forty-
horn racket. I'll give it to you again in one was a rambling one story house
ten. Then if you don't show I'll head in not too good condition. There
for the police." were no street lights near it; tall trees
The Island detective nodded. "That rose on cither side. The nearest house
isthe way," he said. "Don't get out lo ii was almost a square distant; op-
of the car." posite was a lot filled with low brush.
The driver said: "Supposing I hear The section was quiet and pretty well
you yelling for help — I still stick deserted, but less than a half mile
inside?" away there was the flare of colored
Jo said grimly: "You will not hear lights in the sky. And at intervals Jo
me calling for help, Mister O'Halo- Gar could hear distant and faint stac-
han. My visit is not at all complicated. cato sounds — the noise of shooting
After you blow your horn twice — gallery rifles.

the second time, I will either give you He did not hesitate as he reached
instructions, or you will go for the the front of the house. A yellowish
police." lightshowed faintly beyond one of the
The driver said: "You win." side windows. The pavement that
Jo Gar half closed his almond- ran to a few steps was broken and not
shaped eyes. "It may be very impor- level.
tant to me —
that you do just as I Out
of the corners of his gray-blue
have instructed. You are sure you eyes, as he moved towards the steps,
understand?" Jo saw that the lights of the cab had
 : "

THE RAINBOW MURDERS END s7

been dimmed — their color did not was to be the finish, one way or the
show on the street in front of the other. He would return to Manila —
place. A cold wind made sound in the or he would never leave this house
trees as he reached the steps, moved alive. He felt it, and he was suddenly
up them. His right hand was in the very calm. From somewhere within
right pocket of his coat, gripping the he heard footfalls; there was the
butt of the automatic. sound of a bolt being moved, the door
He stood for a few seconds, his eyes opened very wide.
on the number plate, which seemed Jo Gar looked into the eyes of a
new and had been placed in a position man who had a smiling face. It was a
easily seen. The house was old, the thin, browned face, and the eyes were
section of San Francisco was not too small and colorless. The man was
good —
but the number plate was in dressed in a brown suit, almost the
excellent condition. color of his skin. There was nothing
The Island detective's lips curved striking about the one who had
But the smile that showed
just a little. opened the door, unless it was the
momentarily on his face was not a smallness of his colorless eyes.
pleasant one. He had a definite feeling The eyes looked beyond the Island
that this house marked the end of the detective, to the sidewalk and road.
trail. He
thought of the ones who had The man moved his head slightly and
died in Manila, when Delgada's jew- Jo Gar said
elry storehad been robbed he — "I am Senor Gar, a private detec-
thought of the men who had died tive who arrived only today in San
since then. A vision of Juan Arragon's Francisco. I arrived on the Cheyo

brown face Hashed before his eyes. Maru —

and have come here in search
He touched the index finger of his of a woman who was on that boat. She
left hand to a button near the number had with her a child —
plate, heard no sound within the He stopped and looked downward
house. One hand at his side, the other at the dull color of black that was the
in his right pocket —
he stood in the metal of the gun held by the man in
cold wind and waited. He had come the doorway. The man had made only
to this house, but he had not been a slight movement with his right
tricked. He was gambling —
gam- hand; the gun's muzzle was less than
bling his life, in a strange country, three feet from Jo's body.
against his chances of recovering the Jo Gar smiled into the smiling eyes
four missing Von Loffler diamonds, of the one in the doorway.
against the final chance of facing the "I have made a mistake?" he asked
one who had planned the Manila very quietly.
crime. The one in the doorway shook his
He could not be positive of any- head. "On the contrary," he said in a
thing, but he sensed these things. This voice that was very low and cold,
 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
"you have come to the correct place. woman I was interested in — and that
I have been —
expecting you." I was expected to come to this ad-
He stepped to one side, and Jo Gar dress."
walked into a wide hall. The light was There was hatred showing in the
dim, and though there were electric small, colorless eyes of the thin-faced
bulbs about, it was furnished by a one. He stood almost ten feet away
lamp whose wick was uneven. The from Jo Gar, facing him.
place was very cold. It had the air of "But you came, knowing all this."

not having been lived in for ia long Jo Gar smiled a little. "When you
time, and there was no evidence about made that movement and held that
showing that it would be lived in. gun on me —
my fingers were on the
The thin-faced man said "The first
: trigger of my own gun. I could have
room on your right, please. Lift your shot you down —
I did not."

hands slightly." There was a flicker of expression in

Jo Gar raised his hands slightly, the standing one's eyes. He said:
went through a narrow doorway into "You are very kind, Senor Gar."
a room that seemed even colder than Mockery and hatred was in his
the hall. The light in the room was tone. Jo Gar said slowly:
better —
there were two lamps. —
"No not kind. I have six dia-
Blinds were drawn tightly. Beside a monds that you would like. I think
small table was a stool that might that you have four I would like. You
have been made for a piano. wanted me here to bargain with me.
The one with the gun said in the You wanted me here so that you
same, cold voice: could trap me, then offer me my life
"Sit on the stool, Gar put your— for the six diamonds. You have
hands on the table. Keep them there." worked that way, with your accom-
Hatred crept into his voice as he plices, since the robbery was ef-
uttered the last three words. Jo Gar fected."
did as instructed. He said quietly: The thin-faced one smiled and
"I knew that the man you sent to showed white, even teeth.
me at my hotel lied. I followed him "You would risk your life and six
to the station, and watched him leave diamonds —
for the four you say I
the city. I returned to the hotel and haveP"
the customs office informed me that Jo Gar smiled gently. "My life is
one of their men, who was coming to not too important," he said. "I have
me with information of no great im- never regarded it that way. I came
portance, had been knocked uncon- here because I knew the one responsi-
scious. I knew then how the card pre- ble for many deaths would be here."
sented me had
been obtained, and The thin-faced one said mockingly:
that I was expected to believe a story "And you were not trapped? You
that pointed to suspicious action by a simply wanted to see that person
 "

THE RAINBOW MURDERS END 89

whom you hated because of Arragon's Raaker — you couldn't comingrisk

death, and because of things done to back. You hired men. Some of them
you?" tricked you — and each other. The
The Island detective kept his hands robbery was successful, but you lost
motionless on the table surface. He slowly. All the way back from Manila,
shook his head. Raaker, you lost. You used men and
"No," he replied. "Not exactly. I women, and they tried to kill me —
wanted to see that one taken by the too many times. They were killed —
police. And that is practically as- there were many deaths. Those were
sured, now." diamonds of death, Raaker —
and you
He watched the facial muscles of only got four of them. The woman in
the thin-faced one jerk, saw his color- black brought them to you —
I think
less eyes shift towards the blinds of she was theonly one who was faithful."
the windows. His gun hand moved a Raaker was breathing heavily. He
little, in towards his body. Rage made a sudden movement with his
twisted his face, and then he smiled. left hand, plunging it into a pocket.
It was a grotesque, mask-like smile. When it came out four stones spilled
The brown skin was drawn tightly to the surface of the small table. Three
over the face bones and the lips were of them only rolled a few inches, but
pressed together. Jo Gar said: one struck against a finger of the Is-
"I remember you, Raaker. You land detective's left hand. Raaker
were in the insurance business in said fiercely:
Manila until a few years ago. There "I hate you, Gar. You drove me
was about to be a prosecution, and from the Islands, with your evidence.
you left the Islands." I hated Von Loffler, too. He took all his
The thin-faced one said with properties away from me, because he
hoarseness in his voice: learned that I was gambling, because
"And I have never forgotten you, he was afraid of the insurance. So I
Senor Gar. You tell rne you have learned about the stones, where they
come here, not caring about your life were. And I planned the robbery. I
— and that the police are outside. stayed here —
and got reports. I tried
Well — didn't bring you here
I get to to direct. But you were on that
your diamonds, Gar — Von Lof-
six boat
—
diamonds. I brought you here
fler's He broke shrugged. "You are
off,

because I hate you. I want to watch going to die, Gar. So I can talk. The
your body squirm on the floor, beside woman came to me with the dia-
that stool." monds. Four of them. And by the
Gar said quietly "That was how
Jo : time she brought them to me here —
you knew about the Von Loffler dia- she hated me. She had seen too much
monds —
that Dutch Insurance Com- death. She's gone away, with her
pany. You stayed out of Manila, child —
and you'll never find her,
 " " " — "

9o ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

Gar. She killed a man on
the Cheyo am dead — and that there is a killer in
Mam, and that made her hate me all the house. The smoke bombs arid —
the more. She had to kill him, before the tear gas bombs they will come
he could talk to you!"— in."
Jo Gar said steadily: "I don't think Raaker said hoarsely. " How
— I want to find her, Raaker. I know hate you, you little half-breed
!

— I

now who planned the crime, who He jerked the gun slightly. The
caused the deaths. And you are Island detective looked him in the
caught, Raaker — eyes, still smiling.
There was the sound of brakes be- "That is true," he said. "You do
yond the room, the low beat of an hate me —
and there is the blood of
Two sharp blasts from a
idling engine. the Spanish and the Filipino in my
horn came into the room. Raaker veins. But I am not a criminal a —
jerked his head sharply, then turned thief and a killer."
his eyes towards Jo Gar again. The Raaker turned his head slightly and
Island detective made no movement. listened to the steady beat of the cab
He smiled with his lips pressed to- engine. Then his eyes came back to
gether. Raaker said: the small figure of Gar, went to the
"What's —
that?" four glittering diamonds on the table.
His voice was hoarse. Jo Gar parted He said thickly:
his lips. He said: "With the others — over two hun-
"A signal from the police — that dred thousand — would have
dollars
the house is properly covered." been —
fixed
I

Raaker sucked in a deep breath. He raised his gun arm slowly. From
"I'llget more than one of them as — the cab outside there came the sharp
they come in!" he muttered. sound of a horn, silence and then —
Jo Gar shook his head. "I do not another blast.
think you will, Raaker. They will not Jo Gar never took his eyes from the
come in. It is easier to wait for you — eyes of Raaker.
to go out." He said very slowly: "Machine-gun
Raaker smiled twistedly, but there bullets, Raaker. And choking, blind-
was fear in his eyes. ing gas. They'll be wailing for you —
"They'll come in, all right," he after you get through squeezing that
breathed. "I'll get you first when — trigger."
they come. You won't see them come Raaker cried out in a shrill tone:
in, Gar." "Damn you Gar —
—
—
that won't
Jo Gar smiled. "They will not come help you any
do not go out,
in," he said softly. "If I There was a sudden engine hum as
within the next ten minutes, they the cab driver accelerated the motor.
will unload the sub-machine-guns and Yellow light flashed beyond the house,
the smoke bombs. They will know I along the road. O'Halohan was going
 THE RAINBOW MURDERS END 91

for the police, starting his cab. For a mond lay very close to his curved
second Raaker twisted his head to- fingers; it was as though he were
wards the sound and the light. He was grasping for it, in death.
thinking of machine-guns —
and tear The other three Jo found after a
gas- five-minute search. Then he went
Jo Gar was on his feet in a flash. The from the room into the hall, and out
table went forward, over. The Island of the house. The cab was out of
detective leaped to the right as Raaker sight; in the distance there was still
cried out hoarsely, and the first bullet colored light in the sky. The shooting
from his gun crashed into the table gallery notse came at intervals. Jo Gar
wood. found a package in his pocket, lighted
The second bullet from the gun one of his brown-paper cigarettes.
ripped cloth of Gar's coat, and his He said very softly, to himself: "I
right hand was coming up, with the have all —all the Rainbow diamonds.
Colt in it, when the cloth ripped. He Now I can go home, after the police
squeezed the trigger sharply but come. I hope my friend Juan Arragon
steadily. There was the third gun — knows."
crash and Raaker screamed, took a He stood very motionless on the
step forward. His gun hand dropped, top step that led to the small porch,
he went to his knees, stared at Gar for and waited for the police to come.
a second,swaying —
then fell heavily And he thought, as he waited, of the
to the floor. Philippines —of Manila —
and of his
Jo Gar went slowly to his side. He tiny office off the Escolta. It was good
was dead — the bullet had caught to forget other things, and to think
him just above the heart. One dia- of his returning.

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DEPARTMENT OF "FIRST STORIES"
Mary Adams Sarett's "Subject to Review" is one of the eleven "first
which won special awards in last year s contest. It is an unusual
1
stories'
story, told in documentary style, and although restrained in tone and delib-
erately mannered, has the impact of a real-life case history.
Mrs. Sarett majored in writing at Sarah Lawrence College and has been
writing off and on since her graduation. In the lastfive years she has written
what she describes as "an exceptionally bad novel" {we wonder), a number
of plays which pleased only herself —
and, in general, "bit off more than
[she] could chew." More recently, she tried her hand at short stories, but
while these received encouragement, she did not actually sell one until
EQMM offered to buy "Subject to Review."
Yes, Mrs. Sarett's first story is unusual
—
for who things of murder in
the midst of battle? Who thinh^s of the murder of an individual while mass
murder is the order of the day? Gilbert K. Chesterton once wrote a story in
which he asked: "Where would a wise man hide a leaf?" And he an-
swered: "In theforest" And then GKC
proceeded to have a man murdered
on a battlefield —
how better conceal a dead body than to surround it with
many dead bodies? But Mrs. Sarett's conception of murder on a battle-
and stems from far more realistic sources.
field is altogether different,
"Subject to Review" was inspired by newspaper accounts ofjust such
tragedies as Mrs. Sarett has woven into herfirst story. True, the newspaper
accounts were always vague and curiously incomplete, leaving plenty of
room for a writer's imagination. Once committed to her theme, however,
Mrs. Sarettfound that she had to bolster her imagination with considerable
research; she studied official procedure and cross-examined many people
whose war experiences were more intimate than hers and whose memories
were still vivid and, in some instances, partially recorded. And Mrs. Sarett
did her research well: the stamp of authenticity shines through her tale of
a military murder investigation.

postscript: Long after we had awarded a special prize to Mrs. Sarett's

first story, and after we had already purchased the tale for EQMM, it oc-
curred to us that there was something strangely familiar about the author's
surname. "Sarett" an uncommon name, and then we realized that it re-
is

minded us of Lew well-known poet, and winner of many Poetry

Sarett, the
Prizes. We dropped a
note of inquiry to Mrs. Sarett, and she replied that
she is Lew Sarett's daughter-in-law. "Mr. Sarett," she went on, "has been
a great inspiration to me, both as a person and as a poet" —
which illus-
trates again the inextricable relationship between poetry and ratiocination.

92
 ;

SUBJECT TO REVIEW
by MARY ADAMS SARETT
1412 Lukens Blvd. Remember, darling, I love you
Oakland, Calif. more than anything in the world —
April 10, 1945 Verne
Corporal Robert Chandler 3xxxxxxx
APO #xx, c/o Postmaster April 29, 1945
San Francisco Corporal Robert Chandler 3xxxxxxx
Bob darling — APO #xx, c/o Postmaster
{ know it's been some time since Darling —
I've written, but don't think I've for- Your letters worry me so. I know
gotten you, dear. I must think of you you're going through hell, and I try
every day a thousand times —
every- not to think ofanythingbuthowwon-
thing I do alone makes me think of all derful it be when you come home.
will
the things we used to do together. You know, I never doubt for a second
Your letters sound so discouraged. that everything will turn out all right
Darling, the war can't last forever. for us. But, dear, be careful.
Your mother and I are so glad you and You can imagine my reaction to
Lee Graham are in the same outfit. that mission! I hate to say this about
Maybe you know I never liked Lee Lee, but it seems to me he could have
much, but of course it means a lot to sent someone else —
or gone himself.
you to have your best friend with you After all, he has no family dependent
— and maybe the war will make on him. Well, thank God you got
more of a man of him. It does seem back safely!
unjust, though, that he should be Speaking of dependents, I'm afraid
your superior officer. I'm having a little trouble making
We're all terribly busy here. The ends meet. Prices are simply fantastic
children miss you dreadfully and and the children are growing out of
they're hard for me to handle alone. their clothes every other day. I do try
Your mother will interfere. I don't to manage, but I just can't seem to
know what she writes you, but I can't make things go around on what you
help feeling from your letters that she send home. I know you'll hate the
tries to turn you against me. I think idea of touching our savings, Bob, but
she's a little jealous and always has I honestly don't see anything else to
been. We mustn't let her come be- do. What do you think?
tween us, Bobl Please, darling, don't listen to the
I have to stop now, but will write things your mother says against me!
again tomorrow. You're very gullible, you know —
93
94 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
though I suppose it's one of the things our minds. I thought I might try to
I love about you, the way you see good go spend a few days with my family
in people. But after all, Bob, I am your and leave the children here with your
wife, and you must trust me. Just mother — the change would do ev-
because we're different kinds of peo- erybody good. But we just can't af-
ple,she imagines things about me. I ford it. I went down to the bank to-
can't so much as go to the movies day to ask about taking some money
without making her suspicious, and of from our savings account, but they
course she can't begin to understand said I must have your permission in
why everything costs so much more writing. Darling, I hate to add to your
now. troubles, but we have to have money
Write me as often as you can, dear, away or I don't know what will
right
and please give what I've said about become of us. Your mother doesn't
the money some serious thought. seem to understand, but I know you
All my love, wouldn't sacrifice the children's health
Verne even if it seemed to threaten our se-
curity as you say in your letter. Please,
May 15, 1945 dear, write the bank immediately.
Corporal Robert Chandler 3xxxxxxx It's sweet of you to share my let-
APO #xx c/o Postmaster ters with Lee. Mrs. Graham says she
Bob darling — writes him every day, but she's such
You don't know what it does tome an hysterical woman it might be bet-
to hear what you're going through, ter if she didn't. She worries so it puts
and not be able to do anything to us all on edge and it must upset him,
help! I look at your picture for a long too. That's probably what makes him
time every night, and you look so act so strangely. War does funny
young —it's hard to imagine that things to people — things they aren't
this awful war could separate us. The really responsible for.
one of you in uniform looks so deter- Take care of yourself, darling, and
mined —and helpless, somehow — pray the war ends soon.
but I know how brave you are, and All my love,
I'm terribly proud. Verne
Please try not to worry about
things, Bob. The children and I will May 30, 1945
manage somehow. And you simply Corporal Robert Chandler 3xxxxxxx
mustn't believe your mother. When APO #xx, c/o Postmaster
you get home, the three of us can talk Dear Bob —
everything over, but the important I'm in a great hurry, so this will
thing is for you not to worry. just be a note. The bank tells me you
Sometimes I feel that if the war still haven't written about the money.
doesn't end soon, we'll all go out of It hardly seems possible that you are
 SUBJECT TO REVIEW 95
doing this deliberately, but knowing wisely.Of course all our little misun-
the way your mother feels about me derstandings seem insignificant now —
and the lies she tells you, I suppose I Don't give up hope, son. God will
might have expected it. Things are hear our prayers and not fail us!
getting desperate, Bob. And it breaks Mother
* * *
my heart to think you don't trust me
or care enough about me to do some- SUBJECT: The case of Cpl. Robert
thing about it. I never would have be- Chandler 3xxxxxxx
lieved you were stingy or cruel or — TO: Secretary of War
even just indifferent —
but you leave Attached is the case of Cpl. Robert
rrie no choice in thinking that now! Chandler charged with murder under
I still love you
— the 86th Article of War and sentenced
Verne to death subject to your approval.
* * * In view of the publicity accorded this
Sept. 8, 1945 case, I am bringing to your attention
Corporal Robert Chandler 3xxxxxxx a possible mitigating circumstance:
APO #xx, c/o Postmaster i.e., insufficient proof of motive,
My dearest boy — X. X. Xxxxxxxx
The whole world seems have to Major General
gone mad since this awful war. Lee Judge Advocate General
Graham's death was a terrible shock
20 Sept 45
to us all, but that you should be held
responsible is the most horrible thing SUBJECT: The case of Cpl. Robert
of all! The army must be insane to ac- Chandler 3xxxxxxx
cuse you of a thing like that. What TO: The President of the United
dreadful mistake has been made? States
I wrote to the President of the Attached is a transcript of pertinent

United States the minute I got your excerpts from the trial of Corporal
letter — I know he'll see what's right Robert Chandler as per your request.
and take action. Bob, dear, write me Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
all the details of what happened and Secretary of War
I'll move heaven and earth to help
22 Sept 45
you. A great country like this will
surely not stand for such a travesty of Enclosure:
justice! My dearest son, have courage. On 10 Sept 45 at 1000, the court was
Verne left a few days ago to go called to order for the purpose of try-
visit her family and I haven't been ing Cpl. Robert Chandler for the
able to get in touch with her yet to murder of Lt. Lee Graham, under the
tell her of this tragic business. No, the 86th Article of War. Members of the
bank didn't give her the money* She's court were (names omitted for brev-
so extravagant, I think you acted ity). The Trial Judge Advocate, the
96 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Defense Counsel, and their assistants Sgt. Dunn: Well, yes, sir. At one
being sworn in the Trial Judge. . . time when we were engaged in a
Advocate swore in the court. fire fight with the Nips, Cpl.
Chandler here picks up his gun and
President of the Court: The Trial shoots two shots right into Lt.
Judge Advocate will read the Graham's head.
charges. TJA: What did you do then?
TJA: . . Robert Chandler
. Cpl. Sgt. Dunn: Well, sir, as it happened,
3xxxxxxx hereby charged with
is a lot of us had been knocked out,
the murder of Lt. Lee Graham and when Cpl. Chandler killed Lt.
O-xxxxxxx. On 6 June 45, when the Graham . . .

platoon of which he was a member Defense Counsel: Objection, It has

was engaged in a fire fight with the not yet been proven that Cpl.
Japanese troops at Xxxxx Ridge on Chandler killed Lt. Graham. It is
the island of Okinawa, Cpl. Chan- only an opinion of the witness. I
dler deliberately aimed his M'i rifle, want his last remarks stricken from
and fired two shots into the head the records.
of Lt. Graham, who was directing TJA: Sir, the witness is testifying on
his platoon at a position approxi- actual facts, not on opinions.
mately ten yards ahead of Cpl. President: Objection overruled. The
Chandler. Cpl. Chandler's act was witness will continue.
both deliberate and wilful. Sgt. Dunn: Well, I went up and tried
President: Has the Defense Counsel to help Lt. Graham, but he was
any opening remarks? dead; so I took over command of
Defense Counsel: I have not. the platoon as I was the second in
President The TJA will proceed
: command.
with his case. TJA: What did you do then?
TJA: I call as my first witness Sgt. Sgt. Dunn: I figured something must
William Dunn. be wrong with Chandler. You
(Sgt.William Dunn ^xxxxxxx was seat- know people go off their rockers
ed, sworn in, and gave his name, serial sometimes when things get hot and
number, and unit in prescribed fashion) it was plenty hot up there; so I or-

TJA: Sgt. Dunn, where were you on dered him back to the aid station.
the morning of June 6th, 1945? TJA: Did he go?
Sgt. Dunn: Sir, I was somewhere on Sgt. Dunn: Yes, sir. Sure, he went
top ofXxxxx Ridge. right back.
TJA: And what were you doing? TJA: That's all I have.
Sgt. Dunn: Well, sir, we spent most of President: Has the defense counsel
the morning fighting with the Japs. any questions ?
TJA: Did anything unusual occur Defense Counsel: Yes. Sergeant, you
that morning? say things were quite hot up there.
 SUBJECT TO REVIEW 97
Now tell me, do you have much President: Any rebuttal?
time to look around when you're in TJA: No, As my next witness,
sir. I
the middle of a fire fight and see call Pfc. Wilfred Glickman.
what other people are doing? {Pfc. Wilfred M. Glickman jxxxxxxx
TJA: Objection. The defense counsel was seated and sworn in, and gave his
istrying to imply that Sgt. Dunn, name, serial number, and unit in pre-
wasn't doing his job and thus in- scribed fashion)
criminate him. TJA: Glickman, did you see Cpl.
Defense Counsel: If it would please Chandler under any special circum-
the court, I am merely trying to stances on June 6th last?
show that in a battle it's hard to Pfc. Glickman: Yes, sir.
determine who is shooting at whom. TJA: Under what circumstances?
President {after conferring with legal Pfc. Glickman: I saw him shoot Lt.
member): Objection overruled. Pro- Graham, sir.
ceed. TJA: Will you please describe the
Defense Counsel: Now, Sergeant, incident in your own words?
will you tell me how you could tell Pfc. Glickman: Well, about twenty
in the middle of a battle whether or thirty Nips had just launched
Cpl. Chandler was shooting at Lt. a counter-attack against our posi-
Graham or shooting at the enemy? tion. There was a lot of shooting
Sgt. Dunn : Well, sir, as second in com- going on and Lt. Graham was up
mand of the platoon I was helping in front trying to organize things.
Lt. Graham, and we were just try- Cpl. Chandler was about ten yards
how many men were
ing to find out behind him, and, well, he just took
left andwas checking up when I
I his. rifle and plugged him twice in
saw Cpl. Chandler shoot Lt. Gra- the head.
ham. TJA: Now, Glickman, perhaps the
Defense Counsel: And was there any Defense Counsel would like to
of the enemy standing near or in know how you happened to be
front of Lt. Graham at that time? looking at Cpl. Chandler.
Sgt. Dunn: No, sir. That's why it Pfc. Glickman: Well, sir, I was a
surprised me so. messenger for Lt. Graham and I
Defense Counsel: One more question, had a message for Cpl. Chandler
Sergeant. When you sent Cpl. which I was to tell him.
Chandler back to the aid station, TJA: And what was that message?
did he seem upset or at all like Pfc. Glickman: He was to take a
combat fatigue cases you have squad and try and divert the enemy
seen? from one flank.
Sgt. Dunn: No, sir. TJA: Isn't that rather dangerous?
Defense Counsel: The defense has no Pfc.Glickman: I wouldn't like to be
further questions. doing it.
9S ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
TJA: No further questions. President: Any questions, Defense
President: Has the defense any ques- Counsel?
tions ? Defense Counsel: No, sir.
Defense Counsel: Yes, sir. Glickman, (The witness was excused and Maj.
did you give that message to Cpl. Anthony BertelU O-xxxxxx was called
Chandler before or after the time to the stand, seated and sworn in. He
you said he shot Lt. Graham? gave his name, serial number, and unit
Pfc. Glickman: I never got a chance in prescribed fashion)
to give him the message, sir. TJA: Maj. Bertelli, what is your posi-
Defense Counsel: You mean he never tion with the XXth Station Hospi-
was actually told by you about this tal?
order? Maj. Bertelli: I am the psychiatrist.
Pfc. Glickman: That is right, sir. TJA: Have you ever had occasion to
Defense Counsel: No further ques- examine the defendant, Cpl. Robert
tions. Chandler?
President: The TJA will call his next Maj. Bertelli: Yes. He was brought
witness. in the afternoon of the 6th of June
TJA: My next witness is Capt. Wesley as a combat fatigue case.
Lane, the battalion surgeon. TJA: And what was your diagnosis?
{Capt. Wesley M. Lane O-xxxxxx was Maj. Bertelli: The man was perfectly
seated and sworn in and gave his name, normal.
serial number, and unit in prescribed TJA: Could he have been a combat
fashion) fatigue case a few hours before ?
TJA: Capt. Lane, did you see Cpl. Maj. I would say not.
Bertelli: If
Chandler on last June the 6th? that had been the case, he would
Capt. Lane: Yes. He reported into my still have shown some of the effects.
aid station in the late morning, TJA: Do other people come in that
and said he had been sent back for claim to be combat fatigue cases
combat fatigue. and are not ?
TJA: What did you do? Maj. BertelU: Yes. I've had quite a
Capt. Lane: I examined him and sent bit of experience with these cases.

him back to the Station Hospital. TJA: No further questions.

TJA: In your opinion, what was his President: Defense Counsel?
condition? Defense Counsel: Yes, sir. Maj.
Defense Counsel: Objection. Unless Bertelli,where did you get the ex-
Capt. Lane can show he is a quali- perience which qualifies you as a
he has no right
fied psychiatrist, psychiatrist?
to give an opinion on a man's Maj. Bertelli: I was a psychiatrist at
mental condition. the Medical Center in New York
President: Objection sustained. for twelve years.

TJA; No further questions. Defense Counsel: How, Major, are

 SUBJECT TO REVIEW 99

you able to remember this maa Defense Counsel: Do you know of an)
and what day he came into your reason he would have to kill Lt.
hospital? Graham?
Maj. Bertelli: We keep records of all Capt. Brown: No, sir.

incoming patients. Defense Counsel: Do you think he

Defense Counsel: Couldn't some killed Lt. Graham?
other man come in and give Cpl. TJA: Objection. The witness's state-
Chandler's name? ment would be just one of opinion,
Maj. Bertelli: No. In this type of hot of fact.
case we check the man's dog tags. President: Objection sustained.
Defense Counsel: That's all. Defense Counsel: I have no further
TJA: I have one more question. Maj. questions.
Bertelli, is it not true that your TJA: I have a question. Capt. Brown,
testimony in previous court-martial is it not true that you signed the
cases has been used in determining charges against this man?
whether a man is really mentally Capt. Brown: Yes, sir.
ill or whether he is a malingerer? TJA: Why did you do that?
Maj. Bertelli: That is correct. Capt. Brown: It was my duty as
TJA: Maj. Bertelli is our last witness. company commander to report
We rest our case. these matters that had been brought
President: The defense will proceed to my attention.
with its case. TJA: That is all.

Defense Counsel: As its first witness, President: If there are no further

the Defense will call Capt. Mark questions, the witness may be ex-
Brown, the company commander cused. Defense Counsel, have you
of the defendant. any other witnesses?
{Capt. Marl{ Broum O-xxxxxx was Defense Counsel: Yes, sir, I have one
seated and sworn inand gave his name, Other witness, Cpl. Joseph Bragan.
serial number, and unit in prescribed . {Cpl. Joseph Bragan jxxxxxxx was
fashion) * called to the stand, seated and sworn in,
Defense Counsel: Capt. Brown, are and gave his name, serial number, and
you acquainted with the defendant? unit in prescribed fashion)
Capt. Brown: I am, sir. Defense Counsel: Cpl. Bragan, I am
Defense Counsel: What is your per- going to read part of a citation
sonal opinion of Cpl. Chandler? that Cpl. Chandler received ac-
Capt. Brown: Sir, I would rate him companying an award for the Silver
one of the best soldiers in my com- Star. "On 1 1 April 45, Cpl. Chan-
pany. He was alert and obedient; dler volunteered along with seven
he was very courageous. He carried other men to lead a patrol out to
out orders effectively and prompt- reconnoiter a Japanese strong point
in a neighboring village. On reach-
100 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
ing the village, he found that ap- when they called for volunteers,
proximately one battalion of Japa- these all had to be below the rank

nese were located there. Cpl. Chan- of Cpl. Chandler.

dler, incompliance with his orders, Defense Counsel: Are you aware,
attempted to enter the village, but Corporal, that Lt. Graham and
rinding how strongly it was de- Cpl. Chandler were close Iriends?
fended, he quickly withdrew his Cpl. Bragan: Yes, sir. We all knew
men to a group of trees outside the that.
village. When Japanese forces came Defense Counsel: Does it not seem
out in an attempt to capture him plausible that Lt. Graham may
and his men, he kept the latter well have changed that report in order
concealed, and by the use of a light to divert suspicion from himself in
machine gun and an automatic rifle sending his best friend on a pos-
managed to keep the enemy patrol sibly fatal mission?
from coming into the woods. That TJA: Objection. That is pure con-
night, because two of his men were jecture.
wounded and unable to withdraw, President: Objection sustained.
he and his other men remained Defense Counsel: I merely wished to
and beat off attacks by stronger point out that the irregularity of
forces the following day. That changing the report would seem to
night, one of the men died, and he indicate that Lt. Graham may have
removed the other one, returning wished his friend to be killed, in
company area and providing
to his which case Cpl. Chandler may have
valuable intelligence data about the acted in self-defense.
defenses of the village, Cpl. Chan- TJA: I would point out to the Coun-

dler obtained this information at sel for the Defense that an equally
great danger to his own personal plausible interpretation is that Lt.
safety . .
." Now, Cpl. Bragan, Graham changed the report to
did you submit this story? read volunteered in order to put
Cpl. Bragan: 1 did, sir. his friend in an even more favor-
Defense Counsel: And was it in ac- able light.
cordance with the true facts? President: Since motive has not been
Cpl. Bragan: Well, yes, sir, as I sub- proved, nothing is gained by these
mitted it. But in my report I said conjectures. You will proceed with
Cpl. Chandler was ordered to lead the case.
the patrol. Lt. Graham must have Defense Counsel: That is all I have.
changed it. My case rests.
Defense Counsel: Are you sure, Cpl. President: Has the TJA any questions?
Bragan, that Cpl. Chandler was TJA: No, sir.

ordered to lead the patrol? Maj. Bell: Before we conclude the

Cpl. Bragan: Yes, sir, I am, because testimony, as a member of the
 SUBJECT TO REVIEW ton

court I would like to ask Capt. and that it was not motivated by
Brown one question. combat fatigue or some other men-
President: Capt. Brown will return tal disorder. I therefore ask
the
to the stand. You are reminded, court to impose upon Cpl. Chan-
Captain, that you are still under dler themaximum sentence for this
oath. offense —the death penalty.
Maj. Brown, is a mission
Bell: Capt. Defense Counsel: I deny that the
like the one just mentioned ordi- defendant has been proved guilty
narily done by order or on a volun- of a planned and premeditated
teer basis? murder. In the first place, no mo-
Capt. Brown: Ordinarily we call for tive has been discovered. In the
volunteers, sir. second place, the testimony of the
Maj. Bell: Had you not been ap- two witnesses is definitely open to
prised by G-2 that this was a job question since their observations
for a whole platoon? took place in the heat of battle —
Capt. Brown: I had, sir, and I'd during which time it is unlikely
passedon that information to Lt. they could accurately determine
Graham. the defendant's actions, and during
Maj. Bell: Why, then, did only eight which time no one has testified as
men perform the mission? to their mental condition. Thirdly,
Capt. Brown: I don't know, sir, but I ask you to consider the defend-
as the mission was accomplished, I ant's reputation and record, and
didn't question it. ask yourselves if such a man would
Maj. Bell: That's all. cold-bloodedly and for no reason
President: Are there any further shoot down his superior officer and
questions? (No answer) Defense best friend.
Counsel, has the defendant been President: Is there any rebuttal?
advised of his rights to testify? TJA: No, sir.

Defense Counsel: He has, sir, and he (At this point the court was cleared.
has nothing to say. After thirty-jive minutes, the defendant
President: TJA, proceed with your was called in. He was thereupon pro-
argument. nounced guilty and sentenced to death
TJA: Mr. President, other members subject to the approval of t/te Secretary
of the court, I believe we have of War)
proved without a doubt that Cpl.
Chandler deliberately shot and SUBJECT: Case of Cpl. Robert
killed his commanding officer, Lt. Chandler 3xxxxxxx
Graham. Two witnesses have testi- TO: The Inspector General
fied clearly to that fact. In addition Attached is the file on Cpl. Chandler's
we have shown was a
that this case. This has not only aroused much
planned and premeditated murder, public interest, but the President has
 :

102 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

received a letter from the corporal's Enclosure
mother. The President reviewed the 1412 Lukens Blvd.
case and suggests that before we pro- Oakland, Calif.
ceed with carrying out the sentence May 31, 1945
we make every effort "to establish a Lt. Lee Graham O-xxxxxxxx
motive for the crime. APO #xx, c/o Postmaster
It is therefore ordered that you send Dearest Lee —
someone to Okinawa to find out what My darling, I feel as though I can't
possible reason Cpl. Chandler may stand not seeing you — how is it

have had for murdering Lt. Graham. possible to love anyone as much as I
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx love you and live apart? If anything
Secretary of War happened to yon I couldn't go on.
30 Sept 45 My dear, I'm going crazy if some-
i * 9
thing doesn't happen soon. How
SUBJECT: Report on the Chandler could our plans for the mission have
Case misfired ?

TO: The Inspector General Dearest, don't worry about what

A month's investigation proved al- we're doing. It isn't easy for me
most fruitless. I talked with many peo- either. But the one fine and beautiful
ple, including Chandler, but was un- thing in my life is you, and once this
able to find the slightest clue as to is all over nothing can keep us apart.

why Chandler may have wanted to Nothing is as big or as sure as my love

kill Graham. for you, and nothing so important as
Among other people I talked to was yours for me. What else is there in
the battalion chaplain. He was very this crazy world?
reluctant to talk, so much so that it Do you think Bob could be suspi-
was apparent to me that he knew cious? His mother may know some-
something of importance about the thing, and he believes everything she
affair. Finally, I persuaded him to says. He doesn't seem to want to give
give me the enclosed letter which he me the money. He mustn't find out
had shown me in the greatest con- about us. Can't you send him on an-
fidence. other mission —
or think of some
I think you will agree with me that other way?
this letter, found among Graham's It isn't wrong, my darling, believe
personal effects, may change the me. It's right and inevitable. You
whole aspect of the case. must have courage —
you must act
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx soon!
Colonel IGD I love you always,
28 Oct 45 Verne
*. \#
 In 1920 John Leslie Palmer, dramatic critic and editor, joined the Perma-
nent Secretariat of the League of Nations, at Geneva. Tlie Secretariat,
unhappily, proved far from Permanent. But Mr. Palmer met another
member of the Secretariat, a famous man- about- continent bearing
one of the most distinguished English-sounding names we have ever heard
outside a "serious" novel —
Hilary Aidan St. George Saunders. (And
that reminds us, quite irrelevantly, that Robert Louis Stevenson, who
had an exceptional fair for lc nom juste, once wrote to Sir James M.
Barrie that Stevenson s uncle "has simply the finest name in the world,
Ramsay Traquair") Anyway, Messrs. Palmer and Saunders discovered
that they had many things in common, besides wording for the League
of Nations: they were both Oxford men; they both had literary leanings;
and they both had a particular weakness for "full-blooded, high-sounding
and richly melodramatic carryings-on."
In a phrase, they both liked detective stories. Thus was born the pseu-
donym of "Francis Beeding," and under that name Messrs. Saunders
and Palmer have produced "many superior mystery novels" includ- —
ing death walks in eastrepps (which Vincent Starrett has ranked
as" one ofthe ten greatest detective novels"}, the house of dr. edwardes
{which has more than once been the basis of a moving picture), and that
series of books with the most ambitious of all continuity-titles, the one
SANE MAN, THE TWO UNDERTAKERS, THE THREE FISHERS, THE FOUR
ARMOURERS, THE FIVE FLAMBOYS, THE SIX PROUD WALKERS, THE
seven sleepers, and ad (we fervently hope) infinitum.
And now we give you Francis Beeding's finest performance in the
short story field —the pathetic tale of Bert Fliggins, an innocent man,
waiting in the death house for a last-minute reprieve. You will find an
Ambrose Bierce quality in the story, too; indeed, though we do not know
what English prison Francis Beeding had in mind, the story might have
been called "An Occurrence at Pentonville."

CONDEMNED!
by FRANCIS BEEDING

Bert higgins pulled on his trousers condemned cell, but dark. There was
> and looked round for his collar a fire in the grateand that, in itself,
and tie. was a luxury to which Bert Higgins
It was quite comfortable in the was not accustomed.
From Mystery Magazine, copyright, 1935, by Tower Magazines, Inc.

"3
IO4. ELLERY QUEEN S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
These were his own clothes — the ownin' I feel a bit peckish. Could they
double-breasted blue serge suit in run to a steak and chips, d'ye think?"
which he had been tried. They had Joe looked at him a moment.
taken it away from him after sentence "I'll see what we can do, mate," he
and given him prison clothes. But answered and went to the little trap
today they had given it back to him. in the door which he slid back, saying
This meant, of course, that the re- a word to someone outside.
prieve had come at last. It must have "It will be along in ten minutes,"
arrived during the night. But he he announced, turning away from the
could not go out into the street, door.
reprieve or no reprieve, without a "That's prime," said Bert. "Got a
collar and tie. fag about you, Joe?"
"Collar," he said, "where's my col- Warder Joe silently produced a
lar, Joe?" packet of Gold Flakes. Bert lit up,
foe was a nice fellow —
nicer than and bent to lace his boots.
the other warder, Mike. Why didn't they hurry up with
Joe turned away, a little awkwardly, that reprieve? It was cruel to keep a
and stared at the window which, fellow waiting. Suppose, for example,
since it was of frosted glass, was not he had been one of those nervous
of much use as a peep-show. chaps. He would be carrying on
"You won't be needin' them," he something dreadful now, imagining
said. things. It was past eight o'clock al-
"Not needin' them?" Bert began ready —
not quite another hour to
to protest. run.
Then he stopped and smiled. He hadn't done
Bert smiled again.
Joe, of course, was under a false it. Theycouldn't hang him because
impression. Joe believed that he, Bert he hadn't done it. The reprieve was
Higgins, was going to be hanged. bound to come.
That, however, was absurd. It simply Mechanically he put on his vest.
wasn't done. Only criminals were What would he do first, on leaving the
hanged. He was not a criminal. He prison? It was no use going home.
was innocent. He hadn't done it and Amy was dead. That was the only
a man was never hanged if he hadn't thing that had really troubled him at
done it. all through the business of the trial
"Anything you fancy for breakfast, — a much worse thing than anything
Bert?" that had happened since his arrest,
It was Joe speaking. He had a face much worse than when the old geezer
as long yard measure. Bert, in
as a in the wig and red robes had put that
his superior knowledge of English sillybit of black cloth on his nap-
justice, smiled at him reassuringly. per and told him he was going to be
"Breakfast," he said. "I don't mind hanged by the neck.
 CONDEMNED 1 I0 5

There was no getting over it. He biggest black eye you ever saw had
loved Amy. Always had. And he begun to sprout where the saucepan
would miss her cruel. It wasn't her had hit him. But when Amy had seen
fault if she was a bit flighty. She it next day she had cried and kissed
could not help being flighty any more him and gone out and got a bit of
than he could help having his pint and meat to put on his eye. And he had
then some more at the Goat and Com- said they ought to eat it and they had
pcsses. Besides, there had never been laughed together. Quick-tempered
anything wrong, really. Not what you Amy was . had been.
. .

would call wrong. And naturally, A sob rose in his throat, but he
with her that pretty, she had her gulped it down and at that moment
temptations. the door of the cell opened.
Pretty, indeed. Amy was lovely, It was Mike with the breakfast.
like a rose from Covent Garden, a Bert sat down and began to peg
whole bunch of roses. That parson away. But his mind was not on the
chap who had married them had said food though the steak tasted good.
he had never seen a 'andsomer couple, He had started to think again of his
and as this thought passed through final quarrel with Amy, not about
his mind, Bert stopped in front of George, this time, but something
the mirror and began, with great care quite silly —the sort of thing people
and a comb wetted in the basin, to quarrel about in music halls. He
arrange his hair. couldn't even remember what it was.
He had won Amy, won her fair Yet he would never forget that Sat-
and square, from the lot of them — urday evening as long as he lived —
including George, who would soon be not as long as he lived.
standing where he, Bert Higgins, Well, he was only twenty-four.
stood that day. For George had done No reason why he should not Uve till
it and there would be no reprieve for seventy — after the reprieve.
George. Amy had been violent again and
George had begun by taking them he had raised his hand, but he hadn't
out, both of them, to the pictures and meant to strike her. This time she
to a little fish and chips afterwards. had thrown the coffee-pot. But it had
So it had gone on till one day he missed him and hit the wall and made
had come back from looking for a a hell of a clatter. And he turned on
job of work to find George and Amy his heel and walked straight out into
in the parlor together. Sitting on the the fog.
sofa, they were, and there had been That was the first misfortune. No
words with Amy about it that eve- one had seen him leaving the house.
ning and Amy had been saucy and He had made his way to the Goat
he had smacked her face and she had and Compasses. But it had taken him
thrown the saucepan at him, and the some time, for the fog had been so
106 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
thick. There he had taken a drink back. Old Green had sworn to having
and what with one thing and another heard several such rows before. He
. . .well, he had taken several drinks had testified in court that Amy and
and his pal, Harry, being sympathetic, Bert Higgins were on bad terms with
had poured gin in his beer and sug- each other, which was a lie. He had
gested he should go home and give always been on the best of terms with
Amy a good walloping. Amy. Bad terms, indeed!
"Bert," he had said, "what she Nobody had seen George enter
wants is a firm 'and." or leave the house. But that was
So he had started back home only because of the fog. George, of
meaning to give Amy what she course, must have come along while
wanted. But it had taken him half an he was at the Goat and Compasses.
hour to get home. It was George who had sloshed Amy
Half an hour to go from the Goat with the beer bottle. Wasn't he em-
and Compasses to West bury Terrace ployed by a brewery? But that pros-
when it was only five minutes' walk. ecutin' fellow had pointed out that
Nobody, of course, believed it — you could get a bottle of Bishop's ale
least of all that nasty little man with anywhere and that there were several
the twitching nose who had con- bottles of it in Bert's own kitchen.
ducted the prosecution. George must have had a row with
Yet what could have been more Amy, the same as he had. But while
natural? He had just wandered round he had only hit her with his hand,
the street for half an hour making up George had sloshed her with a bottle.
his mind to go in and wallop Amy. That was what had happened, but
And then, when at last he had gone he couldn't prove it and George had
in. . . . dug up an old sweetheart who had
Bert pushed away his unfinished sworn he had been with her at the
cup of tea. He suddenly felt he did time and that was what they called
not want any more breakfast. He still an alibi.
saw Amy lying there, in the bedroom There came a knock at the door
upstairs, with her head all cut open and Warder Joe crossed the cell.
and a broken beer bottle lying on the "Chaplain to see you, mate," he
floor. He would remember that to his announced.
dying day ... his dying day. "Not for me," said Bert. "'E'll
He had picked up the bottle and at only talk to me about a future life
that moment the coppers had come. and this one's good enough for me."
Old Green from next door brought Bert spent the next quarter of an
them. Old Green heard the row ear- hour walking up and down his cell.
lier in the evening and he hadn't seen They were cutting things rather fine
the prisoner —
that was him Bert — with the reprieve. But those govern-
Higgins — leave the house or come ment chaps were always like that.
 condemned! 107

Look atthe clerks at the Labor Ex- brought to a halt. At the same mo-
change. It took you hours to draw the ment something was slipped over his
dole. Lack of organization, that's head.
what it was. It rasped his neck as it settled
Iiut here, at last, was the governor. on his shoulders and a hard lump sat
Chap in gray with a white mustache. uncomfortably to the left under-
Behind him were three men in dark neath his chin.
clothes. Two of them had their " 'Ere," protested Bert Higgins for
hands behind their backs as though the third time.
they were hiding something. Behind The hands which had touched
thetn again was the chaplain. There him, moved away. He was suddenly
was no getting away from these par- alone. . . .

sons. Footsteps sounded somewhere. A

"Put your hands behind your back, door creaked. A voice cried out
please." sharply in the darkness.
It was one of the men in dark "Here you are, Governor. Straight
clothes speaking. Warder foe stood from the Home Secretary."
at his elbow. Somebody seized his There was a crackle of paper. The
arms firmly above the elbows. Some- Governor was saying something.
thing tight was pressing against them Bert Higgins breathed a sigh of re-
and he found suddenly that they lief.They had cut it pretty fine but
had been strapped behind him. An- this was just what he had expected.
other of the men in dark clothes was Yes, that was right. They were
slipping something over his head, untying his arms. The woolen bag
something woolly, a woolen bag. was pulled from his face and there
" 'Ere," protested Bert Higgins. stood the Governor smiling at him.
But they had pulled it right down "A narrow squeak," the Governor
to his neck and he could not see and was saying. "But the reprieve has
his protest was stifled. But he could come at last. George Butterworth
hear all right.The chaplain was at was arrested early this morning."
him now. "And may God have mercy on his
"I am the Resurrection and the soul," said Bert Higgins, as he fol-
Life, saith the Lord.He that believ- lowed the Governor from the cell.
eth in me, though he be dead, yet Could they be at the prison gates
shallhe live." already?
" 'Ere," Bert protested again. "Here they arc, mate," said Joe
But no one answered him. He felt and Bert Higgins perceived that the
himself being pushed firmly forward. warder was offering him a collar and
His feet touched stone as he walked, tie.

then wood. The wood quivered a lit- But first he must shake hands with
tle beneath his feet and he was the Governor.
108 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
"Goodbye, Higgins," said the Gov- familiar street but his feet dragged
ernor. him forward.
"So long, Guv-ner." There stood the door, same as ever,
It was raining as usual and the a dirty green. It hadn't had a spot of
streets were sombre and gray. That paint on it for years.
was a tram. It was fading with a But the steps were nice and white.
noise of bells, into the fog. liert Hig- Who could have cleaned them, now
gins ran after it. His legs were heavy Amy was gone. He pushed open the
and reluctant, but by a supreme ef- door and entered the hall. A light
fort he jumped on board and found a shone from the kitchen and someone
place. was standing at the wooden table. It
He sat in the train. Time passed. was a woman and her back was
He was being carried quite a long turned to him. She stood at the table
way and suddenly he perceived that with a rolling pin in her hand, roll-
the tram was empty. The conductor, ing , . . rolling.
wearing a mackintosh cape, loomed The woman turned and looked at
in from the fog. him. She was all in white ... in her
"Terminus, mate," he said. "Tram wedding dress, and there was flour
don't go no further." on her forearms.
Bert Higgins left the tram. The "Hello, Bert," said Amy, "thought
streets were very dark and the fog you was never comin'."
was thickening. But Bert could see
quite clearly where he was. That was "Yes, Mr. Coroner," said the
West: bury Terrace. Why had he come prison doctor, "death was practically
to Wcstbury Terrace? Force of habit, instantaneous* The pulse had already
he supposed. Was the house still ceased to beat when I reached the
empty or had it a new tenant? He body. The man was dead before he
did not waut to walk down that knew it."
 oCeaueS from lite Editors' YJotebooh

QUEEN'S QUORUM: Part Two

by ELLERY QUEEN

WVV7™ N bom, Man came first and Woman second. God

tne world was
When the detective in fiction was born, Man again
so ordained.
—
came first and Woman second so Man himself ordained. If we think of
Poe's Dupin as the Adam of story-book sleuths, who is the Eve? The Lord
said: "It is not good that the man should be alone;. I will make him a help
meet for him." And out of the man's rib made He a woman and so it —
came to pass in fictional ferretry. A full twenty years after the creation of
Dupin an unknown writer brought forth the first detectivette, and so
shrouded in mystery is her origin that we still have only tentative data on
her nativity. We do know that

5. "Anonyma's"
THE EXPERIENCES OF A LADY
DETECTIVE
London:? Charles H. Clarke, 1861
actually exists as a book, but we have never set eyes on a copy of it. A
sequel was published three years later titled revelations of a lady
detective (London: George Vickers, 1864) and from this second series we
learn that Mrs. Paschal, the first petticoated policeman, embarked (using
her own words) in a career at once strange, exciting, and mysterious when
her husband died suddenly, leaving her badly off. An offer (still quoting the
lady herself) was made to her through a peculiar channel. She accepted with-
out hesitation, and became one of the much-dreaded, but little- known peo-
ple called Female Detectives, at the time she was verging on forty (even in
the literature of detection Life Begins At Forty). Mrs. Paschal 's brain, she
tells us, was vigorous and subtle; she was well born and well educated, so
that, like an accomplished actress, she could play her part in any drama
with nerve and strength, cunning and confidence, and resources unlimited
. . That was nearly a hundred years ago: women have not changed
.
—
in real life or in fiction.
In 1862 Thomas Bailey Aldrich made a curious and interesting contribu-
tion to the detective short story — a contribution which today is com-
Original version of "Queen's Quorum" from Twentieth Century Detective Stories, edited
by Eliery Queen. Copyright, igqS, by The World Publishing Company.
109
110 ELLERY QUEERS MYSTERY MAGAZINE
unhonored and unsung, for the simple reason
pletely that it is so completely
unknown, and consequently unread. In
6. Thomas Bailey Aldrich's
OUT OF HIS HEAD
New York: Carleton, 1862

Chapters XI through XIV (titled The Danseuse, A Mystery, Thou Art the
Man, and Paul's Confession) constitute a detective short story of approxi-
mately 5000 words. This excerpt from Aldrich's novelette reveals the
author's enormous debt to Poe: the style, although retaining Aldrich's
cameo-cut phrasing, clearly shows the influence of Poe, and the general plot
derives just as clearly from The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Yet, in the
character of his detective, Paul Lyndc ("It is a way of mine to put this and
that together!"), and in the specific construction of the plot, Aldrich adds
at least three significant points of development to the detective story: one.
he created the first variation-solution to Poe's basic conception of the
"locked room" mystery; two, he carried on Poe's tradition of an eccentric
sleuth, but Aldrich pushed the characterization to the absolute extreme —
for Aldrich's detective is not merely an eccentric, he is a madman; three,
Aldrich wrote what is probably the earliest example of a detective story in
which the protagonist is not only the detective but also the murderer, in the
sense that the detective himself is responsible for the murder having been
committed. Add to these developments of technique the fact that Aldrich's
out of his head contains the first detective story written by an American
to appear in book form after the publication of Poe's tall tales —
the first
in seventeen long and barren years! —
and recognition, however belated,
must be accorded to the historical importance of Aldrich's "unknown"
experiment.
Thus far our cornerstones stick closely to the pure detective story, which
is composed of three essential ingredients: first, a detective story must con-

tain a detective who detects; second, the detective should be the protago-
nist; and third, the detective should almost invariably triumph —
that is,
he (or she) should unmask the murderer, catch the thief, snare the swindler,
or thwart the blackmailer. But what of the crook story in which a criminal
is the principal character and in which the criminal outwits the forces of law

and order?
The antihero, representing "detection in reverse," has not yet cracked
open his (or her) eggshell in the short form —
he is still germinating; but
even the detective world was so made that certain signs come before certain
events. The first important foreshadowing of crime-in- the-ascendancy in
the short story is
 queen's quorum III

7. Mark Twain's
THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG
OF CALAVERAS COUNTY
New York: C. H. Webb, 1867
This acknowledged classic of legend and folklore is an early example of the
confidence game in fiction. If this statement surprises you, reread Mark
Twain's tale of trickery and ask yourself: When the slick stranger filled
Jim Smiley's frog, Dan'l Webster, full of quail-shot, wasn't he really playing
the con?
It is time now for France to make its first significant contribution to the
detective short story, and it is only literary justice that le premier pas be
taken by the first great French master of the detective story. In
*
8, Emile Gaboriau's
LE PETIT VIEUX DES BATIGNOLLES
(the little old man of batignolles)
Paris: E.Dentu, 1876
London: Vizetelly, 1884

the title story is a novelette about detective Mechinet; but the book also
contains a short story titled Missing] in which the "famous" detective
Rctiveau, nicknamed Maltre Magloire, investigates the disappearance of
Theodore Jandidier, an honorable manufacturer of the Rue du Roi de Sicile.
This historically important short story is a typical Gaboriau murder-novel
in miniature —
longwinded for modern taste but full of French flavor,
Gallic gusto, and ratiocinative realism. Quotations from the story reveal the
Gaboriau touch: for example, when it is learned that M. Jandidier has
"vanished, evaporated," we are told that alarm spreads and that prudent
people invest money in sword sticks and revolvers; detective Magloire is
described as "a man of no little energy, and a fervent believer in the value
of time ... his alacrity was proverbial"; the chief suspect is a character
named Jules Tarot —
"a mother-of-pearl worker ... he polishes the
shells, and is most skilful in imparting the proper nacreous iridescence";
there is that delicious detectival moment, so dear to the hearts of classicists,
when "all the drawers were turned out, and all the cupboards carefully
explored," when Magloire "ferreted in every nook and corner, ripped up
the mattresses and pillows on the bed, tried the stuffing of the chairs, but all
to no avail .nothing suspicious could be found"; that even more
. .

nostalgic moment when, anticipating Sherlock Holmes, the detective mut-

ters: "It's singular"; that "unexpected" denouement when the man of
severe morality is exposed as a gambler on the Bourse, when the virtuous
husband is revealed to have kept a mistress.
112 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
Ah, the glory that was gore and the grandeur that was gruc! Even the
translator's footnote has its criminological charm: "It should be remem-

bered that a very large number of Parisian doorkeepers or concierges are

secret agents of the Prefecture de Police." And finally, to fill our cup of
bloodhound bliss, the detective admits his failure, consults the great Mon-
sieur Lecoq himself, and is put on the right track. And yet, in all these now-
hackneyed devices, glitter the truly historic moments in detective-story
history.
In England, at this time, a writer using the pen-name of James M'Govan
began to achieve an impressive popularity; his books ran into umpteenth
Today his pseudonym is known only to a select coterie of enthu-
editions.
and first editions of his work are unheard-of. Our own copy of
siasts,

9. fames M'Govan's
BROUGHT TO BAY
Edinburgh: John Menzies, 1878

bears a full-page inscription in which M'Govan reveals his true identity —

probably the only time he admitted authorship of the M'Govan stories in
writing or in print. The inscription reads: To David L. Cromb this collec-
tion of good lies is given by the author, Wm C. Honcyman. According to
Mr. Cromb, an English literary agent, "M'Govan" was a little, bandy-
legged man, with a black spade beard; he invariably wore a velvet jacket;
his chief interest in life was playing the violin and he was rarely seen without
his violin case; his house in Newport-on-Tay was actually named Cremona.
Indeed, truth is often stranger than fiction: Isn't that a perfect description
of the typically eccentric stock-detective-character?
It is interesting to note in passing that the brilliant George Bernard Shaw
wrote his first and only detective story in 1879 — eight years before Sher-
lock Holmes made his debut in print. According to F. E. Loewenstein's letter
in "John O' London's Weekly," issue of November 16, 1945, the story was
titled The Brand of Cain, and its plot was based on the scientifically accurate
fact that a photograph sometimes reveals marks on the skin that are invisible
to the naked eye: small-pox pustules, for example, before the eruptions be-
come visible. In the story a woman has murdered her husband. During the
struggle the husband has struck his wife in the face with a brand which he
had been heating in order to stamp his monogram. The wife manages to
obliterate the mark before the police see it, thus saving herself from arrest.
Later, however, she is persuaded by a photographer to sit for a portrait,
and in the dark-room the photographer finds an unaccountable mark on
the negative. The mark is identified eventually as "the brand of Cain."
The publishing history of this tale is almost impossible to credit, in view
 QUEEN*S quorum
of Bernard Shaw's gigantic present-day reputation. He submitted the story
in 1879 to the six top British magazines of the time, including "The Corn-
hill," "Blackwood's," and "Chambers's Edinburgh Journal." They all
declined with thanks. Four years later, the story still unsold, Mr. Shaw
sent the only copy of the manuscript to Hawkes & Phipps, a Birmingham
firm of stereotype founders who supplied ready-set columns for the Press.
Nothing further was heard, and when Mr. Shaw inquired in January 1884,
he was informed by Hawkes & Phipps that they knew nothing of such a
manuscript, and to this day no trace of the manuscript lias been found —
not since that prc-Shcrlockian day more than half a century ago.
In America, at this time, the lush period of our Dime Novel was in full
flower. George Munro had started publishing the first Dime Novel detective
series in 1872 —Old Sleuth Library; Old Cap Collier was soon to make his
bow, in 1883, "piping" the New Haven Mystery; and less than a decade
later Nick Carter was to begin one of the longest crime-crushing careers in
history. Between 1870 and 1910 more than six thousand different detective
Dime Novels were published in the United States, but less than a score of
them were books of short stories. The earliest one
10. DETECTIVE SKETCHES
[By A New York Detective]
New York: Frank Tousey, April 2, 1881
deserves cornerstone recognition. And while such stalwart manhunters as
Clark, Sharp, Old King Brady, and Felix Boyd were flourishing, the female
of the species was slowly organizing, fighting for equal sleuthian rights.
Between the Dime Novel pictorial wrappers appeared occasional capers of
Lady Bess, Lizzie Lasher (The Red Weasel), and Lucilla Lynx. The Ellery
Queen collection contains all the known books of Dime Novel shorts,
secured for us by our good friend Charles Bragin, the foremost authority
on and collector of Dime Novels. Mr. Bragin was the "secret agent" for
Franklin D. Roosevelt, who also collected certain types of Dime Novels.
When Mr. Bragin purchased a miscellaneous lot of Dime Novels, at auction
or out of some dusty attic, he usually gave President Roosevelt first choice
of the Dime Novels he wanted, and EUcry Queen first choice of the short
stories. It is doubtful if President Roosevelt was ever aware that Ellery
Queen shared some of his most precious "finds" in this field.
The next key book is one of the most famous works in English literature.
Who among us, with even a spark of boyhood in his heart, will ever forget
The Suicide Club or The Pavilion on the Links* in
*Conan Doyle considered The Pavilion on the Links "the very model of dramatic
narrative."
114 ELLER.Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
11. Robert Louis Stevenson's
NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS
London: Chatto & Windus, 1882
Stevenson fused ferreting and fantasy; he revealed roguery through the rose-
colored reflector of romance. Yet it was Stevenson's genius to be a ro-
manticist with feet of realism. As early as 1892 Stevenson saw the hand-
writing on the wall so far as the future of the detective story was concerned;
in collaboration with Lloyd .Osbourne he wrote: "We had long been at
once attracted and repelled by the police novel or mystery story,
. . .

which consists in beginning your yarn anywhere but at the beginning, and
finishing it anywhere but at the end; attracted by the peculiar diffi-
. . .

culties that attend its execution; repelled by that appearance of insincerity

and shallowness of tone, which seem its inevitable drawback. For the mind
of the reader receives no impression of reality or life, rather of an
. . .

airless, elaborate mechanism ... If the tale were gradually approached,

some of the characters introduced (as it were) beforehand, and the book
started in the tone of a novel of manners and experience briefly treated, this
defect might be lessened and our mystery seem to inhere in life." This
remarkable prescience (and omniscience) more than fifty years agol
Two years after new Arabian nights, there appeared in book form a
literary riddle whose fame has increased steadily with the passing years.
This tale of pure mystery
12. Frank R. Stockton's
THE LADY, OR THE TIGER?
New York: Charles Scribncr, 1884
has no detective in the story, but there are countless detectives outside the
story — all created by the author's last sentence which reads: "And so I
leave it with all of you: Which came out of the opened door, —
the lady,
or the tiger?" This question has transformed every reader (literally millions
since 1884) into an Armchair Detective. It is interesting to record, how-
ever, that no satisfactory solution of the problem has ever been advanced*
The second most famous literary puzzle is without doubt Cleveland
MofTett'sthe mysterious card. This short story, the theme of which has
been rewritten by dozens of authors since, first appeared in the Boston
* This statement is no longer true. Jack Moffitt submitted a short story called The Lady
and the Tiger to the Third Annual Detective Short Story Contest sponsored by "Ellcry
Queen's Mystery Magazine," and won a Special Prize for the Best Tour de Force. Mr.
Moffitt's solution to the most famous of literary riddles is positively brilliant; it appeared
in the September 1948 issue of EQMM, and later in the queen's awards, 1948 (Boston:
Little, Brown, 1948).
 queen's quorum ii 5
magazine, "The Black Cat," February 1896; it was published in book form
by Small, Maynard of Boston some time between 1896 and 1912 —
the exact
year is unknown, even the Library of Congress having no date on record.
One version of "the mysterious card" theme has eluded our most per-
sistent book researches. It tells how a sailor on shore leave finds a piece of
paper with unfamiliar words on it in a foreign language. The sailor takes it to
various people for translation, but in each instance the person consulted
refuses to divulge the meaning of the words and instead beats up, kicks, and
otherwise abuses the poor sailor. Finally the sailor returns to his ship, the
riddle unsolved. On shipboard he meets an archeologist who, the sailor
thinks, might be able to satisfy his now uncontrollable curiosity. The sailor
approaches the man at the rail of the ship, relates the whole back history,
emphasizing his complete innocence. The archeologist agrees to translate the
words on the paper and, no matter what they may mean, not to hold the
sailor responsible. The sailor takes the slip of paper from his pocket and is
about to hand it to the archeologist when a sudden gust of wind lifts the
scrap from Ms hand and tosses it on the sea, where it immediately disappears
from sight. And thus the mystery remains unanswered forever.
{to be continued next month)

OUT OF HIS HEAD

by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH
I: The Danseuse flit so naturally in the air as to deceive
the most acute observers. The motion

The ensuing summer

North depressed by
I returned
the result
of the toy, the soft down and gorgeous
damask stains on the pinions, were
of my sojourn in New Orleans. It was declared quite perfect. The thing is
only by devoting myself, body and rusty and won't work now; I tried to
soul, tosome intricate pursuit that I set it going for Dr. Pendegrast, the
could dispel the gloom which threat- other day.
ened seriously to affect my health. A mannikin musician, playing a few
The Moon-Apparatus was insuffi- exquisite airs on a miniature piano,
cient to distract me. I turned my at- likewise excited much admiration.
tention to mechanism, and was suc- This figure bore such an absurd, un-
cessful in producing several wonderful intentional resemblance to a gentle-
pieces of work, among which may be man who has since distinguished him-
mentioned a brass butterfly, made to self as a pianist that I presented the
11(1 ELL ER Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
trifle to a lady admirer of Gotischalk. like a man who can hold his tongue.
I also became a taxidermist, and On the corner of Clarke and Cran-
stuffed a pet bird with springs and dall Streets in New York stands a
diminutive flutes, causing it to hop dingy brown frame-house. It is a very
and with great glee.
carol in its cage old house, as its obsolete style of struc-
But my masterpiece was a nimble ture would tell you. It has a morose,
white mouse, with pink eyes, that unhappy look, though once it must
could scamper up the walls, and KUU- have been a blithe mansion. I think
ticate bits of cheese in an extraordi- that houses, like human beings, ulti-
nary style. My chambermaid shrieked mately become dejected or cheerful,
and jumped up on a chair whenever I according to their experience. The
let the little fellow loose in her pres- very air of some front-doors tells
ence. One day, unhappily, the mouse, their history.
while nosing around after its favorite This house, I repeat, has a morose,
aliment, got snapped in a rat-trap unhappy look at present and is ten-
that yawned in the closet, and I was anted by an incalculable number of
never able to readjust the machinery. families, while a picturesque junk-
Engaged in these useful inventions shop is in full blast in the basement;
— useful, because no exercise of the but at the time of which I write it
human mind is ever in vain — my ex- was a second-rate boarding-place, of
istence fortwo or three years was so the more respectable sort, and rather
placid and uneventful,I began to hope largely patronized by poor, but hon-
that the shadows which had followed est, literary men, tragic-actors, mem-
on my path from childhood, making bers of the chorus, and such-like gilt
me unlike other men, had returned to people 4
that unknown world where they prop* Myapartments on Crandall Street
erly belong; but the Fates were only were opposite this building, to which
taking breath to work out more surely my attention was directed soon after
the problem of my destiny. I must taking possession of the rooms, by the
keep nothing back. I must extenuate discovery of the following facts:
nothing. Fint, that a charming lady lodged
I am about to lift the veil of mys- on the second-floor front, and sang
tery which, for nearly seven years, has like a canary every morning.
shrouded the story of Mary Ware; Second, that her name was Mary
and though I lay bare my own weak- Ware.
ness, or folly, or what you will, I do Third, that Mary Ware was a
not shrink from the unveiling. danseuse, and had two lovers — only
No hand but mine can now perform two.
the task.There was, indeed, a man Mary Ware was the leading lady
who might have done this better than at The Olympic. Night after night
I. But he went his way in silence. I found me in the parquette. I can
 OUT OF HIS HEAD 117

think of nothing with which to com- perhaps, is only an after-impression.

pare the airiness and utter abandon Every line of his countenance de-
of her dancing. She seemed a part of noted character; a certain capability,
the music. She was one of beauty's I mean, but whether for good or evil
best thoughts, then. Her glossy gold was not so plain. I should have called
hair reached down to her waist, shad- him handsome, but for a noticeable
ing one of those mobile faces which scar which ran at right angles across
remind you of Guido's picture of his mouth, giving him a sardonic ex-
Beatrix Cenci —
there was something pression when he smiled.
so freshand enchanting in the mouth. His frame might have set an anato-
Her luminous, almond eyes, looking mist wild with delight —
six feet two,
out winningly from under their droop- deep-chested, knitted with tendons of
ing fringes, were at once the delight steel. Not at all a fellow to amble on
and misery of young men. plush carpets.
Ah! you were distracting your in "Some day," thought I, as I saw
nights of triumph, when the bouquets him stride by the house, "he will
nestled about your elastic ankles, and throw the little Lieutenant out of that
the kissing of your castanets made the second-story window."
pulses leap; but I remember when you I cannot tell, to this hour, which of
layon your cheerless bed, in the blank those two men Mary Ware loved more
daylight, with the glory faded from — for I think she loved them both.
your brow, and "none so poor as to do A woman's heart was the insolvable
you reverence." charade with which the Sphinx nipped
Then I stooped down and kissed the Egyptians. I was never good at
you — but not till then. puzzles.
Mary Ware was to me a finer study The flirtation, however, was food
than her lovers. She had two, as I have enough for the whole neighborhood.
said. One of them was commonplace But faintly did the gossips dream of
enough —well-made, well-dressed, the strange drama that was being
shallow, flaccid. Nature, when she gets shaped out, as compactly as a tragedy
out of patience with her best works, of Sophocles, under their noses.
throws off such things by the gross, They were very industrious in tear-
instead of swearing. He was a Lieu- ing Mary Ware's good name to pieces.
tenant, in the navy I think. The gilt Some laughed at the gay Lieutenant,
button has charms to soothe the and some at Julius Kenneth; but they
savage breast. all amiably united in condemning

The other was a man of difFerent Mary Ware.

mould, and interested me in a man- This, possibly, was strictly proper,
ner for which I could not then ac- for Mary Ware was a woman; the
count. The first time I saw him did woman is always to blame in such
not seem like the first time. But this, cases; the man is hereditarily and con-
 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
stitutbnally in the right; the woman of perspiration stood on my forehead.
is born in the wrong. That is the I looked at my watch it was eleven
;

world's verdict, that is what Justice o'clock; I had overslept myself, hav-

says; but we should weigh the opinion ing sat up late the previous night.
of Justice with care, since she is repre- I dressed hastily and without wail-

sented, by poets and sculptors, not ing for breakfast pushed my way
satirically, I trust, as a blind Woman. through the murky crowd that had
It was so from the beginning. Was collected in front of the house oppo-
not the first lady of the world the site, and passed upstairs, unques-
cause of all our woe? I feel safe in tioned.
leaving it to a jury of gentle dames. When I entered the room, there
But from all such judges, had I a sister were six people present: a thick-set
on trial good Lord deliver her. gentleman, in black, with a bland pro-
This state of affairs had continued fessional air, a physician; two police-
for five or six months, when it was re- men ; Adelaide Woods, an actress;
ported that Julius Kenneth and Mary Mrs. Marston, the landlady; and
Ware were affianced. The Lieutenant Julius Kenneth.
was less frequently seen in Crandall In the centre of the chamber, on
Street, and Julius waited upon Mary's the bed, lay the body of Mary Ware
footsteps with the fidelity of a shadow. — as pale as Seneca's wife.
Mrs. Grundy was somewhat ap- I shall never forget it. The corpse

peased. haunted me for years afterwards, the

Yet — though Mary went to the dark streaks under the eyes, and the
Sunday concerts with Julius Kenneth, wavy hair streaming over the pillow
she still wore the Lieutenant's roses — the dead gold hair. I stood by her
in her bosom. for a moment, and turned down the
Mrs. Grundy said that. counterpane, which was drawn up
closely to the chin.
//; A Mystery
"There was that across her throat

One drizzly November morning — Which you had hardly cared to see."

how well I remember it! I was — At the head of the bed sat Julius
awakened by a series of nervous raps Kenneth, bending over the icy hand
on my bedroom door. The noise which he held in his own. He was
startled me from an unpleasant dream. kissing it.

"Oh, sir!" cried the chambermaid The gentleman in black was con-
on the landing. "There's been a dread- versing in undertones with Mrs.
ful time across the street. They've Marston, who every now and then
gone and killed Mary Ware!" glanced furtively toward Mary Ware.
"Ah!" The two policemen were examining
That was all I could say. Cold drops the doors, closets, and windows of the
 OUT OF HIS HEAD 119

apartment with, obviously, little suc- I understood his grief.

cess. After regaining my chamber, I sat
There was no fire in the air-tight listlessly forthree or four hours, gaz-
stove, but the place was suffocatingly ing into the grate. The twilight flitted
close. I opened a window, and leaned in from the street; but I did not heed
against the casement to get a breath it. A face among the coals fascinated
of fresh air. me. It came and went and came. Now
The physician approached me. I I saw a cavern hung with lurid stalac-

muttered something to him indis- tites; now a small Vesuvius vomiting

tinctly, for I was partly sick with the smoke and flame; now a bridge span-
peculiar mouldy smell that pervaded ning some tartarean gulf; then these
the room. crumbled, each in its turn, and from
"Yes," he began, scrutinizing me, out the heated fragments peered the
'

the affair looks very perplexing.

' one inevitable face.
Professional man, sir? No? Bless me! The Evening Mirror, of that day,
— beg pardon. Never in my life saw gave the following detailed report of
anything that looked so exceedingly the inquest:
like nothing. Thought, at first, 'twas "This morning, at eight o'clock,
a clear case of suicide —
door locked, Mary Ware, the celebrated danseuse,
key on the inside, place undisturbed; was found dead in her chamber, at her
but then we find no instrument with late residence on the corner of Clarke
which the subject could have in- and Crandail Streets. The perfect
flicted that wound on the neck. order of the room, and the fact that
Queer. Party couldn't have escaped the door was locked on the inside,
up the chimney —
too small. The have induced many to believe that
windows are at least thirty feet from the poor girl was the victim of her own
the ground. It would be impossible for rashness. But we cannot think so.
a person to jump that far, even if he That the door was fastened on the
could clear the iron railing below. inner side proves nothing except, in-
Which he couldn't. Disagreeable deed, that the murderer was hidden
things to jump on, those spikes, sir. in the apartment. That the roum
Must have been done with a sharp gave no evidence of a struggle having
knife. Queer, very. Party meant to taken place is also an insignificant
make sure work of it. The carotid point. Two men, or even one, grap-
neatly severed, upon my word." pling suddenly with the deceased,
The medical gentleman went on in who was a slight woman, would have
this monologic style for fifteen min- prevented any great resistance. The
utes, during which time Kenneth did deceased was dressed in a ballet-
not raise his lips from Mary's fingers. costume, and was, as we conjecture,
Approaching the bed, I spoke to murdered directly after her return
him; but he only shook his head. from the theatre. On a chair near the
[30 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
bed lay several fresh bouquets, and a "Adelaide Woods deposes: I am an
water-proof cloak which, she was in actressby profession. I occupy the
the habit of wearing over her dancing- room next to that of the deceased.
dress, on coming home from the thea- Have known her twelve months. It
tre at night. No weapon whatever was was half-past eleven when she came
found on the premises. Wc give be- home; she stopped in my chamber for
low all the material testimony elicited perhaps three-quarters of an hour.
by the coroner. It explains Little. The call-boy of The Olympic usually
"Josephine Marston deposes: keep I accompanies her home from the thea-
a boarding house at Crandall
131 tre when she is alone. I let her in. De-
Street. Miss Ware has boarded with ceased had misplaced her night-key.
me for the past two years. Has always The partition between our rooms is
borne a good character as far as I of brick; but I do not sleep soundly,
know. I do not think she had many and should have heard any unusual
visitors; certainly no male visitors, ex- noise. Two weeks ago Miss Ware told
cepting a Lieutenant King, and Mr. me she was to be married to Mr. Ken-
Kenneth to whom she was engaged. I neth in January next. The last time I
do not know when King was last at saw them together was the day before
the house; not within three days, I am yesterday. I assisted Mrs. Marston in
confident. Deceased told me that he breaking open the door. (Describes
had gone away. I did not see her last the position of the body, etc., etc.)
night when she came home. The hall- "Here the call-boy was summoned,
door is never locked; each of the and testified to accompanying the de-
boarders has a latch-key. The last ceased home the night before. He
time I saw Miss Ware was just before came as far as the steps with her. The
she went to the theatre, when she door was opened by a woman; could
asked me to call her at eight o'clock not swear it was Miss Woods, though
(this morning) as she had promised to he knows her by sight. The night was
walk with 'Jules,' meaning Mr. Ken- dark, and there was no lamp burning.
neth. I knocked at the door nine or "Julius Kenneth deposes: I am a
ten times, but received no answer. master-machinist. Reside at 47 For-
Then I grew frightened and called sythe Street. Miss Ware was my
one of the lady boarders, Miss Woods, cousin. Wc were engaged to be mar-
who helped me to fc«rcc the lock. The ried next — (here the witness's voice
key fell on the floor inside as we failed him). The last time I saw her
pushed against the door. Mary Ware was on Wednesday morning, on which
was lying on the bed, dressed. Some occasion we walked out together. I
matches were scattered under the gas- did not leave my room last evening:
burner by the bureau. The room was confined by a severe cold. A
presented the same appearance it does Lieu tenan t King u sed to visit my
now. cousin frequently; it created consid-
 OUT OF HIS HEAD
crable talk in the neighborhood: I did ///.* Thou Art the Man
not like it, and requested her to break
the acquaintance. She informed me, I could but smile on reading all this

Wednesday, that King had been or- serious nonsense.

dered to some foreign station, and After breakfast the next morning
would trouble me no more. Was ex- I mudc my toilet with extreme care,

cited at the time, hinted at being tired and presented myself at the sheriffs
of living; then laughed, and was gayer office.
than she had been for weeks. Deceased Two gentlemen who were sitting at
was subject to fits of depression. She a table, busy with papers, started
had engaged to walk with me this nervously to their feet, as I announced
morning at eight. When I reached myself. I bowed very calmly to the
Clark Street I learned that she — sheriff, and said,
(here the witness, overcome by emo- "I am the person who murdered
tion, was allowed to retire). Mary Ware!"
"Dr. Wren deposes: (This gentle- Of course I was instantly arrested;
man was very learned and voluble, and that evening, in jail, I had the
and had to be suppressed several equivocal pleasure of reading these
times by the coroner. We furnish a paragraphs among the police items of
brief synopsis of his testimony.) I was the Mirror:
called in to view the body of the "The individual who murdered the
deceased. A deep incision on the ballet-girl, on the night of the third

throat, two inches below the left ear, inst., in a house on Crandall Street,

severing the left common carotid surrendered himself to the sheriff this
and be internal jugular vein, had
i forenoon.
been inflicted with some sharp instru- "fie gave his name as Paul Lynde,
ment. Such a wound would, in my and resides opposite the place where
opinion, produce death almost in- the tragedy was enacted. He is a man
stantaneously. The body bore no of medium stature, has restless gray
other signs of violence. Deceased must eyes, chestnut hair, and a super-
have been dead a number of hours, naturally pale countenance. He seems
the rigor mortis having already a person of excellent address, is said to
supervened, etc., etc. be wealthy, and connected with an
"Who the criminal is, and what influential New England family. Not-
could have led to the perpetration of withstanding his gentlemanly man-
the cruel act, are questions which, at ner, there is that about him which
present, threaten to baffle the sagacity would lead one to select him from out
of the police. If such deeds can be com- a thousand, as a man of cool and des-
mitted with impunity in a crowded perate character.
city like this, who is safe from the "Mr. Lynde's voluntary surrender
(-assassin's steel?" is not the least astonishing feature of
122 ELL ER Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
this affair; had he preserved
for, "But even to you I will assign no
silence he would, beyond a doubt, reason for the course I pursued. It was
have even suspicion. The
escaped necessary that Mary Ware should
murder was planned and executed die."
with such deliberate skill that there "Well?"
is little or no evidence to implicate "I decided that she should die in
him. In truth, there is no evidence her chamber, and to that end I
against him excepting his own con- purloined her night-key.
fession, which is meagre and confusing "On Friday night after she had
enough. He freely acknowledges the gone to the theatre,. I entered the
crime, but stubbornly refuses to enter hall-door by means of the key, and
into any details. He expresses a desire stole unobserved to her room, where
to be hanged immediately! I secreted myself under the bed, or

"How Mr. Lynde entered the in that small clothes-press near the
chamber, and by what means he left stove I— forget which. Sometime
it after committing the deed, and between eleven and twelve o'clock
why he cruelly killed a lady with Mary Ware returned. While she was
whom he had had (as we gather from in the act of lighting the gas, I pressed
the testimony) no previous acquaint- a handkerchief, saturated with chloro-
ance —
are enigmas which still per- form, over her mouth. You know the
plex the public mind, and will not let effect of chloroform? I will, at this
curiosity sleep." point spare you further detail, merely
remarking that I threw my gloves and
IV: Paul's Confession the handkerchief in the stove; but
I'm afraid there was not fire enough
On the afternoon following this to consume them."
disclosure, the door of my cell turned Kenneth walked up and down the
on its hinges, and Julius Kenneth cell greatly agitated; then seated
entered. himself on the foot of the bed.
In his presence I ought to have "Curse you!"
trembled; but I was calm and col- "I extinguished the light, and pro-
and dangerous.
lected. He, feverish ceeded to make my escape from the
"You received my note?" room, which I did in a manner so
"Yes; and have come here, as you simple that the detectives, through
requested." their desire to ferret out wonderful
"You of course know, Mr. Ken- things, will never discover it, unless,
neth, that I have refused to reveal the indeed, you betray me. The night,
circumstances connected with the you will recollect, was foggy; it was
death of Mary Ware? I wished to impossible to discern an object at
make the confession to you alone." four yards distance —
this was for-
"Well?" tunate for me. I raised the window-
 " " "

OUT OF HIS HEAD 133

sash and let myself out cautiously, was scraped off the brackets which
holding on by the sill, until my feet held the spout to the next house.
touched on the moulding which This conduit had been newly painted
caps the window below. I then drew two days previously —
I watched the
j

down the sash. By standing on the man at work; the paint on the
extreme left of the cornice, I was able brackets was thicker than anywhere
to reach the tin water-spout of the else, ;tnd had not dried. On looking
adjacent building, and by that I at your feet, which I did critically,
descended to the sidewalk." while speaking to you, I saw that the
The man glowered at me like a leather on the inner side of each boot
tiger, his eyes green and golden was slightly chafed, paint-marked. It
with excitement: I have since won- is a way of mine to put this and that

dered that he did not tear me to together!"

pieces. "If you intend to betray me —
"On gaining the street," I con- "Oh, no, but I don't, or I should
tinued coolly, "I found that I had not be here — alone with you. I am,
brought the knife with me. It should as you may allow, not quite a fool."
have been left in the chamber it — "Indeed,
— sir, you are as subtle
would have given the whole thing as
the aspect of suicide. It was too late to "Yes, I wouldn't mention him."
repair the blunder, so I threw the "Who?"
knife
— "The devil."
"Into the river!" exclaimed Ken- Kenneth mused.
neth, involuntarily. "May I ask, Mr. Lynde, what you
And then I smiled. intend to do?"
"How did you know it was II" he "Certainly —
remain here."
shrieked. "I don't understand you," said
"Hush! they will overhear you in Kenneth with an air of perplexity.
the corridor. It was as plain as day. "If you will listen patiently, you
I knew it before I had been five min- shall learn why I have acknowledged
utes in the room. First, because you the deed, why I would bear the
shrank instinctively from the corpse, penalty. I believe there are vast,
though you seemed to be caressing it. intense sensations from which we are
Secondly, when I looked into the excluded, by the conventional fear
stove, I saw a glove and handkerchief, of a certain kind of death. Now, this
partly consumed; and then I instantly pleasure, this ecstacy, this something,
accounted for the faint close smell I don't know what, which I have
which had affected me before the striven for all my days, is known only
room was ventilated. It was chloro- to a privileged few —
innocent men,
form. Thirdly, when T went to open who, through some oversight of the
the window, I noticed that the paint law, are hanged by the neck! How
124 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
rich is Nature in compensations! Cannot, I will not die yet. Mary was
Some men are born to be hanged, to have been my wife, so she would
some have hanging thrust upon have hidden her shame Oh cruel! —
them, and some (as I hope to do) she, my own cousin, and we the last
achieve hanging. It appears ages two of our race! Life is not sweet to
since I commenced watching an for me, it is bitter, bitter; but I shall live
opportunity like this. Worlds could until I stand front to front with him.
not tempt me to divulge your guilt, And you? They will not harm you —
nor could worlds have tempted me to you are a madman!"
commit your crime, for a man's Julius Kenneth was gone before I
conscience should be at ease to enjoy, could reply. The cell-door shut him
to the utmost, this delicious death! out forever —
shut him out in the
Our interview is at an end, Mr. flesh. His spirit was not so easily
Kenneth. I held it my duty to say exorcised.
this much to you,"
And I turned my back on him. After all, it was a wretched fiasco.
"One word, Mr. Lynde." Two officious friends of mine, who
Kenneth came to my side and laid a had played chess with me at my lodg-
heavy hand on my shoulder, that red ings on the night of the 3rd, proved an
right hand, which all the tears of the alibi;and I was literally turned out of
angels cannot make white again. the Tombs; for I insisted on being
As he stood there, his face suddenly executed.
grew so familiar to me yet so — Then it was maddening to have the
vaguely familiar — that I started. It newspapers call me a monomaniac.
seemed as if I had seen such a face, I a monomaniac?
somewhere, in my dreams, hundreds What was Pythagoras, Newton,
of years ago. The face in the grate. Fulton? Have not the great original
"Did you send this to me last lights of every age been regarded as
month?" asked Kenneth, holding up madmen? Science, like religion, has
a sUp of paper on which was scrawled its martyrs.
Watch them —
in my handwriting. Recent surgical discoveries have, I
"Yes," I answered. believe, sustained me in my theory;
Then it struck me that these two or, if not,they ought to have done so.
thoughtless words, which some sinister There is said to be a pleasure in
spirit had impelled me to write, were drowning. Why not in strangulation?
the indirect cause of the whole catas- In another field of science I shall
trophe. probably have full justice awarded
"Thank you," he said hurriedly. —
me I now allude to the Moon-
"I watched them!" Then, after a Apparatus, which is still in an un-
pause, 'T shall go far from here. I finished state, but progressing.
 COLLARED
by CORNELL WOOLRICH
knew something was up, because — the exchange and its subdivision.
I he came in nervous instead of just The next two were long hauls the—
plain lit. He'd had his usual liquid end slot. His mouth's private number
transfusion, but his cooling system began with two zeros; that was it all
must have jammed; it wasn't taking. right. Then he changed his mind,
He didn't bother looking at me. Me hung up instead of going ahead. So
— last year's moll, left-over around that meant he wasn't sure whether
the place. I was just a part of the he was in a jam or not; he'd just done
furniture. That was his mistake. something that worried him and
Chairs don't stand around waiting was afraid he might be.
to get even on you. He came in instead, stiff-armed me
The first six months or so I'd tried by the shoulder, twisted me around
to run out on him, but I always got hisway so I nearly broke in two, and
brought back feet first, and I usually blew a lot of expensive Cutty Sark in
had to have a new porcelain cap put my face for an atomizer. "Listen,
on a tooth or two right afterwards. Last Year," he said. *'I been here with
Since then things had changed. Now you from about three on, get that?
he was sick of me, but he couldn't get I been here with you from the time

rid of me for love nor money. I was I left the club."

staying until I could get something "You been here from three on,"
on him. I repeated. I had more porcelain caps
He started dialing a number the than I could carry now. He was
minute he came in the door, before he bending over me and I couldn't help
even took his hat off. When he wanted seeing his collar.
a number that fast and that early — "She's got the damnedest aim," I
five in the morning —
couldn't be
it remarked. "Why don't you hold still
auyone's but his mouth's. So that when you're leaving her, so you get it
meant he was in a jam. on the kisser and not the Cluett
I couldn't read the slots as he spun Pea body?"
them, because he was out in the hall He yanked the collar off so hard and
and 1 was inside at the mirror fiddling fast his whole tie stayed on around his
with my nails, but I could tell by the neck. He looked at it kind of scared,
length of time the dial took slipping and blew out a Httle breath, as though
back each time about which ones they he were relieved I'd spotted it for him
were. The first three were short turns in time. He went into the bathroom. I
Copyright, tyjy, by Cornell Woolrich
126 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
heard a match scratch and I saw flame staying up, to get all the dope I
tiles. I got a whiff
reflected against the could. He came out again, collar gone
of scorched linen, and then a lot of now, and massaged the back of his
water ran down. He'd burned it. neck. That meant he was trying to
That gave me a hint about what the figure out whether to let the jam ride
jam was. He'd done something to her, and take a chance on getting away
whoever she was. Because he certainly with it, or do something to straighten
hadn't got rid of it on my account. it out.
He'd brought those same lipstick He took off his coat and vest, and
trademarks back with him before, and took a .32 out of one of the pockets.
it hadn't bothered him whether I saw He took a sniff at the bore, and then
them or not. They wouldn't come out tapped it against the palm of his hand
found that out; it was
in the wash, I'd a couple of times, worried. That
waterproof rouge and they just went a wasn't his gun; he would have used
little lighter. a caliber like that to pick his teeth
And if it bothered him, that meant with.
he hadn't meant to do it, whatever is Finally he went out to the phone
was. Because what was a little kill to again, and dialed a different number,
him? If he'd cut notches in a stick he'd without any zeros. "Louie," he said in
have had a buzz-saw by now. But he want you to come over
a low voice. "I
always had it done by remote control, here and do something for me."
and this was one time he'd been very Louie made it fast. But that's all he
much all there, judging by his collar; was geared for anyway, just one of his
that made a difference. That alone stooges. He brought him into the
was positive proof to me that it was room with him. I was working on my
unintentional. neck now.
The way I figured it, one of two Louie said, "H'lo, Mae," just to
things had happened. Either he'd stay in good with Buck, not knowing
found out something, lost his head for sure if I'd been scratched yet.
for a minute, and couldn't control his "Never mind her," Buck said,
trigger-finger in time, and now he letting him know I had. He gave me
regretted it; or it had been altogether a traffic signal toward the bathroom
an accident. Maybe she was one of with his thumb. "G'wan, get inside
those dumb twists that just had to there and swaller some iodine or
fool with his gun to kill time between something until I tell you to come out
huddles, and had playfully pulled the again. And keep that door closed."
trigger. I missed some of it that way, but
Either way it looked like my long- not for lack of pushing my ear hard
delayed payoff was coming up. So I enough against the door seam. His
just sat where I was and rubbed cold voice rose irritably every once in a
cream into my map as an excuse for while, which was a habit of his when-
 COLLARED IS?

ever he was talking to his stooges, and pet corns. You grab your foot with
that helped some. both hands and hop around, so you've
"Naw, no one heard it and no one got an excuse for not picking it up
saw it, or I woulda gotten Mendes on yourself. Hell bend down and hand
the wire right off," was the first thing it back to you without thinking
I got, after a minute or two of static. twice — any guy would. Then just
Mendes was his mouthpiece. keep it wellwrapped up after that,
More poor reception, and then: so it don't catch cold."
"Why didn't I leave it there? Sup- Some low-pitched beefing I couldn't
pose it was hers! Don't you think catchcame in from Louie at this
they're gonna know someone was up point.Then Buck overrode him:
there, you dumb lug? Her wrist was "What you worrying about? You
weaker than I thought it would be; don't have to go in there with her,
I pushed it all the way back over her you yellow belly. The body's safe until
shoulder, and it hit something, ten; the woman that does her cleaning
turned aside, and the bullet went into don't come around before then. Just
her from the back!" see that you leave the gun around
More interference, and then: "I inside the building some place where
wouldn't wanna pass it off like that the cops can't miss it, tike he threw
even if I could. I didn't want to lose it away on the lam. Now get over

the kid, even after what I found out. there fast. He'll be getting up early;
I was just gonna slap her around a he was figuring on taking her back
few times. I got somebody lined up for with him on the early-morning bus.
it. No one takes anything away from The six o'clock one. So hurry."
me without paying for it!" I heard the outside door slam, I
A name was coming up. I shifted counted ten, and then I drifted out.
down to the keyhole, where the recep- "We're kind of low on iodine in
tion was better. there," I said meekly. "Should I have
"The boy name is Frank
friend's used a razor?"
Rogers; I much out of her be-
got that He fired his shoe at me. It missed
fore it happened. He came on here to my head but busted the mirror.
take her back to her home town, when "Have a little bad luck on me," he
they'd heard she was getting in wrong. wished fervently.
He's at the Hallerton House, one of There were still enough pieces left
these men's hotels. You know how to in the mirror's frame to do piece-
work it. Put a little vaseline on the work by, so I sat down at it again, for
gun, but see that you've got on gloves a stall to stay awake longer than
yourself. You be looking it over just him. He put on a pair of pajamas with
as he comes along —
in the hall out- zebra stripes. The last thing he said
side his room, for instance. You drop was, "You may as well quit that; it's
the gun and it lands on one of your not gonna get you anything even —
[38 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
in the dark." His yap dropped open tiptoed out to the phone, keeping
and he started to breathe heavy. my face turned his way so I could do a
I took another halfturn on the cold quick right-about- face if his eyes
cream, to make sure he was asleep. opened.
I kept thinking, "I gotta find out The dial made an awful clack. I
who she is. Was, I mean. This is what tried to bury it against my chest, but
I been waiting for for six mom lis. This it wouldn't go around then. Finally I

is my chance to fix him good, and if 1 muffled it all I could by keeping my

pass it up it'll never come again, he's linger in the slot on the return trip
too cagy. I've got the fall guy's each tune, but I expected to feel a slug
name. Frank Rogers. But I gotta find in the back of my neck any minute.
out hers, and especially where she's "Get me Mr. Frank Rogers and get
lying dead right now." Then a short him fast," I said to the hotel clerk
cut occurred to me. "What the hell, under my breath. They got him fast
this Rogers can tell me who and where but not fast enough to suit me. He
she is." sounded sleepy too, must have just
I had to work fast, but I had to work j^>i up. Which was another bad break;

carefully too. One wrong move and I it would have been bad enough talk-

knew what my finish would be. And it ing to someone wide-awake.

wouldn't be just another busted tooth I began: "I haven't time to repeat

this time either. He or some one of his what I'm going to say a second time,
gang would kill me. That was why so don't askme to, get it the first. I've
there was no question of just anony- got a message for you from your girl
mously ratting on Buck to the cops. friend."
1 had to stay out of it altogether. They "Alma?" he said, surprised.
had to trace it back to him themselves. That was only one-third of what I

I had to find some way of making needed. "To make sure I've got the
sure they did —
and leave me in the right party, kick back with her full
clear, on the sidelines, when they did. name and There may be
address.
Even with him in the death house, another Frank Rogers in the same
my life wouldn't be worth a plugged building."
nickel if there was a leak afterwards. He fell for it. "Alma Kitteredge,
I wouldn't call it a frame. There was 832 East Seventy-second. What's the
once a guy named Gordon, may his message?"
good soul rest in peace. ... Never "Just put on your pants and pull
mind that now. out of town fast. She's not coming
I didn't have much time. Those with you, you'll find out why when
stooges of Buck's moved fast when you get back home. Buy a two-cent
they were on his shift. That Louie paper and shut up about this call."
must be practically at Rogers' hotel I was going to warn him not to
by now. Here goes, I thought, and I touch anything, not to pick up any
 COLLARED
guns for any strangers, but before I of the trimmings. No doorman,
had time I had to hang up. Buck had nothing. I could tell Buck hadn't
just changed sides in the hay. "What picked it for her. Still, he already had
are you doing out there?" he growled. the key. She'd been afraid to refuse
"Just bringing in the morning it to turn, I guess. Just like I'd been

paper, dee-yur." before Gordon had his "accident."

It hadn't come yet, but he was The door key opened the street
asleep again by then anyway. door too. The mail slot said 3-A, I
I made a quick round-trip to the walked up a couple of flights of stairs
closet, grabbed up whatever was and found the door, a little to the
handiest, and got dressed out there in left. I didn't knock. I knew there was

the foyer on the installment plan, no one in there to hear me any more.
stopping between each layer to see if The key I'd taken from Buck worked
I was still in the clear. I put on my the door without any trouble, and
checker-board swagger-coat. Black I closed it quietly after me with a
and while plaid; you could see it a back-hand motion. The lights had
mile away even with low visibility, been left on.
but it had been on the end hanger. I She had it nice inside. But she was
wasn't heading for an Easter parade, spoiling the looks of it, even though
anyway. she was a pretty little thing, lying
The last thing I took was a clean col- slopped all over the floor like that.
lar of his, rolled it up small, and put it I looked down at her. "Cheer up,
in my handbag. Then I edged over and kid," I said softly. "He'll get it hung
fished his key holder out of his vest- on him, don't worry."
pocket. He had an awful lot of them, I went in to her dressing table,
but only three Yales. I stepped out- rummaged, and got out her lipstick.
side and found out which was the one It was waterproof rouge. I took it
to our place, and that left only two. back to where she was, bent down by
One probably to his office at the gam- her, lifted her head,and reddened up
bling club, and the other one to her her mouth plenty. When I'd put it on
place. I detached both of them and so thick that it was practically caked
took them with me. on her, I picked up her hand and
I eased the door closed after me, closed her fingers tight around the
and then I hot-footed it down to the lipstick holder.
street, scared up a cab, and gave "Just so the dicks'U know what you
Alma's address. I hadn't been out were trying to tell them," I mur-
this early in the morning since I was mured to her. "If they don't think it

a good love with an honest guy.

girl in funny that a dying from a slug
girl
I had the driver let me off on the takes time out to rouge her lips, they
corner instead of right outside the oughta be out shoving street cleaners'
door. It wasn't such a hot place. None tea wagons around. Now spread your-
130 ELLERY QUEEN S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
self on this." I unrolled his clean his little gun all neatly fingerprinted
collar, heldout straight by both
it now by Rogers. Louie must have
ends, and pressed it hard against her come up through the basement,
smeared mouth. The print came out because I had Buck's key. I got good
perfect, a complete cupid's bow. and scared. I didn't stop to think
"They'll check the rouge, they'll what a wonderful break I'd just had;
check the shape of your mouth. Oh, if I'd left a minute sooner I'd have run

they'll know," I promised her softly. into him head-on on the stairs. Or if
I rolled the collar up carefully again, he'd shown up a minute later. I was all
put a little tissue paper around it so it right where I was. He was too yellow
wouldn't blur, put it back in my to come in here, and he didn't have
handbag. the key anyway.
"Now just so they'll know what to The sound of his tiptoeing went
look for it on. ..." I said. I went down the hall to the back. There was
over to the table and picked up a big a muffled clunk from a tin bucket,
glossy magazine lying there. I thumbed then his steps came back again, passed
through the ads until I came to a full- the door where I was holding my
page men's collar ad, with a handsome breath, and faded out down the stairs.
he-model illustrating it. "Here you I gave him all the time he needed to

go," I said. I held that against her get out of the building. Then I let my-
mouth, so that the print came out on self out, closed her door, and went up
the collar in the photograph ust j there to the end of the hall. There was
about where it had on Buck's. Then a fire-ax clamped to the wall, and
I dropped the mag on the floor near there was a red fire-bucket on the
her, open at that particular page. floor under it. The gun was lying at
"Now if the cops are any good at all, the bottom of it.
that oughta bring them around where I'd seen Buck clean his often
1 live sooner or later —
without me enough. He always used a piece of
having to be filled full of buckshot for chamois or kidskin. Of course this was
it either." I looked back at her from different; this was to get prints off.
the door, saluted her sadly. "Take it but I figured the same thing would
easy, Toots. And the next time you work. I took one of my own gloves,
live, marry your Frank Rogers fast from my handbag, to it. That, and
and don't fool around with dyna- —
my breath, and what a lady spits
mite." with. I worked until there couldn't
I had my hand on the door knob have been anything left on it. Then
ready to leave when I heard someone I laid it down again inside the pail.
outside in the hall. A sort of tiptoey I took a couple of swabs at the
tread, the kind you notice all the outside door knob too, just for luck,
quicker just because it's trying not to before I left. Not that I was particu-
be heard. I knew it was Louie, with larly worried about myself, but just
 COLLARED 131

not to cloud the issue. The whole job "I don't see how it can be done,"
must have taken about five, six he said.
minutes. Then I went downstairs and I didn't either, but it had to be. If
out of the building, and stood there Louie had only wasted time tailing
for a half-minute outside the street me around to where I'd hopped the
door — like a fool, but the way any- cab. ... If he'd only run out of
one's apt to do. Sort of taking a deep nickels. . . .

breath after finishing something. It But if he'd already phoned Buck

was still early but it was good and thefirst time and woken him up, then

light by now. what was the use of.all this? I was al-
You know how you can feel it ready finished. I threw something at
when anyone's looking at you hard, the driver, I think it was a fin for a
even from a distance? Something six-bit ride, and I never got up to a
pulled my head around in the opposite third floor so fast before or after.
direction, and there was a figure in a It was ringing away, I could hear it
light gray suit down at the next right through the door while I was
corner, on the other side of the street, trying to get it open. And of course I
sizing me up for all he was worth. It would drop the key on the floor in my
was Louie, same suit he'd just had on hurry and have to dredge for it. I
up at our place; he'd just come out of don't know how I did it but finally I
a cigar store that he'd gone into either was in and had the damned thing at
to buy smokes or to report his success my mouth and ear, just as Buck came
back to Buck over the wire. up for air in the other room and
My first thought was, "Take it easy. growled, "Are you gonna get a move
He can't tell who you are from that on and shut that damn thing up or
far off." looked down at
Then I d'ya want a ride on the end of my
myself and I saw those checker-board foot?"
black and white squares all over me. It was Louie, all right, "Who's
"Oh, Lord!" I gasped, and I stepped that —
Mae?" he said. He acted sur-
down from the doorway fast and went prised I was there. So was I.

up the other way. "Sure, who else?" I couldn't say

The steady way he'd been staring much, I was too winded.
told me he already had a hunch it "I got three wrong numbers in a
was me. And I knew what the next row, can y'imagine?" I thanked God
step would be. He'd phone back to and the Telephone Company. '
'I

Buck fast to see if I was there or not. coulda sworn I seen you down on
I jumped into the first cab I saw and Seventy-second Street just now."
I almost shook the driver by the shoul- " Whaddya think I do, walk in my
ders to get some speed out of him. sleep?"
"Fasti" I kept whimpering. "Fasti "Well, this dame beat it away fast."
I've got to beat a phone call." "She probably got a look at your
I 32 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
face. Listen, get through, will you? It should have, it was the straight
You just busted a dream Charles goods.
Boyer was in with me." The bureau drawer gave a crash at
"Just Buck: Okay." He hung
tell this point thatwas enough to split it
up. I got undressed right where I was in two, so I quickly dropped the pa-
standing, on the zipper plan; just per. This was Thursday night, the
dropped everything off together and second night after, around eight,
stepped out of them. But he was Buck's usual time for getting caked
asleep again, he didn't ask who it was. up to go down to the club. He was
I got her door key and the other one standing there across the room in
back into his pocket. I hung that suspenders, holster, and stiff shirt,
blasted checker-board coat as far back but with a bare neck. "Well?" he
inside the closet as it would go, and growled. "What do I use for a collar?
made a mental note to sell it to the They've run out on me."
first old-clothes man that came My heart started hitting it up.
around. The collar with her death "Ur-um-uff," I said.
kiss on it I rolled up at the bottom A shoe horn went past my left ear
of the laundry bag. and a lit cigar butt sailed by my right.
The rest was up to the dicks. He didn't wait to see if he'd hit me
or not; he headed straight over for
They 'didn't show up for three days. that laundry bag behind the bath
Th ree days that were ike th ree 1 door. "Now I'll hafta use the same
years. It was in the papers the first one twicel"
day, just a little squib. Not a word I managed to stay on my feet, but I

about the lipstick in her hand or the was dying all over by inches as I saw
smear on the magazine. That gave me hisarm go down into it, scuffing things
a bad jolt. Had they muffed it? There out. "Wait, |ion," 1 moaned. "Getcha
was always the possibility that Louie nice fresh one at the haberdasher
had gone back inside, after he'd downstairs. Won't take a minute,
thought he'd seen me leave there that they're stUl open." I got the door
day, and rearranged my carefully open.
planted setup. But if he had, I'd have It worked. He quit burrowing, with
been dead two days already. an inch away from it
his fingertips just
What looked good about it was by that time. "Well, get some life into
that, although the papers spoke of your bustle, I gotta get down there."
their sending upstate to have a Frank It was right in our same building,
Rogers held and questioned, there but you had to go out the street door
was no follow-up. It stopped at that. and around to get into it. I was too
The next editions didn't say a word frightened even to remember his size.
about his being brought back under I bought one of every half-size they
arrest. His alibi must have held up. carried, from fourteen up to seven-
 COLLARED »33
teen, to make sure of hitting the right listen, Last Year, anything gets
if
one, and charged them. It was only gummed, if there's any
slip-up, I'm
when I ducked back into the house going to know just who's to blame
door again and saw people stopping for it. You better wish you'd never
dead and staring, that I realized I been born."
had on bell-bottomed pajamas and a He was right; I was probably his
brassier. It was better than a shroud, only alibi, from the moment he had
at that. left the club that night. That may
He let me off easy, just pushed me sound as if it was bad for him, but I
back over the arm of a chair. It was the one it was bad for. He could
stayed up, so I did too. He hadn't always get out of it in the end, he'd
fished up what lay curled at the bot- got out of worse ones, and in this case
tom of the laundry bag and that was there was the printed gun (so he
all that mattered. thought!) and no witnesses. But if
That was Thursday; there was the least hitch, if he was
Friday lasted 96 hours, but it finally questioned once too often or half an
ended. I kept worrying Rogers had hour too long, he'd know the answer.
spilled it that an anonymous woman That was curtains for me; there was
had tipped him to get out of town. If no one else I could pass the buck to.
that leaked, and it got back to Buck! He'd hardly rung off than there was
Friday night I got a sudden phone a knock on the door. I knew who it
call from Buck, from the club, at two was. I knew I was going to have to
in the morning. He never did that handle the interview just as though
any more; he would have been only Buck was present, or listening in the
too glad if I'd tried to cheat on him next room. That didn't have me
those days, so he could've tied the stopped. If they had any brains at
can to me. all, maybe they could get it from what

I knew what it was, before he even I didn't say, instead of what I did.
said anything. They were on the But when I'd opened the door, it
trailat last. They must have just was only one guy. "Headquarters,"
been over there to talk to him, for he said, and he tipped his hat and
the first time. He was phoning to showed his badge. Only strangers
warn me ahead. tipped their hats to me any more, not
"Anyone been around?" he asked the guys I associated with. "Are you
mysteriously, Buck Colby's wife?"
"No." "Common law." Buck didn't even
"In case anyone does, remember me as that.
refer to
what I told you Tuesday nightP" "Come in and talk to you?"
"That was the night you came "Why, sure," I said hospitably.
home early from the club, at three." "Help yourself."
I didn't get any thanks for it. "Now He looked around him casually.
 "

'34 ELL ER Y QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

Suddenly he'd said, "About what I slid my mouth around toward my
time does Colby get back here at left ear. "I've been with Mr. Colby
nights as a rule?" It was out and wait- two years now." It sounded strangely
ing to be answered before I'd even sweet, coming out of such a bitter-
heard it coming. I was supposed to shaped thing.
think he wanted to see Buck right He was getting more and more in-
now and wondered how long he'd terested in me personally, seemed to
have to wait for him. forget all about what had brought him
"Never much before three. He's up here. Seemed to. "Worked in one
kept busy at the cl
— of his clubs, 1 guess, in the beginning?"
He cut it short with his hand. "How "No. Mr. Colby did urge me to
about after?" when he first met me. But I was
"Seldom after, either." intending getting married at the
"Take Tuesday, for instance." time, so I didn't feel free to accept.
They were coming faster now. However, the party I —
uh, had
"Tuesday was one of his early figured on marrying had an accident,
nights. He was here at three to the and that left me much freer to accept,
dot." so I did."

"References?" He looked at me. "Had an acci-

"You picked an easy one for me to dent," he said without any question
remember." I thumbed the busted mark.
mirror. "I was still sitting up there "Yes. A rather large beer truck ran
when he came in. If it had been any wild down a hill near where I was
later than three I would have been v ing and c rushed him aga ins t a
li

in bed. And as a matter of fact, I cement wall as he was on his way up

remember asking him, 'What brings to see me. I suppose even the first
you home so early?' He said the take time would have killed him, but
had been rather thin." every time the frightened driver tried
"Where does that mirror come in to reverse and extricate his vehicle,
it?" it would only back up a little and

"He was taking off his shoe, and he then go smashing in again. It hap-
pulled too hard, and it flew out of his pened three or four times. Like a sort
hand and landed over here." I of battering ram.
coughed deprecatingly. "The funny part of it was he never
He'd shut up all of a sudden. He fell down. He stayed sort of stuck to

kept looking at me as if he found me the wall —

partly. And partly to the
kind of interesting, all at once. The fender and radiator. He even got all
next time he spoke, it wasn't a over the engine too, I understand.
police question any more, it was They had to whitewash the wall and
more personal. "Been —
married to scour the sidewalk with creosote.
him long?" "The driver felt very bad about it.
 " "

COLLARED 1 55
It preyed on his mind, until a few top without anything falling out.
months later he took his own life by "Empty," he said.
tying his hands to his feet and jump- "I take it out on Mondays as a rule,
ing into the river. I don't believe but this week, for some reason —
anyone remembered who he was by I looked at him hard —
"I put it
that time any more. I happened to, off until just yesterday. Just yesterday
of course, but .that was all. No one Mr. Colby noticed it was rather full,
was to blame, you understand. How and reminded me I hadn't taken it
could they be?" I chewed the lining out." I rubbed my shoulder as though
of my check and made my eyes hard it still ached. "I can't imagine what

as marbles. 'Wo one was to blame." made me so absent-minded. If he

He just looked at me. After a hadn't called my attention to it, it
while be said quietly, "Thought a lot would have been still here." Our
of him, didn't you?" eyes met.
I let my eyes drift. "There was He'd sat down again. I said, in my
never any very great —
feeling be- best tea-table manner, "Will you
tween us, compared to what there is excuse me while I get a cigarette?"
between Mr. Colby and myself now." He held out a leather case from his
1 took my lower jaw and shifted it pocket. I ignored it. He raised the lid
tenderly back and forth, as if to see of a box standing there right beside
wlii-thcr it had been fractured or not me, full. I didn't seem to see him do
lately. it. I got my handbag and brought it

He shook his head half pityingly back and dug out a crumpled pack.
and looked down at the floor. Finally A little vivid greentab of paper came
he said, as if winding up the interview: up with it "accidentally" and slipped
"Then he was here from three o'clock to the floor. It had two ink-brush
on, Tuesday night?" ideographs on it, and a couple of
"From three on. / stake my life on words of English —
the laundry's
that." name and location.
He shuttered his eyes at me under' He picked it up for me, looked at it,
standingly, as if to say, "I guess you and handed it back. I put it back in
do." He got up. "I'm going to ask you my bag and put my bag back where
to let me take a look in your laundry I'd got it. The cigarette wouldn't
bag belorc 1 go." draw, was split from being battered
I shifted my eyes over to the bath around so much; it didn't matter, I
door, then back to him again. "That's seemed to have got over wanting a
a very strange request," said primly. smoke any more by that time.
"I can't imagine what
I

possible
— He hitched his chair closer, dropped
He wentover to it while I was still his voice until you could hardly hear
talking, stuck his arm down into it, it. Nine parts hp motion to one part

and pulled the bottom up through the of vocal sound. "Temple's my name.
 "

.36 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

Why don't you come down and see make sure he'd gone, and Buck
me, if you're leery about talking up opened up.
here? We'll give you protection." "Y'did better than I expected, at
I clasped my hands in hasty, ago- that," he said to me. "It's a good
nized entreaty, separated them again. thing for you y'did." He tapped his
"I beg your pardon?" I said in a clear, side meaningfully. "I heard the
ringing voice. "Did you say some- whole thing from outside the door.
thing just then?" We been out there for the past ten
"Take a walk, buddy!" Buck was minutes. There's only one thing I
standing there in the open doorway, don't like about it. What did he want
Louie looking over his shoulder. I put with that laundry bag?" He poured
on a great big relieved expression, like himself a shot, wiped the dew away
I was sure glad they'd finally shown on his sleeve. "I don't get
up. Buck came on in, with his lower burned —" He didn't finish
it. I

it.

jaw leading the way by two inches. "How did he know? How did he get
"Now listen, you questioned me at onto that?"
my club oilier tonight, and I took it He came over at me and his finger
good-natured. 1 soitainly never ex- shot out like a knife. "Hey, you!" I
pected to find you here half an hour nearly died in the split-second before
later.How long does this keep up?" he came out with the rest of it. "Did
"What does he want, hon?" I said you take any collars over with the
with wide-eyed innocence. I could rest of that stuff yesterday?"
have saved myself the trouble, he "I don't think there were any," I

didn't even give me a tumble. mumbled vaguely.

"Now if ya think ya got anything "Yes or no?"
on me, out with it, and I'll go any- My next answer came from the
wheres you say and face it! If ya other side of the room, where he'd
haven't, there's the way out and don't kited me. "No," I groaned through a
lemme see ya around here again." "They were
This Temple dick took it meeker
constellation
frayed so I
— of stars.

than 1 thought he would. He got up "Just the same you get over there
and went toward the door. He went the minute that place opens up in
slow, but he went. the morning and get that stuff back
"Nothing to get sore about," he here, hear me? If they want it, then
drawled mildly. "I'm just doing my I want it twice as bad."

job. No one said anything about "Sure, Buck," I said, wiping the
having anything on you." blood off my lip. "I'll bring it back."
"You bet no one did!" Buck "Why you so worried about col-
blar ed, and slammed the door on him. lars?" Louie asked him, puzzled.
None of us said anything for a few Buck explained an undertone,
in
minutes. Then Louie looked out to "She's been kissing me on the neck
 COLLARED 137

and been finding lip-rouge on 'em

I And when Buck shook you, you
when got home. That's the only
I shook. "G'wan, get over there like I
tiling can figure he's looking for. I
I told you and get that wash back. I
burned one but there may be others." don't care if it ain't ironed or ain't
"Yeah, but how would they know?" even washed yet, don't come back
said Louie with unanswerable logic. here without it!"
"You brought the marks back with The owner's name was Lee. It was
you, they didn't stay down there with just about a block away, down in a
her." basement. They were up already,
His face had a look like something three of the little fellows, ironing

was within an inch of clicking behind away a mile a minute; they must have
it, and I knew what that something lived in the back of the place. I tot-
was: A loud checked coat leaving a tered down from the street level, put
dead girl's doorway only a few min- the bright green wash ticket down on
utes after he had the other day. If it's the counter.
possible to shrink inside your own I thought he looked at me kind of

skin and take up lots less room than funny. He got it down from the shelf,
before, I shrank. That fool Temple, I done up flat in brown paper. "Two
thought, he may have killed me by dolla' fV cents," he said. He kept look-
making that pass at the laundry bag. ing at me funny even after I paid him.
But before the chain of thought The other two had quit pounding
Louie was working on could click, their flat-irons, were acting funny too.
Buck saved me by cutting across it Not looking at me, but sort of waiting
and distracting his attention. "There's for something to happen. I had an
something ain't working right. I idea they were dying to tell me
don't know why they haven't jumped something, but didn't have the
you-know-who by now. They went nerve.
up and questioned him all right, but I started to pick up the flat package

I notice there ain't been a word to walk out with it, and it wouldn't
printed about their bringing him back move, stayed on the counter- A hand
with them. He musta sprung an alibi was holding it down. The string
that held up. Put your ear down to popped, the brown paper rattled
the ground and find out what's up, open. I didn't bother turning my
for me, Louie. You got ways. If it head. Like the three monkeys: see
don't move, looks like we'll have to no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
put a flea in their ear about —" He I kept watching the sidewalk level
pressed his fingertips down hard on outside the shop, murmuring "Thank
the table to show him what he meant. God!" over and over.
Behind me, a voice said quietly,
He was standing over me shaking "Tie the lady's bundle up again,
me at seven-thirty the next morning. John."
138 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
I breathed, "Don't take too long, He was pacing up and down the
willyou?" I didn't mean it for the room a mile a minute. He turned on
laundryman, I hoped he knew that. me and grabbed the package and
Temple knew everything. "Want slappedme back away from it. "What
to stay out?" he said softly. "I'll cover took you so long?" he griped.
you." "I hadda wait for them to show up
"You'll cover me with a rubber and lemme in."
bib at the morgue. Sure I want to He bustedwide open, rummaged
it

stay out —
out of it." through it, scattering
it all over
"I've got a look-out posted." the place. Not
a collar turned up.
"Can he beat a slug's time into my "Whew!" he and slid his finger
said,
girlish waist?" I wanted to know. across his forehead and flicked it off in
"If you need help before the lab the air. Then he thought it over.
checks this collar, lower one of the "But just the same he was after
window shades." something in here. Let's see if it

"That'd be about right. Lower one coulda been anything else."

of the window shades, likewhen He turned the wrapping paper over
there's been a death in the house." and before my glazing eyes yanked a
Somebody wedged the retied bun- bright green price out from under
list

dle under my arm, the laundryman I it. You get one back with every
guess, and I walked on out and up the package, a check list of what they're
steps. Ostrich-like, I hadn't seen charging you for. I'd seen too many
Temple from first to last. I could be of them before, I knew just what was
beaten to death, but I couldn't going to be on it: i collar 5c. With —
truthfully say I'd seen him. no collar present to match it. We'd
It gave me a funny feeling when I both overlooked that, me and that
got back outside our place again. voice back at the laundry.
There should have been a sign over "Eight shirts," he mumbled, "all
the door, "Abandon hope all ye who here. Six shorts."
enter here." could feel my cheeks puffing in
I

That had been my chance to

lasl and out like bellows. I reached down
lam, when I was sent out for that and hung onto the nearest piece of
laundry. But I knew enough not to. furniture, to brace myself for it when
It would have been a dead give-away, it came. He'd hit it in about a
and meant certain death. When they second more.
want to get you, not all the protection The phone rang. He dropped the
of all the dicks in town is any good laundry bill and went out to get it. I
to you. The only way for me to play kind of swayed where I was. I couldn't
it was this: They mustn't find out move fast, my knees were all watery.
anything that would make them want But luckily the party seemed to
to get me. So in I went. have a lot to say, held him out there
 COLLARED 139

long enough for me to pull myself Damn it, only emptied the
if I'd

together. closet first, we were still alone

while
got over to where his coat was
1 in the place, and the bureau drawers
hanging, across the back of a chair, later! But he kept cracking the whip
and unclasped a pencil with a rubber over my head and I didn't have time
on it. Then I staggered to where the to think straight. I emptied out the
laundry slip was, and rubbed out the drawers first, and before I'd got
pencilled "1" in front of the printed around to the clothes closet, Louie
word collars and the pencilled "5^" was already in the place. Even then,
after it. Then I floundered into a I was so busy listening to the two of

chair, and finally got my stomach them while I hauled things back and
clown where it belonged again. forth that I forgot for a minute what
He came in and finished up what was in that closet. Didn't realize
he'd been doing. The
list was badly what I was going to be in for, in just
wrinkled and that had covered the one more round trip.
erasure. "Everything accounted for," "What'd you mean just now, it's
he said. "He overcharged me five gone sour?" Buck was demanding.
cents, but the hell with that." He "The gun turned up clean."
wasn't a tightwad. Just a killer. Poktt
"Whatever that dirty name was after, "Don't sock me!" Louie shrilled.
he didn't get." "I done my part! Rogers wrapped his
He hauled a cowhide valise out into mitts around it right under my own
the middle of the room. He thumbed eyes! Picked it up and handed it back

it, and then mc. "Start packing," he to me. Somebody musta tampered
said. "We're getting out of here. I with it after I planted it."
don't like the way that dope sounded I unslung a half-dozen dresses from

just now." the rack, and suddenly black and

So that had been Louie who'd white checks were glaring malevo-
called just now. Well, I didn't like it lently at me from the depths of the
either, any more than he did, but not closet! A chair creaked, and Louie had
for the same reasons. The lab would slumped down in one right on a line
never kick back with its report on with the closet door, rubbing the side
that collar in time to keep them from of his face where Buck had caught
hauling me off out of reach with him. I knew I'd never be able to get
them. Temple would never be able it out of there without him seeing it,

to get to me once they took me out not even if I tried to cover it over
of here with them. And it was no with the dresses. It was such a big
good trying to stall either. bulky thing.
"Come on, yuh paralyzed?" he "It's got to stay in there where it
said, and gave me a shove. "Get a is,"I heaved terrifiedly to myself.
move on." "That's my only chance."
 "

I 40 ELLERY QUEENS MYSTERY MAGAZINE

I sidled out with the dresses, and "Come on, I've got everything!"
gave the closet door a little nudge be- Iinterrupted frantically. "What're we
hind me with the point of my elbow, waiting for?" I picked up both valises,
to close it more than it was so he heavy as they were, just to break
couldn't see in. I didn't bend over the Louie's chain of thought.
bags, I toppled over them from fright "Make sure you don't leave noth-
and weakness when I got to them. ing behind," Buck said. He widened
I should have got away with it, the the closet door to take a last look in.
way they were barking at each other. His voice sounded hollow, coming
"You blundering fool! No wonder from inside it. "Hey, you dope,
they never brought Rogers back! what's the matter with this coat?"
Mendes'II have to go to bat for me Clump went the two valises to the
now!" floor. I just stood there between them.
"She ratted on you herself!" Louie Dead already, for all practical pur-
protested. For a minute I thought he poses, just waiting to fall down. I
meant me and a drop of twenty didn't even turn to look, just waited
degrees ran down my spine. "I heard for it to come.

she left some kind of a high-sign, but Buck came out holding it up by one
I couldn't find out what it was; they're hand, and the room was suddenly full
keeping it to themselves. They found of loud checks. Louie gave a jolt out of
her with something in her hand. They his chair, like a tack had run up
put the kibosh on it, wouldn't let the through it.
papers tell it. One story I heard was "That's the coatl" he yelled. "I'd
they're out after some guy that poses know it anywhere! That's the coat I
for ads in magazines, but I think it's seen come out of the Kitteredgc
just a bum
steer they threw out on babe's house five minutes after I left
purpose. Anyway, one thing's sure, there Tuesday morning! So you
she didn't die right away like you wanna know who ratted on you! So
thought." you wanna know who! Ask her what
"She was dead when I left herl" she was doing down there. Ask her
Buck growled ferociously. "I oughta how the gun turned up clean. Ask
know, I tried hard enough to bring her how the stiff come to give a high-
her back! Somebody's framed me! sign when you left her dead."
C'mon, let's get out of here fast. "Did I answer at this end when you
Hurry up, you, y'got everything?" called up right afterwards — did I or
Louie's face was working like he didn't I? Tell him that!" I yelled.
was trying to connect something up. "Sure — so out of breath you
"Y'know, I forgot to tell you," he couldn't hardly talk at all," Louie
started to say, "Tuesday morning said.
you sent me over "Don't let him put a knife in me,
early,
there —when Buck. What's he trying to tell you?' 1
 COLLARED
But I could tell by Buck's eyes I*d lost knew it. He put his gun away slow,

the bout already. They would have even slower than he'd brought it out.
cut window glass, they were so hard. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah, you're
"He wouldn't make up a thing like right. And she's not worth taking a
that," he said. "Know why ? He hasn't rap for. We'll go up to the place in the
got imagination enough. And there's sticks. I'll get in touch with my
not another coat like yours in town; mouth as soon as we get up there.
they told you that fifty times over He can handle the Kitteredge thing
when you bought it." easy; he's handled worse ones than
Buck unbuttoned his topcoat, that for me.
spaded his hand under his jacket, "Let's see, now; she'll start with us,
heaved once, brought out his gun, but she won't get up there with us
leveled it, squinted at my stomach. though. You and me, Louie, will have
Gee, it was awful watching him do it, to hike it the last lap of the way in.
he seemed to do it so slow. He crooked We're going to have an accident with
his left index finger at mc, kept wig- the car before we get there. You know
gling it back and forth, and smiling. that hairpin turn, where the road
You had to sec that smile to know twists around that bluff high over the
how awful a smile can be. river? It always makes me nervous
"Cm over here and get it," he said. every time I pass that stretch of road,
"You're not worth moving a step out especially the way you drive, kind of
of the way for. Come on, this way. close to the edge."
The nearer you are, the less you feel He gave another of those smiles of
it. This is where you came in, baby." his, and Louie grinned back at him in

Ipicked up one foot and put it answer. "That ain*t far from the
down on the outside of the valise and place," he said. "I don't mind hoofing
stayed that way, straddling it. I it from there in." He thumped him-
noticed a funny thing; I wasn't so self over the belt buckle. "Matter of
scared any more. I wasn't as scared as fact, I don't get enough exercise."
I had been just before they'd found "I like accidents," Buck said. He
the coat. I kept thinking, "It won't kept on smiling. "You take the bags,
take long, I won't feel it. I'll be with Louie, I'll take the body."
Gordon now, anyway." He linked his arm through mine,
"Not here," Louie said nervously. like a guy often walks with a woman.
"What'd we go to all that trouble Only the hand on the end of it stayed
about the first one for if you're only in his coat pocket, and the coat pocket
gonna pull a kill, big as life, where stuck into my side, hard and heavy.
they can't miss it?" "Now if you're in a hurry," he said,
It was hard for Buck to put on his "if you want it fast, right away in-
brakes, his blood was so hot for a kill. stead of later, just sing out between
But Louie was talking sense, and he here and the car. It don't make any
142 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
difference to me if you take the ride it's pretty,"I said, and turned a little

with us dead or alive. You're just to look up one way. "It's tough to
short-changing yourself out of about leave it," I said, and turned again to

forty minutes of life, that's all." look down the other way. I couldn't
The shade, I kept thinking, the get a full loop into it, but I got it
window shade. My signal to Temple. snagged around the button, which
It was as out of reach as if it had been was the size of a silver dollar. He did
on the window of a house across the the rest.
street. "If I've got to go, I've got to "C'mon, that's enough," Buck said,
go,"I said dreamily. "But won't you and he jerked me back and started to
letme take just one last look at the swing me around on ray way to the
town from the window? You see, I door. The button took the cord with
won't be seeing it again. You can it and pulled it tight over my shoul-

keep the gun at my back; you can der. Whirr! and the shade came all the
make sure I don't try nothing." way down to the bottom, so fast and
"Aw, let her take one last look," hard it tore partly off the roller,
Louie said. "It'll hurt that much creased, and wouldn't go up again.
more, don't you get itP Here, I'll hold It looked so much like an accident
her hands behind her back, so she they didn't even tumble. He just gave
can't signal with them in any way, and me a clip on the head, and freed the
you keep the gun on her." cord by wrenching the button off.
They shoved me up in front of the Then wc went on out of the place and
window, keeping back out of sight down to the street, him and me first
behind the curtains. "Okay, Mae, and Louie behind us with the two
say good-by," Buck laughed. bags.
The cord was hanging in a loop in If had expected the shade stunt to
I

front of me but Louie had both my get meanything, I was out of luck.
wrists in a vise behind me. I had a lot The was dead, there wasn't a
street
of clothes to wear. I could have had on soul in sight up or down the whole
almost anything that day any- — length of it. Buck's car was standing
thing that wouldn't have done any a few yards down -from the door,
good. But he'd husded me out so where there were a couple of big fat
fast to get that laundry I hadn't had leafy trees. He had a habit of parking
time to doll up. I'd shoved into a it under them, to keep the sun from

skirt and a blouse. A blouse with heating up the inside of it too much.
a couple of big fiat buttons on each We went down to it and he shoved
side of it. me into the back seat, climbed in
I don't know how I did it. I bet I next to me and pinned me into the
couldn't do it over again now if I corner with his shoulder. Louie
tried. The cord was hanging in a loop dumped the bags in the trunk, got in
that rested against my chest. "Gee, and took the wheel. "So he had a
 COLL AR ED X43

look-out posted, did he?" I thought come up from the river

She'll never
bitterly. "Where — over in the next bottom again anyway, so it don't
county?" make no difference if she's got a
We started ofl* with kind of a thud, slug in her."
that didn't come from the engine. He crowded me back into the
"What was that?" asked Buck. corner of the seat, sort of leaned over
Louie looked out and behind us. me, to muffle it between our two
"One of the branches of that tree bodies. Myeyes got big, but I didn't
must, t;i;i/nl ihr roof. see it kind of
i 1 let out a sound.
wobbling up and down." Over his shoulder I saw something
We rounded the corner and started that I knew I couldn't be seeing. A

out for the express highway that later pair of legs swung down off the car
on turned into the upstate road we roof, then a man's waist and shoulders
wanted. Buck had his gun on me the and face came down after litem, and
whole time, through the pocket, of he was hanging to the roof with both
course. I just sat there in the corner arms. He hung there like that for a
resignedly. Itwas too late for anyone minute, jockeying to find the run-
to horn in now. Temple's look-out ning-board with his feet. Then he
had muffed it. Must have gone off to let go, went down almost out of
phone in the alarm just as we came out sight, came up again, hanging onto
of the building. the door handle with one hand, draw-
There was more life on the avenue ing a gun with the other.
we were on now than on the street we Buck had his back turned to that
lived on. Louie said suddenly, "Ev- side, didn't see him in time. But the
erybody walking along the sidewalk man had darkened the inside of the
turns and rubbernecks after us. car a little by being there like that,
What's she doing?" and Buck pulled his gun out of my
"Nothing," Buck told him. "I got side and started turning. He never
her covered. You're just jittery, that's had time to fire.
all." Then he glanced back through The guy fired once, straight into
the rear insert. "Yeah, their heads are his face, and then Louie swerved, and
allturned staring after us!" the car threw the guy who'd shot off
His face worked savagely and he the running-board and he lay there
brought the gun out into the open, behind us in the street.
then rebutted it in my side without Buck's head fell back into my lap,
any pocket over it. "I don't know and it never moved again, just got a

what ya been Join', but you're littleblood on me. I saw Louie reach-
through doin' it now! Step it up," he ing with one hand, so I freed the gun
told Louie, "and let your exhaust out, that was still in Buck's hand, pointed
I'm going to give it to her right here it atthe back of his neck, and said:
in the car, ahead of the accident. "Pull over!"
 ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE
The jolting of the car to a stop right. It's just as well we got him this
threw Buck's dead head off my lap to way, though, because we couldn't
the floor where it belonged. have used it anyway. Frank Rogers'
I was holding Louie .there like that, testimony on the way he was tricked
hands up in the clear off the wheel, into handling that gun can take care
when Temple's look-out came limping of Louie as an accessory, and we'll
after us. He was pretty badly banged sweat the rest of it out of Louie
up by his fall but not out of commis- himself, so you can still stay out of it
sion. He took over. like you wanted to ail along." He
"They ought to be here any min- chuckled. "Pretty neat, the way you
ute," he said. "I tipped off Temple as worked it. Our fellows have waded
soon as I caught the shade signal, through more dirty wash since Tues-
but I figured he wouldn't make it in day morning. .
.".

time. That tree was a natural, for "But wait a minute," I said,
stowing myself away on the roof." puzzled. "How'd you know I was the
Temple and the rest caught up with one worked it? How'd you know that
us five or ten minutes later, in a the collar was planted?"
screaming police car. On the way back He winked at me good-naturedly.
in it with him, safely out of earshot of "You held it to her mouth upside
the handcuffed Louie, I said: "Well, down. The cleft of the upper lip was
what luck did you have with that at the bottom." He chuckled. "What
collar?" was he supposed to be doing while she
"The lab just sent in its report was kissing him —
standing on his
before I came away. It checks all head?"
 :
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