10-Story Detective Magazine, April 1946 — page 49: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

thing too hot to handle again?” “Maybe yes, maybe no,” I sdaeeiiclid. “But do me just this one last favor, and have old Doe Whitehead out at the man- sion for the inquest at one o’clock.” Mark’s tone was a little more serious. “O. K.,” he assented. “hen he added, laughing again, “But let me in on it if you think you’re about to trap the lion in his den. I want to see the fight!” “You'll be in on it, all right,” I prom- ised and hung up. I closed my eyes and leaned against the booth to think a moment. Somewhere in the back of my head a giant picture puz- zle was spread out on a table. The entire picture was complete—except for one piece. A hand was stretching out across the table holding the last jagged piece. It moved toward the empty gap im the puzzle, I never found out whether it fitted, There was a sudden impatient knock out- side the booth, I opened my eyes to stare at a flustered female, and as I stepped out of the little swinging door the vision was gone. But I was pretty darned sure, all the same, the piece would fit. PERE was just time enough for me to grab a bite to eat before taking another eab back out to the Herrick man- sion. From the cars parked beyond the coral post entrance and next to the house, T could tell that the others had already ar- rived. Mark’s squad car was behind my jalopy. Behind it was Doc Whitehead’s shiny sedan. Mark had the company already assem- bled in the living room. When he spied me, he nodded his head and began. “Not much more needs to be said,” he announced to the group. “I have called you together again merely to exonerate all those in the household who might be considered responsible for Colonel Her- rick’s death.” There was a long pause during which everyone looked at the other. I could see George Freeman and his wife breathe a sigh of relief. Looking around the room, I counted noses. Over against the far wall Harris was making elaborate precautions to avoid my eyes. Mark went on, “T had the coroner check on the autopsy. There is nothing new to report, The finding is that Colonel Her- rick died a naturel death which was THE CHOKE’S ON ME——————_—_——47 caused by asthmatic strangulation. H there are no questions, you are all dis- missed.” Mark paused and waited for voices, while I teok one more glance about the room. Then FI wet my lips, cleared my voice, and spoke up, “Where is Misa Vail ” Everyone turned and glanced about the walls, There was an awkward silence. “Miss Vail is slightly indisposed. She - asked to be excused.” It was the nurse, Miss Post, who spoke. Everyone stared at her, while I passed Mark a significant gesture. He got the idea. “Doetor Whitehead,” he said to the ~ physician seated near the door, “Would © you see Miss Vail and determine whether she is physically able to attend this in- quest? Unless she is really sick, she is required to.” The dignified old medico stood up and started forward. But suddenly Mr. Big, the Colonel’s nephew, crossed in front of him. “Never mind, Doctor,” he said politely. “I think I can persuade Miss Vail to come in for a moment.” The old doctor took his seat again, and the reom relaxed. We waited a long time. We. heard Crowell’s footsteps mount the stairs, and the closing of a door. Then all was silence, A murmured conversa- tion started up in the living room. | glaneed at Mark. He was lighting another cigarette, I pulled one out, tried to light it, fumbled the match, and gave it up. “Excuse me a moment, please.” It was Harris, the lawyer, who rose now and erossed the room. Mark nodded his head at him. We heard his footsteps also climb the stairs. I don’t know how long it was before the next sound came. Maybe five minutes, maybe ten. But when it came the whole eompany suddenly shot to its feet. There was a harsh scream, the sudden roar of an engine, and a hoarse male shout. Everyone in the reom scrambled for the front windows. EING the first to arrive at the big corner window, I got a grandstand view of the whole thing. The station wagon, with two figures huddled in the front seat, came careening madly around the side of the house, onto the lawn past the parked cars, and toward the coral Comicsdooks co im