10-Story Detective Magazine, April 1946 — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

HITCHHIKE TO A HANGNOOSE 6 Sovely DRESSES noon, I’m from up near Atlanta. Name’s Joe. Joe Pender.” “Mine’s’—it seemed to Joe that the voice hesitated—‘“Dale, Harry Dale.” The unending macadam unwound steadily under the quivering beam of his one good headlight, He said, “Bor- rowed this hack from my kid brother, Phil. Got this girl in New Orleans, see? We used to go steady, when she still lived up in Georgia. That was before I got drafted. So I’m gonna see her to- night and pop the ol question.” He turned toward the shadowy~bulk on the seat beside him. “You married Dale?” “Once,” the voice said. “It’s okay, may- be, if you get the right dame.” “Sure, sure,” Joe said, “That’s what I told Pop—those words—only this mornin’, This is the right one, see? Right for me. A guy can usually tell, if he takes his time looking.” “Yeah.” His guest of the road sound- ed bored by the topic, , Joe said, “You shoulda heard the old man cuss, when he heard I was takin’ off in Phil’s car all the way to New Orleans, But, hell, it’s no trouble to get gas now. And the kid’s got a brand new set of tires on this old heap. So—” “All right,” said his rider. “Now just quit beatin’ your gums a second, while I say somethin’.” Joe felt a tight hollow sensation be- neath his belt. Without turning his eyes from the road, he said, “What gives, friend?” “Trouble. And a slug in your ear, if you don’t do like I tell you. Pull over into that clearing, ahead there.” There was a peninsula of firm ground jutting off from the road where Dale in- dicated. Joe pulled over on it, following _& pair of deep tire tracks which had not been used apparently for months, Harry Dale—if that was his name— slid out of the door backwards, watching Joe closely. Something in his right hand glinted coldly in the diffused glow from Joe’s single headlight. “Out this side, pal.” His arm jerked, “And no damn—hey, cut the—” Joe’s left elbow had gently nudged his door handle downward. He felt the spring eatch release, felt the door give outward as his shoulder pressed it, He hurled himself outward and down in a dive for safety, at the same time 73 BtEA NEO, PRES > SED AND REA OY: TE WEAR Woaring “Apparel Sensational offer— “smartly at Order toda say Sena ¢ ety ror 00 deposit, balance C, UB pos ° guaranteed "~ pur a ed) refunded, BONUS GIFT TO yoU for lim ipee te time ene extra cout with every Introductory Introductory On ACE MAIL ORDER CO. 414 Madison St,, Dept. 25-0, New Vork 2, WH. Y. HYPNOTIZE: velop 3 rated fa onal eke \ UA practical e at ? gf a je : spi \ ~ y ease . spell over his, sub- ae | more dozinan emtectolocatedtin: iNtustrated S INSTRUCTION COURSE im Useful ab ant Learn How to I 2 Saccosacas ie aDK 1139 Go Wabash Avo., v0., Chicago. 5,5 BUY FROM: THE. OLDEST“ ESTABLISHED ~“FIRMAAIN THE: UNITED STATES*SELLING EYE GLASS: ES B. YeouM Att BY 6 Ce t 16° DAYS» TRVAL Choice of the LATEST STYLES—temarkably LOW PRICES, ae joe pa a money ii you are satisfied—they will not acent, ob American School, Dpi. Beni Drexe) ee 58th, an 37 *SONG POEMS oitstrrous SAS tO BESET TO MUSIC na for neuen gr Bh oy y~ HONOGRAPH RECORD emniee : W FIVE STAR MUSIC MASTERS, 650 Beacon Blda., Boston 8, Mass. LD Please mention Ace Promnon Group when answering swering aslvertisements ElNOOL (© CO Af