10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

36——_—__—-10-STORY DETECTIVE voice. “What's Mattison coming here for?” “T’m tellin’ you we’ve got the D.A. Brown—wanted for murder—the D.A.’s been hidin’ him! Brown’s been hidin’ on Webster’s place. That’s why Mattison’s comin’ to your place, Ray —to hear what I’ve got to tell him about Webster!” All the lingering fear of years of a lived lie stung Webster’s heart at that moment. He felt the despair of the damned as he gripped the instru- ment and sat in silent torture, He managed to mutter into the transmit- ter: “How much did you tell Mattison, Nat?” “I didn’t tell him anything—except that I’ve somethin’ on the D.A. Just enough to get him hot-footin’ it over to your place. When I get through talkin’ with Mattison, Webster’ll be startin’ up the river! I’m comin’ now!” Webster sat chilled as the connec. tion broke. Instantly he rattled the hook, demanded the number of the telephone in Brown’s hidden haven. He waited an agonized minute until an answer came in Mae Gary’s breathless voice. “Mae! What happened?” “Jack! He managed to get his hands loose, and I didn’t know it. He knocked me down, and got out of here, {—I didn’t know what to do, Jack. I fol- lowed him, saw him go into a store and a telephone booth. I managed to get into the next one and I heard him calling Mattison—” “Did he tell Teddy ?” “No—nothing definite. Oh, Jack, darling—” “WMaed Are you hurt?” “T’m ali right,” the girl answered with a sob, “Jack, what can you do —now ?” “Listen!” he urged sibilantly. “Call headquarters as soon as I hang up. You've been tipped off by someone whe ealied my effice—you know Slick Perles is at the Sunrise Bar now, with Mattison about the gun he’s been sniping at me with. Perles is waiting there. Got that?” “Yes, Jack!” “Good girl!” He broke the connec- tion. Then immediately, using the voice of Natto, he asked for the num- ber of police headquarters, His voice was his own when he asked for the office of Inspector Mattison. The an- swer sent a new chill through him: “Inspector Mattison has just left the building.” It meant: “Mattison is on his way now to Natto’s apartment.” Webster pushed away the instru- ment, which had sounded a pronounce- mer.t of doom on him. CHAPTER V THE D. A.’S WAY EBSTER rose alertly, his mind in turmoil, His nerves tightened as he heard an elevator panel click, and steps come toward the door, His signal sent Brown back through a con- necting door. He waited, hand on knob, until a rap sounded. He asked again, in disguised tones, “Who is it?” and heard: “Brock.” Webster pulled the door open. Brock started in and stopped. The click of the closing door turned him, He stared at Webster, and at the door in which Ted Brown appeared. He took retreat- ing steps, his face ashy with dismay; and then his thin lips began to curl in triumph. Mattison’s coming,” he said. “That’s your finish, Webster.” Webster answered, eyes levelled: “T think you’re right, Brock. My fin- ish and yours. Natto’s opened wp. He’s told his story. All of it—the whole rotten mess— it’s all in the record, signed and witnessed. He's going down to headquarters now,” Brock rasped: “That’s a lie.” “Have it your way,” Webster an- swered easily. “But when Mattison leaves here, he’ll be taking you along with me, You'll be starting on the ae - st ge i gt