Pulp Fiction, 1938 · page 13 of 116
10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis: "Laughing Ghoul" This is the opening page of a detective-action novel by Ralph Powers. It features the title, author information, and a dramatic illustration showing two figures in conflict—one in dark robes facing another man in what appears to be a confrontation scene. Below the illustration is Chapter I, "The Black Circle," which describes a cloaked figure addressing a group of masked conspirators about a traitor in their ranks and explaining why they must conceal their identities for mutual protection. The visible prose establishes the mysterious, secretive tone typical of early pulp detective fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Laughing Ghoul Great Detective-Action Novel By Ralph Powers Author of “Headline Bondage” ait Se ) NES \ »\ = say e N \ al , — CHAPTER I THE BLACK CIRCLE BLACK-ROBED figure whose features were masked by a cowl! of the same obliterating shade, faced a ring of upturned eyes. Only the eyes were visible, eager eyes and sharp, flashing with excitement. They peered through slits in masks that covered the faces, following each word and gesture. “This may seem theatrical to some — _ — 7 } ee see " eon, == of you,” the voice of the black-robed figure was saying. “It may appear rather juvenile to others, but I can assure you that such is not the case. This is very serious-business, and there is a reason for these masks. = They are for your mutual protection. In spite of all the care we have used, somewhere there is a traitor. Who? I cannot tell. But for the protection of the rest of you, he must not see your face nor guess your identity. Your calling is sufficiently hazardous Eomicboo Kel ‘ 4 : F iv “i Ay . a * i i) fh 5 ‘/ ' ” i YY mr sou AN uri) Ws Ww "Oy Pgh ae, i Ks rye ma baie Sy Seb A Bad. Myth a uP + wae nen) Sa ips — = ws — Acge “et Y 4 t ~ ~~, x fof) f ivi le. ep ye ‘ t. yi Nd “ a wr muy hah CNH a Litho) 4 Wh = * _ — a — aig 7 : < ~ —_ a _ = ’ « « SSu(S eee ig te ae