10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

LOOT OF THE LAUGHING GHOUL————__— “Tt hope you and Miss Nason will have dinner with me,’ Hammond told Colonel Ward. “I am expecting some other friends, and would be de- lighted to have you join me.” “Y’d be delighted,” the girl said. Her eyes were on the figures stand- ing at the bar, and her color height- ened. “Tf you'll excuse me,” Hammond told the two, “T’ll step out and see if my guests have come.” As Hammond stepped into the lobby, he saw a young man in a loose-fitting tuxedo seated in one cor- ner, watching with indifferent eyes the throngs passing in and out. “Mr. Arthur Haycox?’ Hammond asked, stopping before him. The man arose. “I am,” he said. “T am Paul Hammond. A mutual friend in New York suggested that I get in touch with you.” . “A man whose initial might be D?”’ Hammond grinned. “It might be,” he admitted. “Ceuld you have din- ner with me and a party of friends?” “Swell,” said Haycox. “Pardon me, there are two of them now,” Hammond had seen a couple cross- ing the lounge and coming in his direction. He arose and approached them. As the man’s eyes met his, Hammond glanced at his watch. The man smoothed down his hair with a careless gesture. Hammond laughed into his handkerchief, “Hello, major,” he greeted the new- comer, “I’ve been looking for you.” “Kind of you to invite us. This is Miss Pierson. You’ve heard me—” “Of course,” Hammond broke in, “T’m charmed to meet you, Miss Pier- son, I want to present Mr. Haycox, who is also honoring me tonight.” In another moment he was pre- senting the two to the newspaper- man, Then he led them toward the cocktail room, where Nevel Mason and Colonel Ward were awaiting his return, . “We're all here now,” he told his guesis. “Let’s go into the dining room. The music has started already.” Nevel Mason looked up and smiled. “ve heard you’re a_ wonderful dancer,” she said to Hammond. “A baseless rumor,” he said, “but you'll soon know the worst.” They went toward the dining room, but as Hammond followed his guests through the arched door, he caught a glimpse of a girl in evening dress staring in his direction. A veil, thrown over her head, partially screened her features, but he caught a glimpse of tawny curls and hazel eyes, flecked with gold. His breath stopped for a moment. The girl was moving swiftly toward him. “Careful,” her low voice whispered. “They'll try to get you tonight.” “What? Who are—” he muttered. But the woman had turned and was gone before he could finish his question. ITH his guests on their way to the dining room, Paul Ham- mond had no time to pursue the woman whose mysterious warning had reached his ears. It was not the words which. had startled him. It was her face, her hair, the golden flecks in the warm hazel eyes. His suspicions were correct. There were two women. One was a copy of the other. But who was who and which was which? Was one a friend and the other an enemy? If so, he must swiftly determine their identity. He thought of telegraphing to D-1l for information, but such an act would be against their code. He must fight his own battle and win or lose. His mind worked swiftly. If one of the women was Nevel Mason, the other would, naturally, the identity of these two. Paul Hammond frowned when he entered the dining room and saw that the table reserved for him had been placed next to that occupied by Sefior : be Bette | Langwell. Bette might impersonate | Nevel or—Nevel might impersonate her. Both were clever and fearless. — The solution of his problems lay in — 47 ¥ eM ¢ bed tycy ¥ hd thks J Wee b a) 4 + OR Maite) uw stipes lou ites ead