10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

The message from headquarters didn’t reach us until just a moment ago.” “What happened on Lafayette Ave- nue?” Stone asked. “A half-crazy guy shot up the ceil- ings all over the place. We had a hard time getting him without putting lead into his carcass. He’s locked up by this time.” Stone’s lips fastened in a firm, hard line and his eyes sparkled dangerous- ly. Without a word he walked to the sidewalk in front of the bank. Glanc- ing down he saw a smear of still moist blood. Halliday eame out after him and Stone pointed to the stain. “There’s an example of O’Keefe’s marksmanship,” he-said. “He hit one of those killers.” “Sure he did.” An excited newsboy pushed his way closer. “He hit one of the guys good, he did. I saw him fall and his pals picked him up and threw him into their car.” “Thanks,” Stone told the boy. “Give your name and address to that officer over there. You’ll be helping us.” “Well, captain,” Halliday turned to face Stone squarely, “Ht looks as though your radio cars were useless again. Odd how they happen to be busy whenever this gang strikes.” “Qdd is a mild word for it,” Stone said. “The only thing against my be- lieving the Shotgun Gang didn’t lure those cars away is the nature of the complaints. The calls were made by private citizens and every time they have been serious—like this shooting on Lafayette Avenue. I’d like to work on this case, commissioner.” “You?” Halliday showed his amaze- ment, “Why, captain, you haven’t worked outside in years. Every man in the detective department is-.at work on this gang.” “Just the same,” Stone declared doggedly, “I'd like to work on it. After all, I’m head of the radio division and drawing those radio cars away like that is a reflection on me, I shouldn’t have let it happen.” - en 2 “Nonsense. How could you prevent it? As you say, each eall has been a proper one. Oh, damn it, if that gang would only stick to one kind of hold- up! But they switeh from one end.of — the city to another and they stick up everything from theatres to banks. This makes seven cold-blooded mur- ders notched on the butts of their shotguns. Go ahead, captain. You’ve my permission to work on this. Act as you think best, with my detectives, or alone. You have my permission to use any means you see fit if only you ean run down this murderous gang.” ENTY-FOUR hours later, Ra- dio Car Eighteen rolled slowly down the wide avenue. The man be- — side the driver wore a patrolman’s uniform and badge, but there was a peculiar alertness in his eyes and the driver of the prowl car seemed a little more respectful than if his companion had been one of his own rank. “It’s quiet, captain,’ he observed. “Shall we stick around this area some more?” “It’s best,” Stone said. “Cruise about. There’s bound to be an alarm soon.” The radio dqueaied for attention. “Cars eighteen, sixty-one, thirty- four and thirty-nine, proceed to sev— enty-four Foster Street. There’s a murder been done there. Step on it!” “Let’s go,” Stone snapped. “This is what I’ve been waiting for.” The car darted forward, siren screaming. Stone noted that the call - came from a spot half a mile from the business section. Banks were closed, but movie houses were still open. If this was a ruse of the Shotgun Gang, it would be a movie house that was stuck up. Stone was the first man to reach the address. An untidy and squint-eyed woman wiped her hands on a dirty apron. “My,” she observed, “you cops work fast. It’s upstairs, officer. The AV BAR Ore oS sy ey ry ; \iearig 2 VAN) Ov Gite a wily } ‘ayy HE AWA ALE rater ACF: ‘ AY : ) ’ ha? a ASAD Ys a AAV hoa May itt tis ¥ sh} EN Mr be Pe Ay Dyk tee oa. rAd yt! rae i | ey y wy! th Oy : nes ey at We . Liieiise 2A St me. } — : ‘4 Van, eRe a lee gs 704 ; Waka et, ie 2 a. 7 = A