10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

“George Agnew, Warren Hammond.” Agnew’s handshake possessed qui- escent power. Politely inquisitive gray eyes suggested that Agnew minded his own business with the vigilance of a jealous husband. His clothes were the best, his linen the freshest, his grooming perfect. “We can’t talk here,’ Sharon ob- jected. The human streams moving in and out of the building were surging and eddying about them, sluggish in an effort to get an earful. Hammond in- vited Sharon and Agnew upstairs. Agnew took a chair, crossing his gray-trousered legs. Smoothing his eray-flecked black hair, he lit a cigar and as much as withdrew from the meeting. “Sit down, Hammond,” Sharon in- sisted, waiting to see it done before he sat himself. “My uncle Mowat has some money, and no one but me to leave it to. How was I to know he’d be so touchy about it?” He flung up his hands. “Agnew and I wanted to go in on a deal. Was there anything more logical than that I should ask Uncle Mowat for money?” Sharon shifted on the chair in dudgeon. ‘“‘He’s acted strange ever since. I believe he thinks I'll murder him to get his money. His coming to you is the same as telling me he knows what I’m up to.” “What sort of deal is it?” He watched Agnew. “That’s none of your business, Hammond,” Agnew informed him bluntly. “I’m not asking you to put money into it. Actually, I’m oversub- scribed. I promised Sharon till to- morrow morning to let him in. But I wish he’d forget it.” “Oh, I guess I’ll have to forget it.” Agnew slapped his knee and got up. “You’re releasing me from my promise, Sharon.” Dave Sharon jerked petulantly. “It won’t hurt you to wait till tomorrow, Agnew,” he growled aggrievedly. “This means very much to me, Ham- mond. There’s a girl. We want to HOMICIDE DEMON —-————————-45 marry. I need money. It’s her parents. She has so much, I’m broke—they think. .. . Hammond, do you under- stand what this chance to get rich means to me?” : Agnew grimaced, lifted his heavy brows, and glanced at Hammond as though they were sharing the bore- dom of a tiresome joke. “Your uncle knows we’re friendly, yet he comes to me when he thinks you’re planning his murder.” Sharon’s fair face clouded. He could not reply, but he had the air of a man who knew the answer, if it would but come to mind. Agnew rolled the cigar in his mouth, asked, “Js there any chance of making a deal with you?” AMMOND sprang up, clenching his fists. Agnew watched with unconcern. Hammond got the idea. Agnew was implying that Mowat had come because of a conviction that Hammond valued integrity above friendship. He sat down. “There you are,” Agnew shrugged. “Mowat came for a look at you, and my guess is that he told you little. If Mowat wanted just a detective, he could easily have obtained one. But, naturally he’s fond of Sharon, and figures that you’ll talk Sharon out of any wild ideas Sharon has.” It was plausible. Agnew got up. Sharon rose and moved after him. “T think it’s decent of Uncle Mowat not to tell you that he suspected me, Hammond. I’m not thinking of mur- dering him.” Dave Sharon returned to the desk. “If I were, I certainly would now, because no one would believe I’d done it after I know Uncle Mowat suspects and has a detective watching me.” “Don’t talk like that.” “If Sharon came to me_ with money,’ Agnew chimed in, “and one dollar of it was dirty, I'd have noth- ing to do with him.” “I know that,” Sharon whirled. “Don’t worry, if I get any money, it COMIC OOO; KS.COin