10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

getaway,” he announced disgustedly. “This fellow’s a case for the coroner,” he added, dragging a limp something into the light. That light glowed soft- ly on a yellow face. “Looks to be some kind of a Chink,” he commented cal- lously. “I see you got his sister.” “Sister, the devil!” Steele snapped. “This is Toy San, one of the cleverest operators employed by a certain group of politicians in the Far East!” “You don’t say!” the ranger ex- claimed. “Then maybe we better be findin’ out what’s happened at th’ house. They tell me these Chinks are hell for funny stuff!’ He dropped the dead man and made for the front en-. trance of the main building. Behind that door was the sound of hurried confusion. Suddenly the lights flashed on. A _ white-faced servant opened the door in response to Mac- farlane’s pounding. The lanky ranger inserted a big foot through the narrow opening, and crashed his way in. “What the hell’s coming off here?” he demanded savagely. There was a blank look on the serv- ant’s face. “We—we’re trying to find out; sir,’ he stammered worriedly. “Just a minute, sir, and—” The quick tap of running feet in the hallway interrupted his words, and a very white and frightened girl rushed toward the door. Her clothing was disheveled, and a dark something was smeared on her sleeve. Macfarlane recognized Virginia Trace. Her face lighted at sight of the ranger. “Thank heavens, you’re here!” she exclaimed. “Something terrible has happened! I’ve tried to call Mr. Bush- ner, but he does not answer. His door is locked. And there is something wet leaking from under it—it looks like blood !”’ There was a muffied exclamation from behind the ranger. He whirled to surprise a dazed expression on Steele’s face. The War Department agent was looking at the girl with a stunned ex- pression in his eyes. MacFarlane grinned. “Keep your ——KILLER OF THE CRACLAND————___—_—_91 head, boy,” he advised in a quick un- dertone, “This is no time to be fall- ing for a dame! This looks to be plenty serious!” A smothered gasp came from the girl. She, too, seemed suddenly dazed, and there was recognition in her eyes as she stared at Roland Steele; recog- nition, and something else that the ranger could not identify. But he was instantly aware that Virginia Trace and Roland Steele were not strangers. The angry voice of Robert Speer jerked Mac Farlane’s attention from this surprising discovery. The owner of Cragland stood in the doorway, and he seemed very much put out at find- ing MacFarlane on the scene. Speer had evidently hurried over from the laboratory, and for some reason the ranger’s uniform incensed him. He glared at MacFarlane, and demanded the reason for the ranger’s intrusion. LATS MAcFARLANE shifted his quid of tobacco to the far side of his mouth, and returned Speer’s glance with cool indifference. “Y’ don’t act like y’ relish seeing the law in here, Mr. Speer,” he commented softly. “Now I wonder why.” Speer fairly choked with wrath. “Law! he sneered. “What kind of law is represented by a halfwit in hand-me-down clothing? By what authority are you here?” MacFarlane knoited a bony fist, and eyed it thoughtfully. “I reckon this is as good authority as any,” he declared. “T’m just aching to have you dispute tt The ranger’s attitude puzzled Steele, and he was quick to sense some strong antagonism between the two men. He stepped forward quickly. “I’m Steele from the War Depart- ment,” he introduced himself to Speer. “T believe that my commission will cover any question of authority.” Speer started slightly, and a faint pallor lightened the angry red of his_ skin. “I warn you, you will nave to answer to your superiors for this,” he began. “uy EOPMIE OOO KSsCOnA.