10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

i 96———_—__—_—_—_————_10-STORY DETECTIVE you so surely shot! It will save much trouble with my government!” MacFarlane glanced inquiringly at Steele, “How about it?” he demanded. “It would simplify things a lot,” the War Department man admitted slow- ly. “Arresting Toy San would kick up an awful stink if we didn’t have a lot on her. Of course it may be irregular, but such things are done!” “Then it’s a go!” MacFarlane de- clared. “Strut your stuff, miss, it’s go- ing to take some tall talking to con- vince me that you’re not putting some- thing over!” Toy San laughed again. “As long as you hold those papers, you need not worry,” she protested. “It is for them that I came. And but for the mis- chance of Fate, I should have escaped with them! I slipped into this room while your Mr. Bushner was so busy trying to make love to his secretary. They did not see me. It was an easy task to search the open safe while they were arguing. They were so ex- cited, and the pretty secretary was so very angry. She struck at him and fled “And as he turned, cursing, I, too, slipped out unseen, The radio was playing, yet I heard the click of bolts as the door closed. I eoncealed myself in the dark shadows of the hall, wait- ing my chance for escape. It eame. The lights went out. You know the rest. Have I filled my part: of the bargain?” MacFarlane nodded. “And I’m glad you ain’t after old gold instead of the plans of an invention,” he commented. “T got some bridgework in my mouth that I’m powerful fond of!” Steele sighed with disappointment. “We're just as far as ever from the murderer,” he murmured. Toy San paused on her way to the door. “I would not worry,” she said softly. “I think that your friend in the wrinkled uniform will solve the prob- lem easily. He is very clever!’ She waved a hand gracefully in a farewell gesture. MacFarlane splashed a thin brown stream of tobaceo juice toward the fireplace. ““Don’t that beat hell?” he exclaimed feelingly. ““Now she’s what I'd call a real smart woman!” He stared intently at the papers in his hand as though to reassure him- self that they were still safe. A mo- ment later his face wrinkled in a thoughtful frown. “Explain these to me, will you?” he requested suddenly. Steele studied the papers carefully. “This is the plan for a new aiming de- vice to be used on anti-aircraft arma- ment,” he informed the ranger. ‘See, here it is. The sound of an airplane motor registers on this mechanism which automatically aims and fires the gun.” Virginia Trent peered over his shoulder. “That’s my brother’s inven- tion,” she declared excitedly. “It’s a sound locater. With proper adjust- ment, it will indicate the source of any type of sound impulse!” MacFarlane looked at her quickly. “Could it be fixed so that it could aim anything, such as a rifle or pistol, at a man’s voice?” he demanded. “It is so accurate that it can be set to register the sound of a falling feather !” the girl answered simply. “That’s all I need to know,” Mae- Farlane declared, glancing toward the mantelpiece. The sound of an auto- mobile motor cut short any further comment. The sheriff’s party had ar- rived, HE sheriff breezed in with the air of a man who is anxious to be quickly done with a disagreeable task. “Well, Sherlock, what’s the lay of things?” he demanded of the ranger. “Let's get going!” MacFarlane quickly sketched the situation, carefully avoiding all refer- ence to Toy San. The sheriff promptly became a very worried man. ‘‘Cripes!” he exploded. “This-:i¢ a nasty mess! And just be- fore election, too! Well, l reckon we’ve got to arrest this secretary woman. She’s the one who did it, or else she wouldn’t have that blood on her dress. comicbooks.com ~ — ae tie ~ ale