10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

PLUNDER DEADLINE—————————"57 of ninety-four,” Eddie said tonelessly. “Yep. Well, I got to be goin’. Maybe you wouldn’t mind comin’ down to the station with me?” “No,” said Eddie. “In the wagon?’ “Tt’s only two blocks. I don’t guess you mind walkin’ ?” From the bedpost Eddie lifted his cap and pulled it low over his eyes. He started toward the door. “You better bring them bundles along, kid. The chief’s gonna be right glad to know where they are.” One of the packages slipped from Eiddie’s hand and rolled to the floor. The sergeant retrieved it, glanced at it and handed it back to Eddie. “It would be a disgrace,” he ex- plained smilingly, “to be seen carry- in’ anything. A taxpayer might think I was doin’ some work an’ taxpayers don’t want to think that. They gotta have something to gripe about, kid.” The boy nodded. He liked Sergeaut O’Toole and realized that the officer was trying to make it as easy for him as possible. But he could not now ap- preciate the sergeant’s dry political humor. He was a criminal being arrested for a daring robbery and would be dealt with as such. As they started down the stairs the sergeant spoke. “T see I done you an injustice, Ed- die. You got them bundles addressed to the Acme. Is the money in ’em?” “Yes. It’s all there.” “Tt’s right nice o’ you to think 0’ that, Eddie. It shows a good Christian upbringin’.” “Weon’t do me a lot of gzood—now,” Eddie said. “Wal, I reckon not, come to think of it. The attorneys’ll say it’s just a trick a clever bandit like you would think of in case he did get caught earryin’ the stuff. They’ll make a mighty bad case out against you. Still, the bundles might help some, seein’ as this is your first job.” “T got it comin’ to me. I’m gonna take my medicine.” HEY reached the pavement out- side the house and started toward the station. | “That’s the right idea, kid. What your folks gonna say about this, do you think?” Eddie’s jaw set. “T haven’t got any folks,” he said. “Hm. Well, maybe that’s best. They won’t be so awful proud if they find out about it, will they?” Slow, hot tears welled in Eddie’s eyes. “No,” he said. “I guess they won’t.” For a space the two walked in si- lence. Sergeant O’Toole spoke. | “Y’know, Eddie, I been right wor- ried about you lately. I always believe in givin’ a boy a break an’ for that reason I always hate to see one go wrong—an’ that’s what happens when they get out o’ work. I seen it happen time an’ again. You looked to me like you was a right nice sort an’ I judged your folks was, too. “T seen you hanging around Bud’s joint again last week an’ I said to myself, ‘Jim, he’s sinkin’. Some day you’re gonna have to bring him in’. But I never thought it would be for a big thing like this. I never thought it would be so soon.” The sergeant glanced at his pris- oner. The boy’s face was motionless, his eyes fixed glassily ahead. “This ought to be a lesson to you though, Eddie. It’s hard to take, but if you’re a man you'll take it an’ profit by it. An’ I figure you’re a man, Ed- die.”’ The sergeant stopped. “Dam’ cigar’s gone out. Gimme a light, kid. Thanks. “I’m gonna try to keep this quiet as possible for you. No use to disgrace your folks. They don’t know where you are, you told me once, an’ I won’t tell ’em. I guess it’s better now that they don’t know your address, ’cause it’s likely to change soon. Yep, best not to tell ’em. “Your ma would be heartbroken an’ your sisters too. They’ll find it COMMICLOoOokKs (C@