10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

12 Presently Sophie got up and took a chair over close by Algie. She laughed. “What are you laughing at?” said Algie gloomily. “Parsons,” said Sophie, and laughed acain, “{ don’t get you,” “Why—” “Because he’s a sap,” said Sophie. Suddenly there was a more serious ex- pression on her face. “Geez, you’re a nice-looking guy, Algie! Did anybody ever tell you about that?” Algie shot a startled look at her. “Well, I—I don’t remember—” “You know why Parsons glommed said Algie. you to stay with me—you, instead of some other guy? Because, Algie, he figured you as a punk, see? He figured he could trust you with me!’ Sophie’s laugh rang out merrily. “He didn’t know that I think you’re a swell guy, Algie.” “That’s nice of you,”’ Algie said un- easily. “But I—well, you—you’re Par- sons’ girl. And Parsons is one of the big boys. He’s got dough, and he—” “He’s a monkey!” snapped Sophie. “T hate him!’ | Algie flashed a quick glance at her, and he was startled again. She was a pretty little thing, and he had never dreamed she could look so savage. “Now listen, Sophie,” he said. ‘““Par- sons is a big guy, and I’m only a—” “Parsons is about through.”’ Sophie put a hand on Algie’s, and stroked it. “Listen, Algie. You know what he’s doing? Well, he figures he’s through. The boys ain’t so strong for him any more. So he figures he’ll pull his big- gest job and slide out. This snatch is big business. Felice Fancone is en- gaged to the big multimillionaire, Bert Funston. You know what Parsons wants for her?” “T wouldn’t know,” said Algie. “Two hundred and fifty grand! A ‘quarter million! And he’ll get it, too. Most of the ground work was done be- fore he snatched the girl. Why, Bert Funston would scratch up ten times as much for little baby Felice.” 10-STORY DETECTIVE “So would I,” said Algie, “if I had ie ee Sophie looked disappointed. She moved her chair very close to his, “Al- gie,” she said softly, “this is our big chance.” “For what? Getting bumped off?’ “For glomming a big bunch of dough and going away together—you and me,” Sophie said briskly. “I got it all worked out.” “T don’t think I want to hear about it.” Sophie smiled. She seemed confi-. dent of her ability to make Algie see thing's her way. “We got lots of time,” she said. “Parsons won’t be back for quite a while. You can be thinking it over. You got to go in and feed baby Felice in the other room now. That’s part of your job.” “Sure,” said Algie. ““What—” “But kiss me first,” said Sophie. “Well, I—all right.” He kissed her, “Not that way,’ complained Sophie. “T’ll show you.” She showed him. They went into the kitchen together, put some sandwiches up, and returned to the living room. Sophie, although obviously intent up- on forming a partnership with Algie, was taking no chances in the mean- time. She followed along after him, watchfully. Sophie carefully unlocked the bed- room door, opened it. Algie stepped in with the sandwiches. Felice Fan- cone was lying on the bed, still bound up. She was evidertly exhausted, and had closed her eyes. Algie stood there for a moment, looking at her. It seemed to him that he had never seen anything so sweet in his life. “TI got some grub for you,” he said apologetically. She opened her eyes, gazed at him thoughtfully. “You don’t look so bad,” she said quietly. “Well, I guess I’m all right.” “Feed the baby!’ Sophie’s voice crackled from the doorway. “Just feed her the food and save the candy for me,” GOmichboo S (C@)