10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

74 and Ill beat it out and join you. Then we can hop in the car, and—on our way !” Algie considered for some time. “But suppose Frank gets me instead of me getting him?’ Sophie smiled sweetly. “That would be too bad—for you. But I had to fig- ure it out so that I’d be in the clear whatever happened. She leaned over and kissed him lingeringly. “You ought to be willing to take some chances to get me, hadn’t you? Me— and the dough.” “T guess so,” said Algtie. Sophie pouted. “You don’t seem very happy about it,” she complained. “And that’s one reason I fell for you, because you’re always so happy!” Algie grinned feebly. When he spoke, his voice was barely audible: “Sure,” he said. “It’s a great gag!” FEW hours later, Sophie had Al- gie feed Felice again. It aston- ished him that such a frail young lady had shown no signs of hysteria. She said very little to him; merely looked at him out of her gentle eyes, a little reproachfully. “Geez, she’s sweet!’ he told him- self. “I could fall for her in a minute. I—I guess I’m crazy about her right now! But, hell, I’m only a—” “What are you groaning about?” Sophie asked him. “You!” lied Algie. “Ain’t you get- ting sleepy?” Sophie smiled, and somehow man- aged to get both affection and cun- ning into the smile. “I’m crazy about you, Algie,’ she said. “But I don’t trust you—yet. I ain’t sleeping until you and me are far, far away. You go ahead and sleep if you. want to. It’s only morning, and Parsons won’t be back until evening.” So Algie lay down and slept fitful- _ ly. In his sleep he dreamed about Fe- lice, And in the dream he rescued her from a band of ugly gorillas, led by Parsons, and at the end, with blood streaming down his face, he told her he loved her, and she kissed him. 10-STORY DETECTIVE Then he woke up and found that it was Sophie who was kissing him. “Geez, Sophie, don’t—” He was interrupted by the sound of a car grinding to a stop outside. So- phie moved away from him very quickly and Algie sat up. The door opened. Parsons came in with Armand. Sophie ran and kissed him. “Did you get it, big boy?” she asked. “Did I get it!” Parsons grinned. Algie could see that he was keyed up to a high pitch. His eyes were points of glittering light. “Did I get it!” “Swell,” said Sophie. She glanced quickly at Algie, from around Parson’s arm. _ “How’s baby Felice?” said Parsons. “Sick,’’ said Sophie. ‘‘Better take a look at her. Parsons leered and wagged his head at Armand. They walked toward the bedroom. Sophie took out her key, un- locked the door. Parsons and Armand walked in, leaving Sophie and Algie in the living room. Sophie darted a look at Algie. He knew what it meant. It meant: “Now’s the time. They’re going to croak Felice now! You shut the door, slap me, and take my key and guz away from me, lock the door, run out, and get Frank—if you can!” Sophie had the key in her hand. Suddenly Algie snatched at the key, kicked the door shut, locked it. Sophie smiled encouragingly. She screamed as he slapped her face and took her automatic. “He’s got my rod!” she yelled at Parsons through the door. Parsons was rattling the door- knob inside. “Sure I’ve got it!” Algie shouted. “And I’m gonna use it, too!” He stuck it against Sophie’s side. Sophie didn’t understand. Her eyes told him to hurry out to Frank. But she had never seen Algie’s face so un- smiling. . “Tf you think I’m gonna let ’em croak Felice,” he said savagely, Gomicbooks (C@