10-Story Detective Magazine Cover — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

Md ta “<a ~ — = P a. 58—___—_—____—_10-STORY DETECTIVE ny? So far as he could recall, they'd been about average. He glanced at Walker. Perhaps he’d struck himself on the head with that club which he could easily have hidden somewhere near the door. But that didn’t explain the identity of the person who had unbolted the door to let them in. Un- less the watchman was in on it, too. Jarvis arose. “We’ve got a job to be done, gentlemen. The man who as- saulted me and Walker must still be in this building. Gorman, is there any other exit?” “Yes, sir—a delivery entrance. It’s at the back.” Jarvis nodded. “We’ll search the place anyway on the chance that this killer didn’t know about the rear deor. Walker, you and Post take the east wing. Granville, you stay here where you can watch the front door. Gor- man, we’re going into the Aztec Room and have a little chat with your stone image.” CHAPTER Iil THE THIRD HEAD HEY took a full half hour to go through the place before all of them met in the Aztec Room. Post was beginning to show some signs of fear, but Granville seemed impassive as ever. Gorman was nearly frantic. Walker remained composed, but nerv- ous, Post said, “I went to the rear door, It was securely locked from inside. Nobody could have left and managed to get those bolts into place from out- side the door.” “T’m positive no one went through the front,” Granville added. ; Jarvis shrugged. “It’s beginning to look as though you’re right about the powers of that idol, Mr. Post. We’re sure nobody can be hiding inside here. We're just as sure no one left the place, so we’re right back where we started from.” Walker said, “Let’s search the place again. I’ll admit there may be some- thing to the history of the Aztec god, but no ghost walloped me over the head. I’ll swear to that. We didn’t check supply closets too well. Some- one may even be hiding in one of the mummy cases. It’s obvious the man is still inside the building.” “A splendid idea,” Post agreed. “I prefer that we handle this, sergeant. If we fail, then you may call in your police.” Jarvis got up. “There’s nothing like making sure. Remember, gentlemen, this killer is desperate. Keep your eyes and ears open. I’m going to the rear exit and check on those bolts. The rest of you search every cranny. Better arm yourselves with some of these war clubs.” Jarvis watched them hurry away. Only Gorman stayed behind. Jarvis ordered him to remain near the Aztec Room and then the detective hurried toward the rear of the place and the delivery entrance which Post claimed was sealed up. He studied the locks and bolts. They were intact. It was completely im- possible for anyone to leave via this door and throw those bolts back into place. However, a smart killer night have seen to it that the bolts were withdrawn, secured entrance with a key and moved quietly toward the front door to attack Walker and Jar- vis. Then, at a convenient moment later on, the killer could slip up to the rear exit and slide the bolts into place. That put the blame squarely on the shoulders of three men. Gorman, Post or Granville. Jarvis wasn’t forgetting Walker ei- ther. If he had done the attacking, and slapped himself on the head as an alibi, the rear door didn’t have to be touched at all. Jarvis wondered why the two stone heads had been stolen. Perhaps because the killer feared his craftsmanship might be traced. Jar- vis hadn’t bothered to search the men. Those stone heads were bulky enough to show un in any pocket. He searched several small rooms and closets without finding a thing. With a sigh of despair, he walked — €omicbooks. < (e(e) = x