10-Story Detective, November 1942 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

30——_—__—_————————_10-STORY DETECTIVE and without you the law ain’t got a thing on me. So you’re just gonna disappear—and you ain’t coming back.”’ The girl laughed, too. Little John looked at her admiringly. She jeered at Latch: “Are you coming with me, punk?”’ “Part way,” said Latch. “We’re gonna load you with lead—uinside and out! And we’re going to take you five miles out to sea and leave you there. The stiffs never come back when they’re fixed that way!” Little John said again: ‘‘You are & Madman.” “ Latch leered at him. “I’m gure glad the boys brought you along, chum. The boat is a quarter of a mile from here. We can use you to tote the httle cat along. Let’s get going!” Tyson spoke quietly from the doorway. ‘‘We ought to eat first. The stuff’s all ready.” Latch didn’t hesitate. “Sure,” he said. “Let’s eat.” “We promised Little John a feed, too,’ Tyson added. Latch laughed loud. “Why, sure,” he said heartily. “Give him plenty.” He spoke to the girl. “You, too.” “I ain’t eating with you,” she snapped. “I do not want to eat,” said Little John. Latch chuckled. “That’s okay. But we always eat good here. Keep a lot of stuff on hand all the time.” In a moment or two, Latch and the others had left the room. Again, the key turned in the lock. Little John stared at the closed door. “Pretty tough bunch, huh?” said the girl. “Bad,” muttered Little John. “But the fat one—he’s too—” “Tyson! The girl laughed. ‘“‘He’s yellow, but he’s the worst of the lot. And he’s sure handy with a tommy gun. They probably got one on the boat, tao.” Little John wagged his head. “You should’ve eaten, big boy,” the girl reproved him. Little John was silent. ... Presently Latch returned, with the others. “Let’s go,” he said. The girl laughed at him. “The big boy ain’t ready to go.” “He’ll carry you,” Lateh said savagely. “You’ll let him earry you, or Ill. drill him right here. And he’ll carry you, or IT) drill you right here.” The girl smiled at Little John. ‘“‘We don’t care, do we, big boy?” But Little John shook his head. “T don’t want to see him shoot you,” he said. The girl stared at him, as if sur- prised, and a little disappointed. But Little John simply reached down and picked her up. She struggled a little at first, then rest- ed quietly in his arms. They went out, along a narrow hallway to a rear door. Daconi led the way. The others followed Little John, close behind him. A footpath led away from the house, through the woods. Some- one behind Little John turned on a dimmed flashlight, keeping Little John in the light. He trudged on, the girl held close to his breast, and in a little while they emerged on a small sandy beach. A twenty-foot power boat was tied to a smal! landing wharf. They walked several yards past the wharf. ‘Set her down,” Latch ordered briskly. Little John held the girl a mo- ment longer, and then dropped her lightly on her feet. 66 HE tide ain’t full in yet,” - Latch went on. “We can drill these two right here on the sand, and in a couple of hours the water will wash away all the evidence. Then we can tie ’em both up in some old canvas, leaded down, and throw ’em on the boat. That way there won’t be no blood either.” cComiclbool C@