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.

me f4 ee — es ee eo - Se Ee nn’ fi ‘a ae AES» — "af 5 > 2 < <= a a . ween Sis : n ~y < o————___.____.._—__— 1 SOY DEwNC Niet merely wanted to see me burn for his murder, so he crawled into a little shell somewhere: Al! this [ learned’ from friends I made in prison who got out and. . did! some investigating for me. When: it was safe to come out, he’d changed his appearance, “Maybe he doesn’t look like Norris, but his fingerprints will prove it. They’re still on file, I suppose. He was bondedia couple: of dozen times, pinched once: on susnicion of. being a fence, and he got into: trouble: with the F.BiL., too, those years. ago: His: prints will still! be around.’ Rourke sat down again. After a second! look at the corpse, he was beginning: to: agree with Kady; and Rourke’s wits were spinning. The dead man very probably was: Norris, for whose murder Kady had’ served fifteen years. “Tf you’re telling the truth,” Rourke said, “I’m im a fine mess. L can’t arrest you for the murder of a man you already: paid the penalty for killing. That’s. deuble jeopardy. I—don’t exactly know what to do under these circumstances.” “But I do,” Kady arose. “I’m walking out of here; Rourke; A free: man. Yow can’t even: hold me for violation of par- ole; because I raised enough trouble in: prison. that I was. forced: to serve out every last day of my sentence. I’m not on: parole: You can’t pinch me so—l’ll vun along: I’ll be staying at the Royalton Tiouse.’”’ “Fold it.” Rourke’s gun leveled! agaim “T’ve got toa know a few things about this. Whose gun is that on the:table?” “Mine. I bought and paid for it. All the cops: in New York couldn’t make me tell where I got it. Sure; killing Norris: was. premeditated. Probably the: most premeditated murder in history. I planned it for fifteen years and you:can’t touch me, Rourke.” “Stand right where you are;” Rourke ordered softly. “You’re under arrest for carrying concealed weapons: and for dis- charging firearms.” Kady shrugged. “Oh well; I thought of that, too, and saw no way out. Okay, I'll come quietly. What if I do get a few months: or even a year? I can take it. Seeing Nick die was well! worth it.” IEUTENANT ROURKE stood: by én - the station house while Kady was. searched. eee more than four — hundred dollars: was: taken from lis: pockets: “All! honest money,” Kady snickered: “T had part of it whem I’ entered’ prison. The rest I earned at about a dime a day - working harder than I ever worked’ be- fore in my life: And all because Norris: wouldn’t come: forward and’ show he wasn’t deadi”” Rourke said; “Kady, what was behind Norris" motives in letting you: take the rap? As TI reeall it, your jointly owned’ jewelry store went te pot just before your arrest, whema clerk absconded' with three-quarters: of the stock.” Kady grinnedi good break F had. The clerk’s name waa Al Parker; and he beat Norris: to the punch, Say, Lieutenant, { hope you're not sore about this:” “Me? Why no; Kady. It seems I made: a very bad mistake those fifteen yeara ago. I’m sorry it happened and sorry for you: re. “Not your fault,” Kady grumbled: “Norris was responsible for if all: Rourke; if you’re not sore; give me a break: I spent fifteen of the best years of my life serving time for a murder [ -hadn’t as yet committed, Killing Norris: was ridding the world of something use- less anyhow: Just don’t go too hard: on me when I’ come up: for sentence on: the gun-carrying rap.” Rourke nodded. “I’ guess you deserve a breale. I might be able to see to it that you're let off with a fine. Yes, I owe you something; Kady: First mistake I ever made, and if they’d’ sent you to the Oy chair .. Rourke ‘shivered visibly. Kady smiled) somewhat grimly, “Forget it. I’m still) alive and: they can’t burn me for killing Norris. I’m not a crook, am ordinary mug: I can still be useful to society if I get the chance.” Rourke winked at him, announced! in a loud'voice that he: wanted! Kady for ques- tioning before he was locked’ up, then led the prisoner to a private office: “Luckily,” he told Kady, “you haven’t © made any confession exeept the one to me at Norris’s place. Now here: ia the angle. That gun can be traced. Say it. was Norris’. Say you went to him for am explanation and he pulled the gun. That you were forced to shoot him in self- defense after you got the gun away from. mS eae re et et Ve ear xa rose ee es ae <i - =. Caan et > ma My ~ 29 = Se e egy, i A a SemR * .' So, “That was. the only: “comicbooks. com