5 Detective Novels Magazine Cover — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

THE KILLER FROM BUFFALO 19 “You Harry Short?” the little man asked mildly. “No.” “Like to talk to Mr. Short.” The redhead said in a toneless voice. “Sorry. He’s busy.” Casually Tony put one hand on the Swinging gate next to the cashier’s cage. “That his office over there?” he asked. In one quick movement the cashier swept off his glasses, laid them in front of him and stepped in front of the gate. From an advantage of three inches he stared down at the little man with his jaw outthrust. Tony’s eyes brightened with an inter- ested, almost eager look, and gently he massaged his left fist with his right palm. Then he dropped the fist to his side and slowly began to push open the gate. The cashier drew in his chin. “Wait here,” he said, turned abruptly and ducked into the office door Tony had indicated. Almost immediately he was back, fol- lowed by a thick-set, heavy- shouldered man with a long, jaundiced face and a crew haircut. The redhead slid back on his stool and replaced his glasses, and the yellow-faced man pushed open the Swinging gate to come out into the main room. At that moment the race ended, there was a sudden burst of conversa- tion from the audience and people be- gan to crowd up to the cashier’s cage, either to collect their winnings or lay bets on the next race. The yellow-faced man stood quietly examining Tony until the hubbub subsided sufficiently for his voice to be heard. “What’s on your mind?” he asked. Tony said, “You Harry Short?” The man nodded. “You run this place?” Short nodded again. Tony repeated what he had told the cashier. “You got a bum steer,” Short said. “He wasn’t in here.” “Witnesses say he was.” “The witnesses are wrong.” “Fellow wore a green corduroy jacket with leather trimming,” Tony said mild- ly. “Denim pants and pork-pie hat.” “He wasn’t here.” “Maybe you just didn’t see him.” Tony turned to the cashier. “Recognize that description ?” HE CASHIER stared at Tony ston- ily and Harry Short said, “Jack didn’t see him either. Take a walk, Shorty.” Tony’s eyes flicked over the other’s chin at “Shorty,” but his tone remained mae “Remember the guy?” he asked Jack. The yellow of the big man’s com- plexion deepened to orange, and he reached spread fingers for Tony’s shirt front. But before they could bunch the material together into a ball, the little man’s left whipped around like a swing- ing bat, and the crack of a line drive sounded and the big man sat on the floor. When his eyes uncrossed, he fo- cused them blearily on the little detec- tive. “Remember the guy now?” quietly asked the cashier. The man moved his pale face back and forth sidewise. “No sir. He wasn’t here.” [Turn page] Tony RELIEVES « PEADACHE: -¢ NEURALGIA | ¢ NEURITIS PAIN . Here’s Why... Anacin® is like a doctor's pre- scription. That is, Anacin con: tains not one but a combina- tion of medically proved active Ingredients. Anacin fs specially compounded to give FAST, LONG LASTING relief. . Don’t wait. Buy Anacin today. aye Vy Fe Ny ways ae aia eee : in . Khu Yo aroha) il an Lt aes " t “ +E a ee My Vere 86 ie hae ath ed ‘ ine iia" ul i) 4,0 \ t .} / @ ° if ® 7 ‘ / lr LA@QO COMNMUIC (C(O)