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.

MEAT OF THE MURDER 19 here to blackmail me.” “Right. If this were blackmail, I wouldn’t sell for a lousy two hundred and fifty. I’d take every nickel you’ve got or could raise.” Ted shook his head slowly. “What makes your report so important, Clay? There’s certainly no divorce action pending now.” “Are you being thick on purpose,” asked Clay, “or don’t you really know what would happen if the police had my report ?” ED fumbled for his answer. Clay stopped him by holding up a hand. “You’d be booked for murder—pronto.” “Elizabeth’s murder?” gasped Ted. “You believe I killed my wife?” “T don’t believe anything, Mr. Owen,” said Clay, rising to his feet. “But I know you'll have a rugged time proving you didn’t at least arrange to have her strangled, unless the police find your boy Milner and can hang the kill on him. Once I give them this love story—” he waved his report at Ted— “they’ll s have you nailed with a motive. And if anything has happened to Steve Milner, it won’t take any genius cop to figure you arranged Milner’s release from the psycho ward so he could stand patsy for your wife’s death. All they need is right here.” He put the report back in his pocket, slapped it confidently. “So “long, Mr. Owen,” he added, starting to- ward the door. Ted stopped him. “Wait a minute,” he said. “I’m not buying that report, even if you knock it down to fifty bucks.” “IT wasn’t about to,” leered Clay. “If I’m innocent, it’s not worth a nickel to me,” Ted went on. “If I’d killed Elizabeth, you’d be able to name your price. I’m not buying it, so you can aly any conclusions you want from that.” “I told you my conclusions, Mr. Owen,” Clay stated levelly. “You’re passing up a good thing.” “Let’s forget the report,” Ted said. “T want to talk about Milner. I think I [Turn page] AMERICAS FAVORITE HAIR TONIC... NOW IN TUBES ! GET THIS TUBE BARGAIN TODAY!...LO0OK your BEST © PACT...FOR MEN IN SERVICE "y, COM OP ade TAKE IT WITH YOU ON VACATION! to convemntietses OFFICE OR PLANT! DOUBLE HEADER BARGAIN ! ss. 294 tubes 58° ONLY Zs = WHEREVER YOU GO! IDEAL...FOR BOYS AT CAMP! a HANDY...AT THE I ...de%e your hair’s best friend?” CoOnniclooo S (C(C)