5 Detective Novels Magazine Cover — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

DEATH ALL AROUND ME HE said slowly, “He isn’t bluffing. This party broke up earlier than I ex- pected, although I knew it wouldn’t last much after nine o’clock.” Ward said, “I really wish you hadn’t gone over to him, Miss Kane. While I realize he is an attractive young man, no one fights me and gets away with it for long. I shall be leaving presently. As soon as my wife is ready. The servants “This would have been our tenth wedding anniversary if | hadn't strangled her on our first!” are already going. In ten or fifteen min- utes only my men will remain and they have orders that you are to be perma- nently removed, Mr. Craig. Miss Kane will have to share whatever is in store for you.” | I said, “I’d give big odds you shot him in the back.” Ward’s eyebrows lifted. “Shot whom, may I ask?” “Joan’s husband. You had a great line, even in those days, and convinced a cor- oner’s jury, but Joan knows the truth, doesn’t she?” Ward shrugged. “Ancient history, Craig, is of little interest to me. If you’ll excuse me—” I said, “Just one more thing, Ward, the most important of all.” I walked up to him as I spoke. I start- 39 ed swinging from about three feet off and then closed fast. He may have ex- pected it but not quite so suddenly or fast. When I clipped him, I was sure I’d broken his jaw. He went flying backward but in the wrong direction for me. He wound up near the door and got it open. His jaw wasn’t broken either. My luck was running out fast. He said, “Your death was singularly unimportant to me a few seconds ago. Now I wish I could remain and watch you killed. Unfortu- nately, that cannot be.” My right hand moved toward my pock- et where I’d put Galey’s gun. I’d never felt a pocket so flat. Ward gently touched his cheek and managed to twist his mouth into a smug grin. “Your gun was removed ten sec- onds after you walked in. One of my men is extremely proficient at that sort of thing. Good-by, Craig. Incidentally, the message I wrote on that paper was given to Galey some time ago and my order is being carried out right now.” He stepped back, slammed the door. Cora came into my arms with a tired lit- tle ery. Chapter X E SAT down together on a divan, my arms still around her. I said, “It happened like this, I think. Joan was in love with Ward a dozen or so years ago. Ward and her husband were busi- ness partners. I’d say Ward wanted the business they ran more than he wanted Joan, but at any rate he murdered her husband, and Joan swore it was an acci- dent. Then Rita Larch came along, and Ward saw a chance to go higher so he abandoned Joan and married Rita. Joan had some sort of concrete evidence, how- ever, and made Ward pay off.” “But Ward is having her murdered right now,” Cora moaned. “And we’re next.” ly “His wife hasn’t left yet,” I said slow- | “She’s usually very slow getting ready. They’ll leave in five or ten min- utes, though.” I said, “Ward wouldn’t dare pull any- thing in front of his wife. I’ve got an idea. We'll wait until Mrs. Ward is downstairs and then we’ll sail out and CoOMmiclooo S (C(O)