Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 1956 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

be... “Then what, Mr. Pruyn?” Then 1 walked to the bag and selected the knife. Long blade. Good steel. Then I walked back to Mrs. Sloane and cut her throat. It was very satisfying. A goal reached and conquered.” “Is that all?” Bendix asked. Because if he tells me about twenty-one cuts, then he’s our boy, thought Bendix. The kick in the stomach could be, just could be, something he’d figured out for himself. But, if he tells me about the cuts . .< “Oh, there’s more. I rolled her over and left my trademark.” “What kind of trademark ?” The small man grinned shyly be- hind the thick glasses. “Like the Sign of the Saint—or the Mark of Zorro,” he said. “My initials. On her back. E.T.P. Emery T. Pruyn.” Bendix eased back in his chair, sighed, and lit a new cigarette. “Then I removed the ears.” He looked proud. “For my collection. I have six nice pairs now.” “Wouldn’t have them with you, I don’t suppose?” “Oh, no, Lieutenant. I keep them at home—in a box, a metal box - in my antique rosewood dresser.” “That’s it, eh?” “Yes, yes, it is. After I ees the ears, I left and went home. That was three days ago. I ar- THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. PRUYN ranged my affairs, put chivigs in order, and came here to you. Tm ready for my cell.” _ “No cell, Mr. Pruyn.” : “What do you mean, Liewen: ant?” Emery Pruyn’s lower lip be- gan to tremble. He stood up. “I— } I don’t understand.” “T mean you can go ace now. Come back in the morning. Around eight. We’ll get the details then—the name of the clothing store and all. Then, we'll see.” “But, I—I—” “Goodnight, Mr. Pruyn. Officer Barnhart will show you out.” From the door of his office, Nor- man Bendix watched the two fig- ures recede down the narrow hail. An odd one, he thought, a real odd one. He pulled the Ford out of the police parking lot and eased the car into the evening traffic. So easy! So wonderfully satisfy- ing and easy. Oh, the excitement of it—his sojourn into the Lion’s Den. Almost like the excitement with the knife. That bit about the kick in the stomach. Dangerous, but wonderful! He remembered the Lieutenant’s look when. he’d mentioned the kick. Delicious! Emery Pruyn smiled as he drove on. Much more excitement was ahead. Much more... A E€omichooks: co