Crime Does Not Pay #39 (1945)

Ray Sutherland, a cunning outlaw with a deep knowledge of the Oregon woods, has turned against the law, declaring himself king of the mountain and vowing to kill anyone who trespasses—especially Sheriff Hanson. As the sheriff leads a massive manhunt, Sutherland evades capture with clever traps and relentless escapes, turning the wilderness into his fortress and leaving a trail of fear in his wake.

Overcoat Joe, a slick con artist, checks into a fancy hotel under a false name, leaving behind only his suit and a wallet full of cash—then disappears without a trace. The next morning, the hotel staff is baffled when a guest claims he’s been robbed of both his clothes and money, but the evidence suggests the man never had any pants on at all.

In the shadowy underbelly of 1945 Paris, Captain Lapoutre infiltrates a notorious gang by posing as a hardened criminal, earning their trust through daring acts and brutal displays of loyalty. As he rises through their ranks, he is drawn into the inner circle of the enigmatic Casque d'Or, a stunning female mastermind who runs a vast criminal empire from the shadows. The story builds toward a tense confrontation where loyalty, deception, and a shocking revelation about the gang’s true leader come to a head.

Terry Almodovar, a smooth-talking man with a string of lovers and a smug confidence in his "technique," finds himself accused of murdering his wife, Louise, after her body is discovered in Central Park. As the police and a determined prosecutor build a case against him, Terry remains unshaken—convinced that his careful planning leaves no trace, and that no one can prove his guilt.

In the carnival world of *Crime Does Not Pay*, the once-popular midget performer Midge grows increasingly paranoid when his audience drifts to other acts—Sandra the tightrope walker, Carlo the neon tube swallower, and Mysto the magician. After a series of bizarre accidents befall his rivals, Midge begins seeing shadowy figures and fears he’s suddenly growing taller, driving him to the brink.