ALFRED DECEMBER SOC iRTRim MYSTERY MAGAZINE

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lEW stories resented by the master of SUSPENS

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED December 1967

Dear Reader:

The year is growing old, and in rapid succession we will be gorged on turkey, depleted by gifting, and made liars by resolutions. However, none o£ this is really objectionable, for they are volun­ tary acts—like breathing.

Gift-wise, I have already heard of something for the man who has everything. The woman who would like some recompense may consider a necktie made of a new nonslip fabric, Squeezese. Once knotted, the tie will never slip, and is guaranteed to shrink relentlessly with the first drop of gravy.

For the distaffer who has everything, the impoverished man might enjoy giving a box of "Miss Terry" bath salts. It requires only one soaking in this substance to make the litde lady's whereabouts unknown.

Both products are manufactured by the Happy Family Chemical Company. If, for some reason, there is no out­ let near you, there is a gift idea par excellence on Page 133. Now, gorge on the pre-holiday gifts that follow, wherein all concerned are resolved to do their best, whatever spe­ cialty that might be. 'j'li^ic^i

W FRFn HITrHPnrK'C MVCTPRV MIRITINP ^^ol- l^' ^^o- 12. December 1967. Single copies 50 HLritLU nilbnbUbnO miSICni mHUH£lnC cents, subscriptions SO.OO lor one year m the united States and Possessions: elsewhere $7.00 (In U.S. funds) lor one year. Published monthly by H. S. D. Publications, Inc.. 2441 Beach Court, Riviera Beach, Fla. 33404. Publications offlce. 10 Ferry Street, Concord, N, H. 03302. Second class postage paid at Concord, N, H, Copyright H. S. D. Publications, Inc., 1967. All rights reserved. Protection secured under the International and Pan American copyright convention. Title registered U. S. Pat. OflQce. Reproduction or use without express permission of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is pro­ hibited. Postage must accompany manuscripts If return is desired but no restwnsibillty will be assumed for unsolicited material. Manuscripts and changes of addresses should be sent to Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Maga­ zine, 2441 Beach Court, Riviera Beach, Fla. 33404. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons and/or Institutions appearing la this magazine and those of any living or dead person or institution Is intended and any similarity which may exist is purely coincidental. Printed in the U.S.A.

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED VOLUME 12, NO. 12 DECEMBER 1967 ALFRED HITCBCOCK'S mystery magazine

CONTENTS

NOVELETTE THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY by Elijah Ellis ,. 143

SHORT STORIES THE MIRACLE MOTIVE by Steve April . 2 THE MOVERS by Miel Tanburn 19 I'LL BE LOVING YOU by Fletcher Flora 26 THAT'S THE WAY SHE IS by Thotnasina Weber 41 THE WAY TO THE ATTIC by Joseph Payne Brennan 48 OPPORTUNITY by Bill Pronzini 56 WITHDRAWAL SLIP by Lawrence Wasser 70 ANOTHER WAR by Edward D. Hoch 75 THE PERFECT Jps by Samuel Orlich fr 83 PAID IN FULL by Barbara Faith . • 90 BLOOD AND LUCK by Hilda Cushing 98 THE SITTING DUCK by Carroll Mayers 112 . PoiNT-oF-AiM by Edward Y. Breese '. 120 A SWEET YOUNG THING by Mary Linn Roby .'. , 135

Richard E. Decker, Publisher Gladys Foster Decker, Editorial Director Ernest M. Hutter, Editor Patricia Hitchcock Associate Editor Marguerite Blair Deacon Art Director

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED The person who succeeds beyond his expectations often realizes, belatedly, "there is also merit in \nowing when to stop.

A.r 6:45 A.M. Sunday, carrying quietly between services. Thirty- only her small, old purse and a three years old, tall and slim, she worn, tooled leather Bible, Miss dressed as plainly as possible, wore Nancy Evans left for church. She no makeup. Her golden hair was went to church every night; on dyed a grayish-black and pulled Saturdays and Sundays she usually into a severe bun, in an effort to spent • all day in church, sitting nullify, the warm beauty of her pale face and blue eyes. Her long, shapely legs were hidden in the long skirt of her obviously outmod- . ed worn suit, and she wore box- toed oxfords. As Miss Evans left the entrance of her modest apartment building there was the short bark of a gun from a car parked across the street, the loud sound instantly lost in the early morning quiet. Miss Evans staggered, then fell, a slug through her heart. The car drove off and Miss Evans' corpse wasn't found until 8 a.m. In the precinct station,'before her body was taken to the morgue, De­ tective Hal Fisher studied the pret­ ty face for almost a half hour, part­ ly because he had nothing else to do but mostly because he was fas­ cinated by her beauty. Detective Fisher was something STEVE APRIL of a mild joke around the squad ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED 31 '(JTrr^-O'-^TpciDCl?/—i' -f^^^ - —'^QB^^^^^^

THE MIRACLE MOTIVE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED room, where he was a temporary crowded office. Nor were matters "paper tearer," a job which both helped by Lt. Saunders, his- boss, embarrassed and bored him. Sever­ telling Fisher every day, "Look al weeks before, Patrohnan Fisher boy, I got a busy house. Why don't had walked into a liquor store you go to one of the movie houses holdup. Three goons had emptied on Broadway, spend a few hours their guns at Fisher as he had looking for missing persons, or gunned one to death and wounded something.''" the other two. All told, nineteen Hal was too much of an eager shots had been fired and somehow beaver to goof off, even officially, so Fisher's enormous frame hadn't now, as he brought in Saunders' been hit. He had been promoted to lunch of a sandwich and coffee, Detective, Third Grade in a short trying not to spill the container ceremony in the Commissioner's with his awkward right hand, he office, before a battery of TV cam­ told his boss, "Sir, I've been read­ eras. After shaking the Commis­ ing the reports on the murder of sioner's hand, Hal had turned, Nancy Evans two days ago." stumbled over a camera cable and "Yeah?" Saunders said impar in trying; to break his fall, had frac­ tiently, reading a report on a stolen tured several bones in his shoulder car. "We put that in the Open Files. and arm. Homicide agrees it was the work He now wore a plaster cast from of a nut. This Miss Evans lived his left shoulder to the wrist and alone, was. some kind of a religious had been assigned to light duty in fanatic, had no relatives or friends, the detective squad room. This em­ including boyfriends, worked as a barrassed Hal because the squad typist in the same office for the last room was small and crowded, and . thirteen years. Absolutely no mo­ his heavyweight figure was always tive." in the way. Also, it was awkward "But there always has to be a for him to file and do any clerk motive for murder, even—" work since he was a lefty. Actually "Not when it's the work oi a there was little for him to do and nut," Saunders cut in. he was often sent out for coffee and "Well, sir, there has to be a sandwiches. Fisher didn't really mixed-up motive there, too, in the mind being an errand boy; what guy's crazy mind. If it was the alarmed him was the fact he work of a loon, unless he's just looked forward to these errands as starting, there would be a pattern a means of getting out of the of other senseless killings. We have-

ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED n't had such a pattern in the city "See for yourself; alrhost like a for two years and, according to the cell, just that cot, plain table and a files, none in this area for the last chair. No books, radio or TV, not six years. Sir, I'd like to take a even curtains, just shades." crack at the case." Hal glanced around the nearly; "Fine, fine, go out and look bare room, opened a closet door. around, take your time. Any spe­ Except for an old raincoat and a cial reason for your interest in this pair of boots, a faded yellow robe, case, Fisher?" the closet was empty. "This all the "I saw the corpse and one thing clothes she had?" struck me: here was a woman of "That's all. You'd think a young real beauty, like she could have woman ... I mean, take iriy daiugh- been on the stage, yet she went out ter, spends every penny she has of her way to hide it, dress plainly. buying jiinky clothes. I understand Why? I feel that's the only thing Miss Evans had nearly ten grand going for us, that the motive for in the bank, too. She was so quiet her death is mixed up in that, you hardly knew she lived here. somehow." She'd come home from work with "You look into it, full steam, a little food, around six and maybe Fisher. Do us all—you some good a half hour later she'd leave for to get out of the office," Lt. Saun­ church, return about nine. Only ders said, eating his sandwich with time I ever talked to her was when one hand as he read the report on she'd come down the first of the his desk. month to pay her rent, in cash. "Yes, sir," Fisher said, sadly. Paid regular as a calendar." Detective Fisher walked to the "Was she friendly with any of deceased's house and after showing the other tenants ?" the elderly janitor his shield, had "Nope. She lived here for about him open the door of Miss Evans' ten years and she never spok^ to apartment. anybody, always walked in and out The janitor told Hal, "You like she was lost in a world of her won't find nothing in there. The own. She never had a party, never other cops been all over her few had any callers, men or women, as things. Miss Evans, she was a fun­ I told the other cops.'' The janitor ny one." gave Fisher a smile of mossy teeth. "Funny?" Hal repeated as they "Sure must have been short of cops stepped into the one room kitch­ to have you working with a busted enette, arm. You shot in that arm ?"

THE MIRACLE MOTIVE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "That's right. Thanks for your the cot, looked under the thin mat­ time. I'll look around, bring the tress, felt of the pillow. He locked key down." When the old man left, the door and went down to the Hal stood in the center of the lobby, after ringing the bells of the room, gazing around slowly, apartments on either side of hers aware of something wrong: the and getting no answer. A mailman room had no personality, reflected was" putting letters in the polished nothing. The walls were bare, not nest boxes. Flashing his badge, Hal even a picture of a saint. Hal noted asked, "Are you the regular mail­ there wasn't any phone, and the man.?" bathroom medicine chest held only "Right." soap, toothpaste and a hair brush. "Miss Evans get much mail.?" There was a plain dresser, the two "That's the babe who was bottom drawers empty. The top knocked off.?" drawer held underwear, a blouse, Hal nodded. "Did you know stockings, a towel, two shee^is and her?" . a pillowcase. Hal moved the dress­ "Only time I saw her was in the er, couldn't find a single book, old papers, and that wasn't much of a letter, magazine or even a newspa­ picture, all sprawled out on the per. The refrigerator had some sidewalk. Man, if all the folks on now-stale bread, a stick of butter my route got her mail, it would be and a can of milk. In the kitchen a pleasure. She never got a letter, closet he found a broom and a not even an ad, and no magazines, small box of soap powder. A kitch­ nothing. Oh, once every two en drawer held exactly one knife, months she'd get an electric bill one fork and a single spoon. Ex­ and that was all." cept for a few cans of beans and "What about packages ?" sardines, the kitchen shelves were "Never. She didn't even get any empty. Hal found one plate and cards during Christmas. You hurt one cup. your arm breaking up a riot?" Hal shook his head. Puzzled, he "Yes." Hal walked down to the muttered, "Almost like she was basement, returned the key to the living in a convent. Not even a bot­ janitor. Then he stood on the side­ tle of perfume and the only mir­ walk, read the notes he'd made ror's in the bathroom. Why should from the other detectives' reports, a pretty young w^oman live like this had a hard time putting them back all these years?" in his pocket with his clumsy right With his right hand, Hal moved hand.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED In the quiet interior of an im­ the church. Father?" Hal asked. posing church three blocks away, "No, not on any regular basis. Hal spoke to,a young priest, a Fa-, Frankly, judging by her clothes, I ther Gordon. was amazed to read in the papers "All violent death is shocking, that Miss Evans had been regularly but Miss Evans .. . hard to believe. employed for years at a comforta­ Naturally I saw her in church of­ ble salary." ten, but she was a strange young "Did she ever meet anybody in woman. Every night she would sit church?" in one of the pews, sometimes "Not that I know of. She always praying, but often seemed lost in sat alone. Do. the police have any her own thoughts. Saturdays she idea as to who killed her?" spent all day in church, never leav­ "Not yet. I'm seeking a motive; ing to eat. Sundays she attended all there has to be one in every mur­ services, from morning until night. der. Father, I'm not asking you to Between' services she merely sat, break any rules of your ministry, staring at our altar. She was always but during confession, did Miss plainly but neatly dressed, wore an Evans ever—" old beret pulled down over her 'IShe never attended confession." hair." Hal stood up. As they shook "Father, was she active in any of hands Father Gordon said, "It's an the church socials?" outrage, having you work with a "No. Several times we attempted broken arm. Despite your youth, to interest, her in our bazaars, or you must be a crack detective." teaching Sunday school, but she Hal shrugged modestly, with his would merely shake her head. right shoulder. Frankly, I don't recall her ever He rode the subway downtown, speaking." stopped for a sandwich- and pie, "Was she a religious fanatic?" nearly dropping his tray in , the "I don't like that term. I'd say crowded cafeteria, then went up to Miss Evans found refuge in our see the personnel manager of the church, which is what the church insurance company that had em­ should be for all. Sometimes she ployed Nancy Evans. The manager prayed, but mostly she would sit in was a sharply dressed redhead who silence, staring straight ahead, played with a gold cigarette holder seemingly at peace with the and boldly ran her bright eyes over world." Hal's big frame as she said, "As I "Did she give much money to told the other detectives, Miss

THE MIRACLE MOTIVE

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED •Evans had already been employed book out. "We can't find any rela­ here for eight years when I took tives. Her father died when she over Personnel. She was a very ef­ was a baby and her mother passed ficient worker, never sick a day, on years ago. The house where the generally worked during her vaca­ mother lived was torn down in tion for the extra rrioney. Once or 1959. Do you have any relatives twice I suggested she might dress listed in your personnel file.?" better. Understand, she was always "No. The other detective checked neat and clean, but she had abso­ that. Matter of fact, there's a $2000 lutely no interest in style. I imagine insurance policy, part of our fringe she must have had those outdated benefits, awaiting her beneficiary. suits made. The odd bit was, Miss Somebody snafued—Nancy never Evans could have been a most at­ named a beneficiary. I'll get her tractive girl if she dressed proper- file." ly." The file on Nancy Evans was "I know. Was she friendly with much like her life, bare and any of the men here.?" scrimpy. This had been her first The redhead sighed. "Are you job. She'd left George Washington joking? She never knew men ex­ High School in her senior year, at isted. She wasn't friendly with any­ the age of seventeen, to start work. body, never attended the usual The only reference was a Miss Christmas bash. Nancy never even Thelma Wallace, a teacher. Hal went out for. lunch. She always stood up. "May I speak to whoever bought a sandwich from the boy worked next to Miss Evans.?" pushing the lunch cart, and a con­ "Be a waste of time, she was one tainer of rriilk. She never left her of these neurotic loners. The other desk during the coffee breaks, ei­ detective interviewed all the girls ther. Honestly, I don't recall ever working near Nancy the day she seeing Nancy in the little gals' was ... Wait, Mrs. Escobar was out room." that day, come to think of it. Her • "What sort of work did she do.?" desk is next to Nancy's. You can "Statistical typist and one of our talk to her. Follow me." best, worked like a human robot. , Hal almost walked into the red­ Her job rating was always tops. head at the door, jumped out of Several times we offered her a su-_ the way. The redhead grinned. pervisory position, but she refused, "You're fast on your feet, for a big had no ambition. A real oddball." man. I bet you're some dancer." Hal managed to get his note­ "I busted my arm dancing," Hal

ALFRED HITCHCOCK S. MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED said, wondering, if the redhead was Hal nodded. "Did anything un­ putting him on. usual happen lately? I mean, did Hal waited in a lounge, lined she seem upset, frightened?" with soda and candy vending ma­ "No. She never talked. Me, I'm a chines, off a tremendous room regular chatterbox. My husband where nearly fifty wornen were says I . . . Say, I do recall some­ typing, at desks. When Mrs. Esco­ thing. Last week, I think it was bar, a short, plump, creamy- Friday, Nancy seemed excited. I skinned young woman, came in mean, she acted excited, for her. she said, "I was home sick, you During the coffee break she actual­ know, when I read about poor ly stopped typing and sat at her Nancy in the papers. I just could­ desk, sort of smiling at nothing. n't believe it. Who would want to She looked like an. angel. I'd never kill a simple woman Hke Nancy?" seen her smile before. I asked if she "That's what I'm trying to find was feeling okay and she really out. Were you friendly with Nan­ grinned at me, said softly, 'A mira­ cy?" . cle has happened.'" "Look, I sat next to her for go­ "A miracle? What sort of mira­ ing on six years, and all we ever cle?" said was good morning or good Mrs. Escobar shrugged plump night. Wasn't only me, that's all she - shoulders. "That was all she said. ever said to anybody. During One does not talk about religious lunch, she'd eat right at her desk matters. But I could tell Nancy was and start working the second she most happy." was done. Never went out with the "Did she mention this miracle other girls, never went shopping." again?" "Did she ever mention boy­ "No, sir. That was on Friday friends?" and she was killed Sunday." "Ah, • I wish she had. I always Thanking her, Hal got to his thought a man was what she need­ feet, towering over Mrs. Escobar. ed. But she had no interest in any­ She said, "Ah, you are a giant of thing, including men. Nancy was a a man. How did you break—" very odd woman. She was a natu­ "I was tackled by the New York ral blonde but she colored her hair Giants football team." that dull gray. Sometimes I would glance at her and think what a Hal bucked a wave of rushing truly beautiful woman she could be students as he reached. George so easily." Washington High School at 3:05

THE MIRACLE MOTIVE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED p.ni. In the office a woman clerk grandma hasn't taught in years. said, "A Miss Thelma Wallace? We Say, are you really a cop or—" ^ haven't any teacher by that name. "Look," Hal said patiently, "I One second, Officer." She went to a am a police officer and what I have .file cabinet. "Yes, Miss Wallace re­ to see your grandmother about is tired in 1959. You want her ad­ important. I won't disturb her for dress? She hves out in Queens." more than a few rninutes." When Hal called the squad "Well, I guess it's okay. This room, Lt. Saunders said, "You off way, mister." on sick leave, Fisher? What? Oh Following the swaying hips up a yeah. Well, keep working on the short flight of carpeted stairs, Hal Evans case. Don't bother checking , waited in the hallway. Through in tomorrow morning if you're still the open door he saw a woman busy, boy." - sitting up in bed, watching TV. It was nearly 5:30 p.m. when Her face was wrinkled and her Hal reached this street of old pri­ hair iron-gray, but even from the vate homes, each a copy of the oth­ hall Hal saw bright and lively eyes. er. A young girl, about thirteen, After a moment the woman with golden hair, tight jeans and called, "Do come in, Officer. Tina, sweatshirt proving she had a fine shut off the TV and take my robe figure, opened the door and gig­ off the chair. Excuse the. state • of gled at Hal. "With that busted arm, my room and sit down. What hap­ you can't be selling insurance." pened to your arm, Officer?" "Is Miss Thelma Wallace home?" "I took a fall," Hal said, sitting "Grandma's in bed. You a collec­ on the frail chair as the old lady's tor?" sharp eyes studied him. "Miss Wal­ The girl's dark eyes widened lace, do you remember a student with fear, for a second, on seeing you had in George Washington, Hal's badge. Then she giggled about 15 years ago, a Nancy again. "Man, you have the wrong Evans?" Miss Wallace! Grandma sold her "Tina, you can go downstairs car months ago, so she couldn't and finish your homework." When have hurt your arm, and ^ bad the girl left the old wornan said, back has kept her in bed for weeks "Of course I remember Nancy, a now. sweet girl. Is she in trouble again?" "I'd like to talk to her about a "Again?" former student." "Now young man, you're a po­ The girl grinned. "Come on, lice officer: what's happened to

10 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Nancy? Don't spare my feelings." sured her she could and that was "She was shot—killed two days the last I ever saw of her. Now you ago. It was on the front pages, say she's dead. Our society can be MissWaUace." very cruel. Officer, as you must "Papers depress me. Oh my, who know. We waste people. I tried to would kill poor Nancy ?" tell Mrs. Evans that Nancy had "We don't know. That's why I'm made a mistake out of ignorance, here." that it was wrong to treat the child "Goodness, I haven't seen Nancy like a criminal, but she refused to in . . . oh, so many years. I was her speak to me. Sheer tragedy. When I homeroom teacher. Such a sweet saw Nancy that last time, she'd al­ girl, so lively and pretty." . ready changed, lost her zest, acted "What sort of trouble was she in, like ... the living dead. Naturally, MissWaUace?" giving away your baby is barbaric, "Nancy became pregnant when must have been a terrible shock to she was seventeen. Her mother was poor Nancy." one of these prudish, stupid wom­ "She never mentioned who the en who, instead of helping the father was?" poor child, acted as if it was the "No." end of the world. She put the poor "Do you remember the name of girl out." the home for unwed mothers?" "Oh. Do you know the man who "No, that was so many years ago. got her in trouble?" But I do recall taking Nancy there "It was probably some silly boy. in a taxi. It was in the Bronx, on I never asked. If Mrs. Evans had Cauldwell Avenue, and it was run explained sex, to her girl, it never by nuns. Poor Nancy didn't even would have happened. All the have relatives she could turn to." mother could think of was to place "Thank you," Hal said, getting the girl in an institution, get rid of to his feet, nearly knocking over her. Nancy was hysterical, didn't the skinny chair. "You've- been have a soul to turn to. I arranged most helpful." for Nancy to enter a shelter for un­ "Nancy Evans, dead. Why, she wed mothers. When her baby was couldn't have been much over thir­ born, a girl, she was given for ty. If the poor child's mother had adoption. Some months after that, only been more understanding— Nancy was waiting for me outside those mistakes happen—Nancy of school, asked if she could give might have had a good life." my name for a job reference. I as- On reporting to the squad room

THE MIRACLE MOTIVE 11 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED the next morning,. Hal found the her baby for adoption, a girl later place full of busy detectives. A "pa­ marries and wants her child back. per hanger" had worked the squad Naturally, this could result in all area the day before; posing as a sorts of complications for all con­ doctor, he had stuck four drug­ cerned, so we destroy all adoption stores with bad checks. Hah tried records." to. keep out of the .way as he waited "I understand that but. Sister, to speak to Lt.-Saunders, told him this is a.police matter involving a he wanted to check on something murder. An adoption has to go in the Evans case in the Bronx. through the courts, so there must Saunders disrnissed Hal with, be some records, someplace." "Sure, you do that. Take your "I'm sorry. Officer. I would like time, boy." to help, of course, .but the fact re­ The unwanted feeling didn't an­ mains that all records are de­ noy Hal so much today. He had. stroyed." checked out a list of homes for un­ Hal was back in the squad room wed mothers, found one on Cauld- at noon. Lt. Saunders was on the well Avenue. A white-robed sister phone, checking on a stolen car. with a pale, plump face told him, When he saw Hal, Saunders placed from behind her desk in the office, a hand over the receiver, said, "Yes,; our records show we did "Hal, get me a roast beef on rye, have a Nancy Evans staying with heavy on the mustard and don't us, nearly sixteen years ago." forget the damn pickle. A cup of "Do you have any record of the Java, no sugar." father's name?" When Hal. returned, Saunders "No. Either the girl didn't know cleared some papers from his desk or wouldn't tell us." and started eating. Hal stood_ next "I'd hke to know who adopted to his desk and after a second the baby." Saunders said, "Fisher, give me el­ The sister gave Hal a. tight smile. bow room. I thought you were "Of course, this was before I came busy on something.?" here, but in any event I couldn't "I think I have a lead in the tell you that. Officer, we purposely Evans kiUing, sir," Hal said, ex­ destroy all such records. The girl plaining about the. adoption and never knows the iiame of the ending with, "I don't believe the adopting couple, and they never courts have destroyed all the rec­ know the name, of the mother. ords. Can you have Police Head­ Quite often, after agreeing to offer quarters put pressure on the court

12 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED to give us the name of the family all Saturday sitting in church; and, who adopted Nancy Evans' baby let's say, Nancy did speak to the girl?" girl, why should the daughter "What the hell for? That was shoot her?" years ago, so what possible link "Lt. Saunders, as you said, this can it have with her crazy killing?" may be wild, a blank wall, but "I don't know. Maybe there isn't Nancy Evans only stepped out of any connection. But it's the only line twice—once when she had an 'mistake' Nancy Evans made in her out-of-wedlock-baby,~ and once life, so I think there can be a link. when she was murdered. I think All these years Nancy Evans lived that's worth looking into. I'm go­ like a . . . well, almost like a nun, ing through channels, sir, asking as if punishing herself, but just last •you to help me." week she told a girl in her oiBce Saunders sipped his coffee and that a miracle had happened; she screwed up his face. "You sure seemed excited arid happy." they didn't give you. this slop out "So?" of the sink, Fisher? Now listen, "Considering the routine life I'm busy-busy here, that damn 'pa­ Nancy Evans lived, what, 'miracle' per hanger,' and now these stolen could Nancy have meant, except cars. Calling downtown will mean maybe that she saw her daughter?" getting involved in red tape. Look, Hal asked. you go down to Borough Com­ "Fisher, are you nuts? This mand, tell them your story, see Nancy woman, was some kind of a what they think." religious nut, so anything could Within an hour Detective Fisher have seemed a 'miracle' to her. She was telling a thin, elderly inspector, gave her baby away practically at "I can't say, sir, that there's any birth, so are you telling me she connection, until we look into it. could recognize, the girl sixteen Now, suppose the folks who years later?" adopted the baby never told her Hal shrugged. "I don't say this she was adopted? The girl's now is a sure thing, merely a lead. Per­ sixteen, and let's assume she looks haps the girl now looks exactly exactly like Nancy Evans did at like Nancy did at sixteen?" that age. Maybe Nancy saw the "That's a wild theory, but sup­ girl on the subway, followed her pose it \yas so: we don't know that home, tried to talk to her, or to the Nancy Evans tried to contact the girl's adopted parents. Poppa is girl; we do know Miss Evans spent afraid it will upset the daughter,

THE MIRACLE MOTIXTE 13 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED and his only out is to kill Nancy." and Jane Norton. You go up to the "That would be crazy thinking." co-op late this afternoon, pretend "Yes, sir, but he might have you're checking on walls or some­ flipped over the thought of losing thing. Do your act in the apart­ his daughter. Sir, I'm aware this is ments on either side of the Nor- a delicate matter, asking the courts tons', to make it look good. It to release confidential information, should give you a chance to see the • but we can handle it carefully and Nortons. All I.want you to do is if there isn't any connection, no take a look around. As I" said, a harm done." wrong arrest will make a mess. "I'll talk to Headquarters, see Understand.?" what they think. Come back in an Hal nodded. hour, Fisher." "I'm getting you some identifica­ When Hal returned an hour tion from the Building Department later, the inspector asked, "You^ and having one of their men check know anything about buildings, you out on some of the lingo. One -Fisher.?" city department has to wash the Hal shook his big head. hands of the other." "I got the name of the couple who adopted the baby, did some The co-op was one of these fast checking on the phone. They swank, terraced buildings over­ lived up in Syracuse until last looking the river, with a good se­ week, when they moved into a new curity system. Hal arrived at .4:30 co-op apartment project on the p.ni. and had to talk to a lobby Drive, not far from Miss Evans' man through an intercom before a address. So there can be something glass door sHd open and Hal en­ to your idea. As you realize, this is tered the colorful lobby. He confidential information. If we showed the lobby man his Buildr make a mistake there will be a ing Department identification and large stink, but we are dealing was told to wait for the manager-. with murder so I think it's a neces­ Hal walked over to the bank of sary risk. The whole thing must be mail boxes. The Nortons were in handled with great care." apartment 6D. There was some de­ "Yes, sir." lay in locating the housing man­ "Happily, with your arm in a ager and Hal quietly walked up to cast, you don't look like a detect- the sixth floor. He rang 6C but tive, so I suggest you be a building didn't get any answer. He pressed inspector. The couple are Robert the button on 6D, heard a girlish

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LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED voice call, "Daddy! You're home!" "Something like that." Hal fol­ The slim girl who opened the lowed her into a well furnished door had long blonde hair, pale livingroom which had a glass wall blue eyes and a warm, red mouth. opening on the small terrace. Ev­ Hal stared at her, almost gasped— erything said the Nortons had a the girl was a living image of comfortable income. Nancy Evans! She said, "Oh, I. A woman's thin voice called thought you were . . . Yes?" Her from another room, "Who rang the voice was warm, too. bell, honey?" Hal managed to pull his Build­ "A man from the Buildings De­ ings Department paper from his partment, Mama, to look at our pocket with his awkward right apartment." In a whisper she add­ ed, "My mother isn't feeling well." Up close, the girl wore a faint but interesting perfume. Stepping out onto the terrace, Hal went through a routine . of touching the bricks, the railing, -the glass sliding door. "Have you noticed any wind coming through this glass door. Miss ?" ' "Gee, I don't think so. We only hand. "We've. been getting com­ moved in last week and have been plaints about drafts coming busy getting the place in order. through the walls facing the river. Daddy is still up in Syracuse,: wind­ I'd like to examine the walls for-a ing up his business matters. I moment." He'd been staring at her thought you were him, when you face so much, it was only now that rang." She giggled. "I hope my Hal was aware of the light blue grammar is correct." sweater and white mini-skirt the • "Can't prove it one way or an­ girl wore, her shapely legs in socks other with me." Hal moved back and loafers. If she was but sixteen, into the livingroom, then through she already had all the curves of a a short but wide hall. He opened woman. the doors of several closets; sup­ "Come right in. Inspector.'-' Step­ posedly testing to see if the doors ping aside, she added, "Be careful fitted properly. "So you're new to of your arm. Gosh, I hope a house New York. Like our city ? " didn't fall on it." "Terrific, a real swinger."

THE MIRACLE MOTIVE 15 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "Were you born up in Syra­ this bottle fell out," Hal said. cuse?" "Merely checking to see that the "Yes.", doors fit." "I suppose you have a lot of rela­ "This is my mother," Gloria tives and friends in New York said. City?" Hal asked, opening a closet "Don't worry about it, only some jammed full of cartons of drugs furniture polish," the woman said, and patent medicines. "I mean, it her voice shrill. "I don't think it seems everybody knows somebody will stain your suit." She took a in New York, Your father run a sponge from the sink and started drugstore?" to wipe Hal's coat, adding, "You "Not quite; he works for a drug can't do this with one arm. I'm company and finally got the pro­ sure it won't stain—" She stopped motion, upped to Eastern Sales talking abruptly, wet her Hps. Manager, which is why we moved Gloria was picking up parts of the to New York. No, I don't know -bottle from the tiled floor and the anybody here, most bf our family woman said' quickly, "Go wash is upstate. But I make friends fast." your hands in the bathroom, Hal now walked into a modern Gloria. I'll finish up in here." kitchen. As he reached up to open "Now, Mama, you're supposed a closet above the freezer, a small to rest." bottle fell out, breaking on the "Do as I tell you, Gloria." floor and splattering Hal with "Yes, Mama. But don't overdo some kind of white goo. Hal said, it." "I'm sorry." When the girl left the room the "It's all right, we just shoved woman quickly finished sponging things everyplace. Wait, I'll get a off Hal's jacket, then tossed the sponge and clean your suit." sponge into the sink, seemed to A tall woman with a bony, long hold on to the white sink for a mo­ face, wearing a blue robe and slip­ ment. Hal said, "If you're not feel­ pers, her stringy black hair in dis­ ing well, why—" order, appeared in the doorway "Merely a headache. I'm glad and asked, "What's happened; you're inspecting the apartment. Gloria?" Her eyes were deep-set I'd hke you to see the drain on the and with rings of darkness around terrace. It doesn't seem to be deep them, the skin almost waxen pale. enough and while it hasn't rained She could have been forty or sixty. yet, I think the terrace will be "My fault. I opened the door and flooded if we should get a heavy

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LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED rain. That could mean trouble." want. You can leave her alone." Hal followed her out to the ter­ "No, Bob, it's no use covering race where she said, "If you'll look up for me. I shot her!" over the railing, youll notice the "What?" Bob Norton said, voice drain is almost level. Should it be trembling. "Jane, you don't know like that?" what you're saying. Who did you As Hal bent over the railing to shoot?" He glanced at Hal and look at the drain, he heard the added quickly, "My wife hasn't rush of slippered feet behind him. been well and often thinks she—" The woman tried to push him "Bob, stop it and listen to me. over, but his 240 pounds was too Thursday night Gloria and I went much for her. Holding to the rail­ for. a walk and I thought I'd see ing with his right hand. Detective what the church looked hke. There Fisher pushed back with his wide she was, sitting in the church and hips, then turned and grabbed the staring at Gloria. I knew immedi­ struggling woman's hands with his ately who the woman was, oh, right.. Through the glass wall he how I knew! It was my constant saw a baldheaded man come in, nightmare come true! I sent Gloria drop a suitcase and rush across the home for my pills and then I fol­ livingroom toward them. The man lowed the woman to her apart­ grabbed Mrs. Norton with one ment. I drove there early Sunday hand, swung at Hal with the other. and killed her with your gun. I . Fisher took the punch on his right won't lose my child! / won't! 1 shoulder as he said, "I'm a build­ won't!" ing inspector and your wife tried Norton held his wife against him to—" as she wept hysterically. Gloria "He's a policeman!" Mrs. Nor­ Norton came running through the ton wailed. "I felt of his gun when livingroom, hugged her mother I was brushing his suit!" fiercely. "Mama, what are you say­ "Now, Jane, everything's all ing about losing me ? Mama, I love right. Just relax, dear," the man ' you! I'll never leave you!" said, walking his wife into the liv­ Bob Norton stroked the girl's ingroom, seating her on a couch. blonde hair, as she embraced the She whispered something and the woman. Gloria kept repeating, man went white, then turned to "Now Mama, control yourself. Hal, who had stepped into the liv­ There's nothing to worry about." ingroom. "Look here, if you are a Mrs. Norton stared at the girl, police officer, I'm the one you then looked away and said sofdy, THE MIRACLE MOTIVE 17 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "Forgive me, darling, but we never "Certainly. May I use your told you the truth. I couldn't bear phone first.?" to tell you and—" "Yes. There's a phone on the "Tell me that I was adopted?" coffee table in the corner." Gloria cut in, kissing the woman's Lt. Saunders snapped, "Fisher.? wet face. "Oh, Mama, I've known Call back later or tomorrow. I'm that for years, overheard you and busy with a forced entry which—" Aunt Ruth whisper it many times." "I'll only, take a second of your She turned her face up to Bob time, sir," Hal said, giving him the Norton. "Daddy, don't you under­ address and Norton's apartment stand, knowing that only made me number. "Please send a squad car love you both all the more! The over, I have Miss Evans' killer." fact you wanted me, had a choice "You have— Boy, this another of and still wanted me." your crazy ideas.?" There was a moment of intense "No, sir. I have the killer and silence in the livingroom, broken her verbal confession." by Mrs. Norton's hysterical wail as "Sit tight, you one-armed son of. she squeezed the girl to her. a gun, I'll be right over!" Mr. Norton stepped over to Hal. Saunders' gasp at the other end "My wife has been having a rough of the phone had made Hal feel time, change of life. You can see fine, but. as he hung up he saw her condition. OfEcer, she had no the troubled faces of the Nortons. idea what she was doing." The word "killer" seemed to echo "That will be for the court to de­ in the heavy silence of the room, cide. I have to arrest your wife for with every person- there aware of murder." , the publicity and horror awaiting "Yes-^the courts, of course. them, and Hal felt lousy. Gloria was the greatest event in For the smallest part of a split our life .and ... I suppose I'd bet­ second he almost wished he hadn't ter get Jane dressed. Can I phone been such an eager son-of-a . . . our doctor.? And.a law7er.?" gun.

18 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED ' Stubbornness, oddly enough, is not unequivocally alien to pa- \ ttence.

ST WAS morning and Mr. Cartright Mr. Cartright felt dizzy. He was expecting the movers to call at tried to stand up. The first man his home,'but when he answered raised his gun, as if to strike him the doorbell, two men carrying again, and Mr. Cartright sat back guns burst inside. The door down on the rug. crashed into Mr. Cartright, then "I asked you, who's here?" the the two men slammed it shut and gunman said. bolted it. Mr. Cartright shook his head, "What is this?" Mr. Cartright Ued, "I'm alone." demanded. "Look around, Clay," the gun- The larger o£ the two intruders struck Mr. Cartright's jaw with a gun, knocking him down, and Mr. Cartright suddenly hurt badly in three places—his hip, on which he landed; his jaw; and his shoulder, into which the door had crashed. "Who else is home?" the man who had struck Mr. Cartright asked, while his partner, a smaller, uglier person, quickly pulled the draperies closed in the livingroom.

THE MOVERS 19 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED man said. "You, stand up," he or­ George said. "Just the two of you dered Mr. Cartright. Wrenching here.? No kids.? This time tell me Cartright's arm behind him, he the truth or I'll let you have it. I said, "Okay, march. Show me the mean it. We're not playiiig games." back door," and pushed Mr. Cart- "My wife and I are alone," Mr. right toward the rear of the house. . Cartright said. His arm hurt when the gunman "We have no—never had—ch- prodded him forward, and Cart- children," Angela said. right protested, "There's no need "Aw, c'mon, lady, don't start cry- for violence. I'm not armed." ingl" George filled a tumbler with The gunman didn't answer. In water from the kitchen sink and the kitchen, he asked, "This the splashed it in Angela's face. "That's only other door.'"' better," he said, when she became Mr. Cartright nodded. silent. "You and Laughing Boy "Some lock. A midget could bust just keep yourselves calm. That inhere." way wc won't have no trouble." "We're threatened by very few "What is this about.?" Mr. Cart­ midgets," Mr. Cartright said coldly. right asked. "Yeah.? Don't be a comedian." "Shut up," George said. "Clay, The gunman pulled the window check all the windows and cur­ shades down in the kitchen, dark­ tains. I want everything closed ening the room. tight and pulled shut." "George, look what I found in "Roger." the bedroom!" The smaller man "You two, into the front room," pushed Angela, Mr. Cartright's . George ordered. , - wife, into the kitchen. George, a big man, six-two or "Laughing Boy here said he was three and well over two hundred alone," George, the larger man, pounds, had a red face with a high said. "Who else is home, Laughing forehead, heavy brown eyebrows Boy.'"' George asked, raising his and bright blue eyes. There was a revolver menacingly and pointing scar on the right side of his chin the barrel at the center of Mr. which pulled the corner of his Cartright's forehead. mouth down. Angela cried out, "No one! What "Everything's buttoned up. It do you want with us.?" She strug­ looks safe," Clay said, entering the gled to free herself from the smal­ livingroom. He was small and ler man's grip. dark, with tightly curled hair that "Is that right, Laughing Boy?" covered the top of his head like a

20 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED wig. His eyeballs were big and ant," he told George, "and I told round and rotated crazily, like mar­ you that your scheme won't work. bles. Both men still held their re­ Your only hope lies in leaving this volvers in their hands. home immediately." "Okay," George said. "Sit down "Why, you . . .you . . . slolf}" and shut up, you two. Now Usten, George sputtered. "You don't give if you don't try anything funny, • orders. / give orders." He raised his you won't get hurt. Me and Clay revolver again to slash Mr. Cart­ are gonna stay here today 'and it's right across the face, but checked gonna be a big secret. Then to­ himself when the doorbell rang and night, .when it gets dark, we're • quickly motioned Clay to take An­ gonna go away and you won't see gela out of the livingroom. Hold­ us no more. But if you let anyone ing his revolver on Mr. Cartright, know we're here," he looked at his he whispered, "Whoever.it is, get revolver and smiled, "then you got, rid of 'em. Nobody comes in and a very serious problem. Savvy?" no one goes out." "Thomas, are you all right.'"' The bell rang again and Mr. Angela asked. "Where he struck Cartright opened the door a crack. you ? It's swelling." "Yes.?"he said. "Lady!" George exploded, "This "It's the movers. We're here for ain't a sewing circle! I asked if the furniture." you understood what I said." "I'm sorry, but we've had a "You needn't harass my wife," change in plans," Mr. Cartright Mr. Cartright said evenly. "We un­ said. "You'll have to come back derstand thoroughly. But your tomorrow." scheme to hide here won't work. "Are you kiddin'. Mister ? You You see, the movers. are due here got an appointment for today." today." Mr. Cartright felt George's gun "Laughing Boy, you're really a jammed against his kidney. "We'll comedian," George said. "So the just have to cancel the appoint­ movers are coming. So you send ment," he said, trying to control the movers away. So that's that. his voice. "However, tell your com­ ' Now you,", he said to Angela, pany to bill me for your time if "shake yourself and rustle up some there's a problem in that regard." coffee and chow for us. Clay, keep "They'll bill you plenty. Mister. . an eye on her." You better believe it. And don't "Sit still, Angela," Mr. Cartright hold your breath for tomorrov/. interrupted. "She's not your serv- You'll be lucky to get another ap-

THE MOVERS 21 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED pointment with us in a month." Boy. You" still don't want her "As you wish," Mr. Cartright cookin' for us, do ya ?" said. "Just leave us alone today, "No," Mr. Cartright said, setting please. I'm sorry to have incon­ his jaw. venienced you." "You're sure a stubborn man. Mr. Cartright closed the door Ain't that right, Mrs. CPA? Ain't and bolted it. He felt George's re­ Laughing Boy a stubborn man?" volver leave his back. "My husband is very stubborn," "Well," George smiled, "that was Angela agreed. "Some day it will pretty good for a comedian. You be the death of him." ought to be an actor. Laughing "Okay," George said. "Clay, you Boy."You ought to be in the mov­ go rustle up some food. And make ies. What are you, anyway—a law­ a big pot of coffee. After all, I yer.?" .wouldn't want to upset a stubborn "I'm a CPA," Mr. Cartright character like this." said. "A certified public account­ Angela seated herself on the ant." couch next to Mr. Cartright. "You hear that, Clay?" George "How long will you be here?" asked, as his partner brought An­ Mr. Cartright asked. gela back into the livingroom. "Until it's dark," George said. "Laughing Boy is a CPA. That "And the less you know about it, means he's good at figures. Well, the better off you are. So shut up." make sure you figure this out, Mr. "I presume you've broken out of CPA. Me and Clay are gonna hide prison," Mr. Cartright continued. out here today and you're "Why did you choose our home in not gonna give us no trouble. You which to hide?" handle everything like you handled "Why not ? You're on a corner. those movers and you won't get You're near where the freeway be­ killed, not like a couple of prison gins. We had to pick someone's guards we just happen to know house. It was just your tough luck. about. Ain't that right, Clay?" Kismet, like they say. Now be "Sure, George, sure. In the mean­ quiet." time I'm starVin' to death." "Very well," Mr. Cartright said. "Let's eat then," George said. "I just remind you that my wife He turned to Angela, but then he and I are not very . . . heroic. We looked back at Mr. Cartright and only ask that you be fair to us." snickered. "If you could just see "Sure," George said. He waited the look oa your kisser. Laughing impatiently for Clay to bring food

22 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED from the kitchen, and said little. "May I have it, please ?" The Cartright home was on a "Why? You need a high school quiet street. The men ate in silence, diploma?" freezing for an uneasy minute "No. If there's a return envelope, when the mailman walked up the I shall mail it back empty. That front steps. An envelope slithered way they'll have to pay the post- down the mail chute. Then the age." mailman's footsteps went away and George looked blankly at Mr. the gunmen relaxed. Cartright. "I don't get it." "How come you ain't at work "You said I was stubborn," Mr. today?" George asked suspiciously, Cartright said. "It so happens I be­ as he drank a second cup of coffee. lieve in principles. I didn't ask for "Because of the movers," Mr. that piece of mail and I intend to Cartright said. "I've taken the day make them pay, however small the- off." amount, for intruding their unso­ "And you ain't expectin' no vis­ licited mail upon me." itors, nothin! like that.?" "You gotta be kiddin'." "No. Just the movers, as I said." "I abide by principles," Mr. Cart­ "Yeah, the movers. What a very right said. big deal that was." George gave him the envelope Clay was sprawled on the couch, with a look of wonder on his face. half asleep. "Stubborn ain't the word for you," - After a while George snapped he told Mr. Cartright; "You're his fingers, as if he'd thought of downright anti-social." something. "Say," he said, "if "I doubt you'd know," Mr. Cart­ you're moving, how come you get right said. mail here.?" "Don't push your luck. Laugh­ George went to the mail chute ing Bey. Me and Clay ain't through and peered inside. "Just one en­ with you yet." velope," he said. "Addressed to oc­ Later, there was the noise of a cupant." large vehicle parking outside, and "May I have it?" Mr. Cartright footsteps came up the front walk. said. The doorbell, rang. George held George tore the envelope open. his revolver on Mr. Cartright "Ha. It's a joke, Mr. Comedian. again. This here letter says you can get a "Yes?" Mr. Cartright said, open­ high school diploma easy in six ing the door a crack. months at home." "We're the movers," a voice said.

THE MOVERS 23 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED '1 guess it's time to get the job panic and fired three shots •going." through the wooden front door. "I'm sorry," Mr. Cartright said. "How did they find us.?" he "I'm afraid you'll have to come screamed at his partner. back tomorrow." A gunpowder smell assaulted "You know that won't do," the Mr. Cartright's nostrils. After sev­ voice answered. "We're supposed eral seconds, some answering gun­ to move you today." shots from police splintered the "And I say tomorrow," Mr. front windows. Mr. Cartright Cartright said. heard the bullets strike the wall "I just work under orders," the behind him. One of them ricochet­ voice said. "You want me to tell ed. He grabbed his wife and ran my boss what you said?" for the kitchen. "Tell your supervisor we're not In the noise and confusion, the moving today," Mr. Cartright two gunmen were yelling at each said. "Tell him that's my final other. "We gotta get out of here!" word." Clay shouted. Mr. Cartright closed the door . "We can't!" George said. "Not firmly and bolted it. George's gun unless vyc shoot our way out!" . left his back. Then, without warning, • two "What kind of moving company heavier projectiles crashed you doing business with.?" George through the front windows. In a asked. "They so hard up for cus­ moment, the livingroom was en­ tomers they have to come back gulfed in a stinging, burning fog. twice.?" In the kitchen, Mr. Cartright's eyes George cautiously looked felt as if someone had thrown acid through a livingroom window, in them. "Tear gas," he said to his pushing the draperies aside. Then wife. he whipped around, a look of In a moment, the front door alarm on his face. flew open and Clay and George "Clay!" he' hissed. "On your dashed outside, firing their revolv­ feet! There's cops out there!" ers blindly. A ~ sheriff's car was More footsteps came up the parked outside. From behind the front steps, followed by a heavy car, deputies returned the prison­ pounding on the front door. ers' fire, dropping the two men al­ "Open up!" a voice called. "This most immediately. Then two more is the sheriff!" sheriff's cars arrived, sirens growl­ Clay bounded from the couch in ' ing to silence as deputies leaped

24 ALFRED HITCHCOCKS MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED out, brandishing their weapons. he said, "you probably got a right "Don't shoot!" Mr. Cartright to get mad at us, but the mover yelled, taking his wife's hand. said he wouldn't come out here "We're coming out!" without the law. We brought a "Who's in there?" a deputy warrant for you, just in case." yelled. "I can understand that," Mr. "We're coming out! Hold your Cartright said; fire!" Mr. Cartright shouted. "Well, you do have a certain As he and Angela wallied reputation for making trouble," through the front door, he heard the sergeant said. "First you a deputy saying excitedly, "Those -fought the city attorney. Then you are the two killers, I tell you! I fought the condemnation proceed­ don't know how they got here, but ings in court. Then you fought it that's «A

TfrE MOVERS 25 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Although the thoughts of youth are "long, long thoughts," could anyone anticipate them to be poignantly compassionate? .

wWn lived in a big white house on five acres of ground a short walk from town. There were oaks and maples and a solitary pine in the deep front yard, and out back was a barn painted red. We didn't keep

a line of trees and brush' along the two banks of a small creek with a deep pool in which I could swim naked after the work was done. any -livestock, unless you wanted My father said early that I had a to count a flock of Buff Cochin green thumb. We raised carrots hens and one rooster, but behind and onions and radishes and peas the barn was a big garden plot and beans and tomatoes and po­ where we raised truck for the ta­ tatoes and roasting ears, and it ble and some over for the market. worked out during the growing I liked the planting and spraying season-that something good was and harvesting, and didn't even coming from the garden, in turn, mind the hoeing on hot days, for . from spring till frost. The garden at the bottom of. our property was was iny father's pride, and he gave

26 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED it his loving care, but then he died. about .once a week going shopping Never mind how. He seemed into town, and I cannot recall that old to me at the time, but he was she left at night in the two years young. He died in the winter, and following my father's death more he was gone, and there was the than six or eight times, at most. garden to plow and plant in the Spring and summer nights we spring. I didn't know how I could sat together on the screened back do it alone, going to school besides, porch that ran the entire width' of but I tried and my mother helped. the house, and sometimes we We worked hard at it, but some of talked about trivial things, but the ground had to lie fallow for never about the secret things that two seasons. There was plenty of mattered. Mostly we just grew everything for the table but not slowly sleepy listening to frogs much over for the market. along the creek and sometimes My mother worked bare-headed owls in the trees beyond the barn. in the garden, dressed in faded Fall and winter nights, when the jeans and a man's blue shirt with temperature dropped from chill to the throat open and .the sleeves cold, we sat inside by the fire, and rolled up, and she became brown I did what homework there was and beautiful in the sun. She had to do from school, and she mended a slim boyish body and brown socks or clothes, or listened to the bobbed hair, both of which were tunes of Irving Berlin on the pho­ then the fashion. I had always nograph, or read This Side of Par­ thought of her as old, as I had adise or The Beautiful and thought of my father, as all young Damned or The Plastic Age or boys, I suppose, think of all par­ some other novel of the time that ents, but I became aware, seeing she had borrowed from the public her "brown and beautiful in the library on her last trip to town. ~ garden, that she must still feel in She wished for a radio, and so did her flesh the strange aches and er­ I, but we couldn't afford it. rant longings that I was beginning I won't forget the second winter to feel in mine. When my father after my father's death. It was the died, she was, I guess, not more winter of 1926-27, and I had turned than a year or two past thirty, but fifteen in the spring. I remember she was tired from work and the winter clearly because it worry, and I know now that she seemed that everything happened was lonely. She rarely left the with a rush, things crowding oiie house or grounds during the day, right after the other in a hurry' to

1 LL BE LOVING YOU 27 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED get done, but probably it was only only fifteen. Well, perhaps not. Per­ that I was beginning to jtake more haps, my, recollections have been notice of events outside my own reinforced by later review. It narrow life. Anyhow, there seemed doesn't really matter, however it to be a kind of feverish quality in was, for it was not the public fever that time, and everyone was des­ and the frantic scandalmongering perate to make more of everything that fixed.the time so firmly in my than it deserved. My mother shared memory. It was fixed by two quiet the fever with millions of others, and intimate events that happened and she took an avid interest in during the winter, and by what public sensations hke the death of came out of the winter aftervyard. Rudolph Valentino, which hap­ The first of these two events was pened in August before winter simply a conversation that I had came, and the scandals arising from with my mother. It was one night the suit of Mrs. Browning against shortly after Christmas, in Janu­ her husband. I remember her read­ ary, I think. As our Christmas ing intently the reported escapades present to each other, we had de­ of "Peaches" and "Daddy", but cided at last to buy a radio, a what I remember most vividly is table model in an elaborate little her almost obsessive fascination Florentine cabinet, and I had been.; with the Hall-Mills case, and with, busy with algebra while my mother soon afterward, the Snyder-Gray listened to a musical program. I case. Both cases iiivolved murders don't remember what the program that were dull and sordid enough, vvas. It may have been the A & P to be sure, and the latter especially Gypsies. I'm not sure that Rudy would have passed as considerably Vallee, in January of 1927, had yet less than a.national sideshow if it caught the public fancy. No matter, had not involved a romantic tri­ anyhow. Whatever the prograrh angle, one corner of which, the was, it ended, and my mother murderer, was a Presbyterian cor­ snapped off the set and spoke to set salesman. As it was, it was re­ me suddenly, as if she had been ported to the people by a corps of thinking to the music and 'had notables, including Billy Sunday, come to a conclusion. the famous evangelist, who took "It's too much," she said, time off from God to give it his " What, is.? "I said.. personal attention. , ' "The work. The garden and this Do I remember all of this from big house." the time.'' Bear in mind that I was "I like it here. I don't mind the

28 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED work. Please, let's try to stay." January passed, then February "Your father's insurance money after January, and it was in early is dwindling. In a few years, if we March, on a cold, bright, windy aren't careful, we'll be without sav­ Saturday morning, that the second ings." event I mentioned happened. I had "I'll cultivate more of the garden gone down the long brick walk this spring." from the house to the mailbox be­ "It's not enough. When your fa­ side the narrow macadam road ther was alive, he held a job in that ran past. While I was there, town and worked the garden after with the mail in my hands, I saw hours and weekends." a stranger approaching from the "I'm older now. I can get a job west along the hard shoulder of in town myself." the road. I could tell at once that "What could you do at fifteen.? he was no hobo; at least, not an Deliver papers.? Maybe it would be ordinary one. He was tall and better to sell the place and rent a slim, and he was wearing a cordu­ little house or apartment. Then" I roy cap with flaps over his ears could go to work. I could clerk in and a bright red flannel shirt and a shop and take typing and short­ a heavy corduroy jacket and cor­ hand at the business college at duroy pants and good, solid shoes night. Later I could get a good job with thick soles. He was carrying in an office." a heavy stick that he had cut from "I don't want to move," I said. a tree and trimmed up neatly, and "I never want to live anywhere , on his back, held in place by two else." straps under his arms, was a can­ There we dropped the matter^ vas pack. Somewhere along his way but it stuck in my mind like a on this bright, cold morning he burr, and it bothered me. I was had found a place and time to saddened and troubled by the shave. He was clearly warm and thought of selling our place, and washed, and I could see as he came it's the truth that I loved it and closer that he had a young ' and never wanted to leave it. A poet handsome face with brown, bright wrote that the thoughts of youth eyes and a ready smile. He stopped are lorig, long thoughts, and I guess and leaned on his stick and spoke most boys dream of going into the to me. wide world, but all I wanted or "Morning, son," he said. asked was to live all my life on my I answered his greeting politely, five acres. It suited me just fine. and his eyes wandered off through

I'LL BE LOVING YOU 29 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED the deciduous oaks and maples past was a little flushed frona the heat the evergreen pine to the house of the oven, and her short hair beyond the deep lawn. was slightly tousled, and I thought "A charming place," he said. suddenly' again' with a feeling of "Your home?" surprise, as if every time it was a I said it was. new discovery, that she was beau­ "My imagination pictures it two tiful. I started to introduce my months from now," he said, "with guest, and realized fooUshly that the grass green and the trees in I hadn't learned his name. He, leaf and the ground dappled by understanding this, came smoothly sun and shade. A pity that I can't to my rescue. linger to see it." "Permit me to introduce my­ He talked like that. What I mean self," he said. "My name is James is, he put into easy words the Thrush. I am a vagabond but not things I felt but couldn't say. a bum..There is a vast difference, "It's nice in spring and sum­ and I trust that the difference is mer," I said. apparent in me. This good boy, "I'm sure it must be." His whom I take to be your younger bright, brown eyes came back brother, has kindly invited me to across the lawn through the trees stop for a cup of coffee." and rested on mine; "I've had a He had removed his cap, and his long, brisk walk this chilly morn­ thick brown hair had become some­ ing. I wonder if, by some stroke of what matted under it, but it had good luck, you have a cup of been combed before, and it was coffee left over from breakfast.?" neatly trimmed. My mother looked "I don't know," I-said. "If there's at him without much expression, none left, I can make fresh." and I could see that she didn't "There you are," he said. "I knew know whether to accept his refer­ at once that you were a good and ence to her as my sister as an generous boy. It will give me pleas­ honest mistake, which would have ure to accept your hospitality^" made it pleasing, or as brazen flat­ So we walked up across the lawn tery, which would have made it and around the house and across offensive. After a moment she the back porch into the warm smiled, and the snaile was pleased. kitchen. My mother had baked •- "You're welcome," she said. "My bread, and it smelled close to narne. is Elizabeth Caldwell. This heaven. She was standing by the is my son. His name is Mark." stove when we entered. Her face He didn't make a big thing of

30 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED his mistake, honest or not. He "Don't you do any kind of work merely said gravely that he was at all?" delighted to know us. My mother "Now and again I work at some­ was convinced by this, I think, thing or other for what I choose that he had not taken her for a to call my travel expenses. And fool. then, for other motives, I work "Please take off your pack and constantly at something else. I write coat," she said. "The coffee pot is poetry." empty, but I'll make fresh." "Poetry?" We sat at the kitchen table while "Yes. I'm a poet. A good one, if the coffee perked. Then we drank you'll excuse my saying so. My it, mine with milk and sugar and head bursts with images and ideas. theirs black, and ate thick slices My pack grows heavy with filled of hot bread and butter. We ate a notebooks. Believe me, writing po­ whole loaf of the bread among us, • etry is work, Mrs. Caldwell. It's and James Thrush apologized for hard work. Unfortunately, it pays being a glutton, but my mother poorly." was plainly pleased by his appetite. "Do you sell your poems ?" She was also pleased by his clean­ "Some I sell, some I donate. liness and his table manners and That's poetry for you. You can find his correct and fluent talk. He was me in the Little Magazines, if you no ignoramus, surely, and he told care to look. I've published one us after a while that he had, in book, an extra copy of, which is in fact, after serving with the Amer­ my pack. I shall leave it with you ican Expeditionary Force in "the when I go, as token payment for last war, taken a degree in liberal your hospitality." arts at the University of Kansas. "I'll be proud to have it," my Since then, he had been, for the mother said. most part, roaming about the coun­ He took from a side pocket of try. his corduroy jacket, which he had "With a college education," my hung on the back of his chair, a mother said, "I should think you'd stubby black pipe and a leather want to settle down somewhere pouch of tobacco. and get a good job." "Do you mind i£ I smoke?" he "Doing what?" he said. "I'm not asked. much of one for an office. I could "Not at all," my mother said. teach, I suppose, but I don't fancy "I'll join you." a schoolroom, either." After my father's death, she had

I'LL BE LOVING YOU 31 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED taken up the smoking o£ cigarettes, pipe for several seconds in silence. still considered rather daring "It's a charming home you have among women. I suppose she did here, Mrs. Caldwell." it because, in her loneliness, it af­ "Sometimes it becomes a burden. forded her company and comfort. There is too much work for Mark From an open pack in her apron , and me." she took out a cigarette and leaned "You have much land with the across the table to light it from ,the house.?" match the poet had struck on a "Five acres. There is a large thumb nail and extended. • truck garden below the barn. Mark "When I have had my pipeful," and I try together to work it, but he said between puffs, as he sucked it's too much. Since my husband the match flame onto the tobacco, died, we've been able to cultivate "I shall be on my way again. I only part of it." have imposed upon your hospital­ "It must be difficult for a woman ity long enough." and a young boy. You need a "It's no imposition. You needn't man's strong back." feel obliged to hurry away." "You're a man," I said suddenly. In that instant, hearing her voice His bright, brown eyes swung and seeing in her eyes a flicker of toward me, and his eyebrows shot something naked and desolate, I up in surprise. His burst of laugh­ had a feeling that she was strangely ter was gay and infectious. reluctant to see the last of him. To "So I am, I hope," he said, "al­ tell the truth, so was I. I have though a poet in some quarters is never met anyone else in all my considered somewhat less than life who captured my favor so one." swiftly, or who, in so short a time, "You could stay," I said. "There's created so convincingly an illusion nothing to prevent you if you of being an old and tried com­ want to." panion. "Mark," my mother said, "don't "I confess," he said, "that I am be presumptuous." tempted to linger. I am indebted "No. The boy is right." James to you and your son for a delight­ Thrush prodded the air in my di­ ful interlude. It would have been rection with the stubby stem of his an added pleasure to meet your black briar. "Moreover, the sug­ husband." gestion, I find, is not without its "My husband is dead." seductions. I shall have to stop "Oh. I'm sorry." He drew on his somewhere soon, in any event, to

I XL BE LOVING YOU 33 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED find temporary employment arid April. He furnished it vi^ith odds replenish my funds. Unless one is and ends, and fastened pictures to a hobo, which I am not, one can­ the wall that he cut from old mag­ not travel indefinitely without azines. All in all, he made it a funds." snug place. He ate his three good "I couldn't pay you," my mother meals a day in the kitchen at table said. "I could give you good, food with my mother arid me, and after and a dry place to sleep, but there supper he was always welcome to will be no extra money." linger until bedtime, which he usu­ "My work for my keep—a fair ally did, and frequently, to my exchange. Perhaps I can earn a satisfaction, relieved me of the tea bit from odd jobs at odd times in towel when the dishes were town. My expenses are nominal. washed and dried. He never did Mrs. Caldwell, do you wish to go into town after the odd jobs, hire a hand?" so I suppose that his funds were "You are welcome to stay. I not so low as he had let us think. won't deny that it would be a He earned, I believe, a little money great help to us." from the poems he wrote vvhile "We will consider it setded, then. he was there. Now and again he Here's my hand on the bargain." would leave a long envelope in the He and my mother shook hands box for the mailman to pick up, gravely across the table, and then and several times, when I gath­ he leaned back, sucking briskly on ered the mail, there were return his pipe, which had grown cold, letters addressed to him in our and turned to me. "Well, Mark," care. The letters were self-ad­ he said, "it seems that I shall see dressed, and must have been en­ your fine oaks and maples in leaf, closed in the envelopes he sent out, after all," and so he did. but they were thinner and Kghter in weight, which made me believe We agreed for the sake of pro­ that the poems had been removed priety that it- would" not be wise and maybe a check put in. to take him into the house at night, but the old harness room in the He was a good worker. He pre­ barn was tight and dry and un­ pared the garden for planting, and used, and we moved in an army later planted the things that had cot and supplied him liberally with to be in the ground early. My blankets, so that he slept warm mother and I helped him when enough through what were left of we could, of course, she when she the chilly nights of March and could leave the house and I when

34 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED I was not in school, but he did the him, my daily chores finished. lion's share of the work. He had "Have you heard about Lind­ been lean and gay when he came bergh.?"! asked. to us, seasoned by the wind and "Before yesterday," he said, "I the sun, but while he was there had never heard of him in my life. and working for his bed and Since then, I and millions of other board he acquired, besides, for a folk have scarcely heard of anyone while, a quality of settled peace; else." But this was temporary, as we "I guess he's a hero, all right.'.' should have known. "I guess he is." It's odd, as I look back, how "Well, if you ask me, he's an my memory of specific incidents improvement over Judd Gray." in our private lives that winter "Right you are." He sat there in and spring and summer is pin­ the twilight looking down over the pointed and fixed, so to speak, by roof of the barn in ,an attitude of public events. I can say exactly, intent listening, as if he were trying for example, wheft I first became to hear and separate all the sounds aware that my mother was des­ that came up from the fields and perately in love with James Thrush. the trees. "But still, you know, old It was the evening of the twenty- Judd was not without his intrigu­ first of May, 1927. I remember this ing qualities. He was a pathetic because it was on that day that devil, of course, but as a character Charles A. Lindbergh landed in study he was more interesting, per­ Paris after his flight from New haps, than many of those who pass York, and the whole country for heroes." seemed to go wild with a kind of "How so?" hysterical joy. The hysteria pene­ "How.? Well, he was a perfect trated almost instantly even to our example of the rigid moralist small town, and to thousands like turned sinner. As such, he was in­ it, and the local daily, I recall, was capable of evaluating his sins. Or on the streets with a -four-page crimes, if you please. Once you extra. That evening, when I came have committed adultery, you up from the chicken house with a might as well go on and commit pailful of eggs, I found James murder. God has you by the ears Thrush sitting on the back steps in either case." smoking his stubby black briar. I "That doesn't sound reasonable." took the eggs into the house and "Old Judd was not a reasonable came back and sat down beside man."

ILL BE LOVINO YOU 35 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED I couldn't think of any answer mother pinned a clean towel to that, and I didn't have to, as it around his neck. I went out onto turned out, because at that moment the back porch and stood looking my mother came out onto the back down toward the barn and the line porch. of trees beyond, along the creek. "Supper's ready," she said. "You After a few minutes, I turned two better wash up." around and looked back across the "I'm washed," James Thrush porch through the open door into said. "Mark, hop to it. I'm hungry." the kitchen, and it was then, in a I washed, and we ate, and after flash, that I knew my mother was the dishes were washed and dried in love with James Thrush. I saw we sat in the kitchen while James them in profile, he in. the chair Thrush smoked his pipe and my and she standing beside hirri. Her mother kept him company with a right hand held the clippers sus­ cigarette. pended, and her left hand was "I'll have to walk into town to­ resting on the crown of his head morrow or the next day," James to turn it a bit this way or that as Thrush said. was needed. All this, of course, "Why.?" my mother asked. was ordinary enough. What was "I'm getting shaggy. I hate to extraordinary was the expression spend good money on a haircut, on my mother's face. Her eyes but it looks Hke I'll have to." were almost closed, and her mouth ; "I'll be happy to trim your hair." was slightly open,' and the effect of "Well, I don't know." James her expression was one of intense Thrush sucked at his pipe and ecstasy, as if the feel of his thick looked quizzical. "I'm not an in­ brown hair under her hand was ordinately vain man, I hope, but I nearly more than she could bear. have no desire to be butchered." It was a shock. I turned away again with the shameful feeling "I trim Mark's hair. Does he that I had inadvertently violated look butchered.?" her privacy. I remember that I had, "I must say he doesn't. Are you for a moment, a deep stab of sor­ sure it wouldn't be too much trou­ row and regret for my father, so ble.?" lately dead, but that passed quickly. "Nonsense. Pull, your chair out i hked James Thrush, you see. under the light while I get.the From that night, I began to. hope tools." that he would love my mother, James Thrush sat in a straight as she loved him, and that he would chair under the light, and my

36 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED marry her then and never go away. creek, doing their good deeds." He loved her, I think, in his way. I watched them walk together I'm sure he did. It was not his across the gold-washed yard into fault, after all, that his spirit longed the shadow of the barn, then I for freedom and his feet itched for stretched out on my back on the the road. We were at fault, my old settee that we kept on the mother and I, for wanting to hold porch. After a while, to the music him. We should have known that of soft sounds, I went to sleep. I the time would come when we slept soundly for a long time, and could' not. Meanwhile, as spring when I woke up my mother was passed and summer came on, life standing in the light from the was good and somehow exciting. kitchen door. I. did not stir or The garden season was almost speak, watching her through half- perfect, with rain enough and the closed lids. On her face was almost short, nights warm and bursting the same ecstatic expression it had with the silent juices of growth. held when she trimmed James Everything planted matured in Thrush's hair, but there was a abundance, and there was plenty subtle difference that I failed at to eat and plenty to sell. first to understand. Then I saw One night in June we were sit­ that the effect of longing had been ting after supper on the back replaced by one of fulfillment. She porch. Wc could hear the chorus no longer merely loved. Some­ of frogs from the creek, and the where in the shadows of trees myriad softer sounds that stir in a along the creek, in the warm and summer night. The back yard was bursting night, she had been loved. washed with white gold between I closed my eyes, and after a house and barn. moment she came and bent over "It's a beautiful night," James me and shook me gently by the Thrush said. "It's a night for fan­ shoulder. tasy and errant dreams. Who . "It's late," she said. "You'd better would like to take a walk ?" go to bed." Her voice was dreamy "I would," my mother said. and lilting in the accent and James Thrush turned to me. rhythm of her enchanted night. "Mark.?" • I got up and went upstairs to "I'm tired," I said. "I'll stay here." my bed, but now, having napped "As you wish," he said. "Your so long, I couldn't go to sleep mother and I will see if the elves again. I lay on my back in the are out among the trees along the darkness and thought deliberately

I LL BE LOVING YOU 37 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED of my mother and James Thrush. harness room into the house. Well, Should I have been angry? I no hurry. For the present, I sup­ wasn't. On the contrary, I was posed, they liked the shimmering filled with a quiet, perverse hap­ texture of their lives as they were. piness. Now, James Thrush would Fall would be time enough, when surely stay forever. Now, we would the nights grew long and the all stay together in the house I. weather cold. loved, he and my mother and I, The hot, dog days of August and everything would work out went, and September came; school well in the end. began, and our long armistice with So, for a long time, it seemed. reahty ended. It ended abruptly, The enchanted night endured and brutally, one night as October became enchanted days and weeks neared. James Thrush and my and months, and I cannot believe mother, though the night was chill, that any other three people on this had gone out for a walk to the earth ever had such pleasure from creek beyond the barn and the gar­ common work, or sustained such den, and later my mother came excitement in simple Hving. My back alone. I was in the kitchen, mother grew brown and beautiful studying at the table, and I could in the summer sun, and she seemed see at once that something was to glow softly from some interior wrong. She moved as though she and everlasting hght, as if her body were blind and stunned. There was were transluscent, so that her skin something terribly withdrawn was like satin and her short brown about her, and she seemed to have hair had day and night a moonlit shrunk into her dark inner self, sheen. She encountered the days where the light had gone out. She with a kind of childish wonder, as sat down stiffly at the table, staring if she saw everything anevv and blindly ahead, and her bloodless saw it differently, with a kind of face was as still and hard as a restrained delight; as if she felt stone. everything afresh and felt it more "What's the matter?" I asked. intensely. I wondered what James "He's going," she said. . Thrush said to her, and she to him, "James Thrush?" in the long walks they took at "Yes. Jamies Thrush." night, and all the other times they "Where's he going?" . were" alone. I wondered, too, when "Away. Just away. Tomorrow matters would be settled between he's going away." them and he would move from the "I thought he never would. I

38 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED thought he'd stay here forever." "And if more than keep has been "He's going. Tomorrow he's go- received, then more than work has ing." been given. I told no lies, did I? "Where is he now ?" I made no promises, did I.'"' "In the barn. In his room." "I can't believe you did." "I'll go out there and talk with "You're a good boy, Mark, and him." it has been a pleasure to know She didn't answer. I got up and you, but it's time to go, and I'll go went out to the barn, and James tomorrow." Thrush was in the harness room "Where shall we send your putting his possessions into the mail?" canvas pack that he carried, on his "There will be no more. I've had back. The room was lighted by a answers to all I sent." kerosine lantern, and my feet were "It would be a kindness if you'd standing on the shadow of his tell my mother good-bye before head on the floor. When he saw me you go." enter, he turned away and stood "That I shall. I'll tell her good­ staring at some things he had bye." spread on his cot. Although he I went back to the house. My spoke softly without anger in his mother was still sitting at the voice, there was, nevertheless, kitchen table. something angry and bitter in his "He's going," she said, "isn't he?" attitude. "He says so," I said. "I'm going," he said. 'Im going She didn't speak again, or move, because it's time to go. I do what I and there was nothing I could say must when I must." or do to make her. I gathered up "I wish you wouldn't." my books and papers and went "Did I say I would stay for­ upstairs, leaving her alone, The ever?" next morning she was gone. There "You never did." was no breakfast ready for me be­ "I've kept my bargain, haven't fore I left for school, so I left with­ I?" out it. I had my lunch at school, "I can't say you haven't." and that afternoon, of all days, I "I've given full measure for what had to stay late to make up a I've received, haven't I."* My work missed exarriinadon, and so, con­ for my keep, That was the agree­ sidering the long walk home, it ment, wasn't it.?" was almost six o'clock when I got "It was." there. My mother was sitting at

ILL BE LOVING YOU 39 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED the kitchen table again, in the same the kitchen. The oven was cold, chair and position I had last seen no pots were on the burners. My her. If I hadn't known better I'd mother, at the table, was dreamily have sworn she hadn't moved an humming a tune of that time inch all night and day, but her face which,has survived to this: last night had been a stone. Now I'll be loving you—always, it was the drugged face of one . With a love that's true—always. who is caught in an enduring She didn't croon the words. She dream. only hummed the tune. I. had to "Has James Thrush gone?" I get out of there. I couldn't bear asked. .seeing her or hearing her. I found "No," she said. "He's decided to the can 'of cyanide powder and stay. He's decided to stay because took it down to the barn and put he loves me. He'll be with us al­ it back with the other insecticides. ways." That night I buried James "Where is he.?" Thrush and all his possessions at "In there. In the little back bed­ the foot of the garden. room. He's lying down, poor dar­ I tried my best to take care of ling. We were having coffee to­ my mother, but she kept wander­ gether, just as we did when he ing out into the cold nights bare­ came to us, and suddenly he felt footed in her nightclothes. When I ill. He's resting." missed her and went after her, I I went into the back bedroojm, always found her at or near the and James Thrush was lying on creek, and at last she caught pneu­ his back on the bed. He did not monia and was dead before Christ­ open his eyes when I entered or mas. move when I touched him. His Since then, there has been an­ hands were folded on his stomach. other war, and wars after the war. I turned away and went back into It was a long time ago.

^^^•4^

40 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Is it possible that "social and cultural betterment' is not the ex­ clusive property of the underprivileged?

lost kitten and she whisks it home and feeds it until it is gasping for breath. Let her see another person being cheated and she is right there wielding her umbrella. So, what is a husband to do.^* That's the way she is.

I used to love her for it. I be- Ueved she was unique, a miracle in this immoral, money-mad, power-hungry world. In her own way, I suppose she is a miracle, but it's a good thing for this old world that we don't have hun­ ALWAYS forming committees to' dreds more like her, or even ten, aid the underprivileged, always more. Can you imagine my dis­ heading drives to bring about so­ tress multiplied by ten, a hundred, cial and cultural betterment of the five hundred.? The very idea of it masses, that is Caroline. Let her makes me shudder. You see, it is see a stray dog in the street or a all very well to serve your fellow-

THAT'S THE WAY SHE IS 41 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED man, but a wife ought to serve her invariably stops short at females.''' husband also. I have lived on a Where does the wardrobe come steady diet of cereal and boiled from.? From the nearly-new sales, eggs ever since we have been mar­ of course. Why Caroline cannot be ried. honest and call them rummage Not true; I am exaggerating. sales is something I cannot under­ Sometimes we will have roast beef stand. or turkey or a succulent baked Getting back to our Easter guest, ham—when she comes home with however, after an hour upstairs he a human derelict in tow. looked quite presentable in gray "Albert," she will say to me, slacks, a pale blue sweater and a "take him upstairs and give him a deep blue cravat which I donated nice hot bath." him from my own personal ward­ It breaks me up every tiine I robe. I had even managed to find think of the one she brought home him a passable pair of loafers in just before Easter. He was six- the closet. foot-four and weighed, roughly, a Caroline stared at him wordless­ hundred and ten pounds. ly when I brought him downstairs. "I'm sure he. is old enough to She had changed into a soft, bathe himself," I said dryly. plushy hostess gown which Caroline laughed. "Don't mind showed off her superb figure. I Albert," she told our guest. "He could see our guest appreciated it. has quite a sense of. humor—un­ "Well, how does he look.?" I fortunately. asked heartily but neither seemed "And find him something decent to hear me. We went in to dinner, to wear," she called as we climbed during the course of which I the stairs. learned that his name was Curtis You probably won't believe that Blake, that he had been a partner I, five-foot-eight on tiptoe, could in a flourishing TV repair busi­ open my closet and come up with ness, but one day his partner had an outfit for the skyscraper. You absconded with all the money and would be perfectly right—but you Curtis' fiancee and left Curtis haven't seen the other closet, the with all the bills. Curtis went guest closet, as Caroline likes to downhill from there. call it. There are clothes in there "How perfectly awful!" said to fit any size or build in the Carohne. "Didn't you tell the po­ world-rrall male, of course. For. lice?" some reason, Caroline's charity "They never found him. I be-

42 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED lieve he went to South America." "Take Curtis up and put him in "But to ruin a man's life like the Green Room, Albert." that!" said Caroline. Curtis got up obediently. I said "Curtis ruined his own life," I I hoped the Green Room wOuld said, pursuing an errant pea on be satisfactory. He gave me an my plate. odd look before he kissed Caro­ "Oh?" said Curtis coolly. line's . hand. She sighed and I I looked up at him then. I failed could just see her reaffirming her to see how such a handsome man conviction that kind deeds are re­ —for he would be handsome if he paid many times over. Oh well, substituted , eating for drinking— that's the way she is. could think that his life was The next morning I came down­ ruined because of a tough break. stairs to find Curtis in the library "Really, Albert," said Caroline, examining the shelves. "Like to "there is no need to be rude. After read, do you.?"'! asked him. all, Curtis is a guest in our home." "I used to. Before I—" I let her have the round. She "Yes, I know. How about some spent the rest of the evening trying breakfast?" to make up for any hurt I might "Where is Caroline?" have caused him. I went into the Caroline? "My wife is still - library to throw darts. asleep," I replied. "She is not an When I came out some two early riser." hours later, they were sitting in Curtis ate a gargantuan break­ front of the fire with no lights on. fast. A week in our house-and he She was on the couch and he was would outweigh our horse. on the floor at -her feet. It looked It was at times like this that I very cozy. began to worry. Caroline was in­ "Oh, Albert," said Caroline, dependently wealthy, having been waggling her fingers at me, "do born that way. Before our niar- come and join us." . riage I had been a prosperous "I came to say goodnight. I am grocer. I enjoyed my profession— going up to bed." and don't let anyone tell you that "Of course! Poor. Curtis," she being a grocer is not a profession said, turning to the guest, "You —but Caroline thought it was un­ must be tired, too." dignified, so I sold my business. Undoubtedly, I thought. A man At first I did not miss it too can get exhausted lounging much, but I soon learned that to be around in the gutter. worthy of Caroline's attention.

THAT S THE WAY SHE IS 43 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED you had to be a misfit or an un­ and a full face of artful makeup, derdog. Since I could not see "Good morning," she sang. changing in the prime of my life, "Who are you.?" I said in an I suffered in silence. But let me attempt at humor. Curtis made not mislead you. I sorely missed me feel like a fool by getting to my business and I missed feminine his feet and raising her hand to companionship and affection. his lips. He had pretty good man­ There was nothing I could do ners for a gutter bum. about the loss of the business. As Caroline ignored me. She let for the other, I did have a lot of Curtis seat her and pour her free time. So all in all, things were­ coffee. n't too sticky. I -was on my own "What are your plans.?" I said. most of the time and. as long as I loudly. went along with Caroline's charity They disengaged their eyes and cases, we co-existed amiably. looked at me as though I were a Now, as I watched Curtis eat, I four-year-old who had just uttered thought how nice it would be to an obscenity. be back in the grocery business.. "Whose plans.?" said Caroline. "What are your plans.?" I asked "What is Curtis planning to do him. when he leaves here.?" I said "You'll have to speak to Caro­ evenly. line about that." "Curtis isn't going to leave," "Why.?" said Caroline. "He has always "We had quite a long discussion wanted to write, so I am going to last night. I don't feel it would be • give him the chance. It will be my right to discuss it without her be­ way of rehabilitating him." ing present." I looked across the table at He had succeeded in making Curtis. He seemed less in need of me feel like an intruder in my own rehabilitating than anyone I had home. Before I could answer him, ever seen. Food he needed, I ad­ Carohne entered the kitchen. I mit that, but apparently that was looked at her in disbelief. She usu­ going to be no problem. ally comes to breakfast in a short "You mean he is going to be robe with her pajama legs show­ your—" ing beneath it and her hair in "Protege," Caroline finished. rollers. This morning she was re­ She reached for- his hand and splendent in a sheath of flowered squeezed it. silk, her hair combed and styled, ."I think I'll go out and talk to

44 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED 'the horse," I said meaningfully. the poor unfortunates of the Caroline had bought the horse world ? for a former protege of hers who That afternoon I invited Curtis said he would never have become to go for a horseback ride, hoping a failure if only his parents had perhaps that he would fall off and let him have a horse when he was break his neck. He took one look a child. As of today, the horse was at the horse and declined. "I am in the pasture eating his days not essentially the outdoor type," away while the horse lover was he told ine. back on the skids, having found There was a bright side to Cur­ another excuse for his condition. tis' residency, though. Caroline "I wonder if Curtis Hkes to spent some time in the kitchen and" ride," I said to the horse. Like we ate well. I could almost see Caroline, it ignored me. I was be­ Curtis filling out before my eyes. ginning -to feel like part of the If I didn't do something soon he furnishings, something to be dust­ would be too big for me to han­ ed off and forgotten. dle. • I went back to the library and Caroline gave him the use of the .my dart board. It was while I was library with his own desk and my in there that I heard them talking typewriter and a ream of paper. I in the next room. I put my ear was under orders not to disturb, against the wall. the genius. If the door was closed "Caroline, your husband does it naeant he was creating. This not like me. I don't see how I can worked a hardship on me, because live here in such an atmosphere." with Caroline out crusading the "He'll get over it, Curtis. -It better part of the day and Curtis takes him a little while to get used locked in the library, I was at to things." loose ends. I could not get in to "A writer cannot create in an find any books to read, and when atmosphere of disharmony, dear." he was out of the library I never Dear! I pressed my ear closer. thought of the books. I could not If I knew Caroline, her reply even throw darts. would be in a soft intimate tone. After about a week I realized It was, and I missed it entirely. that the Ubrary was very quiet dur­ Something would have to be ing the day. Apparently Curtis did done, but what? I didn't know. his writing in longhand since there What can a husband do vvith a was never the sound of typing. wife who has such a soft heart for Then I got the idea. Maybe I

THAT S THE WAY SHE IS 45 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED could not get into the library, but opened the door and left the li­ there was nothing to stop me brary. I decided it was time to get from looking through the win­ out of the bush. Getting out was dow. going to be just as hard as getting I chose a cloudy afternoon when in, if not more so. I had not yet Caroline was gone. It was no easy negotiated the first step when the job to invade the lilac bush. It was library door opened again and in oldef~-than I and appeared to re­ walked Curtis with Caroline be­ sent the intrusion. I was scratched hind him. I was surprised to see and disheveled by the time I her. I had not heard her car drive reached the library window. Curtis up. She must have come in the was in there all right, but he was back way. not writing. He was standing in "Now here's what we'll do," she front of the wall safe. His body was. saying to Curtis as he leaned was blocking the view, so I could against the desk. "I'll put a sleep­ not see whether he had it open. ing pill in his coffee tonight and So Curtis Blake had more on at one o'clock you come to his his mind than a literary career. I room and we'll get him into the wondered how long it had taken, car." him to locate the safe. At last "But suppose he comes, to before count, I believe there were close to wc get to the cliff.?" a thousand books on the shelves. "You leave that to me." I hoped he had removed every one I clung to a branch. I could not of them before he found the safe have moved if the bush had concealed behind the dart board. caught fire. I was the one they I stayed in the Hlac and thought were talking about. Me! Curtis did about Mr. Curtis Blake. I knew not look too happy; I will give now that I had never really be­ him credit for that. lieved he was a bum. He just did "I don't know how I could have not have that certain air about him. let. Albert charm me into mar­ He may have looked the part, but riage," Caroline was saying. "He he was far too smooth. It was is an absolute nothing." , much easier to believe he was a I l6ve you, too, I told her silent­ con man. Everyone knew about ly, you with your saintly behavior the charitable, wealthy Caroline, , in public which conceals what you and Curtis recognized a golden really are. I had known all along, opportunity when he saw one. but a comfortable life can make Curtis replaced the dart board, any road smoother. Marriage to

46 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Caroline had its drawbacks, of make a most attractive writer, I course, as any marriage has, but I thought with approval. I could see was willing to put up with it. hirn reproduced on thousands of -Even though I longed to be my book jackets. own boss again in my own busi­ Caroline looked lovely. Instead ness, I was willing to sacrifice that • of a hostess gown, as was her cus­ for my life as it was. I had plenty tom at this hour, she was wearing of money, a beautiful, if corrupt, stretch pants—which stretched just -wife and a comfortable home. .right—and a silk blouse with Now, however, the picture had French cuffs and mother-of-pearl changed. I was about to be elim­ links. Few women could look as inated. The shame of it was devas­ well as my wife in an outfit like tating enough, but the physical that. We all sat there with our result was unthinkable. This I coffee cups, smiling at each other, could not allow. • each one with his own secret. That night I cleverly avoided Poor Curtis: he had not suc­ drinking the coffee, which was no ceeded in opening the safe and easy task with both of them watch­ making his getaway before Caro­ ing me. I knew the station wagon line put her plan into action. Poor was waiting at the rear of the Caroline: she thought she ' had house to plunge down the cliff managed to get the coffee with its with its innocent victim. I felt a sleeping pill inside me. Poor me: I pang of sorrow. It was a honey had no intention of waiting till of a car. midnight. Already the two of Sometime during his stay, Curtis them were concealing yawns. had taken time out from his liter­ I am really going to miss Caro­ ary endeavors to go into town and line, despite her faults. How could buy a few things to wear. He such a beautiful creature be so looked exceedingly handsome and completely—wrong? sporty in dove gray,with a touch Oh well, that's the way she is— of color at the throat. He would was.

THAT'S THE WAY SHE IS 47 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Perhaps the way to an attic is commonly present, but each must find his own exit. • ,

IT ALL happened nearly thirty years ago.' I was a young writer down on my luck, having quit my job and taken to the typewriter without success. I was finally forced . to leave my comfortable furnished room and search for a cheaper one. After two days' trudging (I slept in a sort of flophouse hotel one night) I came to Mrs. Midgeling- ton's big frame house on Farnaby Street. The neighborhood had gone on the long slide which led from "gen­ teel poverty" to stark squalor. The hedges were half dead, the grass shaggy, the sidewalks cracked—but I was on my last fifty dollars. The sign reading "Furnished Rooms" bore a visible greasy thumbprint along one edge. I rang the bell. Mrs. Midgelington inspected me without enthusiasm. She was wrapped in a limp-looking flowered bathrobe and her puffy red-rimmed gray eyes squinted out from under ^o^ej>K Vfl;^l^e Svennau

48 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE- LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED a mop of mouse-colored hair which days. If I needed anything extra, I resembled the stuffing burst out of skipped a few meals to make up the old upholstery. difference. I followed her up a flight of stairs I got. back to my room by mid­ worn shallow by the feet of that an­ night and to bed by one, so that if I cient brotherhood—unhonored and turned out around eight, I still had anonymous—the "furnished room­ most of the day for writing. ers" who come and go by the score, I was just beginning to pull by the hundreds, whose feet tread a ahead when the warehouse decided thousand dark , stairwells, a thou­ to close at six on Saturday evening, sand dim hallways,. lost and still and at ten during the rest of the searching to the very end. week. This meant my gross pay My room was poorly lighted, was cut from thirty dollars a week small and shabbily furnished, but it to twenty. I began to skip more was only five dollars a week. I meals. took it. At about this time my clothes be­ I settled in with my one suit, gan to come apart. It was impossi­ my secondhand portable typewriter ble for me to replace them; I sewed and a few stationery supplies. and patched as well as I could. The battle did not go well. I got When my bare foot met the side­ up early, wrote all morning, took a walk, I darned socks and put card­ walk in the afternoon and wrote board fillers in my shoes. again in the evening, but the bulky Life went on drearily in my envelopes kept right on coming shabby furnished room. I sold one back. verse for five dollars, but otherwise At length, with thirty-seven cents the manuscripts rushed back with' left in my pockets, I answered a relentless regularity. New tenants newspaper advertisement and took came and went; I rarely got on a job as part-time shipping clerk at more than nodding terms with a food warehouse. My shift ran them. from six p.m. to eleven p.m., six For some reason Mrs. Midgeling- evenings a week. I was paid a dol­ ton seemed to favor me. Looking lar an hour. I didn't like the work back now, I suppose it was because but my net pay of twenty-six dol­ I didn't sneak women up to my lars a week seemed substantial at room and didn't get drunk and the time. I could pay my board and rowdy Hke some of the other room­ still have three dollars a day for ers. food. That was plenty in those Anyway, I was the recipient of

THE WAY TO THE ATTIC 49 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED various small favors. Mrs. Midge- Never before had a rejection hit lington put up clean new curtains me so hard. I'd come home late at in my room; she fetched my mail; night and sit on the side of my bed, once when I had a cold she brought brooding. me some cough syrup. I didn't sleep well and I began to One day she gave me an' old neglect my writing. Suddenly my blank ledger which she had found youthful dreams seemed highflown somewhere. She thought I could and foolish. I felt that I was a • use it. As a matter of fact, I found failure, that my life would never it just right for note-keeping. On. amount to anything. another occasion she brought me After working at the warehouse a pocketknife which some roomer like a robot, I would come back to had forgotten. One day when the my cold room, slump in the one cold was cutting through my card- , half-comfortable chair and jUs't board soles, she' came in with a look at the floor. I couldn't get to pair of shoes which she said that I sleep and when I tried to read, I might'have for a dollar. They were couldn't concentrate. Everything just a trifle large, but I whipped seemed hopeless, futile, inane, out a dollar without quibbling. Or­ meaningless. When manuscripts dinarily I would balk at second­ came back, I no longer sent them hand footwear, but I was desperate; out again; I merely piled them in my feet were constantly^ cold and a corner and forgot about them. the shoes were in good condition, Soon there were no more out and I supposed they had been aban­ so no more came back. doned by a roomer who left in a I finally got into the habit of hurry. wandering along the corridors late As winter came on, the ware­ at night—across to the lavatory,' house got colder and colder, and I down to the vestibule; up and nearly froze to death on the windy down the stairs. I developed a shipping platform as I waited for vague feeling that I was searching trucks to load. Even after hot cof­ for something, though I had no fee, I'd go home shivering. By then idea what it was. there would be no heat in my room One night, later than usual, I no- either. ' ticed a flight of stairs leading up to About this time a story I'd felt the garret. I had seen them before, was a sure winner hurried back I suppose, but somehow they hadn't like the rest, and I experienced registered. This night they seemed something bordering on despair. to hold an odd attraction for me. I

50 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED climbed them at once and found dors and up the attic stairs. Only myself in an icy dark attic. A one thing annoyed me—some of faint blur of illumination filtered the floor boards creaked quite audi­ through a skylight. As I groped bly. I was always afraid that a around, a string brushed my face; roomer, hearing me in the halls so I pulled it and the dimmest bulb late at night, would think I was imaginable went on. It didn't give prowling around in order to steal much more light than a firefly. something. That might be awk­ I stumbled around, searching for ward, and I hated scenes. I knew not what. The entire big, One evening a truck driver left a bare-raftered room was littered . rope on the shipping platform. For with broken furniture, moth-eaten some reason I picked it up and rugs and sprung suitcases. took it back to my room, and for I stayed quite a while, poking an hour or more I sat tying knots. I around, inspecting the walls and found it soothing. the rafters. At length, I found a Then one rainy night when I heavy iron hook, driven deep into opened my pay envelope, I found the rafters near the light bulb. I the proverbial pink slip. It was ac­ was not surprised when I saw the tually pink, and stated that my ser­ hook; in fact, the sight of it' gave vices at the warehouse were termi­ me a queer Httle thrill. It was as if nated as of said date. I had been I had known it was there all the warned previously that I was mak­ time. ing too many mistakes, but at the After that, I began going up to time I merely shrugged. the attic almost every night. The Strangely enough, instead of be­ darkness and the desolate look of ing crushed by the news, I experi­ the place seemed, to suit my mood. enced a paradoxical sense of secret I'd just sit there, as if I were wait­ elation. I felt relieved, as if a de­ ing for something. I wasn't sure cision I had been avoiding had what it was. It seemed like some­ finally been made for me. thing was building up inside me. As I walked back to my room I no longer wrote at all, and I through the rain, I kept thinking worked at the warehouse mechani­ about the attic. After the turmoil, cally. New roomers came and de­ confusion and irritations of the parted, but paid no attention to me. warehouse shipping platform, it Mrs. Midgelington was so tired by seemed like siach a peaceful place. early evening, I doubt that she ever It was cold, of course, but I didn't heard me walking along the corri- seem to mind that so much any- THE WAY TO THE ATTIC 51 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED more. I was inured to it now. Could there be no peace, no dig­ That evening I sat tying knots in nity, no privacy, even as one sought my room till after midnight. Then oblivion,'' I stole into the hall and climbed the Furious with the prying fool stairs which led to the attic. I put who had ruined my plans, I paced on the one dim bulb and for a long my room for hours. At length I sat time just sat there on a battered old down, and I suppose fell asleep steamer trunk. As my eyes became from complete exhaustion. accustomed to the semi-darkness, I I passed the next day fretfully, could see the big iron hook fixed to' never leaving my room. My only the rafters overhead. I wondered meal consisted of water and a few that it had taken me so long to crackers. I waited impatiently for comprehend its significance. It was night to descend. No one dis­ the easy and obvious solution to all turbed me. my problems. It would be sense­ At last darkness came and grad­ less, I told myself, to struggle on. ually the house grew quiet. I sat My writing had come to nothing. on the edge of my bed, hour after I was out of a job with no pros­ hour, waiting. Finally, near mid-^ pects of another, but worse than night, when darkness and silence all this—I had lost my zest for Me. had spread their sooty soft wings My energy and enthusiasm had over every dreary cell in that dreary simply ebbed away. To writhe on, house, I stood up and started for ground down by poverty, I as­ my door, rope in' hand. I knew sured myself, would be ridiculous. what I had to do. I got up and started down .the Just as I neared the door, a board stairs for the rope. creaked underfoot, not too loudly, I had nearly reached my room but audibly. Remembering the inci­ when a board creaked loudly. A dent of the previous evening, I felt nearby door opened and an ugly a surge of exasperation. I certainly male face scowled out at me. I didn't want to be interrupted a sec­ could see suspicion etched in every ond time! acidulous line of that sneering face. As I looked • down, I had an in­ I could feel the two sullen eyes spiration. Bending, I slipped oflf boring into my back even after I my shoes. In my stocking feet, I as­ entered my own room and closed sured myself, there was-far less the door. I felt humiliated—and chance of my making noise, and of furious. I knew I could never make course I wouldn't need the shoes another trip to the attic that night. anymore.

52 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED As I reached the door and started sternation. What had happened to to turn the handle, the strangest me? I had everything to live for. I thing happened. It seemed so weird was young and healthy and full of and inexplicable at the time that I ideas. What matter that I had lost a find it hard to describe. The best I t\venty-dollar-a-week job, that my can do is to say that I very sud­ stories weren't seUing yet? I could denly appeared to awaken from a get another job, and I still had de­ trance-like state. I felt .that I had all cades of time in which to try my at once shaken off the effect of hand at story writing. There were some drug, of some poisonous nar­ thousands of people, I told myself, cotic which had seized my mind. worse off than I, and still they I stared with horror at the rope struggled on. in my hand. Sweat'broke out on Why had I so easily given way to my face and I began to tremble. despair? I gazed at the rope lying. Dropping the rope, I staggered to on" the floor as if it were a coiled my bed and slumped down in con- cobra. Then my eyes slid across to

THE WAY TO THE ATTIC 53 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED the shoes that I had just slipped ofl. a clouded agate, peered out slyly. I don't know how long it took '•'These shoes." I held them up. before the truth burst "upon me. I "Where did you get them.?" just kept staring at the shoes that Even in the dim light cast by one for some reason seemed far more dusty hall bulb, Mrs. Midgelington's lethal than the rope. Then two face took on a look of guilt. She pieces of a jigsaw puzzle cHcked hesitated. together in my mind. Reviewing "I demand to know!" I exclaimed the past several months, I realized fiercely. that my siege of apathy and slow "They was Mr. Slumer's shoes," despair had begun just after I ac­ she whispered finally. quired the shoes from Mrs. Midge- "Mr. Slumer roomed here.'"' lingtoh. Those shoes had taken She nodded. me out into the halls and corridors "And what," I asked, "did Mr. of the house when I didn't know Slumer do up in the attic.'"' where I was going or what I was Mrs. Midgelington's face, I fan­ seeking. They had taken me up to cied, changed color—from a sort of the icy attic—up to the hook in the putty gray to paper white. rafters . .'-. She didn't reply and I repeated It was all too fantastic, I told my­ my question in a louder voice. self, and yet . . . Suddenly I real­ Mrs. Midgelington looked at the ized I had to know immediately, closed doors along the corridor ap­ without delay. I could not wait till prehensively and brought her eyes morning to find out. back to my face. She must have Fumbling under the bed, I found known that if I repeated the ques­ my old shoes with the cardboard tion a third time, I would shout it. soles and put them on. Then I Her voice was barely audible. lifted the other pair of shoes, held "Mr. Slumer hung himself in the them gingerly between my left "attic." thumb and forefinger and opened I more or less expected the reply, the door. but it still silenced me for a minute. I walked down the hall and. I stared^at her. "How did you get knocked at Mrs. Midgelington's his shoes.?" I asked at last. door. I knocked for ten minutes'be- I could see her struggling to put fore she woke up and asked who words together. "They was in the was there. Then I heard a bolt attic. Come off, likely, after he slide back and the door cracked kicked the box away. They said the open.'An accusing eye, an eye like knot was wrong and 'is face was a

54- ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED 'orrible sight. 'E didn't go quick, me Mr. Slumer's room, didn't you, they said. Strangled, 'stead of goin' Mrs. MidgeUngton ?" with a broken neck. Likely he kept She nodded. "It's a nice room, twistin' there and just sort of Mr. Brennan." kicked off the shoes." I sighed and turned away. I I nodded. "Goon." didn't care to know anything more "They carried him down to his about Mr. Slumer. Maybe he had room without the shoes. Likely wanted to be a writer ... they hardly noticed. When the fun­ I went down to the cellar, threw eral men come, they took another the shoes in the coal furnace and pair of shoes was in his room." watched them burn. Then I packed "I see," I said. "So you brought up my few possessions and waited the shoes from the attic and finally for daylight. sold them tome?" I found a room in a different "They was good shoes, Mr. Bren- part of town. Not long afterward nan; I didn't see no harm in it. If I got a job in a hospital admissions you want the dollar back—" office, and the rejected story which I shook my head. "No, thanks. I had felt was a sure winner sold Incidentally, I'll be leaving, come to another magazine. Later, other dayhght. Right now I'm. going sales followed. down to the cellar and throw these I didn't set the world ablaze but shoes in the furnace." I earned a living and managed to The round agate eyes regarded claw my way a few rungs up the the shoes sorrowfully. slippery ladder of literary success.^ I started away and then stopped It all happened nearly thirty years with an afterthought. "By the way, ago, but from time to time I still Mrs. Midgelington, which room have a certain nightmare. I've got did Mr. Slumer occupy ?" on Mr. Slumer's shoes and I'm Again she hesitated; the agate climbing Mrs. MidgeUngton's stairs eyes grew more cloudy. to the icy attic where there's a big My voice was soft. "You gave hook fixed in the rafters.

m^"^ THE WAY TO THE ATTIC 55 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED There can be no tie score in a contest between devotion to duty and devotion to one's own.

C/oRETTi and I went to check the thingout. ' The call had come to the cap­ tain of detectives at eight thirty-" teams of detectives on the four-to- five from an occasionally reliable midnight swing to see who would department informant named Scul­ take the assignment. Coretti and I ly. We were logging reports in the lost. squad room when the word came It didn't sound like much, but down. It had been a quiet night, then you never know. A parlor like you can get in early winter, collector for a string of books in the sound of the wind and a thin Southern California had vanished rain snapping at the high win­ with a substantial amount of week­ dows, and none of us reUshed the end receipts. Scully didn't know thought of leaving the relative . how much, but since the betting warmth of the squad room. So we had been unusually heavy at Ca- matched coins with the two other lientc on Saturday' his guess was

56 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED six figures. Scully's tip, uncorrobo­ was looking at me. "Arne," he said, rated and filtering north on the "you all right?" grapevine,- was that this Feldstein "Yeah," I said. I coughed. "Okay, had come into San Francisco and now." gone into hiding in a tenement ho­ "The ulcer again, Arne.?" tel near the waterfront. The cap­ I nodded, took the plastic bottle tain thought we ought to run a from inside my coatj shook one of check. the little white tablets out, and put Coretti and I rode the elevator it under my tongue. down to the police garage in the "You eat those things Uke can­ basement of the Hall of Justice, dy," Coretti said. "They don't and signed a check-out slip for the seem to be helping much." unmarked sedan assigned to us. "They don't. The doc says I've We drove up the ramp and out got to have an operation. He's into the frigid, drizzling San afraid the thing will rupture." Francisco night. The hotel Scully Coretti asked, "When you going had named was off Third Sreet. in, Arne?" The address was primarily indus­ "I'm not." trial. He gave me a sharp look. "Why We rode in silence the first few not? Man, that's nothing to fool blocks. The heater in the sedan with." made labored whirring sounds and "I can't afford an operation like threw nothing but cold air against that right now. I'm up to my ears our feet. Coretti picked up Third in bills. You've got a family. Bob. at ToWnsend Street, and followed You know how it is." it out over the Basin. "Yeah, I know." ^ I lit a cigarette as we passed over "Maybe this summer," I said. the bridge, looking out at the huge, "The bank loan will be paid off black hulk of the Swedish freight­ by then." er that had docked there the day "Does the captain know.?" before. I exhaled smoke through "No, he doesn't know, and keep my nose, and the pain in my stom­ it under your hat, will you? I have­ ach almost doubled me over on n't even told my wife yet." the seat. I jammed my hand up "You can't keep it a secret for­ under my breastbone and held it ever, Arne," Coretti said. "Some of there, waiting for the sharpness of the boys are beginning to notice the pain to subside. these spasms you get. The captain's Coretti had slowed the car and bound to find out. It would be a

OPPORTUNITY 57 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED lot easier if you told him about it Coretti made a left-hand turn, yourself." drove two blocks, and made an­ "You know as well as I do what other turn. The hotel stood be­ it means if I tell the captain—dis­ tween a storage warehouse for one ability. I can barely live on what I of the interstate truck lines and an make now, Bob. How can I live iron foundry, midway on the on ^yhat disability pays?" block. It was a three-story wooden "Just the same, you can't keep affair, well over half a century old on like this. You look worn out, —a shambling reminder of an­ Arne. If you won't go in for the other era. A narrow alley sepa­ operation, why don't you at least rated it from the iron foundry on take some time off? You've got the right. sick leave coming." We left the sedan's semi-warmth "Maybe you're right. I could use and hurried up to the front door. a week's rest." The rain was ice on the back of "Sure I'm right," Coretti said, my neck. "and if I were you, I'd do some Inside, there was the strong serious thinking about that opera­ musty smell of age; the smell of tion." death wrapped in mothballs. "The rest is all I need. A week Across what passed for a lobby— off and I'll be okay. The operation a leather couch, three cane-bottom can wait until summer." chairs and an artificial plant that Coretti shook his head^ "All had been dyed a lemon-yellow right," he said. "It's your health." —was a flight of stairs that led to We passed the Potrero Precinct the upper floors. A desk paralleled Station. It had begun to rain in the wall on the right, and an un­ earnest now, and Coretti switched marked door was between it and on the wipers. The . bitter cold the stairs. There was no one be­ wind, blowing in across the Bay, hind the desk. whipped sheets of ice water across "Nice place," Coretti said, glanc­ the windshield, and you could ing around. "Homey, you know.?" hear it howling at the windows of From behind the unmarked the sedan. door carne the sounds of a televi­ I sat with my legs straight out in sion, the volume turned high. I front of me to ease the gnawing motioned to Coretti and. we, went in my stomach. I wished I were to the door. I rapped heavily, and home in bed, with Gerry's warm it seemed that a^thin dust from little body against my back. crumbhng plaster drifted down

58 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAG.\ZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED from overhead. Coretti had to grin. "No," I said. I wished I had After several seconds the door some coffee, and to hell with what opened and a rheumy-looking old the doctor had said. It was very character in a T-shirt and baggy cold in Gibbons' room. trousers held up by three-inch sus­ "Oh," the old man said. "Some penders peered at us over a pair of questions, you said.?" glasses that balanced on the end "About one of your tenants." of his nose. "What can I do for "Which one.?" you.'*"he asked. "The man's name is Feldstein, "You the desk clerk.?'' but I doubt if he'd be using it." "Yep. Desk clerk. Manager. "Feldstein?" Gibbons shook his Handyman. You name it." He head. "Nope, no one here by that peered harder. "You fellas want a name. I only got a couple of ten­ room}" ants now. Business is pretty bad. I got out my wallet and let him Must be the weather." see the shield pinned to it. "Police I didn't think it was the weath­ officers," I said. "Detective Kel- er. I said, "Have you had any new strom and Detective Coretti. We'd tenants recently? Say in the past like to ask you some questions." two or three days.?" "Police, eh.?" " Gibbons thought about' that, "That's right. Do you mind if then nodded. "Fella named Col­ we come in, Mr.—" lins rented a room three days ago. "Gibbons," he said. "Charley Kind of a quiet one. Stays in his Gibbons. Sure, come on in." room mostly. Only comes out to He pulled the door wider. We eat." went inside. A television set in the "This man CoUins say anything far corner blared out a soap com­ to you at all.?" mercial. It looked like one of the "Nope. Never said nothing, ex­ first experimental models. cept he wanted a room. Paid me "I was watching the fights," Gib­ tvvo months in advance, though." bons said. He switched the thing I glanced at Coretti. He asked, off. "Heavyweight match tonight; "What does this Collins look like.?" not much of a fight, though. They "Little guy, kind of skinny; got don't put on a show like they used a mole or something on his left to, you know." cheek." "I guess they don't," I said. It matched Feldstein's descrip­ He peered at me again. "You a tion. fight fan.?" Coretti asked, "This Collins in

OPPORTUNITY 59 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED his room right now, Mr. Gibbons ?" that he felt every jolt of it, too. "Far as I know," Gibbons said. I moved away from tlje door to "I been watching the fights." the wall at the side, and rapped on "What's his room number.?" the wood paneling for the third "Three-o-six. Third floor." time. Coretti flattened against^the "All right, Mr. Gibbons," I said. opposite wall, his hand on the "Thanks for your help." service revolver inside his coat, He nodded his head, and the and then a soft voice said from "glasses teetered precariously on his inside, "Who is it.?" nose. We went to the door. "Say," A chill nudged my neck. I lifted Gibbons called after us, "there my .revolver from its belt holster ain't going to be any trouble, is and flipped off the safety, watch­ there.?" ing Coretti as he did the same. "Let's hope not, Mr. Gibbons," "Police officers," I said loudly. I said. We stepped outside and I "Open up, Collins. We want to—" closed the door. We stood there The slugs came fast, three of . for a moment, and then I turned them, ripping jagged splinters to Coretti. "What do you think, from the wood as the metal jackets Bob.?" slashed through the door and "Sounds hke Fcldstein, .all right. gouged plaster from the wall across He might give us a hard time." from us. The rapid explosions in­ I nodded. "We'll take it slow." side echoed and re-echoed, rever­ We took the stairs up two flights berating off the thin walls, and to the third floor. The hallway was then died.-It was quiet again. lit only by a single, pale bulb on Coretti and I hugged the wall, the wall at the far end. We found not moving, waiting. Then, from room 306, and I reached out and inside, there was a slight, almost rapped sharply on the door. imperceptible scraping sound. There was silence inside, then a "Come on!" I hissed, to Coretti. faint creaking of bedsprings. The "He's trying to get out the win­ only sound in the hallway was our dow!" quiet breathing. I knocked on the I stepped back to get leverage door again, but there was nothing and slammed my foot against the more from inside. I felt the tiny thin wood of the door, just above hairs on the back of my neck rise. . the knob. The lock pulled from My stomach began to throb. The the jamb with a rending of rusted air seemed charged with tension. metal, and the door kicked inward I looked at Coretti, and I know heavily. Thfe man was at the far

60 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAC^ZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED window, one leg over the sill, and His first slug tore a hole in the he had a tan pasteboard suitcase in wood frame of the window inches. his left hand and a short-barrel 38 above my head, and the second clenched in his right. He froze screamed savagely off the railing in momentarily as the door gave, and front of me, spraying my face with then his arm lifted and the gun iron filings. spit flame in our direction. I pushed niyself through the I was first into the room and window, the pain a hot iron in my threw myself to the floor as he stomach now, cursing myself for a brought the gun up, laiiding on fool. I landed on my forearms, my right shoulder and spoiHng the 'tearing a layer of skin from my shot I had at him. Coretti was half cheek as my head, dipped, and in and half out of the open door­ skidded across the iron slats. way, a clear target, but the man's The man was almost to the sec­ shot was wild, thudding high into ond floor level, his back to me now the wall above the open door. as he tried to scramble down the Coretti ducked back into the hall­ rain-slick steps. I got the revolver way. up, steadying it on my left hand, I rolled over once, skidding to and fired low, trying for his legs. my knees, bringing the service re­ The first shot missed wide, but I volver up and on the window, but fired again and this one took him by that time the man was just a high on the right thigh. I saw him dim shadow through the rain on buckle, and he dropped the suit­ the metal fire escape outside. I case. His arms flailed as he tried snapped a quick shot that shat­ to recover his balance. tered the window glass, but the I could see he wasn't going to bullet whined off into the night make it. and I could hear the man's heavy The force of the impact had shoes retreating on the iron rungs pitched him sideways, and he of the fire escape. banged hard into the railing. The Coretti had recovered and start­ bar caught him just below the ed inside the room as I scrambled waist and catapulted him over it in to my feet. "Get downstairs!" I a spinning somersault. He screamed yelled at him. "Cut him off in the once, suspended in air, and then he alley!" was gone. I ran to the window and got I stood up slowly, wiping sweat my head out, trying to see where from my face, and started down. he was. It was almost a fatal move. Coretti was coming up the alley, OPPORTUNITY 61 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED running. I looked to see if anyone the steps of the fire escape. At the were behind him, roused by the second-floor level, the suitcase the gunfire, but there was no one. man had dropped lay jammed The fire escape was one of these against the wire mesh of the rail­ old-fashioned ones that end flush ing. Coretti picked it up. At the with the pavement, and I made it third floor, we climbed back into down the two levels to the alley the room. I was bathed in sweat. floor. Coretti was bent over the Coretti laid the suitcase on the man. I walked toward them slowly, bed. "We'd better have a look in and suddenly I couldn't seem to here," he said. He flipped the catch, get any air into my lungs. A needle pulled it open, and we .looked in­ of fire lanced down from my chest side. to my groin, and I went to one Money—the suitcase was jammed knee, my head hanging down, with it, twenties and fifties in thick gasping. bundles with a plain money wrap­ Coretti came running toward per around each one. There were me. "Arne," he yelled, "you hit?" numbers scrawled in pencil on each "No," I said between clenched wrapper. teeth. "Ulcer. Pills in my pocket." We stood there, looking down He got the bottle, put one of the into the suitcase. It was very quiet pills under my tongue, but it took in the small room. The stench of a long time for the piU to work. cordite still lingered in the air. The pain was getting worse each ' The silence began to build. I time. Finally I was able to breathe could hear the rain, falling in normally, and Coretti helped me to steady cadence on the metal fire my feet. I stood there in the rain. escape. I felt the icy touch of the "You okay now.?" Coretti asked. wind through the shattered win­ "Better," I said. "Just give me a dow. minute." Coretti said softly, "How much "I'll call a doc." do you think is in there, Arne?" "No, no, I'm fine now." I looked "I don't know," I said. I wet my to where the man lay to the right of lips. the fire escape. "What about him?" Coretti began to take the bundles "Dead. Broken neck." out of the suitcase. He placed them "We'd better call in." on the bed, a fanning sea of green. "Let me get you inside first. You When the case was • empty, he don't look so good, Arne." turned to me. "If the numbers on r nodded, and he helped me up those wrappers are right, there's

OPPORTUNITY 63 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED one hundred and' four thousand shock, and I was frightened then, dollars here. Arne, one hiuidred frightened by the intensity of it, and four thousand dollars!" His and a chill crept across my lower voice had a strange quality to it. back and around into my stomach, . The back of my throat was dry. amplifying the dull pain there. I I had not thought about the money could hear my heart pounding like at all before. It had been an intangi­ a trip-hammer in my chest. ble, and I had attached no reality to \ swallowed against the.dryness it. A routine assignment, stolen in my throat. I turned, and my eyes money, a thief in hiding—^it hap­ locked with Coretti's, and I saw pens every day. It's my job, and I there the same thing that was in had thought no more about it than my own mind. Sweat popped out as a part of that job. on my forehead in thick beads, and Now, looking down at the green the silence was very loud in, the bundles on the bed, the money took smallness of the room. on weight, substance, and it was "Arne?" Coretti's voice was a uppermost and starkly real in my whisper. mind. I kept looking at it, was I didn't say anything. held motionless by it, more money "You're thinking it, too, aren't than I would ever see again in my you ?' lifetime, and I was thinking what "Yes," I said. "I'm thinking it, it would be Hke to have as much too." money as that, just half as much, Coretti took a breath. "We could have it for myself, all my debts paid do it, Arne." off, the car, the mortgage on the • "I don't know," I said. "I don't house, the doctor bills, money for really know, Bob." my son's education, some of the "We could do it," Coretti said luxuries we had gone so long with­ again. out, one hundred and four thou­ I dry-washed my face. "I never sand dollars. // could be ours,- it took a penny in my life," I said. could he ours so damned easy, and "Bob, I've never even fixed a park­ no one would ever \now, no one, ing ticket in fifteen years." we could tell them we didn't find "Neither have I," Coretti said, any money, it could be ours, all of "but this is no fifty-dollar payoff it, one hundred and four thousand for looking the other way. This is dollars . .-, one hundred and four thousand The thought jarred my brain dollars. A chance Hke this comes with the suddenness of an electric once in a lifetime. Just once, Arne." ,

64 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "I know that, dammit! Once!" I'm always thinking about, Arne." . The rain had quicliened now, Fifteen years, I thought. Fifteen and the wind blew chill drops years, and I never so much as fixed through the window. I felt the wet­ a parking tic\et. I kept looking at ness on the fever-warmth of my the money. I kept looking at the face. "It's a big risk," I said. "It's money, and I was thinking, like one hell of a big risk." Coretti, about the bills, and the "Yes, it's a risk'," Coretti said. phone calls and sweetly-printed "But a hundred and four thousand notes from the creditors, and about dollars? It's worth the risk. It's the second-hand furniture and sec­ worth it, Arne." ond-rate clothes, and about the • "There'd be an investigation." carefully planned, rigidly-adhered- "What could they prove.?" to weekly budget, and about the "Gibbons probably saw the suit­ throbbing thing that was eating a case when Feldstein checked in. hole in the pit of my stomach. They'd suspect something," I thought about all those things, "What could they prove, Arne?" and I thought about the fifteen "We couldn't sit on the money years I had been an honest cop. forever," I said. "As soon as we I thought about the convictions a started spending it, they'd know." man has, the patteim of life he sets "A little at a time," Coretti said. for'himself, and what would hap­ "We could play it out a Httle at a pen if he were to sacrifice every­ time. The money's from bookies, thing he believed in on one big it's illegal to begin with. There's gamble, one grab for the brass ring, no way it could be traced." and I knew if he did, it would "But we could get caught," I surely, inevitably, destroy him. I said. "You've been a cop as long as closed my eyes, and I saw Gerry's I have, Bob. It's the little things face, smiling, and the face of my that trip you up, the unexpected. son, smiling, and I took a deep You know that." breath and ^opened my eyes, and I • Coretti wet his lips. said to Coretti, "No, dammit. Noj "We'd go to prison," I said. Bob, I can't do it, I won't do it." "Think about your family if that ."Arne—" - happens. What becomes of them?" "No, Bob," I said. "No." I went •. "I am thinking about my fam­ to the bed, and looked dovvn at the ily," Coretti said. "I'm thinking money. Then quickly, savagely, about all the things I want them to with the thoughts still fighting in have and can't give them; That's all my brain, I stuffed it back into the

OPPORTUNITY 65 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED suitcase, and when I had snapped you up there. When you took the the catch shut I lifted it and turned suitcase and went into the hall I al­ to.face Coretti. most shot you in the back." "I'm going downstairs and report I closed my eyes. in," I said. "I'm going to report in, "Don't you understand?" Coretti and I'm going to tell them about said. "I almost murdered you. the money, all of it, every penny. You've been my friend for ten That's the way it's going to be, years, and I almost murdered you I" Bob. That's the way it has to be." I took a deep breath and let it Our eyes held. We stood looking out slowly. "Money hke that can at each other for a very long time, do strange things to a man." and then I turned and went out "Maybe you were right," Coretti into the hall and down the stairs, said. "I don't know. We might have feehng the suitcase against my leg, gotten away with it. We'll never and I did not look back. Charley know. Maybe this way is best. It Gibbons was in the lobby, his eyes scared the hell out of me, what large and frightened behind his I almost turned into up there. I glasses. He began to rattle ques­ thought I knew myself, Arne, but tions at me, but I pushed past him now I'm not so sure. I'm not so sure and went out to the sedan and put of anything at all now.". the suitcase in the back seat. Then "It wasn't easy for me either, I called the Hall of Justice and told Bob." them what had happened. "I know that," Coretti said. I sat with the wheezing heater "Don't you think I know that.?" on high and waited for the crew "The best thing for both of us is the captain would send out. I had to forget about what happened. been there five minutes when I saw Bob." Coretti come oiit. He walked to the "I don't know if I can," Coretti sedan and moved in behind the said. "I don't know if I can ever wheel. The silence was as deep as it forget." had been in the room upstairs. My hand had begun to tremble. Coretti sat looking out through I reached into the pocket of my, the windshield, and then after a shirt for a cigarette. The pack was very long time he turned to me. crushed and wet from the fall I "Did you report in.?" had taken on the fire escape. Word­ "Yes," I said. lessly, Coretti extended his pack to ' Silence again. Then Coretti said, me, and I took one. Our eyes met "God help me, but I almost shot again, briefly, and then we both

66 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED looked away, at anything else. nostrils, and I recognized it as the I lit the cigarette and inhaled smell of antiseptic. I saw the doctor deeply, feeling the smoke curl into then. He was standing near the my lungs. I waited. No pain. I foot of my bed, and a round-faced stared out at the falling rain and nurse with bovine eyes stood next took another drag off the cigarette, to him. It was the doctor I had and my stomach burst into a tear­ been seeing for treatment of my ing, seering ball of flame. I cried ulcer. out with the intensity of it and I I looked at him. "What hap­ began to topple sideways on the pened?" I asked. seat. I saw Coretti reach out for me, "Exactly what I warned you and then my vision blurred and I might happen," the doctor said. could not see at all. The last thing His voice was somewhat cold. I heard was the high, keening wail "Burst ulcer. You're a very lucky of sirens, far off, echoing through man, Mr. Kelstrom." . the wet, black night. I raised my hand and touched my stomach. I was heavily ban­ There was a light in my eyes. It daged. I could feel Gerry's tears, was hot and white, and I rolled my warm and wet on my neck. I head, trying to turn away from the stroked her hair. glare. I heard a voice say, "He's The doctor said, "An ulcer is coming out of the anesthetic." nothing to play games with, Mr. I rolled my head again, and Kelstrom. If you had listened to me opened my eyes. At first I couldn't when I first told you you needed see. The light was above me, and an operation, this would not have it was like looking directly into happened." the noon sun, but then the light A momentary chill touched my winked off, and after a moment shoulders. "How long am I going my eyes began to focus. to be in here?" The first person I saw was Gerry. The doctor said, "Recovery from She was sitting in a white metal a burst ulcer such as you suffered chair beside my bed. She saw my is a slow process. It may take any­ eyes open, and the tears began to where from six months to a year, roll down over her cheeks. "Arne," depending upon—" she said. "Oh, Arne." She- leaned "Six months to a year! I can't stay over and buried her face against in here that long! I've got a family. my neck. How can I support my family from ' There was a cloying odor in my a hospital bed?"

OPPORTUNITY LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 67 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "I'm sorry, Mr. Kelstrom, but the We got a positive make on the choice is not yours." dead man, too. -It was Feldstein^ all Gerry lifted her head and was right." looking at me with her eyes shin­ "What happens to it ?" ing from the tears. "Arne, you have "The money?" to do as he says. You have to, Arne. "Yes, the moioey. What happens Please. Please." 'to it?" I covered my face with my hand.' "It goes to the state," Coretti said, I had never felt so helpless in my speaking for the first time. His life. voice was flat and toneless. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kelstrom," the "Yes," the captain said. "I doubt doctor said again, and his voice very much if the books will come had softened. "I understand. Be­ forward to claim it." lieve me, I do. But in your condi­ To the state, I thought. All of it tion there is no other way-" goes to the state. I glanced at Cor­ I turned my face into the pillow etti, but he would not look at me. and said nothing. The door opened again, and the I heard the doctor say, "Nurse, nurse came in, carrying a tray. give Mr. Kelstrom a mild sedative. She said, "I'm afraid you'll have He needs a great deal of rest to leave now. You can come back now, but Captain Mead and Detec­ tomorrow, if you like." tive Coretti can see him for a mo­ "Yes," the captain said. "Yes, of ment." course." They walked to the door, The doctor and the nurse left the and he turned. "Take care of your­ room, and in a moment Coretti self, Arne. You're a good officer. I and the captain of detectives came want you back with me when this in. They stood awkwardly, their is over." hats in their hands. "Sure," I said. The captain cleared his throat. Coretti looked at me briefly then, "How are you feeling, Arne.'"' and he said, "Good luck, Arne," "Fine," I-said. "I'm just fine." and I wondered if he would be He didn't know what else to say back. Somehow I did not think so. and stood there, holding his hat in The door closed and they Avcre his big hands. Coretti looked at a gone. spot near the-foot of my bed. The nurse gave me some cap­ "Did you get the money?" I sules and a glass of water. After I asked. had swallowed the capsules, she "The money? Yes. Yes, we did. took the tray and left Gerry and

68 LICENSEDALFRE TO DUNZ.ORG HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED me alone with our mutual pains. offers, the quick and easy money Gerry kissed me then, and took that would have made our life less my hand. "Why didn't you tell me burdened, that I had turned my about the operation, Arne.'' Why back on in those fifteen years, -all didn't you tell me the ulcer was as the opportunities I had passed by. bad as this?" Then tonight I had let the biggest "I didn't want you to worry," I opportunity of my life slip away. said. My reward for that, my reward for "Arne, I'm your wife," she said. fifteen years of honesty and loyalty, I saw the tears start again. "Oh, was a ruptured ulcer and six honey, I almost lost you tonight. months to a year of lying helpless Why didn't you have the operation in a hospital bed while I watched like the doctor said.?" my family struggle to keep from "We couldn't afford it," I said. being buried under a ceaseless de­ "Gerry, we were tied into knots luge of unpaid bills. I knew then widi bills." ,that a man, if he had to choose be­ "Honey, we could have man­ tween himself, his convictions, and aged. Somehow, we could have. I his family, really had no choice at don't want you to think anymore all. about it, darling. Everything will As I lay there, with pain I could he all right. You'll see. Everything feel hammering in iiiy stomach, will be all right." and the touch of Gerry's hand in I turned my head away and. mine, I knew'what I was going to looked at the far wall, and I was do when I returned to duty again. thinking about the money, one I knew with a sudden and fright­ hundred and four thousand dollars ening clarity exactly what I was in a cheap pasteboard suitcase. I going to do. was thinking again about the fif­ I looked at Gerry. "Sure," I said. teen years I had been a police offi­ "Everything will be just fine." cer, and all the bribes and payoffs, But even as I said the words, I all the little offers and all the big knew they were a lie.

OPPORTUNITY 69 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED A crooked furrow rarely yields a rich harvest. wmmM^

GORMAN ZEEMER was a bank tell­ er who had always considered himself to be an honest man. That's why it came as a minor shock when this ingenious but dis­ honest, scheme, popped into his edge or consent. His plan was mind. perfect except for one thing that Norman. Zeemer, a trusted em­ would have been a serious draw­ ployee for over fifteen years, was back to a less patieiit man. He had planning to make a sizable with­ to wait until the bank was robbed, drawal without the bank's knowl­ and that wait turned out to be five

70 LICENSEDALFRE TOD UNZ.ORGHITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED years long. He'd nearly given up. GIVE ALARM FOR TEN MIN­ On this particular morning he UTES. I'VE GOT A GUN. started his work day routinely by Norman had rehearsed this mo­ arranging his cash drawer in a ment so many times he went into way that was definitely not stand­ action almost mechanically. He ard operational banking procedure. , unfolded the bag and under the He switched the top bills on the watchful eye of the bank robber fifty and twenty-dollar stacks with scooped up both stacks of singles the top bills from the two stacks camouflaged by the fifty and twen­ of singles. This was an important ty-dollar bills and shoved them part of his plan. Though confus­ into the bag. He handed the bulg­ ing at the beginning, after five ing bag to the young man and years of practice he was now able watched him walk unhurriedly out to make cash transactions quickly of the bank. and accurately without disturbing After waiting five minutes to the misleading top bills. make sure the bank robber had feljl^^yiis task completed Zeemer made a clean getaway, he un- ^^^H|P^his nameplate on the grill snapped the bottom plate from an H^^nd sat on the edge of his high ancient, spare adding machine and stool. His first two customers were quickly stuffed all the big bills in the usual small withdrawers, but his drawer inside. Then he ^ then a young, collegiate-looking snapped die plate back in place. man entered the bank and ap­ Norman wasn't sure of the proached his cage. bank's procedure after a robbery. "Good morning," Norman said When the police came, he figured pleasantly. they'd search everybody. He did­ The man didn't answer, but n't know if they'd search the bank reached into his pocket and pulled or not, but if they did he was bet­ out a brown paper bag folded ting the whole bundle they'd never compactly into an eight-inch think of looking inside the adding square. He pushed it under the machine. He then sounded the grill with his left hand, keeping alarm. his right hand in his pocket. In less than five minutes the Norman found it hard to believe bank was filled with police, bus- his long wait was finally over as he thng bank officials and hastily read the note penciled on the bag: summoned auditors. Norman put FILL BAG WITH BIG BILLS. on such a great act that everyone I'LL BE WATCHING. DON'T treated him with sympathy and

WITHDRAWAL SLIP LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 71 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED consideration. Mister Lester, the bank. All he needed to do this ' bank president, told him to take was a rainy day. the rest of the day off, but before For the next two weeks he he could leave a police lieutenant cursed the clear skies with un­ stopped him and asked politely if characteristic impatience. Then— he'd mind stepping into an empty on the fifteenth day—he woke up office in the back. Purely routine, to the welcome sound of raindrops he said. Nothing to worry about, bouncing off the windowsill. He he said. jumped out of bed whistling Pen­ Norman knew what was com­ nies From Heaven, got his um­ ing but played dumb. He allowed brella out of the closet, checked it himself to be searched thoroughly carefully, then hung it on the door­ and waved off the routine apolo­ knob so he wouldn't forget it gies when it was over. when he left. The next morning he was back on the job and bit his nails until he got the chance to make sure his money was still safe in its hiding place. He smiled as he thought of the auditor's report. According to them, the bank robber had gotten away with twenty thousand dol­ lars, but Nornian knew .that all the bank robber got was about two thousand. He caught himself smiling again as he pictured the sucker's face when he opened the bag and all the singles fell out. He'd probably be able to figure out what had happened, Norman decided, but he'd hardly be in a position to call the police and com­ plain he'd been robbed. He stopped smiling long enough to consider seriously the next and probably the trickiest part of his plan: getting the money out of the 72 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTIONALFRED HITCHCOCK' PROHIBITEDS MYSTERY MAGAZINE When Norman got to the bank luggage, and a large steamer he sneaked the money out of the basket. adding machine, stuck it in his After overtipping the cabbie umbrella, snapped the locking who helped him carry up his pur­ strip tight shut and reinforced it chases, he went in and locked, the with a thick rubber band. At five door. Then, carefully removing the o'clock, with the umbrella hang­ basket's cellophane wrapping, he ing innocently from the crook in took his eighteen thousand dollars his arm, he strolled out into the out of the umbrella and hid it'un­ light drizzle. der the jars of jam on the bottom. The next morning, Zeemer went After regluing the cellophane back into Mister Lester's office and into place, he filled out the at­ handed him his notice. He said he tached shipping tag with his name -was sorry but the robbery had and the name of the ship he was made him so nervous he was get­ sailing on and called a messenger ting out of the banking business. service. Mister Lester said he understood While waiting he packed, and and was sorry to lose him. Norman when the elderly messenger had thanked him sincerely for every­ arrived and departed with the thing, then went back to his cage basket, Norman hefted his new to begin the two longest weeks of luggage and took one last look his life. around his room.Tt looked smaller Closing time of his last day fi­ and shabbier now than it ever did. nally ticked around, and after He chuckled softly. He was be­ shaking hands with the entire ginning to feel like a rich man al­ staff, he closed the bank door be­ ready, but as perfect as his plan hind hitn for the last tiine. On his had been, he hadn't realized that way home,, he stopped off at a mere details are easier to figure out travel agency and picked'up litera­ than the human factor. ture on Jamaica which he'd al­ Norman had never given a sec­ ways dreamed of visiting. Now he ond thought to. the police lieuten­ intended to use some of his money ant who handled the investigation, for just that purpose. but now it was that very same The next day, after making all lieutenant who-hailed him from a the necessary travel arrangements, police car parked at the curb. Zeemer went down to Graley's de­ Norman, puzzled more than partment store and bought some alarmed, walked over and said fancy summer clothes, matched" hello.

WITHDRAWAL SLIP 73 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "I'd appreciate it if you'd get in the bank robber instead of bother­ the car, Mister Zeemer." It was ing innocent people ? " """ said politely but there was no mis­ "Because I know what I'm do­ taking the fact that it was an or­ ing, and because I don't think der. Norman placed his luggage you're so innocent. Does that carefully in the back and slid in answer your question? And I'll tell beside the lieutenant and his driver. you another thing, wise guy. I "Taking a trip, Zeemer?" don't know how you did it but "That's right, Lieutenant. I'm I'm betting my badge that you got going to Jamaica." Norman that eighteen grand from the bank wondered what it was all about, heist stashed away." but he figured the cop would tell Norman forced a laugh. "Sorry, him when he was ready. but your books don't balance. The The cop was ready now. bank robber got twenty thousand "Where's the dough, Norman ?" dollars." Norman was still breathing easy The cop poked him in the chest but it took some effort now. with a stiff forefinger. "Now you "What dough?" 0 know and I knqw-.-^^at all that The cop was trying hard to be patsy got y"^ \^asly two patient. "Look, there are only ten grand." :\\ \ people in the bank who handle Norman was feegmnxx^g to in­ money. Since you're the only one hale harder than he was exhaling. who was hit and the only one who "How could you possibly know quit and the only one planning an that? He was never caught. I expensive vacation, it looks like checked—I checked the newspa­ you're elected prime suspect num­ pers carefully everyday." ber one." "I'll let you check the early edi­ "I don't understand what you're tions tonight down at the station, trying to say, Lieutenant. And an­ sucker,"-,- the - cop said... "That other thing I don't understandis— clown was nabbed two hours" vvhy aren't you out trying to catch ago."

74 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED If one hunts long enough, it would seem, he may find an ex­ planation for everything.

m<^0kk

BUT that was in another war," r-j'Wi; Mason argued, pausing to light his cigar. "You simply x;an't com­ pare the use of tanks in North the right circumstances a massed Africa with that in Korea. The armored attack can be both im­ terrain was different, the weather pressive and effecdve." conditions . . ." Mason leaned back in his chair, Roderick Care shuffled his feet enjoying himself for all the surface against the carpet and stared at the disagreement. Care, ten years his younger man. "I'm not running senior, was the sort of man with down what you fellows did in whom he liked to argue. "I don't Korea—don't misunderstand me! know/' he said with just a hint of I'm only pointing out that given a smile. "If they're all like you, I

ANOTHER WAR . 75 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED don't know that I'd be too wel­ American War Buddies—^buddy.?" come in the AWB." "Neither group excites me too Roderick Care, a graying nrian much, to be perfectly frank about with a spreading paunch, and no it," Mason told him. sense of humor, leaped to the de­ Care spread his hands in a plead­ fensive. "Come, now! You can't ing gesture. "At least come to one be serious! The AWB is the finest of our meetings, see what it's all bunch of guys you'd ever want to about. What harm can that do.?" meet. They accepted me, and I'm More to put an end to the dis­ British! That must prove some­ cussion than because he really thing right there. We're not the wanted to go. Mason finally American Legion or the VFW or agreed. He'd expected an evening the Catholic War Vets, you know. of reminiscing when he agreed to We're strictly social, just a bunch dine with Roderick Care, but of fellows out for a good time. We he'd hardly foreseen the sort of like to get away from the wife and high-pressure sales talk to which children for a few days occasion­ he'd been subjected. As he drove ally and do some hunting or fish­ home through the warm autumn ing, or just drink beer and talk night he reflected that he had now about our service days." committed himself to next week's "The others have plenty of so­ meeting whether he liked it or not. - cial activities," Mason argued. "In Well, at least he could tell that to :fact I dropped out of a veterans' the man from the Khakis who group once because they were a bit kept phoning him. too social. Dinners and dances and "Nice dinner, dear.?" Maria all the rest." asked him as he came in from the "But those things are with the garage. "He didn't try to sell you .wife! I know you like to get away any insurance did he.?" - with the boys once in a while. "No, we talked about North ; Everybody does. Hell, how many Africa and Korea, and tank war­ 'other veterans' organizations have fare and stuff." ;a hunting lodge like our place in She'd put the children to bed .River Forks?" and was in the process of finishing Mason was ready for that one. the dinner dishes. He sat at the "The Khakis have a lodge not too kitchen table smoking a cigarette > far from there." and watching her ever amazed "The Khakis! Would you rath­ that she could still manage to look er belong to the Khakis- or the as youthful as when he'd married

76 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED her twelve years ago. "Well, I'm He found himself growing a glad you didn't buy anything," she bit annoyed at her attitude. "Hell, told him. "Both children are going I usually go hunting once or twice to need new shoes soon, and we every year anyway. If they've got a still have the color TV to pay lodge I might as well use it." off." "Do whatever you want," she . "He wants ~me to come to the said. next AWB meeting." He grunted and started reading "The what?" the evening paper, looking for "You know. The American War some newsy item with which to Buddies." change the subject. "You're not going, are you?" The following week's meeting "Why?" of the American War Buddies was "Well, it's just that you've always about what he'd expected. It was been sort of cynical about veterans' held in a big private dining room groups." at the Newton Hotel, a room "Well, maybe this one's different. which also served the needs of the Or maybe it's a sign of middle Lions' Club and the County Re­ age that I suddenly want to talk publican Committee. A large about my days as a tank com­ American flag hung from the wall mander in Korea." behind the speaker's table, and "You were never a command­ several of the members wore rib­ er!" bon-bedecked campaign hats. "I was for a day, after Scotty got A man named Crowder, who killed. I told you about that." walked with a stiff-legged limp, She sighed and went back to the conducted the meeting running dishes. "I should think when fel­ through routine matters and the lows come back from the wars preparations for the autumn re­ they'd just want to forget about opening of the lodge at River all the killing, not go on being Forks. Peering out from beneath reminded of it at monthly meet­ bushy black eyebrows, he remind­ ings." ed Mason of a movie-version com­ "Oh, they talk about other munist at a cell meeting in the things, Maria. In fact. Care said it Thirties. was mostly a social group. They After the surprisingly brief meet­ have a hunting lodge up in River ing, he walked over to greet Ma­ Forks." son personally. "Pleasure to have "That figures!" you here, Mr. Mason. I'm Crowd-

ANOTHER WAR 77 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED er, this year's president of AWB. He had another man in tow, a Roderick Care tells me you're white-haired man with a small and thinking of joining." gentle face. "Only thinking right now." "Mason, this is Dr. Fathion, one Crowder offered him a ciga­ of our most respected members. rette, shifting weight onto ^is He was a major during the South good leg. "This is the best time Pacific campaign." of the year to join. There's the "Pleased to meet you, Doctor," lodge, and the Christmas party, Mason said. and then the big national conven­ "A pleasure, Mr. Mason. I trust tion in the spring. Frankly, Ma­ you've been won over by our pres­ son, we're looking for young ident.?" blood—Korea^and after. Too' many "I'm considering it," Mason re­ of our members are left over from plied with a smile. wars that everyone's forgotten. Roderick Care motioned toward You could go high in the organi­ the back of the room, where the zation right now—maybe even a hotel waitresses were preparing to national office on the executive serve coffee and cake. "Let's dis­ committee." cuss it over some coffee. Or "I'm not looking for more would you rather go down to the work," Mason told him. "Besides, bar.?" \ . you look young enough to have "Coffee's fine." been in Korea yourself." His eyes It was good coffee, and Mason dropped unconsciously to the stiff found himself beginning to like leg. these men who clustered around "I was over there, right at the him. end.of things. But not a tank com­ "Tell us about Korea," Crowder mander like you." said. "I ^never saw much action "I came out without a scratch," over there myself." Mason said. "I have great respect "Except with the girls," Care for those who didn't." said, mufHing an explosion of Crowder gave a short, husky laughter. "Crowder here is quite laugh. "This leg.'' Foolish hunting the lover." accident two years ago. Shot my­ "You will be joining us at the self in the kneecap." lodge, won''t you.?" Crowder asked "Oh." Mason felt a gentle hand Mason. "You dp hunt.?" on his shoulder and turned to see "A little," He turned to the doc­ Roderick Care beaming at him. tor. "How about you. Dr. 78 LICENSEDALFRE TOD UNZ.ORGHITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Fathion? You do much hunting?" erings. If I get tired of it I just The doctor shook his head, won't go." slightly horrified. "I never fire a "AH right," she sighed. "I didn't gun. Never even fired one in the mean to sound hke a shrew." army. But I go along with them He mumbled something and for the opening o£ the season. I'm went out to the kitchen for a glass a great poker player, and we usu­ of milk. ally get a few nice games going." "So now I'm an AWB wife, Do "It must have been tough going they have a ladies' auxiHary or through the South Pacific with­ something?" out firing a shot." "I'll ask," he replied, not certain The little doctor shrugged. that she wasn't continuing to nee-" "Oh, they made us fire at a few die him. training targets, but in battle I was "That means you'll be going always too busy with the wound­ hunting with them, I suppose." ed. Field hospital, behind the lines. "Just the first day. I'll only be One day I operated on fifty-five away one night. Or two at most." wounded men. I was ready to drop In the morning she was her by nightfall." usual cheerful self, and his mem­ Mason liked the doctor, and he bership in the AWB was not men­ liked the others too, to varying tioned again. degrees. After the coffee he joined About a week later he received them at the hotel bar for a quick a- ill at work from a lawyer he drink, and found himself signing knew slightly, a member of the a membership application with no Khakis. "Have you thought any resistance at all. more about joining us, Mason, Maria was waiting up for him boy?" when he got home. "It's pretty "Sorry, Cliff. I've signed up' late," she said. "I thought you'd with the AWB." be home by ten." "Oh. Sorry to hear that," "We had coffee and then I "They seemed like a nice bunch stopped with them for a drink." of fellows." "You joined, didn't you.'"' she "Well , , . yes. But that sort of asked, making it into something puts us on opposite sides of the like an accusation. fence." "Well, hell, yes I did! That's no Mason chuckled into the phone. crime! They only meet once a "Not really, Cliff. I'll still throw month and for a few social gath- some legal business your way.

ANOTHER WAR 79 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED How about lunch one of these Mason was ready on Sunday days?" evening, and he stepped into the Cliff seemed to hedge at that. brisk night air as soon as Care's "Um, let's make it after Thanks­ auto pulled up in front. He wasn't giving, huh? I'm getting into my too anxious for the men to come busy season." in and face Maria's cool indiffer­ "Fine. I'll be talking to. you.'* ence to the trip. He hung up, wondering if he Dr. Fathion was in the back, had made the right choice. But and Mason rode in front, feeHng Cliff had told him very little about good for the first time in days. the Khakis, really, and had never "Put these with the others," he invited him to one of their month­ said, passing over the two gun ly meetings. cases. He went back to the pile of work on his desk and promptly forgot about it. A few days before the opening of hunting season, Roderick Care phoned him. "Monday's the big day—just thought I'd call to re­ mind you. A group of us • are driving up to the lodge Sunday night, just to be there at dawn The doctor accepted them. when the deer start running. You "You should get rid of that red might as well come along." hat," he suggested as they got Mason hesitated only a moment. under way. "All right," he agreed. Mason fingered the fluorescent "What kind of rifle do you material. "This? Hell, I don't have?" Care asked. want to get shot for a deer." He "I've got two—a Remington and glanced into the back seat at the an old Italian army gun I don't other cased rifle. "Mind if I look use much any more." at yoursj Care ? Not loaded, is . "Better bring them both. Some­ it?" body might be able to use it." "No, no. Go ahead!" "All right." Mason leaned over the seat and "I'll pick up Dr. Fathion and unzipped the case. "A carbine? then swing by for you around six. Sertii-automatic ? I thought they It's a three-hour drive." were illegal in this state."

80 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED . Roderick Care smiled. "The deer Mason chatted with the various never said they were illegal." men and examined an AWB ban­ They drove for a long time in ner that he hadn't seen before. He silence, with both Care and the ended up in a card game with doctor reluctant to join in any con­ Care and Crowder and the doctor, versation about their common in­ and won five dollars. He drank a terests. Mason mentioned North few beers, talked guns with Care Africa and the South Pacific and for a time, and finally caught a finally Korea without getting a few hours' sleep on one of the cots. rise out of either man. None of the others seemed inter­ It had been dark for more than ested in sleep, and he awakened two hours by the time they turned around three-thirty in the morning off the main highway, and there to hear Crowder sending one of was another hour's trip over a the men out of the lodge on some rutted mountain road before they mission. finally reached the hunting lodge Mason felt around for his fluo­ at. River Forks. Three other cars rescent cap but it was gone. While had gotten there ahead of them, he slept someone had substituted and a dozen men were already in­ a dark brown one with ear flaps side, playing poker and drinking that was a size too large. He.got beer. up and joined the others, yawn­ Crowder limped over to greet ing, noticing for the first time that them, startling Mason with his none of them wore any brightly costume of green-and-brown cam­ colored garment. ouflage. "That's a heck of a thing "Where are the cars?" he asked, to wear when you're hunting," glancing out the window. Mason said. Care walked over to stand beside "I probably won't go out with him. "We have a garage around this knee anyway." back. They'll be safe there." The lodge was large enough to "What? Say, who was that just sleep a score or more men. There went out?" were three big bedrooms with an "Schlitzer. He's just looking array of cots, plus a kitchen, in­ around." door toilet, and central livingroom "It's a couple of hours till day- where others could sleep. It was light." a pleasant place, though it seemed Dr. Fathion was making cof­ to Mason that none of the men fee, and passing the steaming cups were very relaxed. around at random. Mason drank.

ANOTHER WAR 81 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED feeling an o.dd sort of tension my instruments. Quickly, men!" building in his gut. It was almost Crowder. was issuing orders as the way he'd felt in Korea. the others grabbed, for their rifles. Then something about, the win­ Someone shoved Mason's into his dows caught his eye, something he hands. Then he was facing hadn't noticed before. He walked Crowder as the lame man spoke over to feel the folded shutters, quickly. "It's a sneak attack by the then turned to Roderick Care. Khakis," he said, talking in an of­ "Since when do you need steel ficer's monotone. "Two hours be­ shutters on a hunting—" fore the official start. Somebody get The crack of the rifle shot was those shutters closed." very close, off in the woods some­ As soon as he had spoken, one where but very close. Instantly window shattered undei- the ripple Crowder was on his feet shouting of gunfire. Roderick Care pulled orders. Two men grabbed their Mason down along the wall. rifles and hurried outside, while a "We're in for it this year," he said. third picked up the AWB banner "It's another Pearl Harbor!" and went out the door behind "You mean this happens—" thein, planting it in, the soft earth _ Care was hugging the wall, with a firm hand. edging toward the window with "What is it.?" Mason shouted to his carbine. "Last year we were Care. "What in hell's happening.?" lucky—only two wounded. I sup­ The answer came through the pose we were due." door. The two hunters were back "But this is madness!" already, carrying the fallen Schlitz- "No more so than any war." er. He was bleeding from a wound Care lifted his head to the win­ in the stomach. dow and fired a quick burst with "On the table," Dr. Fathion his carbine. "Didn't you ever won­ shouted, slipping his arms into a der why so many people get shot white plastic jacket that had a large on the first day of hunting red cross on front and back. "Get season.?"

554^4^

82 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED It would appear that perfection and myopia could be singularly C empathetic. L

3:iz

liiKE a Dali creation, the plans, spread on the rough table, lined back to Benny's admiring gaze. The curves, dashes, blurbs, arrows, and dots which were scattered across the sheet dodged hand-

THE PERFECT JOB 83 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED printed notations, and converged airport. What more do you want."* on a large red blob on the right Are you chicken or something.?" side marked Rio de Janeiro. "No, Benny, I just don't think "Perfect," he said, smiling. "Per­ it'll work," Little George whined. fect! There it is in front of us, boys, "I like the idea of retiring for the our private social security pro­ rest of my days, but I just don't gram." want this retirement to be behind "Geez," • said Eddie, crowding bars. It seems so risky." over the table and ogling the plans Benny glared at Little George like a little boy watching a new from under a dark uplifted eye­ game. brow, while the men stared at him, "I gotta hand it to you, Benny, waiting. "Well, for. a half-million you're a genius," added Pellucci. bucks, there's gotta be some risks! "Not bad," Carl added. "Not Do you want us to take some more . bad." precautions}" "It won't work, I tell you." "Yeh—yeh, that's it; maybe a few Rocking his head in his right hand, more precautions," Little George Little George dropped the corners stuttered. of his mouth as his lips pouted out­ Benny's left eyebrow curved up ward. "It's too close, it won't to match his right one. Nodding, work." he said, "Well, Little George, may- Benny's gaze glanced off the ceil­ • be you're right. Maybe we should ing, to the unpainted wall and get rid of some big risks. I have around the .floor as he clawed the some more ideas out in my car hair on the back of his head and that'll probably do the job. Carl, forced an exhalation. "What are come out and help me get them." you talking about, too close.? Gliding cat-like across the worn, That's what makes it so perfect. It's wood floor, Carl silendy held the timed to the second." door of the cabin open for his boss. "It's so close something has to go "You know, Carl, this Little wrong. They'll nail us for sure. It George is going to foul us up yet. just won't work." I've had my doubts about him right "We all know our assignments; from the start. He's going to blow we've practiced them every day for the whole deal." a month, and we've traveled over "The job's set up for five men, the getaway route a thousand Benny. There's not much we can times with a stopwatch to make do now." sure we hit every green light to the "I've been thinking. Since he's

.84 LICENSEDALFRE TOD UNZ.ORG HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED been griping so much, I've been Little George flipped a wide-eyed looking over everything the last glance at the two men as they re­ few days as we practiced our as­ turned to the cabin. His fingers signments. I think we can pull this started intertwining jerkily, like job with only four guys." He springy twigs of a tumbleweed. waited. for the effect to hit Carl. "I-uh-coUldn't find what I was "It'll mean we'll have to double up looking for, so why don't we break and take over Little George's as­ it off for the day and get~ together signments." again tomorrow," Benny said, star­ Slowly bouncing his clenched ing at Little George. "I think we thumb knuckle on his nose, Carl have something which will satisfy gave his head a half turn and you, though. You -won't have to squinted at him. "That's really cut­ worry again*" ting it close. Seems like you're add­ Little George's eyes popped open ing risks instead of taking them even wider. away." "What's the matter, Georgie "Baloney! Little George'll panic Peorgie, don't you feel well ?" and get us all sent up. So, we're "Yeh-yeh—" he said, bouncing better off without him. Besides," he up and away from the table. scraped his fingernails on the palm "You're still with us, aren't you, of his right hand, "it'll mean we'll Georgie.?" all be twenty-five G's apiece richer." "Yeh—I'm with you guys. I'll see Carl, folding his arms as he you later." He skittered under Ben­ leaned against the car fender, said, ny's squinted stare and trotted to "We can't just let him go. He'd his car. His fingers clawed and know the whole plan and we could fumbled at the door handle as he never pull the job. He'd squeal." turned and saw the other four men "That's right, Carl; you're think­ pile hurriedly into Eddie's big, ing like a right-hand man now. black sedan. You're a mechanic; what do you "Let's see how close you can stay think would happen if the steering to him, Eddie," Benny said. "He's on his car was messed up.?" starting to panic already and we're^ "He'd end up at the bottom of just starting." He folded his arms this mountain without taking the and leaned back. "Let's go. This road down." I've got to watch." Benny smiled and nodded to­ Eddie grinned and leaned over ward Little George's car. "And the wheel as the thump of his foot wear gloves—no fingerprints." on the floor board bounded

THE PERFECT JOB 85 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED through the car and they roared gray uniforms, would be at the after Little George. back door at 3:14. Since the regu­ lar guard was on vacation, the Folding the morning paper new man would not realize that away from the plans under it, they were early for the cash pick­ Benny shook his head slowly and up. Eddie and Pellucci would almost remorsefully bemoaned the rush up the ramp with the money loss of their very dear friend who cart as soon as the door was had unfortunately lost his life in opened. Benny's red pencil an automobile accident the day snapped and speckled a red slash before. They would have to go on as he indicated the speed with without him, hard as it may be, be­ which he wanted the two men to cause he was sure that's the way move. Eddie would have to act as Litde George would want it. a lookoiit and hold the magnetic "Palootch," he said, "being a sensi­ door open to make sure it didn't tive man, why don't you take care lock them in. As he carved a new of sending a big spray of flowers. pencil point, Benny described how to the mortuary from 'The Boys.' he and Carl would help Pellucci - Well, the world must go on," he' direct the rest of the employees philosophized, almost beUevably. in the room into the vault. It "Geez," said Eddie. should be shut not later than 3:17. "Yeah, you're right again, Ben­ Without the fifth man, he added ny," added Pellucci. 30 seconds from the leeway time. "Let's get to work," said Carl. All three of them would then "O.K.," said Benny. "We have load the bagged currency, no just two days to perfect the job checks, onto the cart—^no coins with four men, and to make the either. One pair of hands less final practice runs down the es­ meant they would have to use up cape route. Here's how we'll do it." the balance of their leeway time in The men pushed in against him order to get it all. At 3:21 they had as he started X-ing and dashing to leave. By 3:23 they would be with a red pencil across the plans. put the front gate and at the first 3:11 was the latest any man from . traffic light. This was the only one the first shift left the accounting they could hit red. There was a center. So, at 3:13,'with Eddie at possible forty-five second delay the wheel, they would drive the here, depending on when the light panel truck to the rear parking turned^ green. However, by 3:24 lot. Benny and Carl, dressed in they would be on their way and

86 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED the escape-route timing would be­ lips as he slowly turned the panel gin. "The rest will stay pretty truck through the front gate. Pel- much the same. Any questions?" lucci's tongue flicked dryly, Uke a "I don't want to sound like Lit­ lizard on a hot rock. Carl, tle George," said Pellucci, "but this crouched in the rear with Benny, is getting a litde close. By using watched over his shoulder as he up all o£ our leeway time, we can't checked his watch with his time­ miss even one green light." table. Benny's chest hollowed and "That's right, and we won't. I pounded with each short- breath. have every block timed. We'll get Only empty cars greeted them in to where we dump the truck into the rear parking lot; the three the ocean at 3:51'/2, which gives us o'clock shift had changed normal­ exactly five and one-half minutes' ly. Eddie eased the panel truck to to dump it and drive the stashed the side of the windowless build­ car to the airport. That leaves ing so the guard couldn't see only three minutes to run to the through his peephole that it wasn't terminal, check in, and get to the the armored truck. plane by the 4:00 takeoff. I've al­ The "bing" of the door buzzer ready made all ticket arrange­ sounded more like, the clang of ments. We'll be too late to check church bells as Benny felt his legs our bags, so we'll all carry our quiver under his grey uniform. own lootcases." He giggled. "And 3:14. The guard grunted as he as we fly into the wild blue yonder shoved the metal door open, and —RIO DE JANEIRO, . HERE grunted again as Benny's pistol WE COME—the armored truck butt dropped him like a sack of will pull up to the accounting of­ pretzel sticks. Nylon stockings fice to pick up a half-million bucks flopping from their heads, Eddie which won't be there; and nobody and Pellucci raced up the ramp will know who took it!" His gig­ with the money cart as Carl and gle turned to a low, raspy gargle. Benny held the door and also "Geez," grinned Eddie. jammed nylons over their faces. "Benny, you're fantastic," said "Let's go!" ' muffled Carl Pellucci. through flattened lips, his slanted "Let's go to work," said Carl. eyes and pressed-in nose resem­ bling those of a mongoloid. 3:12 p.m. The second-hand Leaving Eddie at the door, the seemed to stick as it chipped past three of them raced with the cart the 12. Eddie was chewing on his down the short hallway and blast-

THE PERFECT JOB LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 87 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED ed through the swinging metal Eddie kicked the ramp down doors into the fluorescent-tubed and they panted and heaved the accounting room. cart into the truck. Slamming the "EVERYBODY! Hands in the doors shut, he leaped into the driv­ air and march into the vault— er's seat. quietly!" Benny shouted. Gasps, "Slow down, idiot!" screamed shouts, and gurgles of fright min­ Benny, as Eddie roared for the gled into a billowing, balloon-like front gate. "Nobody'U find out drone. "NOW!" The clack of Pel- about this until the four o'clock lucci's cocking machine-gun col­ pickup. The last thing we want to lapsed the balloon and the "pock- do is attract attention." pock-pock" of scurrying heels re- Inhaling deeply, he tore at his ' placed it. necktie. The stretching-rack inside Carl was quickly stacking cur­ his chest pulled another turn. rency bags on the cart. Leaving the Staring down at them like an evil herding to Pellucci, Benny ran to . eye, the first traffic light hovered a far corner and started tossing red, seemingly having an endless other bags to Carl. life above them. Kwi\-kwi\- Almost 3:18. Damn! "Carl, push \wi\-\wi\! Kwi\-kwiJ{-1{wi]{- the cart here to the unsacked bills. f{wil{! The enveloping cloak of Palootch, haul those empty sacks time pounded and echoed around over here: and start stuffing." them. "Turn, you devil; turn!" Bouncing like chunks of foam rub­ Plip! Winking and bUnking ber, bundles of bills spilled and teasingly, the green light beckoned rolled ojEE of the arm-swept coun­ them forward. 3:24 less 8 seconds. ter. Benny scooped them all up. The stretching-rack was blown "Hurry! Hurry! Move!" out with a quick, short breath and Pellucci slipped and scattered a Benny's chest walls seemed to cave bagful of bills across the floor. in. Carl helped him shovel it back "O.K., we're on our way. Keep into the bag as Benny polished off it at twenty-eight miles an hour a counter .top. The remaining and' you'll hit every green light. stacks of currency beckoned en­ Now, remember your tiiiiing of ticingly. every block. In case you get slowed "Let's go!" yelled Carl. 3:21 plus down by traffic, you can speed it 35 seconds. "Damn!" Whacking up a little. Palootch, start packing one last pile into his sack, he tore the dough into the suitcases while after the others. we get out of these grey pajamas.

LICENSEDALFRE TOD UNZ.ORGHITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED And don't anyone^ take off their standing tall in the saddle, stopped gloves until we leave this crate. it under the smiling green light, No fingerprints!" Smiling at Carl, and raised his arm in a halt sig­ he whipped off the uniform in the nal! cramped area. "Practice makes per­ "How'd they find out?" cried fect." He grinned. Pellucci. 3:31 . . . 3:37 . . . 3:42 ... The Grunting like a trapped wart- checkpoints clicked past on sched­ hog, Benny hugged a suitcase. ule. Admiring the last suitcase "Let's get the hell outta here!" stacked with wrapped bills, Benny yelled Carl. closed his eyes and smiled, close- Eddie clomped on the gas and hpped, then sobered. "All set." the truck jerked and lurched 3:46. "We should be nearing the ahead. Swinging to miss the pa­ Division Street crossing. Only one trolman, he didn't see a long, black more to go, guys." The windshield vehicle, leading a line of cars, roll framed the intersection and he across the street. Too late, he cut started to hum. "Perfect! Perfect! back! Screeching and plowing into And the light should be turned the hearse, spinning with it, snap­ green . . . right . . ." raising his ping open its rear door, they right hand as he watched the sec­ scraped to a stop as the coffin ond-hand pick across the numbers, rolled from its mooring, crashed- "now!". The snap of his fingers through the windshield of the commanded the light and it overturned truck, and with a lid- obeyed by instantly popping green. popping crunch, tossed the ca­ His giggles shook his body and he daver, with flowers, among the hugged his arms, chldUke. "Rio jumble of men, suitcases, equip­ de Janeiro, here we co—" ment and scattered and gently "COP!" acreamed Eddie. floating greenbacks. Flashing two gleaming red "You louse. Little George! I lights, the motorcycle pulled into knew you'd foul up this job; I just the intersection and the patrolman, knew it!"

THE PERFECT JOB 89 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED The determination of "Value for value received" is seldom pre­ C cipitate or mutual. L

IT WAS three months ago they hair curling around her face. Her carted Maggie Miller off. Come body's sort of rounded and soft and got her, they did. Put her in looking. By the time they took her one of those white shirts with the away she'd changed a lot. long sleeves and tied her up, kick­ I had to find me another lady for ing and hollering, pure animal Tuesdays, but I miss Mrs. Miller. sounds coming out of her throat. She was always nice to me. I'd I used to come in and do for come in to work about eight- Maggie Miller once a week, so I o'clock and Mrs. Miller'd be sitting was there when it happened, and I in the kitchen drinking her coffee. can tell you I wish I'd been home "Good morning, Mrs. Hender­ instead. son," she'd say. "I've just made a I'd been working for Mrs. Miller fresh pot of coffee. Sit down before for six, seven years. She used to be you start and have a cup with me." a right pretty woman, with them And I'd say, "Lordy, Mrs. Miller, china-blue eyes and with blonde I'd better get that wash goin' before

Q^ TAIB IK ruiL 90 LICENSEDALFRE TOD UNZ.ORGHITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED it clouds up as it does washdays." he's getting a stomach from sitting But she wouldn't have it that around drinking beer and watch­ way. She'd say, "Oh come on, it ing television. He used to be better will keep," and we'd visit for a looking, too. He's a contractor or while. I swear, she was a nice something like that, works with woman. Mr. Miller's all right, but buildings, and I guess he can run he's nothing to write home about. home whenever he wants. I don't know how a pretty little He was always watching her. thing like Maggie Miller got mixed She knew it, too. I'd see her some­ up with him. He's a tall man, but times, leaning on the sink, pressing her hands together till they was white, trying to act like she didn't notice. What bothered her most was him flipping .that fifty-cent piece. It almost drove me crazy, and I was only there once a week. He was always flipping that coin. He did it a lot when the children were in the house and that seemed to bother Mrs. Miller something awful, and sometimes when he did it she'd start crying and run up­ stairs. One Saturday night they was having special guests for dinner and Mrs. Miller asked me if I'd come over and help her. Well, I liked Mrs. Miller, so I said sure I'd come. Mrs. Miller and me fixed up a real fancy meal. There was six people, and with the three children , and them there was eleven, and that's a lotjDf people to cook for. Well," you're not going to believe it when I tell you, but right in the middle of dinner don't Mr. Miller take the fifty-cent piece out and start flipping it up in the air. Mrs.

PAID IN FULL LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 91 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Miller got white and sick looking, "Why, Mrs. Miller," I said, "you and she said to him, "Harry, sit right down here. I'm in no please," in a low voice, and her blue hurry at all. Got nobody to go eyes was looking up at him, but he home to excepting my cat." Then I went right on flipping that coin. kind of sighed, I guess, and I said, Then he said in a loud voice, "Lordy, I do miss having a man "I'vej got a terrible habit and it around the house since Jim died." drives poor Maggie wild. I'm very Mrs. Miller laughed, a nasty kind attached to this particular fifty-cent of laugh, not like her at all, and she piece and I've got this habit of toss­ said,-"Count your blessings, Mrs. ing it. I'll probably drive poor Hendersori; count your blessings." Maggie crazy with it some day." Then she shoved her cup and One man said, "I crack my saucer back from the table and she knuckles, Harry, and that drives laid her head down and hit the ta­ my wife, crazy, too." And every- ble with her hand. "Oh, Mrs. Hen­ , body laughed. derson," she said. "Oh, I'm so un­ I was serving them and I looked happy," and she started in crying. at Mrs. Miller. She was trying to "Now, now," I said, and I started pick up her glass but her hand had patting her shoulders. "Don't you started shaking and she couldn't do cry like that, Mrs. Miller honey. it. She bent her. head down over Don't cry. Do you want me to call, her plate until I saw Mr. Miller say for Mr. Miller to come down?" something to her in a low voice. She grabbed my sleeve, looking Then she straightened her back at me with them tears running and picked up her fork, but her down her face, and she said, "No, hand shook something awful. please don't call him. I'll stop cry- It was that night she told me mg. about it. I stayed late, cleaning up So I went over to the sink and the kitchen, and when everybody got a clean towel and wet it, and I left I fixed a pot of coffee and was wiped her face off. Then, well, I sitting there drinking it when Mrs. can hardly stand to tell you this, Miller come into the kitchen. she threw her arms around my "Mr. Miller's gone to bed," she waist and she started crying again said. "I don't feel like going up yet, and hanging onto me. Finally she Mrs. Henderson. All right if I have said, "Mrs. Henderson, can I talk to a cup of coffee with you.? I don't you, please.''" want to keep you from getting So I sat down with her and I home." said, "Yes, you can tell me any-

92 LICENSEDALFRE TO UNZ.ORGD HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED thing you want to, Mrs. Miller." "Yes, sir," or "No, sir," politelike. She started in telHng me and So anyway, I come over this now I wish she hadn't, except night to baby-sit and it seemed to maybe it's a good idea for some­ me that Mr. Miller was picking on body to know, somebody besides his wife, but maybe it wasn't any Mr. Miller, that is. worse than usual. He kept saying, It happened a couple o£ years "For Christ's sake, will you hurry after I started working for the Mil­ up." lers. My, she was a pretty little I don't believe in taking the thing then, and Mr. Miller didn't Lord's name in vain so I didn't look so bad either. He was a good think too much of him saying that. dresser and he had a nice build Then he said, "Your damn yel­ and he seemed awful proud of the low hair looks like hell. I left you way he looked. I'd see him stand­ three dollars today to get it done. ing in front of the mirror, admir­ What did you do with the money.?" ing how strong and good-looking "I bought Mary Lou a blouse," he was. He was all right with Mrs. she said. Miller except that he was. awful Mary Lou is six and looks like bossy. Mrs. Miller. He was real particular, she told I was sitting in the rocker when me, about having his meals ready they come home that night. Mr. on time. That was hard to do, be­ Miller, he goes right on upstairs cause she never knew when he was without even a hello to me. But coming home—it was anywheres Mrs. Miller, she paid me, and asked from four-thirty to seven o'clock— me if the children were OK, and but he wanted his supper ready and she looked different. I don't know, served five minutes after he got in she looked softer, I guess, and her the house. Made her nervous, it did, face didn't look so pinched. always trying to please him. "Did you have a good time.'"' I He entertained a lot of business­ asked her just as I was starting out men and sometimes he'd take Mrs. the door} Miller along with him. She'd have "Yes," she said. "Oh yes, I had a me sit with the children. They lovely time. Thank you for asking, weare nice kids—six, seven and Mrs. Henderson. Take care driv­ nine—and very well behaved. Well, ing home." they had to be, I guess, or that Mr. That was the night it started, she Miller would of beat them blue. told me. One of the men that night About all they ever said to him was was new in town and was just

PAID IN FULL 93 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED starting with Mr. Miller's company. help myself. Dan was so good and Mrs. Miller sat next to him when so kind. I couldn't stop it." they was having dinner and she Of course, it was bad business, said they talked about things she him coming to the house that way; hadn't talked about in years—about real bad business. "And you know books and theatre and art, things what happened, don't you.? I liked like that—and music. Mrs. Miller to have fell off my chair when she was very fond of music, but Mr. was telling me. Miller don't care for the kind she She and Dan were standing at liked, so of course they listened to the top of the stairs when they what he wanted to. Sometimes she heard the front door open and Mr. put a concert on the radio, real low, Miller came in. She said the three but Mr. Miller, he'd yell, "Turn of them stood there, the two men that damn long-hair stuff off." staring at each other, and finally Anyway, Mrs. Miller and this she and Dan come down the steps man—his name was Dan—hit it off and Dan said, "There's nothing I right away. He telephoned her a can say in my own defense, Harry, couple of times, she told me, and but believe me, this was my fault." she told him that he mustn't do Mr. Miller said, "Shut up, Dan. that. But then she weakened and You've taken what's mine and agreed to meet him. They drove you're going to pay for it." ^ out in the country, she said, and it Mrs. Miller told me she said, ,was just lovely to drive along, lis­ "Harry, please, I know this is terri-, tening to music on the radio and ble. But I love him, Harry. Don't talking. do anything to him, please, Harry. I know, I know, she shouldn't Please don't hurt him." have done it, her a married "woman Mr. Miller said, "He's got to pay and all, and I tell you, I was for what he's done." shocked when she told me. She Mr. Miller is a big man, and Mrs. started seeing.him and when the Miller said this Dan was a small mister was away on business trips fella. he started coming to the house. It "Don't you touch him," Mrs. was summer and the children was Miller said. away at camp. But Mr. Miller said, "You don't She hung her head when she understand^ Maggie. I said he was. was telling me and she said, "I'm • going to pay, and that's what I not proud of any of this, Mrs. Hen­ meant." derson, butn-I just couldn't seem to Mrs. Miller said she and this Dan

94 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED fellow just stared at him, shocked. price, boy, and you're going to pay "Now," Mr. Miller went on, "I me or I'm going to kill you right think we ought to sit down and here on the spot." discuss the value of the merchan­ "All-right," Dan agreed. "Any­ dise." thing, only leave her alone." "Harry, please," Mrs. Miller said. "That's better," said Mr. Miller, Dan said, "I know we've wronged "and I'll admit I may be overcharg­ you, Harry, but please, let's be civil­ ing a little. Dan, the price for my ized." wife's favors is fifty cents. Get it "That's what I'm planning to up." Mrs. Miller told me that she thought she couldn't stand it, that she was going to lose her mind, and she said to the mister, "Harry, don't do this to me." He didn't even look at her, just said, "This is a business deal be­ tween two men, Maggie, so shut your mouth." • Dan dug down in his pocket and brought out a fifty-cent piece. Well, he left, and Mrs. Miller told me he left town and she never seen or heard from him again. Mrs. Miller said she asked the be,"- Mr. Miller said. "Civilized. I mister right then for a divorce but want value for value received. Now he just laughed at her and said he I've been married to Maggie for ten could get a divorce any time he years so I have a pretty good idea had a mind to, and meantime two of what she's worth. I hope you could play the same game. can afford it, Dan; I hope you can They stayed married, but it was afford the price I put on her fa­ bad. He was always flipping that vors." fifty-cent piece, like he wanted to Mrs. Miller said she was crying drive her crazy. He'd do it when and telling the mister to stop what the children were in the room, or he was saying. when they had company, and Mrs. But he went right on. "I know Miller said he kept it on the stand her pretty well, so I'm setting the by their bed at night.

PAID IN FULL 95 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED He got himself a ladyfriend and I was in the livingroom dusting he'd brag about it in front of Mrs. and I seen them standing there, Miller and tell her that he'd up him tossing that coin and her and leave her whenever he had a watching it, her eyes following it mind to and marry this other up and down, up and downj and woman and take the children with all of a sudden she started scream­ him. ing. Mr. Miller and me tried to . I seen him and this woman one stop her, but it didn't do any time. She Wasn't much to look at good. So, finally, I held her while and she was a sight older than he telephoned the doctor to come. Mr. Miller, but. she was dressed up She was still screaming when in furs and jewels and she was they took her away. Her eyes were hanging onto his arm and looking all wild and she didn't look pretty at him Uke he was really some­ no more. thing. Mr. Miller was cool about it and . Day by day I seen Mrs. Miller helped the men get her ready. getting more nervous. The mister There were a lot of people stand­ went out a lot. He'd say, "I'm go­ ing in front of the house watching ing out for the evening, Maggie. when they drove her off. The pa­ Look for me when you see me. I per boy was s'till standing there. might make it back in time for Mr. Miller, he started up the walk breakfast." Then he'd flip that fifty- and then he turned and looked at cent piece under her nose. the boy. He reached into his pocket Finally, I guess the day came and took but the coin. He looked when she just couldn't stand it no at it for a long time and rolled it more. around in his hand. Then, he . The paper boy come to the door tossed it to the boy. "Here," he and Mrs. Miller told him, "Wait a said, "that pays me up." minute," and she said to Mr. Mil­ He come back into the house, a ler, "Do you have some change for studying look on his face, and the paper boy, Harry?" asked me if I'd stay a few days to He asked, "How much is it.?" look after the kids. I said I' would, "Fifty cents," she said, and they not on account of him, but because looked at each other. I was sorry for Mrs. Miller and He took the fifty-cent piece out those poor Httle children. of his pocket and tossed it up in A couple of days later he took the air. "I couldn't use this," he oil work so he could see Mrs. Mil­ said. ler's doctor. When he come home -

96 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE

LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED he called me into the kitchen and "You can't do it on account of closed the door. Mrs. Miller being insane." .'!Mrs. Henderson," he started off, "What in the hell are you talk­ "it's very sad news. Mrs. Miller will ing about.'"'hesaid; probably spend the rest of her life I looked at him for a minute or in an institution. The doctor told two and then, as I remember, I me today that she's hopelessly in­ smiled at him. "There was another sane." man I used to work for—an old I started crying and wishing I man. His wife was insane, too. had the nerve to hit him with a She'd been locked up for thirty- frying pan, because I know he's four years. He's the one that told the one that drove her crazy. me that in this state you can't get a "I have to think ahead, Mrs. divorce from somebody that's Henderson," he said. "I have to crazy. You just stay married to raise my children. Mrs. Miller and them until they die." I took my I hadn't been getting along very apron off and folded it up and well for years and I'd been think­ then I looked him right square in ing about getting a divorce when the eye. "Or until you die." this happened." That was three months ago. To­ "You can't do that," I said. day I walked past the house on my "I'm a young man," he said. "I way to work for a lady in the have my whole life ahead of me neighborhood, and there was Mr. and I have to think of myself." Miller sitting on his porch. He "But you can't get a divorce," I looked like he hadn't, shaved and told him. like he'd been sleeping in his "Of course I can," he said, "and clothes. Lordy, he was a mess.' I'm thinking about getting mar­ "How do, Mr. Miller," I said ried again." when I passed the house. "You can't do it." He looked at me, and his eyes "Oh come on," he said,.getting was all red-rimmed. "Go to hell," mad. he said.'

.t-;*^^

PAID IN FULL 97 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Seldom is an alibi so tailor-made, but a particular man may still demand alterations before the fit is perfected. '

WR. Stefan Schultz was poised to open the door when he noticed, for the first time, the blood on the right side of his jacket and on the knee of his trousers. All the bitter­ ness and anger and subsequent cold water. Luckily, Use's rare AB remorse rose to a sudden paralysis negative blood had not worked its of fear. When it subsided he way into the Hning or through the walked back through the kitchen trousers to his skin. and past the body of his wife lying He opened the closet and looked slumped on the floor of the front at the several suits that hung hall where the bloody from the there. One was only a slightly • wound in her left breast, mingled darker gray than the one he was bleakly with the faded colors of wearing. He considered whether the rug. he should change. The suits made Upstairs in the bedroom he him think of"JuIien, his friend and sponged the suit with tissues and benefactor, who had helped him

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LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED and Use come to the States from dered several suits from the same Bonn, Germany, where Dr. JuHen tailor and as near like the ones Guttman had been' the youngest.. Julien. wore as was possible. Per­ surgeon on the staff and where haps the suits were responsible, or Stefan sometimes assisted him. maybe it was Julien's active spon­ Julien had married an American sorship—anyway, Stefan's practice tourist, wealthy Margaret Water­ started well and grew steadily. man, and as he left for the States When Margaret was away, with his bride, he had said, "I Stefan would often bring Julien won't forget you." home for breakfast or whatever . He had kept his promise and meal Use had ready. Julien was sent travel' rnoney as soon as Stefan fond of Use's rich, German cook­ became qualified to practice inter­ ing.. nal medicine. Then through the Then Julien would point his Waterman Savings Bank, a family fork at Use, who was usually institution, he had made it possible dressed in her white uniform, and for Stefan to set up a home "with say, "See now, if you had married an office close to the center of town a rich American, your wife and a ten minute walk from Wa­ would not have to work as your terman Memorial Hospital. Julien office nurse and you could live in a even lent him a suit to wear until palace and have a separate office he could get his own made. They building all your own!" were so near the same size the fit Julien's office was a small build­ was good. ing on the grounds of Waterman "Have you ever felt such fine Memorial, with its own entrance texture.? Nothing like that potato from the street and easily accessi­ sack you've been wearing!" Julien ble to the hospital and the parking had said, pulling down the edge lot. The old Waterman estate in of the pocket to show his name the choicest section of town was and the date of the garment's his home. creation which was sewn to the All this banter never bothered. inside lining. "Besides, it is a sign Use. She would repartee in her of success to have a custom-made throaty German, her eyes sliding suit. You look fine! Now you go slyly from one to the other. She to Max the Tailor and order one had jibes ready about Stefan's just like it!" closeness with money, since he was Stefan, properly impressed, did paying off the large loan from the just that; and since then had or­ bank, and she would take a poke

BLOOD AND LUCK 99 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED at Julien because he rarely accom­ and closed the closet door. The panied his wife on her many trav­ full length mirror proved that the els. Despite her aspersions, Stefan stains no longer showed. He ran knew that Julien was both a con­ the damp crease of the right knee scientious husband and a dedi­ through his fingers to sharpen it. cated surgeon. It was because of With a pair of small, sharp scis­ this dedication, as well as his mar­ sors he carefully snipped his name riage, that he had become one of from the inside pocket^ of the the town's most respected citizens. jacket he was wearing. After plac­ Now, because of this reputation, ing the label in his billfold be­ Stefan hesitated to go to Julien to neath his driver's license, he confess what had happened this slipped the scissors into the out­ morning or to ask his help. He side pocket that already held his had no doubt Julien would stand stethoscope and the thoroughly by him and fight, tooth and nail, scrubbed steak knife. Then with a to protect him, but it would place quick glance about the room to an ugly burden upon him. make sure everything was in or­ Stefan knew the danger- was der, he went downstairs. real. Suspicion falls first on. the In the lower hall again, as he husband, particularly when the passed Use, he looked at her. The wife is younger, pretty and flirta­ blonde curls were tumbled over tious. He didn't dare get rid of her staring eyes but they did not the suit. It was too new. Taking quite cover the bruise on her it to the cleaners had its hazards, cheek. Her full lips -were still in too. Blood could sometimes be de­ the pout.that had formed during tected even after cleaning, and Use's her last gasp as she died in his rare blood type was unmistakable. arms. Just showing under her was Without the blood, he felt he could the early morning edition of "the handle the police. local newspaper. He looked at his watch. It was The door to his ofEce was open getting late. Julien had Mrs. Dona-, and he could see desk drawers hue's appendectomy scheduled for- pulled outrxpne dumped on the nine o'clock, and Stefan had prom­ floor—and • "the. drug closet door ised her he would stay by her side hanging, on- one hinge. Through throughout part of it at least. the entrance'to the kitchen oppo­ As he thought of Julien operat­ site, he could see the table at the ing, the idea struck him. He took •far end set for two, the missing his hand off the dark gray suit steak knife replaced by another of

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LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED the same design, no discrepancies. cause he liked to walk, Stefan pre­ As the percolator chcked itself ferred the longer route through to "warming," he could smell the the town and he only took the pungent flavor of newly prepared shortcut to the hospital when he coffee. The eggs, the thick slice was in a hurry. He was in a hurry of ham.and the frying pan were now: in their usual places. Not yet When He arrived' at the hospi­ weaned from German- ways, he still tal,, he used the emergency en­ enjoyed a hearty breakfast in mid- trance. Luckily the waiting room morning after his call at the hos­ was empty arid he could hear the pital. nurse, moving about in the adjoin­ Except for the dishes and cut­ ing treatment room. Stepping into lery on the kitchen table which the cafeteria on the same floor, he Use had arranged the night be­ found that nearly as empty. Just fore, Stefan, wearing rubber two interns, deep in conversation, gloves, had prepared each room to were in the far alcove reserved for his satisfaction. doctors. This way he hoped the police Pouring himself a cup of coffee, would believe the murderer' to be he drank it quickly before going a man with a desperate need, for to the elevators. He cut short each narcotics, someone who had of the two remaining house visits, knifed a helpless Use before he stole yet he maiiaged to appear unhur­ the capsules that Stefan had ried. When he was through, flushed down the office toilet. To he was well within the time he be on the safe side he would have allowed hiniself on routine morn­ to dispose of the knife. It suggest­ ings and the knife was buried ed an intimacy with the kitchen, among others of mixed and dubi­ and there might. be remnants of ous heritage in the cutlery bin of Use's blood in its crevices. the cafeteria. The police officer, Blandin, was The operating rooms were on still on traffic duty at the nearby the third floor. Through the small corner. To avoid him Stefan porthole in. the . door of OR2 he would cut again through the: Prin- could see that Julien would be a gles' backyard. It would: save him while yet. He .would have time five minutes and there was no one for his plan. ;, . home to see him. Mr. and Mrs. As he'd anticipated, the room Pringle were on a Caribbean cruise where the surgeons kept, their with the Golden Aga Club. Be- clothes while i operating was empty

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LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED and the keys were in the locker Stefan. His greeting was a mum­ doors. He sighed a breath of relief ble as he hurried to the table by when he opened JuUen's locker the window to pick up a maga­ and discovered the one break he zine. Stefan was watchiiig him needed. The' suit within was ail- thoughtfully when Julien laid a most the same shade of gray as the brotherly hand on his shoulder. one he, himself, was wearing. "Well, my friend," said Juhen. It wasn't, of course, pure luck. "I understand we're going to have Stefan knew that for everyday you with us for the appendectomy wear bbth he and Julien leaned to this morning." the more conservative shades of "Yes," Stefan said, still bemused gray. If his luck held, Julien by the-color of Broderick's face. "I would not notice the difference. promised Mrs. Donahue I would Stefan was in a green scrub suit stay with her a while. She is quite and had just finished shipping the nervous about the operation." name from Julien's jacket when he "Stay until we finish," Julien heard the sound of stretcher said. "The ten o'clock cholecy­ wheels and muted voices that her­ stectomy has been postponed until alded the completion of Juheh's tomorrow, so I'll be through for operation. Hastily he placed Juli­ the morning and we can celebrate en's label beside his own in his the end of my bachelorhood. Mar­ billfold. If he'd had time he garet comes home this afternoon, would have tucked it in the pock­ remember?" et of his own suit, bvit it didn't Stefan did remember, and what really matter. a stroke of luck the later operation Both Julien and young Broder- was postponed! It'^would be good ick, the surgical resident, had re­ to have a witness with him when moved their sterile equipment and he reached home again. were in just their scrub suits. Sev­ After the appendectomy there eral months back, Broderick had was no delay. Julien had to pull in been a breakfast guest along with his abdomen slightly to accommo­ Julien. Stefan had been impressed date the waist of Stefan's pants, by the brilliance of the young but the belt was his own and it man, but Broderick came only slipped into place easily. He once. more and then begged off. shrugged on the coat without Stefan suspected that Use's flirta­ stopping to button it. As he fell tious manner embarrassed him. into step with Stefan on the way Now he- reddened when he saw to the elevator, there seemed no

BLOOD AND LUCK 103 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED doubt his mind was entirely on tine, you know," almost.apologeti­ the hearty breakfast he expected cally. Use to cook for them. That night, with small and After the hideous discovery of careful stitches, Stefan sewed his Use's body, Julien stayed with name inside the coat of Julien's Stefan until three in the afternoon suit. When he went to bed, he felt when he had to leave for the air­ everything had gone off rather port to meet Margaret's plane. By well. then the confusion of picture-tak­ The newspaper proved Use was ing, fingerprint dusting and the alive until after seven, and after medical examiner's inspection of Stefan had left the house. Officer the body was over. Blandin, he hoped, would remem­ Julien knew both the medical ber that he waved to him as he examiner and the police chief well. rounded the corner before seven. In his generous way he lauded It was doubtful that anyone at the the chief's capable police force and hospital had been observant the modern methods of crime de­ enough to challenge the statements tection he had introduced into the he had made as to the time of his town. He stressed how lucky. presence in the wards.. Julien was Waterman was to have as its chief his alibi for~the rest of the morn­ a former city detective. ing, including driving,him home, Chief Garrison accepted the ef-^ and was with him right up to and fusive compliments with a smile, beyond the time he opened the and his questioning of Stefan be­ front door to the horrible sight of came a friendly conversation Use lying in a pool of her own among the three men. However, blood. Stefan noticed that despite his The next morning Stefan had guileless manner, the chief's eyes breakfast in the cafeteria at nine were sharp and penetrating. with Julien. He wasn't as hungry When attention was drawn to as usual but when Julien ordered the newspaper under Use's shoul­ pancakes and syrup, he had the der, it gave Stefan a chance to same. Julien was so happy at hav- pinpoint its delivery; shortly after iiig Margaret home again they seven, rain or shine. Garrison talked about her trip rather than wrote the paperboy's name and . dwelling on Use's death. address in his notebook and the When Stefan arrived home at ten names and times to be checked at for office hours, the house had a the hospital. He murmured, "Rou­ cold, empty feeling. Before his

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LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED first patient arrived, he brought "Surely you examined them?" down a rug from the bedroom to ' "We did. No blood and no replace the one Use's body had fingerprints except those of Mrs. lain on in the front hall—and that Schultz. In fact, there weren't quite the police had removed the same enough of hers." He paused long day. He worked right up to the enough for this last to sink in. day of the funeral without inter­ "We counted the knives in the ruption from the police. drawer. Together there were only The next day Chief Garrison in­ five. A set is usually four, six or vited him to the station for what eight. I know, I know!" He raised he called "a little talk." Stefan was his hand as though to stop S,tefan relieved to have the silence broken. from interrupting. "Things like After the usual greetings, the . that frequently get tossed out with chief said, "We don't seem to 'be the garbage, yet we have to con­ getting anywhere. Doctor, and sider every lead, however far­ we're beginning to wonder if your fetched." He leaned forward. wife had any enemies." "There is one way you can help Stefan stroked his chin thought­ us, Doctor; Tell me who your fully. "Use? Enemies? Oh, no! All wife's men friends were." our patients seemed to like her, Stefan could feel the quickening and I'm sure we have none on of his pulse. This, above all, he the habit." had hoped to prevent. Scandal The chief sat back comfortably could hurt his practice as much as in his chair. "We don't think it was becoming a murder suspect. It had a patient. We've checked and dou­ been his first concern when Use ble-checked the list of recent pa­ had told him she had a lover. tients you gave us and everyone on Because she had become cool it was okay. None are users." and indifferent toward him lately, Stefan shrugged his shoulders. he had the very morning of the "Then I don't understand." murder placed his arm about her The chief stared at hifn. "Well, and suggested perhaps she was we just can't go along with the tired and needed a rest. murderer being a narcotic thief. "We'll go away for a week," he The damage in the office seems said, offering the first vacation overdone. A nail file could have either of them had had since com­ opened the cupboard. Also, the ing to this country. "I'm sure stab wound matches the knives on Julien will lend us his house on the breakfast table." the Cape. I'll get another doctor to

BLOOD AND LUCK 105 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED take my patients. We need a rest." having visitors while you were She shrugged away from him, away from the house—male visi­ .laughed, and said she didn't want tors—between seven and nine in to go away—especially with him— the morning." and then she told him she had a "Use was a nurse," Stefan lover. cleared his throat. "She could give "You'relying!" emergency treatment." ' She looked at him without "But one came more than once. flinching. Doctor. Would she need to give "I don't believe it! You can't emergency treatment to that fel­ have a lover!" low over at Waterman Memorial— At. the same time he felt her Dr. Broderick.?" . cheek against his fist. It was the Stefan drew in his breath sharp­ only time he had ever struck her, ly. "That doesn't mean anything. and it was the first time he knew We often had breakfast together, that the way she looked at other the three of us." men was not just an affectation. Garrison's voice was sympa­ At the impact, Use had stumbled thetic. "Of course," he agreed. . backward against the wall and There was a long silence as the looked' up at him with jeering two men looked at each other. It blue eyes. . was finally broken by the chief. "How will you stop me.''" she He said softly, "Blandin could taunted in her husky • German. see only the front. Doctor. We "You know I never really loved don't know who might have used you. You know I only wanted to the back door!" come to America. Tell rne, how It was obvious the chief was will you stop me.?" She laughed baiting him, hoping he would lose again. his composure and say something "Men.? Dr. Schultz.?" Chief Gar­ he might regret. rison's voice interrupted the hate­ "You are wrong," Stefan said ful memory. firmly. "Use was a good wife. She "We have mutual friends," be­ was friendly and she liked to flirt' gan Stefan. a Httle. That was alh" The chief shook his head. "More Garrison rose as though to end than that, I'm afraid, Doctor. Of­ the conversation* "Well, thanks ficer Blandin, the one on traffic anyway," he said rather brusquely. duty at your corner mornings, fells "You understand we have to ex­ me your wife was in the habit of plore every possibility." Then as

106 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Stefaii neared the door, and as time to draw attention to the suit. though it were an afterthought, he Before he left the house he went said, "By the way, did you know upstairs to the bedroom and your neighbors, the Pringles, are changed into Julien's dark gray. home from their cruise? They got Yes, as far as he could tell, the back last night." knife belonged in his kitchen. Stefan didn't know and ordi­ Where did they find it.? narily he wouldn't care. Now, Chief Garrison, the tips of his however, mention of them by fingers on the handle, rolled the Chief Garrison was disturbing. He knife back and forth on the desk. felt uneasy throughout the day and "In the hospital cafeteria," he said. lay sleepless part of the night won­ "There were no fingerprints but dering what the chief thought the we found blood—AB negative— Pringles could add to the investi­ where the blade joins the handle. gation of his wife's murder. It was way down in the bin under . He found out two days later. the other knives. It probably had­ Just as his morning ofHce hours n't been used since it was put were ending, the chief called to there." He waited as though he tell hirri, the murder weapon, had expected some comment from been found. Stefan. Then he added, "This nar­ "The knife—we're pretty sure it rows our investigation somewhat." belongs to your kitchen set. We'd Stefan remained silent. like you to come down to, head­ "Then, too, we have this state­ quarters to identify it," he said. ment signed by both Pringles." He "We also have a signed statement indicated the typewritten single by the Pringles you may find in­ sheet of paper on the desk before teresting." him. "You see, the back door from In spite of his cleverness it had the kitchen - was important after happened! They had searched the all." hospital and the moment they Stefan passed the tip of his found the knife, which he didn't tongue over his lips. for a moment doubt was the right The chief continued, "After we one, he became the prime suspect. found the knife we knew it had One or more of his trips to Water­ to be someone connected with the man Memorial via the seldom hospital. We settled first on Dr. used backyard route must have Broderick. Our problem there was been observed by the Pringles. lack of blood on his clothes. The Perhaps now was the proper day after the murder, we account-

BLOOD AND LUCK 107 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED : ed for all of them and there, was The chief's sad smile remained no blood!" on his face. "He told me he knew Stefan groaned inwardly. The you both in Germany. Perhaps he day after the murder! In spite o£ had a reason not to want her over his apparent initial acceptance, this here. Perhaps he was afraid he man had never gone along with might . get involved with her the evidence of the missing cap­ again." sules! "We were all just—" "All that blood, Doctor!" Chief "I know, I know," the chief said Garrison shook his head thought­ wearily. "You were all just friends! fully. "There just had to be some Dr. Broderick has told us she was on the killer. The lab reported a very possessive friend. She threat­ someone apparently knelt in it on ened to expose him to the hospital .the rug and that it was smeared administrator if he stopped seeing over the top of your wife's dress in her. Perhaps, with Dr. Guttman it such a way it suggested someone was exposure to his wife. Perhaps held her in his arms after he he wanted to end his affair with, stabbed her." her before his wife got back, and Before Stefan could force the she refused to let him." The chief fear from his throat, the chief was was no longer smiling. "In spite speaking again. "Then we won­ of her long absences from Water­ dered if you were keeping any­ man, I don't think Margaret Gutt­ thing back, if you were protecting man would look very kindly upon someone. Were you. Dr. Schultz? a scandal of this sort." Did you suspect who your , wife's "You're full of 'perhaps'," ob­ lover was.'' Dr. Guttman, per­ jected Stefan. "You're just guess- haps.?" ing." Stefan was shocked. "Of course "That's where the blood comes not! There never was a lover! And in," said Garrison. "From the, very Dr. Guttman!. It's ridiculous! He - first wc had the cleaners in this is my best friend!" area alerted.' They didn't clean a Garrison smiled sadly. "I'm single suit until we first checked, afraid it happens." the name of the owner and gave "Besides," returned Stefan stif­ them clearance. Yesterday Dr. fly, "he didn't like Use very much. Guttman brought several suits to He tried to stop me from bringing the cleaners on Main Street. We her over to this country. He felt almost didn't touch them, but then she would be a handicap." we decided everyone connected in

108 ALFRED HITCHCOCKS MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED any way with either you or' your suggest you have it tested; and if wife was suspect until proven dif­ you didn't believe this was the suit ferently. It was a lucky decision. I wore that day, to have you test The lab found evidence of Mrs. all my suits. That would prove I Schultz's blood on the jacket and hadn't killed Use because there on one knee of the pants." would be no blood on any of Stefan closed his eyes. Neither them. Here!" Margaret's position in Waterman He tore the coat rapidly from nor Julien's dedication to the hos­ his body. "Take it. Test it and pital had prevented Julien's in­ find him innocent." volvement. . Guilt by association! Garrison looked skeptical. "You Now he would have to tell the were our first suspect. We checked truth, no matter what it cost him. you out after hours of careful in­ He-must repair the terrible dam­ vestigation. Every minute of your age he had caused before it was story had been substantiated— too late. It was no longer Stefan's from Officer Blandin seeing you life.that was at stake; it was Juli­ leave your house at 6:45 and your en's and his - reputation and his wife picking up the newspaper marriage. from the porch shortly after seven "You are. wrong," he began in the morning—until you arrived carefully. "Lover? Use told me she back home with Dr. Guttman at had one but I didn't believe her ten." then and I don't now. Besides, that "Never mind all that!" begged suit you tested is not Julien's. It is Stefan. "Test it!" mine!" ' The chief regarded him The silence that followed hung thoughtfully. "How can you prove heavily. Then he continued. "I ex­ it's Dr. Guttman's suit.?" changed it for Julien's at the hos­ Stefan dug. his billfold from his pital. We are nearly one size and pocket. "I have his name here. I cut the suits are both dark gray and it from his coat, and I didn't have both were made by the same tailor. time to put it in mine. Go look at I didn't want you to suspect I the suit you have. If you don't find killed her. The husband," he his name where the tailor always sighed. "You know—always the sews it, hidden behind his label in husband! This suit, the one I am the inside pocket of the jacket, wearing, is JuUen's. I put it on to­ then that should be proof." He day because I thought it was I you shook the coat in his hand. "Then had suspicions about and I would examine the stitches around my

BLOOD AND LUCK 109 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED name in this one. You will 'find hospital I kept-thinking about it. that Max will swear they are not Then, after seeing a couple of my the original and that an amateur house patieiits, I was sure she had made them—nie!" been teasing me. She was a" great "Yes," said the chief, his eyes teasel". He had to force the words steady on Stefan's face, "that could out. "So I had to go back, to hear her be proof. In fact we were puzzled tell me herself she was just fool­ by that—the suit with blood on it ing, and to tell her I was sorry. having the name missing, the You see, when she said she had a stitches obviously cut—the other lover, I struck her. That was why suits intact. After all, Dr. Gutt- she had a bruise on her cheek. It. man didn't seem to be trying to was the first time, and I was sorry. cover up anything. He brought the When I went through the kitchen, suits to the cleaners himself." after using the short-cut through He took the coat and label, the Pringles', there she was in the opened the office door and called hall." He held his hand -over his to one of his men. After murmur­ eyes as though to shut out the ing instructions, he returned to memory of the next few mo­ Stefan. ments. He pressed a button- on his desk' "And then.'"' prompted Garri­ and said briskly, "Everything we son. say now will be taken down on a "And then," his hand dropped to tape recorder. You needn't say an­ his.lap, "she was struggling to get other word without a lawyer pres­ up and the knife was on the floor ent. But, later, you can go over a beside her. There was so much typewritten copy with your lawyer blood! "She tried to say sorriething and he will advise you whether to but all she could do was gasp. I sign or not. I will begin the ques­ caught her in my arms and in a tioning and you may answer or moment she was dead. The blood not as you like. Now, when did got on my knee as I lowered her you first decide to kill Mrs. to the rug." His face contorted. Schultz?" "Then—heaven help me!—I could Stefan felt as though he had think only of myself. I did the been dragged from a great dis­ damage to the desk- and the cup­ tance. He ignored the chief's board. I flushed the capsules down warning. "That morning Use told the toilet. I took the knife to the me she had a lover but she didn't cafeteria and then did the most say who it was. All the way to the unforgivable. I exchanged suits

110 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED while Julien was busy operating!" Shock treatment to rnake him do He had not cried. for Use but what he had just done^ear his there were tears in his eyes now. alibi to shreds—and now an about- "I never meant him to be face to soften him up for the con­ blamed. I swear it! I thought in fession. It was too late to pull back this town he was like Caesar's now. Stefan straightened his shoul­ wife! He is my best friend. I love ders and braced himself for the him like a brother 1" worst. The chief was intent. "Tell me The chief continued, "This pre^ exactly how you killed her." liminary report from the lab shows He answered, "I know you the coat you say belongs to Dr. won't believe me, but that's what Guttman has AB negative blood I've been trying to tell you. I did­ on the front of it. There has been n't kill'her. She had been stabbed some attempt to remove it but by someone before I returned there was still enough left in the home from the hospital." fabric. Now!" His manner be­ A buzzer on Garrison's desk came brisk again. "We'll have the sounded. His hand touched the tailor look at the suits. After that, intercom. "Send it in," he said. with your, story plus this," he in­ The uniformed man who had dicated the Pringles' statement to taken away the coat and the label Stefan, "we should have the evi­ handed the chief a slip of paper. dence we need to charge Dr. Gutt­ After carefully reading. it, he man with the murder of your looked up at Stefan. wife!" . \ "Well, Doctor," he said, "you. Stefan held the sheet of paper were right about the labels. The before him. It was not Stefan the sizes vary slightly and the stitch Pringles identified as using the marks show in which coat each shortcut through their backyard belongs. Besides that, I believe' you between seven and nine on many did not kill your wife." weekday mornings—it was Dr. He was baiting him again. Julien Guttman!

BLOOD AND lUCK 111 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED A shinny pigeon, in retrospect, cannot be expected to charac­ terize a sitting ducl{^ for a protracted length of time.

WHEN Howie Link didn't show was smart enough, and. even that Friday afternoon for our reg­ owned his own cab which he'd ular weekly poker conclave, the painted magenta "to catch the eye." rest of us were disappointed. Every so often, though, he would Howie was our favorite pigeon. It come up with a mental lapse that wasn't that he'd missed class when made you wonder, such as a cou­ the brains were distributed. Howie ple of days ago when he unvvit-

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tingly accepted a phony ten-spot from a sharpie passenger. That Friday night, while slick­ ing up for rriy date, my mood ^ wasn't exactly euphoric. When I ^^ GJVKMI^OLM^

112 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED was interrupted by a knock on my He made a vague gesture. "It door, I opened it irritably. "Yes?" wasn't much, but I had it coming Howie stood in the hall, blink­ and I decided to collect. The two ing at me. A skinny little guy with . guys had already gone into the big ears and sad brown eyes, he building, but I followed them, managed a small smile. "Hi, Gil." spotted them climbing the stairs. Not too graciously, I motioned They went in a room on the sec­ him inside. "We missed you this ond floor front." afternoon. Where were you ?" Howie paused, eyeing me. "I couldn't make it. Something "When I knocked on the door," he came up and I didn't know what to do." Sitting on the edge of the sofa, Howie blinked again. "Gil, I still don't know." I frowned, checked my watchi. I had less than thirty minutes, had yet to shave. "What happened?" "It was about one o'clock," Howie said. "These two characters came out of a delicatessen on Third, flagged me down. They looked clean-cut; hard-eyed, may­ be, but dressed real sharp. That was what bugged me right off— prosperous-looking guys toting a went on, "somebody called out, bag of groceries, and giving me wanted to know who it was. I said the address of a crummy rooming r was the cabby they'd just left, house down by the river." that I'd made a mistake and they "Get to the point." sdll owed me thirty cents. The guy "I am," Howie said soberly. swore, called out that I'd been "The meter tab was two-ninety. paid what'I'd asked, plus a half- But I misread it as two-ten. The dollar, and told me to beat it, guy who paid me off gave me a "By now, I wasn't leaving until fifty cent tip—which still left me I'd collected. I knocked hard­ thirty cents short." er and told them just that. Then It figured; misreading the meter the door was yanked open and one was characteristic of Howie. of the men jabbed me in the "And?" chest, told me to get lost. I didn't THE SITTING DUCK 113 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED want trouble but I was fired up. I it, I'm not. But ii it, was Erd­ jabbed back at the guy and half mann ..." stumbled across the threshold, but Howie's words trailed off and I didn't actually get into the room. I could appreciate his uncertainty. Jn the next second the guy knocked For all the inherent oddity, there me back into the hall and slammed could be a legitimate reason for a the door." couple of prosperous-looking char­ Howie stopped again, wet his acters toting a bag of comestibles lips. "It all happened so fast, Gil, to a dingy address, in which case that I got only a glimpse inside their harassment by a brigade of 'that room. But there was another boys in blue could result in a law­ man besides the pair I'd picked up suit. —and he looked like Ziggy Erd- Conversely, if gunman Erdmann mann." was hiding out with a duo of pals My scalp prickled. Citizen Erd- and their attempted apprehension mann was a pugnacious character by the police proved unsuccessful wanted by the collective constabu­ to the extent that one or more of lary of a dozen states; a conscience­ thern eluded capture, subsequent less heister-killer whose latest ex­ retaliation against the party or' ploit had been the slaying of a parties initiating said police action clerk in a loan company holdup could well take the form of a dose right here in town only a week of lead poisoning or similar shiid- ago. dery demise. Erdmann had escaped and, de­ "You "see, Gil.?" Howie re­ spite prompt roadblocks and thor­ sumed, sensing my cojtnprehen- ough checkouts at all departure sion. "What should we do.?" terminals, was believed to have So already it was we. I might fled the city. have chided him on my speedy Yet if Howie was correct, Erd­ involvement, but I was concentrat­ mann had not attempted to break ing on a more intriguing aspect through the blockade. Rather, regarding , Ziggy Erdmann: the along with some associates, he'd press, radio and TV had publi­ shrewdly holed up a- few dozen cized a five thousand dollar re­ blocks from the crime site, waiting ward for information leading to for the heat of the search to abate. the gunrrian's arrest and convic­ I regarded Howie sharply. tion; That called for careful con­ "You're sure.?" sideration, indeed. He shook his head. "That's just "I'm not'sure," I told Howie. "I

114 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED want to sleep on it. We'll talk thousand reward, I think it's a some more tomorrow morning. chance we should take." Until then, don't say a word to- "You mean, we just phone the anyone else." police.?" "But—" "Not right away. First, we "If it was Erdmann, they're like- - should make sure it is Erdmann." ly planning no immediate skip, Howie wrinkled his brow. "But what with those fresh groceries. how, Gil.'' If it is, he's not coming We'll think of something." out of that room for identification. Howie's original uncertainty And they sure won't let anybody persisted, but he left a couple of in." minutes later, assuring me he'd be "Fire will get Erdmann—or back bright and early the next a.m. whoever—out in a hurry." My evening's diversion was He goggled at me. "We set fire pleasant enough and I was drowsy to the building.?" when I finally hit the sack at two, "Not really. At first, I thought but I fought off sleep. I had some we might dig up a couple of hard thinking to do to resolve the smudge pots, but they'd be obvious problem of Ziggy Erdmann one if spotted, and could make our way or another. It was three- men suspicious if it is Erdmann thirty before I came up with any­ and trigger their lamming before thing. Even then I knew my deci­ we could tip the cops. sion was no stroke of genius, but I "The simplest way," I conclud­ figured it should do. ed, "is, to iTiake a commotion on Howie did show up bright and that second floor and yell, 'Fire!' early; at least he was early: eight- When the men in that room clear fifteen. I was dressed and ready for out and hit the street, it'll be easy him, with a good newspaper photo enough to make a positive identi­ of Erdmarui. fication." "You've got your cab.?" Howie remained dubious. "But He nodded, animation sparking if it is Erdmann and company, those sad brown eyes. "Think of won't they still be suspicious when something?" they realize there's no blaze.?" "Yes," I said. "Tipping the cops "Perhaps," I agreed. "On the could be unhealthy for us if any­ other hand, they may figure it for thing goes wrong afterward and some kids caper. Either way, we'll Erdmann and his pals learn who have to chance it. The main thing blew the whistle. But for that five is, they'll come out."

THE SITTING DUCK 115 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED • Howie considered my ploy; Straight-ahead. And.no tricks, see.?" then his eyes shone again as he re­ My heart tilted, the chill in my solved his doubts. "I could do the ,neck streaking down my spine. yelling while you're watching Obviously, I'd been awaited. I did­ across the street," he suggested. n't comprehend how or why, but "Nuh-uh. It would be a long as the gunsel \yho'd dupHcated my shot, but one of them just might soft-shoe act in spades nudged me be out in the >hall as you came up, into the. room ahead of us, I ceased and recognize you from yesterday. further pondering on that score. I I'll do it all. You stay in your had plenty else to consider, mainly cab." the accuracy of Hovvie's original Howie didn't relish a secondary flash identification. Ziggy Erd­ role, but he could appreciate it was mann, indeed, was one of the three best to play the percentages; "All men in the room. The other two right," he yielded. "Only if it is were a chunky, balding character, Erdmann, let me phone the cops, my host via artillery, and a thin, huh.?" big-nosed hood. "Sure," I said. "Now let's get Erdmann was a wiry individual, started." lean-featured, with a brooding In retrospect, I still think my gaze. He manufactured a humor­ gambit was logical. Not brilUant, less smile as Baldy shoved me into granted, but sound. I took care not his presence, came to the point to have Howie park in the street without ceremony. before the rooming house but to "Where's your cabby friend?" stop around the corner, out of "Who?" sight. I didn't enter the building Erdmann closed his eyes briefly. from the front but from the rear, "Don't stall, buster. We're not sure climbing an alley fence to reach a yet what your game is, but you're back door. I even tiptoed up the not playing it alone. We spotted stairs to the second floor. that bilious hack go by; ten to one As I say, all sound and cautious. there's not another like it in the Only one thing went amiss. Just as city." r poised to sneak down the hall, Great. I'd had Howie park beat a frenzied rat-tat-tat on the around the corner, but I'd stupidly portal in question and vocalize overlooked the fact that a mere convincingly, a hard circlet iced happenstance • glimpse of his ma­ the nape of my neck and a thin genta monstrosity by either Big voice said softly, "Relax, chum. Nose or Baldy might trigger their

116 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED memories—and suspicions. True, turned to Erdmann with an elabo­ Howie could have been in the vi­ rate gesture. "Just like you figured, cinity on a routine hacking trip, Ziggy. Right around the corner, but when they'd recalled yester­ waiting in that weirdo hack like a day's confrontation . . . sitting duck." Alerted, then, they had surprised Erdmann indicated he now un­ me. derstood the situation. "Make sure My heart was banging a bass it was me, somehow, then tip the drum solo on my rib cage but I. fuzz, stand by for the action, eh.?" still tried to dissemble. "I don't he summed up. know what you're talking about," I didn't bother replying; my I protested. thoughts were churning, faster Erdmann wasn't listening. than a go-go gal's hips—and cov­ "Find him," he instructed the big- ering just as much ground. nosed gunman. "He'll be in the "So maybe you'll get a little ac­ neighborhood, likely in that cab." tion," Erdmann continued. "To­ The mirthless smile came back. night, we're getting out of here, "Invite him up here too." taking you two with us. We get The hood quirked his lips as he clear, with no trouble, maybe we'll exposed a .38 automatic briefly. let you go. Any foul-up, you get it "He'll be glad to come," he prom­ first." ised. What do you say to a lovely My solo crescendocd. Being on pronouncement like that ? the spot myself was bad enough Erdmann swung back to Big without Howie being dragged in Nose. "That cab standing idle all also, but there wasn't a blasted day could look odd, maybe start thing I could do. the law snooping around. Take the Big Nose's iiivitation took less runt's cap and jacket, jockey it than ten minutes. Howie's skinny across town and ditch it. Then shoulders were shaking, his brown pick up a powerful heap for to­ eyes more mournful than ever as night, stash it out back in the alley. the gunman prodded him into the And on the Way back, grab some room. He shot me one worried more beer and sandwiches at that glance, then stood silent, mouth delicatessen. It won't hurt to stock working. up a litde." I tried to reassure him. "Easy," I Howie didn't favor relinquish­ murmured. "It'll be all right." ing his hacking habiliments. He'd Howie didn't answer; Big Nose been standing mute, hands fum-

THE SITTING DUCK 117 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED bling, dry-washing; now he balled with a bulging brown, paper sack. his fists, jammed them into his "Pick up a car okay.?" Erdmann jacket pockets, clamped elbows asked as he lifted a bottle of beer tight. from the bag. ' . It was a futile protest. Big Nose "Nice new one," the gunman merely grinned, flipped one palni said. in a stinging slap and Howie's fire Erdmann grunted, looked across died. at Howie and me. "Keep praying," My mind was still chaotic. he suggested. "If we make it, may-- Howie didn't weigh more than a be you will too." He grinned, re-' hundred pounds, wringing wet, peated, "Maybe." and while I topped that by sixty or There was no answer for that, so, my muscle texture could be eitherj^Howie and I merely traded described by only one . word: looks. Erdmann and his two gun- flabby. A physical assault on Erd- sels went back to the bag, riiunch- mann and Baldy, backed as they ing and swigging away. were with lethal hardware, was Then, out of the blue, the day's definitely out. dire dilemma abruptly coalesced So what was in? Without some into one pulsating moment—a mo­ unforeseen break, the future ap­ ment when a sharp knock sound­ peared nil. ed on the door and an authorita­ Once the evening's activities had tive voice boomed, "Open up. been charted, Erdmann and Baldy PoHce." . ignored us. Plunking us down in Erdmann swore, whipped out a couple of chairs across the room, his gun. Baldy and Big Nose did Baldy watched in stolid silence likewise. Even as he moved, fea­ while Erdmann idly absorbed the tures contorting, Erdmann ges­ educational facets of a girlie mag­ tured savagely, at Howie and me, azine. cautioning silence. "Tempus fugited. Howie kept Under the menacing sweep of biting his lips, alternately staring the roscoe, I was only too happy to at the floor and at me. I did just comply. Howie wasn't, and elected about the same. Neither _ of us. to speak; only one word, but it spoke; under the circumstances,, was aptly chosen. there didn't seem to be much "Help!" he yelled. worth broaching. Ensuing seconds can best be Finally Big Nose returned, mi­ sumrriarized as pure pandemo­ nus Howie's jacket and cap but nium. Following his outcry.

118 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTEUY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Howie dived to the floor, beating day or so. When one of them came me by a pulse beat, while Erd- back again today and passed him mann and company milled about. a bogus bill, he really got his Shots reverberated. The door wind up. He hailed a taxi and splintered, banged in. Shouts, thud­ tailed the guy here, then phoned ding feet, more shots, the reek of us. cordite . . . "Whoa," I cut in, eyeing Howie Then the room was filled, glori­ closely as a bit of sense seeped ously jamrried, with stalwart citi­ through. "You mean, you still had zens in blue uniforms and Erd- that phony ten-spot somebody mann and his two associates, al­ palmed off on you for cab fare?" . though snarling defiance, were . "Yes," Howie told me. "When I manacled and marched away and realized what that hood was going it was all over. to do, I fumbled some, managed to Realization that the whole mad crumple up that bill in my jacket caper was, indeed, concluded took pocket. I had to try something." me a minute or two. It was then So that was how "it turned out that I latched onto a question be­ that gunman Ziggy Erdmann was ing put to Howie by a stocky the real sitting duck, tripped up by lieutehant-in-charge. a skinny little pigeon named Howie "You planted that phony bill ?" Link. Howie managed a weak smile. I understand the five-G reward "Well—sort of. I just hoped that will be coming through next week, hood would use it, that maybe the and after that sharp-eyed delicates­ clerk at the delicatessen would sen manager deservedly takes a cut, spot it." I expect I'll have plenty of "friehds" "He did," the lieutenant nodded, to help me spend my share; Howie "only it wasn't a clerk, it was the too. I hope, though, Howie hangs manager. He'd already been won­ onto some for his own personal dering about a hard-looking pair use. Maybe I can persuade him to buying a stock of groceries every repaint that crazy cab. ' '

THE SITTING DUCK 119 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Wasn't it Neitzsche who said, "You can scarcely ever fathom their {women's) depths—they haven't any."

DOWN, BOY," I said when the night man put the big thick steak on the white enameled coiinter in front of me. "I didn't order that." He was a young fellow with a nice smile and sweat from the heat of the grill on his face. "Eat it," he said. "It comes from heav- can silver earrings dangled Aztec en. masks and were two inches long. "It will have to go back," I told The pancake makeup just about him. "There's only sixty-three hid the crow's feet at the corners cents in my pocket." of her eyes. The bust and shoul­ He jerked his thumb down the ders were still good—very good. counter. "She.sent it. It's all paid She suited the place, which was for. Eat in good health." ' Benny's all night restaurant in the She was the blonde at the end of tenderloin, and the hour, which the counter. As I looked she came was. four a.m. She suited fine ex­ over to the seat next to mine. Her cept for something which didn't hair was too blonde and her v-neck fit—and which I couldn't put my blouse was cut too low. Her Mexi­ finger on.

120 ALFRED-HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "Honey," I said, "there just must "Cathy," I said. "That's it. Your be some mistake." first name is Cathy." ' "No mistake, Johnny." Her "That's it, indeed?" Bitterly she. voice was low and throaty and a said it. " 'I'll never forget old lot more expensive than her Cathy what's-er-name.' I never for­ clothes, if you follow me. It was got you either, Johnny Hawk." somehow familiar. "Go on and I had some second thoughts. "Is eat, and take the question out of this a class reiinion.?" I asked. your eyes. I'll tell you who I am." "Go on and eat, and I'll tell you. I cut a big piece of steak, but No, it's not just a reunion though when r tasted it I almost gagged. it might have been. Right now I It was the first real solid food in need you, Johnny. I need you bad. days. The juice was almost too Maybe I should say I need some­ rich for my body. "I know you," I thing from you. Oh don't worry, I said. "From somewhere, I know can pay for what I want. Pay bet­ you." ter than you could ever imagine, "Not from somewhere, Johnny and in cash. Nothing for nothing, Howcker, from som&when. From Johnny Hawk." back when they first called you Nothing for nothing. That Johnny Hawk." should have been painted over the I said, "From high school, twen­ door and behind the counter at ty long years gone?" Benny's, the all night restaurant in "The third seat behind you in the middle of the strip. White ta­ algebra, senior year; two dances bles and tile floor and glaring with you at the Junior Prom. You neon, and the food was good. never carried my books, but I I did some more thinking. w'ished you would. I had brown "Cadiy Mills," I said. "Cathy, the hair then, and freckles. Lots of cop's daughter. I've got it now." freckles, and I wore sweaters and "Bingo! You finally got it." Her skirts. Do you remember at all.?" voice was flat for a change. At first I didn't. It was a long I thought, what happened? This time, and there had been so many was one of the nice ones, one of girls, then and since. Besides, I'd the girls your mother could meet. seen this one somewhere else and Little Cathy Mills, clean-cut and not long ago. I put some ketchup honest, freckle-faced and nice. Of on the french fries, and then it course she knew what I was think­ was the tone of her voice that cued ing. me at last. That hadn't changed. "What happened, Johnny? You

POTNT-OF-AIM 121 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED 122 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED want to know what happened? "It's big enough for two. You Well, I'll tell you—all you need to can stay here for a while, Johnny. know anyway—but not here. Lat­ Plenty of others have." er, at my place. I've got an apart­ "Your half will be all yours," I ment, two flights up, over the said. Happy Hour Bar." "From one old friend to anoth­ I knew then where I'd seen her er? I always did like you." lately. Not her, exactly, but her Cathy fixed me a drink and we picture on a poster outside the sat on the couch in the front room. Happy Hour, wearing a fistful of Outside the windows the black spangles and a fan. sky was beginning .to grey a little. She spotted that too. "Sure, Down in the alley a tomcat that's me. I entertain. I dance. squalled frustration at the dawn. How do you like that, Johnny? "You never did come back here Would you like to see me dance? after college," she said, "so you Would you now, Johnny?" haven't kept up with things here." '•'No," I said, "I would not." She was right.-After I'd drunk "I'm glad, Johnny. Honestly I'm myself out of the athletic scholar­ glad; though I'd need you anyway ship at State I'd just kept drifting right now." from one job to another. Later it After I finished the steak and a was from one activity for another. piece of pie we walked through Except for the spell in the army, it the dark streets to her place and had gotten rougher and rougher. climbed the age-rotten musty steps Sometimes I came back for a visit, in the old building. The apart­ but after the folks "died I'd stopped ment was clean and cheerful. even that. It was pure accident I She'd decorated it with pictures, was in town now. Frankly, I was including a couple of half-good on the run and just passing new oils. The kitchenette was through. I hadn't kept.up with spotless. From the front window I any of the old gang because I could see through a break in the hadn't any news that I wanted high buildings to the river front. them to hear. All my possessions The big bedroom was mostly were in the single battered bag bed, a big double job with a neon standing over against the • wall. pink spread and lots of little throw Cathy wasn't the only one who cushions piled up. I knew that had changed. sort of bed. She didn't try to bluflE "I'm not even sure I know why I me. recognized you tonight," she said.

POINT-OF-AIM 123 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED "Maybe Vd rather not know. Any­ and I send money. Lately I don't way I did, and seeing you made up want her to see me." my mind about something I've got I reached over and took her to do. If youll help, it's possible. hand. She held onto mine like a I'll fill you in. You know my fa­ child. . ther was a police lieutenant and "I've got to do something for the slated to be captain. After you left kid, Johnny. And I've got to do town he was brought up on something about the man who charges of bribery and fired. Pete framed Pop. If you help me, I can Mills, the honest cop, was tossed do both at once. Everything's just out like a bum. When he couldn't right for it now. It's the one-in-a- clear himself, it broke his heart. million chance I've waited for. He shot himself with his own There'll be plenty in it for you too. giin. He was framed." This can be your big strike. Be­ "They always are," I said. "Not" lieve me, it can." one man in stir is guilty." "Tell me more," I said. "You're wrong, Johnny. Dead "You don't know the local wrong. I know my pop. I know news," she said. "Big Herman he never took a bribe. I even know Schmidt was killed a couple of who framed him and why, but I months" ago. Some out-of-town couldn't prove it then and I can't bum broke in and killed him in how. It broke Mom's heart .too. his own house; the Big,Man him­ She just faded away within a year self, knocked over by some two-bit after we buried Pop. Then I just punk. That took the cover oflf the fell apart. That's it, Johnny. I just man I want—Police Captain big fell apart. You know Pop had me Charley—Charley Greco, the man taking college prep courses in­ who framed Pop to save his own stead of business. I couldn't do neck and clear the way for pro­ anything useful, had no relatives motion. Maybe to get him out of to go to. I didn't care. I took a Herman's way too, I don't know. waitress job and started to drink All I know is, Greco's my man and run around. What else was and all these years Herman pro­ there to do.? I was married for a tected him. Now he hasn't got year. His name was Harry and he protection. • The honest cops are was killed in Korea in the big re­ closing in on him. He's scared and treat. I have a kid—a daughter, he's wide open, and it's now or Cathy junior—but I don't keep never for you and me, Johnny." her here. She's with foster parents "You want to. kill him. Okay," I

124 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED told her, "that I can see. But want him to pick up his gun Hke where's the money in it? You Pop did. So there'll be no killing." talked about a big strike." I didn't like that part. I could "Don't be a fool, Johnny. think of a couple of things Cathy'd Greco's been grafting and stealing forgotten, but I decided to go all these years. Where do you along. The thing was too good to think his money is.?" let drop. "In property in his wife's name, It was alrnost dawn when we if he's smart," I guessed. got into the big bed. I kept my "Wrong. Wrong, Johnny. Char­ word and let her have her half. ley's wife hates him. She doesn't After sleeping the clock around I trust him and he doesn't trust her, awoke to find steak and eggs on a real love match. She has some of the stove, and coffee strong it, sure, but not much. Besides, enough to, stand the spoon in. property can be traced; and Char­ While we ate, she filled me in on ley knows they're breathing down the way she had it planned. It was his neck. He must know. He'll be simple enough. cashing everything, and he'll have "Charley always did drink a it with him. He must be just about lot," Cathy said. "Since Herman ready to blow the country. Now's got his, he's really been pouring it the time, Johnny. Now, before down. Trying to keep from being somebody else thinks of it." scared, I guess. Anyhow 'he came "So," I said, "we kill him and in the Happy Hour one night take the loot. I can buy that." when I was dancing, and liked "No," Cathy said bitterly, "we -what he saw. At first, he was con­ don't kill him. That's too easy for tent to watch, and then he began Charley Greco. We rob him, and to want a lot more. He keeps com­ he can't even squawk. It's all sto­ ing back for the show. That's all len money. He can't admit he ever he's had so far, a chance to watch had it, let alone that we took it. me dance." Without it he's dead. He can't riinp I looked at Cathy and I hated to and he can't buy his way out. The think of her doing that dance. big lawyers want big money. With her makeup off she was a When they blow the whistle on handsome woman. It wasn't little Charley, he's had it. That's what I Cathy Mills anymore, of course. want. I want him in a corner like The freckle-faced kid was as dead Pop was, only worse. I want Char­ as her pop. This was a woman ley Greco to cry his guts out. I with a woman's body. In spite of

POINT-OF-AIM 125 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED everything, her eyes" were clean, said^ "For the sake of the old-time. and that husky voice made things Cathy, the old-time Johnny, will come alive inside me. I began to stand still for that split." hate Captain Greco a little on my She reached over and kissed me. own account. Her eyes were moist. "Next time he comes in," she "You'd better watch that," I went on, "I'll let him proposition said. "That could get to be habit me again; only this time I go for - forming." it. I'll tell him he can't come up She didn't look as if she'd mind here—that I go steady with the too much if it did. boss and he'd beat me for it—but It turned out that we had four I'll go out to his place with him. days to wait before our chance He's got a house out on the edge came, but we had plenty to do to of town, and his wife has been in fill up the time. For one thing, I Florida all winter. He'll go for it. had to famiharize myself with As soon as it's set, I'll run up here routes and driving conditions in and tip you. You take my old the city. Timing might be impor-- jalopy and drive out there and tant, and a lot had changed since wait. When we show up, you and I'd lived here. I take him inside. Of course he Too, I had to case the setup at \vpi\'t want to show us where the Greco's home. I didn't try to get money is." in, of course, but I did cruise the "I'll persuade him," I said. whole area thoroughly. He had a "That will be a real pleasure." new house in the $40,000 class sit­ "Okay, we persuade him. Then ting almost by itself on a hill out­ we tie him up so he can work side of the town. From the looks loose after a while. I'll have a bag of the fencing he owned three or packed and in the car so we can ' four acres, most of it covered with blow town right from there. We second growth elm and scrub oak. don't come back here at all. We The drive, which was about three split the.money three ways. One hundred yards long, made one for you, one for me, and one so long curve down a rather steep that kid of mine does get to col­ hill and connected directly with lege. After all, the idea is mine the main four-lane highway lead­ and I don't want her ever dancing ing north and west. The highway hke me." She looked at me ques- was heavily travelled. Almost di­ tioningly. rectly across from the Greco house I had thought fifty-fifty, but I a two-lane blacktop road twisted

126 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED through heavy brush, up a smaller new and better one—using Char­ hill, and connected with another ley's money, of course. Pleasant- road of the same sort which led field is a highway junction and back to town. There were houses nobody would know which of six like Greco's scattered on both sides alternate routes we took out of of the highway, but none of them there. Besides, I had ideas of my close enough that their owners own about Greco's following. I would notice anything unusual at didn't talk about them to Cathy. his place. Not even a scream We did have plenty of time to would be heard, and a shot would talk, of course. I didn't want to be only be a pop like a car exhaust. recognized, so I.stayed in Cathy's Even late at night there was apartment most of the time. She enough trucking and fast through- worked from nine in the evening traffic on the road to muffle most till aroimd three a.m. The rest of sounds. From where I sat the the time we were together. whole thing was just about per­ "It was sheer luck I recogiiized fect.- you the other night," she said one I took Cathy's old car to a me­ afternoon. "The idea for this caper chanic and had it given a complete has been in my mind ever since tune-up and a set of new, but me­ Herman was shot, but I knew I dium priced, tires. couldn't do it alone. I had to have Cathy packed a bag with the a man to handle Charley. Just any things she wanted to take and put man wouldn't do, either. I didn't it with my bag in the trunk of the know anybody I could trust in car. She was leaving most of her town here—just small-time punks stuff. "A new life," she said, "de­ or people already scared to death serves new clothes, and for once of Greco. Then I saw you sitting I'll be able to afford them." there, an answer to prayer." I would have preferred a new "What I don't get," I said, "is car. I knew the old one was regis­ why you decided all of a sudden tered in Cathy's name and might that you could trust me. Most peo­ be traced, but we just didn't have ple who know me would say the cash for a new one. I figured you'd lost your marbles." it was all right though. The town She laughed. "Oh, I'd heard of of Pleasantfield was only about a you from time to time. The word six-hour drive on the route we gets around our sort of people. were taking. We could abandon . Besides, I knew you, so I remem­ the old car there and pick up a bered what I heard. It was all

POINT-OF-AIM 127 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED what I wanted—soldier of fortune, "You were young then," I said. smuggler, strong-arm, gambler, "No younger than the other but no record of dope. Hard, but waitress on that first job, Johnny. not dirty. It fitted with the Johnny She went to night school and got Hawk I knew. Then when I saw to be a secretary. Now she has you order just pie and, I knew three kids and a good husband you needed money. It wasn't hard and a nice home." to decide to sound you out. Was I "You have me," I said with a wrong trace of bitterness. For answer I pulled her to me "Stop it. That's not what I and kissed her. She responded meant. I guess I didn't have what eagerly. it takes, Johnny. Whatever it was, I Again, in the evening before she just didn't have it! I only had went down to do the early show, enough not to go quite all the way she wanted to talk seriously. "I down." guess you've been wondering I tddher, "It doesn't matter about me, Johnny." now." "I have," I said, "but we don't "Oh, yes, it does. Now, maybe need to talk. I like you as you are I can start back up. I'rii Pete Mills' and no questions." daughter, and there are soiiie "That's nice of you." Her face things I couldn't- do; I can't kill was tender. "That's you, Johimy, Charley Greco. Pete Mills' daugh­ but I've asked myself a lot of ques­ ter couldn't stand murder. You tions all these years. How did I see, Johnny." really get here.?" "I see." I put an arm around her. "You "When we get this over with, told me. I don't blame you. How I've got to start back up again. I did I get here myself.?" just hope it isn't too late. This hit She ignored that. "No, Johnny, can make it possible for us. Can't it's not that easy. What happened it, Johnny.?" made a good excuse for me to give I'd been doing some thinking on myself, but I don't think I believe my own. "One thing, honey, there it any more. Other girls have been may not be any money. He may in worse spots and not ended up not have it there. If that's so, you in the Happy Hour. Why did I go and r have got to start back up to pieces instead of hanging on to ; anyway. We'd better make up our what the folks had taught me.? minds to that. Win or lose, this is Why?" . our chance. Maybe our last

128 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED chance, so let's make it good." When I got out there, I turned She sat for a long while before into the blacktop across the high­ answering, then, "I'm kind of glad way from Charley's and parked you see it that way, Johnny. the car in a clump of bushes a cou­ That's the way it's got to be." ple of hundred yards back, on It was the fourth rlight after hard ground and hidden from she'd spotted me that Cathy ran passing traffic. I left the key in the upstairs with the news. It was only ignition so Cathy could use the car 9:30, just before the first show at even if I wasn't with her, in case the Happy Hour. "He's here, Greco was tougher than I had any Johnny, and he's, drunk already. reason to believe. Then I walked Honey, this is it! I told him I'd go back across the highway and up with him right after this show. his drive. The house was dark, not That gives you time to get out even an outside light burning. there and get set. I'll tell the boss I From now on every single move feel sick, and then after the show I made was thought out in ad­ say I'm too sick to work the rest vance. I had all my gear in an or­ of the night. I've done it before. dinary canvas flight bag. There When Greco parks at his place, I'll was a pry bar, screwdriver, and keep his attention." a piece of flat plastic in case we I looked at her body under the had to force the lock (if Greco spangles and her heavy makeup. fought and was killed), There was "I'll bet you will." I pulled her to a flashlight and a pair of wire-cut­ me for a hard kiss. "Don't worry, ting pliers and a coil of new cot­ honey. I'll be there." ton clothesline. I wanted it new When she, ran back down the and stiff so it couldn't be tied too stairs I took my gun out of the tight and he could twist himself dresser drawer. It was a dull black loose after we left. There was an 38 special with a four-inch barrel. extra box of .38s, and a dress and When I use a gun, I want to know pair of old shoes for Cathy to I can hit, point-of-aim. change into (she'd still be in cos­ I placed the gun in a spring hol­ tume and wrapper, of course). I ster under my left arm, then went crouched in the bushes near the downstairs and got Cathy's car out door and waited. of the parking lot. I drove out to Right on schedule I saw Greco's Greco's place, but I didn't hurry. big, white convertible coming on The last thing I needed that night the lighted highway. I heard it too. was a traffic ticket. He was an aggressive driver. The

POINT-OF-AIM 129 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED car was souped up so it roared, and get away with a trick like this—" he drove like a fool, or a drunk, cut­ I hit him again, not too hard. ting in and out of traffic. The car '.'Shut up, Greco. We want the loot swung up the drive to the graveled you've piled up for a getaway. We circle at the top and slammed to a want all of it. And when you give stop in a spray of pebbles. He must it to us, we're going out of here have really tromped his brake. I quiet and easy. You won't put the grinned in the dark. law on us because you can't. Re­ Cathy was beside him on the member how you got the loot, front seat. When he stopped, she Charley. You can't admit you ever leaned over and kissed him while had it. Herman's dead now, you I came up behind and put the bum. Your cover's gone, and the .muzzle of the .38 to the back of honest law is after you, not us." his neck. He was so drunk and steamed up he didn't even feel it for a minute. When he did, the shock half sobered him. Cathy took his own gun out of the belt holster and we all went inside. Greco was white as a sheet. He'd killed plenty of men in gun "battles" when he was The Law and the odds were all on his side. This was different. This called for a brand of guts his kind of killer just doesn't own. He went along like a lamb. We took the clothesline and tied him bolt upright in one of the I stopped while he thought it heavy dining room chairs. He over. "I. don't have much," he tried to talk but only stuttered at whined. "My wife has most of it in first. I slapped him, hard. non-negotiable bonds. You know "You know who I am.?" he fi­ what those are.? I never kept much nally managed. anyway; The horses—" "Sure, you're Charley Greco. A "When I want fairy tales," I said, killer, the big law, all those things. "I'll go see a Disney picture. Is it You're a bum tied to a chair." buried or in a wall safe.?" "Whatta you want? You'll never He said, "Buried," but his eyes

130 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED gave him away. He sighed wearily. gotten, things I'd never overlook. I took out the pUers and showed When I went inside Cathy was them to him. Then I went around ready. Greco just sat there and behind him where his hands were whimpered. I guess he was adding tied and appHed the pliers to his up the price he'd paid for the loot left thumb. The big bum whim­ we had in the flight bag. It was all pered like a hurt animal. he'd gotten out of cheating and "Now, Charley," I said, "you killing and betraying his trust. It just think o£ the worst possible was his Ufe. Now it was going to thing I could do to you with these vanish like that other loot at "the pliers. I'm going to do it unless end of the rainbow. Charley was you tell us right now where the sick. safe is, and what the combination We put everything back in the is. I mean it." bag. Both of us had worn cotton He knew I meant it. He fell gloves in the house, so there apart and told us. weren't any prints. We were ready When I opened the safe there to go. were some .paper-wrapped packets Charley's eyes were glazed. He of bills, at least $100,000, and some knew what had to come next, and legal papers, the traditional little looked as if he'd almost welcome black notebook, and what looked it. like an account book. I put every­ "No, Captain," I said, "I'm not thing in the canvas bag. going to kill you. The lady doesn't '"Change your clothes now," I want you dead. She knows you told Cathy. "I'm going to check his can't report this heist. She wants car for another gun." I slipped the you alive when the D.A. catches flashlight and pliers in my pocket up." It satisfied Cathy. and went out. Greco closed^his eyes to hide the Sure enough, there was a sawed cold murder rising there, but I off 12 gauge (just pistol grip and knew he'd be after us as soon as ten inches of barrel) held under his hands were free. That loot was the dash by clips where Greco , his life. could get at it. I took the shells out Cathy said quietly, "Remember and threw them and the gun as far Pete Mills, Mr. Greco? This is a as I could into the brush. Then I present from him." She couldn't got down and slipped under the keep it back any longer. car-for a few seconds. I kept re­ Greco jumped like she'd put a membering things Cathy had for- hot wire to him. I knew then that

POINT-OF-AIM 131 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED he had definitely framed Pete. convertible swerved and went on We closed the door behind us, its side right under the wheels of went down the drive and watched a big trailer truck coming up at our chance to cross the highway. sixty per. Charley vvas dead. It was only about eleven o'clock Cathy started shaking in my and the traffic was still heavy with arms. "The fool," she said. "Why, trucks, and people heading home. oh why, didn't he brake.""' We crossed and went to Cathy's "Crazy mad, honey," I said. I car. knew better of course. Greco lived Just as we turned into the there. He knew the traffic. He'd bushes, light flared back at the stomped the brake at the last min­ Greco house as Charley burst out ute, like he always did, but this and left the door standing open. time he'd stomped it all the way He'd twisted loose quicker than I down to the floor. That's what thought. happens when a brake line has The motor of the convertible been cut and the fluid has drained roared, then Greco came around out. the circle in a spray of gravel and As we took the back road which down to the highway, picking up would eventually connect with speed. At the foot of the hill the Route 16 to, Pleasantfield, Cathy car never even slowed, but shot • was very quiet, and back on the right out into traffic. A hot little highway the convertible crisped in sports car took him broadside. The its own flaming gasoline.

Dear Fans: It is always a pleasure to welcome new members into the ALFRED HITCHCOCK FAN CLUB, and it is very rewarding to hear from our enthusiastic and loyal present members. Membership dues are one dollar. (Please do, not send stamps.) Fan Club members will receive an autographed photo of Mr. Hitchcoc\, his biography, and a bulletin of current news, issued four times a year. All mail should be addressed to: ALFRED HITCHCOCK FAN CLUB, P.O. Box 5425. Sherman Oa\s. Calif orma 91401 I want to than\ all of you for your interest. Most sincerely, Pat Hitchcock

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THE trouble with you," Mildred Cross said, her face scarlet with rage, "is that you're absolutely con­ vinced that girl is a sweet young '"T^ thing." "^ ~

"But she is," Ken retorted. "I we were to be like a mother and can't understand your attitude, Mil- father to her, but that hasn't been dred. I thought it was the under- the way it's worked out. She might standing that when she came here just as well be a servant."

BH^\(S}\]^

A SWEET YOUNG THING 135 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED -Mildred laughed, scornfully. She anything as far as you're con­ was a tall, well-built woman with cerned, won't it?" hair that had been bleached to a Ken looked away. Why did she silvery white. Everything about her always have to bring her money was immaculate, from the highly into the discussion ? After all, he polished; leather oi. her Italian san­ had a gop~d business and didn't ask dals to the crisp white silk of her her for anything. If she wanted to blouse. spend some of her small fortime ori "She.wasn't a responsibility that extras for the house, it was no con­ I wanted to take on," she said cern of his. She had a maid before sharply. "How do you think I felt June came, but he noticed that it when she just turned up here? I had not taken her more than a hadn't even seen her mother for week to fire the girl. Then, gradu­ fifteen years, not since June was a ally, June had taken over aU the baby; We never were close, Frances duties except those of the cook, and and I. Not like real sisters." - Mildred kept talking about what a "June is still your niece," Ken good thing it was for young people protested. to earn their way. "What you mean is, she's my re­ "She wants to go back to college sponsibility," Mildred snapped. in the fall," Ken said now. "What They were standing beside the are you going to do about that?" oval swimming pool. The mid- "She doesn't have a bean,"-Mil­ afternoon sun was hot. Ken pulled dred reminded him, "and colleges his sweater over his head and sat cost money." down on one of the deck chairs. "You've got plenty of that." ' "I'm thirsty,'-' Mildred^ said, Ken got out of the deck chair reaching, for the bell on the table. and stared down at her. Ken caught her hand. "Don't talk to me that way," Mil­ "Don't ring for that poor kid," dred flared. "That girl . comes he said. "She's at your beck and call along with no more claim on me all day. If you want a maid, Mil­ than the fact that she's my niece dred, why don't you hire someone.? and just—just settles in. Now, There's nothing to stop you.'' don't interrupt me, Ken. I know She looked at hirn, her green that I told her mother that I'd be eyes narrowed. the girl's godmother, but I hadn't "It's not a question of money, is planned on anything like this. it, darling?" she said with acid How did I know she was going to sweetness. "My money. It will buy be an orphan? All right, so she's

136 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED here. I don't want her, but she's came aware that someone was here. I ask her to help around the standing nearby. He opened his house, and she does. At least, I eyes and saw June. guess you'd call it help. She's a bit She. was wearing a red bathing slovenly, in case you hadn't no­ suit, too brief, but what all the ticed, but she rearranges the dust.". young girls wore now. Where Mil­ Lighting a cigarette with quick, dred was angular, June was genlJy sharp movements, she continued, rounded. Her skin, was tanned to "And what's she getting in return? the color of bronze. Her long black All this, that's aU." hair hung straight about her shoul­ Mildred turned and pointed up ders. She had a bathing cap in her at the house. It was set on a slight hand. rise beyond the pool, with terraced "I hope," she said slowly, "that lawns between. It was a showplace, you and Aunt Mildred haven't and Ken hated it. He had paid for been fighting over me." it himself, because Mildred had in­ Her voice was sweet, low, gentle, sisted this was where she wanted to as unlike Mildred's as a voice live, but he knew that everyone in - could be. Sweet, that was the word town-imagined it must have been that always came to his mind. She bought with her money. was very, very sweet. "And now," Mildred said scorn­ "I know Aunt Mildred doesn't fully, "she wants to go back to col­ want me here," she was saying lege. Well, things aren't the same as now. Her voice broke just a bit, they were when her parents were and she turned to stare out over the alive, and she'd better get that pool. through her head pronto." "Don't be absurd," Ken told her. She went walking off across the "We want you very much." ' lawn, a slim figure, beautiful— He was going to say something from a distance. In a few minutes about the daughter they had never Ken heard the car start and knew had, but suddenly. the girl was in that, as always when she was an­ his arms, sobbing. He touched the gry, she was going to drive along soft black hair, gingerly at first, the highway too fast, risking her and then contentedly, as though life and that of everyone else. He she were a child—and that was closed his eyes, and lay back, feel­ what she was, a child. He held her ing the sun beating against him. tighter. Gradually, through the drowsiness That was the beginning. His mo­ which was engulfing him, he be­ tives were flawless. He wanted to A SW^ET yOUNG THING 137 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED make the girl feel at home, make actually, that they abandoned places her feel that they loved her. Of like the zoo, and began to go out course it was perfectly clear that evenings instead. June told him Mildred didn't love her, and that that she was nineteen and had left only him; and June was so never been inside a nightclub. She sweet, so affectionate. sounded so wistful, so he had taken After that day by the swimming her. He felt this sort of outing pool, Ken never touched June— would be a little more difficult to not for weeks—but he planned lit­ explain to Mildred, so he made ex­ tle expeditions now and then, in cuses; not lies. June pretended she the afternoons, places to go that he had . a boyfriend whom she met thought would amuse her. down in the village. Mildred was Of course, he always asked Mil­ glad to have her out of the way dred to go along, too, .and she just and didn't ask awkward questions, as consistently laughed at him. He knew it seemed silly, the places they went; the zoo, for one. He liadn't been there since he was twelve, and he had been afraid after they had started out that it would be dull. Instead, they spent four hours wandering from cage to cage, laughing uproariously at the monkeys, eating cotton candy. It was as though, suddenly, he was a boy again. That was the way June treated him, sometimes; and sometimes he was the older man of whom she asked advice. Sometimes he was a father, and she would" playfully run her long fingers through his hair. She liked to touch him. When they walked, she wanted him to hold her hand. She was so very in­ nocent; so very sweet. Ken didn't know when it was,

138 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED and it was easy for Ken to get out, in the car on some deserted road. June met him at'the corner of the Sometimes it was very difficult to road, and got into the car, laugh­ remember that she was a child. ing,, her hair glistening in the Then the whole thing came to moonlight. There was nothing an end. Mildred appeared in his of­ wrong in what they were doing. It fice one day, carrying a manila en­ was so much fun to show her the velope. She told his secretary that nightlife of the city, so exciting to she didn't want to be disturbed. hear her low laughter, intriguing She didn't want to be disturbed. It to hear her giggle when she was al­ was humihating, coming into his lowed to have a glass of cham­ office, taking oyer. pagne. "I don't know what's the matter It was strange that all of this was with you," Ken told her, hanging not enough for Ken. He was rest­ onto the end of the desk to keep less. He wanted June to have more. himself from grabbing her by the % That was why he took the pin. throat. "If this sort of thing ever It was Mildred's, technically. Ac­ happens again, I'll leave you. 1 tually it was his. He had bought it swear it." for Mildred ten years before but "You'll leave me on top of the she had thrown it into her jewelry biggest scandal this town has ever box and never worn it. It was not had," she said, thin-lipped. her sort of thing, she had said cas­ She tore open the manila enve­ ually; but' it was just right for lope and reports tumbled all over June, a tiny blue diamond in the his desk, reports from a detective center of a rose fashioned out of . agency. Obviously Mildred had gold. been having him and June followed June was delighted with the pin, right from the beginning, right and kissed him gravely on the from the zoo to the afternoon mov­ cheek. It was odd how her attitude ies to the clubs to the deserted toward him had changed. She was roads. not often the little girl any longer. "And now she has the nerve to Instead, there were flashes of the flaunt herself in front of me," Mil­ mature, understanding woman she dred shrilled, "wearing that pin; could be. More and more often that diamond pin you gave me." Ken found himself telling her "What are you going to do ?" about Mildred, how unhappy she Ken asked her, his face white. made him, and June was a wonder­ "Divorce you," Mildred said ful listener, sitting close beside him through her teeth. "With lots of

A SWEET VOUNC THING 139 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED publicity. You're going to lose me was spread out around her head al­ and the money as well. And she'll most as though it had been ar­ lose, too. She was my heir, I sup­ ranged. When he raised her head, pose, after you. I don't have any he saw that the back of it had been other relatives. She might have had beaten into a bloody pulp. The everything I have one day. But not poker with which it had been doiie now! And, furthermore, the little was on the floor beside her. witch is going to know about it to­ He called the police. Matt Has­ night!" kell, in charge of homicide, came. She was screaming now. Ken Ken had known him ever since cook her by the shoulders and they were boys together, arid he saw shook her until she stopped. As she the odd look in Matt's eyes when went running through the outer he introduced him to June. office, he watched the clerks turn • She had beeii in bed,, and Ken and stare after her. She had prom­ had gotten her up only when Matt ised to make a scandal. As far as insisted. He had broken it to her he. was concerned, it was already gently, and she was crying quietly made. now, a childlike figure in a long Ken stayed in

140 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED voice you heard, June?" Matt said. "Oh, yes. When she and Uncle "Oh, yes." June's eyes were Kenneth—well, when they argued." round, Uke blue spangles. "In fact Ken stared at the girl incredu­ she told me to come in. She was lously. Uncle Kenneth! She had sitting right here. She . . ." The never called him that before. It had girl went white and put her hand been Ken between them, right to her head. from the beginning. "That's all right, dear," Ken said. "I think you ought to put off an­ "Take your time." swering aiiy more questions until "She'd been crying," June told tomorrow, June," he said. "You're him. "Her makeup was all smeared. obviously very upset." She said she didn't want to be both­ Matt stared at him, his eyes cold. ered for the rest of the evening, so "You don't mind talking, do you, I ate something, watched television June?" he said. for awhile, and then I went to bed." "No. Not if I can be of help." "Are you certain that she didn't Matt smiled. "That's a good girl. say anything else.?" Matt probed You say that your aunt and uncle gendy. quarreled?" June's eyes widened. "Of course, "Yes." I'm sure," she told him. "Whit else She looked at Kenneth uncer­ should she have said}" tainly, as though he should tell her Ken thought it strange that Mil­ what to. do. He shook his head at dred had not told June that she her, but Matt saw him. was disinheriting her as she had "I'd prefer it if you'd go out into threatened to do that afternoon in the hall until I finish questioning his office. Mildred usually did ex­ Miss Gray," Matt said. "If you'll actly what she said she would do. justgo along with that officer." He supposed he should be grateful "She should be informed of "her that this once she had not. Now rights!" Ken protested. "She has a Jime need never know about the right to get a lawyer." hatred her aunt had felt for her. "She doesn't need a lawyer," "Do you know what your aunt Matt said slowly. might have been unhappy about.'"' Only later, when Ken was stand­ Matt asked. ing in the hall with a policeman on June stared at him and shook her either side of him, did he realize head back. "Not that unhappy." exacdy what Matt had said. He "Had you ever seen her cry be­ couldn't mean "that!. He couldn't fore?" suspect him of murdering Mildred.

A SWEET ..YOUNG THING 141 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED He had been at the office. Someone of Aunt Mildred's favorite pieces. must have seen him. Someone . , . She wore it all the time." Ken was told to go,back into the Over Matt's head, Ken's eyes met Hbrary. June was sobbing, and Matt the girl's. An aching coldness set­ was running his fingers across her tled in his stomach. He could see hair. Ken knew how that felt. He Mildred telling her that she would remembered all too well how that lose any chance of inheriting that felt. money as soon as she could get the Matt straightened when he saw will changed; and he could see Ken. • "I'm sorry," he said, "but June picking up the poker and you're going to have to come down bringing it down on Mildred's to headquarters with mei" head again and again, while Mil­ "What's she been telling you?" dred, clutching out in panic, pulled Ken demanded. "I'm not responsi­ the pin from the girl's dress. ble for this. I was at the office until "Now, my dear," Matt was say­ a few minutes ago. June was the ing, "you'd better get some,rest. I one who was alone" here with Mil­ don't think you should stay here dred. She— alone, though. Why don't you "Don't try to involve this child," come home with me.? You'll like Matt said between his teeth. He Alice. She's my wife." was obviously an outraged man. He smiled down at the girl in a "One thing before we go. Do you fatherly way, as she moved across recognize this.'"' the room toward him, avoiding the He pulled something out of his place where Mildred's body lay. pocket. It was the diamond pin.- "Alice will be happy to have "We found this in your wife's you," Ken heard Matt say as he hand," Matt said to Ken. "The pin and the girl went through the door was open, as though she had just into the corridor. "You know, it's a pulled it off. Was it hers ?" darned shame that anything like "Oh, yes!" June exclaimed before this had to happen to a sweet Ken could say a word. "It was one young thing like you."

142 ALFRED HITCHCOCKS MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED A perceptive man can grasp another's point of view, and even come to adopt it.

^ WOVELETTE ^ 9iU^ Oj2i^ • -^' • *2Sl Oifa coat that made her look something Hke an overweight teddy bear. She waddled over to where I was sit-, ting on the first stool at the coun­ ter. "I %vant to ask you about some-, thin', Ben," she said. "Ask away." "It's this John Scott, the fella you brung to my place yesterday.

ALONG about mid-morning you can usually find me at Si Hagen's drugstore on Main Street, having a mug of Si's fair to middling cof­ fee. I was there that Tuesday morning when Maude Braswell came in. Maude was all bundled up against the cold in a shaggy M^m^ THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY 143 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Do you know anything about manners and high-priced clothes.'' him?" . I leaned back in my chair and "Nary a thing except what he looked up at the dingy ceiling. told us. Why?" - Maude Braswell is a plump, mid­ Maude cut a glance at Si Hagen, dle-aged widow who runs a board- who was sort of hovering behind irighouse. Oftentimes she makes the counter, his big ears cocked our you think she ain't too bright, but way. "Maybe we could step over to I knew better from long experi­ your office," Maude said. ence. I looked at her and saw she "What'd Scott do? Leave a ring wasn't kidding, so I put down my in the bathtub?" I asked. coffee mug and followed her out Maude didn't smile. "What he of the drugstore. did was pace around his room • It was a miserable cold day in most of last night—after claimin' late November, with a sharp wind at suppertime that he was so tired blowing and lead-colored clouds and wore out from his long trip just above the bare top branches of down here." the trees along Main Street. I hun­ "Maybe he was too tired to kered my chin down into the col­ sleep. That happens/' lar of my sheepskin jacket and "Fiddlesticks," Maude snorted. held on to the brim of my hat "Man don't stalk around in the with both hands. Maude and me middle of the night, moanin' and didn't waste any time getting cussin' because he's tired, Ben. Car­ across Main and into my office. son." She sagged into a chair to catch I frowned across the desk at her breath while I went around her. "Who was he cussin'?" behind my desk and sat down. I "Hisself, far as I could make out. said, "Now, what's this about John I give him the back bedroom on Scott?" the second floor, you know, which Maude looked past me at the is just above my room. He prob'ly barred door of the one fair-sized didn't realize anybody could hear cell that serves as the town jail. It him. That old house looks a lot was empty, as it usually is. She more solid and soundproof than it brought her bright blue gaze back really is." to me. "Uh huh. Buildin' inspector "There's somethin' wrong with would likely put you out of busi­ that fella," Maude said. "He ain't ness—if we had a buildin' inspec­ what he appears, for all his good tor here in Roman Nose."

144 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Maude kind of huffed and pigskin suitcase over to Maude's puffed at that, but I was busy house, the only place in town thinking about John Scott. where you can rent a room and He'd come in on the bus late the get decent meals to go with it. afternoon before. I was hanging There, I stalled around in the around the bus station, for no par­ front hallway long enough to hear ticular reason, and he walked over him tell Maude he'd be in Roman to me and asked how to get to a Nose for two or three days. hotel. Then as Maude started to take He was fairly tall and broad in him upstairs to show him the the beam, wearing a gray suit and room, Scott paused long enough overcoat that hadn't come off any to take a big, appreciative sniff. rack at a discount store. He ap­ There was a tangy smell in the air. peared to be around my age—fifty Maude explained that she was or. so—though a lot more pros­ cooking up a batch of mincemeat perous than I'd ever been. He for pies. Thanksgiving was just wasn't happy when I told him two days off. "Hope you'll be here there hadn't been a hotel in Ro­ for Thanksgivin' dinner," Maude man Nose since the old LaGrande went on. "Turkey and all the burned down, ten, fifteen years trimmin's." ago. "Sounds delicious," Scott said. He didn't whoop with joy, ei­ The two of them went on upstairs ther, when I introduced myself, and I left. and added that I was a deputy Now,, in the dinky sub-station sheriff, in charge of the sheriff's office on Tuesday morning, Maude sub-station here. was saying, "At supper last night All in all he seemed a pleasant Doc Horner and old man Daw- enough fella, though, - if a little kins";—Maude was referring to her nervous and preoccupied. Claimed two permanent. roomers—"they he was a .lawyer from Wichita, jockied around, tryin' to find out Kansas, and was down here to Mr. Scott's business here and the clear up a legal matter. like. Wouldn't say a word about it, In my usual discreet, round­ he wouldn't. Most of the time he about way, I up and asked him, just sat there, kind of lookin' off "What legal matter?" into space while he ate. With­ He shook his head. "I'm not at drawn." liberty to discuss it." I got up to put a new stick of After that, I drove him and his wood into the potbellied stove in a

THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY 145 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED corner of the office. From there I any thin' sensible the fella said.?" went on to the front window and "No . . . not really. Just that he looked out. By craning your neck was awful upset and cussin' some- a mite you can see pretty near all thin' fierce. And like I told you of Roman Nose's business district a'fore, I got the idea it was hisself from that window. I turned back he was mad at." to Maude. "Uh huh. Maude,-1 don't know "Well, you know what a close- what I could do. I'll study on it." mouth bunch lawyers are. "Least­ Maude grunted her way to her ways, when it comes' to talkin' feet and headed for the door. "Got about a current case." to get home and start noon din­ "That's another thing," Maude ner," she said. With her hand on snapped. "Between you and me, the doorknob she stopped and the two of us know ever'thing that frowned back at me. "I can tell you goes on from here to the county right now that it ain't just normal seat and back again. Now, who craziness and male orneriness with around here could have business John Scott. There's somethin' real­ with a high-powered lawyer from ly bad wrong somewheres, with Kansas without you or me know- him." in' about it beforehand?" A gust of icy wind came in as I couldn't argue with that. As Maude went out the door. When I Maude implied in her delicate was alone I stood at the window way, a sparrow couldn't fall in our looking out at Main. Street. Now, part of the county without one or as "I said, Maude looks and often both of us hearing the thud when acts like a half-wit, but she ain't. it hit the ground. Her opinion on people is usually Now Maude said, "Last night pretty close to the mark, so I had after supper this Scott went out for to take what she'd told me serious- a short walk before turnin' in. ly. Gone maybe fifteen minutes, 'bout I saw that the traffic on Main long enough to walk downtown was heavy—probably all of two and back. You should've seen his' cars went by while I was standing face when he come in. Mad as the there—and now a third . come- devil, and at the same time kind along. It was an old rattletrap that of—scared. Just the way he sound­ I recognized as belonging to Tom ed later on,- when I heard him Ewing, who runs a filling station pacin' around his room." and garage down at the end of the I asked, "Could you make out street, but it was the driver that

146 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED interested me rather than the car. turned and walked of? hurriedly. The stranger, John Scott, was I'd noticed that Tom Ewing was hunched over the wheel. From the looking sort of puzzled. I asked mud on the car's tires, he'd. been him what was up. He give his big, out in the country somewhere. hulking shoulders a shrug and The car went by too fast for me to said, "Nothin', I don't guess. get a good look at Scott, but I kind Only he didn't drive north. He of got the notion he was smiling, went south, down to the river. like he was pleased. That -there red clay stuck on. the I put on my hat and perambu­ tires, only place you find it around lated out of the office and along here is along that old road that the street-toward Ewing's garage, meanders alongside the river." the way Scott was headed. Him I studied the smeared tires a and Tom Ewing were standing minute. "Man from the city, prob'- beside the old car, talking, when I ly don't know his north from his got there. south, anyhow. Besides—^how long Scott's jowly face was a bit gray did he have the car.?" and tense, but he said, friendly Tom did some figuring, wrin­ enough, "Morning, Carson. I was kling up his square inch of fore­ just telling Ewing here, this is cer­ head to help him concentrate. "He tainly a remote comer of the state." come in and asked to rent the car "Expect it does seem that way, 'bout ten-thirty, I guess. Little to a city fella," I said. "Been out more'n an hour ago." explorin', have you.!"' Tom opened the car's near door Scott nodded.. "The—person—• and leaned in for a squint at the I'm here to see is out of town for a dashboard. "Why, shoot, he only day or two. Until he returns, I druv the - thing six, seven miles. don't have much to do but ,wait." That's funny." "Uh huh. Well. What all did you "Maybe he's a slow driver," I see this mornin'?" said. "Tom, did he say he might "I just drove around, out north want to rent the car again?" of town. Looked at the country­ "Yes, he did. Allowed he'd need side. Just keeping myself occu­ it this evenin', or tomorrow—^he pied.'* He glanced at his fancy weren't certain which." gold wristwatch and added, "Get­ "Uh huh." I cautioned Tom not ting along towards lunch time. to take any wooden nickles, and Mrs. Braswell surely does know headed back for my office. Now, how to cook." With a nod, he the Red' River is just three miles

THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 147 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED south of Roman Nose, so it didn't sedan out to Maude Braswell's appear Scott had done much more place. I usually have dinner at than drive down there, piddle Maude's, and sometimes supper, around awhile, and then drive too. I've lived alone.since my wife back. died a few years back and I never Rain started to scatter down as I was much at fixing my own meals. turned into the office. Kind of a It was raining pretty steady when sorry day for sight-seeing. Not to I turned into the driveway and mention that the Red River ain't parked next to Maude's big, weath- much to see at any time, along our erbeaten frame house. I got out and stretch of it; a middling stream of made a run. for the side door— muddy water lined here and there Maude frowns on people tracking with some right dangerous beds of mud through the front parlor— quicksand. and entered the short hallway I warmed my hands at the stove; there, with the kitchen on my right Then I- grabbed the phone and and the swinging door to the din­ called long-distance. ing room on my left. The Wichita police lieutenant I Maude's hired girl was just pass­ talked to said they had plenty of ing through with a big platter lawyers and plenty of Scotts up loaded with pot roast and vegeta­ there, but offhand he couldn't think bles. Maude herself was bustling of none that fitted my particular around the kitchen. John Scott. He said he'd run a She come to the door long check and call me back. enough to watch rtie hang my coat I thanked the man and hung up. and hat on a peg in the hallway, After that I riiBed through the, and mutter, "Ben, I'd like to tell batch of wanted posters in my you somethin' directly, after din­ desk, but about the latest I found ner. It's about this Scott fella." was for a fella named John Dillin- I grunted,.then went on into the ger, so I give up on that job. dining room and took a chair at Right at noon the Wichita cop the long, wide table. Maude's called. Turned out that whoever roomers were there, hard at it with else John Scott might be, he wasn't knife and fork, and a couple other a lawyer from that city.. No, the fellas who, like myself, were unat­ Wichita police weren't looking for tached but liked good food. anybody that fitted Scott's descrip­ I give a general "Hello" and tion. That was that. reached for the nearest dish. John I left the office and drove my old Scott was right across from me.

148.. ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY 149 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED During the meal I noticed he ways, Mr. Scott. He used to be didn't suffer from any lack of ap­ practic'ly the head of the police petite. Maude and her hired girl department there, a'fore some hasty was in and out, making sure no­ fella shot him full of holes and he body at the table went hungry. had to retire and all." Maude looked a bit distracted and Scott's forehead took on a sheen, she didn't joke with the fellas as like he might be a little warm and much as usual. sweaty all of a sudden. I got the Finally we worked our way notion he was looking at me Hke through to apple pie and coffee, he hadn't quite seen me before, and there was some idle chatter but all he said was,. "That's— back and forth. interesting." A minute later he ex­ Scott was interested, or at least cused himself and left the dining pretending to be, but he didn't say room. much himself. Me, I'd decided not I took a pause to ponder. If to ask him anything out of the Deputy Sheriff Ben Carson didn't way for the time being. There's no particular bother the man, why law against a man claiming to be should ex-cop Ben Carson give him someone he ain't, not unless there's the chilly fidgets ? I made a mental a crime involved in the deception. note to call the department in Okla­ Far as I knew, he could have a homa City when I got back down­ good and legal reason for what he town. was doing. Uh huh. First, I had to see what Maude There was one sort of curious had to say. thing. I don't recollect how the She and I talked in the little subject came up, but I mentioned hall beyond the dining room. "I something or other about when I happened to be upstairs straighten- was on the police force in Okla­ in' around, when Scott come in homa City. . awhile ago," Maude said. "He went Scott set down his coffee cup in his room, then come out in his right sudden, and looked across at shirt sleeves and went along to the me with a peculiar expression. bathroom to wash up. And I— "You're from Oklahoma City?" / well, I-" "No, I lived up there a good "Never mind the hemmin' and many years, but—" hawin'," I toW her. "What'd you Old ''man Dawkins cackled from find in his room.'"' the end of the table, "Don't let Maude give me a sniff. "Suit­ Ben fool you with his ignorant case was layin' there open, but there

150 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED was nothin' in it but clean shirts didn't have anything on John Scott. and drawers, and the like. His While I waited, he called the Dod- jacket was on the bed, and I acci- sbn Parking Garage, and in a cou­ dent'ly stuck my hand into the ple minutes was back to me. pockets. No letters or anythin' like "Yeah, the car's there, all right," that, but there was what appeared he said. "Man gave his name as to be a claim check." John Scott. Left the car about this "You didn't—" time yesterday, and said he'd be in "Bring it away? No, I just to pick, it up toward the end of the looked and put it back in the in­ week. Car has Kansas plates on it. side breast pocket where I found If you think you're on to some­ it. It was a claim check from some­ thing, I'll check the car out from place called Dodson's Parking Ga­ here." rage, in Oklahoma City. There was "I'd appreciate it,"' I said. "I'll a printed number on it, and a hang around the office here till I scribble in pencil across the bottom hear from you." —'67 Ford Galaxie. That was all. Then I put down the phone and Oh, the number on the ticket was leaned back in my chair to smoke 4223."- a cigarette. It was a little after one "Uh huh. Well. I'll check into it." o'clock. Maude didn't look satisfied. I told Scott had come in on the five- her. severely, "As for you, don't do thirty bus yesterday afternoon. As anymore 'accidental' pokin' around. I knew, that bus left Oklahoma Don't do nothin' at all." City around two, and stopped at I left before she could think of ever wide place in the road, in­ a fancy retort. cluding Roman Nose, on its even­ Back in the office I called the tual way down into Texas. So the City, and managed to get on to a times figured all right , . . fella I knew—him and me had Only, why would a man leave pulled scoutcar duty together in his car in the City and ride a bus the old days. He asked me how I most of the afternoon, when he liked being a backwoods deputy could make the same drive in his chasing chicken thieves, and I car in half the time? Course, maybe asked him when he was going to he was tired of driving, or maybe quit the force and get an honest a lot of reasons. job, and then we got down to AH I really knew was that a business. well-dressed, fairly prosperous, As with the Wichita cops, he looking fella had arrived in town,

THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY 151 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED and that he wasn't'exactly who he partner in an investment-brokerage said he was. Get^ right down to it, firm there. As it happens, not only the only complaint we had against are he and his wife missing, but so him was he was a stranger, and is some twenty-five grand in cash, closemouthed about his business and another fifty big ones in nego-. here. liable bonds, from the safe in the I sighed and turned my atten­ company vault." tion to the small heap of paper I sat down kind of abrupt on work that'd accumulated on my the edge of the desk. "In that case, desk in the last two, three months. why the pussyfooting?" I asked. After that I got a burst of energy "Because he's a fairly large man and swept out the office and even in the community, and there's no the jail cell behind it. proof that he lifted the loot. By the Finally, around three, my friend way, the cash was in twenties and called from the City. He started fifties, so it and the bonds would off, "Ben, how does this grab you? make a fair-sized bundle." Subject aged forty-eight, six foot "Scott had only the one suitcase tall, over two-hundred pounds. with him," I said, "and it seems to Graying hair, ruddy complexion, be pretty well full of clothes. What successful businessman type. Drives about his car there ?" a 1967 Ford Galaxie, Kansas li­ "Nope. No loot—or bodies— cense number—" stashed in the trunk. Not a thing "Sounds awful like one John unusual. Not even a few mysteri­ Scott," I broke in. ous bloodstains. Of course, he "Yeah, but it's a man named could've tucked the money away James Scarbrough. He and his wife anywhere, if he grabbed it in the have been missing from their home. first place." and hearthside for at least one day, My friend went on to fill me in maybe two or three. Said home is on the details. This James Scar­ in Topeka, Kansas, incidentally— brough and his wife had last been not Wichita." seen on Friday. They Hved alone, "Uh huh. Go on, I'm all ears." had no relatives or particular close "I remember. Now it starts get­ friends, and nobody had missed, ting a bit prickly. The boys in theiri till Monday, when Scar­ Topeka would love to have a chat brough didn't show up at his of­ with James Scarbrough, but not— fice. Since he was one of the big- so far—to the point of getting out shots, and didn't have to punch a a warrant on hiin. Seems he's a time clock, no one had checked

152 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED on him or - noted his absence. of a plain jane, I gather, and stay$ Then in the early afternoon he in the background." was due at a business conference. "Uh huh. Topeka think there's He wasn't there, and after trying any chance she might've met witK to reach him by phone, with no a fatal mishap—run into a pistol luck, one of the other partners had slug, or the like?" driven out to Scarbrough's house. "Evidently not. No sign of anyj He found the front door on the rough stuff." latch and went inside. That's all We talked a moment longer and' he found, except evidence of some then hung up. There wasn't mucK hurried clothes-packing in the bed­ of anything to do until Topeka room. put out a fugitive warrant oa Around the same time it was James Scarbrough. They were sup-^ discovered that the office safe was posed to send a couple of men a good deal lighter than it should down to talk to him. They'd have be. So the cops were called in, to drive, since the weather was too though all very hush-hush till now. bad for flying, so it'd be a good There was no sign of foul play in many hours before they could get or around the house. here. "And that's how it stands at the Meanwhile, I was to keep ans moment," my friend finished. eye on Scott—or Scarbrough, to "Why, of all places, this man should give him his right name—and try go to Roman Nose—you figure it to discourage any ideas he might out. I can't. According to Topeka, have on leaving town. he's strictly, a city boy. Came there I give my head a shake. I felfi from Chicago a couple years ago like the fella that tugged at a stray and bought into the brokerage firm, thread, and first thing he knew; I gather he's so used to city smog, his whole durri sweater come un­ a breath of fresh country air would raveled on him. Maybe hot coffeei choke him." would help. "Well, he's chokin' on somethin' I went over to the drugstore to here. What about his wife.?" I find out. On the way I noticed it'd asked. stopped raining. Now a few big "Lenora Tate Scarbrough. De­ wet flakes of snow was sifting scribed as small, barely five foot down. Looked Hke we might have and a scant one hundred pounds. a white Thanksgiving Day. In her mid-forties, uses a touch of I had my coffee and tried to dye on her dark brown hair. Kind think of one good reason why ^ THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 153 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED city-type businessman turned em­ you recollect a Tate family ? Seems bezzler would come to Roman like they had a farm out east o£ Nose, Oklahoma. To hide out? town." That was plumb insane on the Si studied on it. "Yeah. But there face of it unless he was so durn ain't none of 'em left. In fact, I unfamiliar with small towns, he don't think the old house is even didn't know that in one, ever'- there. It fell in or was tore down body's business is everybody's bus­ years ago.'Why?" iness. A stranger sticks out like a "Uh huh. Was there a girl nained sore thumb. Roman Nose was also Lenora?" a mighty bad choice as a hideout I waited, sort of breathing fast, because of' its location. The only while Si pondered. But then he quick way out is the way Scott- shook his big bald head. "Nope." Scarbrough had come in. The near­ So much for that. est bridge across Red River into "There was a girl named Nora, Texas is twenty-five miles away. though," Si added. "But that ain't Well, then, maybe he was here to the same." meet somebody. His wife and him "Yeah. Well. Maybe that'is close could've split up, her taking the enough," I said, with a good deal money, and planned to get back of patience. "What happened to together in Roman Nose, but you her?" come up against the same objec­ "No idee. She up and took off, tions. Why this piddling little burg, it must be twenty-five years ago. of all places ? I put down my empty Durin' the time you and your mis­ coffee mug. What'd my friend say sus was livin' in the City, that'd the wife's name was? Lenora Tate be. She ain't been back since, far's Scarbrough. I know. I kind of remember hearin' Now, it seemed to me like she went to New York, or Chicago, there'd been a Tate family around someplace like that." here in the old days. All died out Chicago! That was supposed to or moved away long since, but— be James Scarbrough's old stomp­ I crooked a, finger at Si Hagen. ing grounds. Things were, begin­ He shufHed upj wiping his hands ning to shape up a mite. on his apron. He give me a pleas­ I got out of Si that Nora Tate ant scowl and said, "There ain't a had been a little bitty thing in her thing wrong with that there cof­ late teens when she left town, fee."- which fitted as to description and "Nothin' more'n usual. Si, do approximate age the now missing

154 LICENSEDALFRE TO DUNZ.ORG HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Mrs. James Scarbrough. Uh huh. pretty near dark because of the I paid Si for my coffee and gife heavy clouds when I reached the him a tip—of my hat—and went river. The old, bumpy asphalt road out to my car. The snow was start­ ended in a turnaround, with the ing to stick when it hit the wet unpaved river road leading off to- ground. I drove along Main to the the east and west. I parked my car intersection where it crosses Pine and got out. —^Maude Braswcll's place is just The red mud stuck to my boots, out Pine a block. As I slowed for but it had a tacky feel to it, like it the turn, I saw Tom Ewing step might freeze any minute. I bent out of his filling station and wave over and turned an eagle-eye on an arm at me, so I pulled in and the ground. There was fairly fresh stopped. appearing tire tracks passing "That there Scott fella?" Tom through the turnaround and on said, when I got my window rolled along the road to the east. down. "He called me on the telly- I got in my car and followed phone while ago. He told me he the tracks. It was too durn cold to for sure wanted to rent my car walk. I guess I went maybe half a this evenin'. I allowed it'd be all mile, and there the tracks stopped, right, and he—" and there was signs -of the car "What time's he comlii' for the that'd made them turning around car?" and heading back along the deep- "'Round six-thirty or seven, he rutted road. I stopped for a garider told me." at the scenery. I cogitated a minute, then On my left was trees and dead thanked Tom and headed on for underbrush, on my right the slop­ Maude's place, but at the first cor­ ing bank of the river. The river ner I circled back around to Main itself meandered along out in the Street and drove west, then south. middle of its wide bed. It was all I rattled across the railroad tracks kind of pretty, I guess, what with beside the tumbledown depot—we the bare tree branches poking up don't have passenger-train service against the dark gray sky, and the to Roman Nose anymore—and on snow falling on the red earth and south toward the river. I don't the river. know what I expected to find Me, I was just cold, and I still down there, but it was where Scar­ had no idea what John Scott—or brough had gone that morning. James Scarbrough—had come It was about five o'clock and down here to sec. I drove back to THE MAN WHO HATED TURKEY 155 LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED town. If the fella figured on cross­ When we was through, Maude ing the river to Texas there, he'd poked her head in, and said, "You better figure again. There's no all want to see somethin' pretty?" bridge and no place shallow Us four men trooped after her enough to drive a car across, not into the big kitchen. She bustled to mention a fella could end up at over to the sink and came out the bottom of a bed of quicksand with a turkey the size of herself, if he got a bit careless. pretty near. It was wrapped up in "Damn," I said, and I meant a plastic bag. She plopped it down ever word of it. on the drainboard. This time I; did go to Maude's "Just took it out of the freezer," .boardinghouse. Doc Horner and Maude told us. "So it'll be good old man Dawkins was in the par­ and thawed out, ready to go in lor listening to the radio when' I the oven first thing Thursday walked in. I found Maude in the mornin'. Wouldn't be Thanksgivin' dining room, setting out plates for without turkey and all the . . ." supper. Her voice trailed off. She was At my question, she aimed a looking past me, and her plump stubby thumb at the ceiling, and face shifted from a grin to a star­ said, "He's been upstairs in his tled frown. room all afternoon. Did come I turned. Scarbrough was stand­ down once, to make a phone call, ing there, his eyes fair bulging, but that's all." and beads of sweat popping out "Uh huh." I hesitated. Then I on his face. He breathed, sick-like, decided to keep what I knew to "My God!" myself for the time being. The He backed toward the door, his hired girl come in from the kitchen gaze fastened on the turkey. Maude loaded down with a big bowl of asked, "What ails you, Mr. Scott.?" steaming beef stew. I went back to He blinked, gulped, and shook the parlor to wait for supper. his head. "I—I can't stand turkey. We all—including Scarbrough, I—had food poisoning once, caused who looked a little red-eyed and by-» . rumpled but otherwise all right— He shook his head again and set down to eat prompt at six. plunged out the door. In the si­ Scarbrough shoveled in stew and lence that followed I could hea.r his hot biscuits like there was no to­ footsteps, rattling up the stairs in morrow, and kept glancing at his the front hallway. wristwatch now and again. Then old man Dawkins said, "I

156 ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED thought there was somethin' lonesome old widower like myself. wrong with that fella—now I "What're you doin', bustin' in know it. Man don't like turkey, he here?" he asked. ain't even qualified as a durned "Floyd, did a man callin' him­ fool." self John Scott come here this time I give Maude a jerk of my head last night? Expectin' to pick up a and hurried out of the kitchen. In package, maybe?" the dining room she caught up, Floyd rubbed a palm over the with me. "Is this about the time gray bristles on his chin. "Matter Scar—Scott—went for a walk last of fact, he did. Right put out when night?" it didn't arrive. Wanted to know if- "Yes, it is, Ben. What in the there was more than the one daily world—" freight from- the north. When I "All right. If he starts out again, told him there ain't, he purt near which he will in a few minutes, had a fit. Funny fella." stall him long as you can. I'll be in "Uh huh. What was he expect- touch with you directly." in'?" I trotted on out of the house, "A trunk. Supposed to be comin' ignoring Maude's questions and by railroad express from up in unkind comments on my sanity. Kansas—Topeka, I think he said." I jumped in my car and drove I took in a deep breath of musty away. air, and let it out. I heard the dim It was about a quarter to seven sound of a train whistle, way off and pitch dark when I reached the somewhere in the cold night. train depot on the south edge of Floyd eyed his railroader's watch town. There was a single dingy and said, "Well, sir. Right on bulb burning on the platform that schedule for once." flanks the railroad tracks and an- Me, I tried to keep one eye on ' other light inside the depot itself. the street door, the other eye on As I said, we don't have passenger- the door leading to the station train service anymore. What we do platform. For just a second I have is a freight that passes wished I'd stopped by my house through, and stops ever once in a and picked up my pistol. I almost while, at seven in the evening. never carry a gun—lost my taste I found Floyd Moses, the station- • for them after that hood put a master, behind the dusty counter couple of bullets through my in­ in the old waiting room. Floyd is nards up in Oklahoma City one a white-haired, grouchy cuss, a long ago night—but just that min-

THE MAX' WHO HATED TURKEY LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG 157 ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED ute the weight of a .38 in my hip she was wrapped in several layers pocket would've been downright of what looked like the kind of comforting, "particularly if my plastic bags used by dry-cleaning hunch turned out to be true. shopsi The train whistled again, and Uh huh. If a man had that sight now it was much closer. I went in his mind's eye, it wasn't hard to over and grabbed the phone on the understand him reacting kind of counter. I called Tom Ewing's violently to a frozen turkey inside place first. Scarbrough hadn't a transparent plastic bag . . . showed up yet to get the car. Then I noticed something .else Maude must be following my or­ in the trunk. Several parcels were ders for once, and delayitig him crammed down around the body. at her house. Bless her. I tore open a corner of one of Now the freight groaned into them. It contained a stack of the station and squawked to a halt money. alongside the platform. Floyd and James Scarbrough had put all his me hustled out. There was only eggs in one basket, as it were. I one item ticketed for Roman Nose said aloud, "But why? Why?" —a smallish green-metal trunk, "Because I panicked," a dull, life­ tied around with lengths of rope. less voice said from the door of It was right heavy; a hundred and the baggage room. Scarbrough fifty pounds, at least. Floyd and walked slowly over to look down me carried it into the baggage at the contents of the trunk. He room. Then he went back out to sort of gagged, and turned away. the train for a minute. "I didn't mean to kill Nora," he I stood there, gnawing at my said. "But when I got home last lower lip, and stared at the trunk. - Sunday—was it just day before There was no time for formality. I yesterday?—I had the money and took out my penknife, cut the ropes, bonds with me, and when I. told and pried open the locked lid. her I meant to leave for good and Floyd returned, yelled when he all, she vvouldn't stand for it. saw what I was doing, but I had Threatened to call the police. So the trunk lid pushed back now. I—I choked her. It wasn't hard. "Oh, lordy," Floyd muttered. She's such a Uttle thing." "Lordy,lordy." . Scarbrough suddenly sat down In the trunk ^as the body of a on the cold concrete floor. I re­ tiny woman. Her legs was drawn laxed. Whatever else, I didn't need up and her head tucked down, and a gun to handle him.

158 ALFRED HITCHCOCK S MYSTERY MAGAZINE LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED Motioning Floyd to keep his Scarbrough lifted a trembly hand mouth shut, I asked quietly, "Why and plucked at his overcoat collar. did you ship her down here, Mr. "Stupid thing to do, but I wasn't Scarbrough?" thinking straight. I was scared, pet­ "So you know who I am," he rified, when I realized I'd killed said in that Hfeless voice. He shook her. Stupid. Stupid!" He hunched his head. "I guess I'm not much o£ over and started crying. a—a criminal. But I don't care. I'm "Let's go, Mr. Scarbrough," I glad it's over—believe it or not." said. "There's some fellas from I repeated my question. your city due in here sometime He made a gesture. "Nora had tonight. I have an idea you and often mentioned this place—how them will have a lot to talk over remote it is from everything—and between you . . ." also about the quicksand in the On Thanksgiving Day, I put on river; how she'd once seen a horse a clean shirt and a tie in honor of sink down into the quicksand, and the occasion, and went to Maude's it was never found. You see ? I took place for the big dinner. the trunk to the railway express Now, Maude is a fine cook, and and—" one of these times I may up and "Uh huh. So you thought if you ask her to marry me, but that par­ could put her into the river, there ticular day I didn't have much of was no chance of anybody ever an appetite for turkey. I kind of findin' the body." wonder if I ever will again.

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inPubl. I TtiQ Caoo oi fl QUEHNLV COMVMlAm BUSINESS RE PLY MAIL by trie Stanley No postage stamp necessary if mailed in the United States Gardner Perry is Involve< with a $2,000,000 es tate, blackmail, anc POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY a baffling murder, uw siraaNOiia THE DETECTIVE BOOK CLUB by ftae Foley A strange kille: Roslyn, L I. ' wants Kay Forbes $400,000 - and Ka: can't stop him. New York 11576 m QIIAQII.Y DELIG ^^ by Aaron Mar Stein A simple engineerini job on a churcl [ turns into murder LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG i (See other side) ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED r^ss!-^Bm^mm