Books › Blue Book v072 n04 [1941-02], 1941 › scan 181
Scan 181
Blue Book v072 n04 [1941-02], 1941
37 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1working with Sudler, and Klem was being kidded. That idea was what made me talk plain, as I’ve told you, in Sonya’s apartment, and begin to rummage around, and at last to walk out with the ruby. Klem wasn’t sure of anything, and Sonya wouldn’t give herself away while he was around listening.
3“I went to see Sudler to find out about the tie-up with Sonya—if any. He had seen Cora in Malitoff’s place and knew her. He mentioned her to Sonya; and Sonya, saying nothing, stepped around to Cora’s and played a few cards that Sudler knew nothing about.”
5“THAT dame!” said Mickey. “She was working with Sudler against Klem, and by herself against Sudler.”
7“Yeah,” said Jerry. “And it looks as if she didn’t hesitate any, either. And when Sudler got sore when he heard what she’d done, he dropped the hint that Klem had been at Malitoff’s around noon, and afterwards tried to cover up. Sudler didn’t seem to have anything against Klem, personal, because he also tried to cover him by tearing the piece out of the clock record on Malitoff’s door.”
9“Why did he do that?” said Mickey. “I don’t see any reason for it.”
11Jerry shook his head doubtfully.
13“It must be about the gun he took out of Klem’s pocket. Plutstine didn’t know what became of that, but Prawn says the gun was on a shelf in Malitoff’s room; he saw it there and got thinking about it. Then he used it. So, I think, Sudler gave the gun to Malitoff after Klem went away.
15“I figure it out,” said Jerry, “that when Klem heard about the shooting, and found the gun had been taken from his pocket, he got nervous. If it was found by the police, they might trace it to Sonya; and to save herself, she’d tell how he’d taken it from her. So he must have begun a hunt for it just about the time we did.
17“It was Plutstine who first told me of how Prawn felt about the shabby deal Malitoff was giving him, and how sore he was about it. Also he told me how he, from another part of the store, saw Prawn coming out of his room after everybody else had rushed into the room where the body was found. And when you remember there was a communicating door between the two rooms, you can see how Prawn managed the job.”
19“And to think,” said Mickey, “that I sat in that right-hand room while he came into the other one with that terrible thought in his mind!”
21“WELL, you’re in the clear, kid,” said Jerry, “and maybe it’d be best if you got your mind off it.” They listened to the swelling of the violins, the soft blowing of the clarinets, and the deep background made by the piano.
23“Nice, eh?” Jerry commented.
24“Beautiful!” said Mickey.
26“Ace in the Hole,” by Jackson Gregory, will be our book-length novel for March.
28PRIZE OFFER FOR REAL EXPERIENCES
30THERE is material for a novel in every person’s life, it has been said. Whether this is true or not, we do believe that in the lives of most of us some experience has occurred sufficiently exciting to merit description in print. With this idea in mind we shall be pleased to receive and to print true stories of real experience, running from one thousand to four thousand words each. For each of those accepted each month we will pay, according to our appraisal of its length and strength, an average price of $50.
32In theme the stories may deal with adventure, mystery, sport, humor,—especially humor!—war or business. No “sex” stories wanted. Manuscripts should be addressed to the Real Experience Editor, the Blue Book Magazine, [address hidden], New York, N. Y. Preferably but not necessarily they should be typewritten, and should be accompanied by a stamped and self-addressed envelope for use in case the story is unavailable.
34A pen name may be used if desired, but in all cases the writer’s real name and permanent address should accompany the manuscript. Be sure to write your name and correct address in the upper left-hand corner of the first page of your story, and keep a copy as insurance against loss of the original; for while we handle manuscripts with great care, we cannot accept responsibility for their return. As this is a monthly contest, from one to two months may elapse before you receive a report on your story.
36Fact stories from participants in the war are specially desired.
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