Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

26 3^{ ■»"♦--»--♦■ ♦♦♦♦♦♦ ■♦—♦- ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t ''BAD COMPANY/' (Continued from page 14.) ♦■^-^- who can slioot !" All King's men had tlifir hands near their hip-pockets. Cloldie Gorio stroked his chin. "You should look about you," was all Coldio said. They turned to sec that the invalid had flung aside his rugs and was cover- ing them with a "typewriter." "Stick up ycr hands!" The invalid's face V us contorted with rage. "I was paralysed by a slug from one of your men, and I'm just itching to square accounts. I've been waiting " "Enough!" snapped Goldie. "Keep them covered. If you look at the walls you may observe certain slits. Can you see anything beyond? I leave it to your astutf brain, clever Mr. King! So you want a show-down?" Goldie walked across and took over the machine-gun from the invalid. "Here's my answer. Raise your hands high !" "You're murdering us in cold blood I" King showed no sign of fear. "Y'ou treacherous yellow cur! You can murder us, but you'll only sign your death-warrant. It'll give McBame the chance he's waited for for months!" "I fear no one!" Goldie Gorio's eyes wore flickering, and his mouth was twitching in a most horrible manner. His voice was almost a scream. "I am the ruler of this city I If they try any tricks I'll make it so hot they'll howl for mercy ! Would anj' of jou guys like to beg for your lives ? You haven't got long to live !" Tliough there was the fear of death on all the faces of those men, not one stepped forward. "You're murdering yourself," spoke King. "Y'ou'rc mad! Y'ou think you hold all the power, but now you're destroying what little power you ever held. Kill us. and you sign your own death-warrant. You won't die so verj' nicely, Goldie Gorio !" t • • • ^, * A grey-haiied, haggard, terror- stricken woman faced a ring of grim faces. McBaine's gimlet eyes seemed to bore into her. "I've 6ecii crime, but never anything like this," quavered the woman. "For years and years I've been true to my husband, but this terrible murder is more than I can stand. I've got to speak the truth. King and his men weic .shot down in cold blood." " The Regal has been under observ- ;cnre for weeks," McBaine spoke to one of his men. "1 saw King go there with his fellows, and that was how I guessed what CJorio might do. This woman's tale is the proof. We have enough e\idence to take Goldie Gorio. Sound the alar.m." Helen Seeks Vengeance. WHAT a cliango in Helen Carlyle from the gentle, sweet-faced girl. Though her face was white and drawn, the eyes seemed to blaze out of her face. From one of her brother's men she had guessed what must have happened. "I warned your brother he was walk- ing into a death-tnip," the man had panted out. "But he would go. It was a show-down—your brother had learnt that Goldie framed your husband on the Shark." That news had made the girl cry out, but the iron will that had driven her brother was not lacking in his sister, and she fought back her hysteria. December iStli, 1931. BOY'S CINEMA "King decided to thrash it out with Goldie, and took six of the boys," went on the gangster. "They went in, but they haven't come back. I trailed them, and I was watching from a building across the street. 'There was firing in one of the rooms, because I could see the flashes. I reckon something bad has happened to your brother and the gang. Can you tell us what we ought to do? Wo aren't strong enough to attack the Regal, and it would be playing into the hands of both Goldie and the cops." Helen sent the gangster away and paced her" bed-room. Then the telephone had rung, and when she heard Goldie Gorio's voice she decided to bluff. "Hallo, Helen, how's, Steve to-day? Hope he's better?" "Hallo, Goldie, glad you rang up!" Helen made her voice soft and rather pathetic. " Vcrj- dull sitting at home doing nothing. My brother is out somewhere." "King's gone out of town on a job," lied Goldie. "I wonder if you could come over to the Regal, as 1 want to discuss plans for Steve's vacation. Where you'd like to stay, and all the rest. Could you come over now ? We might have some dinner." "I should love to come, Goldie," answered the girl. "Steve is better and so grateful for all you're done. He'll bo at>out soon—and I shall no longer be a grass widow. Two's company and three's a mob. I'll come right away, Goldie." How hard and grim was the young face as she replaced the receiver. From a drawer she took out a gun, slipped it into the pocket of her coat, and, after a few words to the maid, hurried off to keep her appointment. The Regal looked just like an ex- pensive hotel, but the men behind the hidden partitions winked when they saw the girl arrive. They knew of their leader's infatuation for the sister of his enemy. "He'll get the girl now he's got King," opined one. "Don't reckon young Steve has much chance. Wonder what scheme the boss will choose to bump him off ? The poor skate!" Helen was shown into the ante-room adjoining Goldie's bed-room, and, while she did not appear to take much interest, her eyes searched everjwhere. There were too many pictures on the walls and too many curtains—did they hide anything ? If there had been a show-down, it must have been on this floor, because the gangster had described the position of the building from which he had watched. On a table was a cigarette-holder, and her eyes narrowed —it was one her brother always used. Perhaps ho had put it down and it had been overlooked? There was a peculiar stain on some of the floorboards that had been recently polished, and she glanced at (he caapet. Helen had been in this room before—it was a different carpet. Goldie Gorio appeared and held out welcoming hands to her. "Come right inside, my dear!" he cried. "This is a pleasure I don't often get." "So kind of you to ask me," was her answer, and gave him her hands. "I have never seen your own apartments. What a magniFH-eiit place you have, and what a touch you have for the artistic. My brother admires this place very much. Have you seen him at ail to-day ?" "I don't think he'll be back for a night or so." Goldie Gorio produced his best smile. "It was verj' urgent' busineas that took him uwuv. He told Every Tuesday me to ring you up, as he knew you would be lonely." He pointed to a huge mahogany table desk and a bust. " Sea that? What do vou think of it?" "Who is it?" Helen touched the gun to keep up her courage. "I had that constructed to my own idea." He touched the carved face. "Ic is a mixture of Washington, Napoleon, Lincoln, and—^jour humole servant! I have put in my own features wherever the bust lacked strength and character. Now it is the bust of a very great man. I would have had a bust of myself, only I feel my jaw is a little too heavy and my eves too compelling. What do you think '!" "I think you must be mad!" the girl'-s voice rang out. " My brother came here this afternoon. Where is ho?" "But what a queer way to address your best friend and devoted admirer." His eyes were twitching curiously. "My feelings are more than that of admiration. You and I could be King and Queen of Chicago, and " "Where is my brother?" said Helen again. "Do not waste time by pompous, bombastic .nonsense. VSlicre are my brother and his men?" "They haven't been here." Gorio edged nearer to her. " Y'ou're upset over something, my dear child. What is it—tell me?" "Has my brother been here within the last few hours ?" she rasped out the question. "I know he has, and I know he never left. Is he alive or dead ? Don't lie to mo, Gorio, because I know that it was you who sent Steve to almost certain death." "You're crazy, girl—crazy!" His whole face was contorted. "In time you will learn to love your master. We will rule together, and you will forget all these others. I am the greatest man in Chicago. I would do anything for you." "Now I know you are mad! Some- thing has happened to my brother." Her hand gripped the gun in her pocket. "Did you kill him? I can see guilt written on your twitching face. Y^ou murdered them all!" "Supposing I did." He laughed lilce a maniac. "I will not kill you, my beautiful queen, although j'ou are in my power." "Am I?" From her pocket came the gun. "I have never shot a man or ALL-BRITISH QI FT BOOKS FOR BRITISH BOYS. K Don't forget to Iiuv I'ook.-; thi^ C'l'.rist- H mas. They are the best gifts and never ^ fail to please. w Thi^re is a splendid selection of gift g liooks in the shops this year, cspefiall\ 9 the MODERN BOY ANNUAL ((i-). S THR UOBBV ANNUAL (fi,'->. and the « MODKRN BOY'S BOOK OF AIR- & CRAI'^T (7/0). Tlic first-iuinu'd is tlie 5 biggest value gift Ixjok that any boy could Jj have. 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