Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 1956 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

routine procedure, and I expressed the hope that the entire matter could be disposed of quickly. I asked if anyone had a question. No one did. I nodded and stepped to one side, indicating that I considered them free to leave. For a moment or two no one moved. Then I watched the woman casually dis- pose of her cigarette in an ash tray, and heard the gentle whine of her stockings as she uncrossed her legs and rose from her chair. Her movements were deliberate, al- most contemptuous, as she saun- tered past me to the stairs. The others followed her out. Charley and Sim were in the kitchen drinking coffee. “Is the coroner here yet?” I asked them. They shook their heads. “Do you suppose we should take the body down?” Bartel grinned. “You’d think they’d teach you kids more than that up at college. Hardy’d skin us alive if we touched that body before he sees it.” “Tl be upstairs, talking to the dudes. Let me know when he shows up.” Before I left them I motioned Sim to follow me into the dining room. He looked at me questioningly. “Take a run into town,” I told him. “Find out what you can about Liz ...who’s she been seeing lately, who her friends are. That sort of thing.” He nodded, turned to go. I held DEATH OF A TRAMP his arm. “Then you’d better see the states attorney. Tell him I think he should be here. Tell him I think it’s murder.” Sim stared at me. “Td use the phone and tell him myself,” I said, “but I don’t want the call going through Tillie’s switchboard. I don’t want every- body in town knowing about this until we’re sure.” . Elton Burns seemed friendly. “Come in, Sheriff,” he said. “Find a chair.” I waited until he had seated himself. “You’re Miss Everly’s agent?” “That’s right,” he nodded. “I’ve been handling her properties for ...oOh, nine or ten years now.” “On vacation?” “Partly. I’m in touch with some people in California concerning the possible sale of one of Miss Everly’s novels. Picture people. You might say that I’m combining business with relaxation.” “And Miss Everly?” He blinked. “How’s that?” “Is she taking a vacation?” “Oh. Yes, that’s about it. I was out here once before, several years ago. The country impressed me, I bragged it up a little, maybe. Anyway, when I told Marsha I was coming back here this year, she wanted to come along. She thought she might pick up some material. You know, local color. Stuff like that.” 29 COMMICLOOCKS.€©