DEATH BEATS THE BAND

Removing the tottering razor from the edge of the wash basin, the Professor unsheathed its straight blade and observed its two nicks.

He stooped to the naked body of Paul Loken on the bathroom floor and carefully re-examined the ghastly slash in his throat which extended almost from ear to ear. The marks of one nick showed clearly.

The corpse wore only a single sock. The left hand clutched a scrap of sheet music. Doctor Graham sniffed a cigarette stub near the body. “Marijuana,” he said. The two went to the living room.

“After the show, Nan, here—our singer—she has an apartment two floors above—stopped by with Paul and me for a night cap,” explained bandleader Cedric Kendrick. “Paul’s our trumpet player—we share this apartment. Paul finished his drink and went to his room. About fifteen minutes later we heard a thud in the bathroom. We opened the door and… God!…what a ghastly sight! We didn’t—we couldn’t go in! I closed the door and phoned Doctor Graham and the police.”

“Did you observe smoke in the bathroom?”

“Yes, a haze of reefer smoke. Paul was a marijuana addict.”

“Did he suffer much?” asked Nan.

“Hardly at all,” replied Doctor Graham, recalling the deep gash from left to right. “In some instances the victim lives long enough to do incredible things”—he glanced at Fordney—“but Loken died before he hit the floor—instantly.”

“Which—among other things,” added the Professor, “makes it murder! You both are under arrest.”

What clue proved one of them (Kendrick) had murdered Loken? Turn page for solution.