THE UNHOLY SEVEN

The alarm went out. The widespread net soon brought up some choice underworld fish. Professor Fordney left his laboratory at midnight and went to headquarters to assist homicide chief, Inspector James A. Kelley. A notorious gangland big-shot had been cut to ribbons and his body dumped on his doorstep in a bold challenge to the police.

Those questioned were grim and silent. Both Kelley and Fordney refused information to the press other than the following:

Being held are seven criminals, among them the leader and the actual killer. They are Eli Rickel, gambler; Sylvester Zych, ward politician; Rudolph Vock, ex-convict; Ned Baskin, bodyguard; Monte Montalto, the slot-machine king; Eddie Croft, labor racketeer; and Joe Gorski, wrestler.

1. Eli Rickel, Monte Montalto, and the killer are the most ruthless of the seven. Fordney believes them responsible for at least four unsolved murders in the past seven months.

2. Rudolph Vock, and the leader, and Joe Gorski were tried for the San Francisco murder of Big Jake Kilroy and acquitted.

3. Sylvester Zych and the killer were such close friends that they recently aroused the suspicions of Vock and Gorski who reported them to the leader.

4. The killer and Ned Baskin were partners in a numbers racket. Baskin has a glass eye. The killer is believed to have a fortune in Brazilian banks.

5. The leader and Montalto each has a moll in the chorus of a hit musical.

6. The leader and Eddie Croft recently made an “observational” trip to Mexico City.

7. Eli Rickel and the leader did a stretch together at Waupun State Prison.

Who is the gang leader? Turn page for solution.