Stockholders in Death
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"Stockholders in Death" is the 8th pulp magazine story to feature The Avenger. Written by Paul Ernst, it was published in the April 1, 1940 issue of “The Avenger” magazine. The novel was republished under its original title by Paperback Library on December 1, 1972.
[edit] Summary
Lawyer Joseph Crimm is killed for his stock holdings in a scheme by the directors of Town Bank to control Ballandale Glass Corp. Crimm's two sons want justice: Wayne goes to Justice, Inc., skeptical Tom enlists Nicky Lucknow, a gangster. The bank directors murder one of their own who is having cold feet. Single-handedly, Benson attempts to rescue foolish Tom from Lucknow's hotel. Benson declares "financial war" on the bank and its directors. Lucknow plays Tom for a fool, using him as a pawn and fall guy for crimes. A veiled woman tries to help Tom. Benson causes half of Lucknow's gang to fall into their own burning death trap. Justice, Inc. is wanted for murder after gangsters posing as Benson, Mac, and Smitty shoot several policemen. Wayne and Tom must repeatedly be saved from the consequences of their own foolish actions. The criminals are finally trapped on Benson's freighter, the Minerva, which they attempt to sink with Benson and his team aboard; the mastermind behind the stock swindle is exposed and the trapped criminals will be arrested for piracy.
[edit] Notes
- Benson is described as "young."
- Benson knows savate, the French technique of fighting with the feet.
- Benson's team also wears the celluglass bulletproof garments.
- The Justice, Inc. headquarters on Bleek street has multiple concealed entrances, and equipment to protect team members automatically: Benson plans ahead, anticipating problems.
- In case of emergency, Benson has a permanently chartered a cab with a driver named Bill always standing by.
- Benson secretly owns the Minerva, a freighter, docked on the Hudson river.
- Smitty's enraged maiming and killing of criminals does not seem to concern the police.
- A lonely Benson can help others, but not himself: "There was nothing left in life for The Avenger but the annihilation of crooked gangs..."
