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the “Old Cap. Collier Library” we find a variety of crimes. In “The Mafia’s
Victim” (ML 383) young Carl Williams is set on the trail of the gang who
are circulating counterfeit bills. He is almost killed in the first chapter by
the Mafia leader, “Gaetano Russo, whose crimes are innumerable.” It’s the
kidnapper of a young heir to a fortune whom Dick Nichols and his friend,
Danny Deever, seek in “A Kentucky Moonshincr” (ML 395).
Pride of place for variety, style, and ability to hold the reader’s attention
goes to Scott Campbell (Frederick W. Davis) whose novels are still extremely
readable. He has an apt way with description and makes his characters (how-
ever stereoptical) breathe. He is also, as they say, not without a sense of hu-
mor. When Judge Noble is murdered in “'1he Links in the Chain” (ML 167)
we note that he is of the firm, Noble & Lorde. attorneys at law. “Mr. David
Butler, reputed millionaire and a bachelor about town, hesitated.” Reputed
millionaire, indeed. Butler is also described as having “vindictively sharp
eyes” by which we realize he is a character to watch. And who will not smile
at Joel Sage, reporter, when he hears (on the final page) that the truth has
been made known. He whips out both pocket watch and notebook with a cry
of “Quick! quick! I’ve an hour before the morning edition goes to press! The
details-the details! Eureka! We are always to the front! What an ‘exclusive’
for the ‘Morning Globe’!” .
‘ But what a change we see a few numbers later in “A Supernatural Clew"
(ML 185) when we confront a mysterious figure, suggestive of Cagliostro,
who warns an international syndicate and an American fraternal organization
of certain doom. . . only to vanish once his mission has been completed.
But, of course, the “Magnet Detective Library” was primarily the home
of Nick Carter. If anything can be called “The Collected Works of Nicholas
Carter" it is the “Magnet Library” with 218 numbers signed by the great
detective. As the advertisement (in ML 66 and elsewhere) says: “The best
known series of Detective Stories in the world are those of Nicholas Carter.
The only publishers who issue them are STREET & SMITH, and they are to
be found in the ‘Magnet Library’ at the right price-10 cents.” Elsewhere
it is claimed that Street & Smith novels are “chiefly copyrights” by such au-
thors as Nicholas Carter whom they publish “exclusively.” And so it should
be.
It may seem strange that the first Nick Carter published in the “Magnet
Library” did not feature the great detective at all. “A Klondike Claim” was
a collecion of the first four numbers of the “Nick Carter VVeekly” (while it
was still known as the “New Nick Carter Library”) and as such featured
Chick Carter's son, Trim Carter. Such are the idiosyncrasies of editors and
publishers that the detective’s name was changed for the “Magnet Library"
to Harvey Stokes. The next 6 volumes were all reprinted from books which
had previously appeared in the “Secret Service Series” and “Shield Series,”
2 by Frederc Van Rcnsselaer Dey, 4 by John R. Coryell. Number 8 continued
the reprinting of material that had appeared only in the “Nick Carter Week-
ly” with numbers 5 through 8. Again, Trim Carter has become Harvey Stokes.
The next 6 novels are taken from stories which had previously appeared
in book form in those earlier series of paper-covered novels. Obviously, the
plates were available or there were unbound copies of texts which required
only the addition of new covers. Four Deys and two Coryells this time. With
no. 15 we find the first title which is not in the Nick Carter series, Gabo-
riau’s “The Widow Lerouge,” from the “Secret Service Series” and the “Shield
Series.”
With number 16, the last un-reprinted novel by John Coryell was added
10 the “Magnet Library. Not a Nick Carter novel, but Signed by him 3")!‘
1.9.-.