"Then the Abyss Swallowed Him"

"New Year's Eve Test."
By Johnston McCulley (1883-1958).
First appearance: The Phantom Detective, February 1946.
Reprinted in The Phantom Detective (Canada), February 1946.
Short short story (7 pages).
Online at Pulpgen (HERE).

"Patrolman Larry Murphy wants to be a plainclothesman—and makes a good start when he tackles a tough gang!"

Noise always goes with New Year's celebrations, but tonight an ambitious cop will ring in the new year with the sound of gunfire . . .

The bottom line: