Avallone's tribute to the Maltese Falcon. All Noon can think of is the lovely girl on his arm. Never mind that's she's mixed up with dope, with bad men, that trouble follows her wherever she goes. Never mind that Dean and Spider are after the Violent Virgin and Noon doesn't think that's Opal. And he doesn't think
Dean and Spider are playing with water pistols. A train headed to Chicago and all the players are on it. And there's a
crate big enough for a six foot statue. "They're making Maltese Falcons
bigger this year," Noon deadpans.
The rest of the action takes place on the train as the players parley and fight and bodies keep turning up. Noon can't stand good looking dolls "all bloodied up and wasted on death" and that nearly proves to be his undoing. All in all, a great adventure in the Noon tradition.
Highly recommended. ( )