Human Torch #23 (1946)

The Human Torch and Toro are called to the office of leading economist Professor Marshall who asks the two heroes to help locate his missing secretary Ernest Packer. He explains that the last time he saw Packer he had gotten a call, mentioning something about "Blue Grotto" before fleeing. The Professor leaves the two heroes to his investigation so he can take a flight out to Central City for a lecture he will be giving that night. Searching Packer's room, they find no evidence and when they go to question Marshall some more, they find that he has apparently already left. Rushing to the airport to see him, they are prevented from boarding his plane by some heavies hired as a bodyguard. The duo force themselves aboard the plane however Marshall is rude to them and has them ejected from the plane. One of the heavies knocks the two heroes out with a crowbar and tosses them out of the plane and leave. When the Torch and Toro recover, they find the plane is gone and head to Central City. They pass by two signs one advertising the Blue Grotto Apartments, and one advertising Professor Marshall's lecture at the Town Hall. The two heroes go to the location of the lecture to find that it has been cancelled at the last moment, much to the chagrin of the people hoping to see it. The Torch and Toro then go to Blue Grotto, where they overhear gunshots as they pass one of the buildings. They enter the building and find a dead man in one of the rooms and are knocked out by the killer with a potted plant. When they revive, the police arrive and searching the body they find that the dead man is Fred Greene who was apparently robbed. They learn from the police that he only other people in the apartment complex are the woman who called the police and Martin Waldo. They pay a visit to Waldo, who denies hearing anything as he was listening to loud music. However, the Torch noticed a smudge of dirt that came from the potted plant on Waldo's pant leg, and after the police leave to get someone to collect the body they make another visit to Waldo. When Waldo answers the door, he invites them in and the two heroes are quickly jumped and bound in asbestos lined bags to suffocate. Before they leave, they mention that the Professor is doing a lecture at Club Sixty and leave. With their air running out the Torch manages to manoeuvre over to the light switch and flick it on and off alerting the police who free them. They arrive at Club Sixty where they witness Professor Marshall giving a lecture telling those gathered that inflation will drive down the value of money and that hey should all invest in Amongaconda Silver. Realizing that it's a swindle, the Torch confronts "Marshall" who flees the scene. Following him to the backstage area, the Torch is surprised to find two Marshall's one holding them at gun point and another tied to a chair. However, the Torch quickly subdues "Marshall" and unmasks him as Ernest Packer. With the gang rounded up, Professor Marshall puts on his scheduled lecture, telling people to invest in the government to boost the economy and help create jobs that benefit everyone.