Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 110: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“There’ve been four planets found with all their cities looted and all their people dead. You, sir,” Brent looked at the Earth Commerce Commissioner, “you found out the first clue to what’s happening. You were served vistek at a banquet in the palace of the planet ruler of Khem IV. And vistek doesn’t grow on this side of the Galaxy, and can’t be brought here. It’s just as impossible to have vistek on Khem IV as it would be to build a space fleet capable of murdering and looting whole planets, without a word of the matter leaking out. It’s impossible. But it’s happened. And you've guessed the answer, | suppose, just as | have. And now our friend Rudi may guess it, too. But if he gets back home with the news, his government will kill him for Knowing too much.” Then Brent said grimly, “He probably’ knows how, too. Just to make sure—” He bent over the bound man, whose eyes were now open and rolling wildly. “Rudi, your home planet’s the base from which ships take off to loot and murder. The ships weren’t built there and they aren't manned there. They come from a long way off in a brand-new fashion which isn’t even overdrive. If you get back home, the psycho tests will show you Know that much, and | suspect you know they'll spend a lot of time and effort on you, trying to get you to tell them more.” The beady eyes of the prisoner were wild with terror “1 don’t like this man,” said Brent. “I’d intended to turn out the lights and let him wake up in the darkness. In blackness and Silence, and unable to move a muscle, he’d probably have thought he was dead and in hell. But this is better. Come on —” He led the way out of the cabin. He locked the door behind him, with one of the keys no passenger was Supposed to Nave. Vi CORniclooo SS CO