Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

was, back again. No man could live for over four hours without oxygen. Craig’s eyes hardened, and furrows came between his brows. “Creepy,” he said suddenly, “you open the inner lock. Pick up that cat. Don’t let her get away.” Creepy made a sour face, then shuffled down the ramp to the lock. He swung open the door and reached down and scooped up Mathilde. Mathilde purred loudly, dabbing at his suit-clad fingers with dainty paws. PAGE stepped out of the jumper and strode across the garage toward Craig, his boot heels ringing on the floor. From behind the space-suit visor, Craig regarded him angrily. “You disobeyed my orders,” he snapped. “You went out and caught some Candles.” “Nothing to it, Captain Craig,’ many kittens. Make splendid pets.” He whistled sharply, and from the open door of the Jumper rolled two Candles, a red one and a green one. They lay just outside the jumper, rolling back and forth. Craig regarded them appraisingly. “Cute little devils,” said Page good-naturedly. “And just the right number,” said Craig. Page started, but quickly regained his composure. “Yes, | think so, too. I’ll teach them a routine, of course, but | Suppose the audience reactions will bust that all to hell once they get on the stage.” Craig moved to the rack of oxygen tanks and snapped up the lid. “There’s just one tiling | can’t understand,” he said. “| warned you, you couldn’t get into this rack. And | warned you that without oxygen you'd die. And yet here you are.” Lf said Page. “Docile as so CORniclooo SS CO