Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

find tea, although he hardly knew what it was. “How’s the prisoner?” Collins asked. “Quite well,” Malcolm replied. “He seems to be much stronger now than when you brought him in. Beastly business. What are you going to do with him?” “Couldn't say,” Collins shrugged. “You go and get some Sleep and I'll have a talk with our friend. O.K.F’ “Righto,” Malcolm said brightly and shoved off down the corridor. Collins smiled again. Malcolm always made him feel better somehow. He unlocked the corridor door and floated in to where the other man waited in the darkness. The man watched him steadily, without fear. Collins could feel his presence in the room, vibrant, unafraid. “You have come to kill me,” the man stated calmly. “No,” said Collins. “I only want to talk to you. You will not be harmed.” The man laughed in his face. Collins ignored him and fired a torch. The flame sputtered and caught as the torch built up air pressure, pushing the Shadows back and filling the room with warm orange light. Collins narrowed his eyes to slits against the glare and looked at the man. He returned the gaze frankly. He had a strong face, Collins decided. His hair was long and wild and his teeth were sharp and white. His clothing was old and wrinkled, but not unclean. There seemed to be intelligence in his eyes. Or was it only the uncertain light from the torch that made it seem so? “Start talking,” the man said shortly. “Or do you always Speak without words?” “My name is Collins,” he said, forcing a smile. “I’m the one who—” “| remember,” the man said. “Do you have a name, or must | make up one? I’m quite willing to call you Thing or Ug, but maybe you prefer your own name.” CORniclooo SS (SO)