Astounding Science Fiction, February 1952 (British Edition) — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

THE BODYGUARD | 4] Molly. She should have left long ago, but insisted on coming along as far as possible. I looked for a place where she might hide, but it was too late. Farmhouses were visible but distant, and the fringe of trees that marked the Big River was half a mile away. There were five horsemen, and they reined in before us. I recognized the leader, big Joe Wentworth. 7 ‘Don’t reach for anything, Hunter,” said Joe. “You're covered.” I hadnt made a motion. “Why should I. réach?” [I said. “What’s up?” “This Johnson?” asked Joe. “Yes. What’s the trouble?” “Tt got my orders, Hunter. The Chief sent me to bring you in, and Johnson, too, if he was with you.” He looked at me levelly for a moment. “I might as well tell you, Tom. The Chief wants this guy John- son alive, but he told me to finish you off if you make any trouble.” - The picture was plain. Too plain. Billy Garth had returned, and told some in- teresting story. “You won't have any trouble,” I said. “What kind of a story did Billy tell?” “Beats me. It’s none of my _ business. Now, Tom, Ill have to ask you for your gun. We'll get it from you one way or the other, and it’s better this way. You know me, and I promise [Il return it to you.” “Tl take your word for it, Joe,” I said. Bitterly, I took the gun out of its holster and handed it to him. I gave him my knife, also. He took both, and turned to Molly. “This girl,” he said. “Who is she?” “Never saw her before,” I said. “She lives in that house over there, she says.” I waved my hand toward a distant farm- house. “We just came across her a few minutes ago.” Joe Wentworth looked at her. “She’s got red hair,” he said. “Like Johnson.” “Lots of people have red hair,” I said. “How about it, Johnson?” asked Joe. “You know this girl?” “No,” said Johnson. “T think you guys are both liars,” said Joe. “But the Chief didn’t say anything about a girl. He said you and Johnson. And I got you and Johnson. That should be good enough blood to drink for one day. All right, let’s get going!” _ Johnson and I were swung up, each behind one of the riders, and we galloped off. I turned my head and saw Molly stand watching us for a moment, then turn and run in the direction of the farmhousa. Walking had been easier on my ribs than riding. By the time we got to the Fort, I was badly shaken up. I expected to be taken in to the Chief, but instead I was thrown into one of the strongrooms of the cellar, with Johnson. I made no fuss about it; there’s no use complaining about some- thing you can't help. I sat there for two days with Johnson. He tried to thank me for not giving Molly away, but I cut him off short. I wasn’t. too sure why Vd done it. And I suspected that, by that impulse, I might have put a noose around my neck. “That’s your trouble,’ I told myself. “You're too squeamish. You should have killed Billy Garth when you first put a gun on him through the window of the old Johnson place.” Finally they came for us and marched us upstairs, into thé Official. I got the feel- ing that something was wrong. The men who brought us looked as though they had. been fighting recently. One had a bandaged arm. They were surly and silent, not what I would have expected. I asked them what the trouble was, but they said nothing. They brought us into the Official and stood by the door, inside. The Chief sat behind his desk, looking sour. Norma was on the arm of his chair, as though she hadn’t even moved since last I saw her. Joe Wentworth leaned against the wall, his face dark, and I wasn’t at all surprised to see Billy Garth, who stood near the Chief with one hand on the hatchet in his belt. He was grinning slyly. The Chief examined us critically, while Norma whispered in his ear like a black bird perched on his shoulder. “So you two men been working together,” he said at last. “No wonder you didn’t mind going into the Ruins after the Atom Master, Hunter. You had friends there, eh?” I didn’t answer. “Then when I sent you for Johnson, that was tight up your tree. Only you didn’t intend to get him. You just figured on warning him.” “Ask Joe Wentworth,” I said. “Ask him where I was going when he arrested me.” “Yeah, yeah,” said the Chief, “You might have been going anywhere. Besides, I think maybe Joe is a liar, too.” He darted ‘an angry glance at Wentworth, who looked — blacker than ever. “Because you had a oO Eomichooks.co