Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

74 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Welch went into the corner of the darkened room, lighted a cigarette, returned. ‘““Why don’t you just ask this Johnson?” “That’s the point,” said Lewis. “I did ask him and he lied to me. That’s why I’m suspicious. ’ve been hoping they’d take those tanks out and we could trail them to wherever they go. Get our answer that way.” ““‘Why’re you so sure it’s the tanks he didn’t want you to see?” asked Welch. “That was a funny hallway,” said Lewis. ““Door at each end, none along the sides. Only things in it were those tanks.”’ “‘Well, those tanks might already be gone,” said Welch. “You didn’t get on this end until about 10:30 you said and Keeler wasn’t on the front until about eleven. They could’ve been taken out then if they’re so all-fired important.” “T’ve had the same thought,” said Lewis. “But I don’t think they have. I’m going out to grab a bite to eat now, then I’m going down in the alley for a closer look.” “You won’t get very close with all them lights on the yard,” said Welch. Lewis pointed to the garage. “If you look close you can see a space along the other side; in the shadow there. The light’s on in the back hall. I'll try to get close enough for a look through the window in that rear door. They’re tall tanks. I should be able to see them.” “And if they’ve been moved some place else in the building?” asked Welch. “Then I'll have to go in and brace Johnson for a showdown,” said Lewis. “‘Maybe I should’ve done that in the first place, but this is a screwy situation. I just don’t like a mystery in a mortuary.” ‘Sounds like the title of a detective story,” said Welch. “‘ ‘Mystery In a Mortuary.’ ”’ Welch sniffed. ‘“There’s already death inside there,” he said. ““This could be something mighty unpleasant.” Welch lighted a new cigarette from the coal of the one he had been smoking, stubbed out the discard in a dish Lewis had been using for an ash tray. “You may be right,” said Welch. “The only thing impresses me about this shebang, Welby, is like Sheriff John said— I’ve seen you pull too many rabbits out of the hat.” ““That’s what he told you?” asked Lewis. “Yeah, but he thinks maybe you’re gonna pull a blank this time.”” Welch stared down at the mortuary. “If you go inside, do you want me to round up a few of my men and smother the place if you don’t come out by some set time?” “T don’t think that’ll be necessary,” said Lewis. ““Don’t take any action unless you see something suspicious.” Welch nodded his head. “‘O. K.,” he said. He looked at the glowing tip of his cigarette, glanced down at the yard they were watching. ‘‘Mortuaries give me the creeps anyway,” he said. Lewis bolted a hot beef sandwich at a café two blocks from the mortuary, returned along a back street. It was cold and wet in the alley. A perverse wind kept tangling the skirts of his raincoat. He hugged the shadows near COMMEIXO SACOM