Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

RAT RACE 75 the mortuary garage, found the row of boards which had been nailed across the area he was going to use. Lewis clambered over the boards, dropped to soft earth which was out of the wind but under a steady dripping from unguttered eaves. He moved quietly to the end of the shadow area and, as he had expected, could see inside the window on the rear door of the mor- tuary. The tanks were not visible. Lewis cursed under his breath, shrugged, stepped out of the shadows and crossed the lighted back yard. The door was locked, but he could see through the window that the hallway was empty. He went around to the front door, rang the night bell. A man in a rumpled black suit which looked as though he had slept in it answered the door. Lewis brushed past him into the warm flower smell of the foyer. “Is Johnson here?” he asked. ‘“‘Mr. Johnson is asleep,” said the man. ‘‘May I be of service?” “Ask Mr. Johnson to come down, please,” said-Lewis. ““This is official business.’” He showed his badge. “Of course,’ said the man. “If you'll go into the office there and have a seat, Pll tell Mr. Johnson you’re here. He sleeps in the quarters upstairs.” ‘““Thanks,’’ said Lewis. He went into the office, looked at the colored photograph of Mount Lassen until the night attendant had disappeared up the stairs at the other end of the foyer. Then Lewis came out of the office, went to the doorway leading into the hall. The door was locked. He tried forcing it, but it wouldn’t budge. He moved to the hinge side, found a thin crack which gave a view of the other end of the hall. What he saw made him draw in a quick breath. The three metal tanks were right where he had expected them to be. He went back to the office, found a directory and looked up the number of the doctor’s office where Welch was waiting, dialed the number. After a long wait Welch’s voice came on the line, tones guarded. Ves?’ “This is Welby,”’ said Lewis. “‘Anything come in the back?” “No,” said Welch. “You all right?’ “T’m beginning to wonder,” said Lewis. ““Keep your eyes peeled.’’ He hung up, turned to find Johnson’s tall figure filling the office doorway. ‘““Mr. Lewis,”’ said Johnson. “Is something wrong?” He came into the office. “I want to have a look at those metal tanks,” said Lewis. Johnson stopped. “What metal tanks?” “‘The ones in your back hall,” said Lewis. “Oh, the embalming fluid,’ said Johnson. ‘“‘What’s the interest in em- balming fluid?” ‘‘Let’s just have a look at it,” said Lewis. “Do you have a warrant?” asked Johnson. Lewis’ chin jerked up and he stared at the man. “I wouldn’t have a bit of trouble getting one,”’ he said. “On what grounds?” “I could think of something that’d stick,”’ said Lewis. “Are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?” Johnson shrugged. “As you wish.” He led the way out of the office Comichooksicom