Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

76 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION unlocked the hall door, preceded Lewis down the hallway to the three tanks, “IT thought embalming fluid came in sixteen-ounce glass bottles,” said Lewis. “This is something new,”’ said Johnson. ““These tanks have glass inner liners. The fluid is kept under pressure.”” He turned a valve and an acrid spray emerged from a fitting at the top. Lewis took a shot in the dark, said, ““That doesn’t smell like embalming fluid.” Johnson said, “It’s a new type. We add the masking perfumes later.” “You just get these filled?” asked Lewis. *"No, these were delivered last week,’’ said Johnson. ‘‘We’ve left them here because we don’t have a better place to store them.”’ He smiled at Lewis, but the eyes remained cold, watchful. “Why this interest?” “Call it professional curiosity,” said Lewis. He went to the rear door, unlatched it and locked the latch in the open position, stepped outside, closed the door. He could see the tanks plainly through the window, He came back into the hallway. He’s still lying to me, thought Lewis. But it’s all so very plausible. He said, “I’m going to give your place a thorough search.” “But why?” protested Johnson. “For no good reason at all,” said Lewis. “If you want, Pll go out and get a warrant.” He started to brush past Johnson, was stopped by a strong hand on his shoulder, something hard pressing into his side. He looked down, saw a flat automatic menacing him. Commiclo@oks. Com