Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

RAT RACE | 77 “T regret this,” said Johnson. “Believe me, I do.” ‘““You’re going to regret it more,” said Lewis. “I have your place watched front and back and the office knows where I am.” For the first time he saw a look of indecision on Johnson’s face. ““You’re lying,”’ said the mortician. ““Come here,” said Lewis. He stepped to the back door, looked up to the black window where Welch stood. The glow of the deputy’s cigarette was plainly visible, an orange wash against the blackness. Johnson saw it. ““Now let’s go check the front,” said Lewis. "No need,” said Johnson. “I thought you were playing a lone hand.” He paused. ““You came in the back yard again and had a look in the window, didn’t you?” “What do you think?” asked Lewis. “‘T should’ve anticipated that,’”’ said Johnson. “Perhaps I was too anxious to have things appear just as they were. You startled me coming in here at night like this.” “You saw me come in the front?’ asked Lewis. “Let us say that I was aware you were downstairs before the attendant told me,”’ said Johnson. He gestured with his gun. “‘Let’s go back to the office.” Lewis led the way down the hall. At the foyer door he glanced back. “Turn around!” barked Johnson. But} the one glance had been enough. The tanks were gone. “What was that humming sound?” asked Lewis. “Just keep moving,” said Johnson. In the front office, the mortician motioned Lewis to a chair. “‘What were you looking for?” asked Johnson. He slid into the chair behind his desk, rested his gun hand on the desk top. “I found what I was looking for,’’ said Lewis. “And that is?” “Evidence to confirm my belief that this place should be taken apart _ brick by brick.” Johnson smiled, hooked the telephone to him with his left hand, took off the receiver and rested it on the desk. ““What’s your office number?” Lewis told him. Johnson dialed, picked up the phone, said, “‘Hello, this is Lewis.” Lewis came half out of the chair. His own voice was issuing from Johnson’s mouth. The gun in the mortician’s hand waved him back to the chair. “You got the dope on what I’m doing?” asked Johnson. He waited. ‘“‘No. Nothing important. I’m just looking.” Again he paused. “I'll tell you if I find anything,” he said. He replaced the phone in its cradle. “Well?” said Lewis. Johnson’s lips thinned. “This is incredible,” he said. ““A mere human—” He broke off, stared at Lewis, said, ‘““My mistake was in telling you a plausible lie after that door was left open. I should have—” He shrugged. “You couldn’t hope to fool us forever,” said Lewis. “IT suppose not,” said Johnson, ‘“‘but reasoning tells me that there is still a chance.” The gun suddenly came up, its muzzle POMHAE at Lewis. “It’s COMMICOOXS.COM