Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

RAT RACE ) 79 “Tl get it,’ said the intern. “Don’t let him sit up. It could start a hemor- rhage.”’ He went out the door. ‘““‘Where were the tanks when you found them?’’ asked Lewis. ‘Down by the back door,” said Czernak. ‘““Where you said they were. Why?” ‘T don’t really know yet,” said Lewis. ‘““But I’ve something I wish you’d do. Take a—”’ The door opened and the intern entered, a test tube in his hand. “This is the stuff,” he said. He passed the tube under Lewis’ nose. It gave off a musklike sweet aroma. It was not what he had smelled at the tanks. That explains why the tanks disappeared, he thought. Somebody switched them. But what was in the others? He looked up at the intern, said, ‘“Thanks,”’ “You were sayin’ something,” said the sheriff. “Yes,” said Lewis. “Take a crew over to that mortuary, John, and rip out the wall behind where you found those tanks and take up the floor under that spot.” ‘““What’re we supposed to find?’’ asked Czernak. ‘(Damned if I know,” said Lewis, “but it sure should be interesting. Those tanks kept disappearing and reappearing every time I turned my back. I want to know why.” “Look, Welby, we’ve got to have something solid to go on,” said the sheriff. “People are running around that mortuary like crazy, saying it’s bad for business an’ what all.” ““I’d say this was good for business,” said Lewis, a brief smile forming on his lips. His face sobered. “Don’t you think it’s enough that somebody tried to kill one of your men and then committed suicide?” The sheriff scratched his head. “I guess so, Welby. You sure you can’t give me anything more’n just your hunch?’ “You know as much about this as I do,”’ said Lewis. “By the way, where’s Johnson’s body?” ““They’re fixin’ it up for burial,” said Czernak. ‘“Welby, I really should have more’n just your say so. The D.A. will scream if I get too heavy handed.” ‘*“You’re still the sheriff,’ said Lewis. “Well, can’t you even tell me why Johnson killed himself?” “Say he was mentally unbalanced,”’ said Lewis. “‘And John, here’s some- thing else. Get Doc Bellarmine to do the autopsy on Johnson and tell him to go over that body with a magnifying glass.” “Why?” “It was something he said about mere humans,” said Lewis. ‘“‘Askin’ me to stick my neck out like this,” said Czernak. - “Will you do it?” asked Lewis. “Sure Pll do it!’ exploded Czernak. “But I don’t like it!”” He jammed his hat onto his head, strode out of the room. The intern turned to follow. Lewis said, ‘“What time is it?’ The intern stopped, glanced at his wrist watch. ‘Almost five.’” He looked at Lewis. ““We’ve had you under sedatives since you came out of the operating 39 room. Commiclhooks., conn 3