Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

IMPOSTOR inside his jacket. “I wonder how far you two can run.” “Run?” “You have fifteen seconds to live.” Inside his jacket his fingers twisted, his arm suddenly rigid. He relaxed, smiling a little. “You were wrong about the trigger phrase. In that respect you were mistaken. Fourteen seconds, now.”’ Two shocked faces stared at him from the pressure suits. Then they were struggling, running, tearing the door open. The air shrieked out, spilling into the void. Peters and Nelson bolted out of the ship. Olham came after them. He grasped the door and dragged it shut. The automatic pressure system chugged furiously, restoring the air. Olham let his breath out with a shudder. One more second— Beyond the window the two men had joined the group. The group scattered, running in all directions. One by one they threw themselves down, prone on the ground. Olham seated himself at the control board. He moved the dials into place. As the _ ship rose up into the air the men below scrambled to their feet and stared up, their mouths open. “Sorry,” Olham murmured, I’ve got to get back to Earth.” He headed the ship back the way it had come. “but It was night. All around the ship crickets chirped, disturbing the chill darkness. Olham bent over the vid- screen. Gradually the image formed; the call had gone through without trouble. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Mary,” he said. The -woman stared at him. She gasped. “Spence! Where are you? What's happened?” “I can’t tell you. Listen, I have to talk fast. They may break this call off any minute. Go to the Project 45 grounds and get Dr. Chamberlain. If he isn’t there, get any doctor. Bring him to the house and have him stay there. Have him bring equipment, X-ray, fluoroscope, everything.” *“But— “Do as I say. Hurry. Have him get it ready in an hour.” Olham leaned toward the screen. “Is everything all right? Are you alone?” **Alone?” “Is anyone with you? Has . . . has Nelson or anyone contacted you?” “No, Spence, I don’t understand.” “All right. Pll see you at the house in an hour. And don’t tell anyone anything. Get Chamberlain there on any pretext. Say you’re very ill.” He broke the connection and looked at his watch. A moment later he left the ship, stepping down into the darkness. He had a half mile to go. He began to walk. One light showed in the window, the study light. He watched it, kneeling against the fence. There was no sound, no movement of any kind. He held his watch up and read it by starlight. Almost an hour had passed. Along the street a shoot bug came. It went on. Olham looked toward the house. The doctor should have already come. He should be inside, waiting with Mary. A thought struck him. Had she been able to leave the house? Perhaps they had intercepted her. Maybe he was moving into a trap. But what else could he do? With a doctor’s records, photo- graphs and reports, there was a chance, a chance of proof. If he could be examined, if he could remain alive long enough for them to study him— He could prove it that way. It was probably the only way. His one hope lay inside the house. Dr. Chamberlain was a respected man. He was the staff doctor for the Project. He would COnMicloooks com