Astounding Science Fiction (British Edition) — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

BELIEF Deering could only say blindly, “Get out!”’ “J will not,” said Roger. He was actually trembling with a synthetic and self-impossd anger. “For what reason must I get out? What have I done?” Deering put a shaking hand through his hair. He was quite unable to answer. Roger followed up his advantage. “If you attempt to evict me from these sessions without just cause, I shall certainly sue the Institute.” Deering said, hurriedly, “I call the first day’s session of the Spring Seminars of Recent Advances in the Physical Sciences to a close. Our next session will be in this hall tomorrow at nine in—”’ Roger left as he was speaking and hurried away. There was a knock at Roger’s hotel room door that night. It startled him, froze him in his chair. ‘““Who is it? he cried. The answering voice was soft and hurried. “‘May I see you?” It was Deering’s voice. Roger’s hotel as well as his room number were, of course, recorded with the seminar secretary. Roger had hoped, but scarcely expected, that the day’s events would have so speedy a con- sequence. He opened the door, said stiffly, “Good evening, Professor Deering.” Deering stepped in and looked about. He wore a very light topcoat that he made no gesture to remove. He held his hat in his hand and did not offer to put it down. He said, “‘Professor Roger Toomey of Carson College. Right?” He said it with a certain emphasis, as though the name had significance. “Yes. Sit down, professor.” Deering remained standing. ““Now what is it? What are you after?’ 71 “IT don’t understand.” “I’m sure you do. You aren't ar- ranging this ridiculous foolery for nothing. Are you trying to make me seem foolish or is it that you expect to hoodwink me into some crooked scheme. I want you to know it won’t work. And don’t try to use force now. I have friends who know exactly where I am at this moment. I'll advise you to tell the truth and then get out of town.” ‘Professor Deering! This is my room. If you are here to bully me, I’ll ask you to leave. If you don’t go, Pll have you put out.” “Do you intend to continue this . . . this persecution?” “I have not been persecuting you. I don’t know you, sir.” » “Aren’t you the Roger Toomey who wrote me a letter concerning a case of levitation he wanted me to investigate?” Roger stared at the man. “What letter is this?’ “Do you deny it?” ‘Of course I do. What are you talk- ing about? Have you got the letter?” Professor Deering’s lips compressed. *“Never mind that. Do you deny you were suspending yourself on wires at this afternoon’s sessions?” “On wires? I don’t follow you at all.”’ ' “You were levitating!” “Would you please leave, Professor Deering I don’t think you're well.” The physicist raised his voice. “Do you deny you were levitating?” “I think you’re mad. Do you mean to say I made magician’s arrange- ments in your auditorium. I was never in it before today and when I arrived you were already present. Did you find wires or anything of the sort after I left?” “I don’t know how you did it and i don’t care. Do you deny you were levitating?” EComichoo SaCO) in