Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

TRADE SECRET 27 vision receiver and turned it off. She was a tall, dark-haired woman and her face was unnaturally white as she faced the rest of them. “That’s it,” she said. “I hope you are ready for it. If you don’t wind this thing up pretty soon, we’re liable to be hanging from a lamp-post some- where along Fifth Avenue.” Mart picked up his glass and stared at the blank screen. ““Yeah, I knew it would be bad, but I didn’t think anybody would go off their nut to that extent. Berk, maybe you and I ought to go down and have a talk with Baird.” “Uh, uh,” said Berk. “As your personal psychiatrist, I advise against it. Baird’s a flag-waver. A defender of the home fires. He’s just plain danger- ous. You'd better stay away from that guy if you’re smart.” ““He could be the one to spur an investigation. That’s our next step.” “Not if he knew we wanted it. He’d simply hound us over the air until we couldn’t move. Carolyn’s right. We’ve got to move fast.” “We've got Jennings,” said Mart. “But I’d rather not use him. His association with us in the past is too well-known. I'd rather it came from someone like Baird. Anyway, we can give it a day or two and see what develops. Personally, I think we should wait until more of the right people have:seen the Volcano. That’s our ace.” ‘““We won’t dare let the children out of the house,” said Carolyn. “Some crackpot stirred up by Baird is certain to decide to defend his country against them before long. Sometimes I almost wish you hadn’t started this thing.” “You can’t stand an egg on end without breaking it,” said Mart philosophically. ““You’ve got the per- sonal teleport. See the kids are never without it. How quick are you—!” He made a swift motion as if to draw a gun. Carolyn’s hand dropped to the nar- row belt at her waist. She vanished before Mart’s hand was halfway up. “Quick enough,” she said from the other side of the room. ‘“Not bad,” said Mart. “A little _Slow in getting your hand on the tab, though. Maybe we ought to practice a little. Anybody want to see Jersey beach tonight—?” Mart and Berk reopened thei Offices the next morning. Almost before they had the desks dusted off, there was a visitor. Mart looked up and grinned as Don Wolfe was ushered in. “I heard Baird on television last night,” said the engineer. “Oh?” said Mart. “Yes. A darn good thing, too. I was pretty sore the last time I went out of here.” “I don’t recall having done any- thing to offend,” said Mart. “Nothing,” said Wolfe, “except give an exhibition of the most colossal, insufferable, unbearable conceit that one human being has ever displayed towards another.” “That’s quite an interpretation of my conduct.” ‘But not an unfair one.” Mart spread his hands and indicated a chair. “And so you have come back.” “Yes,” said Don Wolfe, “‘to con- gratulate you and to accept your apologies.” “Tm apologizing now?” ““You’d better! I carried it off.” For the space of a half dozen heart beats Mart held his breath. His eyes narrowed on his visitor. ‘““The rocket?” “Yeah.” Wolfe took from his pocket a small object that looked like a clutter of wires wrapped about a half dozen peanut tubes and an assortment of condensers. He bent over and clamped it to the leg of the desk. CONMIE OOKS. im