Authentic Science Fiction, December 1951 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

78 THE MOON [tS HRAVEN “This couldn’t have happened on its own, could it, Clavier?’’ ““ But no. No!’’ the chemist exclaims. ‘‘ It would be im- possible. Someone has——’’ He breaks off and looks towards Schnabel’s bunk, his eyes wide, his mouth open. “' You’re right,’’ you say. ‘‘ Schnabel did it, I’m sure of it. He thought we’d go under. Then he could go back to Earth alone with a trumped-up story—and not be hanged.”’ ““The man must be mad,’’ Leeson says. ‘‘ He’d never be able to handle the ship alone. He’s not a pilot—and even I could not do it.” ‘* Maybe he’s mad at that,’’ Atah sighs in a tired voice. ‘* Mad enough to kill us all so that he could escape. * Well, we can’t do any more to him than we could before. He hasn’t worsened his position any.’’ ““Mike!’’ Reina’s voice cuts through. the radio at full intensity. ‘‘ Mike, look. He’s taken the oxygen bottles!’’ Following her pointing finger, you see she’s right. The wall rack that should-hold spare bottles for the suits is empty. So Schnabel anticipated that you might wake up. The others take a look, too. And one by one their faces freeze. ; “That gives us about eight hours to live—unless we do. something about it,’? Atah announces. ‘‘ I think we’d better make an inspection.”’ ‘“ If he has ruined my apparatus, I will kill him,”’ Clavier says slowly. As Atah moves over to the air-lock, he looks back at the chemist. ‘‘ I must admit you’d have some excuse,’’ he says, And then, with Leeson, he passes through. You let Clavier go next as he is so anxious about his gear. When he has gone, you and Reina go into the lock. Befor opening the outer door, you give her a smile and gently squeeze her gloved hand. .She smiles back at you and comicbooks.com