Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

STAND-IN when you return, sobbing and disillusioned.” Even Simon looked mildly surprised. But he said: “I rejoice to hear it, old man.” Barbara looked away. She was afraid that her expression would betray her. At the first opportunity she stole a glance at the cupboard. It had been repaired on the broken side, and both panels were now locked. And even if she could have got at it, she would not have dared to switch off with Simon here. If her suspicions were right and this was Wally in the room with them, she could not switch him off— she could not let the garrulous Simon into the secret. Nevertheless, she felt an impulse to do so, to put an end to the whole thing, to show Walter up for the deceitful, wretched rogue he was. It was an impulse that she restrained. But she would show him. Somehow or other, she would get her own back on him. She went out into the hall. 103 The door of Wally’s storage closet was locked. She opened the door of the compartment in which Babs stood, motion- less, and studied her thought- fully. Then she went back to join the men—or, rather, the man and the shadow— and said brightly to Simon: “I really think it would be nice to come out with you, Simon.”’ And the false face of Walter smiled without the trace of a sneer. When Walter himself re- turned, he changed places with Wally in the garden. “Anything special I ought to know?” he asked. “Mrs. Desmond has ac- cepted an invitation to go | out with Mr. Collings to- morrow evening,” Wally reported. ‘““Has she? Good heavens, she must be potty.” Wally was too innately respectful to pass any judge- ment on this remark. “All right,” said Walter, as they approached the house. comiclooks.conn