Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

MARY HELL’S had to get it to Lania’s room and plant it in a hiding place the police might have over- looked the first time they searched the room, and then see that they found it. The light faded as a wind- storm blew up outside. The gusts hurled grains of sand against the side of the building in arain of grit. The lieutenant had several drinks, waiting for an oppor- tunity to make the plant. He kept looking toward the stairs, and Mary kept an eye on him, suspiciously. Something was up with the lieutenant. There was no one else in the bar with them, and they didn’t talk, which was all right with Mary. She decided to give him his head and see what happened. “Lieutenant Cole,’ she said, finally. “I have to go down the cellar for about ten minutes. Would you sort of watch the place and see that no one makes off with the stock?” The officer was unusually 127 amiable. “Sure, Mary. You go ahead. I'll stand guard.” “Thanks.” She disappeared down the stairs and pushed things around, making noise that would be audible to him. After a minute she heard the faint sound of his footsteps, but only by straining her ears. She waited a few seconds longer, then crept silently up the stairs to the second floor. She went on tiptoe along the carpeted hal] and peered around the open door of Lania’s room. Lieutenant Cole was hold- ing a gun in his hand, under a handkerchief. She saw him wind open the window and fasten the gun beneath the sill outside with a piece of wire. Mary turned to leave. As she did so her shoe scuffed on the carpet. The lieutenant whirled. In one motion Mary pulled the door of the room shut and bolted it from the outside. She fled down the stairs as he hammered on the door. comiclooks.conn