Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE PICTION He said, finally, inanely: “In fivers, please.” The clerk, nodding, still with that curious half-smile on his lips, turned away and began to count them out: Meanwhile Michel, feeling absently for his notecase, wondered furiously what was happening to him. Eventually, puzzled, he accepted the two hundred pounds, filled his notecase and one of the bank’s envelopes, and put them carefully away. He thanked the clerk mech- anically, looking at his satur- nine face and very white hands—like a musician’s— and went out. Maybe Dr. Quonsett would account for what had happened. At about twenty minutes past three, a man named Guiscard, in a back room of a stockbroker’s office in the City, reached for a button on his desk. His secretary an- swered from the room next door. “I’m not to be disturbed 20 till I give permission,” he ordered, curtly. “On no account!”’ “But Mr. Guiscard!” wailed the girl. “What about that deal in copper Mr. Williams is negotiating ?” “Freeze it. I have more urgent business to attend to.” He shut off the *phone and sat back in his chair. He said: “You’re new to me.” “Not unnaturally. [’m a great deal younger than you, Mr. Guiscard.” Guiscard chuckled. “That’s true enough. Well, what can I do for you?” “T don’t know if you can do © anything. But I sincerely hope so. You answered the appeal I made, and from my inquiries I believe I’ve selected the right party. Contact with the wrong party could be disastrous.” “Humph.” Guiscard con- sidered the other seriously. “In what way?” He reached for a cigarette and lit it with exaggerated care. The other began to explain. comiclooks.corn