Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

THE LEVER AND THE FULCRUM and now took position pre- him. He stalked over and paratory to driving it through the second burglar’s heart. “Do not kill him,” a deep voice boomed. “He must tell you who sent him.” ““Yes,’’ I agreed. “I should like to know that. What man hired you to do this?” I asked. He looked sullen and in- different. ‘“‘Why should I tell?’ he shrugged. “‘Whether I tell or not you will kill ME. “If you tell, and if I think it is the truth, you may walk out of the room,” I promised him. “Very well,” he shrugged again, only half believing me. “It was Condar, the King’s friend, who paid us to do this, saying that the King mistrusted his brother.” ““Condar ?”’ I repeated. “T'll remember that name. Now - you may go.’ “And my partner?’ he asked. I looked down at the other man. He was dead. “You must find a new partner,”’ I told him. James was back in his corner. It would not have been difficult to believe that he had never moved. “Come here,” I called to 15 stood right in front of me, three feet away, his robot- mask of a face resembling some archaic sculpture in black, polished granite. ““You saved my life,” I told him. This statement con- tained no order, and no question, so James made no answer. “*Tell me why you did this,” I asked. “I am your robot, sir,” he said. “[’m no longer quite sure of that,” I retorted. ‘‘Tell me, why has your voice changed ?” ‘““Because I wished to change it.”’ “I see. You were switched off when these burglars came. | Who switched you on?’ *““No one, sir. It was never necessary.” “IT gave you no order to help me. I did not ask you for my sword. What caused you to act without an order?” “I do not require particular and specific orders.” “That I can see for myself, now. Well,” I summed up, “it appears you’re something very different from the .old- fashioned, manual-duty, limited-mentality job I took you for. Who are you?” comicloooks.conrn