Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

THE LEVER AND THE FULCRUM very beginning; date cf birth; mother’s name, origin, and parentage; my medical his- tory; astatement of my youth- ful misdemeanours; then he turned to my brother similarly. Working outward in ever widening circles, he read all available writings on our family; all histories of our nation and race; biographies; commentaries; war diaries— everything. He read all this standing up, of course, with- out moving either his head- piece or the book, and he turned the pages at the rate of about two every second. I wondered what all this had to do with my chances of getting a poisoned dagger stuck in my back one night in a crowd. At evéry oppor- tunity he questioned me about my acquaintances—there was -no one I could call friend—my brother officers, my lady _ friends. I arranged that, for one reason or another, he should accompany me to the palace to observe and listen to my brother and his cour- tiers. He also visited the garage which serviced my land car, and the shops which supplied meals to my suite. At the conclusion of this study he made his report. “Sir,” he began, “I have 19 estimated that your chance of living the full span of the life of your race is very slight. Civilisation on this planet . has passed its peak and is on the downward slope towards savagery. This stage in its history is characterised by an unscrupulousness, a disregard for honesty and morals; a complete cynicism and lack of ideals. Your brother is a product of his age. He will always fear you. Even if he had reason to believe in your own lack of ambition, he will — still fear that you might’ be made the figurehead of some party. His friends and ad- visers are equally. unscrupu- lous. You must expect that every so often, whenever some event in your life brings you into prominence, he wiil pro- mote an attempt to kill you. Should you ever achieve real distinction in any field, your half brother will pass from secret attempts to open action. He will find cause to have you arrested and tried for treason. If you marry and have a son, it is probable he will act thus. Should his wife have a son, and begin to consider his chances of succeeding his father, it is likely that she will demand your removal.” “All this I know already,” comicloooks.eohn)