Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

THE LEVER AND THE FULCRUM had left table, and the con- versation followed its usual course. — I had no wish to let the spitting of Argolan youths on the end of my sword become a habit during my stay on this planet. After all, I might slip one day, or glance aside, or catch a shaft of sunlight in the eye at a critical moment, or have to fight a really good man on one of those off days which everyone of us experiences. And so I planned to put an end to the business, and in a way that would do me no discredit. In those first encounters I had given an imitation of a swordsman who was just a little better than his oppon- ents, if at all; one who was lucky rather than exception- ally skilful. Now I took a different line. “Listen, gentlemen,” I told them, “‘Argol is an interesting place, and I might enjoy my- self here were it not for these continual boring appoint- ments.”’ At this, lips began to curl contemptuously. Listeners— there were a number on this occasion—exchanged smiles. They thought I was about to beg off. “I am entitled to ask to meet you, sir,” I bowed in the direction of the taller of the two. ‘“‘Tomorrow, and you, sir,”’ to the second, “‘the day after. I ask, therefore, that you will regard me during these days as being at your service, and not available to meet any other gentlemen. Agreed ?”’ *‘Agreed.”” They nodded. It was, of course, customary that a man must not have more than one encounter each day. “Very well,’ I said, with sudden brusqueness. ‘“Then I shall meet you now, at 29 once, and dispose of you, and shall consider myself excused from further engagements during the next couple of days. Come along.” I turned away. | “But, sir,’’ one protested, “in a short time, in less than an hour, we must all meet in the main hall before the King. There is no time.” “T shall deal with you quickly,” I promised. Still they hesitated. Then I said with sudden harshness: “I am bored with such young puppies as you—either you must come now, or you must withdraw. Decide, and don’t be too afraid—I shan’t hurt you much,”’ This I said loudly, so that a number of men heard me. COMIC OOOXS. COM