Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

THE LEVER AND it hummed. People walked past us there, and glanced curiously and admiringly. Someone drew my girl friend of the moment away and whispered in her ear; she came back, wide-eyed with hero worship. At length the King of Argol sent for me. He was sitting at the top of the hall, with my brother and the Princess beside him, sur- rounded by notabilities of Argol and Tauron. Appar- ently he had been making some enquiries, for my op- ponents, all five of them, were ranged in front of him, look- ing sheepish. Each one had his right arm bandaged. The court crowded round. Someone pointed. The five . victims shuffled their feet. The buzz became a laugh, a roar of laughter. In the Ar- golan fashion they began to applaud as I came forward. The King joined in the laugh. “You have been giving some of my young men lessons in sword play,” he stated, This was my opportunity. This was the chance I had been waiting for. I stammered, [I acted as though I were about to receive a rebuke. “I assure you, sir,” I blurted out, “there was no 31 THE FULCRUM danger for them. The king, my brother, expressly or- dered me to hurt no one.”’ **‘What?” the King roared. After that roar there was an instant of complete silence. Then a muttering as people in the front of the crowd retold my.words to those further back. “So these young puppies may, one after the other, try to kill you, while you are forbidden to kill even one for your reputation’s sake or to defend yourself properly!” He looked at my brother with disapproval. “‘There was no need for you to cherish my young men so tenderly,” he growled. Then he stood up. “This is an order,” he announced. “You, sir,’ he pointed to me, “‘you will fight no more duels in my kingdom. Your reputation needs no further advertisement. And anyone who attempts to force a fight on our guest will be visited by the captain of my guard.” He sat down. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. I thought I was likely to live a little longer after all. I described these occur- rences to James with some pride, for this was a manceu- vre I had planned alone, with- out his advice. Of course, you CcoOnmiclooolks.c@mnn)