Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 44 — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

THE LEVER AND in outright gossip; then it was told with smiles, and finally it rocked the whole town with gales of laughter. I was pointed to in the street, and cheered and slapped on the back. “So this is my finish at last,’ I told James, “‘when my brother hears of it. Of course, in a case like this he will be the last to be told, but hear of it he will. He’ll send a squad from one of our ships to arrest me. He has quite sufficient cause. I have made him a laughing stock, and although these Argolans are laughing at him now, they will applaud any revenge he cares to take.’ — James stood silent. ““Have you any advice to offer?” I asked him. “Yes, sir,’ he told me. “Well?” “You might be King,” he answered, I stared at him. “‘You’ve got some of your circuits crossed,’ I told him. “That is not the case, sir. I can present you with a perfectly logical] plan.” “Well, there’s no harm in listening. I am one man, alone. Tell me how I can become King, before my brother’s officers come to arrest me.” 35 ~“ THE FULCRUM He told me, in the space of three minutes. *“You cannot guarantee this will succeed,’ I pointed out when he had finished. “It is never possible to guarantee the success of any undertaking, at any time. But if the plan is carried out boldly, there is considerable chance of success, while if you do nothing, there is a near certainty that you will be dead before we reach Tauron.” “Very well,” I agreed, “‘let us get about it.” James went off to talk to Princess Nara. I called up Captain Karan in his ship. He came on the screen without delay. “Ah! Prince Niklas!” he greeted me, grinning. “Been enjoying yourself, I hear.” “I’m going to make you a proposition,” I told him, “which you would be well advised to refuse.” “IT rarely refuse the propo- sitions I ought to,”’ he assured me. ‘‘Neither, apparently, do you... Tell me.” “T am going to attempt to seize the Kingship,” I told him bluntly. “I’m asking you to join me. If you do, and if we fail, you will certainly be dead before tonight .. .” ‘““And if we succeed?’ he demanded. Ccommiclookks.conn