Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, Issue 45 — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION badly shot? He grunted in disgust at. himself and bent towards the machine, picked up his tie-pin. His fingers were trembling when he thrust the pin into his tie; he pricked the skin of his chest and cursed half- heartedly. His eyes were scan- ning every inch of the room, jumping from equipment and medical supplies to the draped curtains over the low window. From the number of times he had been here before, the room to his memory looked all right. Anyway, why shouldn’t it? He recalled that creeping slither of noise and frowned. Then he turned towards the door, adjusting his tie with a defiant jerk. The hell with it! Just nerves. In the last second before he flicked the light off and went through the doorway, he glanced back over his shoulder. The room was quiet and still, and, oddly—waiting. Inside Hamlin’s study, which was also his dining room and occasionally his bedroom, the doctor and the 36 physicist were deep in the discussion of relative values of anti-biotics for possible extra- terrestrial use. Carpenter dropped his body into a chair and stuck his legs out stiffly before him. He needed something to soothe his ruffied nerves and such a discussion might be the very thing. Fol- lowing on the tail of one of Hamlin’s remarks, he said: “Td noticed you might be increasingly interested in micro-organisms, Jack, from the other electron microscope you've installed in there.” Hamlin looked up quickly, his chubby face apologetic. “‘T’ve installed no new electron microscope, Carpenter.’’ He laughed, a forced, strained sound. “‘Can’t afford that sort of double luxury.”’ “‘But I saw it, in there, not a moment ago.” “You couldn’t have.”’ “T tell you I did!’’ Carpenter rose to his feet, unwilling to let this thing pass, yet afraid to pursue it too far for fear of what he would find. He went towards the door. comiclooks.cormn