Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 47 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION them shortly after five o’clock. And we haven’t a _ clue as to what killed them, till we get a p.m. There’s not a _scratch on either of the bodies. My guess is some kind of poison.” Revilstone glanced round the department. *‘What about electrocution? There’s some pretty high voltages generated by these sets, you know...” His eyes became fixed. He walked a few paces over to the machine by the lift. “That’s odd. I was the last one out of here last night, and I’m prepared to swear that machine wasn’t connected up to a power source when I left it” The Inspector joined him. “What is it?” “New type electronic re- corder and reproducer. Runs off either mains or batteries. You plug one of these little electronic tubes in, turn this knob to the left, switch on, and the tube will record any- thing up to about one hundred thousand words. We can get bigger or smaller tubes, of course. Turn the knob to the right, switch on, and the 10 machine will read back to you. That red dial lights up if you try to take a recording on a tube that’s already had one. . We are anticipating a great sale for invalids who want a machine that will read them to sleep——”’ ““Was there a tube in it last night when you left it?” *“Eh? No, of course not. I wouldn’t take a chance Of” Benner turned the knob to the right and switched on. “DID you see that funny ex- pression on their faces while that thing was talking to them?’ the finger-prints man remarked to the sergeant in the background.“‘They looked quite dazed. Wonder what it said?” The sergeant did not answer. He watched as the Inspector took something from the interior of the machine and slipped it into his pocket. SUSAN awakened with a start. Somewhere a door had closed quietly. But she had been worrying subconsciously over Ted, and slight though the connicloooks.Ccoma) 4 4 | |