Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 47 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION his smile, though he must have known he was not exactly re- garded as a friend by the people in front of him. “Look, Mr. Janton, you people have used us for the purpose of getting a report through from two of your operatives. Well, we are glad, of course, to have been of service to you, even if it was involuntary on our part, but we do feel that we have a right to expect you to return us to our own time and planet as soon as you can conveniently do so.” Janton gave him a rather odd look. “‘That is not what you are thinking,” he said. “What you really mean is that since we are so im- measurably far ahead of you, it would not be wise to antagonise us, and it is better to let us think you will be willing to wait if you can be sure of being returned to your own place in due course.” Benner started to protest, and Susan interrupted him. “You forget that these people are telepaths, Mr. Benner.” Benner subsided rather sud- denly into his seat. The smile 22 had left Janton’s face. He strode forward and _ seated himself near them. “Yes, we are telepaths.” His gaze swept over them, and they flinched as they sensed the steel in his nature, masked by his gentle voice. ““One of our race controlled two of you quite easily merely by making a voice recording. You might also remember that.” For a few seconds there was silence while the three Earth people stared at him, numbly. “I overheard what you were saying just before I entered, Inspector Benner; partly tele- pathically, and partly by hear- ing. And my advice to you not to attempt to seize one of Our machines was not prompted entirely by selfish motives, as you may think. It is an unfortunate fact that we have more machines than personnel to man them.” - He leaned forward slightly. “Tell me, what do you people know of time?” Dinton made an impatient movement. “Of course, we know that time is regarded as the fourth dimension, and Ccomicloooks.conhn