Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

A DATE WITH THE PAST For that matter, what about the complete stranger? I had - a flashing moment of self- awareness, and decided to ask a few pertinent questions which refused to be quelled by the McNish. Disengaging my arm from Barba’s neck, I sat up and turned to face her. This brought into view the grassy clearing behind us_ which flanked the river bank. To my astonishment I beheld a man facing me, not ten yards away, and shimmering slightly as if seen through a heat-haze. Shimmering? I shook my head and looked again. This time all was normal. The man was obviously tan- gible and real. Almost too obviously. Broad-shouldered and standing over six feet tall, legs apart in a defiant attitude that was emphasised by his hard and glossy riding- breeches, his eyes held a look of cold fury in them. “Barba!” The deep voice cut out like a knife. “Are you mad, here like this?” With a little cry she sprang up from my side to face the intruder. *‘But the hypno-drug I gave you———!”” she said, shrilly. “Roger! It couldn’t fail! How——”’ 105 “Little fool! You thought I was unaware? Quick—every second here is danger. What have you been saying to this man ?”’ I had scrambled to my feet by now, and a wild thought crossed my mind. I blurted out: “Is your name Del Marno ?” The man appeared to ignore me, eyes fixed on the woman, and his voice had a strangled quality as he spoke to her: “You have even told him names ? That means a memory- erasing hypno. Don’t you realise—what else does he know 2” “Now, wait a minute!” I said. “This is ridiculous. What am I supposed to know that I shouldn’t? If you are this lady’s husband, I can only say that I’m extremely sorry, but I had great provo- cation. Great. You really shouldn’t let her loose like this. Would it make things easier if I just left you to work it out yourselves? I meant to be going about this time, anyway.” “Stop!” The man’s voice was imperative. “I cannot be sure you do not know our origin. Probability alone is worthless sd ‘Roger! It is you the fool! comicloooks.conm