Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION ing is getting us nowhere. Let’s seal him up and get him out of the way.” They used the second and last of the big bags for the job, and lashed what remained of the old man beside the officer. They worked in silence, avoiding each other’s eyes, and the sense of guilt and helplessness drove them apart as soon as the job was done. Henley held out his hand. “The knife, Jeff. Vl take Oe “T’m keeping it.” “TI want the knife, Jeff.” *“Youcan keep on wanting.” The big man glowered his hate. ‘“‘And another thing, the light stays on. I’m taking no chances on getting stabbed in the dark. Someone in here is a killer and I don’t intend to be next. I'll keep the knife for self protection, and if you don’t like the idea, you can try to take it from me.” He grinned, an animal writhing of the lips utterly devoid of humour. “If you’ve got sense, Henley, you won’t try it.” It was an ultimatum. It was defeat and Henley knew it, and the knowledge was bitter in his mouth. Angrily he re- turned to the stool, then glanced up as Mrs. Caulder drifted towards him. “*Mr. Henley.” “Yes?” “I'd like to talk to you.” She glanced at the others and bent her lips to his ear. “Privately.” ““Go ahead.” He bent his head, and like two lovers, they sat cheek to cheek, each whispering into the other’s ear. “It’s about Tommy,” she whispered. “I’m worried about him.” “‘There’s no need to worry, Mrs. Caulder. It’s a trying time for all of us, but he’s young and he’ll get over it.” “I don’t mean that,” she whispered. “It’s something else. I think. .::...”’ Her voice faded with the dying of the light, and in the sudden darkness Henley felt her stiffen and the sound of a curse. “What the hell? Put those damn lights on!” “Tm trying.” Henley fumbled for the switch, found it, flipped it without result. ““Must be fused.” “Like .. .”’ Jeff’s voice cut off with a peculiar gurgle and something wet and warm sprayed Henley’s face with sticky moisture. Desperately he fumbled at the unfamiliar wiring, tracing the strands from the switch to the fuses, feeling his way until current 100 comicloooks,. com