Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 56 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION cerebral stun beam operates automatically. He told me that the fact that the vibrations continued up until ten minutes ago means Jaksn did xot kill himself early this afternoon.” “Then when did he kill himself?” Under-Inspector DanyLz’ eyebrows worked feverishly in his agitation. ‘““The Headtek says he didn’t kill himself at all. He’s adamant. Says the corpse must be a fake or something. He says the De- tector is still in perfect work- ing order, though he admits that he doesn’t understand why Jaksn’s vibrations should have ended so suddenly. He says . . . Sir, what’s the matter ?”’ “Nothing,” said Kristofr, softly. “Thanks, DanyLz. Keep in touch with me.” He switched off the visor and turned to General Lee. The older man looked at him with a puzzled frown. ““What’s up?” “Something I just thought of,”’ said Kristofr. Then, with- out waiting for permission, he snapped the visor toggle. ““Get me the coroner, quickly. Pri- ority call,” ‘What is all this, Kristofr?”’ The general’s. amazement showed plainly on his face. ‘Just a moment, sir, please. This may be vitally imp—— Hullo, put me-through to Aldrij, will you? Kristofr here. Yes, it’s important.” The conversation with Al- drij lasted three minutes. At the end of it Kristofr snapped off the visor and turned to his superior. “You saw that, sir?” “I saw him teil you that ten minutes ago they put Jaksn’s body into the crema- tion chamber, if that’s what you—here, wait a minute, — didn’t they say that the Detector recorded the vibra- tion black-out ten minutes ago ?”” “They did, but it’s not what you're thinking, sir. We haven’t cremated a _ living man. Jaksn was stone dead when I got to him at 16.30 hours this afternoon.” General Lee waved his hands aimlessly. “Then what Aap- pened, man? And what was the sense in getting them to rake the furnace?” “IT want all the ash put through the analyzer.” conmmcloooks.comnn