Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 67 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN BETWEEN I knew. I'd been through it all before. “Tt’s a rich claim,” said Harry thoughtfully. “‘At least, it will look that way on the assay. I’m an old man and they'll think I’m easy meat. I can’t see how they can resist the temptation.” “You've forgotten some- thing,” I said. ““They’ll know that we were partners. How will you explain that?’ *“You died,” he said calmly. “An unfortunate accident. You can guess what they’ll think.” I could. More than one partner had met with an unfortunate accident just after striking it rich. That was another reason why [ liked to operate alone. “‘They’ll use it against me, of course,” said Harry. ““They will probably threaten me with the law; anything to make me shut up and accept my loss.’’ He grinned at me. “They’ve got plenty of pre- cedent to go on; they know that they can get away with i? 21 He needn’t have said that. I was becoming less and less proud of how I’d been rooked without doing anything about it. I got down to business. ““How will we clear it all up?” “That’s up to you,’ he said pointedly. “Ill leave you behind on your claim. When the jumpers arrive you do what you think best. I’ll come out as if to make the double check and see what’s hap- pened.” He hesitated. ““Look, Jim, I'd like to help you but I can’t. All I can do is to set the trap. Officially, Consoli- dated can’t enter into this. Unofficially, we'll be behind you all the way. But it’s up to you.” “What am I supposed to do?’ I said bitterly. ““Make faces at them? The last time I had trouble I was up against three men, two of them paid goons. Polite words won’t persuade them to change their minds.” “Then don’t use polite words.” “All right then, I'll throw comicloooks.conm