Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

WISHFUL THINKING “What is it?” Mark straightened, one hand pick- ing up his book, the other opening a drawer in his desk. He moved smoothly, yet not so fast as to arouse suspicion. Stanley glanced at the book, caught a glimpse of the title and looked surprised. “Historical stuff? Didn’t know you went in for that sort of reading.” ““Some of it can be interest- ing.” Mark poised the book in his hand. ““Ties up with the job, too. Did you know that in the old days’ they had the death penalty for most every- thing you can think of? Killing a deer, stealing, not paying taxes, any number of crimes. And they didn’t burn tneir murderers, either.” “No?” Stanley sat on the edge of the desk and helped himself to a cigarette from the captain’s personal pack. He was thin, dressed in slouch hat and belted rain- coat and looked just what he was, an underpaid, over- worked detective who had long lost his illusions. He 91 gestured towards the book. “‘What did they do with them, hang them?” | “Sometimes.” Mark tossed the book into the drawer, closed it, leaned back. “‘Mostly they used torture. Molten lead and boiling oil poured down the throat. Stretching onarack, thumbscrews, hooks, boots which crushed the feet, and other things which crushed the skull.’”? He shud- - dered at recent memory. “It makes you feel sick to think of what those poor devils must have suffered.” “Different age, different ways,” said Stanley. He wasn’t — interested. ‘“Maybe they just didn’t look at things the way we do.” “Pain is pain, no matter what the age.”? Mark looked at the lieutenant. ““What did you want to see me about?” | “Call just came in from the city dump,” said Stanley. “Old guy who acts as watch- man phoned in to report the finding of a body.” “Murder ?”” Mark rose from his chair, his eyes alert. conmiclsooksS.Cconn