Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 72 — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

CAT UP A TREE “To your cell,” the M.O. corrected. ‘“‘She’s waiting in there, all dressed up. From now on it’s up to you. You're the one who has to be careful. Always remember that it was fever she had. Never betray any hint of what she did; that might restore the memory. Try to act as if the past six weeks had never been.” Drew nodded eagerly and made for the ward door. The doctor caught his arm. “After she’s settled down go along and see Ferguson. He wants a word with you.” ‘““How is she?” asked Fer- guson. ‘Fine, thanks.”’ “Good. Take a look at this.” Ferguson unrolled a wide sheet of paper. There was a single black line drawn across it. It could have been an outline of a local mountain— except that Mars didn’t have any. The colony director ran a finger up the western face of the mountain. “This graph shows the slow but steady increase in the number of acts of violence over the past year.” His finger touched the peak. ““That point marks the first day you came to see me.”’ Drew looked further along the paper. The black line dipped with a swoop. It didn’t make a precipitous drop, but the rate of descent was at least twice the rate of ascent. “They’re falling off,’ he said. “Exactly,” said Ferguson. ‘“‘That’s why I decided it was safe to let your wife out of dock. These—these accidents still happen, mind you, but not nearly so frequently. How- ever, I want this graph to hit zero. That’s why I sent for you.” Drew didn’t see what he could do, but he said, politely: “Tl do anything that will help.” “Then stop working so hard. Take a holiday.” “T like my work!”’ “We all do. That’s an essential passport to Mars. The best way you can help me and the colony is to take a long rest. You see, Banner, it’s you I’m worried about now. I’ve been watching you. You’ve been working every 117 comicloooks.corn