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VOLUME LVil • NUMBER 2 April 1956

Novelettes

The Dead Past . . . Isaac Asimov 6 Legwork Eric Frank Russell 52 Short Story

The Man Who Always Knew . . . Algis Budrys 47

Serial Double Star Robert A. Hemlein 111 (Conclusion)

Article

The Curious Profession . . . Leonard Lockhard 93 Readers' Departments The Editor’s Page 4 In Times to Come 92

The Analytical Laboratory . 144

The Reference Library. . . P. Schuyler Miller 145 Brass Tacks 154

Editor: JOHN W. CAMPBELL, JR. Assistant Editor: KAY TARRANT

Advertising Director: ROBERT E. PARK Advertising Manager: WALTER J. McBRIDE

COVER BY FREAS • Illustrations by Freas and van Dongen SYA1BOL: Energy Conversion—electrical generator.

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• NEXT ISSUE ON SALE APRIL 1 7, 7 956 • 3 EDITORIAL

THE GROUP

AND

THE INDIVIDUAL

Basically, sociology is the study ods of thought; we are simply, com- of how groups of human beings be- pletely, and fundamentally unable have, and psychology the study of to express the relationship of indi- how individual human beings be- vidual-identity to group-nature, in have—but it’s evident that there any field of study. We have a science can't be a group without individuals of electronics-—the study of indi-

to compose it. To that extent, at vidual electron behavior—and a sci- least, psychology is the basis of so- ence of electrical engineering, which ciology, and the statistics on indi- is a different thing. In that particu- vidual behavior that psychologists lar field, we have made some en- collect are valid as a social function. gineering-level, rule-of-thumb cor-

But ... I think I can show that they relations between electron-behavior have no useful meaning for psychol- and electric-current behavior. ogy itself— for the understanding of But we have, in fundamental individual human beings. physics, the problem of "quantum

First, it needs to be recognized statistics,” which allows prediction that human thinking, human science and calculation of relatively gross and theories of method of under- matters concerning quanta in groups standing, can not, in any field of —but doesn't tell us much that's effort, relate the individual and the useful about individual quanta. And

group. There is a wide-open, and the behavior of individuals is funda- very fundamental hole in our meth- mentally different from the behavior

4 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION -

of groups-of-those-same-individuals. der, or around, or something, that Laws which do apply to individuals gravitational barrier. No violation do not apply to those individuals- in- of the law of conservation of energy

groups. Example: an individual nu- is involved, either. clear particle can short-circuit, by- Now individual particles can and pass, duck-under, or somehow play do do precisely that sort of thing.

ducks and drakes with the normal But while that is a Law of Nature

laws of energy relationships; a nu- relevant to particles, it does not clear particle two million volts deep apply to groups-of-particles.

inside the nuclear potential wall But that is equivalent to saying somehow gives a twist, a hop-skip- that the Law of Nature that makes

it ancl jump, and . . presto! It’s out- impossible for a spaceship to duck .

side the wall, without having ac- out into space is not applicable to quired the necessary energy to individual particles. What a space-

climb over the wall. It's as though ship cannot do, a particle can do—

an automobile that wanted to go and, in Nature, if a particle can do

from a point in Colorado on one a thing, it must. Make it possible side of the Rockies to a point in for water to run down hill, and that

California at the same elevation water must. above sea level, but on the other We do not have any way of relat- side of the mountains, gave a quiver, ing the fundamental nature of a

a shake, and . . whoops ! There it particle-individual to a wave-group

is in California! —nor can we, because we don’t

It takes energy equivalent to seven know how, relate the individual hu- miles a second to get a mass out of man being to the laws of sociology. the Earth’s gravitational well—and We lack a method of stating that that’s what keeps us Earth-bound. type of relationship, or considering

But note this: there is a point in the laws of individual-group dynamic space between the Earth and the relational forces at a fundamental Sun, where a mass would have the level. If we did have, we could use same net total gravitational energy those lav/s to explain quantum

potential as it does on the surface mechanics, and social dynamics alike.

of the Earth. It would have fallen Arithmetic applies to both fields; the millions of miles toward the Sun, sort of relational understanding I’m and the energy so released would talking about would apply to both. be equal to the energy necessary to Until we do have such an under- lift that mass out of the Earth’s standing, however, statistical studies much feebler gravitational well. of human beings belong in the field Then if we could make a space- of sociology, and are not, properly, ship act like a nuclear particle, we to be considered studies of human could escape Earth by the simple individuals-as-such at all. The laws process of ducking through, or un- ( Continued on page 160)

THE GROUP AND THE INDIVIDUAL 5 THE BEAD PAST

There ’s the old saying, “Let the dead

past bury its dead.” But . . . how long does a past have to be passed before it’s dead?

BY ISAAC ASIMOV

Illustrated by van Dongen

Arnold Potterley, Ph.D. was a was the fact that he looked like a Professor of Ancient History. That, Professor of Ancient History. in itself, was not dangerous. What Thaddeus Araman, Department changed the world beyond all dreams Head of the Division of Chronos-

6 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

copy, might have taken proper ac- irregularity,” said Araman, sooth- tion if Dr. Potterley had been owner ingly. He flipped the thin reproduc- of a large, square chin, flashing eyes, tion-sheets in the folder to which aquiline nose and broad shoulders. Potterley’s name had been attached. As it was, Thaddens Araman They had been produced by Multivac, found himself staring over his desk whose vast analogical mind kept all at a mild-mannered individual, whose the department records. When this faded blue eyes looked at him wist- was over, the sheets could be de- fully from either side of a low- stroyed, then reproduced on demand bridged button nose; whose small, in a matter of minutes. neatly-dressed figure seemed stamp- And while Araman turned the ed "Milk-and-water” from thinning pages. Dr. Potterley’s voice continued brown hair to the neatly- brushed in a soft monotone. shoes that completed a conservative The historian was saying, "I must middle-class costume. explain that my problem is quite an Araman said pleasantly, "And now important one. Carthage was aheient what can I for you, Dr. Potter- do commercialism brought to its zenith. ley?” Pre-Roman Carthage was the nearest Dr. Potterley said in a soft voice ancient analogue to pre-atomic Amer- that went well with the rest of him, ica, at least insofar as its attachment "Mr. Araman, I came to you because to trade, commerce and business in you're top man in chronoscopy.” general was concerned. They were Araman smiled. "Not exactly. the most daring seamen and explorers Above me is the World Commission- before the Vikings; much better at er of is the Research and above him it than the over-rated Greeks. secretary general of the United Na- "To know Carthage would be very tions. above both of them, of And rewarding, yet the only knowledge course, are the sovereign peoples of we have of it is derived from the Earth.” writings of its bitter enemies, the Dr. Potterley shook his head. Greeks and Romans. Carthage itself "They’re not interested in chronos- never wrote in its own defense or, copy. I've come to you, sir, because if it did, the books did not survive. for two years I have been trying to As a result, the Carthaginians have obtain permission to do some time- been one of the favorite sets of vil- viewing—chronoscopy, that is—in lains of history and perhaps unjustly connection with my researches on so. Time-viewing may set the record ancient Carthage. I can’t obtain such straight.” permission. My research grants are He said much more. all proper. There is no irregularity Araman said, still turning the .re- in any —of my intellectual endeavors and yet production-sheets before him, "You

"I’m sure there is no question of must realize, Dr. Potterley, that

THE DEAD PAST 7 chronoscopy, or time-viewing, if you sight. He said, "Is there any way of

prefer,, is a difficult process.” reviewing matters, putting me as far

Dr. Potterley, who had been inter- forward as possible? I don't know ” rupted, frowned and said, "I am ask- how to explain— ing lor only certain selected views Araman smiled. Some had offered

at times and places I would indi- money under similar circumstances cate.” which, of course, had gotten them Araman sighed. "Even a few nowhere, either. He said, "The deci- views, even one— It is an unbelieva- sions on priority are computer-proc-

bly delicate art. There is the question essed. I could in no way alter those of focus, getting the proper scene in decisions arbitrarily.”

view and holding it. There is the Potterley rose stiffly to his feet.

synchronization of sound, which calls He stood five and a half feet tall. for completely independent circuits.” "Then good day, sir."

"Surely my problem is important "Good day, Dr. Potterley. And my enough, to justify considerable sincerest regrets.”

effort,”. He offered his hand and Potterley

"Yes, sir. Undoubtedly,” said Ara- touched it briefly. man at once. To deny the importance The historian left and a touch of of someone's research problem would the buzzer brought Araman’s secre- be unforgivably bad manners. "But tary into the room. He handed her you must understand how long- the folder.

drawn-out even the simplest view is. "These,” he said, "may be dis-

And there is a long waiting line for posed of.” the chronoscope and an even longer Alone again, he smiled bitterly. waiting line for the use of Multivac Another item in his quarter-century’s which guides us in our use of the service to the human race. Service controls.” through negation. Potterley stirred unhappily. "But At least, this fellow had been easy can nothing be done? For two to dispose of. Sometimes, academic years-e-” pressure had to be applied and even "A matter of priority, sir. I’m withdrawal of grants. sorry. Cigarette?” Five minutes later, he had forgot- The historian started back at the ten Dr. Potterley. Nor, thinking back

suggestion, eyes suddenly widening on it later, .could he remember feel- as he stared at the pack thrust out ing any premonition of danger. toward him. Araman looked sur-

prised, withdrew the pack, made a During the first year of his frus- motion as though to take a cigarette tration, Arnold Potterley had experi- tor — himself and thought better of it. enced only that frustration. During Potterley drew a sigh of unfeigned the second year, though, his frustra-

relief as the pack was put out of tion gave birth to an idea that first

8 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION frightened and then fascinated him. conceived it to be no responsibility Two things stopped him from trying of his to make light conversation or to translate the idea into action, and new friends. He sipped abstemiously neither barrier was the undoubted at a drink or two, exchanged a po- fact that his notion was a grossly lite word with the dean or such de- unethical one. partment heads as happened to be The first was merely the contin- present, bestowed a narrow smile at uing hope that the government would others, and finally left early. finally give its permission and make Ordinarily, he would have paid no

it unnecessary for him to do any- attention, at that most recent tea, to thing more. That hope had perished a young man standing quietly, even finally in the interview with Araman diffidently, in one corner. He would just completed. never have dreamed of speaking to The second barrier had been not him. Yet a tangle of circumstance a hope at all but a dreary realization persuaded him this once to behave of his own incapacity. He was not in a way contrary to his nature. a physicist and he knew no physicists That morning at breakfast, Mrs. from whom he might obtain help. Potterley had announced somberly The Department of Physics at the that once again she had dreamed of University consisted of men well- Laurel; but this time a Laurel grown stocked with grants and well- up, yet retaining the three-year-old immersed in specialty. At best, they face that stamped her as their child. would not listen to him. At worst, Potterley had let her talk. There had they would report him for intellec- been a time when he fought her tual anarchy and even his basic Car- too-frequent preoccupation with the thaginian grant might easily be with- past and death. Laurel would not drawn. come back to them, either through

That he could not risk. And yet dreams or through talk. Yet if it chronoscopy was the only way to appeased Caroline Potterley—let her carry on his work. Without it, he dream and talk. would be no worse off if his grant But when Potterley went to school were lost. that morning, he found himself for

The first hint that the second once affected by Caroline’s inanities. barrier might be overcome had come Laurel grown up! She had died a week earlier than his interview nearly twenty years ago; their 1 only with Araman, and it had gone un- child, then and ever. In all that time, recognized at the time. It had been when he thought of her, it was as a at one of the faculty teas. Potterley three-year-old. attended these sessions unfailingly Now he thought: But if she were because he conceived attendance to alive now, she wouldn’t be three, be a duty, and he took his duties she’d be nearly twenty-three. seriously. Once there, however, he Helplessly, he found himself try-

THE DEAD PAST 9 —

ing to think of Laurel as growing Potterley nodded, "I wish you a progressively older; as finally becom- happy stay here and great success.” ing twenty-three. He did not quite That was the end of it, then. Pot- succeed. terley had come uneasily to his senses, Yet he tried. Laurel using make- found himself embarrassed and up. Laurel going out with boys. moved off. He stared back over his

Laurel—getting married ! shoulder once, but the illusion of So it was that when he saw the relationship had gone. Reality was young man hovering at the outskirts quite real once more and he was of the coldly circulating group of angry with himself for having fallen faculty men, it occurred to him prey to his wife’s foolish talk about quixotically, that, for all he knew, Laurel.

a youngster just such as this might But a week later, even while Ara- have married Laurel. That youngster man was talking, the thought of that himself, perhaps young man had come back to him. Laurel might have met him, here An instructor in Physics. A new in- at the university, or some evening structor. Had he been deaf at the when he might be invited to dinner time? Was there a short circuit be- Potterleys. grow at the They might tween car and brain. Or was it an interested in one another. Laurel automatic self-censorship because of would surely have been pretty and the impending interview with the this youngster looked well. He was Head of Chronoscopy. dark in coloring, with a lean intent But the interview failed and it was easy carriage. face and an the thought of the young man with tenuous snapped, The daydream whom he had exchanged two sen- Potterley himself staring yet found tences that prevented Potterley from foolishly at the as young man, not elaborating his pleas for considera- a strange face but as a possible son- tion. He was almost anxious to get in-law in the might-have-been. He away. found himself threading his way to- And in the autogiro express back ward the man. It was almost a form to the University, he could almost of autohypnotism. wish he w'ere superstitious. He could He put out his hand. "I am Arnold then console himself with the Potterley of the History Department. thought that the casual meaningless You're new here, I think?” meeting had really been directed by The youngster looked faintly as- a knowing and purposeful Fate. tonished and fumbled with his

drink, shifting it to his left hand in Foster w'as not order to shake with his right. "Jonas Jonas new to aca- life. Foster is my name, sir. I'm a new demic The long and rickety instructor in Physics. I'm just starting struggle for the doctorate would this semester.” make anyone a veteran. Additional

10 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION — — ”

work as a post-doctorate teaching tling opinions. Surely, they ought to fellow acted as a booster shot. have done so before granting him But now he was Instructor Jonas his appointment. Still Foster. Professorial dignity lay Potterley might be serious, might ahead. And he now found himself honestly not realize what he was in a new sort of relationship toward doing. Or he might realize quite well other professors. what he was doing; he might be For one thing, they would be vot- nothing more or less than a danger- ing on future promotions. For an- ous rascal. — other, he was in no position to tell Foster mumbled, "Well, now so early in the game which particular to gain time, and fished out a pack- member of the faculty might or age of cigarettes, intending to offer might not have the ear of the Dean one to Potterley and to light it and or even of the University President. one for himself very slowly. He did not fancy himself as a campus But Potterley said at once, "Please, politician and was sure he would Dr. Foster. No cigarettes.” make a poor one, yet there was no Foster looked startled. "I’m sorry, point in kicking his own rear into sir.” blisters just to prove that to himself. "No. The regrets are mine. I can- So Foster listened to this mild- not stand the odor. An idiosyncrasy. mannered historian who, in some I’m sorry.” vague way, seemed nevertheless to He was positively pale. Foster put radiate tension. Nor did Foster shut away the cigarettes. him up abruptly and toss him out. Foster, feeling the absence of the Certainly that was his first impulse. cigarette, took the easy way out. "I’m He remembered Potterley well flattered that you ask my advice and enough. Potterley had approached all that, Dr. Potterley, but I’m not a him at that tea (which had been a neutrinics man. I can’t very well do grizzly affair). The fellow had anything professional in that direc- spoken two sentences to him, stiffly, tion. Even stating an opinion would somehow glassy-eyed, had then come be out of line, and, frankly, I’d to himself with a visible start and prefer that you didn’t go into any hurried off. particulars.”

It had amused Foster at the time, The historian’s prim face set hard. but now "What do you mean, you’re not a Potterley might have been delib- neutrinics man? You’re not anything erately trying to make his acquaint- yet. You haven’t received any grant, ance, or rather, to impress his own have you?” personality on Foster as that of a "This is only my first semester.” queer sort of duck, eccentric but "I know that. I imagine you have- harmless. He might now be probing n’t even applied for any grant yet.” Foster’s views, searching for unset- Foster half-smiled. In three months

THE DEAD PAST 11 ”

at the University, he had not suc- fense. "It’s a highly specialized sub- ceeded in putting his initial requests ject with no great value. Chronos- for research grants into good enough copy, perhaps, has some value, but shape to pass on to a professional it is the only practical application science writer, let alone to the Re- and that’s a dead end.” search Commission. The historian stared at him earn- (His Department Head, fortu- estly. "Tell me this: Do you know nately, took it quite well. "Take your where I can find a neutrinics man?” time now, Foster,” he said, "and "No, I don’t,” said Foster, blunt- get your thoughts well-organized. ] y- Make sure you know your path and "Well, then, do you know a where it will lead, for once re- you school which teaches neutrinics?” ceive a grant, your specialization will "No, I don’t.” be formally recognized and, for bet- Potterley smiled tightly and with- ter or for worse, it will be yours for out humor. the rest of your career.” The advice Foster resented that smile, found was trite enough, but triteness has he detected insult in it, and grew often the merit of truth, and Foster sufficiently annoyed to say, "I would recognized that.) like to point out, sir, that you’re Foster said, "By education and stepping out of line.” inclination, Dr. Potterley, I’m a hy- peroptics man with a gravities minor. "What?” It's how I described myself in apply- "I’m saying that as an historian, ing for this position. It may not be your interest in any sort of physics, my official specialization yet, but it’s ” your professional interest, is— He going to be. It can’t be anything paused, unable to bring himself else. As for neutrinics, I never even quite to say the word. studied the subject.” "Unethical?” "Why not?” demanded Potterley "That’s the Potterley.” at once. word, Dr. researches driven Foster stared. It was the kind of "My have me rude curiosity about another man’s to it,” said Potterley in an intense professional status that was always whisper. irritating. He said, with the edge of "The Research Commission—is the his own politeness just a trifle place to go. If they permit blunted, "A course in neutrinics "I have gone to them and have wasn’t given at my university.” received no satisfaction.” "Where did you go?” "Then obviously you must aban- "M.J.T.” said Foster, quietly. don this.” Foster knew he was "And they don’t teach neutrinics?” sounding stuffily virtuous, but he "No, they don’t.” Foster felt him- wasn’t going to let this man lure self flush and was moved to a de- him into an expression of intellectual

12 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION anarchy. It was too early in his mind was somehow qualitatively career to take stupid risks. different from a ship or factory but Apparently, though, the remark the history of intellectual endeavor had its effect on Potterley. Without proved the opposite. any warning, the man exploded into When science was young and the a rapid-fire verbal storm of irrespon- intricacies of all or most of the sibility. known was within the grasp of an Scholars, he said, could be free individual mind, there w'as no need only if they could freely follow their for direction, perhaps. Blind wan- own free-swinging curiosity. Re- dering over the uncharted tracts of search, he said, forced into a pre- ignorance could lead to wonderful designed pattern by the powers that finds by accident. held the purse-strings became slav- But as knowledge grew, more and ish and had to stagnate. No man, more data had to be absorbed before he said, had the right to dictate the worthwhile journeys into ignorance intellectual interests of another. could be organized. Men had to spe-

Foster listened to all of it with cialize. The researcher needed the

disbelief. None of it was strange to resources of a library he himself him. He had heard college boys talk could not gather, then of instruments so in order to their professors not afford. shock he himself could . More and he had once or twice amused and more, the individual researcher himself in that fashion, too. Any- gave way to the research-team and one who studied the history of sci- the research-institution. ence knew that many men had once The funds necessary for research thought so. grew' greater as tools grew' more

Yet it seemed strange to Foster, numerous. What college W'as so almost against nature, that a modern small today as not to require at least man of science could advance such one nuclear micro-reactor and at nonsense. No one would advocate least one three-stage computer? running a factory by allowing each Centuries before, private individ- individual worker to do whatever uals could no longer subsidize re- pleased him at the moment, or of search. By 1940, only the govern- running a ship according to the casu- ment, large industries, and large uni-

al and conflicting notions of each versities or research institutions could individual crewman. It would be properly subsidize basic research. taken for granted that some sort of By I960, even the largest univer- centralized supervisory agency must sities depended entirely upon gov- exist in each case. Why should di- ernment grants, while research insti- rection and order benefit a factory tutions could not exist without tax and a ship but not scientific re- concessions and public subscriptions. search ? By 2000, the industrial combines People might say that the human had become a branch of the world

THE DEAD PAST 13 ”

government and thereafter, the fi- cause professors write them. Who nancing of research and, therefore, says it from personal experience and its direction, naturally became cen- knowledge? Who does research in tralized under a department of the it? Do you know of anyone?” government. Foster said, "I don't see that we’re It all worked itself out naturally getting anywhere,—Dr. Potterley. I and well. Every branch of science have work to do was fitted neatly to the needs of the "One minute. I just want you to public, and the various branches of try this on. See how it sounds to you. science were co-ordinated decently. I say the government is actively sup- The material advance of the last pressing basic research in neutrinics half-century was argument enough and chronoscopy. They’re even sup- for the fact that science was not pressing application of chronos- falling into stagnation. copy.” “Oh, no.”

Foster tried to say a very little of “Why not? They could do it. this and was waved aside impatiently There’s your centrally directed re- by Potterley who said, “You are search. If they refuse grants for re- parroting official propaganda. You’re search in any portion of science, that sitting in the middle of an example portion dies. They’ve killed neutrin- that’s squarely against the official ics. They can do it and have done view. Can you believe that?” it.” “Frankly, no.” “But why?”

"Well, why do you say time-view- “I don’t know why. I want you ing is a dead end? Why is neutrinics to find out. I’d do it myself if I unimportant? You say it is. You say knew enough. I came to you because it categorically. Yet you’ve never you’re a young fellow with a brand- studied it: You claim complete igno- new education. Have your intellectu- rance of the subject. It’s not even al arteries hardened already? Is there given in your school—” no Curiosity in you? Don’t you want ?” “Isn’t the mere fact that it isn’t to know ? Don’t you want answers given proof enough?” The historian was peering intent-

"Oh, I see. It’s not given because ly into Foster’s face. Their noses it’s unimportant. And it’s unimpor- were only inches apart and Foster tant because it’s not given. Are you was so lost that he did not think to satisfied with that reasoning?” draw back. Foster felt a growing confusion. He should, by rights, have or- "It’s in the books.” dered Potterley out. If necessary, he

"That’s all. The books say neu- should have thrown Potterley out. trinics is unimportant. Your profes- It was not respect for age and sors tell you so because they read it position that stopped him. It was in the books. The books say so be- certainly not that Potterley’s argu-

14 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION merits had convinced him. Rather, it was a small point of college pride. Why didn't M.I.T. give a course in neutrinics? For that matter, now that he came to think of it, he doubted that there was a single book on neutrinics in the library. He could never recall having seen one. He stopped to think about that. And that was ruin.

Caroline Potterley had once been an attractive woman. There were occasions, such as dinners or Uni- versity functions, when by consider- able effort, remnants of the attrac- tion could be salvaged. On ordinary occasions, she sagged.

It was the word she applied to her- self in moments of self-abhorrence. She had grown plumper with the years, but the flaccidity about her was not a matter of fat, entirely. It was as though her muscles had given up and grown limp so that she shuffled when she walked while her eyes grew baggy and her cheeks jowly. Even her graying hair seem- ed tired rather than merely stringy.

Its straightness seemed to be the re- sult of a supine surrender to gravity, nothing else. Caroline Potterley looked at her- self in the mirror and admitted this was one of her bad days. She knew the reason, too.

It had been the dream of Laurel. The strange one, with Laurel grown up. She had been wretched ever since.

Still, she was sorry she had men- tioned it to Arnold. He didn’t say

THE DEAD PAST 15 anything; he never did, any more; She tried to help him. She hunted but it was bad for him. He was up his references, typed his notes and particularly withdrawn for days microfilmed them. Then that ended afterward. It might have been that suddenly. he was getting ready for that impor- She ran from the desk suddenly tant conference with the big govern- one evening, reaching the bathroom ment official—he kept saying he ex- in bare time and retching abomina- pected no success—but it might also bly. Her husband followed her in have been her dream. confusion and concern. It was better in the old days when "Caroline, what’s wrong?” he would cry sharply at her, "Let It took a drop of brandy to bring

the dead past go, Caroline ! Talk her around. She said, "Is it true? won’t bring her back, and dreams What they did ?” won’t either.” "Who did?” It had been bad for both of them. "The Carthaginians.”

Horribly bad. She had been away He stared at her and she got it from home that night and had lived out by indirection. She couldn't say in guilt ever since. If she had stayed it right out. at home, if she had not gone on an The Carthaginians, it seemed, unnecessary shopping expedition, worshiped Moloch, in the form of there would have been two of them a hollow, brazen idol with a furnace available. One would have succeeded in its belly. At times of national in saving Laurel. crisis, the priests and the people Poor Arnold had not managed. gathered and infants, after the prop- Heaven knew he tried. He had near- er ceremonies and invocations, were ly died himself. He had come out of dextrously hurled, alive, into the the burning house, staggering in flames. agony, blistered, choking, half-blind- They were given sweetmeats just ed, with the dead Laurel in his arms. before the crucial moment, in order The nightmare of that lived on, that the efficacy of the sacrifice not never lifting entirely. be ruined by displeasing cries of Arnold slowly grew a shell about panic. The drums rolled just after himself afterward. He cultivated a the moment, to drown out the few low-voiced mildness through which seconds of infant shrieking. The nothing broke, no lightning struck. parents were present, presumably He grew puritanical and even aban- gratified, for the sacrifice was pleas- doned his minor vices, his cigarettes, ing to the gods— his penchant for an occasional pro- Arnold Potterley frowned darkly. fane exclamation. He obtained his Vicious lies, he told her, on the part grant for the preparation of a hew of Carthage’s enemies. He should history of Carthage and subordinated have warned her. After all, such everything to that. propagandists lies were not uncom-

16 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION mon. According to the Greeks, the But now she was bracing herself ancient Hebrews worshiped an ass’ for his coming. He had called her head in their Holy of Holies. Ac- after arriving back in town, told her cording to the Romans, the primitive he had seen the government man

Christians were haters of all men and that it had gone as expected. who sacrificed pagan children in the That meant failure and yet the little catacombs. telltale signs of depression had been "Then they didn’t do it?” asked absent from his voice and his fea- Caroline. tures had appeared quite composed "I’m sure they didn’t. The primi- in the teleview. He had another tive Phoenicians may have. Human errand to take care of, he said, be-

sacrifice is commonplace in primitive fore coming home. cultures. But Carthage in her great It meant he would be late, but days was not a primitive culture. that didn’t matter. Neither one of Human sacrifice often gives way to them was particular about eating symbolic actions such as circumci- hours or cared when packages were sion. The Greeks and Romans might taken out of the freezer or even have mistaken some Carthaginian which packages or when the self-

symbolism for the original full rite, warming mechanism was activated. either out of ignorance or out of When he did arrive, he surprised malice.” her. There was nothing untoward "Are you sure?” about him in any obvious way. He kissed her dutifully and smiled, took "I can’t be sure yet, Caroline, but off his hat and asked if all had been when I’ve got enough evidence, I'll well while he was gone. It was all apply, for permission to use chronos- almost perfectly normal. Almost. copy, which will settle the matter She had learned to detect small once and for all." things, though, and his in all "Chronoscopy?” pace this was a trifle hurried. Enough to "Time-viewing. We can focus on show her accustomed eye that he ancient Carthage at some time of was under tension. crisis, the landing of Scipio Afri- She said, "Has something happen- canus in 202 B.C., for instance, and ed ?” see with our own eyes exactly what He said, "We’re going to have a happens. And you’ll see, I’ll be dinner guest night after next, Caro- right.” line. You don’t mind?” He patted her and smiled encour- "Well, no. Is it anyone I know?” agingly, but she dreamed of Laurel "No. A young instructor. A new- every night for two weeks thereafter comer. I’ve spoken to him.” He and she never helped him with his suddenly whirled toward her and Carthage project again. Nor did he seized her arms at the elbow, held ever ask her to. them a moment, then dropped them

T11E DEAD PAST 17 ” ”

in confusion as though disconcerted lectual curiosity when I see it in a at having shown emotion. man’s eyes and face and attitude and He said, "I almost didn't get it’s a fatal disease for a tame scien- through to him. Imagine that. Ter- tist. Even today it takes time to beat rible, terrible, the way we have all it out of a man and the young ones bent to the yoke; the affection we are vulnerable. Oh, why stop at any- have for the harness about us.” thing? Why not build our own

Mrs. Potterley wasn't sure she chronoscope and tell the government understood, but for a year she had to go to— been watching him grow quietly He stopped abruptly, shook his more rebellious; little by little more head and turned away. daring in his. criticism of the govern- "I hope everything will be all ment. She said, "You haven’t spoken right,” said Mrs. Potterley, feeling foolishly to him, have you?” helplessly certain that everything "What do you mean, foolishly? would not be, and frightened, in He’ll be doing some neutrinics for advance, for her husband’s profes- me.” sorial status and the security of their "Neutrinics” was trisyllabic non- old age. sense to Mrs. Potterley, but she It was she alone, of them all, who knew it had nothing to do with had a violent presentiment of trou- history. She said, faintly, "Arnold, ble. Quite the wrong trouble, of I don't like you to do—that. You’ll course. lose your position. It’s "It’s intellectual anarchy, my Jonas Foster was nearly half an dear,” he said. "That’s the phrase hour late in arriving at the Potter- you want. Very well. I am an anarch- ley’s off-campus house. Up to that

ist. If the government will not allow very evening, he had not quite de- me to push my researches, I will cided he would go. Then, at the push them on my own. And when last moment, he found he could not

I show the way, others will follow. bring himself to commit the social

And if they don’t, it makes no differ- enormity of breaking a dinner ap-

ence. It’s Carthage that counts and pointment an hour before the ap- human knowledge, not you and I.” pointed time. That, and the nagging "But you don’t know this young of curiosity.

man. What if he is an agent for The dinner itself passed intermi- the '-Commissioner of Research?” nably. Foster ate without appetite.

"Not likely and I’ll take that Mrs. Potterley sat in distant absent-

chance," He made a fist of his right mindedness, emerging out of it only

hand and rubbed it gently against once to ask if he were married and the palm of his left. "He’s on my to make a depreciating sound at the

side now. I’m sure of it. He can’t news that he was not. Dr. Potterley,

help but be. I can recognize intel- himself, asked neutrally after his

18 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

professional history and nodded his ous, he thought in bitter dissatisfac- head primly. tion with himself. It’s a dangerous It was as staid, stodgy—boring, trait. actually—as anything could be. After dinner, he was ushered into Foster thought: He seems so Potterley's study and he was brought harmless. up sharply at the threshold. The Foster had spent the last two days walls were simply lined with books. reading up on Dr. Potterley. Very Not merely films. There were casually, of course, almost sneakily. films, of course, but these were far He wasn't particularly anxious to be outnumbered by the books—print on seen in the Social Science Library. paper. He wouldn’t have thought so To be sure, history was one of those many books would exist in usable borderline affairs and historical condition. works were frequently read for That bothered Foster. Why should amusement or edification by the gen- anyone want to keep so many books eral public. at home? Surely all were available

Still, a physicist wasn’t quite the in the university library, or, at the "general public." Let Foster take to very worst, at the Library of Con- reading histories and he would be gress, if one wished to take the considered queer, sure as relativity, minor trouble of checking out a and after a while the head of the microfilm. department would wonder if his new There was an element of secrecy instructor were really "the man for involved in a home library. It the job.” breathed of intellectual anarchy. So he had been cautious. He sat That last thought, oddly, calmed in the more secluded alcoves and Foster. He would rather Potterley kept his head bent when he slipped be an authentic anarchist than a in and out at odd hours. play-acting agent provocateur.

Dr. Potterley, it turned out, had And now the hours began to pass written three books and some dozen quickly and astonishingly. articles on the ancient Mediterranean "You see,” Potterley said, in a worlds, and the later articles—all in clear, unflurried voice, “it was a 'Historical Reviews ’ —had all dealt matter of finding, if possible, anyone with pre-Roman Carthage from a who had ever used chronoscopy in sympathetic viewpoint. his work. Naturally, I couldn’t ask That, at least, checked with Pot- baldly, since that would be unau- terley’s story and had soothed Fos- thorized research.” ter's suspicions somewhat. And yet "Yes,” said Foster, dryly. He was

Foster felt that it would have been a little surprised such a small con- much wiser, much safer, to have sideration would stop the —man. scotched the matter at the beginning. ”1 used indirect methods A scientist shouldn't be too curi- He had. Foster was amazed at the

THE DEAD PAST 19 ”

volume of correspondence dealing it wasn’t being used. Curiosity is with small disputed points of ancient such a vice, Dr. Foster.” Mediterranean culture which some- Yes, agreed the physicist to him- how managed to elicit the casual self. remark over and over again: "Of "Imagine the effectiveness, then,” course, having— never made use of Potterley went on, "of pretending chronoscopy ” or "Pending ap- that the chronoscope was being used. proval of my request for chrono- It would then be not a mystery, but scopic data, which— appears unlikely a commonplace. It would no longer at the moment be a fitting object for legitimate "Now these aren’t blind question- curiosity nor an attractive one for ings,” said Potterley. "There’s a illicit curiosity." monthly booklet put out by the In- "You were curious,” pointed out stitute for Chronoscopy in which Foster.

items concerning the past as deter- Potterley looked a trifle restless. mined by time-viewing are printed. "It was different in my case,” he Just one or two items. said angrily. "I have something that

"What impressed me first was the must be done, and 1 wouldn't submit triviality of most of the items, their to the ridiculous way in which they insipidity. Why should such re- kept putting me off.” searches get priority over my work? A bit paranoid, too, thought Fos-

So I wrote to people who would be ter, gloomily. most likely to do research in the Yet he had ended up with some- directions described in the booklet. thing, paranoid or not. Foster could

Uniformly, as I have shown you, no longer deny that something pe- they did not make use of the chrono- culiar was going on in the matter

scope. Now let’s go over it point by of neutrinics. point.” But what was Potterley after?

That still bothered Foster. If Potter-

At last Foster, his head swimming ley didn’t intend this as a test of with Potterley’s meticulously gath- Foster’s ethics, what did he want?

ered details, asked, "But why?” Foster put it to himself logically. "I don't know why," said Potter- If an intellectual anarchist with a

ley, "but I have a theory. The origi- touch of paranoia wanted to use a nal invention of the chronoscope was chronoscope and was convinced that by Sterbinski—you see, I know that the powers-that-be were deliberate- much—and it was well-publicized. ly standing in his way, what would But then the government took over he do?

the instrument and decided to sup- Supposing it were I, he thought.

press further research in the matter What would I do? or any use of the machine. But then, He said slowly, "Maybe the people might be curious as to why chronoscope doesn’t exist at all?”

20 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ” ”

Potterley started. There was al- suppose I could learn enough out of most a crack in his general calmness. books, which I doubt, where would For an instant, Foster found himself we get the money and equipment? catching a glimpse of something not The chronoscope is supposed to fill at all calm. a five-story building, for Heaven’s But the historian kept his balance sake.” and said. "Oh, no, there must be a "Then you won’t help me?” chronoscope.’’ "Well, I'll tell you what. I have "Wiry? Have you seen it? Have one way in which I —may be able 1 ? Maybe that’s the explanation of to find out something everything. Maybe they’re not delib- "What is that?” asked Potterley erately holding out on a chronoscope at once. they’ve got. Maybe they haven’t got "Never mind. That’s not impor- it in the first place.” tant. But I may be able to find out

"But Sterbinski lived. He built a enough to tell you w'hether the gov- chronoscope. That much is a fact.” ernment is deliberately suppressing

"The books say so,” said Foster, research by chronoscope. I may con- coldly. firm the evidence you already have

"Now listen,” Potterley actually or I may be able to prove that your reached over and snatched at Foster’s evidence is misleading. I don’t know jacket sleeve. "I need the chrono- what good it will do you in either scope. I must have it. Don’t tell me case, but it’s as far as I can go. It’s it doesn’t exist. What we’re going my limit.” to do is find out enough— about neu- trinics to be able to Potterley watched the young man Potterley drew himself up short. go finally. He was angry with him- Foster drew his sleeve away. He self. Why had he allow'ed himself needed no ending to that sentence. to grow so careless as to permit the

1 le supplied it himself. He said, fellow to guess that he was thinking "Build one of our own?” in terms of a chronoscope of his Potterley looked sour as though own? That was premature. he would rather not have said it But then why did the young fool point-blank. Nevertheless, he said, have to suppose that a chronoscope "Why not?” might not exist at all? "Because that’s out of the ques- It bad to exist. It bad to. What tion,” said Foster. "If what I’ve read was the use of saying it didn’t? is correct, then it took Sterbinski And why couldn’t a second one be twenty years to build his machine built? Science had advanced in the and several millions in composite fifty years since Sterbinski. All that grants. Do you think you and I can was needed was knowledge. duplicate that illegally. Suppose we Let the youngster gather knowl- had the time, which we haven’t, and edge. Let him think a small gather-

THE DEAD PAST 21 ing would be his limit. Having a convenience. Not being really edu- taken the path to anarchy, there cated, they did not have to special- would be no limit. If the boy were ize. Consequently, a good science- not driven onward by something in writer knew practically everything. himself, the first steps would be And Uncle Ralph was one of the error enough to force the rest. Pot- best. terley was quite certain he would not hesitate to use blackmail. Ralph Nimmo had no college de-

Potterley waved a last good-by and gree and was rather proud of it. "A looked up. It was beginning to rain. degree,” he once said to Jonas Foster,

Certainly! Blackmail if necessary, when both were considerably young- but he would not be stopped. er, "is a first step down a ruinous highway. You don’t want to waste Foster steered his car across the one degree so you go on to graduate bleak outskirts of town and scarcely work and doctoral research. You end noticed the rain. up a thoroughgoing ignoramus on He was a fool, he told himself, everything in the world except for but he couldn’t leave things as they one subdivisional sliver of nothing. were. He had to know. He damned "On the other hand, if you guard his streak of undisciplined curiosity, your mind carefully and keep it but he had to know. blank of any clutter of information

But he would go no further than till maturity is reached, filling it only

Uncle Ralph. He swore mightily to with intelligence and training it only himself that it would stop there. In in clear thinking, you then have a that way, there would be no evidence powerful instrument at your disposal against him, no real evidence. Unde and you can become a science- Ralph would be discreet. writer.”

In a way, he was secretly ashamed Nimmo received his first assign- of Uncle Ralph. He hadn’t men- ment at the age of twenty-five, after tioned him to Potterley partly out he had completed his apprenticeship of caution and partly because he did and been out in the field for less

not wish to witness the lifted eye- than three months. It came in the brow, the inevitable half-smile. Pro- shape of a clotted manuscript whose fessional science-writers, however language would impart no glimmer-

useful, were a little outside the pale, ing of understanding to any reader,

fit only for patronizing contempt. however qualified, without careful The fact that, as a class, they made study and some inspired guesswork.

more money than did research sci- Nimmo took it apart and put it to- entists, only made matters worse, of gether again—after five long and course. exasperating interviews with the au-

Still, there were times when a sci- thors, who were biophysicists— ence-writer in the family could be making the language taut and mean-

22 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ingful and smoothing the style to Discount the fact that the science is a pleasant gloss. out of date and that some of the "Why not?” he would say toler- expressions are old-fashioned. Just antly to his nephew, who countered try to read it and make sense out of his strictures on degrees by berating it. It’s just jaw-cracking, amateurish. him with his readiness to hang on Papers are published uselessly; whole the fringes of science. "The fringe articles which are either non-signifi- is important. Your scientists can't cant, non-comprehensiblc or both.” write. Why should they be expected "But science-writers don’t get to. They aren’t expected to be grand- recognition, Uncle Ralph,” protested masters at chess or virtuosos at the the young Foster, who was getting violin, so why expect them to know ready to start his college career and how to put words together? Why was rather starry-eyed about it. "You not leave that for specialists, too? could be a terrific researcher.” "Good Lord, Jonas, read your "I get recognition,” said Nimmo. literature of a hundred years ago. "Don’t think for a minute I don’t.

TIIF, DEAD PAST 23 Sure, a biochemist or a strato-mete- "f haven’t really got into that orologist won't give me the time of yet?” day, but they pay me well enough, “You haven’t? Get a move on, just find out what happens when boy. Are you waiting for me to offer some first-class chemist finds the to do the final arrangement?” Commission has cut his year’s allow- "I couldn’t afford you, uncle.” ance for science-writing. He’ll fight "Aw, come on. It’s all in the harder for enough funds to afford family. Grant me all popular pub- me, or someone like me, than to lication rights and no cash need get a recording ionograph.” change hands.” He grinned broadly and Foster Foster nodded. “If you’re serious, grinned back. Actually, he was it’s a deal.” proud as well as ashamed of his “It’s a deal.” paunchy, round-faced, stub-fingered It was a gamble, of course, but uncle, whose vanity made him brush Foster knew enough of Nimmo’s his fringe of hair futilely over the science-writing to realize it could pay desert on his pate and made him off. Some dramatic discovery of pub- dress like an unmade haystack be- lic interest on primitive man or on cause such negligence was his trade- a new' surgical technique, or on any mark. branch of spationautics could mean And now Foster entered his a very cash-attracting article in any uncle’s cluttered apartment in no ol the mass media of communica- mood at all for grinning. He was tion. nine years older now' and so was It was Nimmo, for instance, who Uncle Ralph. For nine more years, had written up, for scientific con- papers in every branch of science sumption, the series of papers by had come to Ralph Nimmo for pol- Bryce and co-workers that elucidated ishing and a little of each had crept the fine structure of two cancer into his capacious mind. viruses, for which job he asked for the picayune payment of fifteen hun- Nimmo was eating seedless dred dollars, provided popular pub- grapes, popping them into his mouth lication rights were included. He one at a time. He tossed a bunch to then wrote up, exclusively, the same Foster, who caught them by a hair, work in semidramatic form for use then bent to retrieve individual in trimensional video for a twenty- grapes that had torn loose and fallen thousand-dollar advance plus rental to the floor. royalties that were still coming in “Let them be. Don’t bother,” said after five years. Nimmo, carelessly. "Someone comes Foster said bluntly, “What do you in here to clean once a week. What’s know about neutrinics, uncle?” up? Having trouble with your grant “Neutrinics?” Nimmo’s small application write-up?” eyes looked surprised. "Are you

24 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION — — ” —

working in that? I thought it was 'Til tell you what I know about pseudo-gravitic optics.” neutrinics. It concerns the applica- to be tions of neutrino movements and the "It is p.g.o. I just happen — asking about neutrinics?” forces involved "That’s a devil of a thing to be "Sure. Sure. Just as electronics doing. You’re stepping out of line. deals with the applications of elec- You know that, don’t you?” tron movements and the forces in- "I don’t expect you to call the volved and pseudo-gravities deals Commission because I’m a little with the applications of artificial curious about things.” gravitational fields. I didn’t come to

"Maybe I should before you get you for that. Is that all you ?” into trouble. Curiosity is an occupa- know tional danger with scientists. I've "And,” said Nimmo with equa-

watched it work. One of them will nimity, "neutrinics is the basis of

be moving quietly along on a prob- time-viewing and that i.r all I know.” lem, then curiosity leads him up a Foster slouched back in his chair strange creek. Next thing you know and massaged one lean cheek with they’ve done so little on their prop- great intensity. He felt angrily dis- er problem, they can't justify for a satisfied. Without formulating it ex- ” project renewal. I've seen more— plicitly in his own mind, he had

"All I want to know,” said Foster, felt sure, somehow, that Nimmo patiently, "is what’s been passing would come up with some late re- through your hands lately on neu- ports, bring up interesting facets of trinics.” modern neutrinics, send him back Nimmo leaned back, chewing at a to Potterley able to say that the grape thoughtfully, "Nothing. Noth- elderly historian was mistaken, that

ing ever. I don’t recall ever getting his data was misleading, his deduc-

a paper on neutrinics.” tion mistaken. "What!” Foster was openly as- Then he could have returned to tonished. "Then who does get the his proper work. work?” But now "Now that you ask,” said Nimmo. He told himself angrily: So they ”1 don’t know. Don’t recall anyone are not doing much work in the

talking about it at the annual con- field. Does that make it deliberate ventions. I don’t think much work suppression? What if neutrinics is

is being done there.” a sterile discipline? Maybe it is. I "Why not?” don’t know. Potterley doesn’t. Why "Hey, there, don’t bark. I’m not waste the intellectual resources of doing anything. My guess would humanity on nothing? Or the work be might be secret for some legitimate Foster was exasperated. "Don't reason. It might be you know?” The trouble was, he had to know. THE DEAD EAST He couldn’t leave things as they curious about something you haven’t were now. He couldn’t! been assigned to and which is none He said, "Is there a text on neu- of your business. Understand?” trinics, Uncle Ralph? I mean a clear Foster nodded, but he hardly and simple one? An elementary heard. He was thinking furiously. one?” Nimmo thought, his plump cheeks A full week later, Ralph Nimmo puffing out with a series of sighs. eased his rotund figure into Jonas "You ask the damnedest questions. Foster's on-campus two-room com-

The only one I ever heard of was bination and said, in a hoarse whis- Sterbinski and somebody. I've never per, 'Tve got something.” seen it, but I viewed something "What?” Foster was immediate- about it once. Sterbinski and La- ly eager. Marr, that's it.” "A copy of Sterbinski and La-

"Is that the Sterbinski who in- Marr.” He produced it, or rather vented the chronoscope?” a corner of it, from his ample top- "I think so. Proves the book ought coat. to be good.” Foster almost automatically eyed "Is there a recent edition? Ster- door and windows to make sure they binski died thirty years ago.” were closed and shaded respectively, Nimmo shrugged and said noth- then held out his hand. ing. The film-case was flaking with age

"Can you find out?” and when he cracked it, the film was They sat in silence for a moment, faded and growing brittle. He said, while Nimmo shifted his bulk to the sharply, "Is this all?” creaking tune of the chair he sat on. "Gratitude, my boy, gratitude!” Then the science-writer said, "Are Nimmo sat down with a grunt, and you going to tell me what this is reached into a pocket for an apple. all about?” "Oh, I’m grateful, but it’s so old."

"I can't. Will you help me any- "And lucky to get it at that. I way, Uncle Ralph? Will you get tried to get a film-run from the me a copy of the text?” Congressional Library. No go. The

"Well, you’ve taught me all I book was restricted.” know on pseudo-gravities. I should "Then how did you get this?” be grateful. Tell you what— I’ll help "Stole it.” He was biting crunch- you on one condition.” ingly around the core. "New York "Which is?” Public.” The older man was suddenly very "What?” grave. "That you be careful, Jonas. "Simple enough. I had access to You're obviously way out of line the stacks, naturally. So I stepped whatever you're doing. Don’t blow over a chained railing when no one up your career just because you’re was around, dug this up, and walked

26 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION out with it. They’re very trusting out though he were relieving a pressure there. Meanwhile, they won’t miss within himself. it in years. Only you’d better not let Carthage! Always Carthage! anyone see it on you, nephew.” Carthage, the New York of the Foster stared at the film as though ancient Mediterranean. Carthage, it were literally hot. commercial empire and queen of the Nimmo discarded the core and seas. Carthage, all that Syracuse and reached for a second apple. "Funny Alexandria pretended to be. Car- thing, now. There’s nothing more thage, maligned by her enemies and recent in the whole field of neu- inarticulate in her own defense. trinics. Not a monograph, not a She had been defeated once by paper, not a progress note. Nothing Rome and then driven out of Sicily since the chronoscope.” and Sardinia but came back to more "Uh huh,” said Foster absently. than recoup her losses by new do- minions in Spain, and raised up Foster worked evenings in the Hannibal to give the Romans sixteen Potterley home. He could not trust years of terror. his own on-campus rooms for the In the end, she lost again a sec- purpose. The evening work grew ond time, reconciled herself to fate more real to him than his own and built again with broken tools grant applications. Sometimes he a limping life in shrunken territory,

worried about it but then that stop- succeeding so well that jealous Rome ped, too. deliberately forced a third war. And His work consisted, at first, sim- then Carthage, with nothing but bare ply in viewing and re-viewing the hands and tenacity, built weapons

text-film. Later it consisted in think- and forced Rome into a two-year-war ing (sometimes while a section of that ended only with complete de- the book ran itself off through the struction of the city, the inhabitants pocket-projector, disregarded). throwing themselves into their Sometimes Potterley would come flaming houses rather than surrender. down to watch, to sit with prim, "Could people fight so for a city eager eyes, as though he expected and a way of life as bad as the thought-processes to solidify and be- ancient writers painted it? Hannibal come visible in all their convolutions. was a better general than any Roman He interfered in only two ways. He and his soldiers were absolutely did not allow Foster to smoke and faithful to him. Even his bitterest sometimes he talked. enemies praised him. There was a

It wasn’t conversation talk, never Carthaginian. It is fashionable to

that. Rather it was a low-voiced say that he was an atypical Carthagin-

monologue with which, it seemed, ian, better than the others, a dia- he scarcely expected to command mond placed in garbage. But then attention. It was much more as why was he so faithful to Carthage,

THE DEAD PAST 27 ” ”

even to his death 'after years of exile? vitron sheets which she proceeded ” They talk of Moloch— to weave together by rapid, delicate Foster didn’t always listen but movements of a pair of slender, sometimes he couldn’t help himself tetra-faceted depolarizers, whose and he shuddered and turned sick battery-fed wires made her look as at the bloody tale of child sacrifice. though she were holding a large- But Potterley went on earnestly, spider.

"just the same, it isn’t true. It’s a One evening, she said softly, "My twenty-five hundred year canard daughter, Laurel, is your age.” started by the Greeks and Romans. Foster started, as much at the sud- They had their own slaves, their den unexpected sound of speech as crucifixions and torture, their gladia- at the words. He said, "I didn't torial contests. They weren’t holy. know you had a daughter, Mrs.

The Moloch story is what later ages Potterley.” would have called war propaganda, "She died. Years ago.” the big lie. I can prove it was a lie. The vitron grew under the deft I can prove it—and, by heaven, I manipulations into the uneven will ... I will shape of some garment Foster could He would mumble that promise not yet identify. There was nothing over and over again in his earnest- left for him to do but mutter inane- ness. ly, "I’m sorry.” Mrs. Potterley sighed. "I dream Mrs. Potterley visited him also, about her often.” She raised her but less frequently, usually on Tues- blue, distant eyes to his. days and Thursdays when Dr. Pot- Foster winced and looked away. terley himself had an evening course Another evening she asked, pull- to take care of and was not present. ing at one of the vitron sheets to

She would sit quietly, scarcely loosen its gentle clinging to her

talking, face slack and doughy, eyes dress, "What is time-viewing any- blank, her whole attitude distant way?” and withdrawn. That remark broke into a particu-

The first time, Foster tried, un- larly involved chain of thought and easily, to suggest that she leave. Foster said, snappishly, "Dr. Potter-

She said, tunelessly, "Do I dis- ley can explain.”

turb you?” "He’s tried to. Oh, my, yes. But "No, of course not,” lied Foster,— I think he’s a little impatient with restlessly. "It’s just that . . . that me. He calls it chronoscopy most He couldn’t complete the sentence. of the time. Do you actually see She nodded, as though accepting things in the past, like the trimen-

an invitation to stay. Then she sionals? Or does it just make little opened a cloth bag she had brought dot patterns like the computer you with her and took out a quire of use?”

28 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

Foster stared at his hand com- ”1 thought maybe you might puter with distaste. It v orked well change your mind.” enough but every operation had to Foster glared at her. "D.o you be manually controlled and the an- mean you’re coming down, here swers were obtained in code. Now hoping I’ll build a chronqscope, if he could use the school computer waiting for me to build one.” —Well, why dream, he felt con- ”1 hope you do, Dr. Foster. Oh, spicuous enough, as it was, carrying I hope you do.” a hand computer under his arm every It was as though, all at once, a evening as he left his office. fuzzy veil had fallen off her face, He said, "I’ve never seen the leaving all her features clear and chronoscope myself, but I'm under sharp, putting color into her cheeks, the impression that you actually see life into her eyes, the vibrations of pictures and hear sound.” something approaching excitement "You can hear people talk, too?" into her voice. it she "I think so.” Then, half in des- "Wouldn't be wonderful,” "to one. People of peration, "Look here, Mrs. Potter- whispered, have the past could live again. Pharaohs ley, this must be awfully dull for and kings and jT jus: people. I hope you. I realize you don't like to leave you build one, Dr. Foster. I really a guest all to himself, but really, — Mrs. Potterley, you mustn’t feel . . . hope compelled—” She choked, it seemed, on the intensity of her own words and let "I don’t feel compelled," she said. the vitron sheets slip off her lap. "I’m sitting here, waiting.” She rose and ran up the basement "Waiting? For what?” stairs, while Foster’s eyes followed She said, composedly, "I listened her awkwardly fleeing body with to you that first evening. The time astonishment and distress. you first spoke to Arnold. I listened at the door.” It cut deeper into Foster’s nights He said, "You did?” and left him sleepless and painfully "I know I shouldn’t have, but I stiff with thought. It was almost a was awfully worried about Arnold. mental indigestion. I had a notion he was going to do His grant requests went limping something he oughtn’t and I wanted in, finally, to Ralph Nimmo/ He to hear what. And then when I scarcely had any hope for them. He heard—” She paused, bending close thought numbly: They won't be over the vitron and peering at it. approved. what, Mrs. Potterley.” "Heard If they weren’t, of course, it

"That you wouldn’t build a would create a scandal in tlx© de- chronoscope.” partment and probably msSm his "Well, of course not.” appointment at the university would

THE DEAD PAST 29 not be renewed, come the end of the anything. You’ve got friends and academic year. connections. They can look the other He scarcely worried. It was the way, can’t they, to get a break from neutrino, the neutrino, only the you next publication time?” neutrino. Its trail curved and veered "Your faith, nephew, is touching. sharply and led him breathlessly I’ll try.” along uncharted pathways that even Sterbinski and LaMarr did not fol- Nimmo succeeded. The material low. and equipment were brought over He called Nimmo. "Uncle Ralph, late one evening in a private touring

I need a few things. I'm calling car. Nimmo and Foster lugged it from off the campus.” in with the grunting of men unused Nimrno's face in the video-plate to manual labor. was jovial, but his voice was sharp. Potterley stood at the entrance of said, is a course He "What you need the basement after Nimmo had left. in communication. I'm having a hell He asked, softly, "What’s this for?” of time pulling your application a Foster brushed the hair off his into one intelligible piece. If that’s gently a ” forehead and massaged what you’re calling about— sprained wrist. He said, "I want to impatient- ” Foster shook his head conduct a few simple experiments ly. "That’s not what I’m calling "Really?” The historian’s eyes about. I need these.” He scribbled glittered with excitement. quickly on a piece of paper and held Foster felt exploited. He felt as it up before the receiver. though he were being led along a Nimmo yiped. "Hey, how many dangerous highway by the pull of tricks do you think I can wangle?” pinching fingers on his nose; as "You can get them, uncle. You though he could see the ruin clearly know you can.” that lay in wait at the end of the Nimmo reread the list of items path, yet walked eagerly and deter- with silent motions of his plump lips minedly. Worst of all, he felt the and looked grave. compelling grip on his nose to be his "What happens when you put own. those things together?” he asked. It was Potterley who began it, Foster shook his head. "You’ll Potterley who stood there now, have exclusive popular publication gloating; but the compulsion was rights to whatever turns up, the way Foster’s own. it’s always been. But please don’t Foster said sourly, "I’ll be want- ask any questions now.” ing privacy now, Potterley. I can’t "I can’t do miracles, you know.” you and your wife running "Do this one. You’ve got to. You have are a science-writer, not a research down here and annoying me.” man. You don’t have to account for He thought: If that offends him,

30 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

let him kick me out. Let him put an "The electric bills are quite high. I end to this. don’t mind the expense, but the City In his heart, though, he did not may ask questions. Can anything be think being evicted would stop any- done?”

thing. It was a warm evening, but Pot-

But it did not come to that. Pot- terley wore a tight collar and a semi- terley was showing no signs of jacket. Foster, who was in his under- offense. His mild gaze was un- shirt, lifted bleary eyes and said, changed. He said, "Of course, Dr. shakily, "It won’t be for much long- Foster, of course. All the privacy er, Dr. Potterley. I’ve called you

you wish.” down to tell you something. A Foster watched him go. He was chronoscope can be built. A small

left still marching along the high- one, of course, but it can be built.”

way, perversely glad of it and hating Potterley seized the railing. His himself for being glad. body sagged.

He took to sleeping over on a He managed a whisper. "Can it cot in Potterley’s basement and be built here?” spending his weekends there entirely. "Here in the basement,” said During that period, preliminary Foster, wearily.— word came through that his grants "You said —as doctored by Nimmo—had been "I know what I said, " cried Fos- approved. The Department Head ter, impatiently. "I said it couldn’t

brought the word and congratulated be done. I didn’t know anything him. then. Even Sterbinski didn’t know Foster stared back distantly and anything.” mumbled, "Good. I’m glad” with Potterley shook his head. "Are

so little conviction that the other you sure? You’re not mistaken, Dr.

frowned and turned away without Foster? I couldn’t endure it if-*-’’ another word. Foster said, "I'm not mistaken.

Foster gave the matter no further Damn it, sir, if just theory had been

thought. It was a minor point, worth enough, we could have had a time- no notice. He was planning some- viewer over a hundred years ago,

thing that really counted, a climactic when the neutrino was first postu-

test for that evening. lated. The trouble was, the original

investigators considered it only a One evening, a second and third mysterious particle without mass or and then, haggard and half beside charge that could not be detected. himself for excitement, he called in It was just something to even up the Potterley. bookkeeping and save the law of Potterley came down the stairs and conservation of mass-energy.” looked about at the homemade gad- He wasn’t sure Potterley knew getry. He said, in his soft voice, what he was talking about. He didn’t

THE DEAD PAST 31 care. He, needed a breather. He had to get some of this out of his clot- ting thoughts. And he needed back- ground for what he would have to tell Potterley next. He went on. "It was Sterbinski who first discovered that the neutrino broke through the space-time cross-

sectional barrier, that it traveled

through time and that was why it

had remained undetected. It was

Sterbinski who first devised a meth- od for stopping neutrinos. He in- vented a neutrino-recorder and learned how to interpret the pattern of the neutrino-stream. Naturally, the stream had been affected and

deflected by all the matter it had

passed through in its passage- through time, and the deflections could be analyzed and converted into the images of the matter that had done the deflecting. Time-view- ing was possible. Even air vibrations could be detected in this way and converted into sound.” Potterley was definitely not listen- ing. He said, "Yes. Yes. But when can you build a chronoscope?”

Foster said, urgently, "Let me fin- ish. Everything depends on the meth- od used to detect and analyze the neutrino stream. Sterbinski’s method

was difficult and roundabout. It re- quired mountains of energy. But I've studied pseudo-gravities, Dr. Potter-

ley, the science of artificial gravita- tional fields. I’ve specialized in the

behavior of light in such fields. It’s a new science. Sterbinski knew noth-

ing of it. If he had, he would have seen—anyone would have—a much 32 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ) ”

better and more efficient method of ciple. When the stream is recorded detecting neutrinos using a pseudo- and interpreted, the random factor gravitic field. If I had known more comes out as fuzziness, or "noise” neutrinics to begin with, I would as the communications boys speak of

have seen it at once.” it. The further back in time you

Potterley brightened a bit. "I penetrate, the more pronounced the

knew it,” he said. "Even if they fuzziness, the greater the noise. After stop research in neutrinics there is a while, the noise drowns out the no way the government can be sure picture. Do you understand?” that discoveries in other segments "More power,” said Potterley in of science won't reflect knowledge a dead kind of voice. on neutrinics. So much for the value "That won’t help. When the of centralized direction of science. noise blurs out detail, magnifying

I thought this long ago, Dr. Foster, detail magnifies the noise, too. You before you ever came to work here.” can’t see anything in a sun-burned "1 congratulate you on that,”—said film by enlarging it, can you? Get Foster, "but there's one thing this through your head, now. The

"Oh, never mind all this. Answer physical nature of the universe sets me. Please. When can you build a limits. The random thermal motions chronoscope?” of air molecules sets limits to how "Pm trying to tell you something, weak a sound can be detected by any Dr. Potterley. A chronoscope won't instrument. The length of a light-

do you any good.” (This is it, Foster wave or of an electron-wave sets thought. limits to the size of objects that can

be seen by any instrument. It works Slowly, Potterley descended the that way in chronoscopy, too. You

stairs. He stood, facing Foster, can only time-view so far.”

"What do you mean? Why won’t it "How far? How far?” help me?” Foster took a deep breath., "A "You won’t see Carthage. It’s century and a quarter. That’s the

what I’ve got to tell you. It’s what most.”

I’ve been leading up to. You can "But the monthly bulletin the never see Carthage.” Commission puts out deals with an- Potterley shook his head slightly. cient history almost entirely.” The "Oh, no, you’re wrong. If you have historian laughed shakily. "You

the chronoscope, just focus it prop- must be wrong. The government has •" erly— data as far back as 3,000 B.C.”

"No, Dr. Potterley. It’s not a "When did you switch toi believ- question of focus. There are random ing them?” demanded Foster, scorn- factors affecting the neutrino stream, fully. "You began this business by as they affect all sub-atomic particles. proving they were lying; that no What we call the uncertainty prin- historian had made use of the

THE DEAD PAST 33 ” ”

chronoscope. Don’t you see why gasolifle-powered internal-combus- now? No historian, except one inter- tion engines, sped by. ested in contemporary history, could. Foster said, "Mid-twentieth cen- No chronoscope can possibly see tury, somewhere. I can’t hook up an back in time further than 1920 un- audio yet so this is soundless. Even- der any conditions.” tually, we can add sound. Anyway,

"You’re wrong. You don’t know mid-twentieth is almost as far back everything,” said Potterley. as you can go. Believe me, that’s "The truth won’t bend itself to the best focusing that can be done.” your convenience either. Face it. The Potterley said, "Build a larger government’s part in this is to per- machine, a stronger one. Improve petuate a hoax.” your circuits.” "Why?” "You can’t lick the uncertainty "I don’t know why.” principle, man, any more than you Potterley’s snubby nose was can live on the sun. There are physi- twitching. His eyes were bulging. cal limits to what can be done.” He pleaded, "It’s only theory, Dr. "You’re— lying. I won’t believe Foster. Build a chronoscope. Build you. I one and try.” Foster caught Potterley’s shoul- A new voice sounded, raised ders in a sudden, fierce grip. "Do shrilly to make itself heard. you think I haven't? Do you think "Arnold! Dr. Foster!”

1 would tell you this before I had The young -physicist turned at checked it every way I knew. I have once. Dr. Potterley froze for a long built one. It’s all around you. Look!” moment, then said, without turning,

He ran to the switches at the "What is it, Caroline? Leave us.” power-leads. He flicked them on, "No!” Mrs. Potterley descended one by one. He turned a resistor, the stairs. "I heard. I couldn’t help adjusted other knobs, put out the hearing. Do you have a time-viewer cellar lights. "Wait. Let it warm here, Dr. Foster? Here in the base- up.” ment?”

There was a small glow near the "Yes, I do, Mrs. Potterley. A kind center of one wall. Potterley was of time-viewer. Not a good one. I gibbering incoherently, but Foster can’t get sound yet and the picture only cried again, "Look!” is darned blurry, but it works.” The light sharpened and brighten- Mrs. Potterley clasped her hands ed, broke up into a light-and-dark and held them tightly against her pattern. Men and women ! Fuzzy. breast. "How wonderful. How won- Features blurred. Arms and legs derful.” mere streaks. An old-fashioned "It’s not at all wonderful,” snap- ground-car, unclear but recognizable ped Potterley. "The young—fool can’t as one of the kind that had once used reach further back than

34 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION "Now, look,’’ began Foster in "She’s not in the machine. An

exasperation— image is. Can’t you understand? An "Please!” cried Mrs. Potterley. image! Something that’s not real!” "Listen to me. Arnold, don't you "I want my child. Do you hear see that as long as we can use it for me?” She flew at him, screaming, twenty years back, we can see Laurel fists beating. "I want my child.” once again ? What do we care about The historian retreated at the fury Carthage and ancient times. It’s of the assault, crying out. Foster Laurel we can see. She’ll be alive moved to step between when Mrs. for us again. Leave the machine here, Potterley dropped, sobbing wildly, Dr. Foster. Show us how to work to the floor. it.” Potterley turned, eyes desperately at her then at her Foster stared seeking. With a sudden heave, he husband. Dr. Potterley’s face had snatched at a Lando-rod, tearing it gone white. Though his voice stayed from its support, and whirling away low and even, its calmness was some- before Foster, numbed by all that gone. said, "You’re a fool!” how He was taking place, could move to Caroline said, weakly, "Arnold!” stop him. "You’re a fool, I say. What will "Stand back!” gasped Potterley, you see? The past. The dead past. "or I’ll kill you. I swear it.” Will Laurel do one thing she did He swung with force, and Foster not do? Will you see one thing you jumped back. haven’t seen? Will you live three Potterley turned with fury on years over and over again, watching every part of the structure in the a baby who’ll never grow up no cellar, and Foster, after the first matter how you watch?” crash of glass, watched dazedly. His voice came near to cracking, Potterley spent his rage and then but held. He stepped closer to her, he was standing quietly amid shards seized her shoulder and shook her and splinters, with a broken Lando- roughly. "Do you know what will rod in his hand. He said to Foster happen to you if you do that? They in a whisper, "Now get out of here! will come to take you away because Never come back! If any of this cost you’ll go mad. Yes, mad. Do you you anything, send me a bill and want mental treatment? Do you want I’ll pay for it. I'll pay double.” to be shut up, to undergo the psychic Foster shrugged, picked up probe?” his shirt and moved up the basement Mrs. Potterley tore away. There stairs. He could hear Mrs. was no trace of softness or vague- Potterley ness about her. She had twisted into sobbing loudly, and, as he turned a virago. "I want to see my child, at the head of the stairs for a last Arnold. She's in that machine and look, he saw Dr. Potterley bending

I want her.” over her, face convulsed with sorrow. THE DEAD PAST . ”

— Two days later, with the school from her. She’s not . quite . day drawing to a close, and Foster "Look, Dr. Potterley,” said Foster, looking wearily about to see if there "I’m not getting into any domestic were any data on his newly-approved quarrels, but you’d better be pre- projects that he wished to take home, pared for something. Chronoscopes Dr. Potterley appeared once more. can be built by anybody. Given a He was standing at the open door few simple parts that can be bought of Foster’s office. through some etherics sales-center,

The historian was neatly dressed it can be built in the home work- as ever. He lifted his hand in a shop. The video part, anyway.” gesture that was too vague to be a "But no one else will think of it greating, too abortive to be a plea. beside you, will they? No one has.”

Foster stared stonily. "I don’t intend to keep it secret.”

Potterley said, "I waited till five, "But you can’t publish. It's illegal ?” till you were —May I come in research.” Foster nodded. "That doesn't matter any more,

Potterley said, "I suppose I ought Dr. Potterley. If I lose my grants, to apologize for my behavior. I was I lose them. If the university: is dis- dreadfully disappointed; not quite pleased, I’ll resign. It just doesn’t master of myself. Still, it was in- matter.” excusable.” "But you can’t do that!” "I accept your apology,” said "Till now,” said Foster, "you did- Foster. "Is that all?” n’t mind my risking loss of grants

"My wife called you, I think.” and position. Why do you turn so

"Yes, she has.” tender about it now? Now let me "She has been quite hysterical. explain something to you. When you

She told me she had but I couldn’t first came to me, I believed in or- ” be quite sure— ganized and directed research; the

"She has called me.” situation as it existed, in other

"Could you tell me . . . would words. I considered you an intellec- you be so kind as to tell me what tual anarchist, Dr. Potterley, and she wanted?” dangerous. But, for one reason or "She wanted a chronoscope. She another, I’ve been an anarchist my- said she had some money of her self for months now and I have own. She was willing to pay.” achieved great things.

"Did you . . . make any commit- "Those things have been achieved ments?” not because I am a brilliant scien-

"I said I wasn’t in the manufac- tist. Not at all. It was just that sci- turing business.” entific research had been directed "Good,” breathed Potterley, his from above and holes were left that chest expanding with a sigh of re- could be filled in by anyone who lief. "Please don’t take any calls looked in the right direction. And 36 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION anyone might have if the ’govern- chronoscopy would have meant that ment, hadn’t actively tried to prevent everyone’s past would be visible. The it. government officers would be sub-

"Now understand me. I still be- jected to blackmail and improper lieve directed research can be useful. pressure, since who on earth has a

I’m not in favor of a retreat to total past that is absolutely clean. Organ- anarchy. But there must be a middle ized government might become im- ground. Directed research can retain possible.” flexibility. A scientist must be allow- Foster licked his lips. "Maybe. ed to follow his curiosity, at least Maybe the government has some in his spare time.” justification in its own eyes. Still, Potterley sat down. He said, in- there’s an important principle in- gratiatingly, "Let's discuss this, volved here. Who knows what other

Foster. I appreciate your idealism. scientific advances are being stymied You're young. You want the moon. because scientists are being stifled But you can’t destroy yourself into walking a narrow path? If the through fancy notions of what re- chronoscope becomes the terror of seardrmust consist of. I got you into a few politicians, it’s a price that this. I am responsible and 1 blame must be paid. The public must real- myself bitterly. I was acting emo- ize that science must be free and tionally. My interest in Carthage there is no more dramatic way of blinded me and I was a fool.” doing it than to publish my discov- Foster broke in. "You mean you’ve ery, one way or another, legally or changed completely in two days ? illegally.”

Carthage is nothing? Government Potterley’s brow was in a per- suppression of research is nothing?” spiration, but his voice remained "E.ven a fool like myself can learn, even. "Oh, not just a few politicians, Foster. My wife taught me some- Dr. Foster. Don't think that. It thing. I understand the reason for would be my terror, too. My wife government suppression of neutrinics would spend her time living with now. I didn’t two days ago. And our dead daughter. She would re- understanding, I approve. You saw treat further from reality. She would the way my wife reacted to the news go mad living the same scenes over of a chronoscope in the basement. and over. And not just my terror.

I had envisioned a chronoscope used There would be others like her. for research purposes. All she could Children searching for their dead see was the personal pleasure of re- parents or their own youth. We’ll turning neurotically to a personal have a whole world living in the past, a dead past. The pure research- past. Midsummer madness.” er, Foster, is in the minority. People Foster said, "Moral judgments like my wife would outweigh us. can’t stand in the way. There isn’t "For the government to encourage one advance at any time in history

T it E DEAD PAST 37 that mankind hasn’t had the inge- out before putting it in the ashtray nuity to pervert. Mankind must also on the chest of drawers. I was al- have the ingenuity to prevent. As ways careful. The baby was all right. for the chronoscope, your delvers I returned to the living room and into the dead past will get tired soon fell asleep before the video. I awoke, enough. They’ll catch their loved choking, surrounded by fire. I don’t parents in some of the things their know how it started.” loved parents did and they’ll lose "But you think it may have been their enthusiasm for it all. But all the cigarette, is that it?” said Foster. this is trivial. With me, it’s a matter "A cigarette which, for once, you of an important principle.” forgot to stub out?”

Potterley said, "Hang your princi- "I don’t know. I tried to save her, ple. Can’t you understand men and but she was dead in my arms when women as well as principle? Don’t I got out,” you understand that my wife will "You never told your wife about live through the fire that killed our the cigarette, I suppose.” baby? She won't be able to help her- Potterley shook his head. "But self. I know her. She’ll follow I’ve lived with it.” through each step, trying to prevent "Only now, with a chronoscope, it. She’ll live it over and over again, she'll find out. Maybe it wasn’t the hoping each time that it won’t hap- cigarette. Maybe you did stub it out. pen. How many times do you want Isn’t that possible?” to kill Laurel?” A huskiness had The scant tears had dried on Pot- crept into his voice. terley’s face. The redness had sub- sided. He said, "I can’t take the

A thought crossed Foster’s mind. chance. But it’s not just myself,

"What are you really afraid she’ll Foster. The past has its terrors for find out, Dr. Potterley? What hap- most people. Don’t loose those ter- pened the night of the fire?” rors on the human race.” The historian’s hands went up Foster paced the floor. Somehow, quickly to cover his face and they this explained the reason for Potter- shook with his dry sobs. Foster ley’s rabid, irrational desire to boost turned away and stared uncomfort- the Carthaginians, deify them, most

ably out the window. of all disprove the story of their Potterley said after a while, "It’s fiery sacrifices to Moloch. By freeing a long time since I’ve had to think them of the guilt of infanticide by

of it. Caroline was away. I was fire, he symbolically freed himself

baby-sitting. I went in to the baby’s of the same guilt. bedroom mid-evening to see if she So the same fire that had driven

had kicked off the bedclothes. I had Potterley on to causing the construc- my cigarette with me. I smoked in tion of a chronoscope was now

those days. I must have stubbed it driving him on to its destruction.

38 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION " -

Foster looked sadly at the older in an envelope and scrawled Ralph man. "I see your position, Dr. Pot- Nimmo's name over the outside. tcrley, but this goes above personal He spent a rather restless night feelings. I've got to smash this throt- and the next morning, on the way tling hold on the throat of science.” to school, dropped the envelope off Potterley said, savagely, "You at the bank, with appropriate in- mean you want the fame and wealth structions to an official, who- made that goes with such a discovery.” him sign a papier permitting the box "I don't know about the wealth, to be opened after his death.

but that, ! oo. I suppose. I'm no more He called Nimmo to tell him of than human. the existence of the envelope, refus- "You Won’t suppress your knowl- ing querulously to say anything about

its edge?” I contents. "Not uhd er —any circumstances.” He had never felt so ridiculously "Well, then ” and the historian self-conscious as at that moment. got to his feet and stood for a mo- ment, glaring. That night and the next, Foster Foster had an odd moment of spent in only fitful sleep, finding terror. The man was older than he, himself face to face with the highly smaller, feebler, and he didn’t look practical problem of the publication armed. Still— of data unethically obtained. Foster said, "If you're thinking The Proceedings of the Society of killing me or anything insane like for Pseudo-Gravities, which was the that, I’ve got the information in a journal with which he was best ac- safety-deposit vault where the prop- quainted, would certainly not touch

er people will find it in case of my any paper that did not include the disappearance or death.” magic footnote: "The work de- Potterley said, "Don’t be a fool,” scribed in this paper was made pos- and stalked out. sible by Grant No. so-and-so from

Foster closed the door, locked it, the Commission of Research of the

and sat down to think. He felt silly. United Nations.” He had no information in any safety- Nor, doubly so, would the Journal deposit vault, of course. Such a melo- of Physics. dramatic action would not have oc- There were always the minor curred to him ordinarily. But now journals who might overlook the na-

it had. ture of the article for the sake of

Feeling even sillier, he spent an the sensation, but that would require hour writing out the equations of a little financial negotiation on the application of pseudo-gravitic which he hesitated to embark. It optics to neutrinic recording, and might, on the whole, be better to some diagrams for the engineering pay the cost of publishing a small details of construction. He sealed it pamphlet for general distribution

THE DEAD PAST 39 ”

among scholars. In that case, he I don’t wish you harmed in any way.

would even be able to dispense with It’s just that chronoscopy must be the services of a science-writer, sac- put an end to.” rificing polish for speed. He would Araman nodded. "He has taken have to find a reliable printer. Uncle the blame as he says, Dr. Foster,

Ralph might know one. but this thing is out of his hands He walked down the corridor to now.” his office and wondered anxiously Foster said, "So? What are you if perhaps he ought to waste no going to do? Blackball me from all further time, give himself no further consideration for research grants?”

chance to lapse into indecision and "That is in my power,”, said take the risk of calling Ralph from Araman. his office phone. He was so absorbed "Order the university to discharge in his own heavy thoughts that he me?”

did not notice that his room was "That, too, is in my power.”

occupied until he turned from the "All right, go ahead. Consider it clothes-closet and approached his done. I'll leave my office now, with

desk. you. I can send for my books later.

Dr. Potterley was there and a man If you insist. I'll leave my books. whom Foster did not recognize. Is that all?” Foster stared at them. "What’s "Not quite,’ said Araman. "You this?” must engage to do no further re-

Potterley said, "I’m sorry, but I search in chronoscopy, to publish had to stop you.” none of your findings in chronos- Foster continued staring. "What copy, and, of course, to build no are you talking about?” chronoscope. You will remain under The stranger said, "Let me intro- surveillance indefinitely to make duce myself.” He had large teeth, a sure you keep that promise.” little uneven, and they showed "Supposing I refuse to promise? prominently when he smiled. "I am What can you do? Doing research Thaddeus Araman, Department out of my field may be unethical, but

Head of the Division of Chronos- it isn’t a criminal offense.” copy. I am here to see you concern- "In the case of chronoscopy, my ing information brought to me by young friend,” said Araman, pa- Professor Arnold Potterley—and con- tiently, "it is a criminal offense. If firmed by our own sources necessary, you will be put in jail Potterley said, breathlessly, "I and kept there.” took all the blame, Dr. Foster. I ex- "Why?” shouted Foster. "What’s plained that it was I who persuaded magic about chronoscopy?” you against your will into unethical Araman said, "That’s the way it practices. I have offered to accept is. We cannot allow further develop- full responsibility and punishment. ments in the field. My own job is, 40 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION primarily, to make sure of that, and you want to stop one part, you've got

I intend to do my job. Unfortunate- to stop it all." ly, I had no knowledge, nor did "No doubt that is true," said anyone in the department, that the Araman, "in theory. On the practical optics of pseudo-gravity fields had side, however, we have managed such immediate application to quite well to hold chronoscopy down chronoscopy. Score one for general to the original Sterbinski level for ignorance, but henceforward, re- fifty years. Having caught you in search will be steered properly in time, Dr. Foster, we hope to con- that respect, too." tinue doing so indefinitely. And we Foster said, "That won't help. wouldn’t have come this close to

Something else may apply that nei- disaster, either, if I had accepted ther you nor I dream of. All science Dr. Potterley at something more than hangs together. It's one piece. If face value.”

THE DEAD PAST 41 He turned toward the historian priving mankind of its benefits is and lifted his eyebrows in a kind of quite another.” humorous self-deprecation. "I’m Araman said, "Oh, let’s get some-

afraid, sir, that I dismissed you as a thing straight, Dr. Foster. If you history professor and no more on the do not co-operate, you will go to

occasion of our first interview. Had jail directly. You will not see a law

I done my job properly and checked yer, you will not be charged, you on you, this would not have hap- will not have a trial. You will sim- pened.” ply stay in jail.” "Oh, no,” said Foster, "you’re

Foster said, abruptly, "Is anyone bluffing. This is not the Twentieth allowed to use the government Century, you know."

chronoscope?” There was a stir outside the office, "No one outside our division un- the clatter of feet, a high-pitched

der any pretext. I say that since it is shout that Foster was sure he recog- obvious to me that you have already nized. The door crashed open, the guessed as much. I warn you, lock splintering, and three inter- though, that any repetition of that twined figures stumbled in. fact will be a criminal, not an ethi- As they did so, one of the men cal, offense.” raised a blaster and brought its butt "And your chronoscope doesn’t down hard on the skull of another. go back more than a hundred twenty- There was a whoosh of expiring

five years or so, does it?” air, and the one whose head was "It doesn’t.” struck went limp. "Then your bulletin with its "Uncle Ralph!” cried Foster. stories of time-viewing ancient times Araman frowned. "Put him down is a hoax?” in that chair,” he ordered, "and get Araman said, coolly, "With the some water.” knowledge you now have, it is ob- vious you know that for a certainty. Ralph Nimmo, rubbing his head However, I confirm your remark. with a gingerly sort of disgust, said, The monthly bulletin is a hoax.” "There was no need to get rough, "In that case,” said Foster, "I Araman.” will not promise to suppress my Araman said, "The guard should knowledge of chronoscopy. If you have been rough sooner and kept wish to arrest me, go ahead. My you out of here, Nimmo. You'd

defense at the trial will be enough have been better off.” to destroy the vicious card-house of "You know each other?” asked

directed research and bring it tum- Foster.

bling down. Directing research is "I’ve had dealings with the man,” "If he's one thing; suppressing it and de- said Nimmo, still rubbing.

42 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ” —

here in your office, nephew, you’re pseudo-gravitic optics and coached in trouble.” me on the stuff himself. He got me "And you, too,” said Araman, to get him a textbook on neutrinics angrily. "I know Dr. Foster consult- and I kind of skip-viewed it myself ed you on neutrinics literature.” .before handing it over. I can put Nimmo corrugated his forehead, the two together. He asked me to then straightened it with a wince as get him certain pieces of physical though the action had brought pain. equipment, and that was evidence, "So?” he said. "What else do you too. Stop me if I’m wrong, but my know about me?” nephew has built a semiportable, about "We will know everything low-power chronoscope. Yes, or . . . Meanwhile that yes?” you soon enough. . one item is enough to implicate you. "Yes.” Araman reached thought-

What are you doing here?” fully for a cigarette and paid no at- "My dear Mr. Araman,” said tention to Dr. Potterley—watching Nimmo, some of his jauntiness re- silently, as though all were a dream stored, "day before yesterday, my —who shied away, gasping, from jackass of a nephew called me. He the white cylinder. "Another mistake had placed— some mysterious in- for me. I ought to resign. I should formation have put tabs on you, too, Nimmo, "Don’t tell him! Don’t say any- instead of concentrating too hard thing!” cried Foster. on Potterley and Foster. I didn’t Araman glanced at him coldly. have much time of course and you’ve "We know all about it, Dr. Foster. ended up safely here, but that does- The safety deposit box has been n’t excuse me. You’re under arrest, opened and its contents removed.” Nimmo.” ” Fos- "But how can you know "What for?” demanded the sci- ter’s voice died away in a kind of ence-writer. furious frustration. "Unauthorized research.” "Anyway,” said Nimmo, "I de- "I wasn’t doing any. I can’t, not cided the net must be dosing around being a registered scientist. And him and after I took care of a few even if I did, it’s not a criminal items, I came down to tell him to offense.” get off this thing he’s doing. It’s Foster said, savagely, "No use, not worth his career.” Uncle Ralph. This bureaucrat is mak- "Does that mean you know what ing his own laws.” he’s doing?” asked Araman. "Like what?” demanded Nimmo. "He never told me,” said Nimmo, "Like life imprisonment without "but I’m a science-writer with a hell of a lot of experience. I know trial.”

which side of an atom is electroni- "Nuts,” said Nimmo. "This isn’t ” fied. The boy, Foster, specializes in the Twentieth Cen— THE DEAD PAST 43 “I tried that,” said Foster. "It Egypt, the Stone Age. The deader doesn’t bother him.” the better.

Nimmo shouted, "Look here, "Now you three know a century . Ataman. My nephew and I have or a little more is the limit, so what relatives who haven’t lost touch with does the past mean to you? Your us, you know. The professor has youth. Your first girl. Your dead some also, I imagine. You can’t just mother. Twenty years ago. Thirty make us disappear. There’ll be ques- years ago. Fifty years ago. The dead- tions and a scandal. This isn't the er the better. But when does the past Twentieth Century. So if you're try- really begin?” ing to scare us, it isn’t working.” He paused in anger. The others The cigarette snapped between stared at him and Nimmo stirred

Araman’s figures and he tossed it uneasily. away violently. He said, "Damn it, "Well,” said Araman, "when did

I don’t know what to do. It’s never it begin? A year ago? Five minutes been like this before. Look! You ago? One second ago? Isn’t it ob- three fools know nothing of what vious that the past begins an instant you’re trying to do. You understand ago. The dead past is just another nothing. Will you listen to me?” name for the living present. What "Oh, we’ll listen,” said Nimmo, if you focus the chronoscope in the grimly. past of one-hundredth of a second (Foster sat silently, eyes angry, ago? Aren’t you watching the pres- lips compressed. Potterley’s hands ent? Does it begin to sink in?” writhed like intertwined snakes.) Nimmo said, "Damnation.” "Damnation,” mimicked Araman.

Araman said, "The past to you is "After Potterley came to me with the dead past. If any of you have his story night before last, how do discussed the matter, it’s dollars to you suppose I checked up on both nickels you’ve used that phrase. The of you? I did it with the chrono- dead past. If you knew how many scope, spotting key moments to the times I’ve heard those three words, very instant of the present.” you’d choke on them, too. "And that’s how you knew about "When people think of the past, the safety deposit box?" said Foster.

they think of it as dead, far away "And every other important fact. and gone, long ago. We encourage Now what do you suppose would them to think so. When we report happen if we let news of a home time-viewing, we always talk of chronoscope get out. People might views centuries in the past even start out by watching their youth,

though you gentlemen knew seeing their parents and so on, but it

more than a century or so is im- wouldn’t be long before they’d catch

possible. People accept it. The past on to the possibilities. The house- means Greece, Rome, Carthage, wife will forget her poor, dead

44 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ” ”

mother and take to watching her Foster said, suddenly, "I won’t neighbor at home and her husband publish.” at the office. The businessman will Potterley burst out, half in—sobs. watch his competitor; the employer "None of us will talk. I regret his employee. Nimmo broke in. "You said you "There will be no such thing as didn’t tab me on the chronoscope, privacy. The party-line, the prying Araman.” eye behind the curtain will be noth- "No time,” said Araman, wearily.

ing compared to it. The video stars "Things don’t move any faster on will be closely watched at all times the chronoscope than in real life.

by everyone. Every man his own You can’t speed it up like the film pceping-Tom and there’ll be no get- in a book-viewer. We spent a full ting away from the watcher. Even twenty-four hours trying to catch darkness will be no escape because the important moments during the chronoscopy can be adjusted to the last six months of Potterley and infrared and human figures can be Foster. There was no time for any-

seen by their own body heat. The thing else and it was enough.” figures will be fuzzy, of course, and "It wasn't,” said Nimmo. the surroundings will be dark, but

that will make the titillation of it "What are you talking about?”

all the greater, perhaps. Even the There was a sudden, infinite alarm

men in charge of the machine now on Araman’s face. experiment sometimes in spite of all "I told you my nephew, Jonas,

the regulations against it.’’ had called me to say he had put im- Nimmo seemed sick. "You can portant information in a safety- always forbid private manufac- deposit box. He acted as though he ture— were in trouble. He’s my nephew. Araman turned on him fiercely. I had to try to get him off the spot.

"You can, but do you expect it to It took a while and then I came here

do good? Can you legislate success- to tell him what I had done. I told fully against drinking, smoking, you when I got here, just after your adultery, or gossiping over the back man conked me, that I had taken fence? And this mixture of nosiness care of a few items.” and prurience will have a worse grip "What for instance?” on humanity than any of those. In a "Just this: I sent the details of thousand years of trying we haven’t the portable chronoscope off to half even been able to wipe out the a dozen of my regular publicity out-

heroin traffic and you talk about lets.” legislating against a device for Not a word. Not a sound. Not a watching anyone you please at any breath. They were all past any time you please that can be built in demonstration. a home workshop.’’ "Don’t stare like that,” cried THE DEAD PAST 45 ” ”

Nimmo. "Don't you see my point? day. There’s been time for the word I had popular publication rights. to spread. My outfits will have called Jonas will admit that. I knew he any number of physicists to check

couldn’t publish scientifically in any my data before going on with it

legal way. I was sure he was plan- and physicists will call one another ning to publish illegally and was to pass on the news. Once scientists preparing the safety-deposit box for put neutrinics and pseudo-gravities

that reason. I thought if I put together, home chronoscopy becomes

through the details prematurely, all obvious. Before the week is out, five the responsibility would be mine. hundred people will know how to His career would be saved. And if build a small chronoscope and how

I were deprived of my science-writ- will you catch them all?" Plis plump ing license as a result, my exclusive cheeks sagged. "I suppose there’s possession of the chronometric data no way of putting the mushroom would set me up for life. Jonas cloud back into that nice, shiny would be angry, I expected that, but uranium sphere.”

I could explain the motive and we Araman stood up. "We’ll try, would split the take fifty-fifty. Don’t Potterley, but I agree with Nimmo. stare —at me like that. How did I It’s too late. What kind of a world know we’ll have from now on, I don’t

"Nobody knew anything,” said know, I can’t tell, but the world we Araman bitterly, "but you all just know has been destroyed completely.

took it for granted that the govern- Until now, every custom, every ment was stupidly bureaucratic, habit, every tiniest way of life has vicious, tyrannical, given to suppress- always taken a certain amount of

ing research for the hell of it. It privacy for granted, but that’s all never occurred to any of you that gone now.” we were trying to protect mankind He saluted each of the three with as best we could.” elaborate formality. "You have

"Don’t sit there talking,” wailed created a new world among the three Potterley. "Get the names— of the of you. I congratulate you. Happy people who were told goldfish bowl to you, to me, to "Too late,” said Nimmo, shrug- everyone, and may each of you fry in ging. "They’ve had better than a hell forever.” THE END

46 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION THE MAN WHO ALWAYS KNEW

BY ALGIS BUORYS

Illustrated by van Dongen

You don ’t have to be a great genius in a hundred fields—if you can just be a genius in the right field!

The small, thin, stoop-shouldered Behind their rimless glasses, his man sat down on the stool nearest watery blue eyes fastened vacantly the wall, took a dollar bill out of on a space somewhere between the his wallet, and laid it on the bar. end of his nose and the bottles

THE MAN WHO ALWAYS KNEW 47 standing on the backbar tiers. An like a fan. "That’s right. I went old porkpie hat was squashed down down to Baltimore for a few days.” over the few sandy hairs that covered He smoothed out the bill and touch- his bony skull. His head was buried ed the top of the bar. "You know, deep in the collar of his old, baggy Harry, it wouldn’t surprise me if tweed overcoat, and a yellow muffler next year we could give you a bar trailed down from around his neck. varnish you could let absolute al- His knobby-knuckled hands played cohol stand on overnight.” with the dollar bill. Harry shook his head slowly.

Harry, the barkeep, was busy mix- "Beats me, Mr. McMahon. I never ing three martinis for a table in the know what’s coming out of your lab dining room, but as soon as the next. One week it’s steam engines, small man came in he looked up and the next it’s bar varnish. What gets smiled. And as soon as he had the me is where you find the time. three filled glasses lined up on a Doing all that traveling and still tray for the waiter to pick up, he being the biggest inventor in the hurried up to the end of the bar. world—bigger than Edison, even. "Afternoon, Mr. McMahon! And Why, just the other day the wife what'll it be for you today?” and I went out and bought two of The small man looked up with a those pocket transceiver sets of yours, wan sigh. "Nothing, yet, Harry. and Emma said she didn’t see how

Mind if I just sit and wait a min- I could know you. 'A man as busy ute?” as Mr. McMahon must be,’ she said,

"Not at all, Mr. McMahon, not 'wouldn’t be coming into the bar at all.” He looked around at the all the time like you say he does.’ empty stools. "Quiet as the grave Well, that’s a wife for you. But in here this afternoon. Same thing she’s right. Beats me, too, like I over at the lab?” said.” The small man nodded slowly, The small man shrugged uncom- looking down at his fingers creasing fortably, and didn’t say anything. the dollar bill. "Just a quiet after- Then he got a suddenly determined noon, I guess,” he said in a tired look on his face and started to say voice. "Nothing’s due to come to something, but just then the waiter a head over there until some time stepped up to the bar. next week.” "Two Gibson, one whiskey sour, Harry nodded to show he under- Harry.” stood. It was that kind of a day. "Coming up. Excuse me, Mr. "Haven’t seen you for a while, Mr. McMahon. Mix you something while McMahon—been away again?” I’m down there?” The small man pleated the dollar The small man shook his head. bill, held one end between thumb "Not just yet, Harry.” and forefinger, and spread the bill "Right, Mr. McMahon.” ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Harry shook up the cocktails sharp gleam in his eyes. "Think

briskly. From the sound of it, Mr. I’m pretty hot stuff, eh, Harry?” McMahon had been about to say "Yes, sir,” Harry said, not know- something important, and anything ing what to make of it. Mr. McMahon thought was impor- "Think I’m the Edison of the age, tant would be something you should- huh?” n’t miss. "Well—gosh, Mr. McMahon, you He bumped the shaker, dropped are better than Edison!” the Gib- the strainer in, and poured The small man’s fingers crumpled sons. He just hoped Mr. McMahon up the dollar bill and rolled it into it worth talk- hadn’t decided wasn’t a tight ball. ing about. Let’s see what Emma "The Perfect Cumbustion Engine, would have to say if he came home the Condensing Steam Jet, the Voice- and told her what Mr. McMahon Operated Typewriter, the Discon- had told him, and a year or two tinuous Airfoil—things like that, later something new maybe a new — eh?” the small man asked sharply. kind of home permanent or some- "Yes, sir. And the Arc House, thing—came out. She’d use it. She’d and the Minute Meal, and the Lint- luvc to use it, because it would just less Dustcloth —well, gosh, Mr. Mc- naturally be the best thing on the Mahon, I could go on all day, I market. And every time she did, guess.” she’d have to remember that Harry "Didn’t invent a one of them,” had told her first. Let’s see her say the small man snapped. His shoul- Mr. McMahon wasn’t a steady cus- ders seemed to straighten out from tomer of his then ! Bar varnish was- under a heavy load. He looked Harry n’t in the same league. in the eye. "I never invented any- The small man was looking into thing in my life.” space again, with a sad little smile, "Two Gibson and another whiskey when Harry got back to him. He sour, Harry,” the waiter interrupted. was pushing the dollar bill back and "Yeah sure.” Harry moved un- forth with his index fingers. A — easily down the bar. He tilted the bunch of people came in the door gin bottle slowly, busy turning and Harry muttered under his things over in his mind. He sneaked breath, but they didn’t stop at the a look at Mr. McMahon. The small bar. They went straight from the man was looking down at his hands, coat rack to the dining room, and curling them up into fists and smil- Harry breathed easier. Maybe he’d ing. looked happy. have time to hear w'hat Mr. Mc- He That wasn’t Mahon had to say. like him at all.

"Well, here I am again, Mr. Mc- Harry set the drinks up on the Mahon.” waiter’s tray and got back up to the The small man looked up with a end of the bar.

THE MAN WHO ALWAYS KNEW 49 ” —

"Mr. McMahon?” going to be the best varnish any- The small man looked up again. body ever put on the market.” "Yes, Harry?” He did look happy Harry twisted his hands uncom- happy all the way through, like a fortably in his pockets. "Gee, Mr. man with insomnia who suddenly McMahon—you mean you do the feels himself drifting off to sleep. same thing with everything else?” "You—were just saying about that "That’s right, Harry.” The small varnish man pinched the two ends of the "Fellow in Baltimore. Paints signs dollar bill, brought them together, for a living. Not very good ones; and then snapped the bill flat with they weather too fast. I noticed him a satisfied pop! "Exactly the same working, the last time I was down thing. I was on a train passing an that way.” open field once, and saw a boy flying "I don’t follow you, Mr. Mc- model airplanes. Two years later,

Mahon.” I went back and sure enough, he’d

The small man bounced the ball- just finished his first drawings on the bill the bar and ed-up dollar on discontinuous airfoil. 1 offered him watched it roll around. "Well, I a licensing fee and a good cash ad- knew he was a conscientious young vance, and came home with the air- fellow, even if he didn’t know foil.” The small man looked down much about paint. So, yesterday I sadly and reminiscently. "He used went back down there, and, sure the money to finance himself through enough, he'd been fooling around— aeronautical engineering school. just taking a little of this and a little Never turned out anything new of that, stirring it up by guess and again.” he had something he by gosh—and "Gosh, Mr. McMahon. I don’t could paint over a sign that would know what to say. You mean you blowtorch.” stand up to a travel around the country just look- I thought "Golly, Mr. McMahon. ing for people that are working on you said he didn’t know much about something new?” paint.” The small man shook his head. The small man scooped up the "No. I travel around the country, bill and smoothed it out. "He didn’t. and I stumble across people who’re He was just fooling around. Any- going to accidentally stumble across body else would have just come up something good. I’ve got secondhand with a gallon of useless goo. But he luck.” The small man rolled the bill looked like the kind of man who’d up between his fingers, and smiled happen to hit it right. And he looked with a hurt twist in his sensitive like the kind of man who’d hit it mouth. "It’s even better than that. sometime about yesterday. So I went down there, made him an offer, and I know more or less what they’re came back with a gallon of what’s going to stumble across, and when

50 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

they’re going to.” He bent the tube no sense to taking it out on your- he'd made out of the bill. "But I self,” Harry said wmrriedly. can’t develop it myself. I just have The small man shrugged. to wait. I've only got one talent.” Harry shuffled his feet. "I wish "Well, gee, Mr. McMahon, that’s there was something I could do for a fine thing to have.” you.” It felt funny, being sorry for The small man crushed the dollar the luckiest man in the world. The small man smoothed the dol- bill. "Is it, Harry? How do you use lar out again. it directly? How do you define it? whiskey another Do you set up shop as McMahon "Two sour, and and Company—Secondhand Luck Gibson,” the waiter said. Harry Bought and Sold? Do you get a moved unhappily down the bar and Nobel Prize for Outstanding began to mix, thinking about Mr. Mr. Achievement in Luck?” McMahon. Then he heard Mc- Mahon get off his stool and come "You’ve got a Nobel Prize, Mr. McMahon.” down the bar. He looked up. The small man was "For a cold cure discovered by a standing opposite him, and looking pharmacist who mis-labeled a couple down at the bar. Harry looked down of prescriptions.” too, and realized he’d been trying "Well, look, Mr. McMahon to make a whiskey sour with Gibson that’s better than no Nobel Prize at liquor. It looked like nothing he’d all.” ever seen before. The small man’s sensitive mouth Mr. McMahon pushed the dollar twisted again. "Yes, it is, Harry. bill across the bar. He reached out little bit.” almost tore the A He and took the funny-looking drink. dollar bill. "Just a little bit.” He There was a sad-happy smile on his stared into space. face.

"Mr. McMahon, I wouldn’t feel "That’s the one I wanted, Harry,” so bad about it if I was you. There’s he said. THE END

DEFINITION

Democracy: A governmental system involving a high percentage of negative feedback around ail stages of the system from input to output.

THE MAN WHO ALWAYS KNEW 51 LEGWORK

BY

ERIC FRANK RUSSELL

There ’s a bit of tendency in science fiction to view the mar- velous Gimmick or Power as unstoppable. Russell has here, a small question . . .

Illustrated by Freas

As nearly as an Andromedan thought form can be expressed in print, his name was Harasha Vanash. The formidable thing about him was his conceit. It was redoubtable be- cause justified. His natural power had been tested on fifty hostile worlds and found invincible. The greatest asset any living crea-

ture can possess is a brain capable of

imagination. That is its strong point,

its power center. But to Vanash an opponent’s mind was a weak spot, a chink in the armor, a thing to be exploited. Even he had his limitations. He could not influence a mind of his own species armed with his own power. He could not do much with a

brainless life form except kick it in

the rumps. But if an alien could ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION think and imagine, that alien was with a long, stimulating draught of his meat. ego when required.

Vanash was a twenty-four carat So it was with nonchalance that hypno, jeweled in every hole. Given he landed on Earth. The previous a thinking mind to work upon at day he’d given the planet a look-over any range up to most of a mile, he and his snooping had set off the

could convince it in a split second usual rumors about flying saucers de- that black was white, right was spite that his ship resembled no such wrong, the sun had turned bright object. green, and the corner cop was King He arrived unseen in the hills, got Farouk. Anything he imposed stayed out, sent the ship up to where its

stuck unless he saw fit to unstick it. automechanisms would swing it into

liven if it outraged common sense, a distant orbit and make it a pinhead- the victim would sign affidavits, sized moon. Among the rocks he hid that swear to it upon the Bible, the Koran the small, compact apparatus or whatever, and then be led away could call it back when wanted. to have his head examined. The vessel was safe from interfer- There was one terminal restriction ence up there, high in the sky. The (hat seemed to have the nature of chance of it being observed tele- If the a cosmos-wide law; he could not scopically was very remote. creatures of Earth did succeed in de- compel any life form to destroy it- tecting its presence, they could do self by its own hand. At that point the universal instinct of self-survival nothing about it. They hadn’t any became downright mulish and re- rocketships. They could do no more fused to budge. than look and wonder and worry. However, he was well able to do Yesterday’s preliminary investiga- the next best thing. He could do tion had told him practically nothing what a snake does to a rabbit, name- about the shape and form of the ly, obsess the victim with the idea dominant life. He hadn’t got near that it was paralyzed and completely enough for that. All he’d wanted to unable to flee from certain death. He know was whether this planet was could not persuade a Bootean ap- worthy of closer study and whether polan to cut its own throat, but he its highest life form had exploitable could make it stand still while he minds. It had not taken long to see performed that service. that he’d discovered an especially Yes, Harasha Vanash had excellent juicy plum, a world deserving of basis for self-esteem. When one has eventual confiscation by the Androm- walked into and out of fifty worlds edan horde. one can afford to be confident about The physical attributes of these the fifty-first. Experience is a faith- future slaves did not matter much ful and loving servant, always ready right now. Though not at all bizarre,

LEGWORK 53 he was sufficiently like them to walk He continued on his way, bearing around, sufficiently unlike to raise a no instrument other than a tiny com- yelp of alarm on sight. There would pass needed for eventual return and be no alarm. In spite of a dozen take-off. No weapon. Not a knife, physical differences they’d be soothed, not a gun. There was no need to positively soothed. Because they’d burden himself with lethal hard- never get a true view of him. Only ware. By self-evident logic, local an imaginary one. He could be a weapons were the equals of them- mental mock-up of anything, any- selves. Any time he wanted one he body. could make the nearest sucker hand Therefore, the first thing to do over his own and feel happy to do

was to find a mediocrity who would it. It was that easy. He’d done it a

pass unnoticed in a crowd, get his dozen times before and could do it mental image firmly fixed and im- a dozen times again.

press that on all other minds sub-

sequently encountered until such By the roadside stood a small fill- time as it might be convenient to ing station with four pumps. Vanash

switch pictures. kept watch upon it from the shelter Communication was no problem, of thick bushes fifty yards away. either. He could read the questions, Hm-m-m! bipeds, vaguely like him- project the answers, and the other self but with semi-rigid limbs and a party’s own mind could be compelled lot more hair. There was one oper- to supply accompanying camouflage. ating a pump, another sitting in a If they communicated by making car. He could not get a complete noises with their mouths or by dex- image of the latter because only the

terous jiggling of their tails, it would face and shoulders were visible. As work out the same. The other’s mas- for the former, the fellow wore a tered imagination would get his mes- glossy-peaked cap bearing a metal sage while providing the noises and badge, and uniformlike overalls with mouth movements or the appropriate a crimson cipher on the pocket. tail-jigglings. Neither example was suitable for Leaving the landing place, he set mental duplication, he decided. One forth through the hills, heading for lacked sufficient detail, the other had a well-used road observed during his far too much. Characters, who wore descent. A flight of primitive jet- uniforms, usually took orders, had planes arced across the eastward fixed duties, were liable to be noted horizon. He paused long enough to and questioned if seen some place watch them with approval. The trou- where they shouldn’t be. It would be ble with prospective servants already better to pick a subject able to move discovered elsewhere was that they around at random. were a bit too stupid to be efficient. The car pulled away. Peaked Cap Not here, though. wiped his hands on a piece of cotton

54 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION waste and gazed along the road. They cannot be created to order no Vanash maintained his watch. After matter how great the need. Any a few minutes another car halted. species could go nuts for lack of This one had an aerial sticking from one essential spark and, like every- its roof and bore two individuals one else, be compelled to wait its dressed alike; peaked caps, metal turn. buttons and badges. They were heavy- The trap in any foreign culture featured, hard-eyed, had an official lies in the fact that no newcomc-r can air about them. They wouldn't do know everything about it, imagine either, thought Vanash. Too con- everything, guess everything. For in- spicuous. stance, who could guess that the Unconscious of this scrutiny, one local life form were a bunch of of the cops said to the attendant, chronic fidgets? Or that, because of

"Seen anything worth telling, Joe?” it, they’d never had time to wait for "Not a thing. All quiet.” genius? Vanash did not know, and The police cruiser jerked forward could not suspect, that Earth had a and continued its patrol. Joe went tedious, conventional and most times into the station. Taking a flavor-seed unappreciated substitute for touches from its small pack, Vanash chewed of genius. It was slow, grim, deter-

it and meditated while he bided his mined and unspectacular, but it was time. So they were mouth-talkers, usable as and when required and it nontelepathic, routine-minded and got results. natural puppets for any hypno who Variously it was called making the cared to dangle them around. grade, slogging along, doing it the

Still, their cars, jetplanes and other hard way, or just plain lousy leg- gadgets proved that they enjoyed work. Whoever heard of such a occasional flashes of inspiration. In thing ? Andromedan theory the rare touch Not Vanash, nor any of his kind. of genius was all that menaced any So he waited behind the bushes until hypno, since nothing else could sense eventually a nondescript, mousy in- his existence, follow his operations dividual got out of a car, obligingly and pin him down. mooched around offering every detail It was a logical supposition—in of his features, mannerisms and at- terms of other-world logic. Every- tire. This specimen looked the un- thing the Andromedan culture pos- attached type that are a dime a dozen sessed had been born one by one on any crowded city street. Vanash of numberless revealing shafts of rev- mentally photographed him from elation that through the centuries every angle, registered him to per- had sparked out of nothingness in fection and felt satisfied. the inexplicable way that such things do. But flashes of inspiration come Five miles to the north along this spontaneously, of their own accord. road lay a small town, and forty

LEGWORK .55 miles beyond it a big city. He’d seen lift and lacked the vaguest notion and noted them on the way down, of why he’d done it. All he knew deciding that the town would serve was that in a moment of mental as training-ground before going to aberration he'd broken the ; habit of the city. Right now he could step a lifetime and picked up a thin- faced, boldly from cover and compel his sad and silent customer who resem- model to drive him where he wanted bled a middle-aged mortician.

to, go. "Going far?” asked the salesman, The idea was tempting but un- inwardly bothered by the weakness wise. Before he was through with of his own resolution. this world its life form would be- "Next town,” said Vanash. Or the come aware of inexplicable happen, other one thought he said it, distinct-

insrs in their midst and it would be ly heard him saying it and would safer not to locate the first of such take a dying oath that it really had events so near to the rendezvous with been said. Sneaking the town’s name the ship. Peaked Cap might talk too from the driver’s mind and thrusting

loudly and too long about the amaz- it back again, Vanash persuaded him ing coincidence of a customer giving to hear the addition of, "North- a lift to an exact twin. The victim wood.” himself might babble bemusedly "Any particular part?”

about picking up somebody who "Doesn’t matter. It’s a small place. made him feel as though looking Drop me wherever you find conven- into a mirror. Enough items like that, ient.”

and a flash of revelation could as- The driver grunted assent, offered semble them into a picture of the no more conversation. His thoughts horrid truth. milled around, baffled by his oven

He let the customer go and waited Samaritanism. Arriving in North- for Joe to enter the building. Then wood, he stopped the car. he emerged from the bushes, walked "This do?” half a mile northward, stopped and "Thanks.” Vanash got out. "I ap- looked to the south. preciate it.” The first car that came along was "Think nothing of it,” said the driven by a salesman who never, salesman, driving away bopless and never, never picked up a hitcher. unrolled. He’d heard of cases where free riders Vanash watched him depart, then had bopped the driver and robbed had a look around Northwood. him, and he wasn’t going to be rolled

if he could help it. So far as he was The place was nothing much. It concerned, thumbers by the wayside had shops on one long main street could go on thumbing until next and on two short side streets. A rail- Thursday week. road depot with a marshaling yard. He stopped and gave Vanash a Four medium-sized industrial plants.

56 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Three banks, a post office, a fire sta- loot out of the market, she dropped tion, a couple of municipal build- it unopened on a vacant lot, went ings. He estimated that Northwood home, thought things over and held held between four and five thousand her head. Earthlings and that at least a third The take was forty-two dollars. of them worked on outlying farms. Vanash counted it carefully, went

He ambled along the main street to a cafeteria, splurged some of it and was ignored by unsuspecting on a square meal. By other methods natives while practically rubbing he could have got the feed for free, shoulders with them. The experience but such tactics are self-advertising gave him no great kick; he’d done and can be linked up by a spark of

it so often elsewhere that he now inspiration. To his taste, some of the

took it for granted and was almost food was revolting, some passable,

bored by it. At one point a dog saw but it would do until he’d learned him, let go a howl of dismay and how to pick and choose. bolted with its tail between its legs. One problem not yet satisfactorily Nobody took any notice. Neither did resolved was that of what to do with he. the night. He needed sleep as much First lesson in pre-city education as any inferior life form and had to

was gained inside a shop. Curious find some place for it. A snooze to see how the customers got what in the fields or a barn would be in- they wanted, he entered with a bunch appropriate; the master does not ac- of them. They used a medium of cept the hay while the servants snore

exchange in the form of printed on silk.

paper and metal disks. That meant It took a little while to find out he'd save himself considerable trou- from observation, mind-pickings and ble and inconvenience if he got hold a few questions to passers-by that he of a supply of the stuff. could bed down at an hotel or room- Moving to a crowded supermarket, ing house. The former did not appeal he soon learned the relative values of to him. Too public and, therefore, too money and a fair idea of its purchas- demanding upon his resources for ing power. Then he helped himself concealment. In an hotel he’d have to a small supply and was smart less opportunity to let up for a while enough to do it by proxy. The tech- and be himself, which was a welcome nique was several times easier than form of relaxation. falling off a log. But with a room of his own free Standing unnoticed at one side, from constantly intruding he concentrated attention on a servants plump, motherly shopper of obvious armed with master-keys, he could re- respectability. She responded by vert to a normal, effortless state of picking the purse of a preoccupied mind, get his sleep, work out his woman next to her. Sneaking the plans in peace and privacy. LEGWORK 57 He found a suitable rooming tonhead or switching personalities, house without much trouble. A providing it was necessary. It irked

blowzy female with four warts on him to have to do it frequently, for her florid face showed him his hide- petty reasons hardly worth the effort. out, demanded twelve dollars in ad- To let himself be the constant vic- vance because he had no luggage. tim of trifling circumstances was to Paying her, he informed her that accept that these aliens were impos- he was William Jones, here for a ing conditions upon him. His ego week on business, and that he liked resented such an idea.

to be left alone. All the same, he had to face a self-

In return, she intimated that her evident premise and its unavoidable joint was a palace of peace for gen- conclusion. On this world one must tlemen, and that any bum who im- have money to get around smoothly, ported a hussy would be out on his without irritating complications. neck. He assured her that he would Therefore, he must acquire an ade- not dream of such a thing, which quate supply of the real thing or be was true enough because to him such continually called upon to create the

a dream would have all the makings delusion that he possessed it. No of a nightmare. Satisfied, she with- extraordinary intelligence was needed drew. to divine which alternative gave the He sat on the edge of the bed and least trouble. thought things over. It would have On other worlds the life forms been an absurdly simple trick to have had proved so sluggish and dull- paid her in full without handing her witted, their civilizations so rudimen-

a cent. He could have sent her away tary, that it had not taken long to convinced that she had been paid. make a shrewd estimate of their But she'd still be short twelve dollars worth as future foes and subsequent and get riled about the mysterious slaves. Here, the situation was a lot

loss. If he stayed on, he'd have to more complicated and required fool her again and again until at lengthier, more detailed survey. By

last the very fact that his payments the looks of it he’d be stalled quite coincided exactly with her losses a time. So he must get hold of would be too much even for an money in quantities larger than that idiot. carried by the average individual.

A way out would be to nick some- And when it ran out, he must get one for a week’s rent, then move more. and take another boob. That tactic Next day he devoted some time

had its drawbacks. If the news got to tracing the flow of money back around and a hunt started after the to a satisfactory source. Having found bilker, he would have to change the source, he spent more time mak-

identities. ing careful study of it. In underworld He wasn’t averse to soaking a mut- jargon, he cased a bank.

58 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION -

The man lumbering alone the lend a hand. You are the boy who corridor weighed two-fifty, had a will lend it.” couple of chins and a prominent "Why?” paunch. At first sight, just a fat slob. The other drew a deep breath, First impressions can be very decep- explained rapidly, "Some smartie tive. At least half a dozen similarly took the First Bank of Northwood built characters had been world for approximately twelve thousand— heavyweight wrestling champs. Ed- and nobody knows how. Captain ward G. Rider was not quite in that Harrison, of the Northwood police, category, but on rare occasion he says the puzzle is a stinker. Accord- could strew bodies around in a way ing to him, it looks very much as that would make an onlooking though at long last somebody has chiseler offer his services as man- found a technique for committing ager. the perfect crime.”

He stopped at a frosted glass door "He would say that if he feels bearing the legend: UNITED thwarted. How come we’re dragged STATES TREASURY—INVESTI- into it?” GATION. Rattling the glass with a "On checking up with the bank hammerlike knuckle, he entered with- Harrison found that the loot included out waiting for response, took a seat forty one-hundred dollar bills con- without being invited. secutively numbered. Those numbers The sharp-faced individual behind are known. The others are not. He the desk registered faint disapproval, phoned us to give the data, hoping said, "Eddie, I’ve got a smelly one the bills might turn up and we could for you.” back-track on them. Embleton han- "Have you ever given me one that dled the call, chatted a while, got wasn’t?” Rider rested big hands on interested in this perfect crime big kneecaps. "What’s it this time? thesis.” Another unregistered engraver on the "So?” rampage ?” "He consulted with me. We both "No. It’s a bank robbery.” agreed that if somebody has learned Rider frowned, twitched heavy how to truck lettuce the way he eyebrows. "I thought we were inter- likes, he’s as much a menace to the ested only in counterfeit currency and economy as any large-scale counter- illegal transfers of capital. What has feiter.” a heist to do with us? That’s for the "I see,” said Rider, doubtfully. police, isn’t it?” "Then I took the matter up at "The police are stuck with it.” high level. Ballantyne himself de-

"Well, if the place was govern- cided that we’re entitled to chip in, ment insured they can call in the just in case something’s started that

Feds.” can go too far. I chose you. The "It’s not insured. We offered to whole office block will sit steadier

LEGWORK 53 ”

without your size fourteen boots banging around.” He moved some papers to his front, picked up a pen. "Get out to Northwood and give Chief Harrison a boost.” "Now?”

"Any reason why it should be tomorrow or next week?” "I’m baby-sitting tonight.” "Don’t be silly.” "It’s not silly,” said Rider. "Not with this baby.” "You ought to be ashamed. You're not long married. You’ve got a sweet and trusting w'ife.” "She’s the baby,” Rider informed. "I promised her— faithfully and fer- vently that I’d

"And I promised Harrison and Ballantyne that you’d handle this \ with your usual elephantine effi- X ciency,” the other interrupted, scowl- ing. "Do you want to hold down your job or do you want out? Phone your wife and tell her duty comes

first.”

"Oh, all right.” He went out, slammed the door, tramped surlily along the corridor, entered a booth and took twenty-two minutes to do the telling.

Chief Harrison was tall, lean and

fed up. He said, "Why should I bother to tell you what happened?

Direct evidence is better than sec- ondhand information. We’ve got the

actual witness here. I sent for him

when I learned you were coming." He flipped a switch on the desk-box. "Send Ashcroft in.” "Who’s he?” Rider asked.

60 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION "Head teller of the First Bank, One relieves the other from time to and a worried man.” He waited for time. Or one comes when the other the witness to enter, made an intro- is too busy, or ill, or on vacation. duction. "This is Mr. Rider, a special Both have been well-known to me investigator. He wants to hear your for several years.” story." "All right, carry on.” Ashcroft sat down, wearily rubbed "When the cashier arrives he

his forehead. He was a white-haired, brings a locked leather bag and , has dapper man in the early sixties. Rider the key in a pocket. He unlocks the weighed him up as the precise, some- bag, hands it to me. I fill it in such what finicky but solid type often de- manner that he can check the quan- scribed as a pillar of the community. tities, pass it back together with a

"So far I’ve told it about twenty receipt slip. He locks the bag, puts times,” Ashcroft complained, "and the key in his pocket, signs the each time it sounds a little madder. slip and walks out. I file the receipt

My mind is spinning with the and that’s all there is to it.”

thoughts of it. I just can’t find any "Seems a bit careless to let the ” plausible— same fellow carry both the bag and "Don’t worry yourself,” advised the key,” Rider commented. Rider in soothing tones. "Just give Chief Harrison chipped in with, me the facts as far as they go.” "We’ve checked on that. A guard "Each week we make up the pay- carries the key. He gives it to the

roll for the Dakin Glass Company. cashier when they arrive at the bank,

It varies between ten and fifteen takes it back when they leave.” thousand dollars. The day before Nervously licking his lips, Ash- the company sends around a messen- croft went on, "Last Friday morning ger with a debit-note calling for the we had twelve thousand one hundred required sum and stating how they eighty-two dollars ready for the want it. We then get it ready in Dakin plant. Mr. Letheren came in good time for the following morn- with the bag. It was exactly ten- ing.” thirty.” "And then?” "Flow do you know that?” in- "The company collects. They send quired Rider, sharply. "Did you look around a cashier accompanied by a at the clock? What impelled you to couple of guards. He always arrives look at it?”

at about eleven o’clock. Never earlier "I consulted the clock because I than ten to eleven or later than ten was a little surprised. He was ahead past.” of his usual time. I had not expected "You know the cashier by sight?” him for another twenty minutes or "There are two of them, Mr. so.”

Swain and Mr. Letheren. Either of "And it was ten-thirty? You’re them might come for the money. positive of that?”

LEGWOKK 61 "I am absolutely certain,” said played some impatience and said he

Ashcroft, as though it was the only didn’t care if it had been checked certainty in the whole affair. "Mr. fifty times so long as I got busy

Letheren came up to the counter and handing it over and let him get back gave me the bag. I greeted him, made to the plant.” a casual remark about him being "That knocked you onto your early.” heels, eh?” Rider suggested, with "What was his reply?” a grim smile.

"I don’t recall the precise word- "I was flabbergasted. At first I ing. I’d no reason to take especial thought it was some kind of joke, note of what he said and I was busy though he isn’t the type to play such tending the bag.” He frowned with tricks. I told him I’d already given effort of thought. "He made some him the money, about half an hour commonplace remark about it being before. He asked me if I was cracked. better to be too early than too late.” So I called Jackson, a junior teller, '"What occurred next?” and he confirmed my statement. He "I gave him the bag and the slip. had seen me loading the bag.” He locked the bag, signed the slip "Did he also see Letheren taking and departed.” it away?"

"Is that all?” Rider asked. "Yes, sir. And he said as much.” "Not by a long chalk,” put in "What was Letheren’s answer to ’Chief Harrison. He nodded encour- that?” agingly at Ashcroft. "Go on, give "He demanded to see the manager. him the rest of it.” I showed him into Mr. Olsen’s office. A minute later Mr. Olsen called for

"At five to eleven,” continued the the receipt slip. I took it out of the witness, his expression slightly be- file and discovered there was no fuddled, "Mr, Letheren came back, signature upon it.” placed the bag on the counter and "It was blank?” looked at me sort of expectantly. So "Yes. I can’t understand it. I

I said, 'Anything wrong, Mr. Leth- watched him sign that receipt my- eren?' He answered, 'Nothing so far self. Nevertheless there was nothing ” as I know. Ought there to be?’ on it, not a mark of any sort.” He He paused, rubbed his forehead sat silent and shaken, then finished, again. Rider advised, "Take your "Mr. Letheren insisted that Mr. time with it. I want it as accurately Olsen cease questioning me and call as you can give it.” the police. I was detained in the man- Ashcroft pulled himself together. ager’s office until Mr. Harrison ar- "I told him there was no reason for rived.” anything to be -wrong because tire Rider stewed it over, then ?'- 1 -ed, money had been checked and re- "Did the same pair of guards accom- checked three times. He then dis- pany Letheren both times?”

62 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION I don't know. I did not see his commented Rider, staring hard at the escort on either occasion." unhappy Ashcroft. "You say Leth- "You mean he came unguarded?” eren got the money at ten-thirty. He "They are not always visible to the says he did not. The statements are batik’s staff,” Harrison put in. "I’ve mutually opposed. Got any ideas on chased that lead to a dead end.” that?” "How much did you learn on the "You don’t believe me, do you?” way?” said Ashcroft, miserably. "The guards deliberately vary "I don’t disbelieve you, either. I’m their routine so as to make their keeping judgment suspended. We’re behavior unpredictable to anyone faced with a flat contradiction of planning a grab. Sometimes both ac- evidence. It doesn’t follow that one company the cashier to the counter of the witnesses is a liar and thus and back. Sometimes they wait out- a major suspect. Somebody may be side the main door, watching the talking in good faith but genuinely street. Other times one remains in mistaken.” the car while the other mooches up "Meaning me?” and down near the bank.” "Could be. You’re not infallible.

"They are armed, I take it?” Nobody is.” Rider leaned forwVrd, "Of course.” He eyed Rider quiz- gave emphasis to his tones. "LeV’s zically. "Both guards swear that last accept the main points at face value. Friday morning they escorted Leth- If you’ve told the truth, the cash eren to the bank once and only once. was collected at ten-thirty. If Leth- That was at five to eleven.” eren has told the truth, he was not "But he was there at ten-thirty,” the collector. Add those up and what Ashcroft protested. do you get? Answer: the money was

"He denies it,” said Harrison. "So toted away by somebody who was do the guards.” not Letheren. And if that answer

happens to be correct, it means that "Did the guards say they’d actually you’re badly mistaken.” entered the bank?” inquired Rider, "I’ve made no mistake,” Ashcroft sniffing around for more contradic- denied. ”1 know what I saw. I saw tory evidence. Letheren and nobody else. To say

"They did not enter on arrival. otherwise is to concede that I can', They hung around outside the front trust the evidence of my own eyes.” door until Letheren’s delay made "You’ve conceded it already,” them take alarm. At that point they Rider pointed out. went inside with guns half-drawn. "Oh, no I haven’t.” Ashcroft couldn’t see them because "You told us that you watched by then he was on the carpet in him sign the receipt slip. With your Olsen's office.” own two eyes you saw him append

"Well, you can see how it is,” his signature.” He waited for com-

LEGWORK GJ ment that did not come, ended, "I think I’d accept the latter’ defi- "There was nothing on the slip.” nition when and only when I’d been Ashcroft brooded in glum silence. compelled to admit defeat. Are you "If you were deluded about the admitting it?” writing, you could be equally deluded "Not on your life.” about the writer.” "Quit griping then. Let’s concen- "I don’t suffer from delusions.” trate on the job in hand. There’s

"So it seems,” said Rider, dry- something mighty fishy about this voiced. "How do you explain that business of the receipt. It looks cock- receipt?” eyed.” "I don’t have to,” declared Ash- "It’s plain as pie to me,” said croft with sudden spirit. "I've given Harrison. "Ashcroft was deluded or the facts. It’s for you fellows to find tricked.” the explanation." "That isn't the point,” Rider told

"That’s right enough,” Rider him. "The real puzzle is that of why agreed. "We don’t resent being re- he was outsmarted. Assuming that minded. I hope you don't resent he and Letheren are both innocent, being questioned again and again. the loot was grabbed by someone

Thanks for coming along.” else, by somebody unknown. I don’t "Glad to be of help.” He went see any valid reason why the culprit out, obviously relieved by the end of should risk bollixing the entire set-up the inquisition. by handing in a blank receipt that Harrison found a toothpick, chew- might be challenged on the spot. All ed it, said, "It’s a heller. Another he had to do to avoid it was to scrawl day or two of this and you’ll be sorry Letheren’s name. Why didn’t he?”

they sent you to show me how.” Harrison thought it over. "Maybe he feared Ashcroft would recognize Meditatively studying the police the signature as a forgery, take a chief, Rider informed, "I didn’t closer look at him and yell bloody come to show you how. I came to murder.” help because you said you needed "If he could masquerade as Leth- help. Two minds are better than one. eren well enough to get by, he A hundred minds are better than ten. should have been able to imitate a But if you’d rather I beat it back signature well enough to pass scru- ” home— tiny.” "Nuts,” said Harrison. "At times "Well, maybe he didn’t sign be-

like this I sour up on everyone. My cause he couldn’t,” Harrison ven-

position is different from yours. tured, "not being able to write. I When someone takes a bank, right know of several hoodlums who can under my nose, he’s made a chump write only because they got taught in of me. How’d you like to be both the jug.” a police chief and a chump?” "You may have something there,”

64 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Rider conceded. "Anyway, for the reasonable suspicion. I’m compelled moment Ashcroft and Letheren ap- to admit that he’s right.” pear to be the chief suspects. They’ll have to be eliminated before we "How about the company’s cash- start looking elsewhere. I presume ier, Letheren?" you’ve already checked on both of "He’s a confirmed bachelor in the

them?” late fifties. I won’t weary you with "And how!" Harrison used the his full background. There’s noth- desk-box. "Send in the First Bank ing we can pin on him.”

file.” When it came, he thumbed "You’re sure of that?”

through its pages. "Take Ashcroft "Judge for yourself. The com-

first. Financially well-fixed, no crim- pany’s car remained parked outside inal record, excellent character, no the office all morning until ten thirty- motive for turning bank robber. five. It was then used to take Leth- Jackson, the junior teller, confirms eren and his guards to the bank. his evidence to a limited extent. It couldn’t reach the bank in less Ashcroft could not have hidden the than twenty minutes. There just was- Dakin consignment any place. We n’t enough time for Letheren to make searched the bank from top to bot- the first call in some other car, return tom, during which time Ashcroft to the plant, pick up the guards and did not leave the place for one min- make the second call.'' ute. We found nothing. Subsequent "Not to mention hiding the loot investigation brought out other items in the interim,” Rider suggested.

it. in his favor . . . I'll give you the "No, he could not have done details later on.” Furthermore, there are forty people

"You’re satisfied that he is inno- in the Dakin office and between them cent?” they were able to account for every "Almost, but not quite,” said Har- minute of Letheren’s time from when rison. "He could have handed the he started work at nine o’clock up to when left for the bank at ten money to an accomplice who bears he thirty-five. prosecutor could bust superficial resemblance to Letheren. No an alibi like that!” That tactic would have finagled the "That seems to put him right out stuff dean out of the bank. I wish of the running.” I could shake down his home in Harrison scowled and said, "It search of his split. One bill with certainly does—but we've since found a known number would tie him five witnesses who place him near His down but good.” features became the bank at ten-thirty.” disgruntled, "judge Maxon refused "Meaning they support the state- to sign a search warrant on grounds ments of Ashcroft and Jackson?” of insufficient justification. Said he’s "Yes, they do. Immediately after

got to be shown better cause for the case broke I put every available

LEGWORK 65 man onto the job of asking ques- actually enter the place. Just dropped tions the whole length of the street him, got paid and drove off. We and down the nearest side-streets. questioned the Cameo’s staff, search- The usual lousy legwork. They found ed the house. It got us nowhere, three people prepared to swear they’d There’s a bus terminal nearby. We seen Letheren entering the bank at gave everyone there a rough time ten-thirty. They didn’t know him by and learned nothing.” sight, but they were shown Leth- eren’s photograph and identified "And that’s as far as you’ve been him.” able to take it?” "Did they notice his car and give "Not entirely. I've phoned the its description?” Treasury, given them the numbers "They didn’t see him using a car. of forty bills. I’ve put out an eight- He was on foot at the time and state alarm for a suspect answering carrying the bag. They noticed and to Letheren’s description. Right now remembered him only because a mutt- the boys are armed with copies of yelped and went hell-for-lcather his pic and are going the rounds of down the street. They wondered hotels and rooming houses. He must whether he’d kicked it and why.” have holed up somewhere and it "Do they say he did kick it?” could have been right in this town. "No.” Now I’m stuck. I don’t know where Rider thoughtfully rubbed two to look next.” chins. "Then I wonder why it be- Rider lay back in his chair which haved like that. Dogs don’t yelp and creaked in protest. He mused quite bolt for nothing. Something must a time while Harrison slowly masti- have hurt or scared it.” cated the toothpick. "Who cares?” said Harrison, hav- Then he said, "Excellent charac- ing worries enough. "The boys also ter, financial security and no appar- found a fellow who says he saw ent motive are things less convincing Letheren a few minutes later, com- than the support of other witnesses. ing out of the bank and still with A man can have a secret motive the bag. He didn’t notice any guards strong enough to send him right hanging around. He says Letheren off the rails. He could be in desper- started walking along the street as ate need of ten or twelve thousand though he hadn’t a care in the world, in ready cash merely because he’s got but after fifty yards he picked up a to produce it a darned sight quick- prowling taxi and rolled away.” er than he can raise it by legitimate "You traced the driver?” realization of insurance, stocks and "We did. He also recognized the bonds. For example, what if he’s got photo we showed him. Said he’d twenty-four hours in which to find taken Letheren to the Cameo Theater ransom money?” on Fourth Street, but did not sec him Harrison popped his eyes. "You

66 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION think we should check on Ashcroft’s "For the fun of it, no. In the and Letheren’s kin and see if any interests of justice, yes.” one of them is missing or has been "All men aren’t alike and thank missing of late?” God they’re not.” Rider made an

"Please yourself. Personally, I impatient gesture. "We’ve gone as doubt that it’s worth the bother. A far as we can with the two obvious kidnaper risks the death penalty. suspects. Let’s work out what we can Why should he take a chance like do with a third and unknown one.” that for a measly twelve thousand when he endangers himself no more Harrison said, "I told you I’ve by sticking a fatter victim for a far sent out an alarm for a fellow an- bigger sum? Besides, even if a check swering to Letheren’s description.” did produce a motive it wouldn’t tell "Yes, I know. Think it will do any us how the robbery was pulled or good ?” enable us to prove it to the satisfac- "It’s hard to say. The guy may be tion of a judge and jury.” a master of make-up. If so, he’ll now "That's right enough,” Harrison look a lot different from the way he agreed. "All the same, the check is did when he pulled the job. If the worth making. It’ll cost me nothing. resemblance happens to be real, close Except for Ashcroft’s wife, the rela- and unalterable, the alarm may help tives of both men live elsewhere. It’s nail him.” just a matter of getting the co-opera- "That’s true. However, unless tion of police chiefs.” there’s an actual blood relationship—

"Do it if you wish. And while which possibility you’re following up we’re making blind passes in the anyway—the likeness can hardly be dark, get someone to find out wheth- genuine. It would be too much of a er Letheren happens to be afflicted coincidence. Let’s say it’s artificial. with a no-good brother who could What does that tell us?” exploit a close family likeness. Maybe "It was good,” Harrison respond-

Letheren is the suffering half of a ed. "Good enough to fool several pair of identical twins.” witnesses. Far too good for com- "If he is,” growled Harrison, "he’s fort.” also an accessory after the fact be- "You said it,” indorsed Rider. cause he can guess how the job was "What’s more, an artist so excep- done and who did it, but he’s kept tionally accomplished could do it his lips buttoned.” again and again and again, •working "That’s the legal viewpoint. his way through a series of personal-

There’s a human one as well. If one ities more or less of his physical feels disgrace, one doesn’t invite it. build. Therefore he may really look

If you had a brother with a record as much like Letheren as I look like as long as your arm, would you a performing seal. We haven’t his advertise it all over town?” true description and the lack is a

LEGWORK 67 severe handicap. Offhand, I can tion on the ceiling. They did not think of no way of discovering what know fit, but they were employing he looks like right now." Earth’s on-the-spot substitute for a "Me neither,” said Harrison, be- rare flash of genius. A couple of coming roorbid. times Rider opened his mouth as if "There’s one chance we’ve got, about to say something, changed his though. Ten to one his present ap- mind, resumed his meditating. pearance is the same as it was before In the end. Rider said, "To put he worked his trick. He’d no reason over so convincingly the gag that he to disguise himself while casing the was Letheren he must not only have job and fnaking his plans. The rob- looked like him but also dressed bery was so smooth and well-timed like him, walked like him, behaved like that it rhust have been schemed to him, smelled like him.” perfection. That kind of planning "He was Letheren to the spit,” an- requires plenty of preliminary ob- swered Harrison. "I’ve questioned

servation- He could not cotton onto Ashcroft until we’re both sick of it. Dakin’s collecting habits and Leth- Every single detail was Letheren eren’s appearance at one solitary go. right down to his shoes.” Not unless he was a mind reader.” Rider asked, "How about the "I don’t believe in mind readers," bag?” Harrison declared. "Nor astrologers, "The bag?” Harrison’s lean face swamis t>r any of their ilk.” assumed startlement followed by self-

Ignoring it, Rider ploughed stub- reproach. "You’ve got me there. I

bornly on, "So for some time prior didn’t ask about it. I slipped up.” to the robbery he had a hideout in "Not necessarily. There may be this town or fairly dose to it. Fifty nothing worth learning. We’d better or more people may have seen him be sure on that point.” repeatedly and be able to describe "I can find out right now.” He him. Yonr boys won't find him by picked up the phone, called a num- circling the dives and dumps and ber, said, "Mr. Ashcroft, I’ve an- showing a photo, because he didn't other question for you. About that

look like the photo. The problem bag you put the money into—was it

now is to discover the hideout, learn the actual one always used by the what he looked like. Dakin people?” "Easier said than done.” The voice came back distinctly,

"It’s bard sledding, chief, but let’s "No, Mr. Harrison, it was a new keep at it. Eventually we’ll get our- one.” selves somewhere even if only into "What?” Harrison’s face purpled a padded cell.” as he bellowed, "Why didn’t you say so at the start?” He lapsed into silence, thinking "You didn’t ask me and, there-

deeply. Harrison concentrated atten- fore, I didn’t think of it. Even if I

68 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

had thought of it of my own accord remember that when 1 was putting i wouldn’t have considered it of any the money into it I wondered why importance.” they’d bought another bag and con- "Listen, it’s for me and not for cluded that the purpose was to let you to decide what evidence is, or Mr. Letheren and Mr. Sw'ain have is not, important.” He fumed a bit, one each.” threw the listening Rider a look of "Did you notice any distinguish- martyrdom, went on in tones edged ing mark upon it, a price tag, a with irritation. "Now' let’s get this maker’s sticker, initials, code letters, straight, once and for all. Apart from serial number, or anything like that?” being new, was the bag identically "Nothing at all. It didn’t occur the same as the one Dakin uses?” to me to look. Not knowing what "No, sir. But it w'as very similar. — Same type, same brass lock, same was to come, I general appearance. It was slightly The voice cut off in mid-sentence

i refill longer and about an inch deeper. I as Harrison iy slammed down

LEGWORK 69 the phone. He stared hard at Rider "Such as what?” who said nothing. "We’re a scientific species, living "For your information,” Harrison in a technological age. We’ve got told him, "I can say that there are extensive, well-integrated communi- distinct advantages in taking up the cations networks and huge, informa- profession of latrine attendant. Some- tive filing systems. Let’s use what

times I am sorely tempted.” He we’ve got, eh?” breathed heavily, switched the desk- "What’s on your mind?” Harrison box. "Who’s loafing around out asked. there?” Somebody replied, "It’s Kastner, Rider said, "A robbery so smooth,

chief.” neat and easy is something that begs "Send him in.” to be repeated ad lib. Maybe he’s

Detective Kastner entered. He done it before. There’s every likeli-

was a neatly attired individual who hood that he’ll do it again.” had the air of knowing how to get "So—?”

around in a sink of iniquity. "We have his description, but it

"Jim,” ordered Harrison, "beat it isn’t worth mu.ch.” He leaned for- out to the Dakin plant and borrow ward. "We also have full details of

their cash-bag. Make Certain it’s the his method and those are reliable. one they use for weekly collections. "Yes, that’s true.”

Take it to every store selling leather "So let’s boil down his descrip- goods and follow up every sale of tion to the unalterable basics of a similar bag within the last month. height, weight, build, color of eyes. If you trace a purchaser, make him The rest can be ignored. Let’s also

prove that he still possesses his bag, condense his technique, reduce it to get him to say where he was and the bare facts. We can summarize what he was doing at ten-thirty last the lot in five hundred words." Friday morning.” "And then?” "Right, chief.” "There are six thousand two hun-

"Phone me the details if you latch dred eighty banks in this country, of onto anything significant.” which slightly more than six thou- After Kastner had gone, Harrison sand belong to the Bank Associa- said, "That bag was bought specifi- tion. I’ll get Washington to run off cally for the job. Therefore, the pur- enough handbills for the Association

chase is likely to be a recent one and to send its entire membership. probably made in this town. If we They’ll be put on guard against a can’t trace a sale through local stores, similar snatch, asked to rush us full we’ll inquire farther afield.” details if any get taken despite the "You do that,” Rider agreed. warning or already had been taken

“Meanwhile, I'll take a couple of before they got it.” steps that may help.” "That’s a good idea,” Harrison

70 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION i

approved, "Some other police chief speed extractor, like giving the scent may nurse a couple of items that we to a hound. Electronic fingers raced lack, while we’re holding a couple over slots and punch-holes in a mil- that he wants. A get-together may lion cards a darned sight faster than find us holding enough to solve both you could blow your nose. Rejecting cases.” muggers, laeistmen and various "There’s a slight chance that we toughies, the fingers dug out maybe can take it farther still,” said Rider. four thousand confidence tricksters. "The culprit may have a record. If From those they then extracted per- he has not, we’re out of luck. But haps six hundred bond-pushers. And if he’s done it before, and been from those they picked a hundred pinched, we can find his card in no who specialized in phony oil stocks. time at all.” He pondered reminis- And from those they took twelve cently, added, "That filing system in who kept out of sight by operating

Washington is really something.” through the mails.”

"I know of it, of course, but "That narrowed it down,” Harri- haven’t seen it,” Harrison com- son conceded. mented. "The, machine ejected twelve "Friend of mine down there, a cards,” Rider continued. "An extra postal inspector, found it handy not datum might have enabled it to throw long ago. He was hunting a fellow out one and only one. But that was selling fake oil stock through the as far as it could go; it couldn't use mails. This character had taken at what it hadn’t been given. Not that least fifty suckers by means of some it mattered. A quick check of other classy print-work including official records showed that four of the looking reserve reports, certificates twelve were dead and six more were and other worthless documents. languishing in the clink. Of the re- There was no description of him. maining two, one was picked up, Not a victim had seen him in the proved himself in the clear. That left flesh.” the last fellow. The postal authorities "That’s not much to go on.” now had his name, mug-shot, prints,

"No, but it was enough. Attempts habits, associates and everything but by postal authorities to trap him had his mother’s wedding certificate. They failed. He was a wily bird and that grabbed him within three weeks.” in itself was a clue. Obviously he "Nice work. Only thing I don’t was a swindler sufficiently experi- understand is why they keep dead enced to have a record. So this friend men’s cards on file.” took what little he'd got to the "That’s because evidence comes up F.B.I.” —sometimes years later—proving "What happened?” them responsible for old, unsolved "A modus operand expert coded crimes. The evil that men do lives the data and fed it into the high- after them; the good, if any, is in-

LEGWORK 71 terred with their bones.” He eyed tions of store owners, local gossips, the other, ended, "The slaves of the tavern keepers, parolees, stool pi- filing system don’t like cases left geons, any and every character who open and unfinished. They like to by remote chance might give with mark them dosed even if it takes a crumb of worthwhile information. half a lifetime. They’re tidy-minded, Plainclothes detectives knocked on see?” doors, cross-examined all who re-

"Yes, I see.” Harrison thought a sponded, checked back later on any while, remarked, "You'd think a who’d failed to answer. State troop- criminal would go honest once on ers shook down outlying motels and the files, or at least have the sense trailer parks, quizzed owners, man- not to repeat.” agers, assistants. Sheriffs and deputies "They always repeat. They get in visited farms known to take occa- a rut and can’t jack themselves out sional roomers. of it. I never heard of a counter- In Washington, six thousand leaf- feiter who turned gunman or bicycle lets poured from a press while not thief. This fellow we’re after will far away another machine addressed pull the same stunt again by sub- six thousand envelopes. Also nearby, stantially the same method. You wait electronic fingers sought a specific and see.” He signed to the phone. array of holes and slots among a

"Mind if I make a couple of long- million variously punched cards. distance calls?” Police of half a dozen towns and

"Help yourself. I don’t pay for cities loped around, checked on cer- them.” tain people, phoned their findings "In that case I'll have three. The to Northwood, then carried on with

little woman is entitled to some vocal their own work. fondling.” As usual, first results were repre- "Go right ahead.” Registering dis- sented by a stack of negative infor- gust, Harrison heaved himself erect, mation. None of Ashcroft’s relatives

went to the door. "I’ll get busy some were missing or had been of late. place else. If one thing turns my There was no black sheep in Leth-

stomach, it’s the spectacle of a big eren’s family, he had no twin, his man cooing a lot of slop.” only brother was ten years younger, Grinning to himself, Rider picked was highly respected, bore no strik- up the phone. "Get me the United ing likeness and, in any case, had an States Treasury, Washington, Exten- unbreakable alibi. sion 417, Mr. O’Keefe.” No other bank had yet reported being soaked by an expert masquer- Over the next twenty-four hours ader. Rooming houses, hotels and the steady, tiresome but determined other possible hideouts failed to pro- pressure of Earth technique was duce a clue to anyone resembling maintained. Patrolmen asked ques- Letheren’s photograph.

72 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION i

The silent searcher through the "How about the third buyer?”

filing system found forty-one bank "That’s what I'm coming to, chief. swindlers, living and dead. But not He looks good to me. He bought his one with the same modus operand bag the afternoon before the robbery. or anything closely similar. Regret- Nobody knows him.”

fully it flashed a light meaning, "No "A stranger?”

record." "Not quite. I got a detailed de- However, from the deductive view- scription of him from Hilda Cassidy, point enough negatives can make a the dame who waited on him. She few positives. Harrison and Rider says he was a middle-aged, thin- stewed the latest news, came to the faced, meek sort of character with a same conclusions. Ashcroft and Leth- miserable expression. Looked like an eren were well-nigh in the clear. The unhappy embalmer.” unknown culprit was a newcomer to "Then what makes you say he’s crime and his first success would in- not quite a stranger?”

duce him to do it again. Such a "Because, chief, there are eleven master of make-up had previously stores selling leather goods of one concealed himself under some iden- kind or another. I’ve lived here

tity other than that now being sought. quite a piece, but I had to hunt First break came in the late after- around to find the one handling this

noon. Kastner walked in, tipped his kind of bag. So I figured that this hat onto the back of his head and miserable guy would have had to do said, "I may have something.” some going the rounds, too. I tried "Such as what?” asked Harrison, all the stores a second time, giving his features alert. them this new description.” ?” "There’s no great demand for that "And— particular kind of bag and only one "Three of them remembered this store sells them in this town. Within fellow looking for what they don’t the last month they’ve got rid of stock. All confirmed the description.” three.” He paused, added, "Sol Bergman, of "Paid for by check?” the Travel Mart, says the guy’s face "Cash on the nail.” Kastner re- was slightly familiar. Doesn’t know sponded with a grim smile to the who he is and can’t make a useful other’s look of disappointment, svent guess. But he's sure he’s seen him on, "But two of the buyers were local two or three times before.” folk, recognized and known. Both "Maybe an occasional visitor from made their purchases about three somewhere a good way out.” weeks ago. I chased them up. They’ve "That’s how it looks to me, chief.” still got their bags and can account "A good way out means anywhere for their time last Friday morning, within a hundred-mile radius,” fve checked their stories and they growled Harrison. "Perhaps even hold good and tight.” farther.” He eyed Kastner sourly. LEGWORK 73 "Who got the longest and closest “If the boss will let me.” look at him?” “He will,” put in Harrison. "I'll “The Cassidy girl.” see to that.”

“You’d better bring her in, and “All right,” said Rider to the fast.” girl. “You come round. Mr. King “I did bring her. She’s waiting will show you a number of photo- outside.” graphs. Look through them carefully “Good work, Jim,” approved Har- and pick out distinguishing features rison, brightening. “Let’s see her.” that correspond with those of the man who bought that bam A chin Kastner went out and brought her here, a mouth there, a nose some- a tall, intelligent in. She was slender, where else. Mr. King will make a person in the early twenties. Cool composite drawing from them and and composed, she sat with hands will keep altering it in accordance folded in her lap, answered Harri- with your instructions until he’s got son’s questions while he got the it right. Think you can do that?” suspect’s description in as complete "Oh, sure,” she said. detail as she was able to supply. "We can do better,” Kastner an- “More darned legwork,” Harrison nounced. “Sol Bergman is the eager- complained as she finished. "Now the beaver type. He’ll be tickled to death boys will have to make all the rounds to assist.” again looking for a lead on this guy.” "Then get him to come along, Rider chipped in, "If he’s an out- too.” of-towner, you’ll need the co-opera- Kastner and the girl departed as tion of all surrounding authorities.” Rider said to Harrison, “Know a “Yes, of course.” local printer who can run off a batch "Maybe we can make it lots easier of copies within a few hours?” for them.” He glanced inquiringly “You bet I do.” across the desk toward the girl. “Good!” He gestured to the "That is, if Miss Cassidy will help.” phone. "Can I hoist the bill another “I’ll do anything I can,” she as- notch?” sured. “For all I “What’s on your mind?” Harri- care you can make the mayor faint at the sight of it,” said son asked. Harrison. “But if you intend to pour “We’ll get Roger King to lend primitive passion through the line, a hand.” “Who’s he?” say so and let me get out.” this time. She “A staff artist. Does cartoon work “Not may be pining on the side. He’s good, very good.” somewhat, but duty comes first.” He He switched attention to the girl. took up the instrument. "Treasury “Can you come round early and Headquarters, Washington, Exten- spend the morning here?” sion 338. I want Roger King.”

74 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Copies of the King sketch were hick to me. Somehow I can’t imagine mailed out along with a description him doing a bank job as slick as this and pick-up request. They had not one.” been delivered more than a few min- "He might be just an accomplice. utes when the phone whirred and He got the bag beforehand, hid the Harrison grabbed it: "Northwood cash afterward, perhaps acted as police.” lookout man while the robbery was

''This is the State Police Barracks, taking place.” Sergeant Wilkins speaking. We just Harrison nodded. "We’ll find out got that 'Wanted' notice of yours. once he’s here. He’ll be in trouble

I know that fellow. He lives right if he can’t prove he made an inno- on my beat.” cent purchase.”

"Who is he?” "What if he does prove it?” "Name of William Jones. Runs "Then we’ll be right back where a twenty-acre nursery on Route Four, we started." Harrison gloomed at the a couple of hours’ away from your thought of it. The phone called for

town. He’s a slightly surly type, but attention and he snatched it up. there’s nothing known against him. "Northwood police.”

My impression is that he’s pessimistic "Patrolman Clinton here, chief. but dead straight. You want us to I just showed that drawing to Mrs. pick him up?” Bastico. She has a rooming house at

"Look, are you sure he’s the fel- 157 Stevens. She swears that guy is low?” William Jones who roomed with her "It’s his face on that drawing of ten days. He came without luggage yours and that’s as far as I go. I’ve but later got a new bag like the been in the business as long as you, Dakin one. Saturday morning he and I don’t make mistakes about cleared out, taking the bag. He’d faces.” overpaid by four days’ .rent, but he

"Of course not, sergeant. We’d beat it without a word and hasn’t

appreciate it if you’d bring him in come back.” for questioning.” "You stay there, Clinton. We’ll "I’ll do that.” be right out.” He licked anticipatory

He cut off. Harrison lay back, lips, said to Rider, "Come on, let’s absently studied his desk while his get going.” mind juggled around with this latest Piling into a cruiser, they raced to news. 157 Stevens. It was a dilapidated After a while, he said, "I could brownstone with well-worn steps. understand it better if this Jones was Mrs. Bastico, a heavy featured described as a one-time vaudeville female with several warts, declaimed actor such as a quick-change impres- in self-righteous tones, "I’ve never sionist. A fellow operating a nursery had the cops in this house. Not once out in the wilds sounds a bit of a in twenty years.”

LEGWORK 75 "You’ve got ’em now,” informed monds and exuding a strong, aro-

Harrison. "And it gives the place matic scent. a touch of respectability. Now, what Satisfied that there was nothing d’you know about this Jones fellow?” else to be found, they carted these "Nothing much,” she answered, petty clues back to the station, mailed still miffed. "He kept to himself. them to the State Criminological

I don’t bother roomers who be- Laboratory for analysis and report. have.” Three hours afterward William "Did he say anything about where Jones walked in. He ignored Rider, he’d come from, or where he was glowered at the uniformed Harrison, going to, or anything like that?” demanded, "What’s the idea of hav- "No. He paid in advance, told ing me dragged here? I've done me his name, said he was on local nothing.” business, and that was that. He went "Then what have you got to worry out each morning, came back at a about?” Harrison assumed his best decent hour each night, kept sober tough expression. "Where were you and interfered with nobody.” last Friday morning?” "Did he have any visitors?” He "ThaL’s an easy one,” said Jones, extracted Letheren’s photograph. with a touch of spite. "I was in "Someone like this, for example?” Smoky Falls getting spares for a "Officer Clinton showed me that cultivator.”

picture yesterday. I don’t know him. "That’s eighty miles from here.”

I never saw Mr. Jones talking to an- "So what? It’s a lot less from

other person.” where I live. And I can’t get those "Hm-m-m!” Harrison registered spares any place nearer. If there's disappointment. "We’d like a look an agent in Northw'ood, you find at his room. Mind if we see it?” him for me.” "Never mind about that. How Begrudgingly she led them up- long were you there?” stairs, unlocked the door, departed ”1 arrived about ten in the morn-

and left them to rake through it at ing, left in the mid-afternoon.”

will. Her air was that of one allergic "So it took you about five hours to police. to buy a few spares?” They searched the room thorough- ”1 ambled around a piece. Bought ly, stripping bedclothes, shifting groceries as well. Had a meal there, furniture, lifting carpets, even un- and a few drinks.” bolting and emptying the washbasin "Then there ought to be plenty waste-trap. It was Patrolman Clinton of folk willing to vouch for your who dug out of a narrow gap be- presence there?”

tween floorboards a small, pink "Sure are,” agreed Jones with dis- transparent wrapper, also two pecul- concerting positiveness. iar seeds resembling elongated al- Harrison switched his desk-box,

76 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION said to someone, "Bring in Mrs. They could search his place and wel- Bastico, the Cassidy girl and Sol come— if they found such a bag it’d

Bergman.” He returned attention to be because they’d planted it on him. [ones. "Tell me exactly where you A patrolman stuck his head went from time of arrival to depar- through the doorway and announced, ture, and who saw you in each place.” "They’re here, chief.” He scribbled rapidly as the other "All right. Get a line-up ready.” recited the tale of his Friday morn- After another ten minutes Harri- ing shopping trip. When the story son led William Jones into a back ended, he called the Smoky Falls room, stood him in a row consisting police, briefed them swiftly, gave of four detectives and half a dozen them the data, asked for a .complete nondescripts enlisted from the street. check-up. Sol Bergman, Hilda Cassidy and Mrs.

Listening to this last, Jones show- Bastico appeared, looked at the ed no visible alarm or apprehension. parade, pointed simultaneously and

"Can I go now? I got work to do.” in the same direction. "So have I," Harrison retorted. "That’s him,” said Mrs. Bastico. "Where have you stashed that leather "He’s the man,” indorsed the cash-bag?” Cassidy girl. "What bag?” "Nobody else but,” Sol Bergman "The new one you bought Thurs- confirmed. day afternoon.” "They’re nuts,” declared Jones,

Eying him incredulously, Jones showing no idea of what it was all said, "Hey, what are you trying to about. pin on me? I bought no bag. Why Taking the three witnesses back

should I? I don’t need a new bag.” to his office, Harrison queried them "You'll be telling me next that for a possible mistake in identity. you didn’t hole-up in a rooming They insisted they were not mistaken, house on Stevens.” that they could not be more positive.

"I didn’t. I don’t know of any William Jones was the man, definite- place on Stevens. And if I did, I ly and absolutely. wouldn’t be seen dead there.” He let them go, held Jones on suspicion pending a report from

They argued about it for twenty Smoky Falls. Near the end of the minutes. Jones maintained with twenty-four hours legal holding limit mulish stubbornness that he’d been the result of the check came through. working on his nursery the whole No less than thirty-two people ac- of Thursday and had been there most counted fully for the suspect’s time of the time he was alleged to be at all the way from ten to three-thirty. the rooming house. He’d never heard Road-checks had also traced him all

of Mrs. Bastico and didn't want to. the way to that town and all the way He’d never bought a Dakin-type bag. back. Ocher witnesses had placed him LEGWORK 77 at the nursery at several times when he was, said to have been at Mrs. Bastico's. State troopers had searched the Jones property. No bag. No money identifiable as loot.

"That’s torn it,” growled Harri- son. "I’ve no choice but to release him with abject apologies. What sort

of a lousy, stinking case is this, when everybody mistakes everybody for everybody else?” Rider massaged two chins, suggest- ed, "maybe we ought to try check- ing on that as well. Let’s have an- other word with Jones before you let him loose.”

Slouching in, Jones looked con- siderably subdued and only too will- ing to help with anything likely to get him home. "Sorry to inconvenience you so much, Mr. Jones,” Rider soothed.

"It couldn’t be avoided in the cir- cumstances. We’re up against a mighty tough problem.” Bending forward, he fixed the other with an imperative gaze. "It might do us

a lot of good if you’d think back carefully and tell us if there’s any time you’ve been mistaken for some- body else.”

Jones opened his mouth, shut it,

opened it again. "Jeepers, that very thing happened -about a fortnight ag0 -'' "Give us the story,” invited Rider, a glint in his eyes. "I drove through here nonstop and went straight on to the city. Been there about an hour when a fellow yelled at me from across the street.

78 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION I didn’t know him, thought at first "You mean in the trunk compart- lie was calling someone else. He ment? You got a look inside there?” meant me all right.” "No. They were lying on the rear "Go on,” urged Harrison, impa- seat, as though he was in the habit tient as the other paused. of grabbing them out in a hurry and "He asked me in a sort of dum- slinging them in again.” founded way how I’d got there. I "How about the car itself?” said I’d come in my car. He didn’t "It was the latest model Flash, want to believe it.” duotone green, white sidewalls, a "Why not?” radio. Didn't notice the tag num- "He said I'd been on foot and ber.” thumbing a hitch. He knew it be- They spent another ten minutes cause he’d picked me up and run me digging more details regarding ap- to Northwood. What’s more, he said, pearance, mannerisms and attire. after dropping me in Northwood Then Harrison called the city police, he’d driven straight to the city, going asked for a trace. so fast that nothing had overtaken "The paint stores are your best him on the way. Then he'd parked bet. He’s got all the looks of a his car, started down the street, and drummer making his rounds. They the first thing he’d seen was me should be able to tell you who strolling on the other side,” called on them that day.”

"What did you tell him?” City police promised immediate

"I said it couldn’t possibly have action. Jones went home, disgruntled, been me and that his own story but also vastly relieved. Within two proved it.” hours this latest lead had been ex- "That fazed him somewhat, eh?” tended. A call came from the city. "He got sort of completely baffled. "Took only four visits to learn He led me right up to his parked car, what you want. That character is well said, 'Mean to say you didn’t take known to the paint trade. He’s Burge a ride in that?’ and, of course, I Kimmelman, area representative of denied it. 1 walked away. First I Acme Paint & Varnish Company of thought it might be some kind of Marion, Illinois. Present whereabouts gas;. Next, I wondered if he was unknown. His employers should be touched in the head.” able to find him for you.” "Now,” put in Rider carefully, "Thanks a million!” Harrison dis- "we must trace this fellow. Give us connected, put through a call to Acme all you’ve got on him.” Paint. He yapped a while, dumped Thinking deeply, Jones said, "He the phone, said to Rider, "He’s was in his late thirties, well-dressed, somewhere along a route a couple smooth talker, the salesman type. of hundred miles south. They’ll reach Had a lot of pamphlets, color charts him at his hotel this evening. He'll and paint cans in the back of his car.” get here tomorrow.”

LEGWORK 73 a

"Good.” "I’m from the Call. You told

"Or is it?” asked Harrison, show- them you’d got some dope on a ing a trace of bitterness. "We’re saucer. That right?” sweating ourselves to death tracing Lamothe looked pained. "It’s not people and being led from one per- a saucer and I didn't describe it as sonality to another. That sort of thing such. It’s a spherical object and it’s can continue to the crack of doom.” not a natural phenomenon.”

"And it can continue until some- "I’ll take your word for it. When thing else cracks,” Rider riposted. and where did you see it?” "The mills of man grind slowly, but "Last night and the night before. they grind exceeding small.” Up in the sky.” "Right over this town?”

Elsewhere, seven hundred miles "No, but it is visible from here.” westward, was another legworker. "I’ve not seen it. So far as I know, Organized effort can be very formi- you’re the only one who has. How dable but becomes doubly so when d’you explain that?” it takes to itself the results of in- “It’s extremely difficult to sec with dividual effort. the naked eye. I own an eight-inch This character was thin-faced, telescope.” sharp-nosed, lived in an attic, ate m "Built it yourself?” an automat, had fingers dyed with "Yes.” riicptine and for twenty years had "That takes some doing,” com- nursed the notion of writing the mented Art Pilchard admiringly.

Great American Novel but some- "How about showing it to me?” how had never gotten around to it. Lamothe hesitated, said, "All Name of Arthur Pilchard and, right,” led him upstairs. Sure enough therefore, referred to as Fish— a real, genuine telescope was there, press reporter. What is worse, a re- its inquisitive snout tilted toward a porter on a harumscarum tabloid. He movable roof-trap. was wandering past a desk when "You’ve actually seen the object somebody with ulcers and a sour through that?” face shoved a slip of paper at him. "Two successive nights,” Lamothe

"Here, Fish. Another saucer nut. confirmed. "I hope to observe it to- Get moving!” night as well.”

Hustling out with poor grace, he "Any idea what it is?” reached the address given on the "That’s a matter of guesswork,” slip, knocked on the door. It was evaded the other, becoming wary. answered by an intelligent young "All I’m willing to say is that it’s fellow in his late teens or early located in a satellite orbit, it’s per- twenties. fectly spherical and appears to be "You George Lamothe?” an artificial construction of metal.” "That’s me,” agreed the other. "Got a picture of it?”

80 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION "Sorry, I lack the equipment.’’ a liar. I have to check stories or find "Maybe one of our cameramen another job. Can you give me the could help you there.” name and address of one of these "If he has suitable apparatus,” astronomical friends of yours?” Lamothe agreed. Pilchard asked twenty more ques- Lamothe obliged, showed him to tions, finished doubtfully, "What the door. As Pilchard hastened down you can see anyone else with a tele- the street toward a telephone booth, scope could see. The world’s full of a police cruiser raced up on the other telescopes, some of them big enough side. It braked outside Lamothe’s to drive a locomotive through. How house. Pilchard recognized the uni- come nobody yet has shouted the formed cop who was driving but not news? Got any ideas on that?” the pair of burly men in plainclothes With a faint smile, Lamothe said, riding with him. That was strange "Everyone with a telescope isn’t star- because as a reporter of long stand-

ing through it twenty-four hours per ing he knew all the local detectives day. And even when he is using it and called them by their first names. he’s likely to be studying a specific While he watched from a distance, area within the starfield. Moreover, the two unknowns got out of the

if news gets out it’s got to start cruiser, went to Lamothe’s door, rang somewhere. That’s why I phoned the the bell. Call." Bolting round the corner, Pilchard "Dead right!” agreed Pilchard, entered the booth, called long dis- enjoying the savory odor of a minor tance, rammed coins into the box. scoop. "Alan Reed? My name’s Pilchard.

"Besides,” Lamothe went on, "oth- I write up astronomical stuff. I be- ers have seen it. I phoned three lieve you’ve seen a strange metal astronomical friends last night. They object in the sky. Hey?” He frown- looked and saw it. A couple of them ed. "Don’t give me that! Your friend said they were going to ring up George Lamothe has seen it, too. He nearby observatories and draw at- told me himself that he phoned you tention to it. I mailed a full report about it last night.” He paused, to an observatory today, and another glowered at the earpiece. "Where's to a scientific magazine.” the sense of repeating, 'No com- "Hells bells!” said Pilchard, get- ment,’ like a parrot? Look, either ting itchy feet. "I’d better rush this you’ve seen it or you haven’t—and before it breaks in some other rag.” so far you’ve not denied seeing it.” A fragment of suspicion came into Another pause, then in leery tones, his face. "Not having seen this "Mr. Reed, has someone ordered you spherical contraption myself, I’ll have to keep shut?” to check on it with another source. He racked the phone, shot a wary

By that, I don’t mean I think you’re glance toward the corner, inserted

LEGWORK 81 more coins, said to somebody, "Art ger making idle inquiries in the bank here. If you want to feature this, during the week preceding the rob- you’ll have to move damn fast. bery. Letheren and his guards recall-

You'll run it only if you're too quick ed the mirror-image of William Jones to be stopped.” He listened for the hanging around when they made the click of the tape being linked in, previous collection. Altogether, the recited rapidly for five minutes. tediously gathered report covered Finishing, he returned to the corner, most of the suspect’s time in North- looked along the street. The cruiser wood, a period amounting to ten was still there. days. In a short time a flood of Calls Finishing his perusal. Rider dosed hit the streets. Simultaneously a long his eyes, mulled the details over and chain of small-town papers took the over while his mind sought a new same news off their wire-service, lead. While he was doing this, a broke into a rash of two-inch head- muted radio sat on a ledge and lines. yammered steadily, squirting across SPACE PLATFORM IN SKY. the office the reduced voice of an OURS OR THEIRS? indignant commentator. "The whole world now knows Late in the following morning that someone has succeeded in estab- Harrison ploughed doggedly through lishing an artificial satellite up there routine work. At one side of his in the sky. Anyone with a telescope office Rider sat with columnar legs or good binoculars can see it for stretched straight out and read slow- himself at night. Why, then, does ly and carefully through a wad of authority insist on pretending that typed sheets. the thing doesn’t exist? If potential The wad was the fruit of legwork enemies are responsible, let us be done by many men. It traced, with told as much— the enemies already a few gaps, the hour by hour move- know it, anyway. If we are responsi- ments of one William Jones known ble, if this is our doing, let us be to be not the real William Jones. told as much—the enemies already

He’d been seen wandering around are grimly aware of it. Why must we Northwood like a rubbernecking be denied information possessed by tourist. He’d been seen repeatedly possible foes? Does somebody think on the main street and examining its we’re a bunch of irresponsible chil- shops. He’d been seen in a super- dren? Who are these brasshats who market around the time a customer’s assign to themselves the right to de- purse had been stolen. He’d eaten cide what we may be told or not meals in cafes and restaurants, drunk told? Away with them! Let the gov- beer in bars and taverns. ernment speak!” Ashcroft, Jackson and another "Yeah,” commented Harrison, teller remembered a Joneslike stran- glancing up from his work, "I’m

82 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

with him there. Why don’t they say the time I thought it was just a piece

outright whether it’s ours or theirs? of colored cellophane. The lab says

Some of those guys down your way it isn’t. They say it’s organic, cellular have a grossly exaggerated idea of and veined, and appears a subsec- their own importance. A hearty kick— tion of the skin of an unknown in the pants would do them a lot fruit.” He shut up, grabbed the phone. "... A tactic long theorized and "Northwood police.” A weird series believed to be in secret develop- of expressions crossed his lean fea- ment,” droned the radio. “Whoever

tures as he listened. Then he racked achieves it first thereby gains a stra- the phone, said, "It gets nuttier every tegic advantage from the military minute.” viewpoint.”

"What’s it this time?” "Sometimes,” said Harrison, "I "Those seeds. The laboratory can’t wonder what’s the use of getting identify them.” born.” "Doesn’t surprise me. They can’t His desk-box squawked and an- be expected to know absolutely every- nounced, "Fellow named Burge Kim- thing.” melman waiting for you, chief.” "They know enough to know “Send him in.” when they’re stuck,” Harrison gave back. "So they sent them to some Kimmelman entered. He was dap- firm in New York where they know per, self-assured, seemed to regard everything knowable about seeds. his rush to the aid of the law as a They’ve just got a reply.” welcome change from the daily "Saying what?" round. He sat, crossed his legs, made "Same thing—not identifiable. himself at home and told his story. New York went so far as to squeeze "It was the craziest thing, captain.

out the essential oils and subject re- For a start, I never give rides to

maining solids to destructive distilla- strangers. But I stopped and picked

tion. Result: the seeds just aren’t up this fellow and still can’t make

known.” He emitted a loud sniff, out why I did it.” added, "They want us to send them "Where did you pick him up?” another dozen so they can make them asked Rider. germinate. They want to see what "About half a mile this side of comes up.” Sceger’s filling station. He was wait-

"Forget it," advised Rider. "We ing by the roadside and first thing I don’t have any more seeds and we knew I'd stopped and let him get

don’t know where to find ’em.” in. I took him into Northwood, "But we do have something dropped him, pushed straight on to

darned peculiar,” Harrison persisted. the city. I was in a hurry and moved

"With those seeds we sent a pink, good and fast. When I got there

transparent wrapper, remember? At I walked out the car park and darned

LEGWORK 83 if he wasn't right there on the other the room, switched off the radio, side of the street.” He eyed them, said, "Mind waiting outside, Mr. seeking comment. Kimmelman?” When the other had "Go on,” Rider urged. gone, he continued with Harrison, "I picked on him then and there, "Well, make up your mind whether wanting to know how he’d beaten or not you’re going to have a stroke.” me to it. He acted like he didn’t Harrison shut his mouth, opened know what I was talking about.” He it again, but no sound came out. His made a gesture of bafflement. "I’ve eyes appeared to have protruded too

thought it over a dozen times since far to retract. His right hand made

and can take it no further. I know a couple of meaningless gestures and

I gave a lift to that guy or his twin temporarily that was the most he

brother. And it wasn’t his twin could manage. brother because if he’d had one he’d have guessed my mistake and said Resorting to the phone. Rider got

so. But he said nothing. Just behaved his call through, said, "O’Keefe, offishly polite like you do when faced how's the artificial satellite business with a lunatic.” down there?”

"When you were giving him this "You called just to ask that? I ride,” asked Harrison, "did he make was about to phone you myself.” any informative remarks? Did he "What about?” mention his family, his occupation, "Eleven of those bills have come destination, or anything like that? in. The first nine came from two

Did he tell you where he’d come cities. The last pair were passed in

from?” New York. Your man is moving “Not a word worth a cent. So far around. Bet you ten to one in coco-

as I know he dropped straight out nuts that if he takes another bank

of the sky.” it’ll be in the New York area.” "So did everything else concerned "That’s likely enough. Forget him

with this case,” remarked Harrison, for a moment. I asked you about this feeling sour again. "Unidentifiable satellite rumpus. What’s the reaction seeds and unknown fruit-skins from where you’re sitting?” ” and— He stopped, let his mouth "The place is buzzing like a dis-

hang open, popped his eyes. turbed beehive. Rumor is rife that "... A vantage-point from which professional astronomers saw and every quarter of the world would be reported the thing nearly a week within effective range,” gabbled the before the news broke. If that’s true, radio. "With such a base for guided somebody in authority must have

missiles it would be possible for one tried to suppress the information.” nation to implement its policies in "Why?” ” a manner that— "Don’t ask me,” shouted O’Keefe.

Getting to his feet, Rider crossed 'How do I know why others do

84 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION things that make neither rhyme nor be handled by us alone. You’ve- got reason?” to find the ones with enough power "You think they should say wheth- and influence to cope. You’ve got to er it’s ours or theirs seeing that the kick ’em awake.” truth is bound to emerge sooner or He cut off, glanced at Harrison later?” who promptly got his voice back and

"Of course. Why are you harping said, "I can’t believe it. It’s too far- on this subject, Eddie? What’s it fetched for words. The day I tell the got to do with you, anyway?” mayor a Martian did it will be the 'Tve been made vocal by an idea day Northwood gets a new chief. that has had the reverse effect on He’ll take me away to have my head Harrison. He’s struck dumb.” examined.” "What idea?” "Got a better theory?” ''That this artificial satellite may "No. That’s the hell of it.” not be an artificial satellite. Also Shrugging expressively, Rider took that authority has said nothing be- the phone again, made a call to Acme cause experts are unwilling to com- Paint Company. That done, he sum- mit themselves one way or the other. moned Kimmelman. They can’t say something unless "There’s a good chance that you’ll they’ve something to say, can they?” be wanted here tomorrow and per- "I’ve got something to say,” haps for two or three days. I've just O'Keefe declared. "And that’s to consulted your employers and they advise you to tend your own busi- say you’re to stay with us.” ness. If you’ve finished helping Har- "Suits me,” agreed Kimmelman, rison, quit lazing around and come not averse to taking time off with back.” official approval. "I’d better go book

"Listen, I don’t call long-distance in at an hotel.” for the fun of it. There's a thing up "Just one question first. This in the sky and nobody knows what character you picked up—was he it is. At the same lime another thing carrying any luggage?” i,s down here loping around and imi- "No.” tating people, robbing banks, drop- "Not even a small bag or a ping debris of alien origin, and no- parcel?” body knows what that is, either. Two "He’d nothing except what was in plus two makes four. Add it up for his pockets,” said Kimmelman, posi- yourself.” tively. "Eddie, are you cracked?” A gleam showed in Rider’s eyes. "I'll give you the full details and "Well, that may help.” leave you to judge.” He recited them swiftly, ended, "Use all your Treas- The mob that invaded Northwood ury pull to get the right people in- at noon next day came in a dozen terested. This case is far too big to cars by devious routes and success- LEGWORK 85 fully avoided the attention of the world. I don’t presume to speak for press. They crammed Harrison’s of- others who may think differently. fice to capacity. However, it seems to me futile to Among them was a Treasury top- waste any time debating the matter. ranker, a general, an admiral, a Secret It can be settled one way or the other Service chief, a Military Intelligence by catching the culprit. That, there- brasshat, three area directors of the fore, is our only problem. How are F.B.I., a boss of the Counter Espio- we going to lay hands on him?" nage Service, all their aides, secre- "That won’t be done by the usual taries and technical advisers, plus a methods,” said an F.B.I. director. bunch of assorted scientists includ- "A guy who can double as anyone, ing two astronomers, one radar ex- and do it well enough to convince pert, one guided missiles expert and even at close range, isn’t going to a slightly bewildered gentleman who be caught easily. We can hunt down was an authority on ants. a particular identity if given enough

They listened in silence, some in- time. I don’t see how we can go terested, some skeptical, while Har- after somebody who might have any rison read them a complete report of identity.” the case. He finished, sat down, "Even an alien from another world waited for comment. wouldn't bother to steal money un- A gray-haired, distinguished indi- less he had a real need for it,” put vidual took the lead, said, "Personal- in a sharp-eyed individual. "The ly, I'm in favor of your theory that stuff’s no use elsewhere in the cosmos. you're chasing somebody not of this So it’s safe to accept that he did have

86 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION need of it. But money doesn’t last "How?” forever no matter who is spending it. "It’s extremely unlikely that he’s

When he has splurged it all, he’ll come here for keeps. Besides, there’s need some more. He’ll try robbing that thing in the sky. What’s it wait- another bank. If every bank in this ing for? My guess is that it’s waiting country were turned into a trap, sure- to take him back whenever lie’s ready ly one of them would snap down on to go.” him.” "So— ?” someone prompted. "How’ re you going to trap some- "To take him back that sphere has body who so far as you know is your got to swing in from several thou- best and biggest customer?” asked sands of miles out. That means it the F.B.I. director. He put on a sly has to be summoned when wanted. grin, added, "Come to that, how do He’s got to talk to its crew, if it has you know that the fellow in question a crew. Or, if crewless, he’s got to isn’t me?” pull it in by remote control. Either Nobody liked this last suggestion. way, he must have some kind of They fidgeted uneasily, went quiet transmitter.” as their minds desperately sought a "If transmission-time is too brief solution some place. to enable us to tune in,— take cross- bearings and get there ” began an

Rider spoke up. "Frankly, I' think objector. it a waste of time to search the world Rider waved him down. "I’m not for somebody who has proved his thinking of that. We know he came ability to adopt two successive per- to Northwood without luggage. Kim- sonalities and by the same token can melman says so. Mrs. Bastico says so. adopt two dozen or two hundred. Numerous witnesses saw him at vari- I’ve thought about this until I’ve ous times but he was never seen to gone dizzy and I can’t devise any carry anything other than the cash- method of pursuing and grabbing bag. Even if an alien civilization can him. He’s far too elusive.” produce electronic equipment one-

"It might help if we could learn tenth the size and weight of anything precisely how he does it,” interjected we can turn out, a long-range trans- a scientist. "Have you any evidence mitter would still be far too bulky indicative of his technique?” to be hidden in a pocket.” "No, sir.” "You think he’s concealed it some- "It looks like hypnosis to me,” where?” asked the sharp-eyed man. said the scientist. "I think it highly probable. If he "You may be right,” Rider ad- has hidden it, well, he has thereby mitted. "But so far we’ve no proof limited his freedom of action. He of it.” He hesitated, went on, "As can’t take off from anywhere in this

I see it, there’s only one way to catch world. He’s got to return to wherever him.” he has stashed the transmitter.” LEGWORK 87 "But that could be any place. It drivers, truckers and many others to leaves us no better off than before.” whom it was a well-used route, were "On the contrary!” He picked up traced and questioned. Dirt-farmers, Harrison's report, read selected pas- drifters, recluses, hoboes and every- sages with added emphasis. "I may one else who lurked in the thinly

be wrong. I hope I’m right. There’s populated hills were found and one thing he could not conceal no quizzed at length. matter what personality he assumed. Four days hard work and num- He could not conceal his behavior. berless questionings over a circle ten If he’d chosen to masquerade as an miles in diameter produced three elephant and then become curious, people who nursed the vague idea

he’d have been a very plausible ele- that they’d seen something fall from phant—but still obviously curious.” or rise into the sky about three weeks "What are you getting at?” de- ago. A farmer thought he’d seen a manded a four-star general. distant saucer but had kept quiet for "He was too green to have been fear of ridicule. Another believed around long. If he’d had only a he had glimpsed a strange gleam of couple, of days in some other town light which soared from the hills or village, he’d have been a lot more and vanished. A trucker had spotted sophisticated when in Northwood. an indefinable object out the corner Consider the reports on the way he of an eye but when he looked direct

nosed : around. He was raw. He be- it had Onone. haved liked somebody to whom These three were made to take up

everything is new. If I’m right about their respective points of observation, this, Northwood was his first port of sight through theodolites and line call. And that in turn means his the cross-hairs as nearly as they could landing place— which is also his in- on the portions of skyline cogent to tended take-off point—must be fairly their visions. All pleaded inability near, and probably nearer still to to be accurate but were willing to where Kimmelman picked him up.” do their best. The bearings produced an elon- They debated it for half an hour, gated triangle that stretched across reached a decision. The result was most of a square mile. This at once legwork on a scale that only high became the second focus of attention. authority can command. Kimmelman A new area two miles in radius was drove nearly five miles out, showed drawn from the triangle's center. the exact spot and that became the Forthwith police, deputies, troopers, center of operations. agents and others commenced to Attendants at Secger’s filling sta- search the target foot by foot. They tion were queried extensively and numbered a small army and some of without result. Motorists known to them bore mine-detectors and other be regular users of the road, bus metal-finding instruments.

88 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

One hour before dusk a shout up by tough cops would have served. drew Rider, Harrison and several Not for this character who could be bigwigs to a place where searchers anyone at all. He might, for all they were clustering excitedly. Somebody knew, appear in the dignified guise

had followed the faint t/ck-tlck of of the Bishop of Miff. But if he his detector, lugged a boulder aside, made for that transmitter and laid

found a gadget hidden in the hol- hands on it

low behind it. A couple of days later a truck came The tiring was a brown metal box from the city, picked up the trans-

twelve inches by ten by eight. It had mitter, replaced it with a perfect a dozen silver rings set concentrically mock-up incapable of calling any-

in its top, these presumably being thing out of the sky. This game of the sky-beam antenna. Also four imitation was one at which two could dials ready set in various positions. pky. Also a small press-stud. Nobody got itchy fingers and Experts knew exactly what to do, pressed the stud on the real instru- having come prepared for it. They ment. The time wasn't yet. So long color-photographed the box from as the ship remained in the sky, so every angle, measured it, weighed it, long would its baffling passenger placed it back in its original position enjoy a sense of false security and, and restored the boulder to its former sooner or later, enter the trap. place. Earth was willing to wait. It was Sharpshooters with night-glasses just as well. The biding-time lasted and high-velocity rifles were posted four months. in concealed positions at extreme range. While data on the superficial A bank on Long Island got taken appearance of the transmitter was for eighteen thousand dollars.' The being rushed to the city, ground- same technique; walk in, collect, microphones were placed between walk out, vanish. A high-ranking the hiding place and the road, their officer made a tour of the Brooklyn hidden wires led back to where am- Navy Yard at a time w'hen he was bushers awaited stealthy footsteps also attending a conference at New- in the dark. port News. An official inspected Before dawn, four searchlight television studios on the twentieth teams and half a dozen antiaircraft to twenty-fifth floors of a skyscraper batteries had taken up positions in while simultaneously tending to of- the hills and camouflaged themselves. fice work on the tenth floor. The in- A command post had been estab- vader had now learned enough to lished in a lonely farmhouse and a become impudent. ground-to-air radio unit had been Blueprints were pored over, vaults shoved out of sight in its barn. were entered, laboratories were exam- For anyone else a road-block set ined. Steelworks and armaments

LEGWORK 89 plants got a careful, unhurried look- Holding a small case stuffed with over. A big machine-tool factory notes and sketches, he studied the actually had its works manager con- landscape, saw everything as it had duct a phony visitor around the plant been originally. To anyone within the and provide technical explanations as sphere of his mental influence he required. was no more than a portly and some- It wasn't all plain sailing even for what pompous business man idly someone well-nigh invincible. The surveying the hills. To anyone be- cleverest can make mistakes. Harasha yond that range he was made vague Vanash blundered when he flashed by distance and sufficiently humanlike a fat roll in a tavern, got followed to the naked eye to pass muster. to his hide-out. Next day he went out But to anyone watching through without being tailed and while he telescopes and binoculars from most was busily sneaking some more of of a mile away he could be seen for Earth's knowledge, somebody was what he really was—just a thing. A briskly plundering his room. He re- thing not of this world. They could turned to find the proceeds of his have made a snatch at him then and last robbery had vanished. That there. However, in view of the prep- meant he had to take time off from arations they’d made for him there espionage to soak a third bank. was, they thought, no need to bother. By August 21st he had finished. Softly, softly, catchee monkey. He had concentrated his attention on the most highly developed area in Tightly gripping the case, he hur- the world and it was doubtful wheth- ried away from the road, made er anything to be learned elsewhere straight for the transmitter’s hiding was sufficiently weighty to be worth place. All he had to do was press the seeking. Anyway, what he’d got the stud, beat it back to Northwood, was enough for the purposes of the enjoy a few quiet drinks in a tavern, Andromedans. Armed with all this have a night’s sleep and come back information, the hypnos of a two- tomorrow. The ship would come in hundred-planet empire could step in along the transmitter’s beam, landing and take over another with no trouble here and nowhere else, but it would at all. take exactly eighteen hours and Near Seeger’s station he stepped twenty minutes to arrive. out of a car, politely thanked the Reaching the boulder, he had a driver who was wondering why he’d final wary glance around. Nobody gone so far out of his way to oblige in sight, not a soul. He moved the a character who meant nothing to rock, felt mild relief when he saw him. He stood by the roadside, watch- the instrument lying undisturbed. ed the car vanish into the distance. Bending over it, he pressed the stud. It rocked along at top pace, as though The result was a violent pouf! and its driver was mad at himself. a cloud of noxious gas. That was

90 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION their mistake; they’d felt sure it His immediate fear was well- would lay him out for twenty-four founded. At twelve -hundred yards hours. It did not. His metabolism there happened to be a beefy gentle- was thoroughly alien and had its own man named Hank who found that a peculiar reaction. All he did was brazen escape during an outbreak retch and run like blazes. of civil war was too much to be en- Four men appeared from behind dured. Hank had a quick temper, a rock six hundred yards away. They also a heavy machine-gun. Seeing pointed guns, yelled to him to halt. differently from those nearer the Ten more sprang out of the ground prey, and being given no orders to on his left, bawled similar com- the contrary, Hank uttered an un- mands. He grinned at them, show- seemly word, swung the gun, scowl- ing them the teeth he did not possess. ed through its sights, rammed his He couldn’t make them blow off thumbs on its button. The gun went their own heads. But he could make br-r-r-r while its ammo-belt jumped them do it for each other. Still going and rattled. fast, he changed direction to escape Despite the range his aim was per- the line of fire. The four obligingly fect. Harasha Vanash was flung side- waited for him to run clear, then wise in full flight, went down and opened up on the ten. At the same didn’t get up. His supine body jerk- time the ten started slinging lead ed around under the impact of more at the four. bullets. He was very decidedly dead. At top speed he kept going. He could have lounged on a rock, in Harrison got on the phone to pass complete command of the situation, the news, and O'Keefe said, "He’s and remained until everyone had not here. It’s his day off.”

’ bumped everyone else—given that 'Where'll I find him then?” there was no effective force located "At home and no place else. I’ll outside his hypnotic range. He could give you his number. He might an- not be sure of just how far the trap swer if he’s not busy baby-sitting.” extended. Trying again, Harrison got

The obviously sensible thing to do through. "They killed him ... or it

out of reach as . . just under an hour ago.” was to get right . swiftly as possible, curve back to the "Hm-m-m! Pity they didn’t take road, confiscate a passing car and him alive.” disappear once more among Earth’s "Easier said than done. Anyway, teeming millions. How to contact the how can you retain a firm hold on ship was a problem that must be someone who can make you remove shelved until he could ponder it in his manacles and get into them your- a safe place. It wasn’t unsolvable; self?” not to one who could be the Presi- "That,” said Rider, "is the prob- dent himself. lem of our Security boys in general

LEGWORK 91 and our police in particular. I work until sheer weight of accumulated for the Treasury.” genius had given them the key to Replacing the phone, Harrison the cosmos. frowned at the wall. Beyond the wall, Like many very old people, they had contempt the several hundreds of miles to the for young and eager. But their contempt would have south, a group of men walked onto switched to horror if they could have the dispersal-point of an airport, seen the methodical way in which placed a strange box on the ground, a bunch of specialist legworkers pressed its stud. Then they watched started pulling their metal sphere the sky and waited. apart. The hordes of Andromeda were Or the way in which Earth com- very, very old. they’d That was why menced planning a vast armada of progressed as far as they had done. similar ships. Flashes of inspiration had piled up A good deal bigger. through the numberless centuries With several improvements.

THE END

IN TIMES TO COME — The next issue features a yarn by Everett B. Cole "The Missionaries.”

Now it is a fact that barbaric cultures, without true science, have succeeded in rule-of-thumb engineering of remarkably solid order. It’s also true that barbarian cultures seem to have done more on the use of psionic powers than any scientific culture has so far.

What happens if a barbarian culture thumb-rule their way to a spaceship —and start expanding their empire? A workable, technical device does not require an understanding science behind it; a dog has a finer computer machine than any Man has built yet. And a barbarian with a spaceship would still, for all his rule-of-thumb technique, be a barbarian. But—a dangerous one indeed! The Editor.

92 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION THE CURIOUS PROFESSION

BY LEONARD LOCKHARD

This, sadly is not really fiction, it’s an hypothetical case. This, friends, is the way the Law of Patents works:

Illustrated by Freas

The Lorelei must have sounded through the offices of Helix Spard- like that. Enticing, inviting, yet leton, Patent attorney, somehow ominous. I sat puzzled "Oh, Mr. Saddle. Will you come until 1 heard it again, booming in here a moment, please?”

THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 9E ” ”

I was right the first time. Never I collected myself and said, "Ten before had I heard quite that tone. months,—fourteen days, two hours, I was used to snarls, rasps, and bel- and fif lows. I was familiar with the silky "Good. And how are you feeling? purr, the honey-coated murmur. I Developed your ulcer yet?” was even used to the breath-snatch- "Oh no. Nothing like that. A few ing change of pace from a gentle gas pains lately but noth— smile to a wall-shattering roar. For "Well keep with it. You’ll get all these things were merely the there.” stock-in-trade of any good patent He looked down at the Office Ac- attorney—merely part of the arma- tion again and said, "I think you’re ment to be used in the eternal battle ready for the next step in your against the Examiners in the United education. I have here an action States Patent Office. from Herbert Krome, the Examiner

But this was different. I got up in one of your cases. He gives us a , and slowly walked out of my office. claim and suggests we copy it. You As I passed through the front office know w'hat that means?”

Susan looked from her typewriter I thought for a moment and then and then looked quickly down. She remembered, "Yes. We’re in an sensed it, too. I took a deep breath Interference.” and went into Mr. Spardleton’s "Right. Interference. I called you office. in here so we could go over the case He was reading an Office Action and see where we stand.” when I entered. His cigar was tilted A great weight lifted from my at the thirty-degree-above-horizontal shoulders. He just wanted to talk angle that meant trouble. His black about Interference practice. eyes lifted from the Action and "Oh,” I said half to myself, "is bored through the cloud of cigar that all?” I turned to pull up a chair. smoke. A strange gurgling sound filled

"Mr. Saddle, how long have you the room. I looked around quickly, been working for me now?” thinking the plumbing had let go.

My knees got shaky. What had But the next instant I saw that it I done? My cases were all in good was Mr. Spardleton. He seemed to shape. I’d been working hard six- be swallowing his cigar. I jumped teen hours a day, Saturdays, Sun- over to him and pounded him on days, and holidays included. I had the back. He gagged and coughed even been reprimanded by a Primary and choked and sputtered. It was Examiner for being too noisy at an several minutes before he got him- interview. As far as I could tell I self under control and his cigar back was doing fine. in battery. "Well, Mr. Saddle, how long’s it been?” "Mr. Saddle.” His voice was

94 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION strained. "Mr. Saddle, don’t ever which claimant should get it. Priority refer to an Interference in that doesn’t necessarily come into it.” slighting tone. Do you know what "Well, how do they decide?” an Interference is?” "I don’t know. No one does. Mr. Revise I was surprised. "Well certainly, and Mr. Caesar have written a entitled 'Inter- sir. An Interference is a Proceeding four-volume work instituted in the Patent Office to ference Law and Practice.’ It con- determine which one of two or more tains much of the law of Interfer- parties claiming the invention is the ence. But it doesn’t tell you how the Board of Interference first and original inventor. Rule 201 Examiners or the courts are going to decide.” covers it. That’s all there is to it.” a question of luck, is that He started to cough. "There Mr. "Just it?” Saddle. You said it again.” He "No. It’s not even that. I wish shook his head and sat back. His it were, then you’d where cigar was burning so vigorously I know you s-tand. If all parties to an Inter- could hear it. ference were forced to go into a "Mr. Saddle, you know how vast room and either throw dice or draw the body of patent law is. You also cards to see who’s the first, the know that very little of it makes winner would really be the first in- sense. It is the most irrational, in- ventor a certain per cent of the time. consistent, unreasoning conglomera- But as it stands now even the laws tion of doctrines ever gathered under of probability have nothing to do one heading. And sitting right in with it. The Board and the courts the middle of this vertiginous maze see to that.” are the doctrines that govern Inter- I digested that and asked, "How ference practice, the most curious do they go about messing things of all in an exceedingly curious pro- up so much?” fession.” Mr. Spardleton snorted. "Oh, they He sat back and looked at the have lots of ways. One of the best ceiling. ways is to allow the parties to decide I spoke up. "But it's only to find among themselves. One party can out who is the first inventor. That’s concede priority to another no mat- the sole purpose of the whole thing ter who is really first. The Board —who’s first? Why should that be and the courts accept it.” so hard?” "Well, then, they can throw dice Mr. Spardleton heaved a deep or draw cards just the way you said sigh. "If an Interference proceed- they should.” ing really did determine who was Spardleton sighed and shook his first the inventor of a given inven- head. "But the parties never do it

tion, there would be nothing to it. that way. They decide who’s going

But it doesn’t. All it does is decide to be the first inventor in view of

THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 95 their business relationship. Maybe exact claim in it. Kromc rejected it one party threatens the other with as being non-inventive over an a lawsuit on some other patent. May- issued patent on a supersonic dog be one threatens to stop buying raw whistle. So I added new claims materials from the other. They find drawn to a process of removing dust some reason why one should be the from buildings by applying super-

first inventor. And it often has noth- sonic sound to the frame. He reject- ing to do with who’s actually first. ed those because they failed to pa- But the law adopts their decision tentably distinguish over my original and treats it as conclusive between claim. Now he comes along and says

those parties.” my original claim is patentable in somebody else’s application. What's

I started to make a shrewd obser- the matter with him? The claim’s vation but Spardleton waved me been patentable all along. Why did- ” quiet. n’t he— He said, "Mr. Saddle, I’m going "Easy, son. Easy.” Spardleton to turn you loose on this Interfer- broke in. "You’ll get used to it. It’s ence. Experience will teach you bet- just another example of the reverse logic in ter than anything I could say. I’ll the Patent Office. When two supervise you only enough so that applications both claim the same you don’t walk into an estoppel invention the Office decides it must patentable.” situation. Now suppose you tell me be how you’re going to start out. Here’s "But that’s not the test of patenta- bility,” the letter from the Patent Office.” I said. "That’s not the way they’re supposed to approach it.” I took it and read: Spardleton sighed. ”1 thought I’d

The following claim, found allowable convinced you that there is no such in another application, is suggested for thing as a definite test for patenta- the purpose of declaring an interference: bility. But you’ll learn. Let’s get A method of preventing pigeons from back to this case. Tell contaminating buildings which com- me what prises applying supersonic sound to the you are going to do.” skeletal structure of a building. "Well,” I said, "first, I’m going Applicants are advised that failure to to put in an amendment and make make the above claim within thirty days this claim. Then I’ll check with the will be taken as a disclaimer of the inventors and see what kind of con- invention covered by that claim. Examiner ception date I can prove. As I re- member, Marchare and his co-inven- I read it again. The claim was fa- tor may have actually reduced this miliar. Then I remembered. invention to practice. Anyhow, I

"Wait a minute,” I said to Spard- wrote the application and filed it. leton. "I remember this case clearly Marchare doesn’t consider the in- now. I originally filed it with this vention very important.”

96 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Spardieton tipped his head back No reduction to practice there. Now and looked at me down the length let's look at the patent Bell took out of his nose. "Tell me,” he said. on his telephone. Bell's telephone

"What is an actual reduction to model never actually transmitted practice?” spoken words so that they could be

"Well,” I said, "it’s the applica- distinctly heard and understood at tion of the inventive idea to the pro- the receiving end of his line; the duction of a practical result. At model never transmitted intelligible least that’s what the Supreme Court spoken words. Did that model con- said.” stitute an actual reduction to prac-

"Ah, yes. The Supreme Court. I tice?”

believe 1 have mentioned my opinion I didn’t hesitate. "No!" of the Supreme Court in regard to He looked sorrowful. "Mr. Sad-

patent cases.” dle. You are still trying to apply "Yes, you have. You said that the logic to patent cases. By the time the Justices never understand the tech- Telephone Cases got to the Supreme nology in a patent case so they take Court Bell and his telephone were refuse in the law, and that’s fatal.” national institutions. The court did-

"Yes. Well, you have cleaned it n’t dare say that Bell didn’t have

up a little. Anyhow, the Supreme an invention or that his model was Court rewrites the law with just no good. To do so would have about each patent case, ignoring shown the world the extent of the statutes and prior decisions. So let court's technical knowledge. So the me ask you: You’ve got an inven- court said that the written descrip- tion involving the bars in a type- tion in Bell’s patent was so good writer. The inventor builds the type- that his model did constitute an ac- writer and manipulates the bars, but tual reduction to practice even

he doesn’t put a piece of paper in though it did not work. Now. Sup-

it. Is that an actual reduction to pose your inventor had discovered practice?” a new way to keep an automobile

tire on its rim. He makes it, in-

I thought a minute and said, stalls it on the wheel, and bounces

"Yes. He actually built the inven- it around on the floor to make cer-

tion and tried it to make sure it tain it will hold. Reduction to prac- worked. The lack of paper doesn’t tice?”

matter.” I looked at him silently for a long Spardieton knocked an ash off the moment trying to find the catch.

end of his cigar. "Nope. In the Before I could say anything he said, case of Paul vs. Hess the court said "Good. When you don’t know, don’t that a typewriter is a complicated say anything—most of the time. machine, so its successful operation Well, in the case of Jobski vs. John- must be completely demonstrated. son the court said that such a device THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 97 ”

must be used on an actual automobile "Right,” I said, and staggered out before there could be a reduction to of the room. practice; after all, consider the strains such a device would be sub- I prepared the amendment and jected to when the car travels at a filed it and then went over to the high rate of speed. So there was no Marchare Laboratories in Alexan- actual reduction to practice. Any- dria. thing wrong with that?” "Hello, Saddle,” Marchare greet- "Oh no,” 1 said. "It’s— just that' ed me. "What’s new in the patent a lawyer doesn’t know business?” "Tell this,” he interrupted, me I said, "Well, for one thing we're "suppose you were the lawyer in the in Interference with one of your case of American Chain vs. Weaver applications.” Company and you were wondering "O'h? Which one?” whether the court would hold that "The one about the supersonic you had had an actual reduction to bird-scarer.” practice. You hear them label your "Oh, yes. I remember it. I sup- model as crude, unsightly, unfinish- pose you want to establish some ed, unsatisfactory, and somewhat un- dates. Well, I can only give you a completed; those are the court’s exact conception date. We never reduced words. What would you think?” to practice. We thought of it and I said, "I’d think I had lost my then you wrote the case and filed case.” it two months later. Let’s go look at Spardleton nodded. "But as I’ve the transcript of the meeting.” told you many times, you must have I followed him to the Records faith. In that case the court went Room, thinking that at least I on to say that in spite of everything, wouldn’t be pestered with questions the object contained all the effective about actual reduction to practice. I and substantial elements of the in- never failed but to be amazed at vention, and therefore there had Marchare’s astounding memory. He been an actual reduction to practice. never forgot anything, which proba- The point I am making, Mr. Saddle, bly helped account for his being a is that it is sometimes difficult to Nobel Prize winner three times decide whether there has been an over. actual reduction to practice. In fact "Let’s see,” he said, pulling open you won’t know until a court has a drawer. "The transcript of the ruled on it and even then you won’t meeting where we thought of the be sure. So be careful in this pigeon- bird-scarer should be here scarer case. It'll be a good one for some-

you to break in on. Go to it; file where.” an amendment and make this claim The morning meetings in the Krome wants you to make.” Marchare Laboratories were always 08 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION transcribed word for word. Hosts of He handed me the transcript and patentable inventions had cropped pointed to the top line. I read: up that way. "Yes,” said Marchare. "Callahan Marchare: Supersonic sound will at least prevent build-up on the interior of and I were discussing the effect of the reactor. Say. Won't supersonic sound supersonic sound on chemical reac- — prevent deposition of dust or anything tions. Then I said but here. Read on a reactor? That's your field, Callahan. it yourself.” What do you think of it? Callahan: To be perfectly frank, doc-

tor, I think that’s for the birds. Sixteen seconds of silence Callahan: Wait a minute. Now there’s something. Supersonic sound will keep birds off a building. That’ll work.

Marchare: Yes, I guess it will. But

I still think it’ll keep dust off, too.

THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 99 —

Anyway, we'll turn the idea over to the The period for filing the Prelimi- Spardleton firm and if they think it s nary Statement passed and the Mo- patentable well have them file. Now tion Period started. For the first back to chemistry. Why can't supersonic time I was allowed to see the patent sound supply the energy necessary to dehydrate application of the opposing party in the Interference. transcript that That was all of the The first thing I looked for was interested me and I could see it was the date on which the application incomplete; it did not describe the had been filed in the Patent Office. invention in detail. I knew what had Huh. Two weeks after mine. Well, that. called happened after Marchare that's good news. Since 1 filed first

it Spardleton. Spardleton turned I was Senior Party in the Interfer-

over to me. I wrote the case with ence. Marchare and Callahan as co-inven- The opposing inventor was Harry tors filling in the details and leaving Herd, 354 Hunter Street, Ossining, the way open to claim either a bird- New York. His attorney was J. scarer or a dust-preventor. My origi- Harlington Burlington, Munsey nal claims were drawn to a bird- Building, Washington, D. C. scarer. Krome rejected them so I The specification was very short,

changed them to a dust-preventor. only two typewritten pages. It de- Then along came Krome finding scribed how to apply supersonic the original bird-scarer claim allow- sound to the framework of a build- able and setting up an Interference. ing, and how pigeons would then

I made notes of where I could never go near it. There was only locate the transcript again if I need- one claim, the same claim Krome

ed it, and noted down the date of had required me to make. All in all

the meeting. The meeting undoubt- it was a simple forthright patent edly established the conception date, application—a very unusual case.

even though the transcript might not 1 ordered a copy of it and took

show it clearly enough. I thanked it back to my office to study. After

Marchare and went back to the office. two days I came to the conclusion that there were no problems what- In due time I got the Declaration soever in this Interference. No mo- of Interference setting the dates for tions need be made, a very unusual

the Preliminary Statement, the Mo- situation. I had heard of cases that tion Period, and the Taking of Testi- required years merely to resolve the mony. issues raised in the Motion Period. I made out the Preliminary State- But the only issue in my case was:

ment that stated what dates I could Who is the first inventor of the prove. Spardleton approved the pigeon-scarer? The only thing to do Statement so I filed it in the sealed was to take testimony and go to the envelope. Final Hearing. 100 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION I walked into Spardleton’s office Spardleton looked at me strange- to get his approval. The first thing ly. "Mr. Saddle, I said I am going he asked was, "Who filed his ap- to let you do this on your own. plication first?” Experience is the best teacher and "We did. The other party filed all that. But I would like to recom- two weeks later.” mend that you also introduce the Spardleton sat back, nodding his testimony of the secretary who took head. "Excellent. That does it.” that transcript.”

"Why?” I said. "Maybe they can "O.K.,” I said, just as though I prove conception much earlier.” knew what he was driving at. "Any- Spardleton said, "Mr. Saddle, you thing else?” are the Senior Party in this Interfer- "Yes. Can you prove diligence ence. The other party has the burden between the date of conception and to try and establish a date earlier the date of filing?” than your filing date. And that is I said, "Yes. I can show that I very, very hard to do. Any Junior prepared that specification in the

Party carries a heavy burden when same order as I received it. And I he tries to prove earlier dates. The can show that Marchare told me burden is so heavy that few Junior about the invention the very day

Parties can carry it. That’s why a he and Callahan conceived it.” Junior Party loses eighty per cent "All right,” said Spardleton. of the time; only about twenty per "You’ve got it. I'll be present at cent of Junior Parties win. Not be- the Final Hearing. Good luck.” cause they weren’t the first inventor, mind you. But because the wise and About a week later I received a wondrous patent law makes it almost notice for the taking of testimony impossible for them to win.” for the Junior Party in the case of

"Well,” I said, "I’ll win this one Marchare et al vs. Herd. The place no matter what they do. Without where testimony was to be taken was help from screwy law, too.” 354 Hunter Street, Ossining, New "I like your optimism,” said York. I remembered that that was Spardleton. "Now let’s see. Since Herd’s home address. Susan got you are Senior Party you will take reservations for me at a hotel. I testimony last. How are you going cleared with Spardleton and drew to prove your conception date if you two hundred dollars for expenses. have to?” The night before the hearing I

I told Spardleton of the transcript checked into the hotel in Ossining of the meeting between Marchare early to get myself squared away. and Callahan. I would introduce the I asked the desk clerk how long it transcript for what it was worth and took to get to 354 Hunter Street by back it with the testimony of the taxi. He told me ten minutes, so I two inventors. forced myself to stay in bed until

THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 101 ”

eight o’clock the following morning. A short, very heavy man came

At a quarter of ten I caught a over to me. His face was one of cab. About eight minutes later we those that always seems about to pulled up in front of a high somber break into a yawn. "I’m Burling- wall with a nasty little gate in it. ton,” he said as we shook hands.

"Where are we?” I asked. "The others are all set.” "Sing Sing Prison,” said the The others consisted of the driver. Warden, a pretty girl, and a little "Oh,” I said settling back. wizened runt of a man who looked

"Thanks for showing it to me, but as though he had gone through the

I have an appointment. Will you same processing as do prunes. please take me to 354 Hunter Burlington said, "The Warden Street?” is a notary public so he can give

The driyer turned to look at me. the oaths. Miss Dren here is a public "What's the matter with you, Bud? stenographer; she will keep the Sing Sing IS 354 Hunter Street.” record. Mr. Harry Herd,” he point-

I straightened. "What? Why ed at the prune, "is the inventor and that’s impossible. It can’t be. I have is all set to testify. Are you ready?” ” an inventor to talk to. You must— I could do nothing but nod. How

"You waiting for somebody?” A I wished for Spardleton. But I was voice cut in through the taxi win- on my own. dow. I saw a big man in a uinform. Herd took the oath and sat down. I said, "No, Officer. I’m supposed The stenographer took the follow- to see a man named Harry Herd at ing: 354 Hunter— Street, and this taxi Burlington: State your name, age driver tells and address. "Your name Saddle?” the uni- Herd: Harry Herd, forty-two, 354 form interrupted. Hunter Street, Ossining, New York.

"Why, why, why . . yes.” And I— .

"O.K. Come on. They’re all wait- Burlington : Thank you. Arc you ing for you.” the inventor in United States patent "In here?” I asked feebly, waving application Serial Number 166,211 at the looming wall. entitled Method for Chasing

"Yup.” Pigeons ?

I paid off the grinning driver and Herd: Yesiam. And I— followed the guard, walking in as Burlington: Thank you. Will you straight a line as my whirling head tell us the circumstances under which would allow. I expected to have to you first got the idea for this inven- strip while guards looked for hidden tion? hand grenades but nobody put a Herd: Cer’ny. I am sitting in the finger on me. In a moment I was in prison library one day and there is the Warden’s Office. a pigeon, a bird pigeon, perched on 102 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION — —

the bars outside and I am reading circumstances do you work as a a very interesting magazine what machinist? tells how you take supersonic sound Herd! Whadoyumcan? and use it on a liquid what’s got Saddle: What institution do you little particles in it so that work in? Herd: Whatdoyamean institution?

I listened to Herd drone on and Saddle: Mr. Herd. Are you, or on. I did not object when Burlington are you not now serving a jail sen-, introduced the piece of paper that tence in Sing Sing Prison? Herd had scribbled his idea on. My Herd: Oh, that. Well, yes. mind was clear now. Gradually I Saddle: What for? saw my course of action. All 1 had Herd: I was framed. They had to do was make sure that the record nothing on me. I was railroaded. showed that Herd was a convicted They put the— criminal now serving time. His testi- Saddle: Please, Mr. Herd. What mony would be worthless. Who'd were you convicted of? believe a convict? Herd: Armed robbery. I never Under Burlington’s prodding, had a chance. I’m a three time loser.

Herd established a conception date. They threw the book at me. I

And it was a later conception date Saddle: You mean you are in for than Marchare’s; Marchare had con- life as a habitual criminal? ceived the invention first. Things Herd: Yeah. But they— began looking up. Saddle: Thank you, Mr. Herd. Finally direct examination was No further questions. over. Burlington turned to me and By Mr. Burlington: Let the rec- said, "Any cross-examination?” ord show the following: Mr. Saddle

"Yes, SIR,” I answered. has not impeached this witness. A

I turned to Herd and said, "What conviction for robbery docs not is your occupation, Mr. Herd?” affect a witness’ reputation for truth- Herd: Machinist. and-veracity. It only affects his repu-

Saddle: Arc you working at it tation for honesty-and-integrity, and now? that has nothing to do with this Herd: Yes. testimony under oath. Thus Mr. Saddle: Under what circum- Herd's testimony stands unchal- stances? lenged, unimpeached, and capable

By Mr. Burlington: I object. The of being believed. Just because a question is immaterial and irrele- man has committed a robbery or two vant. does not mean he won't tell the

By Mr. Saddle: I am about to truth. attack the witness’ credibility. The question is perfectly proper. Mr. I had a sinking feeling in the pit Herd, please answer. Under what of my stomach. The rules of evi- THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 103 deuce were coming back to me. in for working the confidence game Burlington was right. The law stated —specialized in mulcting widows that a robber’s testimony was as good out of their savings. as anyone else's as long as his gen- The second was relatively pure. eral character wasn’t at stake. Things He’d embezzled money from a didn’t look so good. bank, but only once. There was one thing in my favor. The third and last was a knife In taking testimony in an Interfer- expert. He liked to whittle, but the ence, everything, but everything, law frowned on his choice of ob- went down in the record. There was jects to whittle on. He’d been no judge around to exclude improp- framed on a second-degree murder er testimony. So if you wanted to rap. throw in the kitchen sink, in it went. In each case I made sure that the At the Final Hearing, though, the record showed what the boys were Board of Interference Examiners ex- in for. Burlington didn’t even cluded inadmissible testimony. The bother to object to my questions to Board read everything over, includ- the con man; the confidence game ing the objections, and threw out definitely mitigates against a man’s everything that was improper. But truth-and-veracity. But Burlington they had to read it first. And that’s objected to the questions to the em- where I hoped to get the advantage. bezzler. Just as with robbery, em- The Board would learn that Herd bezzling affects a man’s honesty-and- was a convict. It couldn’t help but integrity, not his truth-and-veracity. influence them. And when we got to the murderer We were through with Herd so Burlington almost lost his sleepi- a guard came and got him. Burling- ness. Murder has nothing to do with ton then called on the supporting truth-and-veracity either. Murder witnesses. only involves peace-and-good-order.

There were three of them. They Anyhow, it got into the record. had all been sitting at the library That ended the taking of the table when Herd conceived the Junior Party’s testimony. I shook pigeon-scarer. They all supported hands with Burlington and the

Herd’s testimony, backed it up very Warden and caught a 2:00 o’clock nicely. They all had seen the piece train back to Washington. Things of paper on which Herd had scrib- looked pretty good.

bled his idea. They all made it clear The next morning I went into that Herd had conceived the inven- Spardleton's office to tell him about

tion on a date prior to the date I it, but he would have none of it. had filed Marchare’s case. And they "No, sir,” he said. "This is your were all serving heavy sentences. baby. You handle it. I’ll go with The first was a dapper fellow you to the Final Hearing, but other-

with a little black mustache. He was wise I’ll stay out of it. You seem

104 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION to be doing well. This Interference arranged for a stenographer to take

will consume less time than any I've down everything that was said. I ever heard of; usually they take contacted a notary public so he years. Besides, you’re the Senior could be present.

Party in this Interference so it’s al- The day of the hearing dawned

most impossible for you to lose. The hot and stifling. Although I had set Junior Party carries too heavy a the hearing for ten o’clock in the

burden; I’ve told you that many morning, I arrived at the Marchare times. Now shoo out of here. I’ve Laboratories at eight. Marchare had got my own troubles.” agreed to the use of one of his air-

I shooed. Spardleton was in for conditioned meeting rooms as a hear- a surprise when he learned who the ing room; the cool room felt good. opposing party was. That was going At nine-thirty, Burlington walked to be rich. in. He began unloading papers from the steamer trunk that served him The next few days were busy for a brief case.

ones. I decided on a hearing date The notary showed up, then the and served notice on Burlington to stenographer. And at five minutes

be there. I talked the case over with to ten my three witnesses walked in. Marchare and Callahan and got their The hearing went swimmingly.

testimony straightened out. I made Marchare was sworn in and testified sure that the secretary that had taken as to what had happened at the the notes at the research meeting meeting between him and Callahan. would be available as a witness. I I offered a certified copy of the

THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 105 notes of the meeting into evidence. I stood there with my mouth No objection from Mr. Burling- open. I’d never thought to ask the ton. secretary if she knew what super-

I finished the direct examination sonic sound was. Anybody working with Dr. Marchare. for Marchare should know. But I No cross-examination from Mr. guess secretaries were harder to get Burlington. in Washington than I thought. She Callahan took the chair and gave didn't understand the invention. And the same testimony as Dr. Marchare. unless a witness understands the in- "No cross-examination,’’ said Mr. vention the testimony wasn't worth

Burlington, looking too sleepy even a hoot. For a moment I was jolted. to get up on his feet. But then I remembered that the testi-

This was a picnic. I was complete mony of my two inventors stood master of the situation. Things were intact. And two experts like that going beautifully. ought to be more than enough. The secretary, my last witness, The taking of testimony was over. took the chair and stated the same We had started at ten and were facts as had Marchare and Callahan. through by noon. Good manage- She’d heard everything. She’d taken ment. the shorthand. She’d transcribed it. "A nicely organized hearing, Mr.

As simple as that. I turned and Saddle,” said Mr. Burlington as he looked down my nose at Mr. Bur- reloaded his trunk. lington. "Any cross?” "Thank you, Mr. Burlington.” Mr. Burlington said, "No cross- "See you at the Final Hearing,” exam— Oh. Just one thing.” He he said. And he went out the door, painfully twisted his head around to obviously going home to bed. look at the secretary. "Tell me, Miss.

What is supersonic sound?” A few weeks later I received my She looked at him pertly and said, copy of the brief Burlington had written for the Final Hearing. "Why, it’s . . . it’s a very loud There noise.” wasn’t much to it. All he said was "You mean,” said Mr. Burlington, that the unsupported testimony of

"that it’s a noise that’s a lot louder Marchare and Callahan was not than most noises?” sufficient to establish a date of any "Yes.” kind, so that Marchare and Callahan "How do you think it would had to rely on the filing date of affect your ears?” their patent application. On the "Well, I’m sure I don’t know. other hand, the supported testimony

It would probably deafen me.” of the party Herd clearly established "Thank you, Miss. No further diligence and a conception date prior cross-examination.” And he painful- to the filing date of the party Mar-

ly untwisted his head. chare el al. Therefore, Herd should 106 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION be awarded priority and Herd should the office. I drank a lot of water get the patent. and rearranged a lot of papers and

I laughed. How silly can you knocked a few books off a desk.

get? I didn’t even have to look in When the time came to leave, Susan the books to write my own brief. came up to me and gave me a big

I pointed out that the name Mar- kiss. Our first kiss. And it wasn't

chare was known to households until the hearing was over that I throughout the world as a sterling realized what she had done.

representation of a great and good Spardleton and I were the first man. And his co- inventor Callahan to arrive. Shortly after, Krome, the

was renowned in his own right. The Examiner in the case, came in. I testimony of these two men, these gulped at him and he grunted at me. paragons of virtue, must be balanced He went over behind the bench and against the testimony of the some- began flipping through the records what tarnished witnesses on the of the case. A Primary Examiner

other side. It was clear the testimony came in and did the same thing. of Marchare and Callahan estab- Burlington arrived puffing and lished a conception date prior to droopy looking. He seemed sur- the date established by Herd and his prised to see Spardleton there. Then

crew. I closed my brief by saying the Interference Examiner came in

that I knew the Board would see and we were ready to start. that justice was done and award Burlington represented the Junior

priority to the party Marchare et al. Party so he argued first. His argu- Susan typed up the necessary ment was just like his brief: You

copies of the brief. I admired it for can’t believe Marchare et d for a a day and then served a copy on conception date; you must believe Burlington and filed three copies in Herd.

the Patent Office. I sighed with Spardleton gave me a funny look relief. My first Interference was as I got up to argue. Krome con- looking pretty good. tinued to flip papers. Came the day of the Final Hear- I cleared my throat seven or eight

ing. I got dressed in my best clothes. times before I located my voice.

I had a little trouble with my shoe- laces and I couldn’t get my tie right. "Your Honors,” I began. Then

A good breakfast straightened me confidence surged through me.. I out; fortunately the cup of coffee began speaking fluently and well.

I spilled didn’t get on me at all. I told of what a fine man Marchare

Spardleton wouldn't let me talk was. I described Callahan’s virtues.

about the case as we sat waiting for I coughed delicately when I pointed the time to go over to the Patent out the type of people my learned Office. He puttered around his desk opponent represented. My voice

while I took a few turns around rose sonorously, and it dropped to THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 107 a whisper. I’d been a good speaker enough to establish a date, any back in law school and I could tell date.”

I was even better now. I played on "But I have two inventors. Plus words the way a harpist does on the transcript.” strings, extracting full benefit from "It wouldn’t matter if you had each measured tone, each inflection. fifteen inventors and fifteen incom- Even Krome stopped flipping papers plete transcripts. The courts do not for a moment to look at me. And consider that one co-inventor is when I finished I closed my notes competent to support another co- and turned to Spardleton with a inventor. You had better read the pleased smile on my face. leading cases of Mcrgenthaler vs. He was looking at me wide-eyed, Scudder and Winslow vs. Austin. shock and displeasure written in You need outside evidence. Even a every line of his face. My smile shred of outside evidence. Eor in- fell off. I started to go over to him, stance here,” he looked at me hope- but the voice of the Interference fully, "the secretary that took the Examiner stopped me. Incomplete transcript. Are you sure "Uh, Mr. Saddle.” she can’t help?” I shook my head helplessly. I turned to him. "Yes, sir?” "She didn’t understand what she "Is this your whole case? Have was taking down.” you nothing else to, offer?” "I'm sorry then. I admit that "Nothing else!” I said. "That’s all nowhere else in all of the law of this I need; Surely you can’t believe what country does any court or tribunal the opposing party’s testimony says refuse to credit the testimony of an and not believe mine?” interested party. Interference law "But, Mr. Saddle, you have cast stands alone in this respect. But as a cloud on only one of the opposing it is we can reach only one decision.” party’s witnesses. The opposing in- I made a last desperate try. "But ventor put his invention on paper how can you believe a gang of thugs and three witnesses back him up. and not believe two such fine men?” On the other hand you have no "Em sorry, Mr. Saddle. That’s the witnesses at all.” law in Interference practice.” "Witnesses!’' I said. "Aren’t Marchare and Callahan and the 1 turned helplessly to Spardleton. transcript enough?” He raised his eyebrows and shrugged The Interference Examiner shook his shoulder. The gesture of defeat his head. "I’m afraid not, Mr. Sad- made me feel a little better. If a long unbroken dle. By chain of Spardleton was beaten, there was the Patent decisions from Office nothing left to do. Again I started tribunals and from the courts the to walk over to him. testimony of an inventor is never "Ah, Gentlemen.” 108 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ” ” ”

It was Krome. He had stopped table-pounding. The din became flipping papers. He was looking at terrific. I couldn’t understand what one fixedly. either man was saying. A few flecks He said, "This transcript of the of plaster drifted down from the meeting between Marchare and Cal- ceiling.

lahan. Although it does not specifi- Dimly I heard the Interference

cally describe the invention I note Examiner shouting, "Gentlemen.

that it is part of the record and that Please. Gentlemen.”

there is no objection to it. I must "Joint to sole.” "Fraud.” "Rule point out that the claim of the In- 243.” "Joint to sole.” "You can’t.” terference is directed solely at a "We can.” process for repelling pigeons. Now The Interference Examiner began this transcript indicates that Callahan pounding on the bench. The place invented the process, not Marchare. sounded like an African village just

It was Callahan who stated that before the sacrifice. For the first supersonic— sound was for the birds. time I understood why Spardleton Now if had always insisted that voice train- Sleepiness dropped from Burling- ing was an integral part of a patent ton like a cloak. He leaped to his attorney’s education. feet shouting, "You can’t— do that. It’s too late. You can’t "The hell he can’t,” Spardleton’s voice boomed in from my right.

"Your Honors. I make a motion that the party Marchare et al be granted ten days to convert their joint appli- cation to a sole, in the—name of Cal- lahan alone. We wil "It’s Final Hearing,” shouted Burlington. "Too late. You’re tak- ing unconscionable advantage. You had your chance.” Spardleton’s voice rose higher, MOVING? drowning out Burlington. "It’s never Going to have a new address? too late till the patent issues. You — We can't send your regular Astounding knew it all along. Why SCIENCE FICTION along if you don’t Burlington went up an octave. warn us ahead of time. If you're going to move, let us know six weeks in ad- Spardleton kept talking. My head vance. Otherwise you’ll have a neglected swiveled from one to the other. mailbox! Spardleton began beating the table- Write SUBSCRIPTION DEPT. top with his fist. His voice went up Astounding SCIENCE FICTION a notch. Burlington took up the 304 East 45th St., New York 17. N.Y. THE CURIOUS PROFESSION 109 I saw Krome sit back in his chair, away my papers for me. "We've got

take a deep breath, close his eyes, it in the bag now.” and point his nose at the ceiling. "But how? I can’t understand.” Then there issued from his throat "It’s perfectly straightforward.

the most resounding roar ever to Callahan is the sole inventor; not spring from the throat of a mortal Marchare and Callahan jointly. Rule man. 45 states that you can always convert "GENTLEMEN.” a joint application to a sole when- The silence was deafening. The ever you have mistakenly filed a room fell silent; the outside corridor joint application. That’s all there is fell silent; the adjoining rooms fell to it.” silent. Typewriters and voices stilled "But even if sve convert to a throughout a goodly portion of the sole, how does that help us?” building. "Well, it’s that beautiful record The Interference Examiner turned you’ve built up. Now' that Marchare to Krome and said, "Thank you, is no longer a co-inventor the law Mr. Krome.” Then he turned to me says that his testimony becomes ad- and said, "This Board will grant missible as a supporting witness. the party Marchare et al ten days You don’t think the Board would to submit a motion in writing to believe that bunch of crooks and not convert the joint application to a believe Marchare, do you?” "Oh, no. Oh, no. Heavens, no.” sole. The hearing is ended.” "Of course not. As a co-inventor I stood rooted to the spot while Marchare is considered the equiva- the three Examiners filed out of the lent of a liar; tribunals wmn’t even room. I stood rooted while Burling- listen to him. But as a plain w'itness ton and Spardleton shook hands and he’s better than having a Supreme chuckled and said nice going. I was Court justice. We’re all set now. still rooted w'hen Burlington wrung Burlington knows he’s beaten. Let’s my hand and walked out. I finally g°” gathered my wits enough to ask I found I could still move my

Spardleton. "What . . . what hap- feet. As I stumbled out the door pened?” after him he took my arm in a

"Old Burlington tried to pull a friendly wr ay. "It’s just like I’ve fast one. Almost got away with it.” always told you,” he said, "you must "But we lost. Didn’t we?” have faith. The Senior Party almost "No, sir.” Spardleton was packing always wins an Interference.”

THE END

110 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION - •

DOUBLE STAR

Conclusion. “—and one day, he woke up, and behold! he wasn’t there any more!” Lorenzo the Magnificent quite truly lost himself in his work!

BY ROBERT A. HE1NLEIN

Illustrated by Freas

SYNOPSIS by events—unwilling witness to the murder of another Earthman and of 1 am the Great Lorenzo, the finest the death of the Martian who killed character actor in the Solar System him, then accomplice after the fact Empire. My interest in Imperial pol- through being coerced by Broadbent itics is less than nothing. Had l into helping to dispose of the bodies. known that this impersonation job A fugitive now, 1 let myself be that space pilot Captain Dak Broad- shanghaied aboard the spaceship Tom bent offered me would gel me mixed Paine and we were torching for Mars, up in politics 1 would have run, not and l still did not know what the walked, to the nearest exit. Unfor- job was for which l had been hired. tunately 1 was between engagements But when they at last showed me at the time and short of funds— whom l was to impersonate 1 was broke, to be blunt. 1 let him swindle ready to scream. It was Bonforle— me into it, then l was swept along the Right Honorable John Joseph

DOUBLK STAR 111 Bonjorte, former Supreme Minister they smelled. What troubled me was of the Empire and noiv leader of the the thought that the same tough loyal opposition, head of the Expan- hombres who kidnaped Bonforte to sionist coalition and the most loved keep him from showing up for the —and most hated!—man in the adoption ceremony ivould not blink Solar System. at killing me to keep me from show- Shanghaied vulnerable to half a ing up in his place. 1 told Dak , dozen criminal charges, l had no Broadbent so. choice; 1 buckled down to work, He assured me that the peculiari- studying stereo movies, studying re- ties of Martian psychology were such cordings of his voice. 1 was coached that while the Martians would be un- in it by his private secretary, Penelope forgivingly offended if Bonforte Russell. Penny was most attractive simply failed to keep the date while

but 1 was in no mood to appreciate alive, nevertheless if he were killed her—and besides she had only con- to prevent his keeping the date they tempt for me, an actor who was to ivould be just as offended—-.but at substitute for her beloved boss, while the persons who had killed him. Con- my mind was preoccupied by the sequently Bonforte’s political ene- strong conviction that I ivas being mies did not dare to resort to simple set up as a clay pigeon, to be assas- assassination. sinated in Bonforte’s place. It struck me as a shaky theory on Dak Broadbent tried to quiet my which to stake my own skin but fears: Bonforte had been kidnaped by again 1 had no choice. political enemies from the Humanity Hypnosis was used on me by Dr. Party just before Bonforte was to Capek, Bonforte’s physician, to re- be adopted into the Nest ( or Martian move my extreme dislike for Mar- tribal family) of Kkkahgral the tians. He borrowed some of Penny’s Younger. This would be a political perfume and implanted a suggestion coup of the greatest importance, both in me that Martians smelled like for the Expansionist Party and for "Jungle Lust.” The silly trick worked.

the human race, as it would prob- I studied Bonforte all the way to ably lead eventually to bringing Mars Mars. We made rendezvous with the and the Martians wholly into the torchship Go For Broke in a parking

Empire—whereas if Bonforte failed orbit around Mars and tivo . others to show up, the Martians would be joined us there: Roger Clifton, Bon- mortally offended, so much so that forte’s deputy and political factotum,

it might result in a progrom of all and Bill Corpsman, his public rela-

humans on Mars . . . which could tions man. 1 liked Clifton but Bill

set off an interplanetary war which Corpsman a:id I rubbed each other would exterminate every Martian. the wrong way at once—he insisted I did not mind that too much; 1 on treating me as a hired hand,

despised Martians, especially the way while, confound it, a professional

112 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION man has his pride, his dignity, his stand that I had been carefully proper status. coached in my responses and that But there was not time for person- somehow l got through without alities; the adoption ceremony was stumbling. The Martian language is almost on top of us. We took a terribly difficult for the human shuttle rocket down and landed at throat at best and it was made no the skyport between Goddard City, easier by the presence at my elbow the human colony where we believed throughout the ceremonies of a Bonjorte was being held, and the dozen adult Martians, each clutching

Nest of Kkkahgral. We cut it fine a life-wand in his psuedolimbs . . for my own safely, so that l would and I knew only too well that it not hare to risk going into the hu- took only a tiny pressure on a life- man colony. It seemed strange to be wand to give me eternal quietus. safer among Martians than among Apparently I made no important my own kind, but it seemed even mistakes; l lived through it. At last stranger to be on Mars. I was allou’ed to leave—a Martian Since I was—or teas impersonating citizen now myself, with thousands —a V.I.P., my party was met at the of Martian brothers and cousins, a skyport by the resident commission- Martian name of my own, and a er, Mr. Boothroyd, who had a car Martian life-wand in my band, waiting to take ns to the Martian badge of my adult Martian status. city. An impersonation is as fragile Penny was waiting for me outside as a woman s reputation; this one the gates of the nest. almost failed at once—for Booth- I was so happy and so relieved royd’s teen-age daughter wanted my that l did not notice at first how autograph—and l had not had time terribly upset she was. Then l press- to learn to forge Bonforte’s signa- ed her to explain: ture. 1 pul her off by promising to Dak and the others had forced mail an autographed picture instead, the driver to talk, they bad located and we piled into the car. Once the place where Bonforte was being clear of the port the driver tried held and had rescued him . . . but to wreck us. We captured him, Dak almost too late; the scoundrels had took over the wheel and delivered brain-washed him—given him an me—on time—to the Martian Nest. infection of a cocaine derivative into The others left to take the driver his forebrain and had turned him out into the sand dunes to strongarm temporarily into a mindless hulk of some information out of him while living flesh. I wanted to throw up; I climbed the ramp and entered the brain-washing is worse than murder,

Martian City. it strikes at the soul. The details of my adoption into But there was no time for weak- a Martian family are as secret as the ness; 1 returned to the Tom Paine ritual of a lodge initiation. Let it still as Bonforte while Dak smug- DOUBLE STAR 113 gled the reel Bonforte aboard as impersonate Bonforte in front' of cargo. For the time being 1 had to Martians—who probably don’t see remain in the role; Bonforte was details in humans any better than too ill even to make a television we see details in them—was one appearance—so I delivered a Grand thing; to impersonate him at the Network speech for him, speaking Imperial capital before the Emperor, from the Tom Paine. But not with- all the court, and hundreds of peo- out having more friction with Bill ple who knew him well ... it was Corpsman, who had ghosted a draft simply impossible, and l told them of the speech in a style which I so. found to be utterly incompatible Then Fenny talked to me. I am with Bonforte’s personality and a fool; I agreed. manner. The trip from Mars to Luna was My speech may have been too a sleepless period of intensive coach- effective; within hours after it the ing for me. I not only studied Bon- government of Supreme Minister forte’s written works and every Oniroga, leader of the Humanity speech he had ever recorded, I

Parly, had resigned—and- the Em- studied also his mammoth Parleyfile peror had called- on Bonforte as of all his political associations. With leader of the opposition to form a hypnosis and stimulant pills 1 tried caretaker government until general to cover a busy lifetime in days. elections cordd be held. This was The formal audience at the im- exactly what Bonforte, Clifton, perial court was easy, just like a

Broadbent, and all their colleagues stage play with all lines set. I ap- had been working to achieve. But peared before my sovereign lord, there was one small hitch—poor Willem of Orange, King of the brain-washed Bonforte was in no Lowlands and Empire of the Planets, shape to appear before the Emperor. and was called back into his service.

It was possible that Dr. Capek / presented my proposed cabinet. could get him in shape during the But then came the real audience voyage to New Batavia on Luna, but in the Emperor’s private office, a torchships go so fast that it. was by relaxed and casual, man-to-mnn no means certain. Yet if he failed meeting. Willem seemed unsuspi- to appear, all our efforts would fail, cious; we had a drink together, dis- too, and it was even possible that cussed Empire politics, my proposed the perilous impersonation inside cabinet, and we made one minor the Martian Nest would be revealed. change in the line-up. I was begin- Broadbent and Clifton pressed me ning to relax and actually enjoyed

to continue the role and, if neces- myself when he look me into his sary, appear before the Emperor in workshop and showed me his model Bonforte’s place. trains. Then we went back to his

This time 1 turned mulish. To office, fust as I thought he was about

114 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION to let me leave be looked at me and Worth six of you and me. So you said quietly, "By the way, who are carry on with the doubling job and you?” let him get well. The Empire needs

I aged inside to match my appear- him.” ance. "Yes, Sire.” "Knock off that ’Sire.’ Since you are standing in for him, call me PART 3 ’Willem,’ as he does. Did you know

"Come, now,” he said impatient- that was how I spotted you?”

it ly, "surely my job carries with "No, Si . . . no, Willem.” some privileges. Just tell me the "He’s called me Willem for

truth. I've known for the past hour twenty years. I thought it decidedly

that you were not Joseph Bonforte odd that he would quit it in private —though you could fool his own simply because he was seeing me on mother; you even have his manner- state business. But I did not suspect,

1 isms. But who are you?” not really. But, remarkable as your

"My name is Lawrence Smith, performance was, it set me thinking. Your Majesty,” I said faintly. Then, when we went in to see the

"Brace up, man ! I could have trains, I knew.” called the guards long since, if I "Excuse me? How?” had been intending to. Were you "You were polite, man! I’ve made

sent here to assassinate me?” him look at my trains in the past . . . "No, Sire. Iam... loyal to Your and he always got even by being Majesty.” as rude as possible about what a "You have an odd way of show- way for a grown man to waste time.

ing it. Well, pour yourself another It was a little act we always went

drink, sit down, and tell me about through. We both enjoyed it.”

it.” "Oh. I didn’t know.”

I told him about it, every bit. It "How could you have known?”

took more than one drink and pres- I was thinking that I should have

ently I felt better. He looked angry known, that damned Farleyfilc

when I told him of the kidnaping, should have told me ... it was but when I told him what they had not unitl later that I realized that the done to Bonfortc’s mind his face file had not been defective, in view

turned dark with a Jovian rage. of the theory on which it was based,

At last he said quietly, "It’s just i.e., it was intended to let a famous a matter of days until he is back man remember details about the in shape, then?” less famous. But that was precisely

"So Dr. Capek says.” what the Emperor was not . . . less "Don't let him go to work until famous, I mean. Of course Bonforte

he is fully recovered. He’s a valua- needed no notes to recall personal ble man. You know that, don’t you? details about Willem! Nor would

DOUBLK STAR 115 —

he consider it proper to set down another century. "But I prefer personal matters about the sovereign dramatic roles.” in a file handled by his clerks. "Like this one?”

I muffed the obvious- not had "Well . . . not exactly. For this that I see how I could have avoided role, once is quite enough. I would- it, even if I had realized that the n’t care for a long run.” file would be incomplete. "I suppose so. Well, tell Roger

But the Emperor was still talking. Clifton— No, don’t tell Clifton any-

"You did a magnificent job-—and thing. Lorenzo, I see nothing to be after risking your life in a Martian gained by ever telling anyone about nest I am not surprised that you our conversation this past hour. If were willing to tackle me. Tell me, you tell Clifton, even though you have I ever seen you in stereo, or tell him that I said not to worry, anywhere?” it would just give him nerves. And

I had given my legal name, of he has work to do. So we keep it course, when the Emperor demand- tight, eh?” ed it; I now rather timidly gave my "As my Emperor wishes.” professional name. He looked at me, "None of that, please. We’ll keep threw up his hands and guffawed. it quiet because it’s best so. Sorry

I was somewhat hurt. "Er, have you I can’t make a sickbed visit on heard of me?” Uncle Joe. Not that I could help "Heard of you? I’m one of your him—although they used to think staunchest fans.” He looked at me the King’s Touch did marvels. So very closely. "But you still look like we’ll say nothing and pretend that

Joe Bonforte. I can’t believe that I never twigged.” you are Lorenzo.” "Yes . . . Willem.” "But I am.” "I suppose you had better go

"Oh, I believe it, I believe it. now. I’ve kept you a very long You know that skit where you are time.” a tramp? First you try to milk a "Whatever you wish.” cow ... no luck. Finally you end "I’ll have Pateel go back with up eating out of the cat’s dish you—or do you know your, way but even the cat pushes you away?” around? But just a moment— He I admitted it. dug around in his desk, muttering ''I’ve almost worn out my spool to himself. "That girl must have of that. I laugh and cry at the same been straightening things again. No

time.” . . . here it is.” He hauled out a

"That is the idea.” I hesitated, little book. "I probably won’t get then admitted that the barnyard to see you again ... so would )'ou "Weary Willie” routine had been mind giving me your autograph copied from a very great artist of before you go?”

116 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION IX put him in what is supposed to be the wife’s room of your bedroom

Rog and Bill I found chewing suite. It was the only place where their nails in Bonforte’s upper liv- we could maintain utter privacy and ing room. The second I showed up still give him the care he needs. Corpsman started toward me. I hope you don’t mind.” "Where have you been?” "Not at all.”

"With the Emperor,” I answered "It won’t inconvenience you. The coldly. two bedrooms are joined, you may "You’ve been gone five or six have noticed, only through the dress- times as long as you should have ing rooms, and we've shut off that been.” door. It’s soundproof.”

1 did not bother to answer. Since "Sounds like a good arrangement. the argument over the speech Corps- How is he?” man and I had gotten along to- Clifton frowned. "Better, much gether and worked together, but it better ... on the whole. He is lucid was strictly a marriage of conven- much of the time.” He hesitated. ience, with no love. We co-operated, "You can go in and see him, if you but we did not really bury the like.” hatchet—unless it was between my I hesitated still longer. "How shoulder blades. I had made no spe- soon does Dr. Capek think he will cial effort to conciliate him—and saw be ready to make public appear- no reason why I should in my ances?” opinion his parents had met briefly "It’s hard to say. Before long.” at a masquerade ball. "How long? Three or four days?

I don’t believe in rowing with A short enough time that we could other members of the company, but cancel all appointments and just put the only behavior Corpsman would me out of sight? Rog, I don’t know willingly accept from me was that just how to make this clear but, of a servant, hat in hand and very much as I would like to call on him

’umble, sir. I would not give him and pay my respects, I don’t think that, even to keep peace. I was a it is smart for me to see him at all professional, retained to do a very until after I have made my last difficult professional job, and pro- appearance. It might well ruin my fessional men do not use the back characterization.” I had made the stairs; they are treated with respect. terrible mistake of going to my

So 1 ignored him and asked Rog, father’s funeral; for years thereafter

"Where’s Penny?” when I thought of him I saw him "With him. So are Dak and Doc, dead in his coffin. Only very slowly at the moment.” did I regain the true image of him "He’s here?” •—the virile, dominant man who had "Yes.” Clifton hesitated. "We reared me with a firm hand and

DOUBLE STAR 117 taught me my trade. I was afraid business. I took out the revised of something like that with Bon- cabinet list and handed it to Corps- forte; 1 was now impersonating a man. "Here’s the approved roster well man at the height of his pow'ers, for the news services, Bill. You’ll—see the way I had seen him and heard that there is one change on it ’de ” him in the many stereo records of la Torre’ for ’Braun.’ him. I was very much afraid that, "What?” if I saw him ill, the recollection of "Jesus de la Torre for Lothar it would blur and distort my per- Braun. That’s the way the Emperor formance. wanted it.” "I was not insisting,” Clifton an- Clifton looked astonished; Corps- swered. "You know best. It’s pos- man looked both atsonished and i sible that we can keep from having angry. ’"What difference does that you appear in public again, but I make? He’s got no right to have !” want to keep you standing by and opinions ready until he is fully recovered.” Clifton said slowly, "Bill is right, Chief. As a lawyer who has special-

I almost said the Emperor wanted ized in constitutional law I assure it done that way. But I caught my- you that the sovereign’s confirma- self—the shock of having the Em- tion is purely nominal. You should peror find me out had shaken me not have let him make any changes.” a little out of character. But the I felt like shouting at them, and thought reminded me of unfinished only the imposed calm personality

318 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

of Bon forte kept me from it. I had fully. "Not in any dispatch that I

had a hard day and, despite a bril- saw, Bill. He was simply asked if liant performance, the inevitable dis- he were willing to serve, like all

aster had overtaken me. I wanted to the others. Is that what you meant?”

tell Rog that if Willem had not been Corpsman hesitated like an actor a really big man, kingly in the fine not quite sure of his lines. "Of

sense of the word, we would all course. But it amounts to a prom- be in the soup—simply because I ise.” had not been adequately coached for "Not until the public announce-

the role. Instead I answered sourly, ment is made, it doesn’t.” "It’s done and that’s that.’’ "But the announcement was made,

Corpsman said, "That’s what you I tell you. Two hours ago.”

think! I gave out the correct list to "Mm-m-m . . . Bill, I’m afraid the reporters two hours ago. Now that you will have to call the boys you’ve got to go back and straighten in again and tell them that you made it out. Rog, you had better— call the a mistake. Or I’ll call them in and Palace right away and tell them that through an error a

I said, "Quiet!” preliminary list was handed out be-

Corpsman shut up. I went on in a fore Mr. Bonforte had O.K.'d it.

lower key. "Rog, from a legal point But we’ve got to correct it before

of view, you may be right. I would- the grand network announcement.”

n’t know. I do know that the Em- "Do you mean to tell me you are peror felt free to question the ap- going to let him get away with it?”

pointment of Braun. Now if either By "him” I think Bill meant me, one of you want to go to the Em- rather than Willem; but Rog’s an- peror and argue with him, that’s up swer assumed the contrary. "Yes.

to you. But I’m not going anywhere. Bill, this is no time to force a con-

I’m going to get out of this anach- stitutional crisis. The issue isn’t

ronistic strait jacket, take my shoes worth it. So will you phrase the

off, and have a long tall drink. Then retraction? Or shall I?” I’m going to bed.” Corpsman’s expression reminded "Now wait, Chief.” Clifton ob- me of the way a cat submits to the

jected. "You’ve got a five-minute inevitable . . . "just barely.” He spot on grand network to announce looked grim, shrugged, and said,

the new cabinet.” "I’ll do it. I want to be sure it is

"You take it. You’re first deputy phrased properly, so we can salvage in this cabinet.” as much as possible out of the He blinked. "All right.” shambles.” Corpsman said insistently, "How "Thanks, Bill,” Rog answered about Braun? He was promised the mildly. job.” Corpsman turned to leave. I call- Clifton looked at him thought- ed out, "Bill! As long as you are

DOUBI. E STAR 119 going to be talking to the news "No, Rog, my mind is made up. service's I have another announce- Oh, I won’t run out on you. I’ll ment for them.” stay here until Mr. B. is able to see "Huh? What are you after now?” people, in case some utter emergency "Nothing much.” The fact was I turns up”— I was recalling uneasily was suddenly overcome with weari- that the Emperor had told me to ness at the role and the tensions it hang —on and had assumed that I created, "just tell them that Mr. would "but it is actually better to Bonforte has a cold and his physi- keep me out of sight. At the mo- cian has ordered him to bed lor a ment we have gotten away with it rest. I’ve had a bellyful.” completely, haven’t we? Oh, they Corpsman snorted. "I think I’ll know—somebody knows— that Bon- make it 'pneumonia.’ forte was not the man who went

"Suit yourself.” through the adoption ceremony . . . but they don’t dare raise that issue,

When he had gone Rog turned nor could they prove it if they did. to me and said, "Don’t let it get The same people may suspect that you, Chief. In this business, some a double was used today, but they days are, better than others.” don’t know, they can't be sure -

"Rog, I really am going on the because it is always possible that sick list. You can mention it on Bonforte recovered quickly enough stereo tonight.” to carry it off today. Right?” "So?” Clifton got an odd, half sheepish "I’m going to take to my bed and look on his face. "I’m afraid they

stay there. There is no reason at are fairly sure you were a double, all why Bonforte can’t ’have a cold’ Chief.” until he is ready to get back into "Eh?” harness himself. Every time I make "We shaded the truth a little to an appearance it just increases the keep you from being nervous. Doc probability that somebody will spot Capek was certain from the time he

something wrong . . . and every first examined him that only a mira-

time I do make an appearance that cle could get him in shape to make sorehead Corpsman finds something the audience today. The people who to yap about. An artist can’t do his dosed him would know that, too.” best work with somebody continual- I frowned. "Then you were kid-

ly snarling at him. So let’s let it go ding me earlier when you told me at this and ring down the curtain.” how well he was doing? How is

"Take it easy, Chief. I’ll keep he, Rog? Tell me the truth.” Corpsman out of your hair from "I was telling you the truth that now on. Here we won't be in each time, Chief. That's why I suggested

other’s laps the way we were in the that you see him . . . whereas before

ship.” I was only too glad to string along

120 ASTOUNDING SCIENCS FICTION with your reluctance to see him.” ... I discovered that both politics He added, "Perhaps you had better and economics could make engross- see him, talk with him.” ing reading; those subjects had

"Mm-m-m . . . no.” The reasons never been real to me before. The for not seeing him still applied; if Emperor sent me flowers from the

I did have to make another appear- Royal greenhouse—or were they for

ance I did not want my subconscious me?

playing me tricks. The role called Never mind. I loafed and soaked for a well man. "But, Rog, every- in the luxury of being Lorenzo, or

thing I said applies still more even plain Lawrence Smith. I found emphatically on the basis of what that I dropped back into character

you have just told me. If they are automatically if someone came in,

even reasonably sure that a double but I can't help that. It was not was used today, then we don't dare necessary; I saw no one but Penny risk another appearance. They were and Capek, except for one visit from

caught by surprise today . . or Dak.

perhaps it was impossible to unmask But even lotus-eating can pall.

me, under the circumstances. But By the fourth day I was as tired of

it will not be, later. They can rig that room as I had ever been of a

some deadfall, some test that I can’t producer's waiting room and I was lonely. pass . . . then blooie! there goes the No one bothered with me;

old ball game.” I thought about it. Capek’s visits had been brisk and ”1 had better be 'sick' as long as professional, and Penny’s visits had necessary. Bill was right; it had bet- been short and few. She had stopped ” ter be 'pneumonia.' calling me "Mr. Bgmforte.”

When Dak showed up I was de-

Such is the power of suggestion lighted to see him. "Dak! What's

that I woke up the next morning new?”

with a stopped-up nose and a sore "Not much. I’ve been trying to throat. Dr. Capek took time to dose get the Tommie overhauled with

me and 1 felt almost human by one hand while helping Rog with supper time; nevertheless he issued political chores with the other. Get-

bulletins about "Mr. Bonforte’s virus ting this campaign lined up is going infection.” The sealed and air- to give him ulcers, three gets you conditioned cities of the Moon being eight.” He sat down. "Politics!” what they are, nobody was anxious "Hm-m-m—Dak, how did you

to be exposed to an air-vectored ever get into it? Offhand, I would ailment; no determined effort was figure voyageurs to be as unpolitical made to get past my chaperones. as actors. And you in particular." For four days I loafed and read from "They are and they aren’t. Most Bonforte s library, both his own col- ways they don't give a damn whether lected papers and his many books school keeps or not, as long as they

DOUBI.F. STAR 121 ”

can keep on herding junk through time, to accept the caretaker cabinet. the sky. But to do that you’ve got But I had not thought about it. It to have cargo, and cargo means was a routine matter, as perfunctory wide-open trade, with any ship free as presenting the list to the Emperor. to go anywhere, no customs non- "Is he going to be able to make it?” sense and no restricted areas. Free- "No. But don’t you worry about dom! And there you are; you're in it. Rog will apologize to the house

politics. As for myself, I came here for your ... I mean his absence . . . first for a spot of lobbying for the and will ask for a proxy rule under 'continuous voyage’ rule, so that no objection procedure. Then he goods on the triangular trade would will read the speech of the Supreme not pay two duties. It was Mr. B.s Minister Designate—Bill is working bill, of course. One thing led to on it right now. Then in his own another and here I am, skipper of person he will move that the gov- his yacht the past six years and ernment be confirmed. Second. No

representing my guild brothers since debate. Pass. Adjourn sine die . . . the last general election.” He sighed. and everybody rushes for home and

"I hardly know how it happened starts promising the voters a hun- myself.” dred Imperials every Mbnday morn- "I suppose you are anxious to get ing. Routine.” He added, "Oh, yes! out of it. Are you going to stand Some member of the Humanity Party for re-election?” will move a resolution of sympathy He stared at me. "Huh? Brother, and a basket of flowers, which will until you’ve been in politics you pass in a fine hypocritical glow. haven’t been alive.'’— They’d rather send flowers to Bon- "But you said forte’s funeral.” He scowled. "I know what I said. It’s rough "It is actually as simple as that? and sometimes it’s dirty and it’s al- What would happen if the proxy ways hard work and tedious details. rule were refused? I thought the

But it’s the only sport for grown- Grand Assembly didn’t recognize ups. All other games are for kids. jaroxies.” All of ’em.” He stood up. "Gotta "They don’t, for all ordinary run.” procedure. You either pair, or you

show up and vote. But this is just ”Oh, stick around.” the idler wheels going around in "Can’t. With the Grand Assem- parliamentary machinery. If they bly convening tomorrow I’ve got to don’t let him appear by proxy to-

I shouldn’t have morrow, then they’ve got to wait Odive RoeO a hand. stopped in at all.” around until he is well before they

"ft is? I didn’t know.” I was can adjourn sine die and get on with aware that the G.A., the outgoing the serious business of hypnotizing

G.A., that is, had to meet one more the voters. As it is, a mock quorum

122 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION has been meeting daily and adjourn- "You pick a funny way to en- ing ever since Quiroga resigned. courage me. Dak, be level with me.

This Assembly is as dead as Caesar's Do you want me to do this job to ghost, but it has to be buried con- morrow? Or don’t you?” stitutionally.” "Of course I do! Why the devil

"Yes . . . but suppose some idiot do you think I stopped in on a busy did object?” day? Just to chat?”

"No one will. Oh, it could force a constitutional crisis. But it won’t The Speaker pro teinpore banged happen." his gavel, the chaplain gave an invo- Neither one of us said anything cation that carefully avoided any dif- for a while. Dak made no move to ferences between one religion and

leave. "Dak, would it make things another . . . and everyone kept easier if I showed up and gave that silent. The seats themselves were speech?” only half filled but the gallery was

"Huh? Shucks, I thought that was packed with tourists. settled. You decided that it wasn’t We heard the ceremonial knock- safe to risk another appearance short ing amplified over the speaker sys- of an utter save-the-baby emergency. tem; the Sergeant- at-Arms rushed

On the whole, I agree with you. the mace to the door. Three times There’s the old saw about the pitcher the Emperor demanded to be admit- and the well.” ted, three times he was refused.

"Yes. But this is just a walk- Then he prayed the privilege; it was through, isn’t it? Lines as fixed as granted by acclamation. We stood a play? Would there be any chance while Willem entered and took his of anyone pulling any surprises on seat back of the Speaker’s desk. He

me that I couldn’t handle?’’ was in uniform as Admiral General "Well, no. Ordinarily you would and was unattended, as was required, be expected to talk to the press after- save by escort of the Speaker and

wards, but your recent illness is an the Sergeant-at-Arms. excuse. We could slide you through Then I tucked my wand under my the security tunnel and avoid them arm and stood up at my place at the entirely.” He smiled grimly. "Of front bench and, addressing the course, there is always the chance Speaker as if the Sovereign were not

that some crackpot in the visitors’ present, I delivered my speech. It gallery has managed to sneak in a was not the one Corpsman had writ-

gun . . . Mr. B. always referred to ten; that one went down the oubli-

it as the 'shooting gallery’ after ette as soon as I had read it. Bill

they winged him from it.” had made it a straight campaign

My leg gave a sudden twinge. speech, and it was the wrong time "Are you trying to scare me off?” and place. "No.” Mine was short, non-partisan, and

DOUBLE STAR 123 —

i cribbed right straight out of Bon- "A good performance, Joseph.” 1 forte's collected writings, a para- don’t know whether he thought he phrase of the one the time before was talking to me, or to his old when he formed a caretaker govern- friend—and I did not care. I did not ment. I stood foursquare for good wipe away the tears; I just let them roads and good weather and wished drip as I turned back to the Assem- that everybody would love every- bly. I waited for Willem to leave, body else, just the way all us good then adjourned them. democrats loved our Sovereign and Diana, Ltd., ran four extra shut- he loved us. It was a blank-verse tles that afternoon. New Batavia was

. lyric poem of about five hundred deserted . . that is to say there were words and if I varied from Bon- only the Court and a million or so forte's earlier speech then I simply butchers, bakers, candlestick makers went up on my lines. and civil servants left in town They had to quiet the gallery. and a skeleton cabinet. Hog got up and moved that the names I had mentioned in passing Having gotten over my "cold” be confirmed —second and no objec- and appeared publicly in the Grand tion and the clerk cast a white ballot. Assembly Hall it no longer made

As I marched forward attended by sense to hide out. As the supposed one member of my own party and Supreme Minister I could not, with- one member of the opposition I out causing comment, never be seen; could see members glancing at their as the nominal head of" a political watches and wondering if they party entering a campaign for a could still catch the noon shuttle. general election I had to see people

Then I was swearing allegiance . . . some people, at least. So I did to my Sovereign, under and subject what I had to do and got a daily to the constitutional limitations, report on Bonforte’s progress toward swearing to defend and continue the complete recovery. His progress was rights and privileges of the Grand good, if slow; Capek reported that

Assembly, and to protect the free- it was possible, if absolutely neces- doms of the citizens of the Empire sary, to let him appear any time wherever they might be—and in- now—but he advised against it; he cidentally to carry out the duties of had lost almost twenty pounds and His Majesty’s Supreme Minister. his co-ordination was poor. The chaplain mixed up the words Rog did everything possible to once, but 1 straightened him out. protect both of us. Mr. Bonforte

I thought I was breezing through knew now that they were using a it as easy as a curtain speech—when double for him and, after a first fit

I found that I was crying so hard of indignation, had relaxed to neces- that I could hardly see. When I was sity and approved it. Rog ran the done, Willem said quietly to me, campaign, consulting him only on

124 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION matters of high policy, and then passing on his answers, to me to hand out publicly when necessary. But the protection given me was almost as great; I was as hard to see as a top-flight agent. My offices ran

on , into the mountain beyond the opposition leader's apartments (we did not move over into the Supreme Minister’s more palatial quarters; while it would have been legal, it just "was not done” during a care- taker regime) —my offices could be reached from the rear directly from the lower living room but to get at me from the public entrance a man had to pass about five check points —except for the favored few who were conducted directly by Rog through a by-pass tunnel to Penny’s office and from there into mine.

The set-up meant that I could study the Farle-yfile on anyone be- fore he got to see me. I could even keep it in front of me w'hile he w'as with me, for the desk had a recessed viewer the visitor could not see, yet

I could wipe it out instantly if he turned out to be a floor pacer. The viewer had other uses; Rog could give a visitor the special treatment, rushing, him right in to see me, leave him alone with m6—and stop in Penny’s office and write me a note, which would then be projected on

the viewer . . . such quick tips as: "Kiss him to death and promise nothing” or "All he really wants is for his wife to be presented at Court. Promise him that and get rid of him”—or even: "Easy on this one. It’s a 'swing’ district and he is

DOUBLE STAR 12E smarter than he looks. Turn him Farleyfile system would break down over to me and I’ll dicker.” if I attempted to mix with crowds, I don’t know who ran the gov- not to mention the unknown hazards ernment. The senior career men, of the Actionist goon squads—what probably. There would be a stack of I would babble with a minim dose papers on my desk each morning, of neodexocaine in the forebrain

I would sign Bonforte’s sloppy sig- none of 11s liked to think about, me nature to them, and Penny would least of all. take them away. I never had time to read them. The very size of the Quiroga was hitting all six con- Imperial machinery dismayed me. tinents on Earth, making his stereo Once, when we had to attend a appearances as personal appearances meeting outside the offices, Penny on platforms in front of crowds. But had led me on what she called a it did not worry Rog Clifton. He

short cut through the Archives . . . shrugged and said, "Let him. There miles on miles of endless files, each are no new votes to be picked up by one chock-a-block with microfilm personal appearances at political and all of them with moving belts rallies. All it does is wear out tire scooting past them so that a clerk speaker. Those rallies are attended would not take all day to fetch one only by the faithful.” file. I hoped that he knew what he But Penny told me that she had was talking about. The campaign taken me through only one wing of was short, only six weeks from it. The file of the files, she said, Quiroga’s resignation to the day he occupied a cavern the size of the had set for the election before re-

Grand Assembly Hall. It made me signing, and I was speaking almost glad that government was not a every day, either on a grand net- career with me, but merely a passing work with time shared precisely hobby, so to speak. with the Humanity Party, or Seeing people was an unavoidable speeches canned and sent by shuttle chore, largely useless since Rog, or for later release to particular audi- Bonforte through Rog, made the ences. We had a set routine; a draft decisions. My real job was to make would come to me, perhaps from campaign speeches. A discreet rumor Bill although I never saw him, and had been spread that my doctor had then I would rework it. Rog would been afraid that my heart had been take the revised draft away; usually strained by the "virus infection” and it would come back approved . . . had advised me to stay in the low and once in a while there would be gravity of the Moon throughout the corrections made in Bonforte’s hand- campaign. I did not dare risk taking writing, now so sloppy as to be al- the impersonation on a tour of Earth, most illegible. much less make a trip to Venus; the I never ad-libbed at all on those

126 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION a

parts he corrected, though I often and soothing post-hypnotic sugges- did on the rest-—fwhen you get roll- tions and kept her out of the sick ing there is often a better, more room after that. Naturally I was not alive, way to say a thing, I began told about it at the time; it wasn’t to notice the nature of his, correc- any of my business. But Penny tions; they were almost always elim- perked up and again was her lovable,

inations of qualifiers . . . make it incredibly efficient self. blunter, let ’em like it or lump it! It made a lot of difference to me,

After a while there were fewer Let’s admit it; at least twice I would corrections. 1 was getting with it. have walked out on the whole in-

I still never saw him. I felt that credible rat race if it had not been

1 could not "wear his head” if I for Penny. looked at him on his sickbed. But

I was not the only one who was not There was one sort of meeting seeing him of his intimate family; I had to attend, those of the cam- Capek had chucked Penny out—for paign executive committee. Since the her own good. I did not know it at Expansionist Party was a minority the time. I did know that Penny had party, being merely the largest frac- become irritable, absent-minded, and tion of a coalition of several parties moody after we reached New' Bata- held together by the leadership and via. She got circles under her eyes personality of John Joseph Bonforte, like a raccoon ... all of which I I had to stand in for him and peddle could not miss, but I attributed it soothing syrup to those prinia don- to the pressure of the campaign *nas. I was briefed for it with pains- combined with worry about Bon- taking care, and Rog sat beside me forte’s health. I was only partly and could hint the proper direction , right. Capek spotted it and took ac- if I faltered. But it could not be tion, put her under light hypnosis delegated. and asked her questions—then he Less than two w'eeks before elec- flatly forbade her to see Bonforte tion day we were due for a meeting again until I was done and finished at which the safe districts would be and shipped away. parceled out. The organization al- The poor girl was going almost ways had thirty to forty districts out of her mind from visiting the which could be used to make some- sick room of the man she hopelessly one eligible for cabinet office, or to loved—then going straight in to provide for a political secretary— work closely 'with a man w'ho looked person like Penny was much more and talked and sounded just like valuable if he or she was fully quali- him, but in good health. She was fied, able to move and speak on the probably beginning to hate me. floor of the Assembly, had the right Good old Doc Capek got at the to be present at closed caucuses and root of her trouble, gave her helpful so forth—or for other party reasons.

DOUBLE STAR 127 Bonforte himself represented a paragraph. "How do you like it?”

safe” district; it relieved him from "Thdt ought to nail his hide to the necessity of precinct campaign- the door,” agreed Rog. "Here’s the

ing. Clifton had another. Dak would 'safe’ list, Chief. Want to look it

have had one if he had needed it, over? We’re due there in twenty but he actually commanded the sup- minutes.”

port of his guild brethren. Rog even "Oh, that damned meeting. I hinted to me once that if I wanted don’t see why I should look at the

to come back in my proper person, list. Anything you want to tell me say the word and my name would about it?” Nevertheless I took the go on the next list. list and glanced down it. 1 knew

Some of the spots were always them all from their Farleyfilcs and a saved for party wheelhorses willing few of them from contact; I knew to resign at a moment’s notice and already why each one had to be thereby provide the Party with a taken care of. place through a by-election if it Then I struck the name: Corps- proved necessary to qualify a man man, William J. for cabinet office, or something. I fought down what I felt was But the whole thing had some- justifiable annoyance and said quiet-

what the flavor of patronage and, ly, "I see Bill is on the list, Rog.” the Coalition being what it was, it "Oh, yes. I wanted to tell you was necessary for Bonforte to about that. You see, Chief, as we straighten out conflicting claims and all know, there has been a certain submit a list to the, campaign execu- amount of bad blood between you tive committee. It was a last-minute and Bill. Now I’m not blaming you;

job, to be done just before the bal- it’s been Bill’s fault. But there are lots were prepared, to allow for late always two sides. What yOu may not

changes. have realized is that Bill has been

When Rog and Dak came in I was carrying around a tremendous in-

working on a speech and had told feriority feeling; it gives him a chip

Penny to hold off anything but five- on the shoulder. This will fix it up.”

alarm fires. Quiroga had made a "So?”

wild statement in Sydney, Australia, "Yes. It is what he has always

the night before, of such a nature wanted. You see, the rest of us all that we could expose the lie and have official status, we’re members

make him squirm. I was trying my of the G.A., I mean. I’m talking hand at a speech in answer, without about those who work closely

waiting for a draft to be handed around, uh, you. Bill feels it. I’ve

me; I had high hopes of getting my heard him say, after the third drink, own version approved. that he was just a hired man. He’s

When they came in I said, "Listen bitter about it. You don’t mind, do

to this,” and read them the key you? The Party can afford it and it’s

128 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

an price ; easy to pay for elimination "What do you mean?”

of , friction at headquarters.” "I mean 'No!’ You did ask me;

therefore there is doubt in your

I had myself under full control mind. So, if you expect me to present by now. "It’s none of my business. that name to the committee as if Why should I mind, if that is what I were Bonforte—then go in and Mr. Bonforte wants?” ask him.”

I; caught just a flicker of a glance They both sat and said nothing. from Dak to Clifton. I added, "That Finally Dak sighed and said, "Tell is what Mr. B. wants? Isn’t it, the rest, Rog. Or I will.”

Rog?” I waited. Clifton took his cigar Dak said harshly, "Tell him, out of his mouth and said, "Chief, Rog.” Mr. Bonforte had a stroke four days

Rog said slowly, "Dak and I ago. He's in no shape to be dis- whipped this up ourselves. We think turbed.” it is for the best.” I held still, and recited to myself

"Then Mr. Bonforte did not ap- all of "the cloud-capped towers, the prove it? You asked him, surely?” gorgeous palaces,” and so forth.

"No, we didn’t.” When I was back in shape I said,

"Why not?” "How is his mind?”

'Chief, this is not the sort of "His mind seems clear enough, thing to bother him with. He’s a but he is terribly tired. That week tired, old, sick man. I have not been as a prisoner was more of an ordeal worrying him with anything less than we realized. The stroke left than major policy decisions—which him in a coma for twenty- four hours. this isn’t. It is a district we com- He’s out of it now, but the left side mand no matter who stands for it.” of his face is paralyzed and his en-

"Then why ask my opinion about tire left side is partly out of service.” it at all?” "Uh, what does Dr. Capek say?” "Well, we felt you should know "He thinks that, as the clot clears

. . . and know why. We think you up, you’ll never be able to tell the

Ought to approve it.” difference. But he'll have to take it

"Me? You’re asking me for a easier than he used to. But, Chief, decision as if I were Mr. Bonforte. right now he is ill. We'll just have I’m not.” I tapped the desk in his to carry on through the balance of nervous gesture. "Either this deci- the campaign without him.” sion is at his level, and you should I felt a ghost of the lost feeling ask him—or it’s not, and you should I had had when my father died. never have asked me.” I had never seen Bonforte, I had Rog chewed his cigar, then said, had nothing from him but a few

"All right, I’m not asking you.” scrawded corrections on typeset ipt. " No!” But I leaned on him all the way.

DOUBLE STAR 129 The fact that he was in that room he can arrange a by-election for him next door had made the whole thing later . . . when he’s feeling him- possible. self.”

I took a long breath, let it out, Clifton showed no expression. He and said, "O.K., Rog. We'll have simply picked up the list and said, to.” "Very well, Chief.” "Yes, Chief.” He stood up.

"We’ve got to get over to that Later that same day Bill quit. I meeting. How about that ?” He nod- suppose Rog had to tell him that ed toward the safe-districts list. his arm-twisting had not worked.

"Oh.” I tried to think. Maybe it But when Rog told me about it I was possible that Bonforte would felt sick, realizing that my stiff- reward Bill with the privilege of necked attitude had us all in acute calling himself "The Honorable,” danger. I told him so. He shook just to keep him happy. He wasn’t his head. small about such things; he did not "But he knows it all ! It was his bind the mouths of the kine who scheme from the start. Look at the tread the grain. In one of his essays load of dirt he can haul over to the on politics he had said, "I am not Humanity camp.” an intellectual man. If I have any "Forget it, Chief. Bill may be a special talent, it lies in picking men louse—I’ve no use for a man who of ability and letting them work.” will quit in the middle of a cam- "How long has Bill been with paign; you just don’t do that, ever. him?” I asked suddenly. But he is not a rat. In his profession "Eli? About four years. A little you don’t spill a client’s secrets, even over.” if you fall out with him.” Bonforte evidently had liked his "I hope you are right.” work. "That’s past one general elec- "You’ll see. Don’t worry about tion, isn’t it? Why didn’t he make it. Just get on with the job.” him an assemblyman then?” As the next few days passed I

"Why, I don’t know. The matter came to the conclusion that Rog never came up.” knew Bill better than I did. We "When was Penny put in?” heard nothing from him nor about "About three years ago. A by- him and the Campaign went ahead election.” as usual, getting rougher all the "There’s your answer, Rog.” time, but with not a peep to show "I don’t follow you.” that our giant hoax was compro-

"Bonforte could have made Bill mised. I began to feel better and a Grand Assemblyman at any time. buckled down to making the best He didn’t choose to. Change that Bonforte speeches I could manage nomination to a 'resigner.’ Then if . . . sometimes with Rog’s help;

Mr. Bonforte wants Bill to have it, sometimes just with his O.K. Mr.

130 ASTOUND TNG SCIENCE FICTION Bon forte was steadily improving letting it show. "A fine outfit. I hope again, but Capek had him on abso- they are paying you what you are lute quiet. worth. Now to business— The writ- Rog had to go to Earth during ten questions first. You have them, the last week; there are types of Penny?”

fence-mending that simply can't be I went rapidly through the written done by remote control. After all, questions, giving out answers I had votes come from the precincts and already had time to think over, then the field managers count for more sat back as usual and said, "We have

than the speech makers. But speeches time to bat it around a bit, gentle- still had to be made and press con- men. Any other questions?”

ferences given; I carried on, with There were several. I was forced Dak and Penny at my elbow—of to answer "No comment” only once course I was much more closely with —an answer Bonforte preferred to it now; most questions I could an- an ambiguous one. Finally I glanced swer without stopping to think. at my watch and said, "That wdll be There was the usual twice-weekly all this morning, gentlemen,” and press conference in the offices the started to stand up. day Rog was due back. I had been "Smythe!” Bill shouted. hoping that he would be back in I kept right on getting to my feet, time for it, but there was no reason did not look toward him. I could not take it alone. Penny "I mean you, Mr. Phony Bon- walked in ahead of me, carrying her forte-Smythe!” he went on angrily, gear; I heard her gasp. raising his voice still more. I saw then that Bill was at the This time I did look at him, with far end of the table.

astonishment . . just the amount . But I looked around the room as appropriate, I think, to an important usual and said, "Good morning, official subjected to rudeness under gentlemen.” unlikely conditions. Bill was point- "Good morning, Mr. Minister!” ing at me and his face was red. most of them answered. "You impostor! You small-time I added, "Good morning, Bill. l” actor! You fraud Didn’t know you were here. Whom The London Times man on my are you representing?” right said quietly, "Do you want me They gave him dead silence to to call the guard, sir?” reply. Every one of them knew that I said, "No. He’s harmless.” Bill had quit us ... or had been Bill laughed. "So I’m harmless, fired. He grinned at me, and an- swered, "Good morning, Mr. Bon- huh? You’ll find out.” forte. I’m with the Krein Syndicate.” "I really think I should, sir,” the

I knew it was coming then; I tried Times man insisted.

not to give him the satisfaction of "No.” I then said sharply, "That’s

DOUBLE STAR 131 —

enough, Bill. You had better leave anecdote may add something to it. quietly.” Did you ever hear of the professor "Don't you wish I would?” He who spent forty years of his life started spewing forth the basic story, proving that the Odyssey was not

talking rapidly. He made no men- written by Homer . . . but by an- tion of the kidnaping and did not other Greek of the same name?”

mention his own part in the hoax, It got a polite laugh. I smiled and but implied that he had left us rather started to turn away again. Bill came than be mixed up in any such rushing around the table and grab- swindle. The impersonation was at- bed at my arm. "You can’t laugh

tributed, correctly as far as it went, it off!” The Times man — Mr. to illness on the part of Bonforte Ackroyd, it was—pulled him away with a strong hint that we might from me. have doped him. I said, "Thank you, sir.” Then to Corpsman I added, "What do you I listened patiently. Most of the want me to do, Bill? I’ve tried to reporters simply listened at first, with avoid having you arrested.” that stunned expression of outsiders "Call the guards if you like, you exposed unwillingly to a vicious fam- phony! We’ll see who stays in jail ily argument. Then some of them longest ! IFah until they take your started scribbling or dictating into fingerprints!” minicorders. I sighed and made the understate-

When he stopped I said, "Are you ment of my life. "This is ceasing through, Bill?” to be a joke. Gentlemen, I think 1 "That’s enough, isn’t it?” had better put an end to this. Penny "More than enough. I’m sorry. my dear, will you please have some-

Bill. That’s all, gentlemen. I must one send in fingerprinting equip- get back to work.” ment?” I knew I was sunk—but,

"Just a moment, Mr. Minister!” damn it, if you are caught by the Someone called out. "Do you want Birkenhead Drill, the least you owe to issue a denial?” Someone else yourself is to stand at attention while added, "Are you going to sue?” the ship goes down. Even a villain

I answered the latter question first. should make a good exit. "No, I shan’t sue. One doesn’t sue Bill did not wait. He grabbed the a sick man.” water glass that had been sitting in

"Sick, am I?” shouted Bill. front of me; I had handled it sev- "Quiet down, Bill. As for issuing eral times. "The hell with that! This a denial, I hardly think it is called will do.” for. However, I see that some of "I’ve told you before, Bill, to you have been taking notes. While mind your language in the presence

I doubt if any of your publishers of ladies. But you may keep the would run this story, if they do, this glass.”

132 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION "You're bloody well right I’ll were checking the prints before risk-

keep it.” ing it—after all, I was supposed to "Very well. Please leave. If not, be His Imperial Majesty’s first minis-

1 11 be forced to summon the guard.” ter; they would want confirmation.

He walked out. Nobody said any- So I decided to make the speech,

thing. I said, "May I provide finger- since I had already written it and

prints for any of the rest of you?” the time was scheduled. I couldn’t Ackroyd said hastily, "Oh, I’m even consult Dak; he was away in sure we don’t want them, Mr. Tycho City.

Minister.” It was the best one I made. I put

"Oh, by all means! If there is a into it the same stuff a comic uses story in this, you’ll want to be cov- to quiet a panic in a burning theater.

ered.” I insisted because it was in After the pickup was dead I just character—and in the second and sunk my face in my hands and wept, third place, you can’t be a little bit while Penny patted my shoulder.

pregnant, nor slightly unmasked . . . We had not discussed the horrible

and 1 did not want my friends pres- mess at all.

ent lo be scooped by Bill; it was Rog grounded at twenty hundred

the last tiling I could do for them. Greenwich, about as I finished, and checked in with me as soon as he

We did not have to send for was back. In a dull monotone I told tormal equipment. Penny had carbon him the whole dirty story; he listen- sheets and someone had one of ed, chewing on a dead cigar, his face those lifetime memopads with plas- expressionless.

tic sheets; they took prints nicely. At the end I said almost plead-

Then I said good morning and left. ingly, "I had to give the fingerprints, We got as far as Penny’s private Rog. You see that, don’t you? To office; once inside she fainted dead. refuse would not have been in

1 carried her into my office, laid her character.” on the couch, then sat down at my Rog said, "Don’t worry.” desk and simply shook for several "Huh?” minutes. "I said, 'Don’t worry.’ When the Neither one of us was worth much reports on those prints come back the rest of the day. We carried on from the Identification Bureau at as usual except that Penny brushed the Hague, you are in for a small off all callers, claiming excuses of but pleasant surprise . . . and our some sort. I was due to make a ex-friend Bill is in for a much bigger speech that night and thought seri- one, but ' not pleasant. If he has ously of canceling it. But I left the collected any of his blood money news turned on all day and there in advance, they will probably take was not a word about the incident of it out of his hide. I hope they do.” that morning. I realized that they I could not mistake what he

DOUBLE STAR 133 meant. "Oh! Bat Rog . . . they won’t fingerprints, but he could safely wait stop there. There are a dozen other a year or more for that. places. Social Security . . . uh, lots Election day I was happy as a of places.” puppy in a shoe closet. The imper-

"You think perhaps we were not sonation was over, although I was

thorough? Chief, . I knew this could going to do one more short turn. happen, one way or another. From I had already canned two five-minute the moment Dak sent word to com- speeches for grand network, one plete .Plan Mardi Gras, the necessary magnanimously accepting victory, cover-up started. Everywhere. But I the other gallantly conceding defeat; didn't think it necessary to tell Bill.” my job was finished. When the last

He sucked on his dead cigar, took it one was in the can, I grabbed Penny out of his mouth and looked at it. and kissed her. She didn't even seem "Poor Bill.” to mind. Penny sighed softly and fainted The remaining short turn was a again. command performance; Mr. Bon- forte wanted to see me—as him— X before he let me drop it. I did not mind. Now that the strain was over,

Somehow we got to the final day. it did not worry me to see him; We did not hear from Bill again; playing him for his entertainment the passenger lists showed that he would be like a comedy skit, except went Earthside two days after his that I would do it straight. What fiasco. If any news service ran any- am I saying?—playing straight is thing I did not hear of it, nor did the essence of comedy.

Quiroga’s speeches hint at it. The whole family would gather Mr. Bonforte steadily improved in the upper living room—there, until it was a safe bet that he could because Mr. Bonforte had not seen take up his duties after the election. the sky in some weeks and wanted His paralysis continued in part but to—and there we would listen to we even had that covered: he would the returns, and either drink to vic- go on vacation right after election, tory, or drown our sorrows and a routine practice that almost every swear to do better next time. Strike politician indulges in. The vacation me out of the last part; I had had would be in the Tommie, safe from my first and last political campaign everything. Sometime in the course and I wanted no more politics. I was

of the trip I would be transferred not even sure I wanted to act again. and smuggled back—and the Chief Acting every minute for over six would have a mild stroke, brought weeks adds up to about five hundred on by the strain of the campaign. ordinary performances. That’s a long Rog would have to unsort some run.

134 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION They brought him up the lift in weeks; the need was to keep the

a wheel chair. I stayed out of sight fact from calling attention to the and let them arrange him on a impersonation: couch before I came in; a man is But these practical details were entitled not to have his weakness going on by themselves in a corner displayed before strangers. Besides of my mind; my own being was

I wanted to make an entrance. welling with emotion. Ill though

I was almost startled out of he was, the man gave off a force character. He looked like my father! both spiritual and virile. I felt that

Oh, it was just a "family” resem- warm, almost holy, shock one feels blance; he and I looked much more when first coming into sight of that alike than either one of us looked great statue of Abraham Lincoln. like my father, but the likeness was I was reminded of another statue, there—and the age was right, for too, seeing him lying there with his

I he , looked old. had not guessed legs and his helpless left side cover- how much he had aged. He was thin ed with a shawl: the wounded Lion and his hair was white. of Lucerne. He had that massive

I made an immediate mental note strength and dignity, even when that, during the coming vacation in helpless: "The Old Guard dies, but space, I must help them prepare for it never surrenders.” the transition, the re-substitution. He looked up as I came in and No doubt Capek could put weight smiled the warm, tolerant and back on him; if not, there were ways friendly smile I had learned to por- to make a man appear fleshier with- tray, and motioned with his good out obvious padding. I would dye hand for me to come to him. I his hair myself. The delayed an- smiled the same smile back and nouncement of the stroke he had went to him. He shook hands with suffered would cover the inevitable a grip surprisingly strong and said discrepancies. After all, he bad warmly, "I am happy to meet you changed this much in only a few at last.” His speech was slightly

DOUBLE STAR 135 — —

blurred and I could now see the ing: "A slave cannot be freed, save

slackness on the side of his face he do it himself. Nor can you en- away from me. slave a free man; the very most you

"I am honored and happy to meet can do is kill him!”

you, sir.” I had to think about it There was that wonderful hushed to keep from matching the blurring silence, then a ripple of clapping of paralysis. and Bonforte himself was pounding He looked me up and down, and the couch with his good hand and grinned. "It looks to me as if you calling, "Bravo!” had already met me.” It was the only applause I ever

1 glanced down at myself. ''I have got in the role. It was enough. tried, sir.” He had me pull up a chair then,

"'Tried!’ You succeeded. It is and sit with him. I saw him glance

an odd thing to see one's own self.” at the wand, so I handed it to him.

I realized with sudden painful "The safety is on, sir.” empathy that he was not emotionally "I know how to use it.” He look- aware of his own appearance; my ed at it closely, then handed it back. present appearance was "his”—and I had thought perhaps he would any change in himself was merely keep it. Since he did not, I decided incidental to illness, temporary, not to turn it over to Dak to deliver to to be noticed. But he went on speak- him. He asked me about myself and ing, "Would you mind moving told me that he did not recall ever around a bit for me, sir? I want seeing me play, but that he had seen

. . . I to ,see me . . you us. want my father’s "Cyrano.” He was mak- . the audience’s viewpoint for once.” ing a great effort to control the

So I straightened up, moved errant muscles of his mouth and his around the room, spoke to Penny speech was clear but labored.

the poor child was looking from one Then he asked me what I intend- to the other of us with a dazed ex- ed to do now? I told him that I had pression — picked up a paper, no plans as yet. He nodded and said, scratched my collarbone and rubbed "We'll see. There is a place for you. my chin, moved his wand from un- There is work to be done.” He made der my arm to my hand and fiddled no mention of pay, which made me with it. proud. He was watching with delight. So

I added an encore. Taking the mid- The returns were beginning to dle of the rug I gave the peroration come in and he turned his attention of one of his finest speeches, not to the stereo tank. Returns had been trying to do it word for word, but coming in, of course, for forty-eight interpreting it, letting it roll and hours, since the outer worlds and thunder, as he would have done the districtless constituencies vote and ending with his own exact end- before Earth does, and even on

136 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Earth an election "day” is more than But with an honest count we ex- thirty hours long, as the globe turns. pected a shoo-in there. But now we began to get the im- Dak was bending over a slide rule portant districts of the great land at Rog’s side; Rog had a big sheet

masses of Earth. We had forged far of paper laid out in some 1 compli- ahead the day before in the outer cated weighting formula of his own. returns and Rog had had to tell me A dozen or more of the giant metal

that it meant nothing; the Expan- brains through the Solar System were sionists always carried the Out doing the same thing that night, but Worlds. What the billions of people Rog preferred his own guesses. He still on Earth who had never been told me once that he could walk

out, and never would, thought about through a district, "sniffing” it, and

it was what mattered. come within two per cent of its

But we needed every outer vote results. I think he could. we could get. The Agrarian Party Doc Capek was sitting back with

on Ganymede had swept five out of his hands over his paunch, as re- six districts; they were part of our laxed as an angleworm. Penny was Coalition, and the Expansionist Party moving around, pushing straight as such did not put up even token things crooked and vice versa and candidates. The situation on Venus fetching us drinks. She never seemed was more ticklish, with the Venu- to look directly at either me or Mr. sians split into dozens of splinter Bonforte. parties divided on fine points of I had never before experienced theology impossible for a human an election-night party; they are not being to understand. Nevertheless like any other. There is a cozy, warm we expected most of the native rapport of all passion spent. It really either through vote, directly or cau- does not matter too much how the cused coalition later, and we should people decide; you have done your get practically all of the human vote best, you are with your friends and there. The Imperial restriction that comrades and for a while there is the natives must select human beings no worry and no pressure despite to represent them at New Batavia the over-all excitement, like frosting was a thing Bonforte was pledged on a cake, of the incoming returns. to remove; it gained us votes on I don’t know when I’ve had so Venus; we did not know yet how good a time. many votes it would lose us on Rog looked up, looked at me, then Earth. Bonforte. Since the Nests sent only observers spoke to Mr. "The Con- to the Assembly the only vote we tinent is seesaw. The Americas are worried about on Mars w'as the hu- testing the water with a toe before man vote. We had the popular coming in on our side; the only sentiment; they had the patronage. question is, how deep?”

DOUBLE STAR 137 ! 'Can you make a projection, We went down the lift and Rog?” through the silent, empty private "Not yet. Oh, we have the popu- quarters and on through; my office lar vote but in the G:A. it could and Penny’s. Beyond her door was swing either way, by half a dozen bedlam. A stereo receiver, moved seats.” He stood up. "I think I had in for the purpose, was blasting at better mosey out into town.” full gain, the floor was littered, and

Properly speaking, I should have everybody was drinking, or smoking, gone, as "Mr. Bonforte.” The Party or both. Even Jimmie Washington Leader should certainly appear at was holding a drink while he listen- the main headquarters of the party ed to the returns. He was not drink- sometime during election night. But ing it; he neither drank nor smoked.

1 I had never been in headquarters, it No doubt someone had handed it to being the sort of a button-holing him and he had kept it. Jimmie had place where my impersonation might a fine sense of fitness. be easily breached. My “illness” I made the rounds, with Rog at had excused me from it during the my side, thanked Jimmie warmly and campaign; tonight it was not worth very sincerely, and apologized that the risk, so Rog would go instead, I was feeling tired. “I’m going up and shake hands and grin and let and spread the bones, Jimmie. Make the keyed-up girls who had done the my excuses to people, will you?” hard and endless paperwork throw “Yes, sir. You've got to take care their arms around him and weep. of yourself, Mr. Minister.”

“Back in an hour.” I went back up while Rog went

Even our little party should have on out into the public tunnels. been down on the lower level, to Penny shushed me with a finger

include all the office staff, especially to her lips when I came into the

Jimmie Washington. But it would upper living room. Bonforte seemed not work, not without shutting Mr. to have dropped off to sleep and the

Bonforte himself out of it. They receiver was muted down. Dak still

were having their own party of sat in front of it, filling in figures

course. I stood up. “Rog, I'll go on the big sheet against Rog’s re- down with you and say hello to turn. Capek had not moved. He Jimmie’s harem.” nodded and raised his glass to me.

"Eh? You don’t have to, you I let Penny fix me a Scotch and know.” water, then stepped out into the “It’s the proper thing to do, isn’t bubble balcony. It wars night both

it? And it really isn’t any trouble by clock and by fact and Earth was

or risk.” I turned to Mr. Bonforte. almost full, dazzling in a Tiffany

“How about it, sir?” spread of stars. I searched North

“I would appreciate it very America and tried to pick out the much.” little dot I had left only weeks

138 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION ”

earlier, and tried to get my emotions was simply saying in different words straight. what we already knew.

After a while I came back in; Rog came back; Penny turned up night on Luna is rather overpower- the gain. The announcer went on for ing. Rog returned a little later and a moment, then stopped, read some- sat back down at his work sheets thing that was handed to him, and without speaking. 1 noticed that turned back with a broad grin.

Bonforte was awake again. "Friends and fellow citizens, I now The critical returns were coming bring you a statement from the in now and everybody kept quiet, Supreme Minister!'’ letting Rog with his pencil and Dak The picture changed to my victory with his slide rule have peace to speech. work. At long, long last, Rog shoved I sat there, luxuriating in it, with his chair back. "That’s it, Chief,” my feelings as mixed up as possible he said without looking up. "We’re but all good, painfully good. I had in. Majority not less than seven seats, done a job on the speech and I knew probably nineteen, possible over it; I looked tired, sweaty, and calmly thirty.” triumphant. It sounded ad-lib.

After a pause Bonforte said I had just reached: "Let us go . quietly, "You’re sure?” forward— together, with freedom for "Positive. Penny, try another all ” when I heard a noise behind channel and see what we get.” me.

I went over and sat by Bonforte; "Mr. Bonforte!” I said. "Doc!

I could not talk. He reached out Doc! Come quickly!” and patted my hand in a fatherly Mr. Bonforte was pawing at me way and we both watched the re- with his right hand and trying very ceiver. The first station Penny got urgently to tell me something. But ". said: . . Doubt about it, folks; it was no use; his poor mouth failed eight of the robot brains say yes, him and his mighty indomitable will Curiae says maybe. The Expansionist— could not make the weak flesh obey. Party has won a decisive ” She I took him in my arms—then he switched to another. went into Cheyne-Stokes breathing ". . . Confirms his temporary post and quickly into termination. for another five years. Mr. Quiroga cannot be reached for a statement They took his body back down in but his general manager in New the lift, Dak and Capek together; Chicago admits —that the present trend I was no use to them. Rog came up cannot be over and patted me on the shoulder, then Rog got up and went to the he went away. Penny had followed

phone; Penny muted the news down the others down. Presently I went until nothing could be heard. The again out onto the balcony. I needed

announcer continued mouthing; he "fresh air” even though it was the

DOUBLE STAR 139 same machine-pumped air as the what you have to do now? Don't living room. But it felt fresher. you?”

They had killed him. His enemies I felt dizzy and his face blurred. had killed him as certainly as if they I did not know what he was talking had put a knife in his ribs. Despite about— I did not want to know what all that we had done, the risks we he was talking about. had taken, in the end they had mur- "What do you mean?” dered him. "Murder most foul!” "Chief . . . one man dies—but

I , felt dead inside me, numb with the show goes on. You can't quit the shock. I had seen "myself” die, now.”

I had again seen my father die. I My head ached and my eyes would knew then why they so rarely man- not focus. He seemed to pull to- age to save one of a pair of Siamese ward me and away while his voice ". twins. I was empty. drove on. . . Robbed him of his

I don’t know how long I stayed chance to finish his work. So you’ve out there. Eventually I heard Rog’s got to do it for him. You’ve got to voice behind me. "Chief?” make him live again!”

I turned. "Rog,” I said urgently,

140 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION I shook my head and made a only under carefully stage-managed

great effort to pull myself together conditions . . . and we’ve just missed and reply. "Rog, you don’t know being caught out as it is. But to what you are saying. It’s preposter- make it work week after week,

ous . . . ridiculous ! I’m no states- month after month, even year after man. I’m just a bloody actor! I make year if I understand you— no, it faces and make people laugh. That’s couldn’t be done. It is impossible. all I'm good for.” I can't do it!”

To my own horror I heard myself "You can\" He leaned toward say it in Bonforte's voice. me and said forcefully, "We’ve all

Rog looked at me. "Seems to me talked it over and wc know the you’ve done all right so far.” hazards as well as you do. But you’ll

I tried to change my voice, tried have a chance to grow into it. Two to gain control of the situation. weeks in space to start with—hell, "Rog, you’re upset. When you’ve a month if you want it! You’ll study calmed down you will see how all the time—his journals, his boy- ridiculous this is. You’re right; the hood diaries, his scrapbooks, you'll show goes on. But not that way. The soak yourself in them. And we'll all proper thing to do—the only thing help you.”

to do—is for you yourself to move I did not answer. He went on, on up. The election is won; you’ve "Look, Chief, you’ve learned that

got your majority . . . now you take a political personality is not one office and carry out the program.” man; it’s a team . . . it’s a team He looked at me and shook his bound together by common purposes head sadly. "I would if I could. I and common beliefs. We’ve lost our admit it. But I can’t. Chief, you re- team captain and we’ve got to have

member those confounded executive another one. But the team is still committee meetings? You kept them there.” in line. The whole Coalition has

been kept glued together by the per- Capek was out on the balcony; sonal force and leadership of one I had not seen him come out. I man. If you don’t follow through turned to him. "Are you for this, now, all that he lived for—and died too?” for—will fall apart.” "Yes.” I had no answering argument; "Its’ your duty,” Rog added. he might be right— I had seen the Capek said slowly, "I won’t go wheels within wheels of politics in that far. I hope you will do it. But, the past month and a half. "Rog, it, I won’t be your conscience. even if what you say is true, the damn

solution you offer is impossible. I believe in free will, frivolous as We’ve barely managed to keep up that may sound from a medical this pretense by letting me be seen man.” He turned to Clifton. "We

DOUBLE STAR 141 :

had better leave him alone, Rog. He and changeless in the sky; I won- knows. Now it’s up to him.” dered what the election night cele- But, although they left, I was not brations there sounded like. Mars to be alone just yet. Dak came out. and Jupiter and Venus were all in To my relief and gratitude he did sight, strung like prizes along the not call me "Chief.” zodiac. Ganymede I could not see, "Hello, Dak.” of course, nor the lonely colony out "Howdy.” He was silent for a on far Pluto. moment, smoking and looking out "Worlds of Hope,” Bonforte had at the stars. Then he turned to me. called them. "Old son, we've been through some But he was dead. He was gone. things together. I know you now, They had taken away from him his and I’ll back you with a gun, or birthright, at its ripe fullness. He money, or fists anytime, and never was dead. ask why. If you choose to drop out And they had put it up to me now, 1 won't have a word of blame to recreate him, make him live and I won’t think any the less of again. you. You’ve done a noble best.” Was I up to it? Could I possibly "Uh, thanks, Dak.” measure up to his noble standards?

"One more word and I’ll smoke What would he want me to do? If

out. Just remember this: if you de- he were in my place . . . what cide you can’t do it, the foul scum would Bonforte do? Again and again who brain-washed him will win. In in the campaign I had asked myself spite of everything, they win.” He "What would Bonforte do?” went inside. Someone moved behind me, I

I felt torn apart in my mind . . . turned and saw Penny. I looked at then I gave way to sheer self-pity. her and said, "Did they send you

It wasn’t fair ! I had my own life out? Did you come to plead with to live. I was at the top of my pow- me?” ers, with my greatest professional "No.” triumphs still ahead of me. It wasn’t She added nothing and did not right to expect me to bury myself, seem to expect me to answer. The perhaps for years, in the anonymity silence -went on, nor did we look at

of another man’s role . . . while the each other. At last I said, "Penny?

public forgot me, producers and If I try to do it . . . will you help?” agents forgot me . . . would proba- She turned suddenly toward me. bly believe I was dead. "Yes. Oh, yes, Chief! I’ll help!”

It wasn’t fair. It was too much to "Then I’ll try,” I said humbly. ask. * * * * Presently I pulled out of it and for a time did not think. Mother I wrote all of the above twenty-

Earth was still serene and beautiful five years ago to try to straighten

142 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

oat my own confusion. I tried to ous, it was at least unkind. The date tell the truth and not spare myself of the clipping proves, incidentally, because it w'as not meant to be read that he could not have been in New by anyone but myself and my thera- Batavia, nor anywhere else, during pist, Dr. Capek. It is strange, after the campaign of T5.

a quarter of a century, to reread the I suppose I should burn it. foolish and emotional words of that But there is no one left aliVe to- young man. I remember him, yet day who knows the truth other than I have trouble realizing that I was Dak and Penelope—except the men ever he. My wife Penelope claims who murdered Bonforte's body.

that she remembers him better than I have been in and out of office

I do—and that she never loved any- three times now and perhaps this

one else. So time changes 11 s. term will be my last. I was knocked

I find I can "remember” Bon- out the first time when we finally put forte’s early life better than I re- the eetees—Venusians and Martians member my actual life as that rather and Outer Jovians—into the Grand pathetic person, Lawrence Smith,— or Assembly. But the non-human peo- >—as he liked to style himself "The ples are still there and I came back. Great Lorenzo.” Does that make The people will take a certain me insane? Schizophrenic, perhaps? amount of reform, then they want

If so, it is a necessary insanity for a rest. But the reforms stay. People

the role 1 have had to play, for in don’t really want change, any change

order to let Bonforte live again, that at all—and xenophobia is very deep-

seedy actor had to be suppressed . . . rooted. But we progress, as we must

completely. . . . if we are to go out to the stars.

Insane or not, I am aware that he Again and again I have asked my-

once existed and that I was he.. He self: "What would Bonforte do?”

was never a success as an actor, not I am not sure that my answers have

really—though I think he was some- always been right (although I am

times touched with the true madness. sure that I am the best-read student

He made his final exit still perfectly in his works in the System). But I

in character; I have a yellowed news- have tried to stay in character in his paper clipping somewhere which role. A long time ago someone— states that he was "found dead” in Voltaire?—someone said, "If Satan a Jersey City hotel room, from an should ever replace God, he would

overdose of sleeping pills appar- find it necessary to assume the at-

ently taken in a fit of despondency, tributes of Divinity.”

for his agent issued a statement that I have never regretted my lost

he had not had a part in several profession. In a way, I have not lost

months. Personally, I feel that they it; Willem was right. There is other need not have mentioned that about applause besides handclapping and

his being out of work; if not libel- there is always the warm glow of a

DOUBLE STAR 143 good performance. I have tried, I though I was happier then—at least suppose, to create the perfect work I slept better. But there is solemn

of art. Perhaps I have not fully satisfaction in doing the best you can succeeded—but I think my father for eight billion people. would rate it as a "good perform- Perhaps their lives have no cosmic

ance.” significance, but they have’ feelings.

No, I do not regret it, even They can hurt. THE END

THE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY We haven’t published an An Lab report for some while. So I hasten to make up for lost time. Your comments are not unheeded; I can’t answer all those letters indi- vidually, but the letters in total help determine the magazine—and specifically determine which authors get the bonus checks.

OCTOBER 1955 PLACE STORY AUTHOR POINTS

1. Call Him Dead (Con.) Eric Frank Russell 1.2 2. The Short Life Francis Donovan 2.2 3. New Blood James Gunn 2.7 4. Security Ernest M. Kenyon 3.9 NOVEMBER 1955 1. Under Pressure (Pt. 1) Frank Herbert 1.33 2. Cubs of the Wolf Raymond F. Jones 2.5 3. The Outvaders Joe L. Hensley 3.5S 4. Slingshot Irving W. Lande 3.75 5. Nobody Bothers Gus Paul Janvier 3.83 DECEMBER 1955 1. Under Pressure (Pt. 2) Frank Herbert 2.31 2. Sand Doom Murray Leinster 2.91 3. The Golden Judge Nathaniel Gordon 3.25 4. Faithfully Yours Lou Tabakow 3.75

5. Far From Home J. A. Taylor 4.00 JANUARY 1956 1. Under Pressure (Con.) Frank Herbert 1.28 2. The Executioner Algis Budrys 1.85 3. Indirection Everett B. Cole 3.28 4. Won’t You Walk— Theodore Sturgeon 3.85 The Editor. 144 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION THE REFERENCE LIBRARY

BY P. SCHUYLER MILLER

published in READERS’ SECOND CHOICE the January, 1953 issue. I’d like to try it again: give our Not quite four years ago, in the readers a second choice. And by

"Reference Library” for June, 1952, starting earlier, I’ll be able to an- I asked our readers for their nomina- nounce the results at the New York tions for two 25-book libraries. One convention, Labor Day week end was to be a "basic” library: their (and scoop myself). choice of the best twenty-five books I have a feeling that the results of all time. The other was to be this time may be quite different. In a sort of historical collection, illus- 1952 the great boom in science- trating the development of science fiction publishing was just getting fiction. The response was gratifying under way; now it’s hit a peak and

(and international) ; the statistical subsided. Pocket-book s-f amounted work was more than I had bargained to next to nothing: Avon, now for, and took some time that I might seemingly inactive, was doing most better have spent at the Chicago of the publishing of originals. convention; and the results were By and large, we were still look-

THE REFERENCE LIBRARY 145 ing and thinking backward then. to send me your list of the twenty- Out of the twenty-eight books I five science-fiction books which you finally listed in the "Basic” library, consider the best ever published. two were by H. G. Wells, one was They don’t have to be in print. They Wright’s "The World Below,” and very definitely can and should in- one was Aldous Huxley’s "Brave clude paperbacks, because we found New World.” Six were anthologies out last time that the p-b’s are the —good ones—and seven were only form in which many of our single-author short-story collections. younger fans read science-fiction In other words, as of 1952 modern novels. science fiction was at its best in the These are the books you would short stories of Heinlein, Bradbury, want to keep if your science-fiction Asimov ("I Robot”), del Rey and library were limited to twenty-five John Campbell, plus Groff Conklin's books (not an impossibility with and the Healy-McComas and Bleiler- present trends in apartment living:

Dikty anthologies. most of my own collection is in dead Wells probably got into the list storage because I’ve no place to put

primarily because there are one- it) . These are books you would rec- volume collections of his novels and ommend as the greatest, in both short stories which enabled you to ancient and modern senses. get in just about everything he ever I think it’s going to be a very wrote in the field, without having different list from the one you gave to agree on one novel. The modern me four years ago. science-fiction novels which made Now, as to a deadline. Unless I the grade were van Vogt’s "Sian,” am miscalculating, you will get this "World of A” and "The Weapon issue around the middle of March. Makers”; de Camp’s "Lest Darkness Last time you had three months to Fall”; Doc Smith’s "Gray Lens- make up your minds, and although man”; Asimov’s "Foundation”; Or- ballots kept coming along through- well’s "1984”; Russell’s "Sinister out that time, I don’t think there Barrier”; Campbell’s "The Moon Is were any serious changes in the list Hell”; Heinlein’s "Beyond This after the first couple of months. So Horizon” (his two "future history” this time I’ll give you until the week books were both near the top of the end of June 2-3 to get in your list.

list) Williamson’s "Human- This means that I have a month to ; and oids,” in addition to those I men- complete the tally—and you sent me tioned earlier. No Verne, no Doyle, two hundred seventy-five different no Merritt, no Stapledon, no Bur- titles last time—and get it into the roughs—though all of them but October "Reference Library,” on the Burroughs were in the "classics” list. stands in mid-September, just after Let’s forget the classics this time. you’ve heard the results at the

What I want you to do, again, is NYCON. Perhaps the Committee

146 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION . —;

will, go for an exhibit of the win- shudder at what that’s going to dp ners: there’s unfortunately no s-f to my fine June' evenings !) foundation to set up an award per se. Side bets, on the results are en- One other thing: please send your tirely your own affair. I wouldn’t nominations to me here in Pitts- make or take any, personally. burgh, rather than in care of the * * * * magazine. They’ll be forwarded from New York, of course, but if There may be an ethic in our you're just under the deadline you society which is intended to keep may not make it. Even with three one book reviewer from snarling and months, there were some late ballots snapping at another. Professional last time. I rent a postoffice box solidarity, and all that. If so, I purely and simply as a permanent contend that the solidarity within address for this department, so why the science fiction-fantasy field 1 not use it? The address: writers, editors, fans—carries more P. Schuyler Miller weight. The Reference Library Ray Bradbury’s new book, "The P.O. Box 1573 October Country,” isn’t science fic- Pittsburgh 30, Pa. tion; it’s pure fantasy, with a leaven- ing of the "straight” psychological There is one way in which you can legitimately load the ballot box horror tale. In fact, this is a new edition of his classic "Dark Carni- in this poll. No one tried it last val” with four stories added time, though I heard that it was new considered. If any fan club wants and twelve of the old stories drop- out of the Arkham House edi- to poll its members, add up the re- ped tion. stories are all sults in a Club list of twenty-five The four new tales of obsession without "best” books, and send me the list abnormal as a weighted vote of fifteen or any supernatural element: "The twenty-five or one hundred twenty- Dwarf” (who sees himself big as his dreams in a side-show’s distort- five fans, go ahead and do it. I’ll ing mirror, until a little man cuts take the ballot as the considered him down); "The Watchful Poker opinion of you all, unless there’s Chip of H. Matisse” (a classic bore something obviously phony about it. learns to shock the unshockable) The larger the number of votes cast, "Touched With Fire” (a woman the more meaning such a list as this destined to be murdered); and "The will have, statistically, as the joint Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone”

choice of ASF readers . . . and that’s (in which a novelist is reborn by what we’re looking for. You can "dying” at the hands of a rival).

even, if you want, send me the one It’s a Ballantine hard-cover book, by hundred twenty-five individual bal- the way: no paperback edition lots of your members (though I 308 pages, $3.50.

THE REFERENCE LIBRARY 147 —

The original book contained the Times reviewer, dealing with a stories which made Ray Bradbury strange field, hasn’t bothered to find famous, and which included some of out anything about the booknexcept his most original ideas, story-wise, what is on the jacket, and ev'eri that before pure style began to take over points out that "Dark Carnival” was in "The Martian Chronicles.” Here Bradbury’s first collection, published you’ll find that all-time classic, in 1947. To throw his own words "Homecoming,” with such other back at him, the direction Ray Brad- macabre fancies as "The Small As- bury’s writing of main-line ' fiction sassin,” "The Crowd,” "The Man has followed has already been "up.”

Upstairs," and "There Was an Old Up, in fact, . to the stories felt sig- Woman.” nificant by "critics.”

In the New York Times Book In effect, what this critic is doing

Review for December 11th, "The is attacking a fantasy writer for October Country” somehow got into writing fantasy. He can’t understand the hands of a main-line reviewer the rules of the game, so he refuses who seems to have heard somewhere to play and stalks off in a huff, claim- that this Bradbury was an overnight ing a foul. If he ever gets his hands sensation, a real find. And his reac- on real science fiction. I’m surd we’ll tion is disgusted bewilderment: be hearing those grand, smug, old "... A gifted writer making a word, "far-fetched,” "implausible,” play for the designation of the poor "fantastic,” and the rest, which most ". man’s Poe,” says he. . . There has of us thought were dead. been a feeling among critics that this author was really on the verge of something significant. The verge he skirts in these stories ... is the Another Kind, by Chad Oliver.

crumbling cliff-edge of the banal . . . Ballantine Books, New York. the only direction this kind of writ- 1955. 170 pp. $2.00; paper. 35

I first am not trying to argue that Ray The and last of the , seven Bradbury’s highly emotional style stories in this collection are published is unique or great literature; I don’t for the first time; the other five come consider it "cheaply derivative,” and from here ("Rite of Passage,”

I can see absolutely no resemblance 1954), If, the late Science Fiction between "The Small Assassin” and Phis, and Fantasy & Science Fiction. "The Bad Seed,” the William The author, as I’m sure you know, March-Maxwell Anderson play has been doing graduate work in which was written long after Brad- anthropology and these stories are bury’s tale—except in the child mainly based on themes and ideas killer. he has turned up in his studies.

The point, of course, is that the "The Mother of Necessity,” first

148 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

of the two new stories, is a short "Eternity” was strong on the mecha- reminiscence of what happened in nism of the watchers, and Sam Mer- a future time when Americans win has played up plot twists for all changed their societies overnight, they’re worth, Chad Oliver’s con- voting wealth on a succession of cern is with the motives which would social inventors, and what resulted make a man meddle with Time. He when one such inventor outsmarted also uses the opportunity to show us himself. bits of Aztec Mexico, just before the

"Rite of Passage,” you’ll recall, is Spanish conquest. the story about the survivors of the You may not find these stories starship Juarez, wrecked on a planet especially exciting, but most of them whose people, the Nern, have a de- show that Mr. Oliver’s anthropology ceptively primitive culture. The un- is "taking” and taking well. I hope raveling of that deception is the he takes a typewriter with him in story. Next comes "Scientific Meth- whatever far corner of the world he od,” in which a man and an alien, chooses to explore. Or will he be the representing their peoples in the first anthropologist who first studies the galactic contact, use an identical kind science-fiction world: writers and of insurance. "Night” has a bite to editors, fen and fenne? it: observers on another planet find that one of them is meddling with the other culture— then learn why. There’s one fantasy in the collec- Caviar, by Theodore Sturgeon. Bal- tion, “Transformer,” about the peo- lantine Books, New York. 1955. ple who live in a model railroad 168 pp. $2.00; paper 35(i village and are turned off when the current is cut off. It's about the This—as some other cornball in least of the lot. In "Artifact” we SFdom is bound to point out if I have another first-contact story, in don’t— is the only caviar ever pro- which an archeologist is sent to learn duced by a male sturgeon . . . and why a flint scraper has been found needless to say, it’s top quality stuff, in tlic midst of the Martian desert. though not all science fiction. Finally, in the second new— story Three of the eight stories in the and longest in the book "A Star collection were first published here,

Above It” we have a theme much and one is from Unknown. "Micro- like that which is the backbone of cosmic God” (April 1941) is about

Isaac • Asimov’s “End of Eternity” as close as Sturgeon has come to a and Sam Merwin’s "Time Watcher” routine sf gimmick: this time, a yarns: with time travel has come the biologist who bred himself a race responsibility for keeping meddlers of short-lived creatures who evolved from changing the past and eradi- their culture through many genera- cating the present present. But where tions in a relatively short (human) THE REFERENCE LIBRARY 149 I

time. "Prodigy” (April 1949) tugs Vaughan Wilkins is one of the at your heartstrings with the neces- handful of writers who can reason- sity of "eliminating” a non-normal ably consider themselves the heirs imp of a child for the good of the of the Merritt tradition, and this is society, and "Medusa” is a space at the same time a good and a poor story (February 1942) in which one example of what he can do. sane man in a crew of madmen is The imagination and color are sent to destroy the resistance of a there: a parallel world, inhabited mentally hostile planet. Unknown’s by timeless semi-mortals, and in contribution was "The Green-Eyed contact with our own Earth only at

Monster” in June ’43 but is now occasional moments and in far

"Ghost of a Chance”: it’s the one places. To this world go a handful about a girl whose men are nastily of people from our own time, by

haunted, until . . . chance or planning, to find a new

Not all the stories are fantasy or place for themselves amid the sf. The first in the book, "Bright strangeness. We have a completely

Segment,” is apparently new and is unbelievable Senator from Texas, a a study in abnormal personality and white-maned Conan type who talks obsession. The closing piece is something which is by no means “Twink” from a recent Galaxy, and Texan and not even American. We one of Sturgeon’s finest tales of the have a mysteriously soured English mental relationships between chil- noblewoman playing chauffeur. We dren and adults, via ESP. There have a small boy . . . assorted tribes remain another story of a possessed of pagan Irishmen . . . and plotting woman, "Blabbermouth” from aplenty on the outside. Amazing (February, 1947),, which The imagination and acceptance balances on that shaky fence between of the marvelous which characterized the explicable and the supernatural, the best of Merritt’s books are and "Shadow, Shadow on the Wall,” echoed here, but the plausibility is a very simple little tale of a practical lacking. Wilkins has done better, child and a mean stepmother, cour- and perhaps he will again. tesy of Imagination (1950). It’s not the best of Sturgeon, but

New York. 1955. 63 pp. 111. $2.50

This is a little sleeper whose price

Valley Beyond Time, by Vaughan and size will probably make it a Wilkins. St. Martin’s Press, New best-seller on the remainder tables York, 1955. 304 pp. $3.00 and a rarity of increasing value and 150 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

following in the future. I liked it. Have Landed' ' was off the press.

The report is supposedly filed Some of the contradictions among April 16, 1961 by one Oswald F. the various witnesses of Adamski-

Bristowe. It explains, simply and a type Saucer visits are cleared up little dryly, the truth behind the hell Saucer men come from all the plan- which burst on the world in 1958-59 ets as well as the Moon—details of when a season of unprecedented desia-n are elaborated, and the bulk rains flooded the central plateau of of the book is given up to gentle the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, demonstrance for our shortcomings just as World War III was getting as civilized beings. under way. Today, as we all know, Certain other things seem clearer the Mesozoic has re-established it- now, too. It now appears that George self on Earth and the plague of Adamski is not the experienced dinosaurs, furiously dominant vege- amateur astronomer who builds his tation, and lesser-known but no less own advanced telescopes—he was dangerous bacterial, fungal and given one, bought another. He has, other pests is on the verge of shov- in fact, been for some time a lec- ing Man into space for want of turing philosopher with a small fol- another refuge. lowing of disciples, whose message

It should have made a popular is coincidentally the same that the novelette in a magazine, and I think Spacemen are trying to get across. the author might have earned more These two books are offered as that way. fact. You may consider them out- right hoaxes. You may consider them

THE REFERENCE LIBRARY 151 the Sun’s family, and twelve, around knowledge of science fiction and

every other star . . . but only twelve fantasy of the earliest, ptc-Amazmg solar systems in the Galaxy! (86) days. His present collection repre- That all planets, including the sents the pooling of several others,

Moon, Mars, Saturn and Venus, have so that he is in a position to back comparable, breathable atmospheres up his bibliographical statements, to which anyone will acclimate and has read the fabulous early tales quickly. (87) he talks about. That the Moon has not only an Before the war Larry had his own atmosphere but a fairly sizable and excellent fan magazine, "Golden thriving population of plants, ani- Atom” (Lylda for short, for reasons mals, insects and people, mostly Cummings fans will understand). concentrated on the side away from Now he has revived the "Atom” as the Earth. Lunar clouds are invisible an annual, in printed form, with a to us, but telescopes show their Rochester model on the cover hold-

shadows. And there is a belt of trees, ing the real first sf-fantasy magazine. lakes, cities, et al—apparently ex- Street & Smith’s short lived Thrill tending from pole to pole, rather Book of 1919. Piece de resistance of than around any parallel—just out the issue, which is filled out with of sight on the back of the Moon. an amazing mixture of family snap- (157-161) shots, bibliographical notes, editorial That the radiations of fission and ramblings, verse, pin-ups, and what fusion bombs are "lighter than the have you, is the first part of a remi- atmosphere, but heavier than space” niscent article by Harold Hersey (92), so that they become concen- entitled "Looking Backward into the trated in a kind of shell around the Future.” (Later Hersey helped outside of the planet, attract and launch this magazine, and had his worry the Space folk, and threaten own second attempt in Miracle, Sci- to upset the mechanics of the uni- ence and Fantasy Stories in 1931.) verse. Here was a magazine solidly dedi- But why go on? cated to science fiction and fantasy, four years before Weird Tales, seven years before Amazing, eleven years

before Astounding. A file is the col-

Golden Atom, 187 N. Union St., lectors’ dream.

Rochester, N. Y. 1955. 100 pp. It’s an odd mixture, but collec- $1.00 tors and sf-historians should go for

it. For good measure, W. Paul

Larry Farsace, the Rochester fan, Cook’s "The Recluse” (1927) is is pretty well known in the science- advanced as the first sf-fan magazine. fiction world for his thoroughO Any rivals? 152 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION — !

P-B REPRINTS cAstounding SCIENCE FICTION Tl IE LAST SPACESHIP, by Murray Leinster. Galaxy Novels, No. 25. Needs Stories Now! 1955. 126 pp. 35? Yes, Astounding Science Fiction, like other As far as I know, this is an un- magazines across the nation, needs stories and abridged reprint of the Frederick articles. Who’s going to write them? And be paid Fell edition (de Camp’s "Lest Dark- from $150 to $3,400 ! Have you ever stopped to ness Fall,” by the way, was abridged figure out how many stories and articles are needed to fill a magazine the size of Astounding by the author). Kim Rendall, rebel- Science Fiction ? Multiply that by the number in num- ling against the Disciplinary Circuit of magazines published, and add the re- ber of newspapers ; then figure the scripts which rules his mechanized culture, quired for TV, radio and motion pictures each week. Quite a total, isn’t it? Someone has to steals a spaceship from a museum write it all. And get paid for it too and adventures among the stars. So, why don’t you try to make money writ- ing. Perhaps you are one of those people who have a flair for writing. that your work WORLD OUT OF MIND, by J. T. Your big problem may be ingredients used by profes- M'Intosh. Permabooks, New lacks the “secret” sional writers. What is the “secret” ? Frankly, York. 1955. 166 pp. 25(* there’s nothing secret about those ingredients. Most any professional fiction writer who is story of Eldin Raigmore, The also a good teacher and is ivilling to figure planted on Earth by a race of galactic them all out and explain them to you could do so maybe! conquerors to prepare the way for Now, where can you learn these so-called invasion. secrets? Well, there are many schools. I hap- pen to be President of one of the oldest, and while I am naturally prejudiced, I honestly be- TIME-X, by Wilson Tucker. Bantam lieve we have the best course and the most help- ful instructors in the business. Our students Books, New York. 1955. 140 pp. and graduates say the same thing. True, not everyone succeeds, but many sell when only - 2‘H halfway through the course, and many more Short stories originally published become full-time professional selling writers. As Rupert Hughes says in recommending as "The Science Fiction Sub-Treas- Palmer Institute to both new and experienced ury.” writers: “Writing is one of the few arts of which much can be best taught by correspond- ence.” And here’s how we make it work: After you enroll, you are assigned a teacher who is MISSION TO THE STARS, by A. himself a professional writer, who is able to give you the full benefit of. his own experience E. van Vogt. Berkley Books, New —helping and encouraging, leading and show- ing the way to success. York. 1955. 126 pp. 25 i If we don’t think that you were meant to be a writer, we’ll tell you, and cancel your enroll- title The original was "The Mixed ment. Nothing could be fairer. Oh, I could go on telling you about our course, but there isn’t Men.” It’s a typical van Vogtian epic room here. Instead, I’ll send you a copy of my of plot and counterplot in the far free 40-page book, “The Art of Writing Salable Stories” and a typical lesson package. There future, when the Lady Gloria Laurr won’t be any obligation, and no salesman will call. So drop me a card today and I’ll send it attempts to subdue the mysterious right away. Barton A. Stebbins, Pres. civilization of Lhe Fifty Suns. Palmer Institute of Authorship Desk ASF-46, 1680 N. Sycamore Hollywood 28, California

* * * (Advertisement ) THE REFERENCE LIBRARY 153 BRASS TACKS

Dear Mr. Campbell: mated by self-interest, that no one In Francis Donovan's absorbing of them could be trusted not to exalt tale, "The Short Life,” the alien himself above all the world if he Challon crashes on the earth and had the power to do so. The alien discovers himself surrounded by the fears that men would misuse their impossible: a race of nontelepaths potentialities as "homo superior,” so intelligent that they could think just as they have misused their great vicious circles around anyone else in intelligence, by making their en- the universe, and so perverse as to hanced powers the means of forcibly constitute a menace to themselves dominating everything in the path

and everyone else. Overcoming his of their will-to-power. He indicates natural horror and disgust, the Chal- by his proposed course of action that lon stays on to study the ways of in his opinion telepathy alone could- men and see if means can be found n’t work a quick miracle-cure on their to save mankind from futility as well egocentricity; any increased capabil- as to save the universe from the pos- ities would allow fuller scope to their sibility that men might break loose dangerous tendencies. If mankind's

and scatter their pestilence abroad. real genius is to be saved for good He hesitates to assist in developing purposes, the Challon appears to the full powers latent in a race which think that man’s basic nature must be appears to his telepathic mind to be changed and his whole attitude re- unsane. His conclusion after eight oriented.

years is that these people are so This is the grim conclusion he has isolated from each other, so riddled reached after his study of the nature with fears, and so completely ani- of man. Yet the Challon hopefully

154 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION presents his diagnosis of human ills

to liis friend Phil, and doesn’t ap- Alore astounding pear surprised at Phil’s concurring than fiction! in the unflattering analysis. The thought of both seems to be that the Documented truth best achievements of finest men the about " flying have never been wholly untainted by motives of self-interest. Phil ad- saucers" mits that he wouldn’t even trust himself not to abuse plenary powers. THE REPORT ON There is something odd about UNIDENTIFIED Phil's ready admission.

How does his attitude fit in with FLYING OBJECTS the Chalion’s general theory of psy- by Edward J. Ruppelt chology, according to which men Here is the first authoritative of our race have "never truly known account of UFO. written by either their fellows or themselves”? anyone involved in the official investigation of these Phil asks: "Are we that bad?” He phenomena. Mr. Ruppelt, would like to think we aren’t, but former Chief of the U.S. Air it is apparent that at least one human Force Project Blue Book investigating UFO, collected, being is not unduly surprised to hear studied and analyzed over 4,500 that from an outsider’s point of view eye-witness reports from the we are that bad. So there must be “Lubbock Lights” and “Utah 1 Movies” to the “Florida some small capacity of self-transcen- Scoutmaster” incident. These dence in men that enables 11s to see

Doesn’t it seem as if both the NAME Challon and the human being are ADDRESS guided respect lor the ulti- by same CITY BRASS TACKS ZONE STATE mate standard, whose existence is respect for the laws we accept but

taken so much for granted that it flout. is never even mentioned? Apparent- Phil sees that men must be sepa- ly, the Challon’s curiosity was never rated from the rest of the universe roused by the phenomenon that these and denied access to a fuller life men who can’t even penetrate each for as long as our self-will dominates other’s mind, nonetheless know and our outlook so completely as to put honor in the breach the same norm us in a state of revolt against uni- known and honored by races which versal good. But Phil also shows that have .evolved light-years away. With- men are capable of occasional mo- out hesitating, Phil accepts the alien’s ments of objectivity, when he con- implied definitions of what consti- curs in the judgment made against tutes good and evil, sane and unsane humanity, and proves his agreement conduct on this and on any planet. by putting himself into the alien’s

But Phil is compelled, when con- "hands,” hoping thus to carry for- fronted with the Challon’s conclu- ward the Challon’s plans for man- sion, to realize that he and his fellow kind's eventual regeneration. men have consistently departed this In the main, the Challon’s find- norm all the while they seem to have ings are profoundly reasoned and

understood it remarkably well. tragically confirmed by human his- The fact that men generally have tory. Apparently, he had studied felt, the pressure of "categorical im- deeply in the humanities after his this peratives” such as the Challon fol- pseudo-parents remarked that :

low^. is suggested by the existence was a field in which he was weak.

' of a 'troublesome conscience in all But perhaps his "short life” on this who’kre reckoned sane by their com- planet had not given him time to patriots. The effect of this pressure digest fully all the material available, of his peripheral is also demonstrated by the omni- for some observa- tions seem to inconsistent with presence of hypocrisy. Few men have be his basic philosophy of man. seriously disputed Saint-Simon’s dic- At one point he deplores the com- tum that hypocrisy is the tribute vice plexities of taboos, laws, and moral pays to virtue. In order to present the codes by which men bind themselves. paired opposites "vice and virtue,” Could he have considered that law a commonly recognized and fairly is the necessary prerequisite of any widely accepted norm of goodness kind of community living among must be assumed, from which vice nontelepaths? He says that "the departs. The Challon says he has eternal wonder is that mankind has seen nothing but "false fronts or made any progress at all.” The easy, motives or impulses among men. natural state of constant communion

Thus our hypocrisy may be consid- enjoyed by telepathic races is not ered a manifestation of deep-seated open to human beings, so in this

156 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION j

world the only alternative to the MAKE YOUR OWN BABY GENIUS COMPUTERS

tolal dissolution of community is law. GENIACS— The feeble and groping beginnings Scientific -Entertaining— Instructive—Safe with our construction kit including all parts of law are taboos. The Challon is THE IMPROVED KIT MADE BY THE ORIGINATOR jumping to conclusions as well as with new wipers so that all switches work well showing himself unexpectedly pa- Diagram of our versatile multiple switch, which can tronizing when he calls all taboos be assembled to make any and moral codes', without discrimina- switch combinations from 16, decks of 2 positions, tion, "harmful and illogical." As he 10 decks of 3 5 positions, etc., to 2 decks of 16 po- says, a great many of them have out- sitions. Kl: GENIAC SMALL ELECTRIC BRAIN CON- lived their usefulness as cultural situ- STRUCTION KIT. 64-page manual written by Edmund U. Berkeley and complete set of over 400 parts, iiioimsiug ations changed, but each taboo prob- six multiple switches for making over 30 arithmetical logical, reasoning, computing, puzzle-solving and game-playing machines, including NIM, T1T-TAT- ably had a logical function in the TOE. MULTIPLYING MACHINE, FOX HEN CORN AND HIKED MAN PUZZLE, etc. Each GenLac runs culture when and where it was first on one flashlight battery, requires no soldering, (all connections with nuts and bolts). Demonstrates in in- accepted as binding. Also, he has structive and easily-put-together models the fascinating

variety of computing and reasoning circuits . . . $16.05 not borne in mind the fact that rules (add 80(1 for shipment West of Mississippi; $1.80 for shipment outside U. S. ). and codes which become irrelevant WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLDI tend to be replaced gradually by RETURNABLE IF NOT SATISFACTORY Also: Publications on others considered better, and in this COMPUTERS, ROBOTS, etc. way some progress has been made P 6 : CONSTRUCTING ELECTRIC BRAINS. Reprint in the field of law and ethics. Among of thirteen published articles. Explains simply how an automatic computer is constructed; how to make it add, subtract, multiply, divide, and solve problems auto- the Challon ’s people, laws and codes matically, using relays or electronic tubes or other

devices. Contains many examples of circuits. . $2.20 would happily not be necessary, but P 14: CIRCUIT ALGEBRA—INTRODUCTION. Re- port. Explains simply a new algebra (Boolean algebra if men are anywhere near as egocen- modified to include time) that applies to bn -off cir- cuits, using relays, electronic tubes, etc. Covers both , tric as the telepathic alien believes, static and sequential circuits. Applications to control, programming, and computing. Problems and solutions would we not be compelled to de- involving circuits $1.90 P 16; SYMBOLIC LOGIC—TWENTY PROBLEMS velop systems of moral and forceful AND SOLUTIONS. Report. Contains sorhe problems by Lewis Carroll and John Venn (out of print), and restraint in order to survive as a many other new problems. Guide to using symbolic logic in actual situations $1.80 race? And would these codes not P 2: COMPUTERS & AUTOMATION. Monthly. Arti- cles, papers, science fiction, etc., on computing ma- have to be made as precise and de- chinery. automatic control, cybernetics, robots, etc. Reference information: roster of organizations, list of etc. subscription. tailed as possible, to circumvent hu- automatic computers, Annual . $5.50 P 10: THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIVING ROBOTS. man ingenuity in defying them or Report. Discusses the properties of robots and of liv- ing beings, and outlines how to construct robots made of hardware which will have the essential proper- twisting their meaning to suit selfish out ties of living beings. Gives circuit diagrams. . $1.00 We are Edmund C. Berkeley and Associates, instruc- aims? It is unfortunate that must we tors. publishers (the monthly Computers and Automa- tion. etc.), writers (Giant Brains, Wiley, 1949, etc.), go to such lengths to keep ourselves consultants, makers and exhibitors of small robots (Simon, miniature mechanical brain — construction within decent bounds, of course. ,P 1 But plans. . $5.50; Squee, robot squirrel—construction .plans. P3. $1.00, etc.). We offer 32 courses, 1 kit, it would be even more unfortunate o\er 25 publications. Write for information. MAH. THIS COUPON — if we had never found means of — I EDMUND C. BERKELEY AND ASSOCIATES I 815 Washington St., RI48, Newtonville 60, Mass. forcibly restraining our impulses, | | | 1. Please send me items circled: 1 P 6 P 14 P 16 P 2 ,P 10 PI P when they prove injurious to indi- | K 3 , 3 RETURNABLE in 7 days for full refund if not J vidual and racial welfare. The Chal- 1 satisfactory. I enclose $ in full payment I 9 (add 10 cents per item for handling and postage). | lon might have tactfully forborne to 2. Please send me free announcements. 1 My name and address are attached. BRASS TACKS 157 chide mankind, in the person of his ness? Here again, the Challon is not friend Phil, for the multitude of our discriihinating. attempts at self-control and self- Apparently, the alien does not see

protection. It is at least pointless to that the sense of guilt performs a remind a man with a wooden leg function similar to the feeling of

: that his movements are clumsy and pain: it is unpleasant, and seems de- sadly hampered by the presence of signed to urge us to moral action, as a misshapen log in place of a real pain urges us to take action to cure leg. our bodily ills. Certainly, the healthy At another point, the alien pre- purposes of both sensations can be sents the thought that feelings of and are frequently neglected or per- guilt and shame are "deranged emo- verted, but they both seem necessary tions,” unknown in his home world. to the individual and social life of On the contrary, the Challon might men. Would they not be useful to well have felt that the presence of telepathic races as well ?

a sense of guilt is the only evidence Actually, the Challon himself of any degree of sanity among us. mentions an instance of bad con- If a seriously deranged man goes science among his people. He dis-

berserk and kills pointlessly, he is cusses the Challonari, (a "part- often judged not guilty by reason organic, artificial brain,” "devised as of insanity. Someone else who delib- a tool” by the Challon’s race) and erately kills to suit his personal con- he tells Phil that "the damnable

venience is quite generally considered thing,” (i.e., the thing about the guilty of homicide. If he knew that Challonari which caused his race what he did was wrong according to feelings of guilt and self-condemna- the standards acknowledged by his tion) was that this device which had

i culture, he is called guilty. If a been made as a tool, turned out to murderer later develops guilty feel- have a rudimentary personality and

ings about what he did, would the a . childlike trust in its embarrassed Challon think these emotions of guilt creators. "To the Challon, the con- and shame deranged? Of course, the trol or coercion of an independent murderer also might be afflicted with intelligence was a cardinal outrage.”

truly deranged guilt-sensations about Here is an example of a very strong-

other matters, but that is beside the ly-held opinion on the part of the point here. There remains plenty of Challon, yet elsewhere the alien cause for justifiable and rational seems to condemn men for holding

guilt-feelings among men. Would it strong opinions on any subject. In

not be an indication of some small this instance, it is almost as if the flickering of health, rather than de- unexpected awareness appearing in

rangement, if men feel shame when their Challonari "tools” reminded faced with the fact of their own the Challon of an old racial taboo. betrayal of their own norms of good- In the end, the Challon suggests

158 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION —

no easy solution to the human prob- lem, nor does he answer specifically CLEARANCE SALE the question of whether his environ- Only 95* ment has made man as he is, or the Each nontelepathic man forms his environ- Minimum Order of Three Books ment. In practice, the Challon tacitly SPACE LAWYER by Nat Schachner was $2.75 dismisses optimistic theories of the Adventures of a lawyer In the future THE FAIRY CHESSMAN & seli-perfectability of man, as if he TOMORROW AND TOMORROW fay L. Padgett was $2.75 were convinced that even if we were Two novels in one book born into paradise itself we would RENAISSANCE by Raymond F. Jones was $2.75 soon turn it into something more A novel of the far future MINIONS OF THE MOON like home. The alien believes that if by William Grey Beyer was $2.50 SF with a light touch "homo superior” is to appear among COSMIC ENGINEERS men, he must make his appearance fay Clifford D. Simak was $2.50 First-rate space opera under the tutelage and auspices of ROBOTS HAVE NO TAILS fay Lewis Padgett was $2.75 powers beyond men. Therefore, the The famous Gallegher stories Challon has directed all his efforts JUDGMENT NIGHT fay C. L. Moore wos $3.50 to the task of sending back to the Superb adventure in the future ICEWORLD earth one uncorrupted human being, by Hal Clement wos $2.50 Wonderful alien story Timmy, who shall be endowed with TYPEWRITER IN THE SKY & by L. superhuman faculties. FEAR Ron Hubbard was $2.75 Two famous stories from Unknown The reader is left to wonder what THE MIXED MEN by A. E. Van Vogt was $2.75 effect Timmy’s reappearance among The famous ASF series THE CASTLE OF IRON men might produce, if the Challon’s fay Fletcher Pratt & plans succeeded. accept L. Sprague de Camp was $2.50 Would they The famous Unknown story Timmy gladly, or instead vent resent- PATTERN FOR CONQUEST by George O. Smith was $2.50 ful envy on him for bringing their First-rate space opera SHAMBLEAU & OTHERS own shortcomings into glaring focus ? fay C. L. Moore was $3.00 Vcl. 1 of the famous Northwest series How long could most men bear the NORTHWEST OF EARTH final threat to their self-esteem, which by C. L. Moore was $3.00 Volume 2* of this series Timmy would embody, before taking MUTANT by Lewis Padgett was $2.75 advantage of his probable renuncia- The famous lialdy stories tion of coercion in order to do away MEL ©LIVER & SPACE ROVER ON MARS with him? And if Timmy did not by William Morrison was $2.50 Adventure with a circus in space make use of the forces at his com- THE COMPLETE BOOK OF OUTER mand to annihilate those who might SPACE fay Ley, von Braun, etc. was $2.50 oppose him, could men be sure some- Symposium of space travel, over 200 Ulus. THE STARMEN like one Timmy would stay dead? fay Leigh Brackett was $2.75 Mrs. William Krieg, Bethesda, Md. Adventure in space THE GNOME PRESS, INC. 80 EAST nth ST. NEW YORK 3, N.Y. You mean, ” It’s been tried, and that Ask for our illustrated list & newspaper method didn’t work?”

BRASS TACKS 159 {Continued from page 5) understanding of group-individual of the group do not apply to any relationships. The energy of a light individual of the group. Life insur- quantum is a function of its wave

ance companies know that their sta- length . . . but "wave length” is a tistical studies are accurate, valid characteristic inherently nonsense laws of human-group behavior; they with respect to an individual "quan- have a high order of scientific ac- tum” ! And without individual curacy of prediction. quanta, there could be no group And they are absolutely meaning- showing wave behavior. less to any individual-as-such. The sine wave, so familiar to But they are important and useful sound engineering, radio engineer- to any individual-as-such, because, by ing, and optical theory has a peculiar making himself a member of that characteristic worth consideration; group, he can accurately predict his the statistician’s favorite curve of financial status, on a "not-less-than” random distribution is the famous basis, which he could not do for "bell-shaped curve.” Any electronic himself-as-an-individual-alone. engineer recognizes that bell-shaped The group has an effective immor- curve as being remarkably similar in tality characteristic that the individ- shape to the output curve of a sin- ual does not have; in many ways, the gle Class B amplifier tube—^and two group is greater than, and different Class B amplifier tubes, in push-pull, from, its individual members. yield a perfect sine-wave output. A

But in many other ways, the in- sine wave is simply an endless series dividual is greater than and different of summed random distribution from the group. The group is not functions of alternatively positive creative; it cannot even generate it- and negative characteristic—the sta- self, because a group is not capable tistics of, a group of somethings. of reproduction. Only the individual human beings are. It is not creative The psychotherapist, unlike the | with respect to ideas; it’s conserva- research psychologist, is directly tive, and no group ever invented concerned with the relationships be- anything;—individuals do. tween the individual and his social But no individual can build an group—and he’s having a hellish airplane capable of transcontinental job getting anywhere with the prob- high-speed flight—only a group can. lem, because nobody has the foggiest But the group, of course, didn’t in- beginning of an understanding- vent it, or invent the knowledge nec- fundamental understanding, not essary to build it—individuals did. rule-of-thumb magical ritual formu-

The individual and the group have las ! —of that problem. The psycho- a complementary relationship of therapist doesn't understand; the pa- some kind—but we can’t name it, tient doesn’t understand, and knows or describe it, because we have no he doesn’t, and the society doesn't

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understand. Trouble is, the society that knowledge and wisdom! It does is remarkably, immovably convinced not apply to individuals at all! It’s that it does know the answers, and like demanding that, since nuclear violently insists that the individual particles can do that energy-barrier accept those answers. Too and in- penetration hop, a spaceship, if it cluding the violence of destruction just weren’t so bull-headed and of the individual as an individual by stubborn, would do the same thing. either carving out pieces of his Naturally, there are innumerable brain, or executing him. areas wherein the same laws apply The essence of the trouble, I be- to individual and to group— those lieve, lies in the fact that the social don't cause trouble, naturally, be- group knows, by actual, real and cause individual and group readily unarguably valid experience, that agree. It's in the areas of inherent certain laws of cultural behavior are difference that the individual learns valid. It knows, because they have that the culture is cruel, vicious, even been tried and tested, and proved sadistic in using its crushing force out—as solidly as the actuarial tables to cripple and injure him—and the of the insurance companies. That cultural group learns that individuals knowledge is real; it is valid; it does are stubborn, wrong-headed, and work beyond peradventure of doubt. irrational. And the cultural group insists that, The rights of those matters, quite for their own good, individuals must obviously, aren’t going to be settled learn the reality and soundness of by mutual hate campaigns, nor by that knowledge, and accept it. That resigned apathy and misery. And if only those stubborn, wrong-head- since, by the nature of the thing, a

< d individuals would have the sense culture-group can’t create a new idea to recognize the wisdom the cultural to save itself, it’s going to be up to group has learned through long ex- the individuals to solve the problem. perience . . . And not just any individual; ob-

Hut the trouble is, of course, that viously, it’ll take a major genius to no individual can possibly apply crack the problem.

Till! CROUP AND THE INDIVIDUAL 161 — ! —

He’ll probably be a physical sci- cial reformers—not orators. Henry entist, too—not a social scientist. Ford was the greatest social innova- Cultural groups and human individ- tor of the last half century—he and uals don’t mind people making new, his cheap Tin Lizzie changed the basic discoveries of relationships that mores, the economics, and the politi- don't force any change in their ways cal framework of the culture. And of living. If some physicist-mathe- without half trying! The movie matician wr ants to work out the de- helped a lot, of course; think what

tailed structure of relationships be- it did to the mores concerning the tween photons and light-waves, why relationship of the sexes! You can’t —go ahead! Glad to have you do it, keep up the always-watched-by- if that sort of esoteric and unimpor- chaperones mores for young men tant fiddle-de-dee interests you. and women when the cheap car and But anyone trying to lay down the movie give them an easy, secure laws that force me to acknowledge and socially accepted place to meet relationships to the— group that 1 in the relative privacy of a statistical don’t think I want "I’ll murder the group

man!” "Nobody’s going to dictate Of course, television is bringing how I’m gonna live! Kill him!” them back into the home for court- If the discoveries are first express- ship again—but in the meantime, the ed in purely physical terms—the re- human right to courtship in private lationship laws can be accepted and has been established too firmly to be recognized by everyone quite peace- dislodged.

ably. It’s true for things, of course All done by gadgets, you see; the

but I’m not a thing, so I don’t have orators fulminated against the shift,

to accept it in my own living. ministers thundered from pulpits But certain individuals who, but people wanted the gadgets, and

starting as young children still will- the consequences of the gadgets ing to learn relationships, begin to came along.

learn the socio-psychological appli- Of course, everybody is aware

cation of the basic principles, will that what is really important to hu- "unfairly” start gaining advantages man beings are the human things,

—and, nastily, make it necessary for not mere mechanical gadgets. That’s

anyone wanting to stay in the race why science fiction, dealing as it does to learn the validity of those rela- so largely with mere technical gad- tionships too, willy-nilly, like-it-or- getry, isn’t really important on the not. You just can’t get people buying human scene. Model A Fords to support your Let’s let ’em go on dreaming for buggy-whip industry. a while, shall we? Gadgets are the really potent so- The Editor.

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