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diff --git a/old/30353-h.zip b/old/30353-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d109529 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30353-h.zip diff --git a/old/30353-h/30353-h.htm b/old/30353-h/30353-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..602edf2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30353-h/30353-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,681 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Smiler, by Albert Hernhunter + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2,.center,.hd1 {text-align: center;} + h2 {font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 2em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .bq {margin: 1em 20%;} + img {border: none;} + a:link,a:visited {text-decoration: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em; width: auto;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .figt {float: left; clear: left; margin: 15px; padding: 0; width: 136px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; min-height: 230px;} + .trn p {margin: 15px;} + .bk1 {margin-right: 60%;} + .sp1 {font-size: 175%;} + .hd1 {margin-top: 2em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Smiler, by Albert Hernhunter + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Smiler + +Author: Albert Hernhunter + +Release Date: October 28, 2009 [EBook #30353] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SMILER *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="bk1"><p><big><i>Have you ever written science fiction? +Have your stories been rejected? Herein +may lie the reason.</i></big></p></div> + +<h1><span class="sp1">The Smiler</span></h1> + +<h2>By Albert Hernhunter</h2> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">"Your name?"</span></p> + +<p>"Cole. Martin Cole."</p> + +<p>"Your profession?"</p> + +<p>"A very important one. I am a +literary agent specializing in +science fiction. I sell the work of +various authors to magazine and +book publishers."</p> + +<p>The Coroner paused to study +Cole; to ponder the thin, mirthless +smile. The Coroner said, "Mr. Cole, +this inquest has been called to look +into the death of one Sanford +Smith, who was found near your +home with a gun in his hand and +a bullet in his brain. The theory of +suicide has been—"</p> + +<p>"—rather hard to rationalize?"</p> + +<p>The Coroner blinked. "You +could put it that way."</p> + +<p>"I would put it even stronger. +The theory is obviously ridiculous. +It was a weak cover-up. The best I +could do under the circumstances."</p> + +<p>"You are saying that you killed +Sanford Smith?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>The Coroner glanced at his six-man +jury, at the two police officers, +at the scattering of spectators. They +all seemed stunned. Even the reporter +sent to cover the hearing +made no move toward the telephone. +The Coroner could think of +only the obvious question: "Why +did you kill him?"</p> + +<p>"He was dangerous to us."</p> + +<p>"Whom do you mean by <i>us</i>?"</p> + +<p>"We Martians, who plan to take +over your world."</p> + +<p>The Coroner was disappointed. A +lunatic. But a lunatic can murder. +Best to proceed, the Coroner +thought. "I was not aware that we +have Martians to contend with."</p> + +<p>"If I'd had the right weapon to +use on Smith, you wouldn't be aware +of it now. We still exercise caution."</p> + +<p>The Coroner felt a certain pity. +"Why did you kill Smith?"</p> + +<p>"We Martians have found +science-fiction writers to be our +greatest danger. Through the medium +of imaginative fiction, such +writers have more than once revealed +our plans. If the public suddenly +realized that—"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">The Coroner</span> broke in. "You +killed Smith because he revealed +something in his writings?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He refused to take my word +that it was unsalable. He threatened +to submit it direct. It was vital +material."</p> + +<p>"But there are many other such +writers. You can't control—"</p> + +<p>"We control ninety percent of +the output. We have concentrated +on the field and all of the science-fiction +agencies are in our hands. +This control was imperative."</p> + +<p>"I see." The Coroner spoke in +the gentle tones one uses with the +insane. "Any writing dangerous to +your cause is deleted or changed by +the agents."</p> + +<p>"Not exactly. The agent usually +persuades the writer to make any +such changes, as the agent is considered +an authority on what will +or will not sell."</p> + +<p>"The writers always agree?"</p> + +<p>"Not always. If stubbornness is +encountered, the agent merely +shelves the manuscript and tells the +writer it has been repeatedly rejected."</p> + +<p>The Coroner glanced at the two +policemen. Both were obviously +puzzled. They returned the Coroner's +look, apparently ready to +move on his order.</p> + +<p>The thin, mirthless smile was still +on Cole's lips. Maniacal violence +could lie just behind it. Possibly +Cole was armed. Better to play for +time—try to quiet the madness +within. The Coroner continued +speaking. "You Martians have infiltrated +other fields also?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. We are in government, +industry, education. We are everywhere. +We have, of course, concentrated +mainly upon the ranks of +labor and in the masses of ordinary, +everyday people. It is from these +sources that we will draw our +shock troops when the time comes."</p> + +<p>"That time will be—?"</p> + +<p>"Soon, very soon."</p> + +<p>The Coroner could not forebear +a smile. "You find the science-fiction +writers more dangerous than +the true scientists?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. The scientific mind +tends to reject anything science disproves." +There was now a mocking +edge to Cole's voice. "Science can +easily prove we do not exist."</p> + +<p>"But the science-fiction writer?"</p> + +<p>"The danger from the imaginative +mind cannot be overestimated."</p> + +<p>The Coroner knew he must soon +order the officers to lay hands upon +this madman. He regretted his own +lack of experience with such situations. +He tried to put a soothing, +confidential note into his voice. +"You said a moment ago that if +you'd had the right kind of weapon +to use on Smith—"</p> + +<p>Cole reached into his pocket and +brought out what appeared to be a +fountain pen. "This. It kills instantly +and leaves no mark whatever. +Heart failure is invariably +stated as the cause of death."</p> + +<p>The Coroner felt better. Obviously, +Cole was not armed. As the +Coroner raised a hand to signal the +officers, Cole said, "You understand, +of course, that I can't let you +live."</p> + +<p>"Take this man into custody."</p> + +<p>The police officers did not move. +The Coroner turned on them sharply. +They were smiling. Cole pointed +the fountain pen. The Coroner felt +a sharp chill on his flesh. He looked +at the jury, at the newspaperman, +the spectators. They were all smiling +cold, thin, terrible smiles....</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">A short</span> time later, the newspaperman +phoned in his story. The +afternoon editions carried it:</p> + +<div class="bq"><p class="center">CORONER BELL DIES OF HEART ATTACK</p> + +<p>Shortly after this morning's +inquest, which resulted in a +jury verdict of suicide in the +case of Sanford Smith, Coroner +James Bell dropped dead +of heart failure in the hearing +room of the County building. +Mr. Bell leaves a wife and—</p></div> + +<p class="hd1"><b>THE END</b></p> + +<div class="trn"><div class="figt"><a href="images/001-2.jpg"><img src="images/001-1.jpg" width="136" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a></div> + +<p><b><big>Transcriber's Note:</big></b></p> + +<p>This etext was produced from <i>If Worlds of Science Fiction</i> July 1952. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Smiler, by Albert Hernhunter + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SMILER *** + +***** This file should be named 30353-h.htm or 30353-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/3/5/30353/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Smiler + +Author: Albert Hernhunter + +Release Date: October 28, 2009 [EBook #30353] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SMILER *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + _Have you ever written science fiction? + Have your stories been rejected? Herein + may lie the reason._ + + +The Smiler + +By Albert Hernhunter + + +"Your name?" + +"Cole. Martin Cole." + +"Your profession?" + +"A very important one. I am a literary agent specializing in science +fiction. I sell the work of various authors to magazine and book +publishers." + +The Coroner paused to study Cole; to ponder the thin, mirthless smile. +The Coroner said, "Mr. Cole, this inquest has been called to look into +the death of one Sanford Smith, who was found near your home with a gun +in his hand and a bullet in his brain. The theory of suicide has been--" + +"--rather hard to rationalize?" + +The Coroner blinked. "You could put it that way." + +"I would put it even stronger. The theory is obviously ridiculous. It +was a weak cover-up. The best I could do under the circumstances." + +"You are saying that you killed Sanford Smith?" + +"Of course." + +The Coroner glanced at his six-man jury, at the two police officers, at +the scattering of spectators. They all seemed stunned. Even the reporter +sent to cover the hearing made no move toward the telephone. The Coroner +could think of only the obvious question: "Why did you kill him?" + +"He was dangerous to us." + +"Whom do you mean by _us_?" + +"We Martians, who plan to take over your world." + +The Coroner was disappointed. A lunatic. But a lunatic can murder. Best +to proceed, the Coroner thought. "I was not aware that we have Martians +to contend with." + +"If I'd had the right weapon to use on Smith, you wouldn't be aware of +it now. We still exercise caution." + +The Coroner felt a certain pity. "Why did you kill Smith?" + +"We Martians have found science-fiction writers to be our greatest +danger. Through the medium of imaginative fiction, such writers have +more than once revealed our plans. If the public suddenly realized +that--" + + * * * * * + +The Coroner broke in. "You killed Smith because he revealed something in +his writings?" + +"Yes. He refused to take my word that it was unsalable. He threatened to +submit it direct. It was vital material." + +"But there are many other such writers. You can't control--" + +"We control ninety percent of the output. We have concentrated on the +field and all of the science-fiction agencies are in our hands. This +control was imperative." + +"I see." The Coroner spoke in the gentle tones one uses with the insane. +"Any writing dangerous to your cause is deleted or changed by the +agents." + +"Not exactly. The agent usually persuades the writer to make any such +changes, as the agent is considered an authority on what will or will +not sell." + +"The writers always agree?" + +"Not always. If stubbornness is encountered, the agent merely shelves +the manuscript and tells the writer it has been repeatedly rejected." + +The Coroner glanced at the two policemen. Both were obviously puzzled. +They returned the Coroner's look, apparently ready to move on his order. + +The thin, mirthless smile was still on Cole's lips. Maniacal violence +could lie just behind it. Possibly Cole was armed. Better to play for +time--try to quiet the madness within. The Coroner continued speaking. +"You Martians have infiltrated other fields also?" + +"Oh, yes. We are in government, industry, education. We are everywhere. +We have, of course, concentrated mainly upon the ranks of labor and in +the masses of ordinary, everyday people. It is from these sources that +we will draw our shock troops when the time comes." + +"That time will be--?" + +"Soon, very soon." + +The Coroner could not forebear a smile. "You find the science-fiction +writers more dangerous than the true scientists?" + +"Oh, yes. The scientific mind tends to reject anything science +disproves." There was now a mocking edge to Cole's voice. "Science can +easily prove we do not exist." + +"But the science-fiction writer?" + +"The danger from the imaginative mind cannot be overestimated." + +The Coroner knew he must soon order the officers to lay hands upon this +madman. He regretted his own lack of experience with such situations. He +tried to put a soothing, confidential note into his voice. "You said a +moment ago that if you'd had the right kind of weapon to use on Smith--" + +Cole reached into his pocket and brought out what appeared to be a +fountain pen. "This. It kills instantly and leaves no mark whatever. +Heart failure is invariably stated as the cause of death." + +The Coroner felt better. Obviously, Cole was not armed. As the Coroner +raised a hand to signal the officers, Cole said, "You understand, of +course, that I can't let you live." + +"Take this man into custody." + +The police officers did not move. The Coroner turned on them sharply. +They were smiling. Cole pointed the fountain pen. The Coroner felt a +sharp chill on his flesh. He looked at the jury, at the newspaperman, +the spectators. They were all smiling cold, thin, terrible smiles.... + + * * * * * + +A short time later, the newspaperman phoned in his story. The afternoon +editions carried it: + + CORONER BELL DIES OF HEART ATTACK + + Shortly after this morning's inquest, which resulted in a jury + verdict of suicide in the case of Sanford Smith, Coroner James Bell + dropped dead of heart failure in the hearing room of the County + building. Mr. Bell leaves a wife and-- + + +THE END + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _If Worlds of Science Fiction_ July + 1952. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and + typographical errors have been corrected without note. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Smiler, by Albert Hernhunter + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SMILER *** + +***** This file should be named 30353.txt or 30353.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/3/5/30353/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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