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The Smiler, by Albert Hernhunter
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.net
Title: The Smiler
Author: Albert Hernhunter
Release Date: October 28, 2009 [EBook #30353]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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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 h