Book excerpt: This issue, we have four original tales to entertain you—mysteries by Eve Fisher (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Joseph S. Walker (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman)—and science fiction by Janice Law and Alan J. Wahnefried. Three stories are Christmas-themed, and the holiday comes up in passing in a few other stories as well. Plus we have classics by Robert Silverberg, Ron Goulart, Evelyn E. Smith, ,and Sir Anthony Quiller-Couch, plus a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Great fun! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Four Directions,” by Eve Fisher [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Christmas Surprise,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Right Jolly Old Elf,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “My Christmas Burglary,” by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch [novelet] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Argo,” by Janice Law [short story] “Garrison Is Dead,” by Alan J. Wahnefried [short story] “The Yes Men of Venus,” by Ron Goulart [short story] “Mr. Replogle’s Dream,” by Evelyn E. Smith [short story] “There Was an Old Woman—,” by Robert Silverberg [short story]