The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Chameleon Man, by William P. McGivern

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Title: The Chameleon Man

Author: William P. McGivern

Release Date: June 2, 2010 [EBook #32652]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from Amazing Stories January 1943. Extensive
research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this
publication was renewed.

The Chameleon Man

By WILLIAM P. McGIVERN

Perfect adaptation, that's what it was. When a human being
can blend with his surroundings, funny things can happen!

* * * * *

[Illustration]

I've got an office in the _Daily Standard_ building and sometimes when
things are slow in my line--theatrical bookings--I drift upstairs and
talk to the guy who writes the column, The Soldier's Friend, for the
_Standard_.

On this particular morning I walked into his office and found it empty
so I sat down and waited, figuring he was downstairs getting a mug of
coffee. After I cleaned my nails and glanced through Jake's mail I
propped my feet up on the desk and relaxed.

Things in my line were strictly stinkeroo. With the army taking an
option on every available hunk of male flesh, it made it pretty tough
to get acts together. Of course, I still had a few dollies to peddle,
but the situation don't look too good there, what with the WAVES and
the WAACS and the demand from factories for powder-puff riveters.

I sighed and moodily contemplated my uncreased trouser legs and
thought of my non-existent bank balance. Whoever said war was hell,
sure hit the nail on the head.

The door opened and I heard a shuffle of footsteps on the floor. I
tipped my derby back and looked up, expecting to see Jake, but the
office was empty.

The door was standing open and I scratched my head. Maybe it had blown
open. Then I remembered the sound of footstep