FIEND OF FIRE
by Eando Binder
HARLOW MAXON felt pretty good as he stuffed his pipe and prepared to settle back for a smoke. He was safe now. His big problem had been settled — completely. He could relax now and enjoy life.
Maxon lit the match and held it to his pipe, ready for a good smoke. But suddenly, the match flame hissed and sprang toward his eyes, like a live thing! With a yelp of pain and fright, Maxon flung it down and stamped on it, breathing hard.
Why had the match acted like that? Maxon calmed down. "Oh, just a defective one," he told himself. "I'll try another."
Lighting another match, he held it gingerly at arm's length, in case it would act up too, but it's flame was normal and steady. Sighing in relief, he brought it to his pipe, puffing. But again, amazingly, the flame suddenly expanded lividly and hissed toward his face as if to burn his eyes out!
