12 Sports Aces, May 1943 — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE PUNCH PROFESSOR 59 “Take him, doc,” Tim cut in, He spun Squidge Pacevec.toward Matty. “Beat the truth outa him!” Pavelee cringed from Matty abruptly broke. “T’ll talk, I’! talk!” he eried. “Don’t let ’im hit me. I’m an old man!” OLONEL. EISEN folded. the type- written paper that was a full con- fession from Squidge Pavelec and B, J, Benson. Benson, Pavelec, Henly and Bat- tler Alders were gone. Colonel Eisen looked at Matty Rourke. — “Son,” the Colonel said, “you and Tim did boxing a great service. The Commis- sion has not been unaware of the vicious cancerous growth on the game; but until you mer broke the thing, we could never pin it down. When McCarty told me this remarkable story, backed it up with the pictures he took at Ruxford and other proof, I knew we had a chance of smash- ing the Benson ring. “The proof McCarty got that Killer Birk really cracked his skull when he fell in a drunken argument with Squidge Pavelec, after tte left the alley behind Big Mat’s restaurant, wouldn’t have held in eourt. But Tim and Ff figured we could atage it so Pavelec would spilt his guts. “It was a cincly Benson couldn’t hold out once we got Pavelec to talk. Benson must have lived im Hell, knowing that he’d allowed his innocent partner to go to prison, die there, because of his greed. It probably is a reef, really, for him to confess.” Spike Babb said, “One thing, Colonel, that fight. Was that part ef the stagin’?* Eisen smiled. “In a way,” he admitted. “And maybe just a little melodrama eon my part. I’ve always been curious to see how a pair of modern ringmen would re- act if they had to battle like the old-time bare-fisters. You see, this thing can’t be given publicity. K would do boxing ir- repareble harm. But at the same time, Bensou mor Pavelec nor Henly nor Al ders can ever again have anything to do. with the fight game. “Tim conyinced me that Matty Rourke could—ah—‘beat the tar outa that ham- and-egger’ was the phrase Tim used, so we planned to inveiglé Alders into a position where he had to fight. Matty couldn’t be deprived of his opportunity for revenge and we’re going to need someone to put in the spot Benson had arranged for Alders.” Colonel Eisen turned to Matty then. “You’re top-ranking man, son. ¥ew’]l meet whoever Babb picks in the U. Si. 0. show in May.” Matty Rourke grinned, suddenly ran his hand through his crinkly brown hair; “That is mighty fine, sir. But Pm afraid you will have to ask permission of my future boss.” The tall scholarly gentleman at the other end of the desk had said no woud since he came into the office. But saw the face of Dr. Rice, President of Rum» ford College, lit up. He looked at Matty. “Ah, I see you anticipate what F am about to say, Dr. Bri—that is, Dr. Rourke,” Rice said. “Of course, Ruxford is anxious to rectify the wrong we did you. We shall be proud to have you on our staff.” Mathew Rourke, quietly : “Thank you, sir. I may recall your promise to you some day. However, that isn’t what I have in mind. Yow see, gen- tlemen, I am enlisted in the United States Marine Reserve. I was deferred in order dr. Ph.D., said to take a teaching position, but when cfir- eumstanees changed, I vowed that I would wait only wntil I had squared matters with Alders and Benson before I asked for active duty. I shall report tomorrow.” Colonel Bisen rose, saluted smartly, stuck out his hand. “Thet’s the stuff, son,” he said. “Punch heli out of them! Punch them the way you punched Benson out of business. You’l: ali. be baek soonex.” Gomichooks (CE)