Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

OSKAR’S WRONG NUMBER “<9 the arena was dyed a jolly pink. The animals, down to the lowliest, were groomed as though for a prize competition. At the last minute, a troop of twenty Cossack riders arrived by special train, and had to be housed, fed, and amused at Herr K.’s personal expense. Their enormous appetites hurt his very soul, but he reminded himself that this was his great chance. One day, the spooky silence of the police and the spitting tantrums of the camels all became just too much. Herr K. left the hippodrome for a schnapps at the People’s Peace Café. As he entered the crowded but silent bar, a little man sidled up to . him, twitching at his sleeve. «Klaus, my old friend,” said a wispy voice. Herr K. glanced hastily around, wondering whether or not to recognize the little man. He had heard, through the infallible circus-world grape-vine, that Bela Kurtz was on the edge of bad trouble with the Secret Police. But then, it would be very suspicious to pretend not to know a man who had addressed him by name. Herr K. licked his lips. “ How are things, Bela?”’ he asked. “I haven’t seen you in seven years,” he added in a voice loud enough for anyone listening to hear clearly. Bela Kurtz’s bright, dark eyes twinkled mockingly. He stared at Herr K.’s great belly, at the gold tie-pin, at the real Havana cigar, and something bitter came and went in his expression. “I’m fine, Klaus,” he said, “ just fine.” A little ruefully, he dropped the hand that Herr K. had shown no desire to shake. ‘They sat at a small table near other men who drank the bad drinks in contained silence. Herr K. hoped inwardly that talkative little Bela Kurtz would have sense enough to watch his tongue. “ T have to go away, Klaus,’’ was the first thing Bela said, when the sullen waiter left after bringing the synthetic schnapps. Herr K.’s jowls paled. ** Not so loud, Dummkopf!”’ he hissed. “As you wish, Klaus. Well, then, I wish to take a little trip for my health. There is a certain piece of property that it would be impracticable to take with me. I have to sell.” Herr K. licked his lips. People on the run sell cheap. “ So?” he said non-committally. “Tt’s all I have left. I hate to give him up, but I will sell Oskar.”’ In spite of himself, Herr K.’s little eyes showed interest. All the circus world knew that Bela Kurtz was a genius with seals; his patient, affectionate skill could train them to do any- thing. And Oskar the Incomparable was his greatest achievement. comicloooks.comnal