Argosy All-Story Weekly — 'The Metal Monster' — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

100 - ‘Yuh ll say it’s tough b’fore we git t’ru wit’ it,” agreed Fin. “Wee How th’ ’ell d’yuh get that way?” asked Peters. ~ “Course it’s we. It’s th’ firm. Tha’s we, ain’t it?” snapped Fin. “Firm nothin’,” and the irate saloon- keeper fairly boiled. “ Jus’ ’cause youse go out joy-hoppin’ wit’out no lights, yuh t’ink th’ firm’s goin’ to pay f’r th’ damage yuh does? [ll say we ain't.” “ Call it joy-ridin’ if yuh feels tha’ way,” said Fin coolly, “‘ but yuh see, I was on th’ way after a load o’ booze. If that ain’t firm’s biz, I dunno what is.” Peters forced a laugh.: It didn’t ring true, and there was no mirth anywhere about him that was apparent to the eye. “ Dat’s good stuff. Tell it tuh th’ rev- enuers. Yuh’ll have t’ prove that ’n court.” It was McMann’s turn to play a couple of trump cards. “Perhaps you want to have the firm’s dirty clothes aired in court? Perhaps you think you’d get away with it if they brought all the accounts of the firm into court, and showed how every penny was spent and how all the profit was made. Do you think you could beat that?” He fairly glared at the saloonkeeper. Peters had an answer ready. “D’yuh tink dat Fin’s goin’ to slip his own neck in th’ brig? An’ dat’s jus’ w’at he’d be doin’.” | McMann smiled in a superior sort of “Not by a long shot. Mr. Rafferty is simply an employee of your firm, and as such you are responsible for his actions.” Fin almost jumped when he heard Mc- Mann refer to him as “ Mr. Rafferty.” He - couldn’t remember the last time any grown man had called him “‘ Mr.” ‘This did begin to look serious. McMann continued: | ‘It’s just the same as though you hired him to do piece-work for you. He accom- plished so much, and was given a percen- tage on his accomplishments to spur him to greater efforts. Morally, Mr. Rafferty may be a violator of the law, and technical- ly probably is, but if he were to go before the court and tell his story in a straight- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. forward manner, he might get six months. Probably less. ‘While you, you master minds who financed the whole scheme; who led this poor, honest boatman astray by your offer of sudden wealth—you will pay the ex- treme penalty of the law.” McMann had assumed his most ferocious court-room air. It was too much for Peters. - ‘Hol’ on, jus’ one minute. Wait ll I get th’ res’ o’ th’ gang on th’ phone. They gotto have a say, ain’t they?”’ Peters went into the back room, where they could hear him calling number after number until he had communicated with the remaining four. He sent the call as urgent, and all promised to get there as quickly as possible. Most of them imagined the mo- ment had come to trim Fin, and like buz- zards, hurried to the scene of slaughter. ‘“ They'll be ri’ here,’ announced Peters when he had finished phoning. He sank weakly into a chair. For once in his life he was speechless. The summons extraordinary brought the quartet to the docks almost on the run. Within a half-hour all were there. had refused absolutely to talk until the last arrived. Accompanied by McMann and Fin, they adjoined to the room in the rear. Peters told what had happened. His story was even more graphic than Fin would have made it. Although it lacked the pathos which would have been featured by Fin’s lawyer. - At the conclusion Peters leaned forward, addressing the other members of the Big Five. ““’ Now, what in ’ell we goin’ to do? Smokey Joe snorted with disgust, indig- nation—call it what you like. “IT tol’ yuh we’d be sorry if we tried to gyp Fin. I been against—” “Shut your trap, Smokey!” exclaimed Peters. Fin and McMann exchanged quick glances. The “frame-up” hadn’t been unanimous! Then followed a long discussion as to ways and means, probable results, possible loop-holes, and ultimate costs. But accord- ing to the lawyer, there wasn’t a chance of escaping payment. Of course it wouldn’t GORGE OOO Peters SS co wo