Argosy All-Story Weekly — 'The Metal Monster' — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

J. BARLEYCORN, INC. be fifty thousand dollars, he argued, but something. ‘ A’ri’,” agreed Peters, spokesman as al- ways for the rest, “square it some way. If we gotta pay ‘em we might jus’s well get it over wit’. How much dough we got in th’ bank?” This to McMann. The firm’s attorney consulted a small ‘“ Altogether we now have on deposit $39,741.66, including the paid-in capital.” “Well,” Peters smiled complacently, ‘“* tha’s nuff so’s we can ‘ford to pay ‘Im somethin’. Go “head, Fin. Yuh know ’im. ’Course, get im to sign’s cheap’s can.” “TI gotcha.” None knew how well Fin did have them. From Peters’s place smuggler and cor- poration’s lawyer went out into the section of the city where Fin lived. Only they didn’t go down on the water-front. In- stead they went to a little story-and-a-half frame cottage on one of the side streets. It was*supper time in this part of the city, and the aroma of corned beef and cabbage, onions, and similarly appetizing eats filled the air in the quiet street. All the kiddies had been called or hauled in for supper, and the block looked abandoned. © The visitors turned in through one of the many gates, and rang the bell. The houte ‘presented a well-kept but net horribly pros- perous appearance. The visit lasted about an hour. There couldn’t have been much dicker- ing over a settlement, because most of the time was spent in consuming large quanti- ties of sauerkraut and weiners. ‘That, and laughing mernly. Even Mrs. Mitchell, a pale and rather weakly looking woman, ‘ joined in the merriment. There were pmk spots on her cheeks. | Whether they were due to excitement, or the liquor consumed by her husband and ihe two visitors, or whether they were ar- tificial, could not be told. At least not by mere man. . There was much hand-shaking and nu- merous thanks guests départed. Then defender of right and betrayer of laws parted company. All during the walk down to his boat-house Fin wore a smile—in his eyes. exchanged when the supper 101 Next noon Fin and Larry presented themselves at Peters’s place. McMann wore a jovial smile. | “Well, Peters, it’s all settled. Quick work, eh?” “Yl say se,” agreed Peters. “ Dat’s good. Have a drink?” and he reached for his hip. A stranger might have been fright- ened at the professional skill and lightning quickness with which he produced the Bot- tle. Then a thought struck him. ““ How much yuh hafta grease ’im?”’ McMann produced a legal-looking docu- ment with notary stamp and seal on it. He read the figures from it. “ Exactly $39,741.66. The fact that he withdraws the suit throws the costs on to him, so there will be no additional ex- pense.” Fin’s hand hung loosely and convenient to his coat-pocket. But there was no need for such precautions. The leading spirit of the Big Five was struck dumb. His jaw hung. His eyes bulged and took on a glassy look. - The flask slipped, unnoticed, from his hands, and struck the floor. It didn’t break, Fm noticed. Then the explosion came. It opened at a shriek, ard it was moments before a word could be understood. Of profanity there was plenty. But no names of persons at- tached. Even at a moment like this, Peters "was more than a little afraid of the gray- eyed smuggler who never smiled—with his lips. “Cool down,” advised Fin. “ Youse 1 be havin’ a fit in lessen no time. ’Tain’t goin’ t’ getcha none o’ them beans back. They’re—” “ 'T’ Vell they are!” T’ ’ell they are! I'll see yuh bot’ in jail b’fore yuh can get away wit’ dat raw stuff. T’ink I was borned las’ night ’r th’ night b’fore? Playin’ us f’r th’ saps, eh? I'll see th’ both o’ yuh Where they ain’t nothin’ wet, booze ’r water. Get t’ ’ell outa here.” They left. Neither dared to look at the other for a block. Then McMann caught the smile in Fin’s eye, and broke mto a real Jaugh. | “ Tt’s a pipe, eh, Fin?” Rafferty’s answer was a nod. COLM Goo Colin