Argosy All-Story Weekly — 'The Metal Monster' — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

128 “ But—but, it is conceivable they might object, as a matter of ordinary business.” “Quite so. I said they wouldn't pers sist.” “ Still, admiral, I don’t quite see—” ‘The reason being that they would be shot at the first whimper of disagreement.” ‘“ T must say you are taking a very high- handed view. I don’t know how my as- sociates will take it when I meet them to report. Teach polished his pipe. “And, any- way, we shall neither of us be there to see,” he commented. The Scot took his point quickly enough. “My dear sir, you can’t expect a busi- ness deal of this magnitude to be carried through successfully unless I go and do it In person!” “Tf you say so, perhaps not. But the result will be fatal to you, Mr. McGregor, if this business doesn’t go through. And you won't go back to the United States. “‘You’ve your choice of staying on the Littondale—if you’re successful—or going overside if you botch matters. Half a min- ute. Don’t waggle. You needn’t hand me any stuff about being made to walk the plank. I always make my people decently dead one way or another before I heave them overside.”’ Teach pressed a bell, and Llewelyn Jones Came in, squinting anxiously. “ Steward, take Mr. McGregor to 4 stateroom and lock him in there for an hour to collect his thoughts. The room we call the ‘condemned cell’ will suit him best. Take him whisky and a siphon and 2 box of cigars, and any of the other last com- forts you usually sapply on these occa- sions.” “YT want you to let me explam—” “ Remove the prisoner, steward. Give mry compliments to Mr. Pickles, and tell him» his services will probably be required i in an hour’s time. When you’ve done that, tell Miss Arncliffe I’m at her disposal for an- other try at those flyingfish with her butter- fly net gadgett.” “What are you going to do to that Scotchman?” Mary Arnelhife inquired ten minutes later. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “He isn’t a Scotchman. But Pm going to hang him, and then rmg up his friends and tell them to think again. They don't value him, or they wouldn’t have sent him. And the episode will brighten their wits. They’re keen enough to trade.” “It seems unpleasant for Mr. Gregor McGregor. You'll have all the Scotch agamst you, and that means world-wide in- fluence. They don’t object to hanging one of their own clansmen, but they strongty object to a foreigner doing it for them.” “ Exactly. Dve thought of that. And Gregor McGregor doesn’t count, because he isn’t a Scot any more than you are. In fact, he’s a neighbor of yours. Name of Murgatroyd.” “ What—a Skiptén man?” “No; he hails from Huddersfield. I mean he was 2 Yorkshireman. He was of military age, and he shirked service to stay at home and make money. Had a few score acres of moorland sheep-farm, and he got exemption through that.” “ Are you sure? He doesn’t: look 2 bit like a farmer.” “ He isn't. He’s a partner m a woollen concern that made pots of money out of war conditions. And not content with that, he sat on local tribunals and sent other men to do what he was too big a coward to do himself, and that’s shoulder a gan and fight. ¥es, I shall enjoy seeing Pickles hang Mr. McGregor-Murgatroyd.” Mary Arncliffe shrugged her shoulders. “ Weil, if that’s his history, I’ve no taste for him myself. But it hardly becomes you to be his judge. You sailed ships and took risks, I know, during the war. But I never heard that you fought.” The pirate laughed unpleasantly. “ As of course you're going to marry me sooner or later, my dear, I’d better ladle out a bit of biography. I'd been in the Royal Naval Reserve smce roo9, and wher the war began in 1914 of course joined up automaticaly. “ You know what a muddle it all was te start with. They gave me a billet as No. I on a thitig they called an examination ship. She was an old Clyde side-wheeler, and I ‘was as preud of her as theugh she 8 A ECOMRRIC OG SH Colin