Argosy All-Story Weekly — 'The Metal Monster' — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

TINY, THE TERRIBLE TURK. and I weren’t running round disturbing . people by giving vent ta three or more loud hysterical cheers right in their ears. “We waited; and while doing so, we did a little watching—for Abdul. And when the critical moment was upon us; when, that night, following the usual challenge in behalf of Abdul, spoken by the gent to whom Aleck had delegated the job of announcer. and referee; when now if ever was the time for Abdul’s Nemesis to pre- sent himself and start nemesing; well, Aleck and I were giad we hadn’t been de- ceived into entertaining a lot of undue hopes—because nobody on earth showed up. but little Jimmy Dunn himself! “A fat chance!” moaned Aleck. large fat chance!” I didn’t say anything,-but what few thoughts I had, ran in a similar channel. The usual preliminaries took place. Aleck and I continued to hold our place in the wings, but now it was a mere matter of formality. The affair had ceased to interest us. We had other things to think about. Still, when stripped for the coming disturbance, it became apparent that Jimmy Dunn’s bow legs, though short, were powerful; furthermore, he seemed to be pretty well developed in the treble cleff; but giving him the benefit of every doubt- ful ounce, he weighed at most one half of Abdul, and— But now the contestants were circling about each other, looking for an opening; and I noticed two things. Jimmy Dunn’s angora was still peacefully nibbling about the home pasture. Abdul had failed to get it. In fact,-Jimmy Dunn seemed to be making game of Abdul; anyway, I heard him pass Abdul a remark of some kind, though I failed to catch the words. And as for the other thing— ‘ Aleck,” said I, “ what do you know! Abdul, the Tottering Turk! Do you get ite” | Aleck nodded, spellbound. For Abdul gave every indication of a large, dark, Ori- ental guy in a deep blue funk! And then they came together with a crash. There was a whirlwind of arms, legs and other anatomical items. Then Abdul, the miniature Turk, rose up in the cA 157 air, and when he came down it was on the back of his head, both shoulders, several other sections of his massive frame, and © _with a kiss upon the alabaster brow of the " stage-flooring that shook the building to its heels. And when the dust settled, there was Jimmy Dunn occupying a strategic position which he continued to hold until the referee slapped him on the back, and so much of the incident, at any rate was closed. “ The little cuss did it!”? marveled Aleck. ‘He certainly did,” I affirmed. ‘ And it was what I’d call a fairly complete job of work, too. He surely shook that Ori- ental to the core—he ain’t hardly got over it yet!” ; As Abdul staggered off-stage, Mr. Dunn followed; and just as they reached us in the wings, two complete strangers to me joined the group, coming from somewhere back-stage. One of ’em was a tall male person who impressed me as being an offi- cer of the law, and was. He was a deputy- sheriff. And the other addition to our midst was a brunette lady weighing offi- cially, I should say, about ninety pounds, length over all about five feet, with coal- black, snappy-looking eyes, and a general air of being always right up and coming. Without losing a moment she addressed herself to Abdul. “William,” she snapped, “ will you go with me or with this gentleman?” and she indicated the officer. Abdul seemed to be looking passionately for an exit—and he didn’t find it. “Tl go—with you,” said he. And that was the last we ever saw of Tiny, the Terrible Turk. ‘““What’s the meaning of all this?” I said to Jimmy Dunn. ‘“ Who was that woman, and how did you ever crash half of Turkey the way you did—a little guy like you? There’s a catch in it somewhere, and I’d like to know the answer.” ‘* Sure there was a catch in it,” said Mr. Dunn. “ That big stiff? I could put him on his back the best day he ever lived— and he knows it. I was born and brought up with Bill Hicks, right in this man’s town, and I always had the Indian Sign— you know what I mean, Indian SignP—on COUMIUC AOO!K (COUNT