Bells from X windows, GNU emacs, and the Meta key

["Bob Bruccoleri 683-6165", 609]

I have been using GNU emacs with the X windows support on
Iris 3.2. There is an annoying problem with the use of the
left hand Alt key as a Meta key. The bell rings after every
second use of a Meta command. The same thing happens whenever
xterm is used as well. The problem also exists under Iris 3.3.1.

Anyone have any ideas on how to stop this infernal ringing?
Turning off the X windows bell completely is not acceptable,
because I want warnings to make noise. Thanks.

Bob Bruccoleri