The Valley of Fear Page 13

  Chapter 6

  Danger

  It was the height of the reign of terror. McMurdo, who had already beenappointed Inner Deacon, with every prospect of some day succeedingMcGinty as Bodymaster, was now so necessary to the councils of hiscomrades that nothing was done without his help and advice. The morepopular he became, however, with the Freemen, the blacker were thescowls which greeted him as he passed along the streets of Vermissa. Inspite of their terror the citizens were taking heart to band themselvestogether against their oppressors. Rumours had reached the lodge ofsecret gatherings in the Herald office and of distribution of firearmsamong the law-abiding people. But McGinty and his men were undisturbedby such reports. They were numerous, resolute, and well armed. Theiropponents were scattered and powerless. It would all end, as it haddone in the past, in aimless talk and possibly in impotent arrests. Sosaid McGinty, McMurdo, and all the bolder spirits.

  It was a Saturday evening in May. Saturday was always the lodge night,and McMurdo was leaving his house to attend it when Morris, the weakerbrother of the order, came to see him. His brow was creased with care,and his kindly face was drawn and haggard.

  "Can I speak with you freely, Mr. McMurdo?"

  "Sure."

  "I can't forget that I spoke my heart to you once, and that you kept itto yourself, even though the Boss himself came to ask you about it."

  "What else could I do if you trusted me? It wasn't that I agreed withwhat you said."

  "I know that well. But you are the one that I can speak to and be safe.I've a secret here," he put his hand to his breast, "and it is justburning the life out of me. I wish it had come to any one of you butme. If I tell it, it will mean murder, for sure. If I don't, it maybring the end of us all. God help me, but I am near out of my wits overit!"

  McMurdo looked at the man earnestly. He was trembling in every limb. Hepoured some whisky into a glass and handed it to him. "That's thephysic for the likes of you," said he. "Now let me hear of it."

  Morris drank, and his white face took a tinge of colour. "I can tell itto you all in one sentence," said he. "There's a detective on ourtrail."

  McMurdo stared at him in astonishment. "Why, man, you're crazy," hesaid. "Isn't the place full of police and detectives and what harm didthey ever do us?"

  "No, no, it's no man of the district. As you say, we know them, and itis little that they can do. But you've heard of Pinkerton's?"

  "I've read of some folk of that name."

  "Well, you can take it from me you've no show when they are on yourtrail. It's not a take-it-or-miss-it government concern. It's a deadearnest business proposition that's out for results and keeps out tillby hook or crook it gets them. If a Pinkerton man is deep in thisbusiness, we are all destroyed."

  "We must kill him."

  "Ah, it's the first thought that came to you! So it will be up at thelodge. Didn't I say to you that it would end in murder?"

  "Sure, what is murder? Isn't it common enough in these parts?"

  "It is, indeed; but it's not for me to point out the man that is to bemurdered. I'd never rest easy again. And yet it's our own necks thatmay be at stake. In God's name what shall I do?" He rocked to and froin his agony of indecision.

  But his words had moved McMurdo deeply. It was easy to see that heshared the other's opinion as to the danger, and the need for meetingit. He gripped Morris's shoulder and shook him in his earnestness.

  "See here, man," he cried, and he almost screeched the words in hisexcitement, "you won't gain anything by sitting keening like an oldwife at a wake. Let's have the facts. Who is the fellow? Where is he?How did you hear of him? Why did you come to me?"

  "I came to you; for you are the one man that would advise me. I toldyou that I had a store in the East before I came here. I left goodfriends behind me, and one of them is in the telegraph service. Here'sa letter that I had from him yesterday. It's this part from the top ofthe page. You can read it yourself."

  This was what McMurdo read:

  How are the Scowrers getting on in your parts? We read plenty of them in the papers. Between you and me I expect to hear news from you before long. Five big corporations and the two railroads have taken the thing up in dead earnest. They mean it, and you can bet they'll get there! They are right deep down into it. Pinkerton has taken hold under their orders, and his best man, Birdy Edwards, is operating. The thing has got to be stopped right now.

  "Now read the postscript."

  Of course, what I give you is what I learned in business; so it goes no further. It's a queer cipher that you handle by the yard every day and can get no meaning from.

  McMurdo sat in silence for some time, with the letter in his listlesshands. The mist had lifted for a moment, and there was the abyss beforehim.

  "Does anyone else know of this?" he asked.

  "I have told no one else."

  "But this man--your friend--has he any other person that he would belikely to write to?"

  "Well, I dare say he knows one or two more."

  "Of the lodge?"

  "It's likely enough."

  "I was asking because it is likely that he may have given somedescription of this fellow Birdy Edwards--then we could get on histrail."

  "Well, it's possible. But I should not think he knew him. He is justtelling me the news that came to him by way of business. How would heknow this Pinkerton man?"

  McMurdo gave a violent start.

  "By Gar!" he cried, "I've got him. What a fool I was not to know it.Lord! but we're in luck! We will fix him before he can do any harm. Seehere, Morris, will you leave this thing in my hands?"

  "Sure, if you will only take it off mine."

  "I'll do that. You can stand right back and let me run it. Even yourname need not be mentioned. I'll take it all on myself, as if it wereto me that this letter has come. Will that content you?"

  "It's just what I would ask."

  "Then leave it at that and keep your head shut. Now I'll get down tothe lodge, and we'll soon make old man Pinkerton sorry for himself."

  "You wouldn't kill this man?"

  "The less you know, Friend Morris, the easier your conscience will be,and the better you will sleep. Ask no questions, and let these thingssettle themselves. I have hold of it now."

  Morris shook his head sadly as he left. "I feel that his blood is on myhands," he groaned.

  "Self-protection is no murder, anyhow," said McMurdo, smiling grimly."It's him or us. I guess this man would destroy us all if we left himlong in the valley. Why, Brother Morris, we'll have to elect youBodymaster yet; for you've surely saved the lodge."

  And yet it was clear from his actions that he thought more seriously ofthis new intrusion than his words would show. It may have been hisguilty conscience, it may have been the reputation of the Pinkertonorganization, it may have been the knowledge that great, richcorporations had set themselves the task of clearing out the Scowrers;but, whatever his reason, his actions were those of a man who ispreparing for the worst. Every paper which would incriminate him wasdestroyed before he left the house. After that he gave a long sigh ofsatisfaction; for it seemed to him that he was safe. And yet the dangermust still have pressed somewhat upon him; for on his way to the lodgehe stopped at old man Shafter's. The house was forbidden him; but whenhe tapped at the window Ettie came out to him. The dancing Irishdeviltry had gone from her lover's eyes. She read his danger in hisearnest face.

  "Something has happened!" she cried. "Oh, Jack, you are in danger!"

  "Sure, it is not very bad, my sweetheart. And yet it may be wise thatwe make a move before it is worse."

  "Make a move?"

  "I promised you once that I would go some day. I think the time iscoming. I had news to-night, bad news, and I see trouble coming."

  "The police?"

  "Well, a Pinkerton. But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla,nor what it may mean to the likes of me. I'm too deep in this thing,and I may have to get out of it quick. You s
aid you would come with meif I went."

  "Oh, Jack, it would be the saving of you!"

  "I'm an honest man in some things, Ettie. I wouldn't hurt a hair ofyour bonny head for all that the world can give, nor ever pull you downone inch from the golden throne above the clouds where I always seeyou. Would you trust me?"

  She put her hand in his without a word. "Well, then, listen to what Isay, and do as I order you, for indeed it's the only way for us. Thingsare going to happen in this valley. I feel it in my bones. There may bemany of us that will have to look out for ourselves. I'm one, anyhow.If I go, by day or night, it's you that must come with me!"

  "I'd come after you, Jack."

  "No, no, you shall come with me. If this valley is closed to me and Ican never come back, how can I leave you behind, and me perhaps inhiding from the police with never a chance of a message? It's with meyou must come. I know a good woman in the place I come from, and it'sthere I'd leave you till we can get married. Will you come?"

  "Yes, Jack, I will come."

  "God bless you for your trust in me! It's a fiend out of hell that Ishould be if I abused it. Now, mark you, Ettie, it will be just a wordto you, and when it reaches you, you will drop everything and comeright down to the waiting room at the depot and stay there till I comefor you."

  "Day or night, I'll come at the word, Jack."

  Somewhat eased in mind, now that his own preparations for escape hadbeen begun, McMurdo went on to the lodge. It had already assembled, andonly by complicated signs and counter-signs could he pass through theouter guard and inner guard who close-tiled it. A buzz of pleasure andwelcome greeted him as he entered. The long room was crowded, andthrough the haze of tobacco smoke he saw the tangled black mane of theBodymaster, the cruel, unfriendly features of Baldwin, the vulture faceof Harraway, the secretary, and a dozen more who were among the leadersof the lodge. He rejoiced that they should all be there to take counselover his news.

  "Indeed, it's glad we are to see you, Brother!" cried the chairman."There's business here that wants a Solomon in judgment to set itright."

  "It's Lander and Egan," explained his neighbour as he took his seat."They both claim the head money given by the lodge for the shooting ofold man Crabbe over at Stylestown, and who's to say which fired thebullet?"

  McMurdo rose in his place and raised his hand. The expression of hisface froze the attention of the audience. There was a dead hush ofexpectation.

  "Eminent Bodymaster," he said, in a solemn voice, "I claim urgency!"

  "Brother McMurdo claims urgency," said McGinty. "It's a claim that bythe rules of this lodge takes precedence. Now Brother, we attend you."

  McMurdo took the letter from his pocket.

  "Eminent Bodymaster and Brethren," he said, "I am the bearer of illnews this day; but it is better that it should be known and discussed,than that a blow should fall upon us without warning which woulddestroy us all. I have information that the most powerful and richestorganizations in this state have bound themselves together for ourdestruction, and that at this very moment there is a Pinkertondetective, one Birdy Edwards, at work in the valley collecting theevidence which may put a rope round the necks of many of us, and sendevery man in this room into a felon's cell. That is the situation forthe discussion of which I have made a claim of urgency."

  There was a dead silence in the room. It was broken by the chairman.

  "What is your evidence for this, Brother McMurdo?" he asked.

  "It is in this letter which has come into my hands," said McMurdo. Meread the passage aloud. "It is a matter of honour with me that I cangive no further particulars about the letter, nor put it into yourhands; but I assure you that there is nothing else in it which canaffect the interests of the lodge. I put the case before you as it hasreached me."

  "Let me say, Mr. Chairman," said one of the older brethren, "that Ihave heard of Birdy Edwards, and that he has the name of being the bestman in the Pinkerton service."

  "Does anyone know him by sight?" asked McGinty.

  "Yes," said McMurdo, "I do."

  There was a murmur of astonishment through the hall.

  "I believe we hold him in the hollow of our hands," he continued withan exulting smile upon his face. "If we act quickly and wisely, we cancut this thing short. If I have your confidence and your help, it islittle that we have to fear."

  "What have we to fear, anyhow? What can he know of our affairs?"

  "You might say so if all were as stanch as you, Councillor. But thisman has all the millions of the capitalists at his back. Do you thinkthere is no weaker brother among all our lodges that could not bebought? He will get at our secrets--maybe has got them already. There'sonly one sure cure."

  "That he never leaves the valley," said Baldwin.

  McMurdo nodded. "Good for you, Brother Baldwin," he said. "You and Ihave had our differences, but you have said the true word to-night."

  "Where is he, then? Where shall we know him?"

  "Eminent Bodymaster," said McMurdo, earnestly, "I would put it to youthat this is too vital a thing for us to discuss in open lodge. Godforbid that I should throw a doubt on anyone here; but if so much as aword of gossip got to the ears of this man, there would be an end ofany chance of our getting him. I would ask the lodge to choose a trustycommittee, Mr. Chairman--yourself, if I might suggest it, and BrotherBaldwin here, and five more. Then I can talk freely of what I know andof what I advise should be done."

  The proposition was at once adopted, and the committee chosen. Besidesthe chairman and Baldwin there were the vulture-faced secretary,Harraway, Tiger Cormac, the brutal young assassin, Carter, thetreasurer, and the brothers Willaby, fearless and desperate men whowould stick at nothing.

  The usual revelry of the lodge was short and subdued: for there was acloud upon the men's spirits, and many there for the first time beganto see the cloud of avenging Law drifting up in that serene sky underwhich they had dwelt so long. The horrors they had dealt out to othershad been so much a part of their settled lives that the thought ofretribution had become a remote one, and so seemed the more startlingnow that it came so closely upon them. They broke up early and lefttheir leaders to their council.

  "Now, McMurdo!" said McGinty when they were alone. The seven men satfrozen in their seats.

  "I said just now that I knew Birdy Edwards," McMurdo explained. "I neednot tell you that he is not here under that name. He's a brave man, butnot a crazy one. He passes under the name of Steve Wilson, and he islodging at Hobson's Patch."

  "How do you know this?"

  "Because I fell into talk with him. I thought little of it at the time,nor would have given it a second thought but for this letter; but nowI'm sure it's the man. I met him on the cars when I went down the lineon Wednesday--a hard case if ever there was one. He said he was areporter. I believed it for the moment. Wanted to know all he couldabout the Scowrers and what he called 'the outrages' for a New Yorkpaper. Asked me every kind of question so as to get something. You betI was giving nothing away. 'I'd pay for it and pay well,' said he, 'ifI could get some stuff that would suit my editor.' I said what Ithought would please him best, and he handed me a twenty-dollar billfor my information. 'There's ten times that for you,' said he, 'if youcan find me all that I want.'"

  "What did you tell him, then?"

  "Any stuff I could make up."

  "How do you know he wasn't a newspaper man?"

  "I'll tell you. He got out at Hobson's Patch, and so did I. I chancedinto the telegraph bureau, and he was leaving it.

  "'See here,' said the operator after he'd gone out, 'I guess we shouldcharge double rates for this.'--'I guess you should,' said I. He hadfilled the form with stuff that might have been Chinese, for all wecould make of it. 'He fires a sheet of this off every day,' said theclerk. 'Yes,' said I; 'it's special news for his paper, and he's scaredthat the others should tap it.' That was what the operator thought andwhat I thought at the time; but I think differently now."

  "By Gar! I believe you are
right," said McGinty. "But what do you allowthat we should do about it?"

  "Why not go right down now and fix him?" someone suggested.

  "Ay, the sooner the better."

  "I'd start this next minute if I knew where we could find him," saidMcMurdo. "He's in Hobson's Patch; but I don't know the house. I've gota plan, though, if you'll only take my advice."

  "Well, what is it?"

  "I'll go to the Patch to-morrow morning. I'll find him through theoperator. He can locate him, I guess. Well, then I'll tell him that I'ma Freeman myself. I'll offer him all the secrets of the lodge for aprice. You bet he'll tumble to it. I'll tell him the papers are at myhouse, and that it's as much as my life would be worth to let him comewhile folk were about. He'll see that that's horse sense. Let him comeat ten o'clock at night, and he shall see everything. That will fetchhim sure."

  "Well?"

  "You can plan the rest for yourselves. Widow MacNamara's is a lonelyhouse. She's as true as steel and as deaf as a post. There's onlyScanlan and me in the house. If I get his promise--and I'll let youknow if I do--I'd have the whole seven of you come to me by nineo'clock. We'll get him in. If ever he gets out alive--well, he can talkof Birdy Edwards's luck for the rest of his days!"

  "There's going to be a vacancy at Pinkerton's or I'm mistaken. Leave itat that, McMurdo. At nine to-morrow we'll be with you. You once get thedoor shut behind him, and you can leave the rest with us."