Sherlock Holmes complete collection by sir arthur conan doyle

The Valley of Fear Chapter 3 LODGE 341, VERMISSA

ON THE day following the evening which had contained so many excitingevents, McMurdo moved his lodgings from old Jacob Shafter's and tookup his quarters at the Widow MacNamara's on the extreme outskirts ofthe town. Scanlan, his original acquaintance aboard the train, hadoccasion shortly afterwards to move into Vermissa, and the two lodgedtogether. There was no other boarder, and the hostess was an easy-goingold Irishwoman who left them to themselves; so that they had a freedomfor speech and action welcome to men who had secrets in common.Shafter had relented to the extent of letting McMurdo come to hismeals there when he liked; so that his intercourse with Ettie was by nomeans broken. On the contrary, it drew closer and more intimate as theweeks went by.In his bedroom at his new abode McMurdo felt it safe to take out thecoining moulds, and under many a pledge of secrecy a number of brothersfrom the lodge were allowed to come in and see them, each carrying awayin his pocket some examples of the false money, so cunningly struck thatthere was never the slightest difficulty or danger in passing it. Why, withsuch a wonderful art at his command, McMurdo should condescend towork at all was a perpetual mystery to his companions; though he made itclear to anyone who asked him that if he lived without any visible meansit would very quickly bring the police upon his track.One policeman was indeed after him already; but the incident, as luckwould have it, did the adventurer a great deal more good than harm. Afterthe first [831] introduction there were few evenings when he did not findhis way to McGinty's saloon, there to make closer acquaintance with "theboys," which was the jovial title by which the dangerous gang whoinfested the place were known to one another. His dashing manner andfearlessness of speech made him a favourite with them all; while the rapidand scientific way in which he polished off his antagonist in an "all in"bar-room scrap earned the respect of that rough community. Anotherincident, however, raised him even higher in their estimation.Just at the crowded hour one night, the door opened and a man enteredwith the quiet blue uniform and peaked cap of the mine police. This was aspecial body raised by the railways and colliery owners to supplement theefforts of the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the faceof the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district. There was a hushas he entered, and many a curious glance was cast at him; but the relationsbetween policemen and criminals are peculiar in some parts of the States,and McGinty himself, standing behind his counter, showed no surprise when the policeman enrolled himself among his customers."A straight whisky; for the night is bitter," said the police officer. "Idon't think we have met before, Councillor?""You'll be the new captain?" said McGinty."That's so. We're looking to you, Councillor, and to the other leadingcitizens, to help us in upholding law and order in this township. CaptainMarvin is my name.""We'd do better without you, Captain Marvin," said McGinty coldly;"for we have our own police of the township, and no need for anyimported goods. What are you but the paid tool of the capitalists, hired bythem to club or shoot your poorer fellow citizen?""Well, well, we won't argue about that," said the police officer goodhumouredly. "I expect we all do our duty same as we see it; but we can'tall see it the same." He had drunk off his glass and had turned to go, whenhis eyes fell upon the face of Jack McMurdo, who was scowling at hiselbow. "Hullo! Hullo!" he cried, looking him up and down. "Here's anold acquaintance!"McMurdo shrank away from him. "I was never a friend to you nor anyother cursed copper in my life," said he."An acquaintance isn't always a friend," said the police captain,grinning. "You're Jack McMurdo of Chicago, right enough, and don'tyou deny it!"McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not denying it," said he. "D'yethink I'm ashamed of my own name?""You've got good cause to be, anyhow.""What the devil d'you mean by that?" he roared with his fists clenched."No, no, Jack, bluster won't do with me. I was an officer in Chicagobefore ever I came to this darned coal bunker, and I know a Chicagocrook when I see one."McMurdo's face fell. "Don't tell me that you're Marvin of the ChicagoCentral!" he cried."Just the same old Teddy Marvin, at your service. We haven't forgottenthe shooting of Jonas Pinto up there.""I never shot him.""Did you not? That's good impartial evidence, ain't it? Well, his deathcame in uncommon handy for you, or they would have had you forshoving the queer. Well, we can let that be bygones; for, between you andme-and perhaps I'm [832] going further than my duty in saying it-theycould get no clear case against you, and Chicago's open to you tomorrow.""I'm very well where I am.""Well, I've given you the pointer, and you're a sulky dog not to thankme for it.""Well, I suppose you mean well, and I do thank you," said McMurdo inno very gracious manner."It's mum with me so long as I see you living on the straight," said thecaptain. "But, by the Lord! if you get off after this, it's another story! Sogood-night to you-and good-night, Councillor."He left the barroom; but not before he had created a local hero.McMurdo's deeds in far Chicago had been whispered before. He had putoff all questions with a smile, as one who did not wish to have greatnessthrust upon him. But now the thing was officially confirmed. The barloafers crowded round him and shook him heartily by the hand. He wasfree of the community from that time on. He could drink hard and showlittle trace of it; but that evening, had his mate Scanlan not been at hand to lead him home, the feted hero would surely have spent his night under thebar.On a Saturday night McMurdo was introduced to the lodge. He hadthought to pass in without ceremony as being an initiate of Chicago; butthere were particular rites in Vermissa of which they were proud, andthese had to be undergone by every postulant. The assembly met in alarge room reserved for such purposes at the Union House. Some sixtymembers assembled at Vermissa; but that by no means represented thefull strength of the organization, for there were several other lodges in thevalley, and others across the mountains on each side, who exchangedmembers when any serious business was afoot, so that a crime might bedone by men who were strangers to the locality. Altogether there were notless than five hundred scattered over the coal district.In the bare assembly room the men were gathered round a long table.At the side was a second one laden with bottles and glasses, on whichsome members of the company were already turning their eyes. McGintysat at the head with a flat black velvet cap upon his shock of tangled blackhair, and a coloured purple stole round his neck; so that he seemed to be apriest presiding over some diabolical ritual. To right and left of him werethe higher lodge officials, the cruel, handsome face of Ted Baldwinamong them. Each of these wore some scarf or medallion as emblem ofhis office.They were, for the most part, men of mature age; but the rest of thecompany consisted of young fellows from eighteen to twenty-five, theready and capable agents who carried out the commands of their seniors.Among the older men were many whose features showed the tigerish,lawless souls within; but looking at the rank and file it was difficult tobelieve that these eager and open-faced young fellows were in very trutha dangerous gang of murderers, whose minds had suffered such completemoral perversion that they took a horrible pride in their proficiency at thebusiness, and looked with deepest respect at the man who had thereputation of making what they called "a clean job."To their contorted natures it had become a spirited and chivalrous thingto volunteer for service against some man who had never injured them,and whom in many cases they had never seen in their lives. The crimecommitted, they quarrelled as to who had actually struck the fatal blow,and amused one another and the company by describing the cries andcontortions of the murdered man.[833] At first they had shown some secrecy in their arrangements; but atthe time which this narrative describes their proceedings wereextraordinarily open, for the repeated failures of the law had proved tothem that, on the one hand, no one would dare to witness against them,and on the other they had an unlimited number of stanch witnesses uponwhom they could call, and a well filled treasure chest from which theycould draw the funds to engage the best legal talent in the state. In tenlong years of outrage there had been no single conviction, and the onlydanger that ever threatened the Scowrers lay in the victim himself -who,however outnumbered and taken by surprise, might and occasionally didleave his mark upon his assailants. McMurdo had been warned that some ordeal lay before him; but no onewould tell him in what it consisted. He was led now into an outer room bytwo solemn brothers. Through the plank partition he could hear themurmur of many voices from the assembly within. Once or twice hecaught the sound of his own name, and he knew that they were discussinghis candidacy. Then there entered an inner guard with a green and goldsash across his chest."The Bodymaster orders that he shall be trussed, blinded, and entered,"said he.The three of them removed his coat, turned up the sleeve of his rightarm, and finally passed a rope round above the elbows and made it fast.They next placed a thick black cap right over his head and the upper partof his face, so that he could see nothing. He was then led into theassembly hall.It was pitch dark and very oppressive under his hood. He heard therustle and murmur of the people round him, and then the voice ofMcGinty sounded dull and distant through the covering of his ears."John McMurdo," said the voice, "are you already a member of theAncient Order of Freemen?"He bowed in assent."Is your lodge No. 29, Chicago?"He bowed again."Dark nights are unpleasant," said the voice."Yes, for strangers to travel," he answered."The clouds are heavy.""Yes, a storm is approaching.""Are the brethren satisfied?" asked the Bodymaster.There was a general murmur of assent."We know, Brother, by your sign and by your countersign that you areindeed one of us," said McGinty. "We would have you know, however,that in this county and in other counties of these parts we have certainrites, and also certain duties of our own which call for good men. Are youready to be tested?""I am.""Are you of stout heart?""I am.""Take a stride forward to prove it."As the words were said he felt two hard points in front of his eyes,pressing upon them so that it appeared as if he could not move forwardwithout a danger of losing them. None the less, he nerved himself to stepresolutely out, and as he did so the pressure melted away. There was alow murmur of applause."He is of stout heart," said the voice. "Can you bear pain?""As well as another," he answered.[834] "Test him!"It was all he could do to keep himself from screaming out, for anagonizing pain shot through his forearm. He nearly fainted at the suddenshock of it; but he bit his lip and clenched his hands to hide his agony. "I can take more than that," said he.This time there was loud applause. A finer first appearance had neverbeen made in the lodge. Hands clapped him on the back, and the hoodwas plucked from his head. He stood blinking and smiling amid thecongratulations of the brothers."One last word, Brother McMurdo," said McGinty. "You have alreadysworn the oath of secrecy and fidelity, and you are aware that thepunishment for any breach of it is instant and inevitable death?""I am," said McMurdo."And you accept the rule of the Bodymaster for the time being under allcircumstances?""I do.""Then in the name of Lodge 341, Vermissa, I welcome you to itsprivileges and debates. You will put the liquor on the table, BrotherScanlan, and we will drink to our worthy brother."McMurdo's coat had been brought to him; but before putting it on heexamined his right arm, which still smarted heavily. There on the flesh ofthe forearm was a circle with a triangle within it, deep and red, as thebranding iron had left it. One or two of his neighbours pulled up theirsleeves and showed their own lodge marks."We've all had it," said one; "but not all as brave as you over it.""Tut! It was nothing," said he; but it burned and ached all the same.When the drinks which followed the ceremony of initiation had all beendisposed of, the business of the lodge proceeded. McMurdo, accustomedonly to the prosaic performances of Chicago, listened with open ears andmore surprise than he ventured to show to what followed."The first business on the agenda paper," said McGinty, "is to read thefollowing letter from Division Master Windle of Merton County Lodge249. He says:"DEAR SIR:"There is a job to be done on Andrew Rae of Rae & Sturmash,coal owners near this place. You will remember that your lodgeowes us a return, having had the service of two brethren in the matter of the patrolman last fall. You will send two good men,they will be taken charge of by Treasurer Higgins of this lodge,whose address you know. He will show them when to act andwhere. Yours in freedom,"J. W. WINDLE, D. M. A. O. F."Windle has never refused us when we have had occasion to ask for theloan of a man or two, and it is not for us to refuse him." McGinty pausedand looked round the room with his dull, malevolent eyes. "Who willvolunteer for the job?"Several young fellows held up their hands. The Bodymaster looked atthem with an approving smile."You'll do, Tiger Cormac. If you handle it as well as you did the last,you won't be wrong. And you, Wilson.""I've no pistol," said the volunteer, a mere boy in his teens.[835] "It's your first, is it not? Well, you have to be blooded some time.It will be a great start for you. As to the pistol, you'll find it waiting foryou, or I'm mistaken. If you report yourselves on Monday, it will be timeenough. You'll get a great welcome when you return.""Any reward this time?" asked Cormac, a thick-set, dark-faced, brutallooking young man, whose ferocity had earned him the nickname of"Tiger.""Never mind the reward. You just do it for the honour of the thing.Maybe when it is done there will be a few odd dollars at the bottom of thebox.""What has the man done?" asked young Wilson."Sure, it's not for the likes of you to ask what the man has done. He hasbeen judged over there. That's no business of ours. All we have to do is tocarry it out for them, same as they would for us. Speaking of that, twobrothers from the Merton lodge are coming over to us next week to dosome business in this quarter.""Who are they?" asked someone."Faith, it is wiser not to ask. If you know nothing, you can testifynothing, and no trouble can come of it. But they are men who will make aclean job when they are about it.""And time, too!" cried Ted Baldwin. "Folk are gettin' out of hand inthese parts. It was only last week that three of our men were turned off byForeman Blaker. It's been owing him a long time, and he'll get it full andproper.""Get what?" McMurdo whispered to his neighbour."The business end of a buckshot cartridge!" cried the man with a loudlaugh. "What think you of our ways, Brother?"McMurdo's criminal soul seemed to have already absorbed the spirit ofthe vile association of which he was now a member. "I like it well," saidhe. "'Tis a proper place for a lad of mettle."Several of those who sat around heard his words and applauded them."What's that?" cried the black-maned Bodymaster from the end of thetable."'Tis our new brother, sir, who finds our ways to his taste." McMurdo rose to his feet for an instant. "I would say, EminentBodymaster, that if a man should be wanted I should take it as an honourto be chosen to help the lodge."There was great applause at this. It was felt that a new sun was pushingits rim above the horizon. To some of the elders it seemed that theprogress was a little too rapid."I would move," said the secretary, Harraway, a vulture-faced oldgraybeard who sat near the chairman, "that Brother McMurdo should waituntil it is the good pleasure of the lodge to employ him.""Sure, that was what I meant; I'm in your hands," said McMurdo."Your time will come, Brother," said the chairman. "We have markedyou down as a willing man, and we believe that you will do good work inthese parts. There is a small matter to-night in which you may take a handif it so please you.""I will wait for something that is worth while.""You can come to-night, anyhow, and it will help you to know what westand for in this community. I will make the announcement later.Meanwhile," he glanced at his agenda paper, "I have one or two morepoints to bring before the meeting. First of all, I will ask the treasurer asto our bank balance. There is the pension to Jim Carnaway's widow. Hewas struck down doing the work of the lodge, and it is for us to see thatshe is not the loser."[836] "Jim was shot last month when they tried to kill Chester Wilcox ofMarley Creek," McMurdo's neighbour informed him."The funds are good at the moment," said the treasurer, with thebankbook in front of him. "The firms have been generous of late. MaxLinder & Co. paid five hundred to be left alone. Walker Brothers sent in ahundred; but I took it on myself to return it and ask for five. If I do nothear by Wednesday, their winding gear may get out of order. We had toburn their breaker last year before they became reasonable. Then the WestSection Coaling Company has paid its annual contribution. We haveenough on hand to meet any obligations.""What about Archie Swindon?" asked a brother."He has sold out and left the district. The old devil left a note for us tosay that he had rather be a free crossing sweeper in New York than a largemine owner under the power of a ring of blackmailers. By Gar! it was aswell that he made a break for it before the note reached us! I guess hewon't show his face in this valley again."An elderly, clean-shaved man with a kindly face and a good brow rosefrom the end of the table which faced the chairman. "Mr. Treasurer," heasked, "may I ask who has bought the property of this man that we havedriven out of the district?""Yes, Brother Morris. It has been bought by the State & Merton CountyRailroad Company.""And who bought the mines of Todman and of Lee that came into themarket in the same way last year?""The same company, Brother Morris.""And who bought the ironworks of Manson and of Shuman, and of VanDeher and of Atwood, which have all been given up of late?" "They were all bought by the West Gilmerton General MiningCompany.""I don't see, Brother Morris," said the chairman, "that it matters to uswho buys them, since they can't carry them out of the district.""With all respect to you, Eminent Bodymaster, I think it may mattervery much to us. This process has been going on now for ten long years.We are gradually driving all the small men out of trade. What is theresult? We find in their places great companies like the Railroad or theGeneral Iron, who have their directors in New York or Philadelphia, andcare nothing for our threats. We can take it out of their local bosses; but itonly means that others will be sent in their stead. And we are making itdangerous for ourselves. The small men could not harm us. They had notthe money nor the power. So long as we did not squeeze them too dry,they would stay on under our power. But if these big companies find thatwe stand between them and their profits, they will spare no pains and noexpense to hunt us down and bring us to court."There was a hush at these ominous words, and every face darkened asgloomy looks were exchanged. So omnipotent and unchallenged had theybeen that the very thought that there was possible retribution in thebackground had been banished from their minds. And yet the idea strucka chill to the most reckless of them."It is my advice," the speaker continued, "that we go easier upon thesmall men. On the day that they have all been driven out the power of thissociety will have been broken."Unwelcome truths are not popular. There were angry cries as thespeaker resumed his seat. McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow.[837] "Brother Morris," said he, "you were always a croaker. So long asthe members of this lodge stand together there is no power in the UnitedStates that can touch them. Sure, have we not tried it often enough in thelaw courts? I expect the big companies will find it easier to pay than tofight, same as the little companies do. And now, Brethren," McGinty tookoff his black velvet cap and his stole as he spoke, "this lodge has finishedits business for the evening, save for one small matter which may bementioned when we are parting. The time has now come for fraternalrefreshment and for harmony."Strange indeed is human nature. Here were these men, to whom murderwas familiar, who again and again had struck down the father of thefamily, some man against whom they had no personal feeling, withoutone thought of compunction or of compassion for his weeping wife orhelpless children, and yet the tender or pathetic in music could move themto tears. McMurdo had a fine tenor voice, and if he had failed to gain thegood will of the lodge before, it could no longer have been withheld afterhe had thrilled them with "I'm Sitting on the Stile, Mary," and "On theBanks of Allan Water."In his very first night the new recruit had made himself one of the mostpopular of the brethren, marked already for advancement and high office.There were other qualities needed, however, besides those of goodfellowship, to make a worthy Freeman, and of these he was given anexample before the evening was over. The whisky bottle had passed round many times, and the men were flushed and ripe for mischief whentheir Bodymaster rose once more to address them."Boys," said he, "there's one man in this town that wants trimming up,and it's for you to see that he gets it. I'm speaking of James Stanger of theHerald. You've seen how he's been opening his mouth against us again?"There was a murmur of assent, with many a muttered oath. McGintytook a slip of paper from his waistcoat pocket."LAW AND ORDER!That's how he heads it."REIGN OF TERROR IN THE COAL AND IRON DISTRICT"Twelve years have now elapsed since the first assassinationswhich proved the existence of a criminal organization in our midst.From that day these outrages have never ceased, until now theyhave reached a pitch which makes us the opprobrium of thecivilized world. Is it for such results as this that our great countrywelcomes to its bosom the alien who flies from the despotisms ofEurope? Is it that they shall themselves become tyrants over thevery men who have given them shelter, and that a state ofterrorism and lawlessness should be established under the veryshadow of the sacred folds of the starry Flag of Freedom whichwould raise horror in our minds if we read of it as existing underthe most effete monarchy of the East? The men are known. Theorganization is patent and public. How long are we to endure it?Can we forever live- -Sure, I've read enough of the slush!" cried the chairman, tossing the paperdown upon the table. "That's what he says of us. The question I'm askingyou is what shall we say to him?""Kill him!" cried a dozen fierce voices."I protest against that," said Brother Morris, the man of the good browand [838] shaved face. "I tell you, Brethren, that our hand is too heavy inthis valley, and that there will come a point where in self-defense everyman will unite to crush us out. James Stanger is an old man. He isrespected in the township and the district. His paper stands for all that issolid in the valley. If that man is struck down, there will be a stir throughthis state that will only end with our destruction.""And how would they bring about our destruction, Mr. Standback?"cried McGinty. "Is it by the police? Sure, half of them are in our pay andhalf of them afraid of us. Or is it by the law courts and the judge? Haven'twe tried that before now, and what ever came of it?""There is a Judge Lynch that might try the case," said Brother Morris.A general shout of anger greeted the suggestion."I have but to raise my finger," cried McGinty, "and I could put twohundred men into this town that would clear it out from end to end." Thensuddenly raising his voice and bending his huge black brows into aterrible frown, "See here, Brother Morris, I have my eye on you, and have had for some time! You've no heart yourself, and you try to take the heartout of others. It will be an ill day for you, Brother Morris, when your ownname comes on our agenda paper, and I'm thinking that it's just there thatI ought to place it."Morris had turned deadly pale, and his knees seemed to give way underhim as he fell back into his chair. He raised his glass in his tremblinghand and drank before he could answer. "I apologize, EminentBodymaster, to you and to every brother in this lodge if I have said morethan I should. I am a faithful member-you all know that-and it is my fearlest evil come to the lodge which makes me speak in anxious words. But Ihave greater trust in your judgment than in my own, EminentBodymaster, and I promise you that I will not offend again."The Bodymaster's scowl relaxed as he listened to the humble words."Very good, Brother Morris. It's myself that would be sorry if it wereneedful to give you a lesson. But so long as I am in this chair we shall bea united lodge in word and in deed. And now, boys," he continued,looking round at the company, "I'll say this much, that if Stanger got hisfull deserts there would be more trouble than we need ask for. Theseeditors hang together, and every journal in the state would be crying outfor police and troops. But I guess you can give him a pretty severewarning. Will you fix it, Brother Baldwin?""Sure!" said the young man eagerly."How many will you take?""Half a dozen, and two to guard the door. You'll come, Gower, andyou, Mansel, and you, Scanlan, and the two Willabys.""I promised the new brother he should go," said the chairman.Ted Baldwin looked at McMurdo with eyes which showed that he hadnot forgotten nor forgiven. "Well, he can come if he wants," he said in asurly voice. "That's enough. The sooner we get to work the better."The company broke up with shouts and yells and snatches of drunkensong. The bar was still crowded with revellers, and many of the brethrenremained there. The little band who had been told off for duty passed outinto the street, proceeding in twos and threes along the sidewalk so as notto provoke attention. It was a bitterly cold night, with a half-moon shiningbrilliantly in a frosty, star-spangled sky. The men stopped and gathered ina yard which faced a high building. The [839] words "Vermissa Herald"were printed in gold lettering between the brightly lit windows. Fromwithin came the clanking of the printing press."Here, you," said Baldwin to McMurdo, "you can stand below at thedoor and see that the road is kept open for us. Arthur Willaby can staywith you. You others come with me. Have no fears, boys; for we have adozen witnesses that we are in the Union Bar at this very moment."It was nearly midnight, and the street was deserted save for one or tworevellers upon their way home. The party crossed the road, and, pushingopen the door of the newspaper office, Baldwin and his men rushed inand up the stair which faced them. McMurdo and another remainedbelow. From the room above came a shout, a cry for help, and then thesound of trampling feet and of falling chairs. An instant later a grayhaired man rushed out on the landing. He was seized before he could get farther, and his spectacles cametinkling down to McMurdo's feet. There was a thud and a groan. He wason his face, and half a dozen sticks were clattering together as they fellupon him. He writhed, and his long, thin limbs quivered under the blows.The others ceased at last; but Baldwin, his cruel face set in an infernalsmile, was hacking at the man's head, which he vainly endeavoured todefend with his arms. His white hair was dabbled with patches of blood.Baldwin was still stooping over his victim, putting in a short, viciousblow whenever he could see a part exposed, when McMurdo dashed upthe stair and pushed him back."You'll kill the man," said he. "Drop it!"Baldwin looked at him in amazement. "Curse you!" he cried. "Who areyou to interfere-you that are new to the lodge? Stand back!" He raised hisstick; but McMurdo had whipped his pistol out of his hip pocket."Stand back yourself!" he cried. "I'll blow your face in if you lay ahand on me. As to the lodge, wasn't it the order of the Bodymaster thatthe man was not to be killed-and what are you doing but killing him?""It's truth he says," remarked one of the men."By Gar! you'd best hurry yourselves!" cried the man below. "Thewindows are all lighting up, and you'll have the whole town here insideof five minutes."There was indeed the sound of shouting in the street, and a little groupof compositors and pressmen was forming in the hall below and nervingitself to action. Leaving the limp and motionless body of the editor at thehead of the stair, the criminals rushed down and made their way swiftly along the street. Having reached the Union House, some of them mixedwith the crowd in McGinty's saloon, whispering across the bar to theBoss that the job had been well carried through. Others, and among themMcMurdo, broke away into side streets, and so by devious paths to theirown homes.