Part two chapter two of the valley of fear by Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Chapter 2, the body master.
McMurdo was a man who made his Mark quickly wherever he was the
folk around soon. Knew it within a week he had
become infinitely. The most important person that
shaft has There Were Ten or a dozen borders there.
But they were honest for men, or commonplace Clark's from the
stores are very different caliber from The Young Irishman
oven evening. When they gather together, his
joke was always the readiest, his conversation, the brightest,
and his song, The Best He was a born Boon, companion with a
magnetism, which Drew Good Humor from all around him.
And yet he showed again, and again, as he had shown in the
railway Carriage, a capacity for sudden Fierce anger, which
compelled the respect, and even the fear of those who met him
for the law to and all who were connected with it, he exhibited
a bitter contempt, which delighted some and alarmed
others of his fellow boarders. From the first, he made it
evident by his open admiration that the daughter of the house
had won his heart from the instant, that he had set Eyes
Upon her beauty and her grace, he was no backward.
Souter on the second day, he told her that he loved her.
I'm from then onward. He repeated the same story with
an absolute disregard of what she might say.
To discourage him, someone else he would cry.
Well, the worst luck for someone else.
Let him look out for himself, am I?
To lose my life's chance and all my heart's desire for someone
else. You can keep on saying, no
Betty. The day will come.
When you'll say yes, and I'm young enough to wait.
He was a dangerous. Souter with his glib, Irish
tongue and his pretty coaxing ways.
There was about him also that glamour of experience and of
mystery, which attracts a woman's interest and finally her
love. He could talk of the sweet
valleys of County. And from which he came of the
lovely distant Island, the low Hills and Green Meadows of which
seem to more beautiful. When imagination viewed them
from this place of grime and snow, then he was versed in the
life of the cities of the north of Detroit and of the lumber
camps of Michigan. And finally of Chicago where he
had worked in a Planing Mill and afterwards came the hint of
Romance, the feeling that strange things that happened to
him in that great City. So strange and so intimate that
they might not be spoken of. He spoke wistfully of a sudden
leaving a Breaking of old ties, a flight into a strange world
ending in this dreary Valley and etty listened.
Her dark eyes gleaming with pity.
And with sympathy those two qualities, which may turn so
rapidly. And so naturally to love,
McMurdo had obtained. A temporary job, as bookkeeper
for, he was a well-educated man. This kept him out most of the
day and he had not found occasion yet to report himself
to the head of the lodge of the eminent order of freemen.
He was reminded of his a mission.
However Maya visit one evening from Mike Scanlon the fellow
member whom he had met in the train Scanlon, the small sharp
faced nervous black. Eyed man seemed glad to see Once
more after a glass or two of whiskey, he broached the subject
of his visit. Say McMurdo said he I remembered
your address so I made bold to call.
I'm surprised that you've not reported to the body.
Master, why haven't you seen boss McGinty yet?
Well, I had to find a job. I've been busy, you must find
time for him. If you've known for anything
else. Good.
Lord, man, you're a fool. Not to have been down to the
union house and registered your name the first morning.
After you came here, if you run against him, well, you mustn't,
that's all. McMurdo showed mild surprise,
I've been a member of the large for over two years Scanlon but
I've never heard that duties. Were so pressing as all that
maybe not in Chicago. Well, it's the same Society.
Here is it Scanlon looked at him long and fixedly it was
something sinister in his eyes, isn't it?
You'll tell me that in a month's time, I hear you had a talk with
the patrolman after I left a train.
How did you know that? Oh, it got about things.
Do get about for good and for bad in this District.
Well yes, I told the hounds what I thought of them by the Lord,
you'll be a man after McGinty's heart.
What does he hate? The police to Scanlon.
Burst out laughing. You go and see him elad said he
is. He took his leave, it's not the
police, but you that he'll hate if you don't now, take a
friend's advice and go at once. They chance that on the same
evening, McMurdo had another more pressing interview, which
urged him in the same direction. It may have been that his
attentions to Etihad been more evident than before or that they
had gradually obtruded themselves into the slow mind of
his good German host. But whatever the cause the
boarding house keeper, beckoned the young man into his private
room and started on the subject without any circumlocution.
It seems to me, mr. Said, he lets you are getting
set on my etty ends at so, or am I wrong?
Yes, that is. So the young man answered.
Well, I have on to tell you right now, is that it ain't no
manner of use. There's someone slipped in a for
you. She told me so, well you can
lays at she told you truth, but it should tell you who it was.
No, I asked her but she wouldn't tell.
I dare say not the little baggage.
Perhaps she did not wish to frighten you away.
Frightened, but murder was on fire in a moment.
Yes, my friend. You need not to be ashamed to be
frightened of him. It is Teddy, Baldwin.
And who the devil is he he is the boss of scholar has scouters
heard of them before. It's scouters here and scouters
there and always in a whisper. What are you all afraid of who
are the scholars? The boarding house keeper,
instinctively sank his voice, as everyone did, who talked about
that terrible society, as a scholar has said, he has the
eminent order of freemen the young man.
Stared, why I'm a member of that oil myself, you, I would never
have had you in my house if I'd known it, not if you were to pay
me $100 a week. What's wrong with the order?
It's for charity and good Fellowship.
The rules say so maybe in some places not here.
What is it here? It's a murder Society that's
what it is. McMurdo laughed incredulously.
How can you prove that he asked prove it as I not 50 murders to
prove it. What about Millman and fun
shortest and the Nicholson family?
And ultimately Esther hiam and Little Billy James and the
others prove it? Is there a man or a woman in
this Valley? That does not know it.
See here said McMurdo honestly, I want you to take back what you
said or else make it good. One of the other you must do
before I quit this room. Put yourself in my place here, I
am a stranger in the town, I belong to a society that I know
only as an innocent one, you'll find it through the length and
breadth of the states, but always as an innocent one.
Now, when I'm counting upon joining it here, you tell me
that it's the same as a murder society called the scouters.
I guess you owe me either an apology or else an explanation,
mr. Shafter I can but tell you that
the whole world knows mr. The bosses of the one of the
bosses of the other if you offend the one it is the other
that will strike you. We have proved it too often.
That's just gossip. I want proof, said McMurdo, if
you live here long, you will get your proof.
But I forget that you are yourself.
One of them. You will soon be as bad as
Arrest, but you will find other lodgings mr.
I cannot have you here, is it not bad enough?
That one of these people come cutting my etty and that I dare
not turn him down and that I should have another for my
border. Yes, indeed, you shall not sleep
here after tonight. McMurdo found himself under
sentence of banishment, both from his comfortable quarters
and from the girl whom he loved. He found her alone in the
sitting room that same evening and he poured his troubles into
her ear. Sure your father is after give
me notice. He said, it's little, I would
care if it was just my room but indeed actually, though, it's
only a week that I've known you. You're the very Breath of Life
to me and I can't live without you.
Oh hush mr. McMurdo don't speak.
So said, the girl I've told you have I not that you're too late,
there's another and if I'm not promised to marry him at once,
at least I can promise, no one else.
Suppose I had been first at, he would have had a chance.
The girl sank her face into her hands.
I wish to Heaven that you had been first.
She sobbed McMurdo is down on his knees before her, an instant
for God's sake ettie. Let it stand up that he cried.
Will you ruin your life and my own for the sake of This
Promise? Follow your heart, a kuchler
tesar safer guide than any promise before you knew what it
was, what you were saying. He had seized at his white hand
between his own strong, brown ones, say that you'll be mine
and we'll face it out together. Not here.
Yes here. No, no, Jack.
His arms were round a now. He could not be here.
Could you take me away? I struggle past for a moment
over mcmurdo's face, but it ended by setting like Granite.
No, here he said, I'll hold you against the world sat right here
where we are. Why should we not leave
together? No ettie.
I can't leave here, but why I'd never hold my head up again.
If I felt this had been driven out, besides what is there to be
afraid of? Are we not free folks in a free
country? If you love me and I are you who
will dare to come between us, You Don't Know, Jack, you've
been here too short a time you don't know this Baldwin, you
don't know how McGinty and his car has no No, I don't know them
and I don't fear them and I don't believe in them said
McMurdo, I've lived among Ruffman my darling.
And instead of fearing them, it is always ended that they,
feared me, always ettie. It's mad on the face of it.
If these men as your father says, have done Crime After
Crime in the valley and if everyone knows him by name, how
come is that non has brought to Justice.
You answer me. That is he because no witness
dares to appear against them. He would not live on months if
he did also because they have always their own men to swear
that the accused one was far from the scene of the crime, but
surely Jack, you must have read all this.
I had understood that every paper in the United States was
writing about it. Well, I've read something it is
true but I thought it was a story.
Maybe these men have some reason in what they do.
Maybe they're wronged and have no other way to help themselves.
Oh Jack, don't let me hear you speak of.
So that is how he speaks the other one Baldwin he speaks like
that, does he? And that is why I loathe him so.
Oh Jack. How can I tell you the truth?
I loathe him. With all my heart, but I fear
Him. Also, I fear Him for myself, but
above all, I fear Him for my father, I know that some great
sorrow would come upon us. If I dare to say what I really
felt, that is why I put him off with half promises.
It was in real truth, our only hope.
But if you would fly with me Jack, we could take father with
us and live forever far from the power of these wicked men.
Again, there was the struggle upon mcmurdo's face and again it
set like Granite, no harm shall come to you. 80 naughtier.
Father either as to wicked men expect, you may find that I'm as
bad as the worst of them before you're through.
No, no Jack. I would trust you anywhere.
Murder laughed bitterly. Good Lord, how little, you know,
of me, you're innocent soul, my darling.
Could not even guess what his passing in mind.
But hello, who's the visitor? The door had opened suddenly and
a young fellow came swaggering in with the air of one.
Who is the master. He was a handsome Dashing Young
Man of about the same age and build as McMurdo himself under
his broad-brimmed, black felt hat which had not troubled to
remove a handsome face with Fierce domineering eyes.
And a curved Hawk, bill of a nose, looked savagely at the
pair, Who Sat by the stove. Etty had jumped to her feet full
of confusion and alarm. I'm glad to see you mr.
Baldwin said she your earlier than I thought, come and sit
down Baldwin stood with his hands on his hips.
Looking at McMurdo. Who is this?
He asked curtly, it's a friend of mine, mr.
Baldwin, I knew border here. Mr. McMurdo may, I introduce you
to mr. Baldwin the young men nodded So
the fashion to each other. Maybe Miss Eddie is told you how
it is with us said Baldwin. I don't understand that there
was any relation between you, didn't you?
Well, you can understand it. Now, you can take it from me
that this young lady is mine, and you'll find it a very fine
evening for a walk. Thank you.
I'm in, no humour for a walk. Aren't you?
The Man, Savage eyes were blazing with anger?
Maybe you're in a humour, for a fight.
Mr. Border that I am cried McMurdo springing to his feet.
He never said a more. Welcome word for God's sake!
Jack! Oh for God's sake, Jack cried,
poor distracted ettie. Oh Jack Jack, he'll hurt you.
Although it's Jack, is it said Baldwin with an oath, you've
come to that already, have you? Oh, Ted be reasonable.
Be kind for my sake. Ted, if ever you love me be Big
Hearted and forgiving. I think etty that if you were to
leave us alone, we could get this thing settled said, McMurdo
quietly or maybe mr. Baldwin, you'll take a turn down
the street with me. It's a fine evening and there's
some open ground beyond the next block.
I'll get even with you without needing to dirty.
My hands said his enemy. You'll wish you had never set
foot in this house. Before I'm through with you, no
time, like the present cried McMurdo.
I'll choose my own time, mr. You can leave the time to me.
See here he suddenly rolled up his sleeve and showed upon his
forearm, A peculiar sign which appeared to have been branded.
Their, it was a circle with a triangle within it.
Do you know what that means? I neither know nor care.
Well, you will know, I'll promise you that you won't be
much older either. Perhaps Miss Eddie can tell you
something about. It has to you Eddie, you'll come
back to me on your knees. Do you hear girl on your knees?
And then I'll tell you what your punishment.
Maybe you've sold and by the Lord, I'll see that you reap.
He glanced at them both in Fury, then he turned upon his heel and
an instant later the outer door had banged behind him.
For a few moments McMurdo on the girl stood in silence and she
threw her arms around him. Oh, Jack.
How brave you were? But it is.
No use you must fly tonight. Jack tonight is your only hope
you will have your life. I read it in his horrible eyes.
What chance have you against a dozen of them with boss McGinty
and all the power of the logic behind them?
McMurdo disengaged her hands kissed her, and gently pushed
her back into a chair. They're a cushla there.
Don't be disturbed or fear for me.
I'm a free man myself. I'm after telling your father
about it, maybe I am no better than the others.
So don't make a saint of me. Perhaps you hate me too.
Now that I've told you so much. Hate you Jack while life.
Last, I could never do that. I've heard that.
There is no harm in being a Freeman Anywhere, But Here.
So, why should I sing the worse of you for that?
But if you are, Are a free man Jack, why would you not go down
and make a friend of Boss McGinty?
Oh, hurry, Jack. Hurry.
Get your word in first or the hounds will be on your Trail.
I was thinking the same thing said McMurdo I'll go right now
and fix it. You can tell your father that
I'll sleep here tonight and find some other quarters in the
morning. The bar of McGinty's Saloon was
crowded as usual for. It was the favorite loafing
place of all the rougher elements of the town.
No, man was popular for you too. Rough jovial disposition, which
formed a mask covering a great deal which lay behind it.
But apart from this popularity, the fear in which he was held
throughout the township and indeed down the Whole 30 miles
of the valley and past the mountains on each side of it was
enough in itself to fill his bar.
For non could afford to neglect his Goodwill besides those
secret powers, which it was universally believed that he
exercised in. So, pitiless a fashion.
He was a high public official. I mean, it's people counselor,
and a commissioner of Roads elected to the office through
the votes of the Ruffians, who in turn expected to receive
favors at his hands assessments and taxes were enormous.
The Public Works were notoriously neglected.
The accounts was slurred over by bribed Auditors and the decent
citizen was terrorized into paying public blackmail and
holding his tongue, lest some worse thing before him.
Thus it was that year by year, boss McGinty's Diamond pins
became more obtrusive, his gold chains, more weighty across a
more gorgeous vest and his Saloon stretched father and
father until it threatened to absorb one whole side of the
Market Square. McMurdo pushed open The Swinging
Door of the saloon and made his way amid the crowd of men within
through an atmosphere. Blurred with tobacco smoke and
heavy with the smell of spirits. The place was brilliantly
lighted, and the huge heavily guilt mirrors upon every wall.
Reflected and multiplied. The garish illumination.
There were several bartenders in their shirtsleeves hard at work,
mixing drinks for the loungers. Who Fringe the broad brass
trimmed counter At the far end with his body resting upon the
bar and a cigar stuck at an acute angle from the corner of
his mouth, stood, a tall, strong heavily built man, who could be
none, other than the famous McGinty himself.
He was a black maned giant bearded to the cheekbones and
with a shock of Raven hair, which fell to his collar, his
complexion was as swarthy as that of an Italian and his eyes
were of a strange dead black. Which combined with a slight
squint gave them a particularly Sinister appearance, all else in
the man his Noble proportions, his fine features and his Frank
bearing fitted in with that jovial, man to man manner, which
he affected here. One would say, is a bluff.
Honest fellow whose heart would be sound.
However, rude is outspoken words.
Might seem it was only when those dead dark eyes deep and
remorseless were turned Upon A man that he shrank within
himself, feeling that he was face-to-face with an infinite
possibility of latent, evil with a strength and courage and
cunning behind it, which made it a thousand times more deadly.
Having had a good look at this man.
McMurdo elbowed his way forward with his usual careless or
density and pushed himself through the Group of coaches who
were fawning upon the powerful boss.
Laughing uproariously at the smallest of his jokes.
The young strangers. Bold gray eyes looked back
fearlessly through their glasses at the deadly black ones, which
turned sharply upon him. Well, young man, I can't call
your face to mind. I knew here.
Mr. McGinty, you are not so new that you can't give a gentleman
his / title, he's Council, am again to young man, said a voice
from the group. I'm sorry counselor.
I'm strange to the ways of the place but I was advised to see
you. Well, you see me, this is all
there is. What do you think of me?
Well, it's early days. If your heart is as big as your
body and your soul is fine as your face, then I'd ask for
nothing better said McMurdo By God you've got an Irish tongue
in your head. Anyhow ride the saloonkeeper.
Not quite certain whether to humor this audacious visitor or
to stand upon his dignity. So, you are good enough to pass
my appearance. Sure said, McMurdo.
And you were told to see me, I was, and who told you brother
Scanlon of large 341 vermissa? I drink your health counselor
and to are better acquaintance. He raised a glass with, which he
had been served to his lips and Elevate his little finger as he
drank it McGinty. Who'd been watching him
narrowly. Raised his thick black eyebrows.
Oh, it's like that. Is it said he my laughter look a
bit closer into this mr. McMurdo a bit closer.
Mr. McMurdo for we don't take folk on trust in these parts nor
believe all were told neither. I come in here for a moment
behind the bar. There was a small room there
lined with barrels, McGinty carefully, close the door and
then seated himself on one of them biting thoughtfully on his
cigar and surveying His companion, with those
disquieting eyes for a couple of minutes.
He sat in complete, silence McMurdo bore the inspection
cheerfully, one hand in his coat pocket.
The other twisting his brown mustache.
Suddenly McGinty stooped and produced a wicked-looking
revolver, see here. My Joker said he, if I thought
you were playing any game on us, it would be short work for you.
This is a strange, welcome McMurdo answered with some
dignity for the body, master of a larger Freeman to give to a
stranger brother. But it's just that saying that
you have to prove said, McGinty and God help you, if you fail,
where were you made large 29 Chicago when June 24th 1872,
what body Master James H Scott, who is your District ruler?
Bartholomew Wilson. Hmm.
You seem glib enough in your tests.
What are you doing here? Working the same as you but a
poor, a job. You have your back answer?
Quick enough. Yes, I was always quick of
speech. Are you quick of action?
I have had that name among those.
That knew me best. Well we may try you sooner than
you think. Have you heard anything of the
lodge in these It's I've heard that it takes a man to be a
brother. True for you, mr.
McMurdo, why did you leave Chicago?
I'm damned if I'll tell you that McGinty opened his eyes.
He was not used to being answered in such fashion and it
amused him. Why won't you tell me because?
No brother. May tell another Ally.
Then the truth is too bad to tell.
You can put it that way if you like see here, Mister you can't
expect me as bodymaster to pass into the lodge, a man for whose
past he can't answer. McMurdo looked puzzled, then he
took a war newspaper, cutting from an inner pocket.
You wouldn't squeal on a fella said he I'll wipe my hand across
your face if you say such words to me cried McGinty hotly, you
right. Counselor said McMurdo meekly.
He should apologize. I spoke without thought.
Well, I know that I'm safe in your hands.
Look at that clipping. McGinty glanced his eyes over
the account of the shooting of one Jonas.
Pinto in the lake, Saloon Market Street Chicago in the New Year
week of 1874. Your work.
He asked as he handed back the paper, but murder nodded.
Why did you shoot him? I was helping Uncle Sam to make
dollars. Maybe mine were not as good gold
as his but they looked as well and were cheaper to make this
man, Pinto help me to shove the queer to do, what?
Well, it means to pass the dollars out into circulation.
Then he said he would split, maybe he did split, I didn't
Wait to see, I just killed him and light it out for the call
Country. Why the coal country?
Because I'd read in the papers that they weren't to particular
in those parts. McGinty.
Laughed. Ha ha.
Your first, a coiner, and then a murderer.
And you came to these parts, because you thought you'd be
welcome. That's about the size of it.
McMurdo answered. Well, I guess you'll go far.
Say, can you make those dollars yet?
But might I took half a dozen from his pocket but was never
passed the Philadelphia. Mint said he you don't say
McGinty held them to the light and his enormous hand which was
Harry as a gorillas. I can see no difference, guy,
you'll be a mighty useful, brother.
I'm thinking we can do with a bad man or two Among Us friend.
McMurdo for there are times when we have to take our own part,
we'd soon be against the wall if we didn't shove back at those
that were pushing us, well, I guess I'll do my share of
shoving with the rest of the boys.
You seem to have a good nerve you didn't squirm when I shove
this gun at you. It was not me that was in danger
who then it was you canceler McMurdo drew a cocked pistol.
From the side pocket of his pea-jacket.
I was covering you all the time. I guess my shot would have been
as quick as yours. By gar McGinty flushed and angry
red. And then burst into a roar of
laughter say, we've had no such holy Terror.
Come to hand. This many a year.
I reckon the lodge will learn to be proud of you.
Well, what the hell do you want? And can't, I speak alone with a
gentleman for five minutes but you must but in on us, The
bartender stood abashed. I'm sorry, counselor, but it's
Ted Baldwin. He says, he must see you this
very minute. The message was unnecessary for
the set cruel face of the man himself, was looking over the
servant shoulder, he pushed a bartender out and close the door
on him. So said, he with a furious
glance at McMurdo. You got a, A first, did you have
a word to say to your counselor about this man?
Then say it here? And now before my face cried
McMurdo, I'll say it at my own time, in my own way, Tut Tut
said McGinty getting off his Barrel.
This will never do. We have a new brother here
Baldwin, and it's not for us to greet him in such fashion.
Hold out your hand man and make it up, never cried Baldwin in a
fury. I've offered to fight him.
If he thinks, I've wronged him said McMurdo, I'll fight him
with fists or that won't satisfy.
I am I'll fight him any other way, he chooses.
Now, I'll leave it to you. Canceller to judge between us as
a body Master should, what is it?
Then a young lady. She's free to choose for
herself, is she cried Baldwin as between two brothers of the
lodge? I should say that.
She was said the boss. Oh, that's your ruling, is it?
Yes, it is. Ted Baldwin said McGinty, With a
wicked stare is it you that would dispute it, you would
throw over one that has stood by this five years in favor of a
man that you never saw before in your life you are not body
masterful life, Jack McGinty. And by God when next it comes to
a vote, the counselor sprang at him like a tiger, his hand
closed round the others neck and he hurled him back across, one
of the barrels. In his mad Fury, he would have
squeezed the life out of him, if McMurdo would not interfere.
Feared easy, counselor For Heaven's Sake, go easy.
He cried as he dragged him back. Begin to released his hold and
Baldwin cowed and shaken gasping for breath and shivering.
In every limb, as one who has looked over the very edge of
death, sat up on the barrel over, which he had been hurled,
You've been asking for this many a day, Ted Baldwin.
Now you have got it, cried McGinty, his huge chest, rising
and falling. Maybe a think.
If I was voted down from bodymaster, you'd find yourself
in my shoes. It's for the lodge to say that,
but so long as I'm the chief, I'll have no man lifts his voice
against me or my rulings. I have nothing against you
mumbled Baldwin feeling his throat.
Well, then cried the other relapsing in a moment into a
bluff. Joviality, we're all good
friends again, and there's an end of the matter.
He took a bottle of champagne down from the shelf and twisted
out the cork. See now, he continued as he
filled three High glasses. Let us drink the quarreling
toast of the lodge after that, as, you know, there can be no
bad blood between us now, then the left hand on the apple of my
throat. I say to you, Ted Baldwin.
What is the offense sir? The clouds are heavy answered
her Baldwin but they will forever brighten.
And this is where the men drank their glasses and the same
ceremony was performed between Baldwin and McMurdo.
Their tribe McGinty rubbing his hands.
That's the end of the black blood you come under Lodge
discipline. If it goes further and that's a
heavy hand in these parts as brother Baldwin nose and as you
will damn soon. Find out brother McMurdo if you
ask for trouble, Faith. I'd be slow to do.
That said, McMurdo, he held out his hand to Baldwin.
I'm quick to quarrel and quick to forgive, is for heart, Irish
blood, they tell me, but it's over for me and I bear.
No grudge. Baldwin had to take the profit
hand for the bail. Fly of the terrible boss was
upon him but his Sullen face showed how little the words of
the other had moved him. McGinty clap them both on the
shoulders turd, these girls. These girls, he cried to think
that the same Petticoat should come between two of my boys.
It's the devil's own luck. Well, it's the Colleen inside of
them. They must settle the question
for. It's outside.
The jurisdiction of a body master and the Lord be praised
for that. We have enough honest without
the women as well. You'll have to be Affiliated to
Lodge. Brother McMurdo, we have our own
ways and methods different from Chicago, Saturday night is our
meeting. And if you come, then will make
you free forever of the vermissa valley.
End of chapter 2. End of chapter 2.