The Valley of Fear

Body

or a dozen boarders there; but they were honest foremen or commonplace clerks from the stores, of a very different calibre from the young Irishman. Of an evening when they gathered to

er, which compelled the respect and even the fear of those who met him. For the law, too, and all who were co

nt that he had set eyes upon her beauty and her grace. He was no backward suitor. On the second day he told her that he lo

mself! Am I to lose my life's chance and all my heart's desire for someone else? You can keep

ery which attracts a woman's interest, and finally her love. He could talk of the sweet valleys of County Monaghan from which he came, of the lovely

ance, the feeling that strange things had 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,

the head of the lodge of the Eminent Order of Freemen. He was reminded of his omission, however, by a visit one evening from Mike Scanlan, the fellow member whom he had met

made bold to call. I'm surprised that you've not reported

find a job. I

re a fool not to have been down to the Union House and registered your name the firs

of the lodge for over two years, Scanlan, but I ne

not in

the same s

s

and fixedly. There was some

n't

ime. I hear you had a talk with the

you kno

do get about for good and

the hounds what I

'll be a man afte

he hate the

he as he took his leave. "It's not the police but you that he'l

tentions to Ettie had been more evident than before, or that they had gradually obtruded themselves into the slow mind of his good German host; but

"that you are gettin' set on my E

so," the young

that it ain't no manner of use. Th

told

he told you truth. But di

her; but she

baggage! Perhaps she did not

Murdo was on f

not be ashamed to be frightene

the dev

boss of S

s here and Scowrers there, and always in a whisper

s everyone did who talked about that terrible society. "T

"Why, I am a member

house if I had known it-not if you ve

? It's for charity and good

ome places.

is it

society, that

ulously. "How can you

rst, and the Nicholson family, and old Mr. Hyam, and little Billy James, and the

am I, 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,

of the one are the bosses of the other. If you offend the one, i

sip-I want proof

t you vill find other lodgings, mister. I cannot have you here. Is it not bad enough that one of these people come courting my Ettie, a

able quarters and from the girl whom he loved. He found her alone in the

re if it was just my room, but indeed, Ettie, though it's only a week that I've

ou, have I not, that you are too late? There is another, and if I have

first, Ettie, would

hands. "I wish to heaven that

hat!" he cried. "Will you ruin your life and my own for the sake of this promise? Follow your hea

white hand between his

e mine, and we will

t h

, he

round her now. "It could not b

ended by setting like granite. "No, here," he said. "I'll h

we not lea

, I can't

t w

Besides, what is there to be afraid of? Are we not free folks in a fr

o short a time. You don't know this Baldwi

f fearing them it has always ended that they have feared me-always, Ettie. It's mad on the face of it! If these men, as your father says, have do

ve always their own men to swear that the accused one was far from the scene of the crime. But surely, Jack

was a story. Maybe these men have some reason in what they do.

ar you speak so! That is h

peaks like th

ll I fear him for father. I know that some great sorrow would come upon us if I dared to say what I really felt. That is why I have put him off with half-promise

"No harm shall come to you, Ettie-nor to your father either. As to wicked men,

I would trust

of me! Your innocent soul, my darling, could not even gues

young man of about the same age and build as McMurdo himself. Under his broad-brimmed black felt hat, which he had not troubled to r

arm. "I'm glad to see you, Mr. Baldwin," said she. "Y

n his hips looking at McMurdo.

, a new boarder here. Mr. McMurdo,

ded in surly fash

told you how it is w

that there was any

can take it from me that this young lady is mine,

am in no humou

re blazing with anger. "Maybe you are

pringing to his feet. "You ne

sake!" cried poor, distracted Ettie

aldwin with an oath. "You've c

or my sake, Ted, if ever you loved

," said McMurdo quietly. "Or maybe, Mr. Baldwin, you will take a turn down the stre

hands," said his enemy. "You'll wish you had never s

the present,"

lled up his sleeve and showed upon his forearm a peculiar sign which appeared to have bee

er know

you'll come back to me on your knees-d'ye hear, girl?-on your knees-and then I'll tell you what your punishment may be. You've sowed-and by the Lord

the girl stood in silence. The

s your only hope. He will have your life. I read it in his horrible eyes. What chance have

n't be disturbed or fear for me. I'm a Freeman myself. I'm after telling your father about it. Maybe I am no

but here; so why should I think the worse of you for that? But if you are a Freeman, Jack, why should you not go down

ht now and fix it. You can tell your father that I'll sleep

ial 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 ind

ads, elected to the office through the votes of the ruffians who in turn expected to receive favours at his hands. Assessments and taxes were enormous; the public works were notoriously

is gold chains more weighty across a more gorgeous vest, and his saloon stretched fa

avy with the smell of spirits. The place was brilliantly lighted, and the huge, heavily gilt mirrors upon every wall reflected and multiplied the garish i

e none other than the famous McGinty himself. He was a black-maned giant, bearded to the cheek-bones, and with a shock of raven hair which fell to his collar. His compl

est fellow, whose heart would be sound however rude his outspoken words might seem. It was only when those dead, dark eyes, deep and remorseless, were turned upon a man that he shrank w

he little group of courtiers who were fawning upon the powerful boss, laughing uproariously at the smallest of his jokes. The you

, I can't call y

here, Mr.

t you can't give a gent

ty, young man," said a

range to the ways of the place

is is all there is. W

as your body, and your soul as fine as your face

cried the saloon-keeper, not quite certain whether to hu

d enough to pas

said M

ere told t

w

ho tol

r, and to our better acquaintance." He raised a glass with which he ha

thick black eyebrows. "Oh, it's like that, is it?" sai

Mur

on trust in these parts, nor believe all we're told

n his cigar and surveying his companion with those disquieting eyes. For a couple of minutes he sat in complete silence. McMurdo bore the inspecti

thought you were playing any game o

with some dignity, "for the Bodymaster of a lo

ve to prove," said McGinty, "and God hel

29, C

he

24,

Bodyma

s H.

our distr

lomew W

ough in your tests. Wh

same as you-bu

r back answer

always quick

quick o

name among those

n you think. Have you heard anyt

it takes a man

McMurdo. Why did

d if I tel

d to being answered in such fashion, an

other may tell

uth is too b

it that way

, as Bodymaster, to pass into the lodg

n he took a worn newspaper

squeal on a fe

ur face if you say such word

hould apologize. I spoke without thought. Well, I know

hooting of one Jonas Pinto, in the Lake Saloon, Ma

sked, as he hande

do no

you sho

ot as good gold as his, but they looked as well and were ch

do w

n he said he would split. Maybe he did split. I didn't wait t

e coal

pers that they weren't too

nd then a murderer, and you came to these p

e size of it," M

go far. Say, can you m

his pocket. "Those never passed

. Gar! 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 ar

my share of shoving wit

rve. You didn't squirm when

me that wa

o t

the side pocket of his peajacket. "I was covering you all

y terror come to hand this many a year. I reckon the lodge will learn to be proud of you.... Well, what th

, Councillor, but it's Ted Baldwin. He

the man himself was looking over the servant's shoulder.

do, "you got here first, did you? I've a wor

nd now before my fa

t my own time,

do. We have a new brother here, Baldwin, and it's not for us to g

ied Baldwin

him with fists, or, if that won't satisfy him, I'll fight him any other way he choose

is it,

he's free to cho

" cried

f the lodge I should say t

s your rul

McGinty, with a wicked stare. "I

our of a man that you never saw before in your life? You're not Bodyma

's neck, and he hurled him back across one of the barrels. In his mad fury

en's sake, go easy!" he cri

breath, and shivering in every limb, as one who has looked over the v

and falling. "Maybe you think if I was voted down from Bodymaster you would find yourself in my shoes. It's for

t you," mumbled Baldwi

oment into a bluff joviality, "we are all good

agne down from the shelf

st of the lodge. After that, as you know, there can be no bad blood between us. Now, then t

re heavy," an

ill forever

his I

d the same ceremony was perform

er lodge discipline if it goes further, and that's a heavy hand in these parts, as Brother

o Baldwin. "I'm quick to quarrel and quick to forgive. It's my hot Ir

eye of the terrible Boss was upon him. But his sullen fa

leen inside of them that must settle the question for it's outside the jurisdiction of a Bodymaster-and the Lord be praised for that! We have enough on us, without the women as well. You'll have to be af