The Valley of Fear

341, V

the extreme outskirts of the town. Scanlan, his original acquaintance aboard the train, had occasion shortly afterwards to move into Vermissa, and the two lodged together. There was n

ere when he liked; so that his intercourse with Ettie was by no means brok

way in his pocket some examples of the false money, so cunningly struck that there was never the slightest difficulty or danger in passing it. Why, with such a wonderful art at his command, McMurdo should cond

saloon, there to make closer acquaintance with "the boys," which was the jovial title by which the dangerous gang who infested the place were known to one another. His dashing manner and fearlessness of speech made him a favourite

he efforts of the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district. There was a hush as he entered, and many a curious glance was cast at him;

tter," said the police officer. "I don'

new captain?"

he other leading citizens, to help us in upholding law

n police of the township, and no need for any imported goods. What are you but the pai

it; but we can't all see it the same." He had drunk off his glass and had turned to go, when his eyes fell upon the face of

never a friend to you nor any other

e police captain, grinning. "You're Jack McMurdo

'm not denying it," said he. "D'ye

good cause t

ean by that?" he roared

icer in Chicago before ever I came to this darned coa

ell me that you're Marvin of

your service. We haven't forgotten t

er sho

ld have had you for shoving the queer. Well, we can let that be bygones; for, between you and me-and perhaps I'm go

well whe

ointer, and you're a sulky

and I do thank you," said McMu

aid the captain. "But, by the Lord! if you get off after this, it

to have greatness thrust upon him. But now the thing was officially confirmed. The bar loafers crowded round him and shook him heartily by the hand. He was free of the community from that tim

The assembly met in a large room reserved for such purposes at the Union House. Some sixty members assembled at Vermissa; but that by no means represented the full strength of the organization, for there were several other lodges in the valley, and ot

yes. McGinty sat at the head with a flat black velvet cap upon his shock of tangled black hair, and a coloured purple stole round his neck, so that he seemed to be a priest presiding over some d

were many whose features showed the tigerish, lawless souls within; but looking at the rank and file it was difficult to believe that these eager and open-faced young fellows were in very truth a dangerous gang of murderers, who

injured them, and whom in many cases they had never seen in their lives. The crime committed, they quarrelled as to who had act

re to witness against them, and on the other they had an unlimited number of stanch witnesses upon whom they could call, and a well-filled treasure chest from which they could draw the funds to engage the best legal talent in the state. In ten lo

solemn brothers. Through the plank partition he could hear the murmur of many voices from the assembly within. Once or twice he caught the sound o

t he shall be trussed, bli

e round above the elbows and made it fast. They next placed a thick black cap right over his head a

rustle and murmur of the people round him, and then the voice of

, "are you already a member of

ed in

odge No. 2

wed a

e unpleasant,"

ngers to trave

ouds ar

orm is app

satisfied?" aske

general murm

"We would have you know, however, that in this county and in other counties of these parts we have c

a

of stou

a

de forward t

eared as if he could not move forward without a danger of losing them. None the less, he nerved himsel

t," said the voice.

another,"

st

izing pain shot through his forearm. He nearly fainted at the sudden s

more than th

e in the lodge. Hands clapped him on the back, and the hood was plucked from h

sworn the oath of secrecy and fidelity, and you are aware that the

said M

he Bodymaster for the time be

d

s privileges and debates. You will put the liquor on the tabl

ed heavily. There on the flesh of the forearm was a circle with a triangle within it, deep and red, as the br

id one; "but not all a

said he; but it burned

siness of the lodge proceeded. McMurdo, accustomed only to the prosaic performances of Chi

nty, "is to read the following letter from Division

AR

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 t

NDLE D. M

a man or two, and it is not for us to refuse him." McGinty paused and looked r

eir hands. The Bodymaster looked

dle it as well as you did the last,

id the volunteer, a

rt for you. As to the pistol, you'll find it waiting for you, or I'm mistaken. If you repor

et, dark-faced, brutal-looking young man, whose

nour of the thing. Maybe when it is done there wi

man done?" ask

business of ours. All we have to do is to carry it out for them, same as they would for us. Speaking of th

hey?" aske

an testify nothing, and no trouble can come of it. But the

arts. It was only last week that three of our men were turned off by Foreman

urdo whispered

dge!" cried the man with a loud laugh.

rit of the vile association of which he was now a member. "I li

at around heard his wo

black-maned Bodymaster

r, sir, who finds ou

minent Bodymaster, that if a man should be wanted I shou

sun was pushing its rim above the horizon. To some of the

graybeard who sat near the chairman, "that Brother McMurdo shoul

I meant; I'm in your

a willing man, and we believe that you will do good work in these parts. Ther

something that

glanced at his agenda paper, "I have one or two more points to bring before the meeting. First of all, I will ask the treasurer as to our bank bala

ed to kill Chester Wilcox of Marley Cr

one. Walker Brothers sent in a hundred; but I took it on myself to return it and ask for five. If I do not hear by Wednesday, their winding gear may get out of order. We had to b

hie Swindon?" a

ssing sweeper in New York than a large mine owner under the power of a ring of blackmailers. By Gar! it was as w

d of the table which faced the chairman. "Mr. Treasurer," he asked, "may I ask w

been bought by the State & Me

an and of Lee that came into the

ompany, Bro

nd of Shuman and of Van Deher and of Atwo

by the West Gilmerton

man, "that it matters to us who buys them, si

he General Iron, who have their directors in New York or Philadelphia, and care nothing for our threats. We can take it out of their local bosses, but it only means that others will be sent in their stead. And we are making it dangerous for ourselves. The small men could not har

otent and unchallenged had they been that the very thought that there was possible retribution in the bac

er upon the small men. On the day that they have all been

re angry cries as the speaker resumed his

nough in the law courts? I expect the big companies will find it easier to pay than to fight, same as the little companies do. And now, Brethren," McGinty took off his black velvet cap and his stole as

ithout one thought of compunction or of compassion for his weeping wife or helpless children, and yet the tender or pathetic in music could move them to tears. McMurdo had a fine tenor voice, and i

re other qualities needed, however, besides those of good fellowship, to make a worthy Freeman, and of these he was given an example before the evening wa

d it's for you to see that he gets it. I'm speaking of James Stanger of t

ny a muttered oath. McGinty took a sl

AND O

how he

R IN THE COAL A

results as this that our great country welcomes to its bosom the alien who flies from the despotisms of Europe? Is it that they shall themselves become tyrants over the very men who have given them shelter, and that a state of terrorism and lawlessness should be established under th

ssing the paper down upon the table. "That's what he says of

ried a dozen

there will come a point where in self-defense every man will unite to crush us out. James Stanger is an old man. He is respected in the township and the district.

the police? Sure, half of them are in our pay and half of them afraid of us. Or is it by

that might try the cas

of anger greeted

ding his huge black brows into a terrible 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 h

"I apologize, Eminent Bodymaster, to you and to every brother in this lodge if I have said more than I should. I am a faithful member-you all know that-and it is my fear lest evil

e shall be a 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 his full deserts there would be more trouble than we ne

d the young

y will y

r. You'll come, Gower, and you, Mansel,

brother he should go

forgotten nor forgiven. "Well, he can come if he wants," he said in

d out into the street, proceeding in twos and threes along the sidewalk so as not to provoke attention. It was a bitterly cold night, with a half-moon shining brilliantly in a frosty, star-spangled sky. The m

d is kept open for us. Arthur Willaby can stay with you. You others come with me. Have no f

e door of the newspaper office, Baldwin and his men rushed in and up the stair which faced them. McMurdo and another remained below. From the room abov

He writhed, and his long, thin limbs quivered under the blows. The others ceased at last; but Baldwin, his cruel face set in an infernal smile, was hacking at the man's head, which he vainly endeavoured to defend with his

he man," said

ou to interfere-you that are new to the lodge? Stand back!" He raised

hand on me. As to the lodge, wasn't it the order of the Bodymaster tha

says," remarked

n below. "The windows are all lighting up, and you'

ody of the editor at the head of the stair, the criminals rushed down and made their way swiftly along the street. Having reached the Union House, some of them mixed with the crowd in McGinty's