The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes 7)

McMurdo had obtained a temporary job as bookkeeper; for he was awell-educated man. This kept him out most of the day, and he had notfound occasion yet to report himself to the head of the lodge of theEminent Order of Freemen. He was reminded of his omission, however, bya visit one evening from Mike Scanlan, the fellow member whom he hadmet in the train. Scanlan, the small, sharp-faced, nervous, black-eyedman, seemed glad to see him once more. After a glass or two of whiskyhe broached the object of his visit.

"Say, McMurdo," said he, "I remembered your address, so I made bold tocall. I'm surprised that you've not reported to the Bodymaster. Whyhaven't you seen Boss McGinty yet?"

"Well, I had to find a job. I have been busy."

"You must find time for him if you have none for anything else. GoodLord, man! you're a fool not to have been down to the Union House andregistered your name the first morning after you came here! If you runagainst him--well, you mustn't, that's all!"

McMurdo showed mild surprise. "I've been a member of the lodge for overtwo years, Scanlan, but I never heard that duties were so pressing asall that."

"Maybe not in Chicago."

"Well, it's the same society here."

"Is it?"

Scanlan looked at him long and fixedly. There was something sinister inhis eyes.

"Isn't it?"

"You'll tell me that in a month's time. I hear you had a talk with thepatrolmen after I left the train."

"How did you know that?"

"Oh, it got about--things do get about for good and for bad in thisdistrict."

"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 too?"

Scanlan burst out laughing. "You go and see him, my lad," said he as hetook his leave. "It's not the police but you that he'll hate if youdon't! Now, take a friend's advice and go at once!"

It chanced that on the same evening McMurdo had another more pressinginterview which urged him in the same direction. It may have been thathis attentions to Ettie had been more evident than before, or that theyhad gradually obtruded themselves into the slow mind of his good Germanhost; but, whatever the cause, the boarding-house keeper beckoned theyoung man into his private room and started on the subject without anycircumlocution.

"It seems to me, mister," said he, "that you are gettin' set on myEttie. Ain't that so, or am I wrong?"

"Yes, that is so," the young man answered.

"Vell, I vant to tell you right now that it ain't no manner of use.There's someone slipped in afore you."

"She told me so."

"Vell, you can lay that she told you truth. But did she tell you who itvas?"

"No, I asked her; but she wouldn't tell."

"I dare say not, the leetle baggage! Perhaps she did not vish tofrighten you avay."

"Frighten!" McMurdo was on fire in a moment.

"Ah, yes, my friend! You need not be ashamed to be frightened of him.It is Teddy Baldwin."

"And who the devil is he?"

"He is a boss of Scowrers."

"Scowrers! I've heard of them before. It's Scowrers here and Scowrersthere, and always in a whisper! What are you all afraid of? Who are theScowrers?"