The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes 7)

"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 sentin a hundred; but I took it on myself to return it and ask for five. IfI do not hear by Wednesday, their winding gear may get out of order. Wehad to burn their breaker last year before they became reasonable. Thenthe West Section Coaling Company has paid its annual contribution. Wehave enough 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 forus to say that he had rather be a free crossing sweeper in New Yorkthan a large mine owner under the power of a ring of blackmailers. ByGar! it was as well that he made a break for it before the note reachedus! I guess he won'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 Van Deherand of Atwood, which have all been given up of late?"

"They were all bought by the West Gilmerton General Mining Company."

"I don't see, Brother Morris," said the chairman, "that it matters tous who 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 orthe General Iron, who have their directors in New York or Philadelphia,and care nothing for our threats. We can take it out of their localbosses, but it only means that others will be sent in their stead. Andwe are making it dangerous for ourselves. The small men could not harmus. They had not the money nor the power. So long as we did not squeezethem too dry, they would stay on under our power. But if these bigcompanies find that we stand between them and their profits, they willspare no pains and no expense 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 ofthis society will have been broken."

Unwelcome truths are not popular. There were angry cries as the speakerresumed his seat. McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow.

"Brother Morris," said he, "you were always a croaker. So long as themembers of this lodge stand together there is no power in the UnitedStates that can touch them. Sure, have we not tried it often enough inthe law courts? I expect the big companies will find it easier to paythan to fight, same as the little companies do. And now, Brethren,"McGinty took off his black velvet cap and his stole as he spoke, "thislodge has finished its business for the evening, save for one smallmatter which may be mentioned when we are parting. The time has nowcome for fraternal refreshment and for harmony."

Strange indeed is human nature. Here were these men, to whom murder wasfamiliar, who again and again had struck down the father of the family,some man against whom they had no personal feeling, without one thoughtof compunction or of compassion for his weeping wife or helplesschildren, and yet the tender or pathetic in music could move them totears. 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 withheldafter he had thrilled them with "I'm Sitting on the Stile, Mary," and"On the Banks of Allan Water."

In his very first night the new recruit had made himself one of themost popular of the brethren, marked already for advancement and highoffice. There were other qualities needed, however, besides those ofgood fellowship, to make a worthy Freeman, and of these he was given anexample before the evening was over. The whisky bottle had passed roundmany times, and the men were flushed and ripe for mischief when theirBodymaster 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 Stangerof the Herald. You've seen how he's been opening his mouth against usagain?"

There was a murmur of assent, with many a muttered oath. McGinty took aslip 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 assassinations which proved the existence of a criminal organization in our midst. From that day these outrages have never ceased, until now they have reached a pitch which makes us the opprobrium of the civilized world. Is it for such 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 the very shadow of the sacred folds of the starry Flag of Freedom which would raise horror in our minds if we read of it as existing under the most effete monarchy of the East? The men are known. The organization 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 thepaper down upon the table. "That's what he says of us. The question I'masking you 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 shaved face. "I tell you, Brethren, that our hand is too heavy inthis valley, and that there will come a point where in self-defenseevery man will unite to crush us out. James Stanger is an old man. Heis respected in the township and the district. His paper stands for allthat is solid in the valley. If that man is struck down, there will bea stir through this state that will only end with our destruction."

"And how would they bring about our destruction, Mr. Standback?" criedMcGinty. "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't we 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.