But his words had moved McMurdo deeply. It was easy to see that heshared the other's opinion as to the danger, and the need for meetingit. He gripped Morris's shoulder and shook him in his earnestness.
"See here, man," he cried, and he almost screeched the words in hisexcitement, "you won't gain anything by sitting keening like an oldwife at a wake. Let's have the facts. Who is the fellow? Where is he?How did you hear of him? Why did you come to me?"
"I came to you; for you are the one man that would advise me. I toldyou that I had a store in the East before I came here. I left goodfriends behind me, and one of them is in the telegraph service. Here'sa letter that I had from him yesterday. It's this part from the top ofthe page. You can read it yourself."
This was what McMurdo read:
How are the Scowrers getting on in your parts? We read plenty of them in the papers. Between you and me I expect to hear news from you before long. Five big corporations and the two railroads have taken the thing up in dead earnest. They mean it, and you can bet they'll get there! They are right deep down into it. Pinkerton has taken hold under their orders, and his best man, Birdy Edwards, is operating. The thing has got to be stopped right now.
"Now read the postscript."
Of course, what I give you is what I learned in business; so it goes no further. It's a queer cipher that you handle by the yard every day and can get no meaning from.
McMurdo sat in silence for some time, with the letter in his listlesshands. The mist had lifted for a moment, and there was the abyss beforehim.
"Does anyone else know of this?" he asked.
"I have told no one else."
"But this man--your friend--has he any other person that he would belikely to write to?"
"Well, I dare say he knows one or two more."
"Of the lodge?"
"It's likely enough."
"I was asking because it is likely that he may have given somedescription of this fellow Birdy Edwards--then we could get on histrail."
"Well, it's possible. But I should not think he knew him. He is justtelling me the news that came to him by way of business. How would heknow this Pinkerton man?"
McMurdo gave a violent start.
"By Gar!" he cried, "I've got him. What a fool I was not to know it.Lord! but we're in luck! We will fix him before he can do any harm. Seehere, Morris, will you leave this thing in my hands?"
"Sure, if you will only take it off mine."
"I'll do that. You can stand right back and let me run it. Even yourname need not be mentioned. I'll take it all on myself, as if it wereto me that this letter has come. Will that content you?"
"It's just what I would ask."
"Then leave it at that and keep your head shut. Now I'll get down tothe lodge, and we'll soon make old man Pinkerton sorry for himself."
"You wouldn't kill this man?"
"The less you know, Friend Morris, the easier your conscience will be,and the better you will sleep. Ask no questions, and let these thingssettle themselves. I have hold of it now."
Morris shook his head sadly as he left. "I feel that his blood is on myhands," he groaned.
"Self-protection is no murder, anyhow," said McMurdo, smiling grimly."It's him or us. I guess this man would destroy us all if we left himlong in the valley. Why, Brother Morris, we'll have to elect youBodymaster yet; for you've surely saved the lodge."
And yet it was clear from his actions that he thought more seriously ofthis new intrusion than his words would show. It may have been hisguilty conscience, it may have been the reputation of the Pinkertonorganization, it may have been the knowledge that great, richcorporations had set themselves the task of clearing out the Scowrers;but, whatever his reason, his actions were those of a man who ispreparing for the worst. Every paper which would incriminate him wasdestroyed before he left the house. After that he gave a long sigh ofsatisfaction; for it seemed to him that he was safe. And yet the dangermust still have pressed somewhat upon him; for on his way to the lodgehe stopped at old man Shafter's. The house was forbidden him; but whenhe tapped at the window Ettie came out to him. The dancing Irishdeviltry had gone from her lover's eyes. She read his danger in hisearnest face.
"Something has happened!" she cried. "Oh, Jack, you are in danger!"
"Sure, it is not very bad, my sweetheart. And yet it may be wise thatwe make a move before it is worse."
"Make a move?"