The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes 7)

"I promised you once that I would go some day. I think the time iscoming. I had news to-night, bad news, and I see trouble coming."

"The police?"

"Well, a Pinkerton. But, sure, you wouldn't know what that is, acushla,nor what it may mean to the likes of me. I'm too deep in this thing,and I may have to get out of it quick. You s

aid you would come with meif I went."

"Oh, Jack, it would be the saving of you!"

"I'm an honest man in some things, Ettie. I wouldn't hurt a hair ofyour bonny head for all that the world can give, nor ever pull you downone inch from the golden throne above the clouds where I always seeyou. Would you trust me?"

She put her hand in his without a word. "Well, then, listen to what Isay, and do as I order you, for indeed it's the only way for us. Thingsare going to happen in this valley. I feel it in my bones. There may bemany of us that will have to look out for ourselves. I'm one, anyhow.If I go, by day or night, it's you that must come with me!"

"I'd come after you, Jack."

"No, no, you shall come with me. If this valley is closed to me and Ican never come back, how can I leave you behind, and me perhaps inhiding from the police with never a chance of a message? It's with meyou must come. I know a good woman in the place I come from, and it'sthere I'd leave you till we can get married. Will you come?"

"Yes, Jack, I will come."

"God bless you for your trust in me! It's a fiend out of hell that Ishould be if I abused it. Now, mark you, Ettie, it will be just a wordto you, and when it reaches you, you will drop everything and comeright down to the waiting room at the depot and stay there till I comefor you."

"Day or night, I'll come at the word, Jack."

Somewhat eased in mind, now that his own preparations for escape hadbeen begun, McMurdo went on to the lodge. It had already assembled, andonly by complicated signs and counter-signs could he pass through theouter guard and inner guard who close-tiled it. A buzz of pleasure andwelcome greeted him as he entered. The long room was crowded, andthrough the haze of tobacco smoke he saw the tangled black mane of theBodymaster, the cruel, unfriendly features of Baldwin, the vulture faceof Harraway, the secretary, and a dozen more who were among the leadersof the lodge. He rejoiced that they should all be there to take counselover his news.

"Indeed, it's glad we are to see you, Brother!" cried the chairman."There's business here that wants a Solomon in judgment to set itright."

"It's Lander and Egan," explained his neighbour as he took his seat."They both claim the head money given by the lodge for the shooting ofold man Crabbe over at Stylestown, and who's to say which fired thebullet?"

McMurdo rose in his place and raised his hand. The expression of hisface froze the attention of the audience. There was a dead hush ofexpectation.

"Eminent Bodymaster," he said, in a solemn voice, "I claim urgency!"

"Brother McMurdo claims urgency," said McGinty. "It's a claim that bythe rules of this lodge takes precedence. Now Brother, we attend you."

McMurdo took the letter from his pocket.

"Eminent Bodymaster and Brethren," he said, "I am the bearer of illnews this day; but it is better that it should be known and discussed,than that a blow should fall upon us without warning which woulddestroy us all. I have information that the most powerful and richestorganizations in this state have bound themselves together for ourdestruction, and that at this very moment there is a Pinkertondetective, one Birdy Edwards, at work in the valley collecting theevidence which may put a rope round the necks of many of us, and sendevery man in this room into a felon's cell. That is the situation forthe discussion of which I have made a claim of urgency."

There was a dead silence in the room. It was broken by the chairman.

"What is your evidence for this, Brother McMurdo?" he asked.

"It is in this letter which has come into my hands," said McMurdo. Meread the passage aloud. "It is a matter of honour with me that I cangive no further particulars about the letter, nor put it into yourhands; but I assure you that there is nothing else in it which canaffect the interests of the lodge. I put the case before you as it hasreached me."

"Let me say, Mr. Chairman," said one of the older brethren, "that Ihave heard of Birdy Edwards, and that he has the name of being the bestman in the Pinkerton service."

"Does anyone know him by sight?" asked McGinty.

"Yes," said McMurdo, "I do."

There was a murmur of astonishment through the hall.

"I believe we hold him in the hollow of our hands," he continued withan exulting smile upon his face. "If we act quickly and wisely, we cancut this thing short. If I have your confidence and your help, it islittle that we have to fear."

"What have we to fear, anyhow? What can he know of our affairs?"

"You might say so if all were as stanch as you, Councillor. But thisman has all the millions of the capitalists at his back. Do you thinkthere is no weaker brother among all our lodges that could not bebought? He will get at our secrets--maybe has got them already. There'sonly one sure cure."