McMurdo sat in silence for some time, with the letter in hislistless hands. The mist had lifted for a moment, and there was theabyss before him.
“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 hewould be likely 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 onhis trail.”
“Well, it’s possible. But I should not think he knew him. He isjust telling me the news that came to him by way of business. Howwould he know this Pinkerton man?”
McMurdo gave a violent start.
“By Gar!” he cried, “I’ve got him. What a fool I was not to knowit. Lord! but we’re in luck! We will fix him before he can do anyharm. See here, 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. Evenyour name need not be mentioned. I’ll take it all on myself, as if itwere to 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 getdown to the lodge, and we’ll soon make old man Pinkerton sorryfor himself.”
“You wouldn’t kill this man?”
“The less you know, Friend Morris, the easier your consciencewill be, and the better you will sleep. Ask no questions, and letthese things settle themselves. I have hold of it now.”
Morris shook his head sadly as he left. “I feel that his blood ison my hands,” he groaned.
“Self-protection is no murder, anyhow,” said McMurdo, smilinggrimly. “It’s him or us. I guess this man would destroy us all if weleft him long in the valley. Why, Brother Morris, we’ll have to electyou Bodymaster yet; for you’ve surely saved the lodge.”
And yet it was clear from his actions that he thought moreseriously of this new intrusion than his words would show. It mayhave been his guilty conscience, it may have been the reputationof the Pinkerton organization, it may have been the knowledgethat great, rich corporations had set themselves the task ofclearing out the Scowrers; but, whatever his reason, his actionswere those of a man who is preparing for the worst. Every paperwhich would incriminate him was destroyed before he left thehouse. After that he gave a long sigh of satisfaction; for it seemedto him that he was safe. And yet the danger must still have pressedsomewhat upon him; for on his way to the lodge he stopped at oldman Shafter’s. The house was forbidden him; but when he tappedat the window Ettie came out to him. The dancing Irish deviltryhad gone from her lover’s eyes. She read his danger in his earnestface.
“Something has happened!” she cried. “Oh, Jack, you are indanger!”
“Sure, it is not very bad, my sweetheart. And yet it may be wisethat we make a move before it is worse.”
“Make a move?”
“I promised you once that I would go some day. I think thetime is coming. I had news to-night, bad news, and I see troublecoming.”
“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 deepin this thing, and I may have to get out of it quick. You said youwould come with me if I went.”
“Oh, Jack, it would be the saving of you!”
“I’m an honest man in some things, Ettie. I wouldn’t hurt ahair of your bonny head for all that the world can give, nor everpull you down one inch from the golden throne above the cloudswhere I always see you. Would you trust me?”
She put her hand in his without a word. “Well, then, listen towhat I say, and do as I order you, for indeed it’s the only way forus. Things are going to happen in this valley. I feel it in my bones.
There may be many 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 comewith me!”
“I’d come after you, Jack.”
“No, no, you shall come with me. If this valley is closed to meand I can never come back, how can I leave you behind, andme perhaps in hiding from the police with never a chance of amessage? It’s with me you must come. I know a good woman inthe place I come from, and it’s there I’d leave you till we can getmarried. Will you come?”
“Yes, Jack, I will come.”
“God bless you for your trust in me! It’s a fiend out of hell thatI should be if I abused it. Now, mark you, Ettie, it will be just aword to you, and when it reaches you, you will drop everythingand come right down to the waiting room at the depot and staythere till I come for you.”
“Day or night, I’ll come at the word, Jack.”
Somewhat eased in mind, now that his own preparations forescape had been begun, McMurdo went on to the lodge. It hadalready assembled, and only by complicated signs and countersignscould he pass through the outer guard and inner guard who closetiledit. A buzz of pleasure and welcome greeted him as he entered.
The long room was crowded, and through the haze of tobaccosmoke he saw the tangled black mane of the Bodymaster, thecruel, unfriendly features of Baldwin, the vulture face of Harraway,the secretary, and a dozen more who were among the leaders ofthe 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 hisseat. “They both claim the head money given by the lodge for theshooting of old man Crabbe over at Stylestown, and who’s to saywhich fired the bullet?”
McMurdo rose in his place and raised his hand. The expressionof his face froze the attention of the audience. There was a deadhush of expectation.
“Eminent Bodymaster,” he said, in a solemn voice, “I claimurgency!”
“Brother McMurdo claims urgency,” said McGinty. “It’s a claimthat by the rules of this lodge takes precedence. Now Brother, weattend you.”
McMurdo took the letter from his pocket.
