The Valley of Fear V 4 - Lodge 341, Vermissa

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Part two, Chapter three of the Valley of Fear by
Arthur Conan Doyle. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox
recordings are in the public domain. For more informational to volunteer,
please visit LibriVox dot org. Chapter three, Lodge three hundred
and forty one the Missa. On the day following the

(00:22):
evening which had contained so many exciting events, Matt Murdo
moved his lodgings from Old Jacob Shafters and took up
his quarters at the Widow MacNamara's on the extreme outskirts
of the town. Scanlon, his original acquaintance aboard the train,
had occasions shortly afterwards to move into the Missa, and
the two lodged together. There was no other border, and

(00:45):
the hostess was an easy going old irishwoman who left
them to themselves so that they had a freedom for
speech and action. Welcome to men who had secrets in common.
Shafter had relented to the extent of letting Matt Murdo
come to him his meals there when he liked, so
that his intercourse with Etty was by no means broken.

(01:06):
On the contrary, it drew closer and more intimate. As
the weeks went by in his bedroom at his new abode,
Matt Murdo felt it safe to take out the coining molds,
and under many a pledge of secrecy, a number of
brothers from the lodge were allowed to come in and
see them, each carrying away in his pocket some examples

(01:27):
of the false money so cunningly struck that there was
never the slightest difficulty or danger in passing it. Why
with such a wonderful art at his command Matt Murdo
should condescend to work at all was a perpetual mystery
to his companions, though he made it clear to anyone
who asked him that if he lived without any visible means,

(01:49):
it would very quickly bring the police upon his track.
One policeman was indeed after him already. But the incident,
as luck would have it, did the adventurer a great
deal more good than harm. After the first introduction, there
were few evenings when he did not find his way
to McGinty's saloon, there to make closer acquaintance with the boys,

(02:10):
which was the jovial title by which the dangerous gang
who infested the place were known to one another. His
dashing manner and fearlessness of speech made him a favorite
with them all, while the rapid and scientific way in
which he polished off his antagonist in an all in
barroom scrap earned the respect of that rough community. Another incident, however,

(02:33):
raised him even higher in their estimation. Just at the
crowded hour one night, the door opened and a man
entered with the quiet blue uniform and peaked cap of
the mine Police. This was a special body raised by
the railways and colliery owners to supplement the efforts of
the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the

(02:55):
face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district. There
was a hush as he entered, and many a curious
glance was cast at him. But the relations between policemen
and criminals are peculiar in some parts of the States,
and McGuinty himself, standing behind his counter, showed no surprise

(03:16):
when the policeman enrolled himself among his customers.

Speaker 2 (03:19):
A straight whiskey for the night is bitter.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
Said the police officer.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
I don't think we've met before, counselor you'll be the
new captain.

Speaker 1 (03:27):
Said McGuinty.

Speaker 2 (03:29):
That's all we're looking to you, counselor, and to the
other leading citizens to help us in upholding law and
order in this township. Captain Marvin is my name.

Speaker 3 (03:38):
We do better without you, Captain Marvin.

Speaker 1 (03:41):
Said McGinty coldly, for we have.

Speaker 3 (03:44):
Our own police of the township and no need for
any imported goods. What are you but the paid tool
of the capitalists, hired by them to club or shoot
your poor fellow citizen.

Speaker 2 (03:58):
Well, well we want argue about that.

Speaker 1 (04:01):
Said the police officer, good humoredly.

Speaker 2 (04:04):
I expect we all do our duty same as we
see it. We can't all see it the same.

Speaker 1 (04:09):
He had drunk off his glass and had turned to
go when his eyes fell upon the face of Jack
Matt Murdo, who was scowling at his elbow. Hello, Hello,
he cried, looking him up and down.

Speaker 2 (04:21):
Here's an old acquaintance.

Speaker 1 (04:24):
Matt Murdo shrunk away from him.

Speaker 4 (04:26):
He was never a friend to you, nor any other
curst copper in my.

Speaker 1 (04:30):
Life, said he.

Speaker 2 (04:32):
An acquaintance isn't always a friend.

Speaker 1 (04:35):
Said the police captain, grinning.

Speaker 2 (04:37):
You're Jack McMurdo Chicago, right enough, and don't you deny it.

Speaker 1 (04:42):
Mac Murdo shrugged his shoulders I'm not denying it, said he,
do you think a machine in my own name?

Speaker 2 (04:50):
You're good cause to be anyhow, What the.

Speaker 4 (04:53):
Devil do you mean by that?

Speaker 1 (04:54):
He rode with his fists clenched.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
No, no, Jack Bluster, won't do it me. I was
an officer in Chicago before ever I came to this
damned coal bunker, and I know Chicago crook when I
see one.

Speaker 1 (05:07):
Matt Murdo's face fell.

Speaker 4 (05:08):
Don't tell me you're Mervin, the Chicago Central.

Speaker 2 (05:12):
He cried, just the same, old teddy Marvin, at your service.
We haven't forgotten the shooting of Jonas Pinto up there.

Speaker 4 (05:19):
I never shoot him, did you not?

Speaker 2 (05:22):
That's good impartial evidence, ain't it.

Speaker 3 (05:24):
Well?

Speaker 2 (05:24):
His death came in uncommon handy for you, or they
would have had you for shoving the queer. Well, we
can let that be by guns for between you and me.
And perhaps I'm going further than my duty in saying it.
They could get no clear case against you, and Chicago's
opened to you tomorrow.

Speaker 4 (05:40):
I very well where I am.

Speaker 2 (05:42):
Well, I've given you the pointer, and you're a sulky
dog not to thank me for it.

Speaker 4 (05:47):
Well, I suppose you mean will and I do.

Speaker 1 (05:50):
Thank you, said Matt Murdo, in no very gracious manner.

Speaker 2 (05:54):
It's one with me so long as I see you living.

Speaker 1 (05:56):
On the strait, said the captain.

Speaker 2 (05:59):
But by the Lord, if you get off after this,
it's another story. So good night to he and good
night counteror.

Speaker 1 (06:05):
He left the bar room, but not before he had
created a local hero. Matt Murdo's deeds in far Chicago
had been whispered before. He had put off all questions
with a smile, as one who did not wish to
have greatness thrust upon him. But now the thing was
officially confirmed. The bar loafers crowded round him and shook
him heartily by the hand. He was free of the community.

(06:29):
From that time on he could drink hard and show
little trace of it. But that evening, had his mate
Scanlon not been at hand to lead him home, the
fated hero would surely have spent his night under the bar.
On a Saturday night, Matt Murder was introduced to the lodge.
He had thought to pass in without ceremony, as being

(06:49):
an initiate of Chicago. But there were particular rites in
vermissa of which they were proud, and these had to
be undergone by every postulant. The assembler met in a
large room reserved for such purposes at the Union House.
Some sixty members assembled at the missa, but that by
no means represented the full strength of the organization, for

(07:12):
there were several other lodges in the valley, and others
across the mountains on each side, who exchanged members when
any serious business was afoot so that a crime might
be done by men who were strangers to the locality. Altogether,
there were not less than five hundred scattered over the
coal district. In the bare assembly room, the men were

(07:33):
gathered around a long table. At the side was a
second one laden with bottles and glasses, on which some
members of the company were already turning their eyes. McGinty
sat at the head, with a flat black velvet cap
upon his shock of tangled black hair, and a colored
purple stole round his neck, so that he seemed to

(07:54):
be a priest presiding over some diabolical ritual. To right
and left of him, with a higher lodge officials, the cruel,
handsome face of Ted Baldwin among them. Each of these
wore some scarful medallion as emblem of his office. They
were for the most part men of mature age, but
the rest of the company consisted of young fellows from

(08:16):
eighteen to twenty five, the ready incapable agents who carried
out the commands of their seniors. Among the older men
were many whose features showed the tigerish, lawless souls within.
But looking at the rank and file, it was difficult
to believe that these eager and open face young fellows were,
in very truth a dangerous gang of murderers, whose minds

(08:38):
had suffered such complete moral perversion that they took a
horrible pride in their proficiency at the business, and looked
with deepest respect at the man who had the reputation
of making what they called a clean job. To their
contorted natures, it had become a spirited and chivalrous thing
to volunteer for service against some man who had never

(09:01):
injured them, and whom, in many cases they had never
seen in their lives the crime committed. They quarreled as
to who had actually struck the fatal blow, and amused
one another and the company by describing the cries and
contortions of the murdered man. At first, they had shown
some secrecy in their arrangements. But at the time which

(09:21):
this narrative describes, their proceedings were extraordinarily open, for the
repeated failure of the law had proved to them that,
on the one hand, no one would dare to witness
against them, and on the other they had an unlimited
number of staunch witnesses upon whom they could call, and
a well filled treasure chest from which they could draw

(09:43):
the funds to engage the best legal talent in the state.
In ten long years of outrage, there had been no
single conviction, and the only danger that ever threatened the
scourers laying the victim himself, who, however outnumbered and taken
by surprise eyes, might and occasionally did, leave his mark

(10:03):
upon his assailants. Matt Murdo had been warned that some
ordeal lay before him, but no one would tell him
in what it consisted. He was led now into an
outer room by two solemn brothers. Through the plank partition,
he could hear the murmur of many voices from the
assembly within. Once or twice he caught the sound of

(10:25):
his own name, and he knew that they were discussing
his candidacy. Then there entered an inner guard with a
green and gold sash across his chest.

Speaker 5 (10:35):
The body Master orders that he shall be trussed, blinded
and entered.

Speaker 1 (10:40):
Said he. The three of them removed his coat, turned
up the sleeve of his right arm, and finally passed
a rope round above the elbows and made it fast.
They next placed a thick black cat right over his
head and the upper part of his face, so that
he could see nothing. He was then led into the
assembly hall. It was pitch dark and very oppressive. Under

(11:03):
his hood. He heard the rustle and murmur of the
people round him, and then the voice of McGinty sounded
dull and distant through the covering of his ears.

Speaker 3 (11:13):
John McMurdo said the voice, Are you already a member
of the ancient order of Freemen?

Speaker 1 (11:21):
He bowed in assent.

Speaker 3 (11:23):
Is your large number twenty nine Chicago?

Speaker 1 (11:28):
He bowed again.

Speaker 3 (11:30):
Dark nights are unpleasant, said the voice.

Speaker 4 (11:34):
Yes, for strangers to trevel.

Speaker 3 (11:36):
He answered, The clouds are heavy.

Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yes, the storm is a broudging.

Speaker 3 (11:43):
Are the brethren satisfied?

Speaker 1 (11:46):
Asked the body Master. There was a general murmur of assent.

Speaker 3 (11:51):
We know, brother, by your sign and by your countersign,
that you are indeed one of.

Speaker 1 (11:57):
Us, said McGuinty.

Speaker 3 (11:59):
We would have you know, however, that in this county
and in other counties of these parts, we have certain
rights and also certain duties of our own, which call
for good men. Are you ready to be tested?

Speaker 4 (12:14):
Ollum?

Speaker 3 (12:15):
Are you stout of heart?

Speaker 4 (12:17):
Ohum?

Speaker 3 (12:18):
Take a stride forward to prove it.

Speaker 1 (12:22):
As the words were said, he felt two hard points
in front of his eyes, pressing upon them so that
it appeared as if he could not move forward without
a danger of losing them. Nonetheless, he nerved himself to
step resolutely out, and as he did so, the pressure
melted away. There was a low murmur of applause.

Speaker 3 (12:44):
He is stout of heart.

Speaker 1 (12:46):
Said the voice.

Speaker 4 (12:47):
Can you bear pain as well as another?

Speaker 1 (12:51):
He answered, test him. It was all he could do
to keep himself from screaming out, for an agonizing pain
shot through his forearm. He nearly fainted at the sudden
shock of it, as he bit his lip and clenched
his hands to hide his agony.

Speaker 4 (13:07):
We can dig more than that.

Speaker 1 (13:09):
Said he. This time there was loud applause. A finer
first appearance had never been made in the lodge. Hands
clapped him on the back, and the hood was plucked
from his head. He stood, blinking and smiling amid the
congratulations of the brothers.

Speaker 3 (13:26):
One last word, Brother McMurdo.

Speaker 1 (13:29):
Said McGinty.

Speaker 3 (13:31):
You've already sworn the oath of secrecy and fidelity, and
you are aware that the punishment for any breach of
it is instant an inevitable death.

Speaker 1 (13:43):
Willum, said Matt Murdo, And.

Speaker 3 (13:46):
You accept the rule of the body Master for the
time being. Under all circumstances we do than in the
name of Large three four one vermissa, I welcome you
to its privileges and debates. You will put the liquor
on the table, Brother scan Linn, and we will drink
to our worthy brother.

Speaker 1 (14:08):
Matt Murdo's coat had been brought to him, but before
putting it on, he examined his right arm, which still
smarted heavily. There on the flesh of the forearm was
a circle with a triangle within it, deep and red
as the branding iron had left it. One or two
of his neighbors pulled up their sleeves and showed their

(14:29):
own lodge marks. We've all had it, said one, but
not all.

Speaker 3 (14:34):
As brave as you over it.

Speaker 1 (14:36):
Good It was no Zen, said he, but it burned
and ate all the same. When the drinks which followed
the ceremony of initiation had all been disposed of, the
business of the lodge proceeded. Matt Murdo, accustomed only to
the prosaic performances of Chicago, listened with open ears and

(14:56):
more surprised than he ventured to show to what followed The.

Speaker 3 (15:00):
First business on the agenda.

Speaker 1 (15:02):
Paper, said mc ginty, is to read.

Speaker 3 (15:05):
The following letter from the vision Master Wendell of Merton
County Lodge two four nine.

Speaker 6 (15:12):
He says, Dear Sir, there is a job to be
done on Andrew Ray of Ray and Surmash coal owners
near this place.

Speaker 3 (15:21):
You will remember that.

Speaker 6 (15:22):
Your lodge owes us a return having of the service
of two brethren in the matter of the patrolman last fool.
You will send two good men.

Speaker 4 (15:32):
They will be.

Speaker 6 (15:33):
Taken charge of by Treasurer Higgins of this lodge, whose
address you know. You will show them when to act
and where yours in freedom. J. W. Windle, D. M. A. O. F.

Speaker 3 (15:48):
Wendell has never refused us when we have had occasion
to ask for the loan of a man or two.
And it is not for us to refuse him.

Speaker 1 (15:57):
Mc ginty paused and looked round the room with his dull,
malevolent eyes.

Speaker 3 (16:02):
Who will volunteer for the job.

Speaker 1 (16:05):
Several young fellows held up their hands. The body master
looked at them with an approving smile.

Speaker 3 (16:11):
You'll do, Tiger, Kormac. If you handle it as well
as you did the last, you won't be wrong. And you, Wilson,
I've no pistol.

Speaker 1 (16:21):
Said the volunteer, and mayboy in his teens.

Speaker 3 (16:26):
It's your first, is it not? Well, you have to
be bloodied sometime. He'll be a great start for you.
As to the pistol, he'll find it waiting for you,
or I'm mistaken. If you report yourselves on Monday, it
will be time enough. You'll get a great welcome when
you return. Any reward this time.

Speaker 1 (16:47):
Asked Cormac, a thick set, dark face, brutal looking young
man whose ferocity had earned him the nickname of Tiger.

Speaker 3 (16:56):
Never mind the reward, you just do it for the
honor of thing. Maybe when it's done there will be
a few odd dollars at the bottom of the box.

Speaker 1 (17:07):
What has the man done, asked young Wilson.

Speaker 3 (17:10):
Sure it's not for the likes of you to ask
what the man has done. He has been judged over there.
That's no business of ours. All we have to do
is carry it out for them, same as they would
for us. Speaking of that, two brothers from the Merton
Lodger coming over to us next week to do some

(17:30):
business in this quarter.

Speaker 4 (17:32):
Who are they?

Speaker 1 (17:33):
Asked someone faith, It is wiser not to ask.

Speaker 3 (17:38):
If you know nothing, you can testify nothing and no
trouble can come of it. But they are men who
will make a clean job when they are about it.

Speaker 1 (17:49):
And time too, cried said Baldwin Shoka.

Speaker 7 (17:53):
Getting out of hand in these parts. It is only
last week the three of them men were turned off
by Foreman Bleaka. It's been knowing him a long time,
and he had it full and proper, it would.

Speaker 1 (18:02):
Mat Murdo whispered to his neighbor, the.

Speaker 4 (18:05):
Business end of a buttshot.

Speaker 1 (18:06):
Cartridge, cried the man, with a loud laugh.

Speaker 3 (18:09):
What think you of our ways? Brother Matt.

Speaker 1 (18:13):
Murdo's criminal soul seemed to have already absorbed the spirit
of the vile association of which he was now a member.
We though it will, said, he does it properly.

Speaker 4 (18:24):
Roulad of mettle.

Speaker 1 (18:25):
Several of those who sat around heard his words and
applauded them. What's that, cried the black mailed body master,
from the end of the table.

Speaker 8 (18:34):
Tis our new brother, sir, who finds our ways to
his taste.

Speaker 1 (18:39):
Mac murdo rose to his feet.

Speaker 4 (18:40):
For an instant he would see imminent body muster that
if a man should be wanted, he should take it
as an honor to be chosen to help the ludge.

Speaker 1 (18:51):
There was great applause at this. It was felt that
a new son was pushing its rim above the horizon.
To some of the eld does it seem that the
progress was a little too rapid? I would move, said
the secretary Harroway, a vulture faced old gray beard who
sat near the chairman.

Speaker 3 (19:10):
That brother macmurdo should wait until it is the good
pleasure of the lodge.

Speaker 4 (19:16):
To employ him. Sure that was what I meant.

Speaker 1 (19:20):
I am in your hands, said Matt Murdo.

Speaker 3 (19:23):
Your time will come, brother.

Speaker 1 (19:25):
Said the chairman.

Speaker 3 (19:27):
We have marked you down as a willing man, and
we believe that you will do good work in these parts.
There is a small matter tonight in which you may
take a hand. If it so please you.

Speaker 4 (19:39):
You will wait for something that is worthwhile.

Speaker 3 (19:43):
You can come tonight anyhow, and it will help you
to know what we stand for in this community. I
will make the announcement later.

Speaker 1 (19:51):
Meanwhile, he glanced at his agenda paper.

Speaker 3 (19:54):
I have one or two more points to bring before
the meeting. First of all, I will ask the t
measurer as to our bank balance. There is the pension
to Jim Carnaway's widow. He was struck down doing the
work of the lodge, and it is for us to
see that she is not the loser.

Speaker 8 (20:11):
Jim was shot last month when they tried to kill
Chester Wilcox of Marley Creek.

Speaker 1 (20:16):
Matt Murdo's neighbor informed him.

Speaker 9 (20:18):
The funds are good at the.

Speaker 1 (20:19):
Moment, said the treasurer, with the bank book in front
of him.

Speaker 9 (20:24):
The firms have been generous of late. Max Linder and
Company paid five hundred to be left alone. Walker Brothers
sent in one hundred, but I took it on myself
to return it and ask for five. If I do
not hear by Wednesday, they are winding gear may get
out of order. We had to burn their breaker last
year before they became reasonable. Then the West Section Coaling

(20:47):
Company has paid its annual contribution. We have enough on
hand to meet any obligations.

Speaker 5 (20:54):
What about Archie Swindon, asked a brother.

Speaker 9 (20:57):
He has sold out and left the district. The old
devil left the note for us to say that he'd
rather be a free crossing sweeper in New York than
a large mine owner under the power of a ring
of blackmailers. My guard was well that he made a
break for it before the note reached us. I guess
he won't show his face in this valley again.

Speaker 1 (21:17):
An elderly, clean shaved man with a kindly face and
a good brow rose from the end of the table
which faced the chairman.

Speaker 8 (21:25):
Mister Treasurer. He asked, may I ask who has bought
the property of this man that we have driven out
of the district?

Speaker 9 (21:34):
Yes, brother Morris, it has been bought by the State
and Merton County Railroad Company.

Speaker 8 (21:39):
And who bought the mines of Todman and of Lee
that came into the market in the same way last.

Speaker 9 (21:47):
Year, the same company, brother Morris.

Speaker 8 (21:50):
And who bought the iron works of Manson, and of Shuman,
and of Van Dyer and of Atwood, which of all
given up of late.

Speaker 9 (22:01):
They were all bought by the West Gilmerton General Mining Company.

Speaker 3 (22:05):
I don't see, brother.

Speaker 1 (22:07):
Morris, said the chairman, that it.

Speaker 3 (22:10):
Matters to us who buys them, since they can't carry
them out of the district.

Speaker 8 (22:16):
With all respect to you, imminute body master, I think
it may matter very much to us. This process has
been going on for ten long years. We are gradually
driving all the small men out of trade. What is
the result we find in their place, great companies like

(22:36):
the railroad where the General Iron who have their directors
in New York or Philadelphia and care nothing for our threats.
We can take it out of their local bosses, but
it only means that others will be sent in their stead,
and we are making it dangerous for ourselves. The small

(22:58):
men could not harm, they had not the money nor
the power. So long as we did not squeeze them
too dry, they would stay under our power. But if
these big companies find that we stand between them and
their profits, they will spare no pains and no expense

(23:21):
to run us down and bring us to court.

Speaker 1 (23:25):
There was a hush at these ominous words, and every
face darkened as gloomy looks were exchanged. So omnipotent and
unchallenged had they been that the very thought that there
was possible retribution in the background had been banished from
their minds. And yet the idea struck a chill to
the most reckless of them. It is my advice, the

(23:47):
speaker continued, that we.

Speaker 8 (23:49):
Go easier upon the small men. On the day that
they have all been driven out, the power of the
society will have been broken.

Speaker 1 (24:00):
Truth are not popular. There were angry cries as the
speaker resumed his seat. McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow.

Speaker 3 (24:08):
Brother Morris said he you are always a croaker. So
long as the members of this lodge stand together, there
is no power in the United States. They can touch them.
Sure have we not tried it often enough in the
law courts? I expect the big companies will find it

(24:29):
easier to pay than to fight, same as the little
companies do.

Speaker 1 (24:34):
And now, Brethren, McGinty took off his black velvet cap
and his stole as he spoke.

Speaker 3 (24:40):
This lodge has finished its business for the evening, save
for one small matter, which may be mentioned when we
are parting. The time has now come for for eternal
refreshment and for harmony.

Speaker 1 (24:54):
Strange, indeed, is human nature Here were these men to
whom murder was familiar, who again and again had struck
down the father of the family, some men against whom
they had no personal feeling, without one thought of compunction
or of compassion for his weeping wife or helpless children,
And yet the tender or pathetic in music could move

(25:17):
them to tears. Matt Murdo had a fine tenor voice,
and if he had failed to gain the good will
of the lodge before, it could no longer have been withheld.
After he had thrilled them with I'm sitting on the
Style Mary and on the banks of Allan Water. In
his very first night, the new recruit had made himself

(25:37):
one of the most popular of the brethren, marked already
for advancement and high office. There were other qualities needed, however,
besides those of good fellowship to make a worthy freeman,
and of these he was given an example. Before the
evening was over. The whiskey bottle had passed round many times,
and the men were flushed and ripe for mischief. When

(25:59):
their body man rose once more to address them, boys said.

Speaker 3 (26:03):
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 Stanger of the Herald. You see
now he's been opening his mouth against us again.

Speaker 1 (26:17):
There was a murmur of assent, with many a muttered oath.
McGinty took a slip of paper from his waistcoat pocket,
law and order.

Speaker 3 (26:28):
That's how he heads it.

Speaker 10 (26:30):
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

(26:52):
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

(27:16):
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 defeat monarchy of the East.
The men are known the organization is patent and public.

Speaker 2 (27:34):
How long are we to endure it?

Speaker 10 (27:37):
Can we forever live?

Speaker 3 (27:39):
Sure? I've read enough of.

Speaker 1 (27:41):
The slush, cried the chairman, tossing the paper down upon
the table.

Speaker 3 (27:46):
That's what he says of us. The question I'm asking
you is what shall we say to him?

Speaker 1 (27:52):
Cute, cried a dozen face voices, high protest again, that
said brother Morris, the man of the good brow and
shaved face.

Speaker 8 (28:05):
I tell you, brethren, that our hand is too heavy
in this valley, and that there will come a point where,
in self defense, every man will unite to crush us out.
James Stanger is an old man. He is respected in
the township and the district. His paper stands for all

(28:27):
that is solid in the valley. If that man is
struck down, there will be a stir through this state
that will only end with our destruction.

Speaker 3 (28:40):
How would they bring about our destruction?

Speaker 1 (28:43):
Mister stand back, cried McGinty.

Speaker 3 (28:47):
Is it by the police, sure half of them are
in our pay and half of them afraid of us?
Or is it by the law, courts and the judge?
Haven't we tried that before? Now whatever came of.

Speaker 8 (29:00):
It, there is a judge Lynch that might try the case.

Speaker 1 (29:04):
Said brother Morris. A general shout of anger greeted the suggestion.

Speaker 3 (29:10):
I have but to raise my finger, cried McGinty, And
I could put two hundred men into this town that
would clear it out from end to.

Speaker 1 (29:23):
End, then suddenly raising his voice and bending his huge
black brows into a terrible frown.

Speaker 3 (29:30):
See here, brother Morris, I have my eye on you,
and have had for some time. You've no heart yourself,
and you tried to take the heart out of others.
It will be an ill day for you, brother Morris,
when your own name comes on our agenda paper, and
I'm thinking that it's just there that I ought to

(29:53):
place it.

Speaker 1 (29:54):
Morris had turned deadly pale, and his knees seemed to
give way under him. As he fell back into his chair.
He raised his glass in his trembling hand and drank
before he could answer.

Speaker 8 (30:07):
I apologize, eminent body Master, to you and to every
brother in this lodge, if I have said more than
I should. I am a faithful member. You all know that.
And it is my fear lest evil come to the
lodge which makes me speak in anxious words. But I

(30:31):
have greater trust in your judgment than in my own
eminent body master, and I promise you that I will
not offend again.

Speaker 1 (30:41):
The body master's scowl relaxed as he listened to the
humble words.

Speaker 3 (30:46):
Very good, brother Morris. It's myself that would be sorry
if it were needful to give you a lesson. But
so long as I am in this chair, we shall
be a united lodge in word and in indeed.

Speaker 1 (31:01):
And now, boys, he continued, looking round at the company.

Speaker 3 (31:05):
I'll say this much that a stanger got his full desserts,
there will be more trouble than we need ask for.
These editors hang together in every journal in the state
will be crying out for police and troops. But I
guess you can give him a pretty severe warning. Will
you fix it, brother Baldwin.

Speaker 1 (31:25):
Sure, said the young man eagerly.

Speaker 3 (31:28):
How many will you take half.

Speaker 7 (31:30):
A dozen and two to guard the door? You'll come goer,
and you Mansell, and you Scanlon and the two Willoughbies.

Speaker 3 (31:38):
I promised the new brother.

Speaker 1 (31:40):
He should go, said the chairman. Ted Baldwin looked at
Matt Murdo with eyes which showed that he had not
forgotten nor forgiven.

Speaker 7 (31:49):
Well, he can come if you want.

Speaker 1 (31:51):
He said, in a surly voice.

Speaker 7 (31:53):
That's enough. The soon as we get the work, the better.

Speaker 1 (31:56):
The company broke up with shouts and yells and snatches
of drum and song. The bar was still crowded with revelers,
and many of the brethren remained there. The little band,
who had been told off for duty, passed out into
the street, proceeding in twos and threes along the sidewalk
so as not to provoke attention. It was a bitterly
cold night, with a half moon shining brilliantly in a frosty,

(32:20):
star spangled sky. The men stopped and gathered in a
yard which faced a high building. The words for missa
herald were printed in gold lettering between the brightly lit windows.
From within came the clanking of the printing press. Here, you,
said Baldwin to Matt Murdo.

Speaker 7 (32:39):
You can stand below at the door and see that
the road is kept open for us. Arthur, will a
beacon stay with you? You others come with me. Have no
fears voice, for we have half a dozen witnesses that
we are in the Union Bar at this very moment.

Speaker 1 (32:52):
It was nearly midnight, and the street was deserted save
for one or two revelers. Upon their way home, the
party crossed the road, and pushing open the door of
the newspaper office, Baldwin and his men rushed in and
up the stair which faced them. Matt Murdo and another
remained below. From the room above came a shout, a
cry for help, and then the sound of trampling feet

(33:15):
and of falling chairs. An instant later, a gray haired
man rushed out onto the landing. He was seized before
he could get farther, and his spectacles came tinkling down
to Mat Murdo's feet. There was a thud undergroan. He
was on his face, and half a dozen sticks were
clattering together as they fell upon him. He writhed, and

(33:36):
his long, thin limbs quivered under the blows. The others
ceased at last, but Baldwin, his cruel face set in
an infernal smile, was hacking at the man's head, which
he vainly endeavored to defend with his arms. His white
hair was dabbed with patches of blood. Baldwin was still
stooping over his victim, putting in a short, vicious blow

(33:57):
whenever he could see a part exposed. When Matt murdy
Do dashed up the stairs and pushed him back. You'll
kill the man, said he grub it. Baldwin looked at
him in amazement.

Speaker 3 (34:09):
Coss you, he cried.

Speaker 7 (34:10):
Who are you to interfere? You that are new to
the lodge? Stand back.

Speaker 1 (34:14):
He raised his stick, but Matt Murdo had whipped his
pistol out of his pocket.

Speaker 4 (34:19):
Turn back yourself, he cried. He blew your feet in
if you lay a hand on me to the lodge.
Wasn't it the order of the body Master that the
man was not to be killed? And what are you
doing but killing him?

Speaker 1 (34:32):
It's truth, it is, remarked one of the men.

Speaker 5 (34:36):
By God, you best hurry.

Speaker 1 (34:38):
Yourselves, cried the man below.

Speaker 5 (34:40):
The windows there are lighting up, and you'll have the
whole town here. Inside of five minutes.

Speaker 1 (34:46):
There was indeed the sound of shouting in the street,
and a little group of compositors and pressmen was forming
in the hall below and nerving itself to action. Leaving
the limp and motionless body of the editor at the
head of the stair. The criminals rushed down and made
their way swiftly along the street, having reached the Union House.
Some of them mixed with the crowd in McGinty's saloon,

(35:09):
whispering across the bar to the bars that the job
had been well carried through others, and among the Matt
Murdo broke away into side streets and sew by devious
paths to their own homes. Ended Part two, Chapter three,