The Valley of Fear V 4 - Danger

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Part two, Chapter six of the Valley of Fear by
Arthur Conan Doyle. This is a LibriVox recording. All libervox
recordings are in the public domain. For more informational to volunteer,
please visit LibriVox dot org. Chapter six Danger. It was
the height of the reign of terror. Matt Murdo, who

(00:22):
had already been appointed in a deacon, with every prospect
of some day succeeding mc ginty as body master, was
now so necessary to the counsels of his comrades that
nothing was done without his help and advice. The more
popular he became. However, with the free men, the blacker
were the scowls which greeted him as he passed along

(00:42):
the streets of the Missa. In spite of their terror,
the citizens were taking heart to ban themselves together against
their oppressors. Rumors had reached the Lodge of secret gatherings
in the Herald Office, and of distribution of firearms among
the law abiding people. But McGuinty and his men were
undisturbed by such reports. They were numerous, resolute, and well armed.

(01:06):
Their opponents were scattered and powerless. It would all end
as it had done in the past, in aimless talk
and possibly in impotent arrests. So said McGinty, Matt Murdo,
and all the bolder spirits. It was a Saturday evening
in May. Saturday was always the lodge night, and Matt
Murdo was leaving his house to attend it when Morris,

(01:30):
the weaker brother of the Order, came to see him.
His brow was creased with care, and his kindly face
was drawn and haggard.

Speaker 2 (01:38):
Can I speak with you freely? Mister McMurdo. Sure, I
can't forget that I spoke my heart to you once,
and that you kept it to yourself, even though the
boss himself came to ask you about it.

Speaker 3 (01:52):
What else could I do if you trusted me. It
wasn't that I agreed with what you said.

Speaker 2 (01:57):
I know that well, But you were the one I
can speak to and be safe. I have a secret here.

Speaker 1 (02:04):
He put his hand to his breast, and it is.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
Just burning the life out of me. I wish it
had come to any one of you but me. If
I tell it, it will mean murder for sure. If
I don't, it may bring the end of us all.
God help me. But I am near out of my
wits over it.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
Mat Murdo looked at the man earnestly. He was trembling
in every limb. He poured some whiskey into a glass
and handed it to him.

Speaker 3 (02:36):
That's the physique for the likes of you.

Speaker 1 (02:39):
Said he.

Speaker 3 (02:40):
No, let me hear of it.

Speaker 1 (02:43):
Maurice drunk and his white face took a tinge of color.

Speaker 2 (02:47):
I can tell it to you all in one sentence,
said he. There's a detective on our trail.

Speaker 1 (02:54):
Mat Murdo stared at him in astonishment. Why, man, you're crazy,
he said.

Speaker 3 (03:00):
Isn't a place full of police and addictives? And what
harm did they ever do us?

Speaker 2 (03:05):
No, No, it's no man of the district. As you say.
We know them, and it is little that they can do.
But you've heard of Pinkerton's.

Speaker 3 (03:17):
I've heard of some folk of that name.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
Well you can take it from me. You've no show
when they are on your trail. It's not a take
it or miss a government concern. It's a dead, earnest
business proposition that's out for results and keeps out till
by hook or by crook it gets them. If a
Pinkerton man is deep in this business, we are all destroyed.

Speaker 3 (03:41):
We must kill him.

Speaker 2 (03:43):
Ah, it's the first thought that came to you. So
it will be up at the lodge. Didn't I say
to you that it would end in murder?

Speaker 3 (03:51):
Sure? What is murder? Isn't it common enough in these parts?

Speaker 2 (03:56):
It is, indeed, But it's not for me to point
out the man that is to be murdered. I didn't
never rest easy again, And yet it's our own next
that may be at stake. In God's name, what shall
I do?

Speaker 1 (04:13):
He rocked to and fro in his agony of indecision.
But his words had moved Matt Murdo deeply. It was
easy to see that he shared the other's opinion as
to the danger and the need for meeting it. He
gripped Morris's shoulder and shook him in his earnestness.

Speaker 4 (04:30):
See here, man, he cried.

Speaker 1 (04:32):
And he almost screeched the words in his excitement.

Speaker 3 (04:36):
You won't gain anything by sitting keen and like an
old wife at a week. Let's have the facts. Who
is the fellow? Where is he? How did you hear him?
Why did you come to me?

Speaker 2 (04:48):
I came to you for you are the one man
that would advise me. I told you that I had
a store in the east before I came here. I
left good friends behind me, and one of them is
in the telegraph service. Here's a letter that I had
from him yesterday. It's this part from the top of

(05:09):
the page. You can read it yourself.

Speaker 1 (05:13):
This was what Matt Murdo read.

Speaker 5 (05:16):
How are the scourers 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.

(05:36):
Pinkerton has taken hold under their orders, and his best man,
Bertie Edwards, is operating. The thing has got to be
stopped right now.

Speaker 2 (05:46):
Now read the PostScript.

Speaker 5 (05:48):
Of course, what I give you is what I learned
in business, so it goes no further. It's a queer
cipher that you can handle by the yard every day
and can get no meaning from.

Speaker 1 (06:00):
Murdo sat in silence for some time with a letter
in his listless hands. The mist had lifted for a moment,
and there was the abyss before him.

Speaker 3 (06:09):
Does anyone else know of this.

Speaker 2 (06:12):
He asked, I have told no one else but.

Speaker 3 (06:16):
This man, your friend. Has he any other person that
he would be likely to write too? Well?

Speaker 2 (06:23):
I dare say he knows one or two more of
the lodge. It's likely enough who.

Speaker 3 (06:30):
Was asking, because it is likely that he may have
given some description of this fellow Birdy Edwards. Then we
could get on his trail.

Speaker 2 (06:39):
Well, it's possible, but I should not think he knew him.
He is just telling me the news that came to
him by way of business. How would he know this?

Speaker 1 (06:50):
Pinkerton man Matt Murdo gave a violent start by girl.
He cried, We've got him.

Speaker 3 (06:58):
What a fool not to know it, Lord, But we're
in luck. We will fix him before he can do
any harm. See here, Morris, Will you leave this thing
in my hands?

Speaker 2 (07:10):
Sure, if you will only take it off mine.

Speaker 3 (07:13):
I'll do that. You can stand right back and let
me run it. Even your name need not be mentioned.
He'll take it all on meself, as if it were
to me that this letter is come. Will that content you?

Speaker 2 (07:25):
It's just what I would ask.

Speaker 3 (07:27):
Then leave it at that and keep your head shut.
Now I'll get down to the lodge, and we'll soon
make old man pink it and surry for himself.

Speaker 2 (07:37):
You wouldn't kill this man.

Speaker 3 (07:39):
The less you know, Fred murrise, the easier your conscience
will be, and the better you will sleep. Ask no questions,
and let these things settle themselves. We have hold of
it now.

Speaker 1 (07:52):
Morris shook his head sadly as he laughed.

Speaker 2 (07:56):
I feel that his blood is on my hands, he groaned.

Speaker 3 (08:00):
So prediction is no murder, anyhow.

Speaker 1 (08:03):
Said Matt Murdo, smiling grimly.

Speaker 3 (08:06):
It's him or us. I guess this man would destroy
us all if we left him long in the valley.
Why brother Morris, let you buddy marsty yet, for you
have surely received the lodge.

Speaker 1 (08:18):
And yet it was clear from his actions that he
thought more seriously of this new intrusion than his words
would show. It may have been his guilty conscience. It
may have been the reputation of the Pinkton organization. It
may have been the knowledge that great rich corporations had
set themselves the task of clearing out the scourers. But

(08:39):
whatever his reason, his actions were those of a man
who was preparing for the worst. Every paper which would
incriminate him was destroyed before he left the house. After that,
he gave a long sigh of satisfaction, for it seemed
to him that he was safe. And yet the danger
must still have pressed somewhat upon him, for on his
way to the lodge he stopped at all manshafters. The

(09:02):
house was forbidden him. But when he tapped at the window,
Etty came out to him. The dancing irish deviltry had
gone from her lover's eyes. She read his danger in
his earnest face. Something has happened, she cried, Oh Jack,
you are in danger.

Speaker 3 (09:20):
Sure it is not very bad, my sweetheart, and yet
it may be wise that we make a move before
it is worse.

Speaker 2 (09:28):
Make a move.

Speaker 3 (09:30):
I promised you once that I would go someday. I
think the time is coming. Herd news tonight bad news,
and I see troubled coming the police, well the Pinkerton.
But sure you wouldn't know what that is a cushla,
nor what it may mean to the likes of me.
I'm too deep in this thing, and I may have

(09:52):
to get out of it quick. You said you would
come with me if I went.

Speaker 1 (09:56):
Oh Jack, it would be as a saving of you man.

Speaker 3 (10:00):
In some things Ettie. I wouldn't hurt a hair of
your bunny head for all that the world can give,
nor ever pull you down one inch from the golden
throne above the clouds what I always see you. Would
you trust me?

Speaker 1 (10:14):
She puts her hand in his without a word.

Speaker 3 (10:17):
Well, then listen to what I say and do as
I order you, For indeed, it's the only way for us.
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 come with me.

Speaker 2 (10:38):
I'd come after you, Jack, No, No.

Speaker 3 (10:42):
You shall come with me. If this valley is close
to me and I could never come back, how can
I ever leave you behind and me perhaps in hiding
from the police, with never a chance of a message.
It's with me. You must come. I know a good
woman in the place he come from, and it's I'd
leave you till we can get married.

Speaker 2 (11:02):
Will you come, Yes, Jack, I will come.

Speaker 3 (11:09):
God bless you. If we are trussed in me it's
a fiend out of hell that I should be if
I abused it. No, Mark, you Edty, It'll be just
a word to you, and when it reaches you, you
will drop everything and come right down to the waiting
room of the depot and stay there till I come
for you, day or night.

Speaker 2 (11:28):
I'll come out of word.

Speaker 1 (11:29):
Jack somewhat eased in mind, now that his own preparations
for escape had been begun, Matt Murder went on to
the lodge. It had already assembled, and only by complicated
signs and countersigns could he pass through the outer guard
and inner guard, who close tiled it. A buzz of

(11:50):
pleasure and welcome greeted him as he entered. The long
room was crowded, and through the haze of tobacco smoke,
he saw the tangled black mane of the body mass,
the cruel unfriendly features of Baldwin, the vulture face of Haraway,
the secretary, and a dozen more who were among the
leaders of the lodge. He rejoiced that they should all

(12:11):
be there to take counsel over his news.

Speaker 4 (12:15):
Indeed, it's glad we are to see.

Speaker 1 (12:18):
You, brother, cried the chairman.

Speaker 4 (12:20):
There's business here that wants a solomon in judgment to
set it right.

Speaker 6 (12:26):
It's lander, and.

Speaker 1 (12:28):
Egan explained his neighbor as he took his seat.

Speaker 6 (12:32):
They both claim the head money given by the lodge
for the shooting of old men Crabe over at Stylestown,
And who's to say which fired the bullet.

Speaker 1 (12:47):
Matt Murder rose in his place and raised his hand.
The expression of his face froze the attention of the audience.
There was a dead hush of expectation.

Speaker 3 (12:57):
Wominent Bodymaster, he said, in a solemn voice, I claim.

Speaker 4 (13:02):
Urgency, Brother mc murdo, claims.

Speaker 1 (13:06):
Urgency, Sad McGinn, saying it's.

Speaker 4 (13:09):
A claim that, by the rules of this lodge takes precedence. Now, brother,
we attend you.

Speaker 1 (13:17):
Matt Murdo took the letter from his pocket.

Speaker 3 (13:20):
Imminent body Master and brethren, he said, I am the
bearer of ill news this day. But it is better
that it should be known in disgust than that a
blow should fall upon us without warning, which would destroy
us all. I have information that the most powerful and
richest organizations in this state have bound themselves together for

(13:40):
our destruction, and that at this very moment there is
a Pinkadin detective, one Birdie Edwards, at work in the valley,
collecting the evidence which may put a rope round the
necks of many of us, and send every man in
his room into a felon cell. That is the situation
for the discussion of which I've made a claim urgency.

Speaker 1 (14:01):
There was a dead silence in the room. It was
broken by the chairman.

Speaker 4 (14:06):
What is your evidence for this, brother, McMurdo, he asked.

Speaker 3 (14:11):
It is in this letter which has come into my.

Speaker 1 (14:13):
Hands, said Matt Murdo. He read the passage aloud.

Speaker 3 (14:18):
It is a matter of honor with me that I
can give no further particulars about the letter, nor put
it into your hands. But I assure you that there
is nothing else in it which can affect the interest
of the lodge. They put the case before you, as
it has reached me.

Speaker 1 (14:34):
Let me say, mister Chairman, said one of the older brethren.

Speaker 2 (14:38):
That I have heard of Bertie Edwards, and that he
has the name of being the best man in the
Pinkerton service.

Speaker 4 (14:44):
Does anyone know him by sight?

Speaker 1 (14:46):
Asked McGinty. Yes, said Matt Murdo, I do. There was
a murmur of astonishment through the hall.

Speaker 3 (14:56):
I believe we hold him in the hollow of our hands.

Speaker 1 (15:00):
He continued, with an exulting smile. Upon his face.

Speaker 3 (15:04):
If we act quickly and wisely, we can cut this
thing short. If I have your confidence and your help,
it is little that we have to fear.

Speaker 4 (15:13):
What have we to fear? Anyhow? What can he know
of our affairs?

Speaker 3 (15:18):
You might say, so if all we're as staunch as you, Counselor.
But this man has all the millions of the capitalists
at his back. Do you think there is no week
of brother among all our lodges that could not be bought.
He will get it out secrets, maybe has got them already.
There is only one sure cure. Doty never leaves the rally.

Speaker 1 (15:38):
Said Baldwin. Mat Murdo nodded.

Speaker 3 (15:41):
Good for you, brother, Baldwin, He said, you know we
have had our differences, but you have said the true
word to night.

Speaker 4 (15:49):
Where is he? Then? Where shall we know him?

Speaker 3 (15:52):
Eminent buddy Master.

Speaker 1 (15:53):
Said mat Murdo earnestly, I would put it.

Speaker 3 (15:56):
To you that this is too vital a ding for
us to the sus in open lodge. Good forbid that
I should throw a doubt on anyone here. But in
so much as a word of gossip got to the
ears of this man, there would be an end of
any chance about getting him. I would ask the Lodge
to choose a trustee committee, Mister Chairman yourself, if I
might suggest it, and brother Baldwin here and fave more.

(16:19):
Then I can talk freely of what I know and
of what I advise should be done.

Speaker 1 (16:25):
The proposition was at once adopted and the committee chosen.
Besides the Chairman and Baldwin, there were the vulture faced
Secretary Harraway, Tiger Cormac, the brutal young assassin Carter, the Treasurer,
and the brothers Willoughby, fearless and desperate men who would
stick at nothing. The usual revelry of the Lodge was

(16:46):
short and subdued, for there was a cloud upon the
men's spirits, and many there for the first time began
to see the cloud of avenging law drifting up in
that serene sky under which they had dwelt so long.
The horror if they had dealt out to others, had
been so much a part of their settled lives that
the thought of retribution had become a remote one, and

(17:07):
so seemed the more startling now that it came so
closely upon them. They broke up early and left their
leaders to.

Speaker 4 (17:14):
Their council now, Nick Murda.

Speaker 1 (17:18):
Said McGinty. When they were alone, the seven men sat
frozen in their seats.

Speaker 3 (17:24):
I said, just now that I knew Berdie.

Speaker 1 (17:26):
Edwards, Matt Murdo explained, I need not tell you that he.

Speaker 3 (17:31):
Is not here under that name. He's a breed man,
but not a grazy one. He passes under the name
of Steve Wilson and his lodging at Hobson's petch. How
do you know this because I fell into talk with him.
I thought, liddle love it. At the time, No would
have given it a second thought but for this letter.

(17:52):
But no, I'm sure it's the man. I met him
on the carriage when I went to down the line
on Wednesday, heard geese. There was one. He said he
was a reporter. I believed it for the moment. Wanted
to know all he could about the scourers and what
he called the outrages for a New York paper. Ask
me every kind of question so as to get something.

(18:14):
You'll bet I was given nothing away. I'd pay for it,
and pay well, said he. If I could get some
stuff that would suit my editor, I said what I'd
thought would please him best, and he handed me a
twenty dollar bill for my information, there's ten times that
for you, said he, if you can find me all
that I want?

Speaker 4 (18:35):
What did you tell him then?

Speaker 3 (18:37):
Any stuff I could make up?

Speaker 4 (18:40):
How do you know he wasn't a newspaper man.

Speaker 3 (18:43):
You tell you he got out at Hobson's patch, and
so did I. I chanced into the telegraph bureau and
he was leaving it. See here, said the operator, after
he'd gone out. I guess we should charge double rates
for this. Oh, yes, you should, said I. You'd fill
the form with stuff that might have been Chinese, for

(19:04):
all we could make of it. He fires a sheet
of this off every day, said the cleric. Yes, said I,
A special news reached paper, and he's scared that the
others should tap it. That's what the operator thought, what
I thought at the time. But I think differently now,
by car, I.

Speaker 1 (19:24):
Believe you are right, said mcinty.

Speaker 4 (19:27):
But what do you allow that we should do about it?
Why not go right down now and fix him?

Speaker 1 (19:35):
Someone suggested, ay, the.

Speaker 3 (19:38):
Sooner the better, wait this next minute. If I knew
where we could find.

Speaker 1 (19:43):
Him, said Matt Murdo, He's in Hobson's.

Speaker 3 (19:46):
Patch, but I don't know the house I've got a blando.
If you'll only take.

Speaker 4 (19:51):
My advice, well, what is it?

Speaker 3 (19:54):
You'll go to the patch tomorrow morning. I'll find him
to the operator. He can look eat him, I guess,
and then I'll tell him that I'm a freeman myself.
I'll offer him all the secrets of the lodge for
a price. You bit, he'll tumble to it. Tell him
the peeper's at my house, and that it would be
as much as my life would be worth to let
him come while folk were about. You'll see that that's

(20:18):
horse sense. Let him come at ten o'clock at night
and he shall see everything that will fetch him. Sure, well,
you can plan to rest for yourselves. Udo MacNamara's is
a lonely house. She's as true as steel and as
deaf as a post. There's only Scanlon and me in
the house. If I get his promise, and I'll let

(20:38):
you know if I do, i'll have the whole seven
of you will come to me by nine o'clock. We'll
get him in. If ever he gets out alive, well
he can talk of Bertie Edward's luck for the rest
of his days.

Speaker 4 (20:51):
There's going to be a vacancy at Pinkerton's or I'm mistaken.
Leave it at that. McMurdo at nine tomorrow will be
with you you once get the door shut behind him,
and you can leave the rest with

Speaker 1 (21:05):
Us under Part two, Chapter six