The Valley of Fear Part 9 (2/2)
”A bit closer, Mr McMurdo; for we don't take folk on trust in these parts, nor believe all we're told neither Come in here for a moment, behind the bar”
There was a small room there, lined with barrels McGinty carefully closed the door, and then seated hiar and surveying his co eyes For a couple of minutes he sat in complete silence McMurdo bore the inspection cheerfully, one hand in his coat pocket, the other twisting his brown moustache Suddenly McGinty stooped and produced a wicked-looking revolver
”See here, ame on us, it would be short work for you”
”This is a strange welconity, ”for the Bodyer brother”
”Ay, but it's just that same that you have to prove,” said McGinty, ”and God help you if you fail! Where were you o”
”When?”
”June 24, 1872”
”What Bodymaster?”
”James H Scott”
”Who is your district ruler?”
”Bartholoh in your tests What are you doing here?”
”Working, the same as you--but a poorer job”
”You have your back answer quick enough”
”Yes, I was always quick of speech”
”Are you quick of action?”
”I have had that na those that knew me best”
”Well, weof the lodge in these parts?”
”I've heard that it takes a man to be a brother”
”True for you, Mr McMurdo Why did you leave Chicago?”
”I'm damned if I tell you that!”
McGinty opened his eyes He was not used to being answered in such fashi+on, and it amused him ”Why won't you tell me?”
”Because no brother may tell another a lie”
”Then the truth is too bad to tell?”
”You can put it that way if you like”
”See here, mister, you can't expect e a man for whose past he can't answer”
McMurdo looked puzzled Then he took a worn newspaper cutting from an inner pocket
”You wouldn't squeal on a fellow?” said he
”I'll wipe my hand across your face if you say such words to ht, Councillor,” said McMurdo ht Well, I know that I alanced his eyes over the account of the shooting of one Jonas Pinto, in the Lake Saloon, Market Street, Chicago, in the New Year week of 1874
”Your work?” he asked, as he handed back the paper
McMurdo nodded
”Why did you shoot hi Uncle Saold as his, but they looked as well and were cheaper to make This man Pinto helped me to shove the queer--”
”To do what?”
”Well, it means to pass the dollars out into circulation Then he said he would split Maybe he did split I didn't wait to see I just killed hihted out for the coal country”
”Why the coal country?”
”'Cause I'd read in the papers that they weren't too particular in those parts”
McGinty laughed ”You were first a coiner and then a ht you'd be welcome”
”That's about the size of it,” McMurdo answered
”Well, I guess you'll go far Say, can you make those dollars yet?”
McMurdo took half a dozen from his pocket ”Those never passed the Philadelphia mint,” said he
”You don't say!” McGinty held theorilla's ”I can see no difference Gar! you'll be a ! We can do with a badus, Friend McMurdo: for there are tiainst the wall if we didn't shove back at those that were pushi+ng us”
”Well, I guess I'll dowith the rest of the boys”
”You seeun at you”