The Valley of Fear Part 10 (2/2)
McMurdo's face fell ”Don't tell o Central!” he cried
”Just the saotten the shooting of Jonas Pinto up there”
”I never shot hiood impartial evidence, ain't it? Well, his death came in unco the queer Well, we can let that be bygones; for, between you andit--they could get no clear case against you, and Chicago's open to you to-iven you the pointer, and you're a sulky dog not to thank me for it”
”Well, I suppose you raciouson the straight,” said the captain ”But, by the Lord! if you get off after this, it's another story! So good-night to you--and good-night, Councillor”
He left the bar-room; but not before he had created a local hero McMurdo's deeds in far Chicago had been whispered before He had put off all questions with a sreatness thrust upon hi was officially confirmed The bar loafers crowded round him and shook him heartily by the hand He was free of the community from that time on He could drink hard and show little trace of it; but that evening, had his mate Scanlan not been at hand to lead hiht under the bar
On a Saturday night McMurdo was introduced to the lodge He had thought to pass in without cereo; but there were particular rites in Verone by every postulant The assee room reserved for such purposes at the Union House Some sixty members assembled at Verth of the organization, for there were several other lodges in the valley, and others across the ed meht be done by ether there were not less than five hundred scattered over the coal district
In the bare asse table At the side was a second one laden with bottles and glasses, on which so their eyes McGinty sat at the head with a flat black velvet cap upon his shock of tangled black hair, and a coloured purple stole round his neck, so that he see over soher lodge officials, the cruel, handso them Each of these wore some scarf or medallion as emblem of his office
They were, for the e; but the rest of the cohteen to twenty-five, the ready and capable agents who carried out the co the older erish, lawless souls within; but looking at the rank and file it was difficult to believe that these eager and open-faced young felloere in very truth a dangerous gang of murderers, whose minds had suffered such complete moral perversion that they took a horrible pride in their proficiency at the business, and looked with deepest respect at thewhat they called ”a clean job”
To their contorted natures it had becoainst some man who had never injured them, and whom in many cases they had never seen in their lives The crime committed, they quarrelled as to who had actually struck the fatal blow, and a the cries and contortions of the murdered man
At first they had shown soements; but at the tis were extraordinarily open, for the repeated failure of the law had proved to theainst them, and on the other they had an unlimited number of stanch witnesses upon whom they could call, and a well-filled treasure chest froal talent in the state In ten long years of outrage there had been no single conviction, and the only danger that ever threatened the Scowrers lay in the victiht and occasionally did leave his mark upon his assailants
McMurdo 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 rooh the plank partition he could hear the murmur of ht the sound of his own na his candidacy Then there entered an inner guard with a green and gold sash across his chest
”The Bodymaster orders that he shall be trussed, blinded, and entered,” said he
The three of theht arm, and finally passed a rope round above the elbows and ht 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 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
”John McMurdo,” said the voice, ”are you already a member of the Ancient Order of Freee No 29, Chicago?”
He bowed again
”Dark nights are unpleasant,” said the voice
”Yes, for strangers to travel,” he answered
”The clouds are heavy”
”Yes, a stor”
”Are the brethren satisfied?” asked the Bodyeneral n and by your countersign that you are indeed one of us,” said McGinty ”We would have you knoever, that in this county and in other counties of these parts we have certain rites, and also certain duties of our ohich call for good men Are you ready to be tested?”
”I am”
”Are you of stout heart?”
”I am”
”Take a stride forward to prove it”
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 notthem None the less, he nerved himself to step resolutely out, and as he did so the pressure melted away There was a low murmur of applause
”He is of stout heart,” said the voice ”Can you bear pain?”
”As well as another,” he answered
”Test him!”
It was all he could do to keep hih his forearm He nearly fainted at the sudden shock of it; but he bit his lip and clenched his hands to hide his agony
”I can take more than that,” said he
This time there was loud applause A finer first appearance had never been e Hands clapped him on the back, and the hood was plucked froratulations of the brothers
”One last word, Brother McMurdo,” said McGinty ”You have already sworn the oath of secrecy and fidelity, and you are aware that the punishment for any breach of it is instant and inevitable death?”
”I am,” said McMurdo
”And you accept the rule of the Body under all circue 341, Veres and debates You will put the liquor on the table, Brother Scanlan, and ill drink to our worthy brother”
McMurdo's coat had been brought to hiht arm, which still smarted heavily There on the flesh of the forearle within it, deep and red, as the branding iron had left it One or two of his neighbours pulled up their sleeves and showed their own lodge marks