The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 148
a certain person
On February [-]th, [-], during that extremely cold winter, a thick layer of snow accumulated in the valley of Gilmerton Hill.However, the railway is still running because of the steam snowplows.The rumbling sound of the night train connecting the coal mine and the iron ore area was slowly driving from the Stagville Plain along the steep slope to the center of the mouth of the Vermissa Valley—Vermissa City.From here, the tracks continue down to Barton Bypass and to the small farming town of Melton in the Helmdale district.Although it is a single line, the countless trains of wagons loaded with coal and iron ore on both sides of the track indicate that there are rich mineral deposits here.These rich deposits have brought to this wildest corner of America a lot of rough people and a tumultuous life.

It used to be a desolate barren land.The first batch of pioneers who set foot on this land would never have imagined that the value of this picturesque prairie and pastures with lush water and grass is far less than that of the black rocks everywhere and densely interlaced trees. desolate land.The hillside is covered with dark dense forests that barely see the sun, and further up is a towering bare mountain top. The abruptly shaped rocks rise high from the dense forests on both sides, forming a long and narrow valley with twists and turns. It is moving slowly up the hillside.

The oil lamps had just been lit in the carriage in front, and there were twenty or thirty people sitting in a long and simple carriage, most of them were workers returning home by train after a tiring day at the bottom of the ravine.At least a dozen were miners, judging by their grime-covered faces and the safety lights they carried.They huddled together, smoking and talking in low tones, occasionally glancing at the two people sitting across from each other.The uniforms and badges worn by the two men identified them as police officers.

Among the rest of the passengers in the coach were a few working women, and one or two passengers—possibly small local proprietors.In addition, a young man sat alone in a corner of the carriage.It is this one we are speaking of, so a detailed description is necessary here.

This young man is of medium build, has an extraordinary bearing, and looks like he is only 30 years old.A pair of big gray eyes with a sense of humor are flashing alertly, looking curiously at the people around through the glasses.It is not difficult to see that he is a sociable and outspoken person. People only need to look at him to find his sociable temper and his personality that likes to deal with people.He seemed quite alert and was always smiling.However, if you look closely, you can see the determination and perseverance in his lips and corners, you know he is a man of good thinking, and no matter what this lively young Irishman with brown hair thinks A place can make itself a place in the environment in which it is located.

The young man exchanged a word or two with a miner sitting next to him, but got only a curt and rude answer from the other party, and because the words were not congenial, he could only remain depressed and silent, and turned his head to look out of the window. scenery.

The view couldn't be more exciting.The sky is getting darker and darker, and the red light of the fire on the hillside is flickering, and the mountain of slag and slag can be vaguely seen, and the coal mine shaft towers above it.Groups of crowded low wooden houses can be seen everywhere along the road, and the outlines of the wooden houses are vaguely outlined by the lights from the windows.The many stops along the train's route were crowded with dark-skinned local passengers.

The valley of the coal and iron fields of Vermissa is not a place frequented by travelers and those of culture.Here and there are traces of the stern struggle for existence, of primitive work, and of the rough, strong workman who performed it.

The young man gazed at the bleak scene of the small town with displeasure and curiosity on his face, which was still very strange to him.From time to time, he took out an envelope from his pocket, looked at it, and wrote a few words on the blank space of the letter.Once, he took out something from behind. It was hard to imagine that such a gentle and refined person would carry such a thing with him.It was an oversized Navy revolver.When he held the pistol sideways to the light, the brass bullets in the magazine gleamed, evidently it was fully loaded.He quickly put the gun back in his pocket, but the workman sitting near him saw it anyway.

"Hey, man," he said, "you seem to be on guard?"

The young man smiled a little embarrassedly.

"Yeah," he said, "where I come from, it comes in handy sometimes."

"where are you from?"

"Chicago."

"You're not familiar with our place, are you?"

"Yes."

"You will find that this thing can come in handy here," said the worker.

"Oh, really?" The young man seemed quite curious about it.

"You haven't heard what happened around here?"

"I haven't heard of anything unusual."

"That's a lot, and it won't be long before you've heard enough. What are you doing here?"

"I've heard that anyone who wants to work can always find work here."

"Are you from the union?"

"of course."

"I think you'll find work here. Any friends here?"

"Not yet, but I have a way of making friends."

"What can be done?"

"I'm a member of the Freedmen's Club, and every town has its chapters, and as long as there are chapters, I can make friends."

This remark caused the worker to act abnormally. He glanced suspiciously at the other people in the carriage. The miners nearby were still talking in low voices, and the two policemen were dozing off.So he came over, sat down next to the young man, stretched out his hand and said, "Give me your hand."

The two people shook hands and exchanged secret signals.

"I can see that you're telling the truth. But it's best to make sure." He raised his right hand and put it on his right eyebrow.The young man immediately raised his left hand and placed it on his left eyebrow.

"The night is unpleasant," said the worker.

"Yes, the night is unpleasant to a stranger on a journey," answered the young man.

"That's right. I'm Brother Scanlon from Chapter 340 in Vermissa Valley. Nice to see you here."

"Thank you. I'm Brother Jack McMurdo of Chicago 29. Owner is JH Scott. How lucky I am to meet a brother so soon."

"Oh, there are a lot of our brethren around here. You'll see we have a presence in the Vermissa Valley that is unmatched anywhere else in America. But we need many young men like you. I I don't understand why a young member like you can't find a job in Chicago."

"I have a lot of job opportunities," McMurdo said.

"Then why are you leaving?"

McMurdo nodded to the two policemen, smiled and said, "I think these guys would love to know."

Scanlan snorted sympathetically and asked in a low voice, "Have you run into trouble?"

"big trouble."

"Have you committed a crime?"

"still got more."

"Did he kill someone?"

"It's too early to say that," McMurdo said, as if taken aback by saying something he shouldn't have said. "I had a good reason for leaving Chicago, so don't mind your own business. What are you People, how can you be entangled in this kind of thing?"

McMurdo's gray eyes flashed suddenly through the spectacles with a fierce, angry gleam.

"Well, man, I meant no harm. Nobody's going to think you've done anything bad. So where are you going now?"

"To Vermissa."

"It's only three stops away. Where are you going to live?"

McMurdo took out an envelope and said, leaning toward the dim oil lamp, "Here is the address. Sheridan Street, Jacob Sheffert. This is an apartment my friend in Chicago told me about."

"Oh, I've never heard of this apartment, I'm not familiar with Vermissa. I live in Hobson Territory, that's the stop, but before I go, I have a word for you: If you're in Vermissa Misa got in trouble and went straight to the chapter to find Chief McGinty, who is the head of the Vermisa chapter. Nothing is going to happen here without Brad Jack McGinty's permission Yes. Good-bye, brother, and maybe we'll see you at the club tonight. But please remember, if you're in trouble, go to Mrs. McGinty."

After Scanlon got out of the car, McMurdo fell into deep thought again.Night has fallen, and the sparks from the blast furnace are whistling and dancing in the darkness.Under the reflection of the fire, some black figures are bending, exerting force, twisting, and turning around following the operation of the crane or hoist, and the melody of the roar.

"I think that's all there is to hell," someone said.

McMurdo turned and saw a policeman move and look out the window at the fire-lit moor.

"Hell must be like this, for that matter," said the other policeman. "I suppose if there were devils there, they would be no worse than the ones we have here. Young man, I suppose you are coming here for the first time." to this place?"

"Yeah, so what?" McMurdo replied curtly.

"Never mind, sir, I just want to give you a piece of advice. Choose your friends carefully. If I were you, I wouldn't deal with Mike Scanlon and his gang."

"It's none of your business who I befriend!" McMurdo growled.His roar startled everyone in the car, and everyone looked over in unison, "Did I invite you to advise me? Or do you think I'm a fool, and I can't move a single step if I don't listen to your advice? When others talk to you, you can't move." Speak again, I'm too lazy to talk to you, God! The farther away you are from me, the better!"

With his face turned toward the police, he gritted his teeth and barked like a dog.

The two good-natured policemen were taken aback by his sudden growl, which had been so strongly rebuffed from their mere gesture of friendliness.

"Please don't be angry, sir," said one of the policemen. "As you are new to the town, we remind you of your kindness and do not mean to offend you."

"I'm new here, but I'm used to the tricks of people like you." McMurdo roared mercilessly, "You are as black as crows in the world, put away your reminders, no one needs this shit Son."

"Maybe we'll meet again soon," said a policeman with a sneer. "If I were a judge, I dare say you must be a bad guy."

"I think so too," echoed another policeman. "I think we'll see each other again."

"Don't try to frighten me, I'm not afraid of you!" McMurdo roared. "My name is Jack McMurdo. Do you hear me? If you want me, go to the Sheridan Street in Vermisa." Jacob Sheffert's apartment, I'm not afraid of you guys, day or night. Don't get the wrong guy!"

In the carriage, the miners began to whisper, their sympathy and approval for the boldness of the newcomer.The two policemen shrugged helplessly and resumed their conversation.

A few minutes later, the train pulls into a dimly lit station with an open space, since Vermissa is the largest town along the line.McMurdo picked up his leather traveling bag and was about to walk into the darkness when a miner approached him and began to chat with him.

"Hey man, you've got a real handle on these cops," he said admiringly. "What a pleasure to hear from you! Let me get your bag and show you the way. Fort Apartments."

As they walked through the platform, friendly greetings from other miners kept coming from around them.So, even though he hadn't established himself here, McMurdo's reputation as a troublemaker spread throughout Vermissa.

The countryside is unsettling, but the small town is somehow even more dreary.But at least this narrow and long valley can still give people a sense of gloomy grandeur: the fire reflects the sky, and the smoke and clouds change.And the great achievements made by those hard-working people here are well-deserved, and there are hills piled up by those people everywhere on both sides of the tunnel.But the town turned out to be ugly and dirty.Oncoming traffic rolled the wide avenue into muddy ruts.The narrow sidewalks were rough, and the gas lamps could only light a small row of board houses, each with a street-facing balcony, cluttered and dirty.

In a short while, McMurdo and the miner were in the center of the town, the streets lit up by rows of shops, and the taverns and casinos, where the miners squandered their hard-earned money.

"This is the Union," said the native, pointing to a tall tavern that looked like a hotel. "Jack McGinty is the leader here."

"What kind of a man is he?" McMurdo asked.

"Why, have you never heard of the chief's name before?"

"I don't know anything about this place, how could I have heard of him?"

"Oh, I thought he was well known in the union. He was in the papers a lot."

"why?"

"Ah," said the miner in a low voice, "for those things."

"What's the matter?"

"God, sir, you're a queer man! Don't take me off when I say that, that's the only thing you hear about here, about the diehards."

"Why? I think I heard about it in Chicago. It's a gang of murderers, isn't it?"

"Shh, watch your words!" The miner stood there terrified, watching his companions, "man, if you talk nonsense in the street, you won't live long here, and many people have died because of worse than this." Little things can kill you."

"I don't really know anything about them, I've only heard about them."

"However, I'm not saying you've heard it." As the man said, he glanced around anxiously, and then stared at the dark place, as if there really was some danger lurking there. "If it's murder, Well, God knows, there are plenty of murders. But you mustn't associate it with the name of Jack McGinty. Because even the whispered comment will reach his ears, and he will never let people go easily. You see, that's the place you're looking for, the house down the street. You'll find the old owner, Jacob Sheffert, an honest man of the town."

"Thank you very much," McMurdo said as he shook hands with his newfound companion.Then he carried his travel bag and walked towards the house with heavy steps.When he got to the door, he knocked hard on the door.

The door was opened quickly, but the person standing there took him by surprise.It was a young and beautiful German woman with snow-white skin and long golden hair. She was looking at this guest in amazement with her big beautiful black eyes, and a blush appeared on her fair and tender face.In the light from the door, McMurdo felt that he had never seen a woman with such a beautiful figure.In the dirty and gloomy surroundings, she is even more charming.Even if a violet grew on this black cinder heap, it wouldn't be as stunning as this woman.He stood there dumbfounded, staring at her intently.Finally, it was this woman who broke the silence.

"I thought it was my father." She said sweetly, with a slight German accent, "You came to see him, right? He's gone to town. I was expecting him to come home."

McMurdo was still staring at her with full of admiration, and in front of this passionate gaze, the woman lowered her head flusteredly.

"No, ma'am," said McMurdo at last, "I'm in no hurry to find him. But I've been introduced to your house, and I think it might suit me, and I'm more sure of that now."

"You decided too quickly." The woman said with a smile.

"Anybody would decide that unless they were blind," McMurdo replied.

Hearing this praise, the girl smiled slightly, "Sir, please come in. My name is Etty Sheffert, and I am Mr. Sheffert's daughter. My mother passed away very early, and I will take care of this guest room." You can sit down by the fire in the front hall and wait for my father to come back. Ah, he's back, so you can talk to him about anything."

An old man walked in slowly from the door.McMurdo explained his purpose in a few words: In Chicago, a man named Murphy introduced him to come here, and Murphy got the address from someone else.Old Sheffert agreed without hesitation.McMurdo had no hesitation about the room rate, and immediately agreed to all conditions. He obviously did not spare money, and he also prepaid seven dollars a week for board.

So McMurdo, who openly claimed to be a fugitive, began to live with the Shefferts.The countless long and gloomy turmoil caused by this initial step has come to an end in a distant foreign country.

Two body master
McMurdo soon became a minor celebrity here.No matter where he goes, he can always quickly attract the attention of those around him.In less than a week, McMurdo was the most important person in Sheffert's apartment.There lived ten or twelve lodgers, quiet foremen or shop clerks, and the young Irishman was quite different from them.When they got together in the evenings, McMurdo was always laughing and quick-witted, and he had a natural voice.His charisma of entertaining people made him always surrounded by many friends.

But more than once he awed people with his intellectual prowess and sudden outbursts, as he did on the train.His hostility to the law, and to all enforcers, pleased some of his fellow-cubs and disturbed others.

From the very beginning, he showed his heart, publicly saying that he was in love with the landlord's daughter.From the first time he saw her, he was deeply attracted by her beauty and elegant figure.He quickly pursued her, professing his love for the girl the next day.From then on, no matter how she refused, he always repeated those words.

"Is there someone else in your heart?" sometimes he said aloud, "Well, bad luck to him, let him be careful! How can I give up my chances and loves in this life to others! You can insist on saying no, Etty! But someday you will say yes, and I have plenty of time to wait for that day."

(End of this chapter)