The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 156
"Excellent!" said McGinty.The giant is wearing a shirt, with a gleaming watch chain peeking out from under his waistcoat, especially the diamond brooch.Not only opened taverns, but also played tricks, which made the leader powerful and very rich.However, the night before, he seemed to have flashed before him a terrible image of prisons and hangings.

"What do you think he knows about our business?" McGinty asked anxiously.

McMurdo looked gloomy, shook his head, and said, "He's been here for at least six weeks. I don't think he's been here to get the information he needs. Considering the powerful railroad behind him The company has been busy with activities among us, I think he should have gained something long ago, and he has already passed on the information."

"There's no weak-willed soul in the club," cried McGinty, "everybody's as strong as steel. But, God, that damned Morris! Is it him? If anyone's going to betray us, That man must be him. I will send two brothers to teach him a lesson before dark, and see what I can get from him."

"Oh, that's all right," replied McMurdo, "but I don't deny that I like Maurice, and can't bear to see him suffer. He once or twice told me about the club, Although he views these matters differently than we do, he certainly does not appear to be an informer. But I have no right to interfere with your affairs."

"I'm gonna kill the old guy!" McGinty swore. "I've been watching him for a year."

"Well, you know best," replied McMurdo, "but we'll have to wait until tomorrow, and we must stop other operations until the matter of Detective Pinkerton is settled. Don't alarm the police, Especially today."

"You're right," said McGinty, "to get the source of this information out of Bertie Edwards before we rip out his heart. But will he see Is this a trap?"

McMurdo said with a broad smile, "I think I've caught his weakness. He'd be willing to send him to hell if he could find a trace of the diehards. He's already given me a Some money." As he spoke, McMurdo took out a wad of banknotes, "After reading the documents, he will give me more money."

"what document?"

"Oh, there won't be any papers. I just lied to him that I have the registration form and the constitution of the whole membership, and he wants to get the secret as soon as possible, and then go away."

"Sure enough," McGinty grinned. "He didn't ask why you didn't just take the papers to him?"

"I'm a suspicious person, how can I take these things out? What's more, when I was at the station in the morning, Captain Malvin saw me."

"Oh, I've heard about that," said McGinty. "I think you'd be the man for the job. After he's done, we can dump the body in an abandoned mine. But In any case, we cannot change the fact that this person lives in Hobson Land and you have been there today."

McMurdo shrugged and said, "If it's beautiful, they won't be able to find evidence against me. After dark, no one will see him come to me. I will arrange everything so that he will not be caught when he goes out." Attention anyone. Now, Mr. Senator, allow me to state my plan and pass it on to some other brethren. You better come early. I made an appointment with him at ten o'clock sharp at night, and he knocked three times door, I'll open it and close it behind him. Then he'll be ours."

"It's not difficult."

"Yes, but the next action needs to be carefully considered. He is a trained detective and has excellent weapons. Although he believed my words, he may be on guard. He only planned to meet me alone, but When he goes into the house and sees seven people sitting inside, he will definitely shoot you, so our people will be injured."

"Is such that."

"And it's a shot that's sure to get all the goddamn cops in the neighborhood."

"you are right."

"We have to do this. We all sit in the big room where you and I were talking. After I opened the door to invite him in, I left him in the reception room and pretended to pick up the documents. I took the opportunity to inform you of the progress of the matter." Then I returned to the reception room and handed him the fake document I had prepared in advance. While he was reading the document, I jumped over and grabbed his hands to prevent him from shooting. As soon as you heard my voice, Just rush in with the fastest speed, because he is as strong and powerful as me, I may not be his opponent, but I promise to stick to it until you come in."

"That's a very good idea!" said McGinty. "The brethren in the branch will thank you. I think when I step down, I will definitely nominate you as the next head."

"Senator, I'm only a newcomer in fact," said McMurdo, but the look on his face showed that he was glad to hear the praise of this powerful man.

As soon as McMurdo returned to his lodgings, he set about preparing for the fierce fight of the night.He first cleaned, oiled, and ammunition the Smith & Wesson revolver, and then went over the drawing-room.It was a rectangular room, very spacious, with a long table in the center, and a large stove against one wall.The other two walls were windows, without shutters, and hung only with light-coloured curtains.McMurdo took a careful look around the room.No doubt the house was not secluded enough for such secret interviews, but it was far enough away from the road to attract attention.Finally McMurdo finds his accomplice Scanlon--although he is a member of the die-hard party, he is a law-abiding little man.He was extremely weak and never contested the opinions of his accomplices. He was once forced to participate in some bloody assassinations, but he felt extremely frightened and disgusted.In a few words McMurdo explained to him what was about to happen.

"If I were you, Mike Scanlon, I'd be far away and quiet tonight. There's bound to be blood here before dawn."

"You're right, Jack," Scanlon replied. "I wish I had the courage to stand with you, but I can't. I was almost terrified when I saw Dunn, the coal mine manager, murdered." Passed out. I don't have the guts of you or McGinty. If the club doesn't blame me for it, I'll do as you say and leave you to deal with the night."

In the evening, McGinty and others arrived at the apartment ahead of schedule.Outwardly they were all decent men, neatly dressed, but the observant man would have noticed a desire to capture Bertie Edwards in their pursed mouths and murderous eyes.Their hands were once stained with blood, and they killed people with a heart like a butcher butchering a sheep.

Of course, in appearance and crimes committed, the formidable master McGinty is the main character.Secretary Haraway is skinny and ruthless. Under the long neck covered with skin and bones, there are nervous limbs. This person only pays attention to the numbers on the remittance slip, regardless of whether the source is fair and legal.Accountant Treasurer Cotter was a sullen, impassive middle-aged man with skin as yellow as a scroll of parchment.He is an excellent criminal organizer, and the details of almost every criminal act are arranged by this person.The Willaby brothers were young and strong men of action, tall, agile, and resolute.Tiger Cormac was a big black man with thick eyebrows and big eyes. Even the brothers in the meeting were afraid of his vicious and brutal nature.Also, there's that damned Ted Baldwin.This is the gang that is going to take Detective Pinkerton's life tonight.

The master of the house put whiskey on the table, and the men couldn't wait to celebrate the night's work.Baldwin and Cormac had appeared drunk, revealing their murderous nature.As the night was still cold, a fire was lit and Cormac sat by the stove to keep warm.He put his hand close to the fire and swore, "It won't work like this."

"Hey," Baldwin said, reading Cormac's words, "if we can tie him up, we can learn everything from him."

"Don't worry, we'll let him tell the truth," said McMurdo, his expression calm and resolute, and although the whole matter fell on him, his demeanor was still as usual, and there was nothing wrong with him. don't care.For this, everyone admired him.

"That's up to you," McGinty said approvingly. "You've got him in your throat before he knows it. It's a pity you didn't have the shutters on your windows."

McMurdo went over, checked the curtains in every room, and said, "Now no one can spy on us from outside. The time is almost up."

"Maybe he sensed the danger, so he won't come." Haraway said.

"He'll come," replied McMurdo. "He's as anxious to be here as you are to see him. Listen!"

They were all sitting like wax figures, motionless, and some of them stopped immediately as they were raising wine glasses to their mouths.Then there were three heavy knocks on the door.

"Hush!" McMurdo motioned with his hand.These people were so happy that they secretly put their hands on the hidden pistols.

"For your safety, keep quiet!" McMurdo said softly and walked out, closing the door carefully.

These murderers stretched out their ears to listen, and the footsteps of this companion walking towards the aisle were clearly countable.Then there was the sound of him opening the door, and after a few greetings, there was a burst of unfamiliar footsteps.After a while, the door slammed shut, followed by the sound of a key locking the door.Their prey has fallen into the trap.Tiger Cormac grinned grinningly, and the leader McGinty quickly covered Cormac's mouth with his big hand.

"Don't make a sound, idiot!" McGinty whispered. "You're going to spoil our business!"

There was an indistinct conversation in the next room, which lasted intolerably long.Then the door opened and McMurdo came in, putting his finger to his lips.

McMurdo walked around the table to study his companion.There seemed to be an inscrutable change in his face, and he looked as if he was doing something big, bold and strong, and his eyes shone with extreme excitement from behind the glasses.He became a leader.These people looked at him eagerly, but he remained silent, returning them with calm eyes.

"Hello!" McGinty finally lost his composure. "Is he here? Is Bertie Edwards out?"

"Yes," replied McMurdo calmly, "Bertie Edwards is here. I am Bertie Edwards!"

After these few short words, the room was suddenly as silent as empty, except for the hissing sound of the kettle on the stove.Seven pale faces stared in horror at those who stood before them, and then suddenly there was a sound of breaking glass, shining rifle barrels came through the windows, and the curtains were pulled down.

At this moment, the body master McGinty suddenly roared like a wounded black bear, and rushed towards the half-opened door.There a pistol was pointed at his head, and the large blue eyes of Captain Malvern, the mining police officer, were looking at him intently.The chief had no choice but to step back and slump down on his chair.

(End of this chapter)