Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 132 Uncanny Valley (10)
"You asked for it! Ted Baldwin," McGinty said loudly, his large breasts also rising and falling jerkyly. "Maybe you think that next time I can't be elected as the president, you can replace him. But as long as I am the leader here, I will never allow anyone to yell at me and openly defy my decision."

"I don't mean to disagree with you." Baldwin cleared his throat and murmured.

"Well, then," McGinty said loudly, quickly changing into a cheerful tone, "we're still good brothers, and that's all for now."

He took the bottle of champagne from the rack and pulled the cork.

"Well, now," he went on, filling three goblets, "let's toast to our union. From now on, you must know that no one should hold grudges. Now, Baldwin, I Dear friend, let me ask you, are you still angry?"

"The cloud is still hanging over."

"But it's about to shine forever."

"I swear!"

The two drank it down, and Baldwin and McMurdo did the same.

"Come!" cried McGinty, rubbing his hands. "It's all over now. If there's any more trouble, there's nothing to do but discipline. Brother McMurdo, as Brother Baldwin knows—you'll be quick too!" You'll find that if you're asking for trouble, it's going to be bad luck very soon!"

"I promise I won't make trouble easily," said McMurdo, stretching out his hand to Baldwin. "I am quick-tempered, but I am quick to come and go. People say I am an Irishman. But since it has passed , I will never hold grudges."

Baldwin had to take the outstretched hand, for McGinty was staring at him fiercely.However, the sullen look on his face clearly showed that McMurdo's words had not moved him.

McGinty patted both of them on the shoulder and said, "Oh! These girls! These girls!" Let the little girl figure it out for herself, it's out of the president's hands. God sees so too. Well, we've got enough trouble without women. Brother McMurdo, you must obey the Three Four One Chapter We have our own rules and customs, unlike Chicago. We have a meeting on Saturday night, and if you come to it, you can walk in Vermissa from now on." [-]
On the very day after that eventful evening, McMurdo moved out of Jacob Schefter's to live with the widow McNamara at the far end of town.Scanlon, whom he had met on the train, soon moved to Vermissa, and the two lived together.Apart from the two of them, there are no other tenants here.The landlord is a good-natured Irish woman who never interferes with them, so their words and actions are quite free, which is really good for two people who share privacy.

Shaft was kind enough to agree that McMurdo could dine at his house when he pleased, so that his association with Etty was not restricted, on the contrary, as time went by, they became more and more intimate.

McMurdo found his new abode to be fairly safe, and taking out the counterfeit molds in his bedroom, he gradually resumed his old business.A few brothers in the branch were only allowed to come here to observe after taking an oath to strictly keep the secrecy, and every time they left, they would take some counterfeit coins in their pockets.These are so forged that they are almost as real as real ones, so they are effortless and perfectly safe to use.With such great ability, McMurdo was still willing to submit to the low-paying job, which puzzled many members.However, whenever someone asked, he always explained that it was because if there was no open job, the police would soon come to the door.In fact, a policeman did come before long, and luckily the visit, far from endangering him, made him famous.

Since his first visit to McGinty's bar, McMurdo had gone to "catch up" almost every night in order to get acquainted with his "brethren."The so-called brothers are just the affectionate names of the gang members who hang out here.His brave and resolute style of acting and unscrupulous language made him the most popular person here, and in a bar boxing match, he knocked down his opponent with swift and skillful boxing techniques. He commanded widespread respect among this rough crowd.Until another accident happened, his reputation was further improved.

One day, when the bar was at its busiest, the door suddenly opened, and a mining police officer in a dark blue uniform and a pointed hat came in.He is a special police officer hired by the local railway bureau and mine owners to assist the ordinary police in dealing with the organized violence that they are helpless.As soon as he entered, the room suddenly fell silent, and many curious eyes casted on him.In many states, where the relationship between police and criminals is often delicate, McGinty himself was standing behind the counter, watching his arrival.

"It's cold tonight, let's have a glass of whiskey," said the policeman. "Mr. Congressman, I don't think we have met formally yet?"

"You're the new captain?" McGinty said.

"Yes, I'm here to visit you, Mr. Congressman, and other friends here. I hope you can help maintain local law and order. I'm Marvin, the captain of the coal and iron mine police in this district."

"We're fine here, we don't need anyone to keep it up. Captain Marvin," said McGinty coldly, "we have our own police, and we don't need any 'exotics.' You're just tools paid for by capitalists, okay Guns and sticks for these poor people, no?"

"Okay, okay, let's not argue about this," said the policeman in a good-natured manner, "I think we are just doing our duty according to our own views, but everyone's opinion is different." He drank his wine in one gulp, turned and waited leave.Then his eyes fell suddenly on the face of Jack McMurdo, who buried his face hastily in his elbows. "Look!" He looked him up and down and shouted, "Isn't this an old acquaintance?"

McMurdo got up and walked away. "I don't have a friend like you in my life, and it's even more impossible to make friends with you damn policemen."

"Old acquaintances are not necessarily friends," said the police captain, laughing. "You're Jack McMurdo of Chicago, aren't you? No need to deny it!"

McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't deny it," said he. "Do you think I should feel my name is shameful?"

"Anyway, you've done some good things after all."

"What do you mean?" he growled, fists clenched.

"Well, you don't have to, Jack, you can't be too loud. Before I came to this ghost mine, I was a Chicago policeman. I know all the Chicago thugs at a glance."

McMurdo's face fell. "Don't tell me you're the Marvin from Chicago!" he yelled.

"That's Ted Marvin on call. We haven't dared to forget your murder of Jonas Pinto."

"I didn't kill him."

"No? But it seems to be well-founded, doesn't it? His death is a godsend for you, otherwise you would have been in jail for counterfeiting money. Forget it, we Let it pass. I can also sneak in—perhaps it is beyond my duty to do so—they can't find any clear evidence against you, so you don't have to worry about it, and you can go back to Chicago anytime."

"I'm fine here."

"Hey, I pointed out a way for you. If you don't thank me, I really don't want to go on the way."

"Well, I hope you mean well, and thank you," said McMurdo in an ungrateful manner.

"As long as you've been doing the right thing, I won't say anything," said the captain of the police, "but, God knows, if you're not doing the right thing, it's a different story! Well, good night—Mr. Senator, Good night to you too."

Officer Marvin leaves the bar and soon creates a local hero.People murmured secretly about McMurdo's days in Chicago, but when asked he laughed it off as if it didn't matter at all.Now that the matter has been fully confirmed, everyone in the bar came forward to shake hands with him in a flattering way.From then on, McMurdo was able to travel freely in this country!He drank heavily and rarely got drunk, but the congratulated hero would have spent the night under the bar if his friend Scanlon hadn't helped him home that night.

McMurdo was formally introduced to the chapter on Saturday night.He thought that since he was an old member in Chicago, he didn't need to go through any more ceremonies, but the Vermissa branch had a special ceremony that they were proud of, and every inductee had to go through it.The convention was held in the great union hall, and there were sixty or so members in attendance, but not all of Vermisa's membership, for there were other chapters in the valley and on both sides of the mountains.Whenever there is an urgent and important business, members are exchanged, so that some crimes can be carried out by strangers.There are no less than 500 members scattered in this area.

In the empty trade union auditorium, everyone gathered around a long table, and there was a small table next to it, which was filled with wine bottles and wine glasses, and some people had begun to salivate and stare at them.McGinty sat at the head, wearing a flat black velvet hat and a long purple scarf around his neck, like a chairman overseeing some solemn ceremony.To his left and right were the senior members of the congregation, including the fiercely handsome Ted Baldwin.They all wore ribbons or some sort of badge to identify them.

Most of the high-level members are middle-aged, and most of the ordinary members are young people aged 25 to [-].As long as the superior gives an order, they will definitely carry it out with all their strength.The older members were vicious and ruthless, but it was hard to believe that the warm and cheerful young lads could also be fierce gangsters.They have no morals at all, often take pride in evil, and have great respect and admiration for those who so-called can do their jobs "cleanly and neatly".

For these twisted thugs, it seemed brave and chivalrous to volunteer to kill someone they had never offended, or even met in their entire lives.After committing the crime, they often quarreled over who delivered the fatal blow, and used the victim's cry or torture as a joke.

At first, they did it more or less secretly, but gradually, finding that the law had nothing to do with them, they became almost unscrupulous.Of course, on the one hand, no one dares to stand up and testify against them. At the same time, they themselves will always have countless people who can testify, and they still have enough money to hire the best defense lawyers in the country.Therefore, during the ten-year period, no one was convicted despite the crimes committed.The only person who could be a threat to him is the victim himself, since despite being surprised or outnumbered, it is still possible to occasionally leave marks on the murderer.

McMurdo had been warned of a test of some sort, but no one would ever tell him what it was.He was led to a nearby hut by two serious-looking brothers. Through the partition wall, he could vaguely hear the conversation in the great hall.Once or twice he even heard his name mentioned, presumably talking about his membership.Immediately, a guard with gold and green sash on his chest walked in.

"The president has ordered that he must be tied up and brought in blindfolded," he said.

Thereupon the three took off McMurdo's coat, rolled up the sleeve of his right arm, fastened his elbows fast with a piece of rope, and put a thick black cap on his head, The upper half of the body is also covered, and nothing can be seen.Finally, he was brought into the venue.

It was dark under the hood, and it was very uncomfortable.He heard the noisy and indistinct voices of people around him.Now McGinty's voice reached his ears, muffled and distant.

"Jack McMurdo," said the voice, "are you going to be a freedman?"

He bowed and agreed.

"Are you a member of the Chicago Chapter 29?"

He bowed again.

"The night is very unpleasant," said the voice.

"Yes, to the stranger traveler," he replied.

"Overcast."

"Yes, the storm is coming."

"Are you satisfied, brethren?" asked the leader.

There was a murmur of approval from the crowd.

"Brother, from your code words and answers, we are sure you are one of us," McGinty said, "However, we want you to understand that we have our own specific rituals and responsibilities in this area, Only after passing this test can you be officially recognized. Are you ready to accept the test?"

"I'm ready."

"Are you brave enough?"

"Yes."

"Please take a big step forward and prove it to us."

As soon as he finished speaking, McMurdo suddenly felt two sharp objects pressing against his eyes, as if his eyes would disappear if he moved forward.Still, he took a big step forward with determination and determination.Then, the pressure in front of him suddenly shrank back, and there were low cheers from around.

"Bold enough indeed," said the voice, "can you bear the pain?"

"Just like any other brother," he replied.

"Test him!"

A sharp pain came from his forearm, and he tried to keep himself from screaming.The sudden pain almost made him faint, but he bit his lip and clenched his fists to hide the excruciating pain.

"I can take more," he said.

This time, there was applause. "And one last thing," McGinty said. "You have taken an oath of secrecy and fidelity. Did you know that the penalty for any breach of the oath is immediate death?"

"I know," said McMurdo.

"Then under any circumstances, will you accept the orders of the chief?"

"of course."

"Very well, on behalf of the Vermisa [-] Branch, I welcome you to join, enjoy the privileges of this association, and participate in the affairs of this association. Brother Scanlon, put the wine on the table, and let us toast this outstanding brother."

McMurdo's coat was brought back to him, and before he put it on he looked at his right arm, which was still in agony, where a circular mark with a triangle in the center had been branded with wrought iron, deep into the skin, Turn out the bright red tender meat.One or two people next to him also rolled up their sleeves, showing the club badge.

"Everybody has that mark," said one of them, "but none so brave as you."

"Hey! It's nothing," he said, still burning with pain.

After drinking for three rounds, we began to discuss the affairs of the branch.McMurdo, accustomed to the prosaic meetings of Chicago, could not help listening, but the details he heard were far beyond his expectations.

"First thing on the agenda," said McGinty, "is to read a letter from Wendell, superintendent of the Merton County Chapter [-]. It said:

Dear Sir:
Work must be done for Andrew Wray, the owner of the nearby Wray and Stromasch coal mines.I believe your club should remember that the last time we had a dispute with the patrol police was done by our two brothers.So please send two capable brothers here immediately, and Higgins, the treasurer of this branch, will be in charge of reception.He will inform the time and place of the operation.The contact address remains the same.Congratulations

Your friends

Jw Wendell

"Wendell never refused when we asked for something, and we can't refuse them." McGinty paused, and scanned the week with his dark and fierce eyes. "Who volunteered to go?"

Several young men raised their hands, and the leader gave them an approving look.

"You can, Tiger Cormac. If you can do what you did last time, you'll be all right, and you, Wilson."

"But I don't have a gun," said the young man, who was only a teenager.

"It's your first time, isn't it? Sooner or later there's going to be blood, and this will be a good start for you. As for the gun, I promise I'll have it ready for you. You should report for duty on Monday, and there should be plenty of time." Yes. When I’m done, I’ll welcome you when I come back.”

"Is there any pay this time?" Cormac asked.He was a big, dark, fierce fellow, which had earned him the nickname "Tiger."

"Don't worry about the bounty. You're here for the honor, and when it's done, you'll get an unusual bounty."

"What's wrong with the man we're dealing with?" asked young Wilson.

"Hmph, it's not your place to ask what he did. Since they have made a decision, we don't need to ask more questions, just help them implement it, just like they help us. By the way, the Merton Branch will have two meetings next week. Brothers are here on a mission."

"Who's coming?" someone asked.

"Smart ones don't ask. If you don't know anything, don't testify and you won't get in trouble, but they'll do it cleanly."

"It's time to stop!" Ted Baldwin yelled. "Some people here are getting rough. Foreman Black fired three of our men in the last week alone. Give him some color and see."

"How?" asked McMurdo in a low voice of his neighbor.

"Give him a big peanut!" said the man, laughing. "What do you think of that, brother?"

At this time, McMurdo seemed to have been infected with the evil atmosphere of this evil organization he had just joined, and his soul was slowly being eroded. "I like doing it," he said. "This is a place for young people with spirit."

Several people sitting nearby listened to his words and praised him.

"What's going on?" Blackbeard asked from the other side of the table.

"Sir, the new brother thinks our way suits him."

McMurdo stood up at once. "I said, President, I wish to have the honor of being chosen to serve the Society if necessary."

This sentence aroused even greater applause, and people seemed to feel that a sun was rising from the horizon.Of course, for some older members, the achievement seemed a little quicker.

"I suggest," said Secretary Haraway, a grim-faced old man with a gray beard, who sat next to the president. "Brother McMurdo should wait until a more opportune time."

"Of course, I have no objection, and I am at my disposal," said McMurdo.

"Brother, it will be your turn," said the president. "We all think you are a talented person, and we believe you will do well here. If you want, there is a little thing for you to try tonight." Bull knife."

"I'm willing to wait for opportunities that are more worthwhile."

(End of this chapter)