Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 135 Uncanny Valley (13)
"Come sit next to me, my dear, you are my queen, and though the throne is a bit queer, it is the best your poor lover could find. But one day, he will give you something better .Now are you relieved?"

"But now you're a criminal mob, and I'll never guess the day you'll be in court for murder, Jack, how can I rest assured? A lodger called you 'McMurdo of the Vampire' yesterday, and that's It was like a knife was stuck in my heart."

"Don't listen to them, it's all slander!"

"But what they say is true."

"Well, baby, it's not as bad as you think, we're just a bunch of lower class people who want to fight for their rights."

Edie put her arms around his neck, "Get off of them! Jack, for my sake, for God's sake, get away! That's what I came to ask you for today. Oh, Jack, look- I'm kneeling Please! I kneel before you and beg you to leave!"

He pulled her up, hugging her head to his chest and stroking her gently.

"Oh baby, you know what you're asking for. How can I leave? Then I break my oath and betray my companions. If you knew what I was in, you would never have asked me to leave Besides, even if I wanted to, would it be okay? How do you think they would let someone who knew their secret leave so easily?"

"I've thought about it, Jack, and I've got it all planned out. Father has saved some money, he's tired of being harassed and bullied, and he's willing to leave anytime. We can go to Philadelphia or New York, and that's the way to go." These people."

McMurdo laughed. "The power of the branch is unimaginable. Do you think they can't reach Philadelphia or New York?"

"Then, go to Europe, or England, or Germany, my father's hometown, anywhere, as long as you can get out of this valley of fear!"

McMurdo thought of Morris. "Ah, this is the second person to call this valley," he said, "and the shadow does seem to hang deeply over everyone."

"Threats are everywhere. Do you think Ted Baldwin just let us go? If it wasn't because he was afraid of you, do you think we still have a chance? Look at the evil and hungry eyes he looks at me!"

"Hmph, if you let me see, you must teach him a lesson! But, baby, listen, I can't leave here, I can't, absolutely can't. However, if you give me time, I will try my best to leave in a fair way!"

"This kind of thing is too serious!"

"Well, well, it's just your opinion. If you give me six months, I'll find a way to make my departure less embarrassing."

The girl was overjoyed. "Six months!" she whispered, "Is this what you promised?"

"Heh, it may take seven or eight months, but at most one year, we will definitely be able to leave this valley."

This is the most promise that Yi Di can get, no matter what, finally there is a promise, a ray of distant light finally illuminates the gloomy prospect.When she came home, she was happier than at any time since Jack McMurdo appeared.

McMurdo thought that as long as he became a member, he would be informed of everything in the meeting.As a result, he soon discovered that this organization was much more complicated than ordinary simple associations, and the clues were much deeper and wider.Even McGinty had a lot of things he didn't know.For example, there is a county representative who lives in the Hobson district farther from the city. He has authority over several chapters, and he is very cunning, often arbitrarily and without warning.McMurdo saw him only once, a small, gray-haired, mouse-headed fellow, who always squinted maliciously at everyone around him.The man's name was Evans Potter.In front of him, some of Vermisa's big bosses also had to let him three points.

On this day, McMurdo's roommate Scanlon received a note from McGinty and a letter from Evans Potter, to the effect that he would send two good men—Lawler and Andrew Sri Lanka went to their sphere of influence to act, but the reason and purpose of the act was not convenient to explain.He asked McGinty if he could arrange accommodation for the two of them before they moved.McGinty felt that it would be difficult to keep the two men in secrecy, so they had to be sent to McMurdo and Scanlon.

That evening, the two came, each carrying a handbag.Lawler was older, shrewd, silent, and self-controlled, and in his old woolen coat and velvet hat, with his large gray beard, gave the impression of a mild-mannered itinerant.His companion, Andrews, is a big boy, frankly cheerful and active, giving the impression of someone who is on vacation and ready to enjoy every second of it.Both of them were very restrained and never drank alcohol. They looked like standard party members, but they were not at all like capable killers who had something to do with murder.Lawler is said to have carried out fourteen similar missions, and Andrews three.

McMurdo found that they were happy to tell of their past performance, and were quite proud of it, always with an air of pride that they had done so much for the good of the organization.However, they are tight-lipped about the upcoming mission.

"We were chosen because the kid and I don't drink," Lawler explained. "They made sure we didn't say a word we shouldn't. Please don't get me wrong, this is an order from the county representative and we must obey it."

"Of course, we're all in the same boat," McMurdo's roommate, Scanlon, said over dinner.

"Yes, we can talk all we want about taking out Charlie Williams, or Simon Byrd, or any other past operation. But we won't say anything until the mission is complete."

"I've got half a dozen men here to fix," swore McMurdo. "I don't think you're after Jack Knox of Iron Mountain, are you? Would love to see his doom."

"No, it's not his turn yet."

"Or Hermann Strauss?"

"No, not him."

"Ah, you don't want to say it, and we don't force it, but I really want to know."

Lawler smiled and shook his head, still reluctant to reveal.

Although the guests were tight-lipped, Scanlon and McMurdo agreed that they should go to the so-called "fun thing" with them anyway.So, one morning, when McMurdo heard the two men walking softly down the stairs, he hastened to wake Scanlan.After the two quickly dressed, they found that the killer had slipped out, and the door was wide open.Before dawn, they saw the two people walking not far from the street by the street lamp, so they stepped on the thick snow and followed secretly.

Their apartment was on the edge of the town, so they came to the intersection outside the town in a short while.There were three men waiting, and Lawler and Andrews, after a short but eager conversation with them, set off together.Apparently this task requires human hands.There are several trails that lead to different mines, and the group took a trail that led to Crow Mountain.This is a big mine, thanks to their energetic and unafraid of evil manager - Josiah Dunn, an Englishman, who has been able to maintain normal production order despite the clouds here for a long time.

It was getting brighter, and the workers slowly walked up the soot-blackened path in twos and threes, forming a long line one after another.

McMurdo and Scanlon mingled along in the ranks, never taking their eyes off the man they were following.A thick morning mist covered the sky, and a sharp siren sounded in the distance, which was a signal to start work. In 10 minutes, the cage would be lowered and the work would begin.

When they arrived at the clearing in front of the mine shaft, they saw hundreds of miners waiting there, stomping their feet and breathing on their fingers to keep out the severe cold.The strangers stood in a small group in the shadow of the engine room.Scanlon and McMurdo climbed behind a heap of slag, where they had a clear view of the panorama.They saw the engineer of the mine, a bearded Scot named Menzies, come out of the engine room, blow his whistle, and begin to direct the lowering of the cages.

At this moment, a tall, sincere, and clean-shaven young man hurried over. He suddenly found the silent group of people under the eaves of the locomotive room. Their hats were very low and their collars were turned up. up, covering his face.In an instant, an ominous premonition rose in the manager's heart, but he still walked towards the group of strangers without hesitation, thinking of his responsibilities.

"Who are you?" He asked as he walked, "What are you doing here?"

When no one answered, young Andrews took a step forward and shot him in the stomach.Hundreds of waiting miners stood motionless on the scene.Holding the wound with both hands, the manager leaned over and staggered away, but the other killer fired another shot, and he fell on his side, throbbing in pain in a pile of slag.The Scot Menzies yelled, grabbed a big iron wrench and rushed towards the mob, but was hit by two bullets head-on, and soon fell motionless at the murderer's feet.

At this time, there was a panic at the scene, and several miners rushed forward, roaring with pity and anger.Two strangers hastily fired six shots into the air, causing the crowd to disperse, with some even turning around and heading straight for their homes in Vermissa.

Waiting for the gang of murderers to disappear into the morning mist, a few daring miners finally returned to the mine to help.There were hundreds of bystanders at the scene, but no one could pinpoint the thug who murdered the two men.

When he got home, Scanlon was a little freaked out.This was the first time he saw a murder with his own eyes, and it seemed that it was not as fun as he had imagined.As they hurried back to town, the screams of the manager's wife lingered in their ears.McMurdo was lost in thought without saying a word, but had no sympathy for his roommate's cowardice.

"It's like a war," he repeated. "It's just a war between us and them. We're fighting back in what's best for us."

That night, the local branch reveled wildly, not only because it successfully killed the manager and engineer of the Crow Mountain Mine, so that the branch could blackmail the target company more freely, but also to celebrate another branch’s success elsewhere. Another task was performed.

It turned out that when the County Delegate sent five of his best men to Vermissa for action, he also demanded that two of his members be secretly sent to Royal Stoke Royal to kill William Hales as a reward.This man was a very famous and much-loved mine-owner in Gilmertown, and it was believed that such a man should have no enemies in the world.Because in every way, he is a model employer.However, he was so demanding of work efficiency that he fired several workers who were drinking and slacking off, and these people happened to be members of this extremely powerful organization.But the death threat letters tacked to his door did not dampen his resolve.Unfortunately, this also led directly to his assassination in this free and civilized country.

After the assassination mission was completed, Ted Baldwin was sitting on the honor seat next to the chairman with his limbs stretched out, and he was the protagonist of the celebration banquet.His drunken face and bloodshot eyes showed that he hadn't slept well for a long time and had already drunk a lot of alcohol.He and his two companions had spent the previous night in the mountains, dirty and weather-beaten.But no hero who returns from The Expendables receives a more grand welcome.

The whole story was told over and over again, interspersed with shouts of excitement and wanton laughter.They waited for the target person to go home at night on a high slope, which was his only way.In order to keep out the cold, the old man was covered with fur clothes, so he had no time to draw his gun.They dragged him out of the wagon and shot him one after another, and his screams and pleadings were imitated so many times that they were the butt of jokes.

"Let us hear how he cries again." The crowd roared.

No one knew the man who had been killed, but the killing had become something of a joke for the organization, and by doing so they wanted to show the members of the Gilmertown area that the members of Vermissa could be trusted.

There was also an unexpected interlude in the middle of the action. While they were still shooting at the already stiff corpse, a couple happened to drive by.Someone said that they should be killed too, but the couple were innocent people who had nothing to do with the mine, so they were strictly warned not to say a word, or they would die, and then they were allowed to move on.The blood-stained corpse was left there as a warning to hard-hearted employers, while the two Avengers fled hastily into the mountains filled with furnaces and cinders.

For the blood-sucking party, this is a proud day.However, the hearts of the others in the valley were extremely heavy and desolate.Those who know how to fight often take advantage of the victory and pursue it to get twice the result with half the effort, because at this time the enemy has not yet stabilized from misfortune.At this time, McGinty's gloomy and fierce eyes once again emerged a battle plan, and he decided to pursue the victory and continue to attack those who disrespected him.It was night, when the half-drunk gang had left, and he touched McMurdo on the arm, and led him into the room where they had first met.

"Listen, young man," he said, "at last I have a mission worthy of your use, and you will be in charge of something great."

"I am honored to say so," McMurdo replied.

"You could take two men--Menders and Reilly, they already know about it. We'll never have a long-term foothold in the area until we get rid of Chester Wilcox. If you can take He's gone, and every chapter in the whole coal district will be grateful to you."

"Anyway, I'll do my best. Who is he? How can I find him?"

With the half of his cigar in the corner of his mouth, McGinty made a hasty sketch on a piece of paper torn from his notebook.

"This man is the chief foreman of Dyke Iron and Steel Company. He has gray hair and a firm will. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps during the war. He has experienced hundreds of battles and suffered many injuries. We have failed twice in our operations. Jim Carnaway died because of it. Now it's your turn to do your magic. This is his home, as you can see from this map I drew, standing alone in the Dyke Steel Company No neighbors at the crossroads of the city. Not during the day, he has a gun, and he is quick and accurate, and he is quick to shoot. But at night—he lives with his wife, three children and a servant, you have no choice but to Kill it. If you can get a pack of dynamite and put the fuse on his door..."

"What did this man do?"

"Didn't I tell you? He killed Jim Carnaway."

"Why kill him?"

"What does it matter to you? Canaway was killed just approaching his house at night. That's reason enough. You must get it done."

"Where are the two women and children inside? Kill them too?"

"It has to be done—otherwise how can we get rid of him?"

"It seemed so cruel to them, they didn't do anything."

"What nonsense? Don't you want to?"

"Don't be impulsive, Mr. Congressman, don't be impulsive! When did I say or do something that made you think I was not loyal to you? In short, whether it is right or wrong, I will listen to you."

"Then you will carry it out?"

"Of course, I will go."

"When?"

"Well, it's best to give me a night or two. I'll check the terrain first, make a plan, and then..."

"Very well," said McGinty, shaking his hand. "I'll leave it to you. When you come back victorious, it's going to be the most wonderful day. And it's the last one to get that whole bunch down." struck."

McMurdo brooded for a long time on the task which he had suddenly assumed.Chester Wilcox's independent residence was about five miles from the adjoining valley, and McMurdo went out alone that night to investigate, and it was daylight when he returned.The next day he interviewed two of his assistants—Menders and Reilly, two energetic young men who were in such high spirits that they seemed impatient to go off on a deer hunt.

Two nights later, they met outside the town.All three carried guns, and one of them also carried a pack of dynamite to blow up the mine.It was two o'clock in the morning when they reached the lonely house.The weather was bitterly cold that night, and the thick clouds were erratic, passing quickly by the eclipsed moon.They had been warned to watch out for the hounds, and therefore proceeded very cautiously, guns in hand.Fortunately, there was no sound except the howling wind and the swaying branches overhead.

McMurdo leaned against the door and listened for a moment, but there was no movement inside.Then, he quickly put the explosive bag by the door, cut a small opening with a knife, and connected the lead wire.After igniting, he and his two companions hurried away and hid safely in a deep ditch at a safe distance. There was a loud "boom", followed by the sound of the house collapsing.They know that the mission is accomplished.In the bloody record of the entire organization, there has never been a more clean-cut operation than this one.

It's a pity that no matter how thorough the plan is and how neat the action is, it's all in vain!Aware that several other people had been killed and that he was also on the blacklist, Chester Wilcox had moved his family to a safe and private place with police protection the day before .The dynamite had blown only an empty house, and the stern old soldier was still supervising his miners at Dyke Steel.

"Leave him to me," said McMurdo. "He's mine, and I'll kill him, if I have to wait another year."

Everyone in the branch expressed their gratitude and confidence to McMurdo, and the matter was temporarily closed.A few weeks later, news of Wilcox's ambush appeared in the newspapers.It was an open secret that McMurdo was continuing to complete his unfinished mission.

Such is the way of the Freemen, the Vampires, who have long reigned terror over this rich region, where all live in fear and menace.Indeed, need more crimes be enumerated here?There is no need to tarnish this innocent paper with their crimes.

(End of this chapter)