Chapter 11 Four Uncanny Valleys

McMurdo awoke the next morning with a recollection of his initiation.Because I drank too much alcohol, my head was a little swollen and painful, and the burnt part of my arm was also swollen and painful.Since he had a special source of income, he had no time to go to work, so he ate breakfast very late and stayed at home in the morning to write a long letter to a friend.Later, he looked through the "Daily Herald" again, and saw a report published in the column: Herald newspaper mob attack - editor seriously injured It was a brief report, and McMurdo himself knew better than the reporter.The report concluded:

"The matter is now in the hands of the police, but it is difficult to expect them to achieve results superior to those of the previous cases. Several of the rioters are known, and they are expected to be sentenced. It is undeniable that the reputation was the source of the atrocities." The Herald has waged an uncompromising struggle with the disgraceful societies which have enslaved the inhabitants of the district for many years. The many friends of Mr. Stanger will be delighted to hear that Mr. Stanger, though beaten and badly wounded on the head , but there is no danger of life."

It is reported below that the newspaper office has been guarded by coal and iron police armed with Winchester rifles. McMurdo put down the paper and lit his pipe, but his arms were trembling from the burns of the night before.At this time, someone knocked on the door outside, and the landlady sent him a note, saying that a child had just delivered it.The letter was unsigned and read: "I have something to talk to you, but I can't come to your house. You can find me by the flagpole on Miller's Hill. If you will come now, I have something important to say." McMurdo read the letter twice with great amazement, and could not imagine who wrote it, or what purpose it might have intended.If it had been in the hands of a woman, he could have imagined that it might be the beginning of some adventure, which he was quite familiar with in his past life.But it was the work of a man who seemed to be well educated.McMurdo hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to go and see.

Miller Hill is a deserted park in the center of town.It is a popular place for people to visit in summer, but it is extremely desolate in winter.Looking down from the top of the mountain, you can not only see the filthy and messy scene of the whole town, but also the valley winding down; there are scattered mines and factories on both sides of the valley, and the nearby snow has been polluted; Views of the forested slopes and snow-capped summits. McMurdo strolled along a path winding among the evergreens to a deserted restaurant, which was a center of entertainment in summer.Next to it was a bare flagpole, and at the foot of it was a man with his hat down and his coat collar turned up.The man turned his head, and McMurdo recognized him as Brother Morris, the one who had angered the body master last night. The two met and exchanged secret words in the meeting.

"I wish to have a word with you, Mr. McMurdo," said the old man, hesitatingly, "it is a great honor to come." "Why didn't you sign the letter?" "Nobody can be careless, sir. One never knows when trouble is about to come, nor who can be trusted and who cannot be trusted." "Of course anyone can trust the brothers in the congregation." "No, no, not necessarily," Morris exclaimed emotionally. "Everything we say, or even think, seems to reach McGinty." "Hello!" snapped McMurdo. "You know, I swore my fidelity to our Lord just last night. Do you mean to make me break my vow?"

"If you think so," said Morris with a sad face, "all I can say is, I'm sorry to make you come to see me for nothing. It's not too bad that two free citizens can't talk to each other. Is it?" McMurdo observed the other party carefully, relieved a little of his worries, and said: "Of course, I only say this for my own sake. You know, I am a newcomer, and I am unfamiliar with everything here. Yes. As far as I am concerned, I have no right to speak, Mr. Morris. If you have anything to say to me, I shall listen." "Then report to Chief McGinty!" said Morris mournfully.

"Then you have wronged me," cried McMurdo. "As far as I am concerned, I am loyal to the party, so I will tell you straight. But if I tell you what you have told me If anyone else listens, then I am a vile slave. I warn you, however, that you cannot expect my help or sympathy." "I don't expect help or sympathy," said Morris, "and I put my life in your hands by saying these things to you. But though you are bad enough--I felt you last night Will turn out to be the worst kind of person, but you're still a novice and you don't have a hard heart like them, which is why I wanted to talk to you."

"Well, what are you going to tell me?" "If you betray me, you will suffer retribution!" "Of course, I said I would never betray you." "So, I ask you, when you joined the Freedmen's Association in Chicago and took the oath of loyalty and fraternity, did it ever occur to you that it would lead you to crime?" "If you call it a crime," replied McMurdo. "Call it a crime!" cried Maurice, his voice trembling with excitement. "You've seen a little crime, what else can you call it?! Last night a man old enough to be your father The old man was beaten until his hair was stained with blood. Is this a crime? Do you call it a crime, or do you call it something else?"

"Some would say it's a struggle," McMurdo said, "an all-out struggle between two classes, so each side tries to hit the other as hard as it can." "Well, did you ever think of anything like this when you were at the Freedmen's Meeting in Chicago?" "No, I guarantee I haven't thought of it." "Neither did I think of it when I joined in Philadelphia. I just knew it was a good society and a meeting place for friends. Then I heard the place mentioned, and I hated the name when it first came to my ears. The moment came when I thought of coming here to make my life better! God! Make my life better! My wife and three children came with me. I opened a silk shop in the market place, quite Profitable. I was a member of the Freedmen, word spread quickly. Then I was forced to join the local chapter, as you did last night. I have this shameful mark on my arm, and my heart But it was marked with an even uglier mark. I found that I had been commanded and controlled by a wicked villain, and I was caught in a criminal network. What can I do? I want to do things better, but as soon as I speak, they will Like last night, say I'm a rebel. Everything I have in the world is in a silk shop, and I can't go far away. If I want to leave this society, I know very well that I will be murdered, God knows what will become of my wife and children? Oh, my friend, it is dreadful, dreadful!" He hid his face in his hands, trembling, and sobbing.

McMurdo shrugged his shoulders, and said: "You are too soft-hearted for such a thing. You are not fit for such a thing." "I have not lost my conscience or my faith, but they have made me one of their gang of criminals. They have chosen me for a cause, and if I back down, I know what will happen to me. Perhaps I am A coward, maybe I thought of my poor little woman and children, but anyway, I went. I think it will be on my mind forever. "It's a lonely house on the other side of the hill, twenty miles from here. They made me guard the door like you did yesterday. They don't believe me in this kind of thing. Everyone else goes in. They come out." As we were leaving, a child ran out of the room and followed us, crying. It was a five-year-old child who saw his father murdered. I almost fainted from fright. , but I had to put on a brave face and put on a smile because I knew very well that if I didn't, the same thing was going to happen in my house and they'd take blood off my hands next time Out of the house, my little Fred was about to cry for his father.

"But I am already a criminal, an accomplice to murder, forever abandoned in this world, and never to be reborn in the next. I am a good Catholic. But the priest wants to hear that I am a dead man. Cool people, don't pray for me anymore, I've turned my back on religion. This is what I've been through. I see you're on the same path, and I ask you, what's going to happen in the future? You Are we going to be a bloodthirsty murderer, or are we going to try to stop it?" "How are you going to do it?" asked McMurdo suddenly. "You're not going to inform, are you?" "I hope that doesn't happen!" exclaimed Morris. "Of course, if I think so, my life is in danger." "Well," said McMurdo, "I suppose you are a coward, and you take the matter too seriously." "Too bad! See you when you live here longer. Look at this valley! Look at this valley covered with smoke from a hundred chimneys! I tell you, this murderer The cloud is lower and thicker than the cloud of smoke that hangs over the people. It is a valley of terror, the valley of death. From morning till night, the people are in terror. Wait and see, young man, you will make it yourself clearly." "Well, when I know better, I'll let you know what I think," said McMurdo casually. "It's clear that you're not fit to live here, and you'd better sell your property sooner, it's going to be bad for you." You'll be good. Don't worry about what you've said to me, I won't say it. But, by God, if I find out you're an informer, then..." "No, no!" cried Morris pitifully. "Well, here we go. I'll take your words to heart, and maybe I'll call you back in a few days. I think you're kind enough to say them to me. Now I'm going home." "Before you go, I have one more word to say," said Morris. "We are talking together, and some people will see us. They may want to know what we have to say." "Oh, that's a good idea." "I just said that I want to invite you to work as a clerk in my store." "I said no. That's what we're here to do. Well, goodbye, Brother Morris. Good luck." At noon that day, McMurdo was sitting by the fireplace in the living room, smoking and lost in thought, when the door was suddenly knocked open, and the tall figure of Chief McGinty blocked the door frame.He said hello, sat down opposite the young man, and stared at him for a long time with cool composure, and McMurdo stared at him in the same way. "I don't come out lightly, Brother McMurdo," said McGinty at last. "I'm always busy with those who call on me. But I think I've made an exception and called on you at your house." "I am honored to have you here, Mr. Senator," replied McMurdo affectionately, taking a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard. "It is an honour, which I am overjoyed with." "How about the arm," the body master asked. McMurdo made a face, and replied: "Oh, I shall not forget, but it has value." "It is of value to those who are faithful, perform ceremonies, and help with business. What did you say to Brother Morris this morning near Miller's Hill?" The question came so abruptly, that McMurdo, fortunately, had been prepared, and laughed aloud: "Maurice doesn't know that I can earn a living at home. He wouldn't have known, for he judges the conscience of my kind." Too high. He's a good old chap, though. He thinks I have no job, so he makes me a clerk in a silk shop." "Ah, so that's why?" "Yes, that's what happened." "So did you say no?" "Of course. Don't I earn ten times more for four hours in my bedroom than I do with him?" "True. But if it were me, I wouldn't have much to do with Maurice." "why?" "I don't think I can tell you. Most people here understand." "Perhaps most people do, but I don't, Senator," said McMurdo boldly. "If you were a fair man, you would know." The big dark man glared at McMurdo, seized the glass with one hairy paw as if about to fling it over the other's head, and then laughed cheerfully and falsely. "You are, without a doubt, an oddity," said McGinty. "Well, if you must know why, I'll tell you. Didn't Morris say anything to you against the Council?" "No." "No objection to my words?" "No." "Oh, that's because he still can't believe you. But he's not a faithful brother in his heart. We know that very well, so we pay attention to him, and we wait for the time to warn him. I think it's The hour is not far off. For there is no place for the lowly sheep in our sheepfolds. But if you associate with a disloyal man, we shall consider you a disloyal man, too. You understand that Yet?" "Because I don't like this man, and I have no chance of making friends with him," replied McMurdo. "As for my unfaithfulness, that is from your mouth. If it was someone else, he would have no chance of the first time Say that to me a second time." "Well, say no more," said McGinty, draining his drink. "I came just in time to advise you, and you should understand." "I'd like to know how on earth you know I've talked to Morris." McGinty smiled. "I know what's going on in this town," said McGinty, "and I thought you'd know that nothing escapes me. Well, it's getting late, and I'll say... " But a very unexpected circumstance interrupted his farewell.With a sudden thump, the door swung open, and three determined faces glared at them from under the brims of police caps.McMurdo sprang to his feet, and had just half drawn his pistol when his arm stopped halfway, for he found that two Winchester rifles had been aimed at his head.A man in police uniform entered the room, holding a six-shot revolver in his hand.This person was Ma Wen, the captain of the coal and iron mine security team who had been in Chicago before.He shook his head, looking at McMurdo with a half-smile. "Mr. McMurdo of Chicago, I think you're under arrest," said Marvin. "You can't get away. Put on your hat and come with us!" "I think you'll pay for it, Captain Marvin," said McGinty. "I would like to know who you are. Under such circumstances, you can break into someone's house without authorization and harass a loyal and law-abiding person!" "It is none of your business, Mr. Senator," said the captain of the police. "We have not come after you, but this McMurdo. You should help us, and not hinder us in the discharge of our duties." "He's a friend of mine and I can vouch for his actions," McGinty said. "In any case, Mr. McGinty, you can only vouch for your own conduct during the last few days," replied the police captain. "McMurdo was a scoundrel long before he came here, and he is still restless. .Sergeant, point the gun at him, and I'll disarm him." "Here is my pistol," said McMurdo icily. "Captain Marvin, if you and I had met face to face alone, you would not have caught me so easily." "Where's your arrest warrant!" said McGinty. "By God! A man living in Vermissa is the same as living in Russia, and a man like you comes to lead the police department! It's an illegal means of the capitalists, I reckon." We will hear more about this in the future.” "You can think what you want, Senator. We can do what we want." "What crime have I committed?" asked McMurdo. "You were involved in the beating of old writer Stanger at the Herald. You were not charged with murder because you didn't want to." "Well, if that's all you're doing," McGinty said, smiling, "stop now and you'll save yourself a lot of trouble. This guy's playing poker with me in my saloon till midnight, and I can find Get a dozen people to testify." "That's your business, and I think you can go to court to-morrow. Come on, McMurdo, and if I don't want a bullet to go through your chest, just go. Mr. McGinty, stand back At this point, I warn you that no resistance will be tolerated in the discharge of my duties." Captain Marvin's look was so determined that McMurdo and his chief had to accept the fait accompli.Before parting, McGinty took the opportunity to whisper to the arrestee, "What about that thing..." He jerked his thumb out, implying the minting machine. "Arranged," whispered McMurdo, who had deposited it in a safe recess under the floorboards. "I wish you a safe voyage," said the Chief, shaking hands with McMurdo. "I'm going to get Riley, and to appear in court myself. Take my word for it, they won't detain you." "I don't want to bet on it. You two have a good eye on the criminal, and if he tries to do something, shoot him. I'm going to search the house before I get out." Captain Marvin searched, but obviously found no trace of the hidden minting machine.He came downstairs and escorted McMurdo to Headquarters with a party.It was already dark, and a violent snowstorm was blowing, so that the streets were deserted, except for a few loafers who followed them, bold enough to curse loudly at the arrested. "Execute the bloody coolie!" they shouted. "Execute him!" They jeered at McMurdo as he was wheeled into the police station.After a brief interrogation by the officer in charge, McMurdo was thrown into the ordinary cell.He found Baldwin and three other criminals from the night before, all arrested this afternoon, awaiting trial tomorrow. The hands of a free man are so long that they can even reach into a prison.Later in the evening one of the jailers brought in a sheaf of straw for their bedding, from which he produced two bottles of whiskey, some glasses, and a deck of cards.They just drank, gambled, and had a night of carnival without worrying about what would happen tomorrow morning. They did this without causing any trouble, as the outcome of the case shows.The magistrate, on the basis of the testimony, could not convict them.On the one hand, the compositors and printers had to admit that the lights were very dim, and that they themselves were in such a state of confusion that, although they believed that the defendant was among them, it was difficult to be absolutely sure of seeing the face of the assailant.After cross-examination by clever lawyers McGinty had arranged, the testimony of these witnesses became more ambiguous. The victim has testified that he was so shocked at the sudden attack that he could tell nothing except that he remembered the mustache of the first man who struck him.He added that he knew these people were die-hard partisans because no one else in society hated him and had long been intimidated by partisans of the party due to his frequent public comments. On the other hand, there were six citizens, including City Councilor Senator McGinty, who were present to testify, and their testimony firmly, consistently, and clearly stated that these defendants all played poker in the union until more than an hour after the serious violation occurred. It's not until later. It is needless to say that the judge, after saying something bordering on an apology for the annoyance the arrestee had received, while implicitly reprimanding Captain Marvin and the police for their meddling, released the accused. Some of the spectators in the courtroom now applauded the decision loudly, and McMurdo saw that there were many familiar faces in it.The brothers in the congregation all smiled and waved their hands.But others sat with their lips shut and their eyes dark as the gang of criminals filed from the dock; , speaking his own and others' thoughts. "You bloody murderers!" he shouted, "we've got you to deal with!"