The Newark journal., 1905-03-17
CHAPTER XV

CHAPTER KY.
 DARREL's FIGHT WITH MURGA-
 TROYD
 Darrel was man of quick wit. Following the cards whets a mans fac ulties and makes them keen and alert.
 In second his mind had explored the depths of Murgatroyd's sia i ' action and had evolved a st.4.I.Il. conclusion. McCloud was known to be Q stranger in that part of the coun- try, yet he had had Murgatroyd's re- yolver and Murgatroyd, in calling Dar- rel by the assumed name, showed that he was acquainted with the customer.
 The conjecture which swept over Darrel with the force of supreme con viction was this: Murgatroyd was the man whose uncanny powers had worked the great i'll to Junius Me Cloud
 So Darrel followed in the track of his enemy. A crisis was at hand and their differences were soon to be set tied
 Not once did Murgatroyd turn and look back, so sure was he of his mas tery over MeCloud At any time dur ing that brief walk from Hawkbill's to the office of the gambler Darrel could have drawn that ebony-handled revolver and pressed the trigger with fatal effect
 But such tactics were foreign to Dar- reps nature. He would meet his enc my face to face, with no advantage on either side
 Before turning into the hall at Kaliper's place Darrel brushed past a group of men, their heads together in earnest discussion. One was the bur ly marshal, another was Roy Lenyard. third was the sallow-faced clerk whom Darrel had met in Murgatroyd's office and the fourth was a heayy-set well-dressed man with small leather case under one arm.
 At sharp word from Lenyard the quartette broke apart and directed their attention at Darrel Murgatroyd apparently, took no notice of his clerk. nor of his three companions, but passed into the building and up the stairs to his darkened rooms Darrel stumbled after him, reaching the landing as Murgatroyd unlocked the door, pulled it open and stepped back. an ominous figure in the gloom of the upper hall
 "Go in" said he, curtly.
 Darrel went in and Murgatroyd fol- lowed, locking the door after him and putting the key in his pocket. The darkness was relieved by light reflect ed through the front windows from the street, and in the semi-gloom Darrel stood, silent, watchful, waiting.
 There's chair in the corner" Murgatroyd went on; "sit down.
 The command was mutely obeyed Murgatroyd then lighted lamp, drew the shades at the windows and took chair, fixing his dark gaze on Darrel.
 A year had passed since these two men had last parted in Denver. Be- fore that they had known each other well. Darrel. in returning Murga- troyd's look, searched for some sign Of lurking recognition, but found none The silence heightened and Darrel sycnt his glance about the room. The clcH $ desk, with its litter of papers, the rickwork and door of the vault whig served Murgatroyd in lieu of a ban a tall mineral cabinet against the N I'll, its topmost shelf supporting lar block of "Galena" ore, heavy and lrkling, maps of the mining dis trict. T letter press-these passed in slow review before the owner of the prela! ses saw fit to speak.
 - aot your letter, McCloud, but I douD ed whether you would be fool enc" h to come here-here, of all places in the world"
 D.rrel swerved his eyes to the spe 1Ner's face, but hesitated to trust his voice.
 "A4elter?" he murmured, at last
 .Y0l must have been in one of your spells when you wrote it." was the sneering comment. Murgatroyd took a folded sheet from his pocket, opened and read: '''I shall be in Sandy Bar tonight You may look for me, for I shall surely come With jeering laugh the letter was returned to the pocket. And here you are, added Murgatroyd Allow me to tell you, McCloud, that you're a crazy fool"
 The letter was a surprise to Darrel and he stirred restlessly.
 T don't know what wild notion brought you here. went on Murga-