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| HaVe you try heeS cabaneF | "No."
 | Without answer the Frenchman darted away. and the lieutenant sped after him through the deserted rows of log houses. Burrell gripped his companions arm with fingers of steel, and together | they crept up to the door. But even before they had gained 1t they heard voice within. It was Stark's. The walls of the house were of moss I chlnked logs that deadened every ! sound, but the door itself was of thin | whipsawed pine boards with ample cracks at top and bottom, and they heard plainly. The lieutenant leaned forward, then with difficulty smoth- cred an exclamation, for he heard an- l other voice now--the voice of John Gale. The words came to him muf- | fled, but distinct. and he raised his hand to knock when suddenly he seized Poleon, hissing into his ear: Listen! For Gods sake, listen" 1 For the first time in his tempestuous life Ben Stark lost the iron composure that had made his name a byword in the west, and at sight of his bitterest enemy seated in the dark of his own house waiting for him he became an l ordinary. nervous, frightened man. It was the utter unexpectedness of the thing that shook him, and before he could regain his balance Gale spoke: i've come to settle, Bennett" What are you doing hereT the gambler stammered. T was up at the soldiers place just now and heard you. I didn't want any interruptions, 30 I came here, where we can be alone." He paused | ard when Stark made no answer con- tinued, "Well, let's get at It." But still the other made no move. You've had all the best of 1t for twenty years" Gale went on in his level voice, but tonight I get even. I've lived for this.'
 That shot in Lees cabln" recalled Stark. with the light of new under stardlng. "You knew ne then?" "Yes"
 Stark took deep breath. What a d----d fool I've beenr' Your devils magic saved you that time, but 1t won't stop this" The trader rose slowly. with the knife in his hand.
 You'll hang for this.' said the gam bier unsteadi!y, at which Gales face blaZed.
 "Ha" exclaimed the trader exulting- ly. You can feel it in you already, eh?"
 With an effort Stark began to assem- ble his wits as the trader oontinued:
 "You saddled your Girty woik on me. Ben Stark, and I've c-rricd 1t for fif- teen years, but tonight put you out the way you put her out. An eye for m eye!'
 fI didn't kill her" said the man.
 ''So? The yellow is showing up at last. l knew you were q coward, but didn't think you'd be afraid to own it to yourself" "Look here" snid Stark curiOusly. do you really think killed Merridyf"
 q know 1t. X nlcn who would strike woman would kill her-if he had the nerve"
 Stark had now mastered himself and smiled.
 My hate worked better than l thought. Well. well. that made it hard for you, didn't it?" he chuc,,l2d "l supposed, of course. you knew
 "KnewT' Gales face showed emo tion for the first time. "Knew what?" His hands were quivering slightly.
 "She killed herself" "So help you GOd"
 "So help me Godr There was a long pause. "Why?"
 "Say, It's kind of funny our stand ing here talking about that thing, isn't 1t? Well. if you want to know, I came home early that night I guess you hadn't been gone two hours. And the surprise did 1t more than anything else. suppose. She hadn't prepared a story. l got suspicious, named you at random, and hit the nail on the heal
 Gales face was like chalk, and his voice sounded thin and dry as he said
 You beat her; that's why she did It,"
 Stark made no answer
 "The papers said the room showed . struggle"
 When the other still kept quiet Gale insisted:
 Didn't you" At this Stark famed up definantly. l Well, I guess l had cause enough. No woman except her was ever untrue to me-wife or sweetheart"
 You didn't really think
 Think h-l, thought so then, and think so now. She denied It, butt
 And you knew her so well too. l guess you've had some bad nights yourself, Bennett, with that always on your mind"- Il swore I'd have"-- --"and so you put her, blood on my head and made me an outlaw" After an instant, "Why did you tell me this.