Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER XIX (continued).

"Longstreth, o say that Xix n man
who wouldn't care much if he did drop
some of them" declared Lawson; and
now he was sarcastic.
ITO tell you the truth, / wouldn't" re-
turned the other, bluntly. I'm pretty
sick of this mess"
Lawson cursed in amazement. His
emotions were all out of proportion
to his intelligence. He was not at all
quick -witted. Duane had never seen a
vainer or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth, l don't like or talk"
he said.
IF you don't like the way I talk YOU
know wha you ~ do" replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then, cool
and quiet, with flash of eyes and set OF
lips that told Duane he was dangerous.
We'll after all. that's neither here
nor there" went on Lawson, uncon-
sciously cowed by the other. The thing
is. do l get the girl?"
mot by any means except her con-
sent"
You'll not make her marry me-"
mo. No." replied Longstreth, his
voice still cold, low-pitched.
"All right. Then FL make her"
Evidently Longstreth understood the
man before him 50 well that he wasted
no more words. Duane knew what Law
son never reamed OF, and that was h a
Longstreth had a gun somewhere with
in IA and meant to use 1t. Then
heavy footsteps sounded outside
tramping upon the porch. Duane might
, have been mistaken, but he believed
! those footsteps. saved Lawson's life.
"There they are" said Lawson, and
he opened the COR
Five masked men entered. They all
wore coats hidsSs.an weapons. A big
man with burk. Shoulders shook hands
with Longstrefh5,i and the others stood
back.
The atmosphere of that room had
| changed. Lawson might have been a
| n%onentity for all he counted. Long5treth
was another to Duane
Ii he had entertained a hope of freeing
! himself from this band, Of getting away
to a safer country. he abandoned it at
.he very sight Of these men. There was
power here. and he was bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
Whispers, and at this all the others
| gathered around him close to the table
There were evidently some signs OF
membership not plain to Duane. Ihef
oil the heads We're bent over the table
argued. By straining his ears Duane
! caught a word here and there. They
were planning, and they We're brief
Duane gathered they We're to have g
rendezvous at or near Ord.
Then the dig man, who evidently was
the leade2. Of the present convention
{ got up to depart. He went as swiftly
as he had come, and was followed by
his comrades. Longstreth prepared fol
a quiet smoke. Lawson seemed uncom-
m~unicativc n unsoclable. lie smoked
fiercely and drank continually. All a
once he stlaiGhtcn-d up as if listening
whats that q. he called. suddenly.
Duane's Sta med ears were perVadet
by a slight ruStiing sound.
Must be q at" replied l4OngStretl.
The rustic became u rattle.
Sounds like Il rattleanaiie to me-,
J said Lawson.
Longstreth got up from h table an
peered round the room.
just at that instant Duane felt an al
most inappreciable movement of tn
adobe wall which SUI pcrted him. III
could scarcely credit his senses. But tn
rattle inside Longstretn's room wa
mingling with little dun thuds of fan
ing dirt. The adobe wall, merely drie,
mud, was ~crunabing. Duane distinst.,
felt a tremor pass through it. Then tn
blood gushed lack to his heart.
what in the hell" exclaimed Long
streth.
II smell dust said Lawson, sharply
That was the signal for Duane t
drop down from his perch, yet despit
his care he made a noise.
did you hear a step?" queried Long
streth.
No one answered. But a heavy piec
of the adobe wall fell with a THUG
Duane heard it crack, felt il snake.
There's somebody between tn
walls!" Numbered Longstreth.
Then n section of the wall fell inwar
with a crash Duane BEGAN to squeez
his body through the narrow passag
toward the patio.
Hear him!" yelled Lawson. "Thi
side!"
No, he's going that way" yelle
Longstreth.
The tramp of heavy boots lent Duan
the strength of desperation. He was nc
Sinking a fight, but to be cornered lik
q trapped coyote was another matte
He Amos tore his clothes off in tia
passage. The dust nearly stified hin
"Wfac:. he burst :atc the pate = vas ~
a single instant too soon. But n dee
gasp of breath revived him and he wa
up, gun in hand, running for the Quite
into the court. Humping footsteI
turned him back. While there was
chance to get away he did not a t
fight. He thought he heard some or
running into the patio from the othe
end. He stole along, n coming to
door, without anN idea OF where
might lead, he softly pushed it open
little way and slipped in.