The Dolores star., 1916-12-01
CHAPTER xx,v-ceo.lnu.d.


elf In Knell's scornful. fiery address.
in the shaking hand he thrust before
ROGgin's face. In the ensuing silent
Oausc Kneli's painting could be plainly
heard The other men were pale,
QNtehfui, cautiously edging either way
6e the wall. leaving the principals and
Duane in the corner Of the room.
Spring his name. then, you" said
eoggin. violently with q curse.
Strangely Knell did not even look
at the man he was about to denounce.
He leaned toward Poggin, his hands,
his body, his long head all somewhat
Gzpressiye Of what his face disguised.
Buck Duane!" he yelled, suddenly.
The nnme did not make any differ
eDce In Poggin. But Knell's passionate.
swift utterance carried the suggestion
that the name ought to bring Poggin
30 quick action. It was possible. too.
dat Kneli's manner. the import Of his
denunciation, the meaning back OF all
t1ls passion held Poggin bound more
ehan the surprise. For the outlaw GER
tAinly was surprised, perhaps stagger-
Cd at the idea that he, Poggin. had
been about to stand sponsor with
Fletcher for q famous outlaw hated
and feared by all outlaws.
Knell waited q long moment, and
then his face broke its cold immobility
In an extraordinary expression Of
6evilish giee. He had bounded the
great Poggin into something that gave
him vicious. monstrous Joy.
"Duck Duane! Yes: he broke out.
hotly. ~The Nueces gunmani That
two-shot. ace-of-spades lone-wolf
Yen an I-we've heard q thousand
times Of him-talked about him often.
An here he IL in front Of you Poggin,
you were backin' Fletcher's new pard,
Buck Duane. An he'd fooled you
both but for me. But I know him.
An know why he drifted in here.
10 flash q gun on Cheseldine-on you
-on mel Bahi Don't tell me he
wanted to Join the gang. You know q
gunman, for you're one yourself.
Don't you always want to meet q real
nan, not four-flush2 It's the mad
asss OF the gunman, an know It
Well, Dame faced you-called you
Al when sprung his name. what
ought you have doncr What would
o. MISUNDERSTANDING expected Of
Poggint Did you, throw your gun,
swift, Hike you have 20 oftenf Nav;
you froze. An whyf Because here's
Q man with the kind Of nerve you'd
Love To have. Because he's great
meet1n' M here alone. Because you
nnOw he's q wonder with q gun an
you love life. Because you an i an
svery damned man here has to take
hls front. each to himself. II we all
Asew we'd kill him. Surel But who's
eUlnf 70 lead1 Who was goin' to be
Arstf Who was goin' to make him
AfaWS Not you. Poggin! You leave
hat for q lesser man-me-who'v
uved to zee you a coward. It comes
eacs to every gunman. You've met
your match In Buck Duane. An, BY
0od, I'm gladl Here's once I show
you up!"
The hoarse, taunting voice failed.
Gnell stepped back from the comrads
- hated. He was wet, shaking. hag-
eard. but magnificent.
ABuck Duane. do You remember
Iardinf' he asked. In scarcely audible
voice. ,a
Yea" replied Duane, and a flash Of
Insight made clear Knell's attitude.
sYDu met him-forced him to draw
KILLED himl"
YEA"
sHardin was the best pard I ever
lad"
His teeth clicked together tight, and
Aas lips vet in q thin line.
The room grew still. Even breathing
ceased. The time for words had pass
"a. In that long moment Of suspense
Kneil's body gradually stiffened. and
at last the quivering ceased. He
ercuched. His eyes had a soul-pierc-
ing Dire.
Duane watched him. He waited.
He caught the thought-the breaking
ef Knelrs muscle-bound rigidity. Then
he drew.
Through the smoke Of his gun he
haw two red ispurts Of fame. Knell's
bullets thudded into the ceiling. He
&0A WIN y eSXcum AAc WIN SAAhS
IN agony.
Duane did not see Knell die. He
watched Poggin. And Poggin, like q
atx1cken and astounded man, looked
down upon his PROSTATE comrade.
FLETCHER ran ut Duane with hands
a1ox
sHit the trail. You liar, or you'll
hev to kin mel" he yelled.
With hands still MP. he shouldered
and bodied Duane out of the room.
Duane leaped ON his horse, spurred,
and plunged away.
CHAPTER XIV.
/. Duane returned to Fairdale and
L..