Tombstone epitaph., 1916-12-10
CHAPTER NNiv-centinued.

n not hate then u>surcdly great passion toward rogrin manifested it- self in knrl's scornful. fiery address. ,a thr shaking hand he thrust before ccssin'S face In the ensuing silent psu>c kne.:'s rapting could he plainly acant The other men were pale. ~stchful cautiously edsing either way Co the wall, leaving the principals and Duane ia the corner of the room.
 spring his name. then, you" said foSgin. violently with a curse.
 Strangely Knell did not even look at the man he was about to denounce. He leaned toward PoSgln. his hands. hlS hody. his long head all somewhat expressive of what his face disguised.
 -BuCk Duanei" he yelled. suddenly.
 The name did not make any differ ence in Poggin. But Kncll's passionate. swift uttcrance carried the suggestion that the name ought to bring Poggin to quick action. IL was possible. too, that knClls manner. the import of his dcnunciation. the meaning back of all his rasSion held POGcin bound more than the surprise. For the outlaw cer- tainly was surprised. perhaps stagger- cd at the idea that he, PogCin, had been about to stand sponsor with Fletcher for q famous outlaw hated and feared by all outlaws.
 Enell waited long moment, and then his face broke its cold immobility !n an extraordinary expression of ., srTA L,A lad 10 great Pocgin into something that gave tim vicious. monstrous joy.
 "IIuck Duane, Yes" he broke out. hotly. "The NueCes gunman! That two-shot. ace-Of-spades lOne-wolf {! Ton an We've heard thousand times of him-talked about him often An here he is in front of you Poggin, you were backin' Tletcher's new pard. Buck Duane. An he'd fooled you both but for me. But I know him. An I know why he drifted in here. To flash a gun on Cheseldine-on you -on me! Bah! Don't tell me he wanted to join the gang. You know gunman. for you're one yourself Don't you always want to meet a real man, not a four-fush? It's the mad ness of the gunman. an I know 1t We'll, Duane faced you--called you! An when I sprung his name, what ought you have done? What would the boss-anybody-hav expected of Poggin? Did you throw your gun. swift. like you have so often? Nav; you froze. An why? Because here's e man with the kind Of nerve you'd love to have Because he's great meetin' us here alone. Because you know he's q wonder with q gun an you love life. Because you an' I m every damned mar here has to take his front, each to himself. If We all drew wed kill him. Sure! But who's gOin' to lead? Who was roin' to be first? Who was Coin' to make him draw7 Not you. roggin! You leave that for q lesser man-me-vho've lived to see you q coward. It comes once to every gunman. You've met your match in Buck Duane. An. by God, Tr2 glad! Heres once l show Sou up"
 The hoarse. haunting voice failed Enell stepped back from the comrade hc hated. He was wet, shaking, hag- gurrI but magnificent.
 "Buck Duane. do you remember 1ardinr' he asked. in scarcely audible voice.
 1Yes.- replied Duane. and flash of insight made clear Knell's attitude.
 You met him-forced him to draw killed himr'
 "Yes"
 Hardin was the best pard I ever hnd."
 His teeth clicked together tight, and hIs lips set in thin line.
 The room grew still. Even breathing ceased. The time for words had pass- ed. Tn that long moment of suspense Knelrs body gradually sriffened. and at last the quivering ceased. He crouched. His eyes had soul-pierc- ing fire.
 Duane watched him. He waited. He caught the thouSht-the breaking nf KneIrs muscie-bound r!gidity. Then he drew.
 Through the smoke of his gun he saw two red spurts of flame. KneII's bullets thudded into the ceiling. He fell with a scream like q wild thing In agony.
 Duane did not see Kneli die. He watched Po-Sin- And Poggin. like stricken and astounded man, looked down upon his pr0strate comrnde.
 Fletcher ran at Duane with hands aioft.
 Hit the trail. you liar. or youIl hey to kill mel" he yelled.
 With hands still up. he shouIdered end bodied Duane out of the roorn.
 Duane Ieaped on his horse. spurred. and plunged away.
 CHAPTER XIV.
 Duane returned to Fair6ale and