The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-12-22
CHAPTER xxIv-continued.

-
II not hate, then assuredly great
passion toward Poggin manifested IT.
self In Knell's scornful, fiery address,
In the shaking hand he thrust before
Poggin's face. In the ensuing silent
pause Knell's painting could be plainly
heard. The other men were pale,
watchful, cautiously edging either way
to the wall, leaving the principals ana
Duane In the corner Of the room.
Spring his name, then, you" said
Poggin, violently with a curse.
Strangely Knell did not even look
at the man he was about to denounce.
He leaned toward sPoggin, his hands,
his body, his long head all somewhat
expressive of what his face disguised
"Buck Duane!' he yelled, suddenly.
The name did not make any Differ
ence In Poggin. But Knell's passionate,
swift utterance carried the suggestion
that the name ought to bring Poggin
to quick action. 1t was possible, too,
that KneIl's manner, the import OF his
denunciation, the meaning back OF all
his passion held Poggin bound more
than the surprise. For the outlaw GER
tainly was surprised, perhaps stagger-
ed at the idea that he, POggin, had
been about to stand sponsor with
Fletcher for 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
devilish glee. He had bounded the
great Poggin into something that gave
him vicious. monstrous joy.
"Buck Duane! Yes" he broke out,
hotly. 1.-THE Nueces gunman! That
two-shot, ace-of-spades lone-woh
You an WE'VE heard thousand
times Of him-talked about him Often
An here he is in front OF you! Poggin,
you were backin' Fletcher's new pard,
Buck Duane. An he'd fooled you
both but fer me- But l know him.
An l know why he drifted in here.
To flash q gun on Cheseldine-on you
--on me! BAIL Don't tell me ne
wanted to join the gang. You know
gunman, for you're one yourself.
Don't you always want to meet real
man, not four-fush? It's the mad
ness of the gunman, an l know II.
Well, Duane faced you-called you!
An when I sprung his name, what
ought you have done7 What would
the sEanybody-have expected OF
Poggin? Did you throw your gun,
swift, like you have SO often? Nav;
-, hnrn'C
nan with the kind Of nerve you'd
love to have. Because he's great
meetin' us here alone. Because you
know he's wonder with q gun an
you love life. Because you an an
every damned man here has to take
his front, each to himself. II we all
drew we'd kill him. Sure! But who's
goin' to lead? Who was goin' to be
first? Who was goin' to make him
draw? Not you, Pogginl You leave
that for a lesser man-me-who've
lived to see you coward. 1t comes
once TO every gunman. You've met
your match in Buck Duane. An, by
God, I'm gladl Here's once show
you up"
The hoarse, haunting voice failed.
Knell stepped back from the comrade
Ne haked. He was wet, shaking, bag
gard. but magnificent.
~Buck Duane, do you remember
Hardin? he asked, in scarcely audible
voice.
Eyes," replied Duane, and hash OF |
insight made clear Knells attitude.
Z s.You met him-forced him to draw
killed him?"
"Yes.'
..Harain was the best pard I ever
had"
His teeth clicked together tight, and
his lips set In thin line.
The room grew still. Even breathing
.eased. The time for words had pass
ed. In that long moment OF suspense
Knell's body gradually stinened, ana
1t last the quivering ceased. he
rrouched. His eyes had soul-pierc-
ing fire.
Duane watched him. He waited.
He caught the thought-the breaking
OF Knell's muscle-bound rightly. Then
be drew.
Through the smoke OF his gun he
paw two ri spurts of flame. Knelrs
bullets thudded into the ceiling. He
fell witt a scream like Wild thing
In agoI>.
Duaoe did not see Knell die. He
watched Poggin. And Poggin, like 2
stricxen and astopnded man, looked
do~ upon his PROSTATE conrade.
Fischer ran Mt Duane with hands
aloft.
.Hit the trail, you liar, or youth
bev to kill me!" he yelled.
With hands still up, he shculdereo
md bodied Duane out Of the room.
Duane lenped on his horse. spurred, 1
md plunged away.
CHAPTER XIV.