The Huttig news., 1916-12-02

unreliable. Another break like that queers you with me. Did you tell Poggin?"
 "Yes. Thet's one reason we fell out He raved. I thought he was goin' to kill me. Several of the boys rode over from Ord. an one of them went to Poggin an says Jim Fletcher has new man for the gang Jim an Poggin always hit it up together. So until I got on the deal Jim's pard was already in the gang, without poggin or you ever seein' him. Then I got to figurin' hard. Just where ] ever seen that chap? I dug up lot of old papers from my kit an went over them. Letters, pictures, clip pins, an all that. I guess I had pretty good notion what l was lookin' for an who I wanted to make sure of. At last I found fl. An l knew my man. But didn't spring it on Poggin. l sent Blossom over to Ord with a message calculated to make Jim hump. Poggin got sore, said he'd wait for Jim, an could come over here to see you about the new job. He'd meet me in Ord"
 knell had spoken hurriedly and low. now and then with passion. His pale eyes glinted like fire in ice, and now his voiae fell to a whisper
 "Who do you think Fletcher's new man is?"
 "WhoY demanded Longstreth.
 "Buck Duane !"
 Down came Longstreth's boots with a crash. then his body grew rigid.
 That Nueces outlaw? That two- shot ace-of-spades gun-thrower who killed Bland, Alloway-?" with more feeling than the apparent circum- stance demanded.
 Yes; and Hardin. the best one of the Rim Rock fellows-Buck Duane! P
 Longstreth was so ghastly white now that his black mustache seemed outlined against chalk He eyed his grim lieutenant. They understood each other without more words It was enough that Buck Duane was there in the Big Bend. Longstreth rose presently and reached for a flask, from which he drank, then offered it to Knell. He waved it aside.
 ''Knell" began the chief, slowly, as he wiped his lips, q gathered you have some grudge against this Buck Duane"
 'Yes."
 "Well, don't be - fool now and do what Poggin or almost any of you men would-don't meet this Buck Duane. I've reason to believe he's Texas Ranger now."
 ''The hell you sayw exclaimed Knell
 "Yes. Go to Ord and give Jim Fletcher a lunch. He'll get Poggin, and they'll fix even Buck Duane"
 "All right I'll do my best. But if I run into Duane-''
 Don't run into himl" Longstreth's voice fairly rang with the force of it's passion and command He wiped his face, drank again from the flask, sat down, resumed his smoking, and, drawing q paper from his vest pocket, he began to study it.
 We'll I'm glad that's settled" he said. evidently referring to the Duane matter. NOW for the new job. This is October the eighteenth. On or be- fore the twenty-fifth there will be shipment of gold reach the Rancher's Bank of Val Verde. After you return to Ord give Poggin these orders. Keep the gang quiet. You. Poggin, Kane, Fletcher, Panhandle Smith, and Boldt to be in on the secret and the job Mo- body else. You'll leave Ord on the twenty-third, ride cross country by the trail till you get within sight of Mer- cer. It's hundred miles from Brad ford to Val Verde--about the same from Ord. Time your travel to get you near Val Verde on the morning of the twentysixth. You won't have to more than trot your horses At two o'clock in the afternoon, sharp, ride into town and up to the Ranch CTS Bank. Val Yerdes a pretty big town. Never been any hold-ups there. Town feels safe. Make it clean, fast, daylight job. That's all. Have you got the details?"
 Knell did not even ask for the dates again.
 Suppose Poggin or me might be detained?" he asked.
 Longstreth bent dark glance upon his lieutenant.
 You never can tell what II come off, continued Knell. I'll do my best"
 CHAPTER XXIV.