The Tomahawk., 1916-11-02

ready TO run. lney all talked AZ
once, and the word most significant
and frequent in their speech was
"outlaws."
MacNes!y clapped his fist in his
hand.
"This III make the adjutant sack
with joy. Mayoe he won't have X
on the Governor! Wen show t1em
about the ranger service. Duanel
how'd you ever do it,"
"Now, Captain, not the half nor
the quarter Of this jobs done. The
gangs coming down the road. They'll
ride in to town on the dot-two-thirty."
"How many?" asked MacNelly. ,-,
"Poggin, Blossom Kane, Panhandle
Smith, Boldt, Jim Fletcher, and an
other man l don't know"
"Poggin-that's the hard nut to
crack! I've heard their record since
I've been in Val Verde. Where's
KneI?"
"Knell's dead"
"Ah" exclaimed MacNelly, softly.
Then he grew businesslike, cool, and
Of harder aspect. ".Duane, it's your
game to-day. We're all under your
ORDERS"
"You understand there's no sense In
trying to arrest Poggin, Kane and that
lot?" Queried Duane. n
mo, 1 don't understand that" re-
piled MacNelly, bluntly.
1T can't be done. The drop can't
be got on such men. Poggin! That
outlaw has no equal with Il gun-un'
less He's got to be killed quick.
They'll all have to be killed. They're
all bad, desperate, know no fear, are
lightning in action
every well, Duane; then it's fight
That III be easier, perhaps. The boys
are spelling for Il fight. Out with your
plan. now
"put one man ut each end Of this
street, Just ut the edge Of town. Put
four men up in that room over the
bank-two ut each open window. Let
them hide till the game begins. The
rest of your men put inside behind
the counters, where they'll hide. Now
20 over to the bank spring the thing
on the bank officials, send your mel
over one by one. No hurry, no eX
element, no unusual thing to attract
notice in the bank"
"All right. That's great. Tell me,
where do you intend to waitT
Duane heard MacNclly's question,
and it struck him peculiarly. He had
seemed to be planning and speaking
mechanically. AS he was confronted
by the fact it nonplused him some
what, and he became thoughtful,
with lowered head
"Where III you watt Ddanc? fb
sisted MacNelly, with keen eyes
specializing.
It'll wait in front-just inside the,
door," replied Duane, with an effort.
"But will you hidc?" r.hvd Mac
Nelly.
Duane was silent.
MacNelly stared, and then strange,
comprchending light seemed to fit
over his face.
duane, I can give you no orders
to-day" he said, distinctly. ''Tm only
offering advice. Need you take any
more risks? You've redeemed your
self. The governor, the adjutant-gen-
cral-the whole state will rise up ana
honor you. l say, as Il ranger, neeI
you take more risk than your CAP
tain?"
Still Duane remained silent. He
was locked between two forces. And
one, a tide that was bursting at its
bounds, seemed about to Overwhclm
him. Finally that side of him, the
retreating SELF the weaker, found
voice.
captain, just what I'll do or where
I'll be l can't say yet. In meetings
like this the moment decides. But
I'll be there!"
MacNclly spread wide his hands,
looked heipless'y ut his curious ana
sympathetic rangers, and shook bis
head.
"Now you've done your wOrk-lald
the trap-is this strange move OF yours
going to be far to Miss Longstreth?'
asked MacNelly, in significant low
voice.
Like n great tree chopped ut the
roots Duane vibrated to that. lie
looked up as if lie had seen a ghost.
Mercilcssly the ranger captain went
on: "You can win her, Duane! On,
you can't fool me. l was wise In
minute. Fight with us from cover.
You'll be free, honored, happy. That
girl loves you! l saw it in her eyes.
She's"
But Duane cut him short with
fierce gesture. He lunGed up to his
feet, and the rangers fell back. Dark,
silent, grim as he had been, still there
was transformation singularly more
sinister, stranger.
Enough. I'm DONE" he said, SOM
berly. 1--WE planned. DO we agree
or shall 1 meet Poggin and his gang
alOne?"
MacNelly cursed and again threw
up his hands, this tine in baiHed
cha grin There was deep regret IL