Tombstone epitaph., 1916-12-03

lght. and taking box of cigars from
 the table, he carried 1t out.
 Here, you fellows, go outside and
 smoke" he said. "Knell. come in
 now. Let's get it over"
 He returned, sat down, and lighted
 a cigar for himself. He put his boot
 ed feet on the table. Duane saw that the room was com
 fortably, even luSuriously furnished.
 There must have been good trail.
 he thought, else how could all that
 stun have been packed in there. Then
 Knell came in and seated himself
 without any of his chiefs ease. He
 seemed preoccupied and, as always, I'ccld.
 "What's wrong. Knell? Why didn't
 you get here sccne-:" auc-icd Long | streth.
 "Poggin! We're on the outs again"
 "What for? Get 1t out of your sys- tenn so We can go on to the new job" "Wcll. it began back ways. 1 don't know how long ago-weeks-a stranger rode into Ord an got down easy-like as if he owned the place. He seemed familiar to me. But wasn't sure We looked him over. an left. tryin' to place him in my mind"
 "What d he look likef"
 "RanCy, powerful man, white hair over his temples, still. hard face. eyes like knives. The way he packed his guns. the way he walked an stood l.g -ga,N,. n what he was. You can't fool me on the gun-sharp. An he had a grand horse. big black"
 I've met your man." said Long streth.
 ''Nor' exclaimed Kneil. IL was by this man that did not in the least show 1t in his strange physiognomy. Knell laughed short. grim. hollow laugh. Boss, this here big gent drifts into Ord again an makes up to Jim Fletcher. Jim-he up an takes this stranger to be the fly road-agent an cottons to him. Got money out of him sure. And that's what stumps me more. What's this mans game? hap pen to know. boss. that he couldn't have held up No. G."
 How do you know:" demanded Longstreth.
 "B6cause did the job myself"
 A dark and stormy passion clouded the chiefs face.
 ''Knell, you're incorrigible. You're 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 q new man for the gang. Jim an {! Poggin always hit 1t up together. So until got on the deal Jim's pard i was already in the gang. without ! Poggin or you ever seeln' him. Then l I got to fgurin' hard. Just where | ever seen that chap? I dug up lot l of old papers from my kit an went . over them. Letters, pictures. clip | pins, an all that. I guess I had a pretty good notion what was lookin' for an who wanted to make sure of. At last I found 1t. An I knew my man. But didn't spring 1t on Poggin. sent Blossom over to Ord with calculated to make Jim hump. Poggin got sore, said he'd walt for Jim, an I 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 voice fell to whisper.
 "Who do you think Fletcher's new nan isr"
 Who" demanded Longstreth.
 "Buck Duane!"
 Down came Longstreth's boots with crash. then his body grew rigid.
 That Nueces outlaw? That two 'hot ace-of-spades gun-thrower who lilied Bland, Alloway-T' with more ee'iHs than the apparent circum- 'tance demanded.
 Yes: and Hardin, the best one ot he Rim Rock fellows-Buck DuaneT
 Longstreth was so ghastly white now that his black mustache seemed outlined against chalk. He eyed his rim lieutenant. They understood ,ach other without more words. It , vas enough that Buck Duane was here in the Big Bend. Longstreth ose presently and reached for a flask, rom which he drank, then offered 1t o Knell. He waved 1t aside.
 'Knell." began the chief. slowly, as le wiped his lips, q gathered yon iave some grudge against this Buck )uane." Yes
 "Well, don't be - fool now and , To what Poggin or almost any of you , nen would-don't meet this Buck Duane. I've reason to believe he's a Texas Ranger now" ''The hell you say~ exclaimed , lnell. "Yes. Go to Ord and give Jim , Fletcher a hunch. He'll get Poggin, , nd they'll fix even Buck Duane" I "All right. I'll do my best. But if q run into Duane" I Don't run into himw I.ongstreth's ( oice fairly rang with the force of l ts passion and command He vined a