The Ozark spectator., 1916-12-06

smoke" he said. "Knell, come in now. Let's get 1t over."
 He returned, sat down, and lighted cigar for himself. He put his boot ed feet on the table.
 Duane saw that the room was com fortably. even luxuriously furnished. There must have been a good trail. he thought, else how could all that stuff have been packed in there. Then Knell came in and seated himself without any of his chiefs ease. He seemed preoccupied and, as always, cold.
 "What's wrong, Knell? Why didn't you get here sooner?" Queried 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.'
 "Well. 1t began back ways. l 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 l wasn't sure. We looked him over, an I left, tryin' to place him in my mind."
 "What d he look like?"
 "Rangy, 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 an swung his right hand showed me what he was. You can't fool me on the gun-sharp. An he had a grand horse a big black"
 "rve met your man," said Long, streth.
 "No" exclaimed Knell. It was wonderful to hear surprise expressed by this man that did not in the least show 1t in his strange physiognomy. Knell laughed a 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 sure. And that's what stumps me more. Whats this mans gamer hap pen to know, boss, that he couldn't have held up No. G. "How do you know?" demanded Longstreth.
 "Because 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. l thought he was gon' to kill me. Several of the boys rode over from Ord, an one of them went to Poggin an says Jim Fletcher has a new man for the gang. Jim an Poggin always hit 1t up together. So until I got on the deal Jims pard was already in the gang, without Poggln or you ever seein' him. Then I got to flgurin' hard. Just where l 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 l had pretty good notion what was lookin for an who I wanted to make sure of. At last I found 1t. An 1 knew my man. But didn't spring 1t on Poggin. I sent Blossom over to Ord with message 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 a whisper.
 "Who do you think Fletcher's new man is?"
 "Who?" demanded Longstreth.
 Buck Duane!"
 Down came Longstreth's boots with 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" 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 flask. from which he drank. then offered 1t to Knell. He waved 1t 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 sayi" exclaimed Knell.
 "Yes. Go to Ord and give Jim Fletcher hCnch. He'll get Poggin, and they'll fix even Buck Duane."
 Al right. I'll do my best. But if