Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-08-10
move your hands. It's dark, but I can

IL. ~ lew more steps SiiOWCu d udFk
figure blocking the trail. Here Duane
halted.
Come closer, stranger. Let's have
a look at YOU the guard ordered,
CURLY.
Duane advanced again until he stood
before the man. Here the rays of light
from the fires flickered upon Duane's
face.
Reckon you're a stranger. all right.
What's you name and your business
with the c~aptatn?"
Duane hesitated, ~pondering what best
to say.
Tell Captain MacNelly I'm the maj
he's been asking to ride into his camp
after dark finally said Duane.
The ranger bent forward to peer hard
at this night visitor, His manner had
been alert, and now it became tense.
Come here. one of you men, quick"
he called, without turning in the least
toward the camp fire.
Hello! What's up, Pickens?" came
the swift reply. 1t was followed by a
rapid thud of boots on soft ground. a
dark form crossed the CLEANS from the
freight. Then a ranger doomed up to
reach he side of the guard. Duane
heard whispering, the purport of which
he could not catch. The second range
swore under his breath. Then he
turned away and started back.
Here, ranger, before you go, under
stand this: MY visit is peaceful
friendly if you'll let it be. Mind, l was
asked to come hereafter dark"
Duane's clear penetrating voice car
! ried far. The listening rangers at the
camp fire heard what he said.
'Ho, Pickens. Tell that fellow to
wait" replied an authoritative voice.
Then a slim figure detached itself from
the dark, moving group at the camp
fire and hurried out.
Better be foxy, Cap" shouted a
ranger in warning.
Shut up-all of YOU" was the reply.
This officer, obviously Captain Mac
Nelly, soon joined the two rangers who
We're confronting Duane. He had no
fear. He STROBE straight up to Duane.
I'm MacNelly," he said. IF you're
my man, don't mention your name
yet"
All this seemed so strange to Duane,
in keeping with much that had hap
pened lately.
Il met Jeff Aiken today" said Duane.
He sent me-
you've met Aiken." exclaimed Mac
Nelly, sharp, eager, low. BY all that's
bully! Then he appeared to catch him
self, to grow restrained,
Men, fall back, leave us alone Il
moment"
Tae ranger slowly withdrew.
Buck Duane! It's you" he whis-
pered, eagerly.
Yes"
IF l give my word you'll not be ar
rested-youll be treated fairly-will
you come into camp and consult with
| me?'
"Certainly."
duane, I'm sure glad to meet you,''
went on MacNelly; and he extended his
hand.
Amazed and touched. scarcely realiz-
ing this actually, Duane gave his hand
and felt no unmistakable grip Of
of warmth.
1T doesn't seem natural, Captain
MacNelly, but believe I'm glad to
meet you" said Duane, soberly.
You will be. Now We'll go back TO
camp. Keep your identity mum for the
| present"
He led Duane in the direction of the
camp fire.
"Pickens, go back on duty" he or
dered, and, Beeson, you look after
this horse
When Duane got beyond the line Of
mesquite, which had hid a good view
of the camp site, he saw a group of
perhaps Is rangers sitting around the
fires, near a long low shed where horses
We're feeding, and a small adobe house
at one side.
We've just had grub, but I'll see you
Stl SUile. iSu we II LUX, Solu Mac
Nelly. I've taken up temporary quar-
ters here. Have a rustler job on hand.
Now, when you've eaten, come right in
to the house.
Duane was hungry, but he hurried
through the ample supper that was set
before him, urged on by curiosity and
establishment. me only way Inc Gould
account for his presence there in q
rangers camp was that MacNelly hoped
to get useful information out of him.
Still that Would nave hardly made this
captain so eager. There was a mys-
terry here, and Duane could scarcely
wat for it to be solved. While eating
he had bent keen eyes around him.
After a first quiet scrutiny the rangers
apparently paid no more attention to
him. They We're all veterans in SER
vice-Duane saw that-and rugged,
powerful men of iron constitution. De-
spite the occasional joke and sally of
the more youthful members and a gem
eral conversation of camp fire nature
Duane was not deceived about the fact
that his advent had been an unusual
and striking one, which had caused an
undercurrent Of conjecture and even
CONSERVATION among them. These
rangers were too well trained to APP
pear openly curious about their cap
tain's guest. If they had not 3eliber-
ately attempted to be oblivious Of hi,.
presence, Duane would hav concluded
they thought him an ordinary visitor,
somehow Of use to MacNelly. AS it
was, Duane felt a suspense that must
have been due to a hin of his identity.
He was not long in presenting him
self at the door of the house.
Como in and have a chair" said
MacNelly, m%otioning for the one other
occupant of the room to rise. Leave
us, Russell, and closA the door. I'll be
through these reports right off"
MacNelly sat at a table upon which
was a lamp and various papers. Seen
in the light he was a fine looking, SOL
dierly man of about 40 years, dark
haired n dark eyed, with a bronzed
face, shrewd, stern, strong, yet not
wanting in kindness. He scanned
hastily owe some papers, fused with
them and finally put them in envel-
opes. Without looking up he pushed a
cigar case toward Duane and, upon
Duane's refusal to smoke. he tool a
cigar, rose to light it at the lamp chin
ney, and then, settling back in his
chair, he faced Duane, making a vain
attempt to hide what must have beer
the fulfilment of q long nourished curl
osity.
Duane, I've been hoping for this for
two years." he began.
Duane smiled a little-a smile that
fo1f cfvo ~ cn an lfo F,Do r t,-l $500