The Huttig news., 1916-12-02
CHAP FER XXlII.

Again inaction and suspense drag ged at Duane's spirit.
 But one day there were signs of the long quiet of Ord being broken. \ messenger strange to Duane rode in on q secret mission that had to do with Fletcher. Duane was present in the tavern when the fellow arrived saw the few words whispered. but did not hear them. Fletcher turned white with anger or fear. perhaps both. and he cursed like q madman. The mes Sengcr rode away off to the west This west mystitied and fascinated Duane aS much as the south beyond Mount Ord. After the messenger left Fletcher grew silent and surly. It becaRe clear now that the other out laws of the camp feared him. kept out of his way. Duane let him alone. vet closely watched him.
 Perhaps an hour after the messen- ger had left. not longer. Fletcher man ifestly arrived at some decision and he called for his horse. Then he went to his shack and returned. To Duane the outlaw looked in shape both to ride and to fight He gave orders for the men in camp to keep close until he returned. Then he mounted.
 Come here Dodge" he called.
 Duane went ID and laid hand on the pommel of the saddle. Fletcher walked his horse, with Duane beside him, till they reached the log bridge, when he halted.
 Dodge. I'm in bad with Knell." he said An it pears I'm the cause of friction between Knell an Peggy. Knel never had any use fer me, but Poggy's been square, if not friendly. The boss had big deal on. an here It's been held up because of this scrap. He's waitin' oyer there on the mountain to give orders to Knell or Peggy, an neither ones showin' up. Eve got to stand in the breach, an I ain't enioyin' the prospects"
 "What's the trouble about, Jim?" asked Duane.
 "Rcckon it's little about you, Dodge" said Fletcher. dryly. "Knell hadn't any use fer you thct day. Knell claims to know somethin' about you that II make both the boss an Peggy sick when he springs it. But he's keepin' quiet. Hard man to fig ger thet Knell Reckon you'd better % back to Bradford fer q day or so, then camp out here till l come back"
 "Why?"
 "Wal because there aint any use fer you to git in bad, too. The gang will ride over here any day. If they're friendly I'll light fire on the hill there, say three nights from to- night. If you don't see it thet night YOU hit the tral I'll do what I can. Jim Fletcher sticks to his pals. So long. Dodge"
 He left Duane in a quandary. This news was black. At the moment Duane did not know which way to urn. but certainly he had no idea of going back to Bradford. Friction between the two great lieutcnants of Cheseldine! Generally such matters were settled with guns. Duane gath
 
 ter. If Knell knew anything if was that this stranger in Ord, this new mariner of Fleteher's, was no less than Buck Duane. Well, it was about time, thought Duane, that he made use of his name if it were to help him at all. That name had been MacNclly'S hope.
 He had anchored all his scheme to Duane's fame. Duane was tempted to ride off after Fletcher and stay with him. This. however would hardly be fair to an outlaw who had been fair te him. Duane concluded to await devel- opments, and when the gang rode in to ord, probably from their various hiding places. he would he there ready to be denounced by knell. Duane