The Ozark spectator., 1916-12-13

crowded close, eager, like hounds ready to run. They all talked mt once, and the word most significant and frequent in their speech was outlaws"
 MacNelly clapped his fist in his hand.
 "This II make the adjutant sick with joy. Maybe he won't have 1t on the Governor Wen show them 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 I don't know"
 "Poggin-that's the hard nut to crack I've heard their record since I've been in Val Verdes, Where's Knell?"
 "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.
 "No, I don't understand that" re- piled MacNelly, bluntly.
 'It can't be done. The drop, can't be got on such men. Poggin! That outlaw has no equal with gnn-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 actiop."
 "Very well, Duane; then it's fight That II be easier, perhaps. The boys are spelling for fight. Out with your plan. now.'
 Put one man at each end of this street, just at the edge of town. Put four men up in that room over the bank-two at 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 go over to the bank, spring the thing on the bank officials, send your men over one by one. No, hurry, no ex- citement, no unusual thing to, attract notice in the bank"
 "All right. That's great. Tell me where do you intend to wait?"s
 Duane heard MacNelly's question, and it struck him peculiarly. He had seemed to be planning and speaking mechanically. As he was confronted by the fact 1t nonplused him some what, and he became thoughtful, with lowered head.
 Where II you wait, Duane?" in- sisted MacNelly, with keen eyes speculating.
 'rll wait in front-just inside the door," replied Duane, with an effort.
 But will you hide?" asked Mac Nelly.
 Duane was silent.
 MacNelly stared and then strange, comprehending light seemed to dit over his face.
 "Duane, I can give you no orders today" he said, distinctly. I'm only offering advice. Need you take any more risks? You've redeemed your self. The governor, the adjutant-gen- eral-the whole state will rise up and honor you. l say, as a ranger, need you take more risk than your cap tainf
 Still Duane remained silent. He was locked between two forces. And hnt h,,N .rt ftc bounds, seemed about to overwhelm him. Finally that side of him, the retreating self, the weaker, found 8 voice.
 Captain. just what I'll do or where I'll be I can't say yet. In meetings like this the moment decides But I'll be there "S
 MacNelly spread wide his hands, looked helplessly at his curious and sympathetic rangers, and shook his head. .,-.s ;t
 Now you've done your, work laid the trap-is this strange move ofsy0urs going to be fair to Miss. tonystfeth?" asked MacNelly, in gnifican6.sl low voice. x
 Like a great tree chopped Ae~ths roots Duane vibrated to thayat H> looked up as if he had seen a ghost.
 Mercilessly the ranger captam ARent on: You can win her, Duane! Oh, you can't fool me. l was wise 0 8 minute. Fight with us from cd|er. You'll be free, honored, happy. 4hat girl loves you! I saw it in her q tes She's"
 But Duane cut him short with q fierce gesture. He lunged up to his feet, and the rangers fell back. Dark, silent, grim as he had been, still there was a transformation singularly more sinister, stranger.
 Enough. I'm done," he said, son. berly. i've planned. Do we agree or shall 1 meet Poggin and his gang alone?"
 MacNelly cursed and again threw up his hands, this time in bafiled chagrin. There was deep regret in