The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-03-15
CHAPTER xxiv-continued.

SELF in KnclTS Scornful, fiery address,
In the Sinking hand he thrust before
Poggln's face. In the ensuing silent
pause Knell's painting could be plainly
heard. The Othe' men were pale,
wntchful, cautiously cdging either way
60 the wall, leaving the principals and
Duane In the corner Of the
Spring his name, then, you said
Poggin, violently with n curse.
Strangely Knell did not even look
at the nan he was about To dcnounce.
He leaned toward Poggin, his hands,
his body, his long head all somewhat
expressive Of what his face disguised.
Buck Duane :" he yelled. suddenly.
The name did not make ~ dilfer-
ence In Poggin. But Knell's passionate,
swift utternncc carried the suggestion
that the name ought 10 bring roggin
To quick action. II vas possible, too,
That Knell's manner, the import of his
denuncintion, the meaning bnck Of all
his passion held Poggin bound more
than the surprise. For the outlaw GER
tainly was surprised. perhaps stngger-
ed at the idea that he, Poggin, had
been about to stand sponsor with
Fletcher for n famous outlaw hated
and feared by all outlaws.
Knell waited n long moment, and
then his face broke It's cold lmmobility
In nm extraordinary expression of
devilish glee. lie had bounded the
great Pogcln into something that gave
him vicious, mOnstrous JOY.
'Buck Duane, Yes" he broke nut,
hotly. 'The Nueces gunman, That
two-shot, ncc.of-spndcs lonc.wolf
You an WE'VE heard n thousand
times of him-talkcd about him often.
An here he is In front Of you Poggin,
you were backin' Fletcher's new pard,
Buck Duane. An he'd fooled you
both but for me. But I know him.
An I know why he drifted in here.
To flash n gun on Chescldine-on you
on me-! Bah! Don't tell me he
wnnted to Join the gang. You know n
gunman, for you're one yourself.
Don't you always want to meet n real
man. not n four-nush? It's the mad
ness Of the gunman, an | know IL.
Well, Duane faced you-cnlled you
An when | sprung his name. what
ought you have done? What would
the Observation-Disclosures expected OF
Poggln? Did you throw your gun,
swift, like you have so often? Nav
you froze. An why7 Because here's
a man with the kind Of nerve you'd
love TO have. Because he's great
meetin' us here alone. Because you
know he's n wonder with Il gun an
you love life. Because you an ! an
every damned man here has 10 take
his front. each to himself. II we all
drew we'd kill him. Sure, But who's
goin' To lead? Who was goin' TO be
first? Who was coln' TO make him
draw? Not you, PogCin! You leave
that for n lesser man-me-who've
once 10 every gunman. You've met
your match In Buck Duane. An, by
God, I'm glad! Here's once ! show
you mp"
The honrSc, haunting voice failed.
Enell stepped back from the comrude
he hated. lie was wet, shaking. hag-
gard, but magnificent.
"Euck dunno, dO you remember
llardinY" he asked, IN scarcely audible
voice.
"Yos," replied Duane, and n flash OF
insight made clear Kncll'S attitude.
"You met hlm-fo-ced him Ia draw
billed hImT
"Yes."
Hardin was the best pard l over
had
His teeth clicked together tight, and
his lips set In a thin line.
The room grew still. Even breathing
ceased. The time for words had pass
ed. In that long moment OF suspense
knell's body gradually %stirened, and
at last the quivering ceased. He
crouched. His eyes had n soul-plerc-
Ing fire.
Duane watched hirN. He waited.
lie cnught the thought--the breaking
Of Knell's muscle.bound rigidlty. Then
he drew.
Through the smoke Of his gun he
saw two red spurts of flame. Knell's
bullets thudded into the ceiling. He
fell with a scream like n wild thing
In agony.
Duane did not see Kncll die. He
watched Pogg,n. And Poggin, like a
stricken and astounded man, looked
down upon his PROSTATE cOmrnde.
Fletcher ran ut Duane with hands
aloft.
"Hlt the trail. you liar. or yoGll
hev 10 kill me !" he yelled.
With hands still up. he shouldered
and bodied Duane nj OF the room.
Duane lcnped on his horse. spurred,
and plunged away.
CHAPTER XIV.
Dnnne returned 10 FnIrdnle n