The Benson signal., 1917-01-20


ready to run. They all talked at
once, and the word most significant
and frequent in their speech was
"outlaws."
MacNelly clapped his fist in his
hand.
'This III make the adjutant sick
with joy. Maybe he won't have it
on the Governor! Well show them
about the ranger service. Duane
how'd you ever do it?" A.
"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 1 don't know
"Poggin-that's the hard nut to
crack I've heard their record since
I've been in Val Verde. 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, 1 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 gun-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 action"
every well, Duane; then it's fight
That IL 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. PU
four men up in that room over the
bank-two at each open window. Lei
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 mer
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 waltz"
Duane heard MacNelly's question
and it struck him peculiarly. He hat
seemed to be planning and speaking
mechanically. AS he was confronted
by the fact it nonplused him some
! what, and he became thoughtful
with lowered head.
"Where III you wait Duane" in
sisted MacNelly, with keen eyei
specializing.
''I'll wait in front-just inside thu
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 I'LL
over his face.
duane, 1 can give you no order
to-day" 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 ranger, meet
you take more risk than your cap
tain"
Still Duane remained silent. H'
was locked between two forces. AND
one, a tide that was bursting ut iti
bounds, seemed about to overwheln
him. Finally that side of him, the
retreating self, the weaker, found
; voice.
Captain, just what I'll do or wher
I'll be I can't say yet. In meeting'
like this the moment decides. Bu
I'll be there!'
MacNelly spread wide his hands
looked heiplessly at his curious and
sympathetic rangers, and shook hii
head.
"Now you've done your wOrk-lait
} the trap-is this strange move of yours
going to be fair to Miss LongstrethT
asked MacNelly, in significant low
voice.
Like a great tree chopped at the
roots Duane vibrated to that. Hl
looked up as if he had seen a ghost
Mercilessly the ranger captain went
on: "You can win her, Duane! Oh
you can't fool me. l was wise in
minute. Fight with us from cover
You'll be free, honored. happy. That
girl loves you! l saw 1t in her eyes
She's"
But Duane cut him short with
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 moro
sinister, stranger.
Enough. I'm done," he said, som
berly. "Tve planned. Do we agree
or shall I meet POggin and his gang
alone?"
MacNelly cursed and again threw
up his hands, this time in baf1ed