The Benson signal., 1917-01-20
CHAPTER xxlv-continued.

passion toward POgg1n manifested IL
self in Knel's scornful, fiery address,
In the shaking hand he thrust before
Poggin's face. In the ensuing silent
pause Kneli's painting could be plainly
heard, The other men were pale,
watchful, cautiously edging either way
to the wall, leaving the principals and
Duane In the corner of the room.
"Spring his name, then, you" SAID
Poggin, violently with curse.
Strangely Knell did not even look
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 any differ
ence in Poggin. But Knell's passionate.
swift utterance carried the suggestion
that the name ought to bring Poggin
to quick action. 1t was possible, too,
that Knell's manner, the import OF MS
denunciation, the meaning back of all
his passion held Poggin bound more
than the surprise. For the outlaw GER
tainly was surprised, perhaps stagger-
ed at the idea that he, Poggin, had
been about to stand sponsor with
Fletcher for q famous outlaw hated
and feared by all outlaws.
Knell waited a long moment, and
then his face broke it's cold immobility
In an extraordinary expression OF
devilish glee. He had bounded the
great Poggin into something that gave
him vicious. monstrous joy.
"Buck Duane! Yes," he broke out,
hotly. 'The Nueces gunman! That
two-shot. ace-of-spades lone-wolf
You an I-we've heard a thousand
times of him-talked 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 1 know why he drifted in here.
10 flash a gun on Cheseldine- you
--on me! Bah! Don't tell me ne
wanted to join the gang. You know a
gunman, for you're one yourself.
Don't you always want to meet real
man, not a four-flush? It's the mad
ness of the gunman, an / know It.
Well, Duane faced you--called you!
An when I sprung his name, what
ought you have done? What would
the boss-anybOdy-have expected OF
Poggin? Did you throw your gun,
swift, like you have SO often? Nav;
you froze. An why? Because here's
q man with the kind OF nerve you'd
love to have. Because he's great
meetin' us here alone. Because you
know he's a wonder with gun an
you love life. Because you an l an
every damned man here has to take
his front, each to himself. If we all
drew we'd kill him. Sure! But who's
goin' to lead? Who was goin' to be
Rrst? Who was goin' to make him
draw? Not you, Poggin You leave
that for lesser man-me-who've
lived to see you a coward. 1t comes
once to every gunman. You've met
your match in Buck Duane. An, by
God, I'm glad! Here's once I show
you up!"
The hoarse, taunting voice failed
Knell stepped back from the comrads
he hated. He was wet, shaking, hag-
gard. but magnificent.
"Buck Duane, do you remember
1ardin?" he asked. in scarcely audible
voice.
eyes," replied Duane, and fash OF
insight made clear Knells attitude.
"You met him-forced him to draw
killed him?"
EYES,"
"Hardin was the best pard I ever
had"
His teeth clicked together tight, and
his lips set in 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 stiffened, and
Mt last the quivering ceased. He
crouched. His eyes had soul-pierc-
ing fire.
Duane watched him. He waited.
He caught the thought-the breaking
of Knell's muscle-bound rigidity. Then
he drew.
Through the smoke Of his gun he
saw two red spurts Of flame. Knelrs
bullets thudded into the ceiling. He
fell with a scream like wild thing
In agony.
Duane did not see Knell die. He
watched Poggin. And Poggin, like a
stricken and astounded man, looked
down upon his PROSTATE comrade.
Fletcher ran at Duane with hands
aloft.
"Hit the trail. you liar. or you'll
hev to kill mel" he yelled.
With hands still up, he shouldered
and bodied Duane out of the room.
Duane leaped on his horse. spurred,
and plunged away.
CHAPTER XIV.
Duane returned to Fairdale and