The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-02-15


ed. Longstreth entered. turned up the
light, and taking box of cigars from
the table, he carried II out,
"Here, you fellows, go outside and |
smoke" he said "Knell, come In |
now. Let's get It over"
He returned, sat down. and lighted
cigar for himself. He put his boot
ed feet on the table.
Duane saw that the room was COM
fortably, even luxuriously furnished.
There must have been good trail
he thought. else how could all that
stun have been packed in there. Then
Knell came in and seated himself
without any Of his chiefs ease. He
seemed preoccupled and, as always,
cold.
"What's wrong. Knell7 Why didn't
you get here sooner" queried Long
streth.
"Poggin We're on the outs again.
"What for? Get It out Of your sys-
tenn so we can 20 on TO the new job
''wen, It began back ways. |
don't know how long ago-weeks-a
stranger rode into Ord an got down
easy-llke as If he owned the place.
He seemed familiar TO me. But |
wasn't sure. We looked him over, an
l left. tryin' TO place him in my mind
"What d he look likef"
"Rangy. powerful man, white hair
over his temples still, hard face,
eyes like knives. The way he packed
his guns. the way he walked an stood
an swung his right hand showed me
what he was. You can't fool me on
the gun-sharp. An he had a grand
horse, big black"
'Tve met your man." said Long
streth.
''Now exclaimed Knell. II was
wonderful to hear surprise expressed
by this man that did not in the least
show 1t in his strange physiognomy.
Knell laughed a short, grim, hollow
laugh. Boss, this here big gent drifts
into Ord again an makes up to Jim
Fletcher. Jlm-he up an takes this
stranger to be the fly road-agcnt an
cottons to him. Got money out Of him
sure. And that's what stumps me
more. What's this mans game? l hap
pen to know, boss, that he couldn't
have held up No. g."
'.How do you know?" demanded
Longstreth.
Because did the job myself"
A dark and stormy passion clouded
the chiefs face.
"Knell, you're incorrigible. You're
unreliable. Another break like that
} queers you with me. Did you tell
PogginT
: Eyes. Thet's one reason we fell
} out. He raved. 1 thought he was
goin' to kill me. Several of the boys
rode over from Ord, an one Of them
went to Poggln an says Jim Fletcher
, hes n new man for the gang. Jim an
: Poggln always hit 1t up together. Sc
: until l got on the deal Jim's pard
was already In the gang, without
: Poggln or you ever seein' him. Ther
, | got to figurin' hard. Just where
ever seen that chap2 dug up lot
!, of old papers from my kit an wen'
5 over them. Letters, pictures, clip
! pins, an all that. l guess l had
I pretty good notion what l was lookin
for an who wanted to make sure OF
| At last / found 1t. An l knew m!
man. But I didn't spring 1t on Poggin
sent Blossom over to Ord with
message calculated to make Jim hump
Poggln got sore, said he'd wait TO
| Jim, an I could come over here t
see you about the new job. He''
meet me in Ord"
Il Knell had spoken hurriedly and low
now and then with passion. His pal
eyes glinted like fire in Ice, and nov
his voice fell to a whisper.
"Who do you think Fletcher's mex
man ls?"
"Who?" demanded Longstreth.
"Buck DuaneW
Down came Longstreth's boots wit
crash, then his body grew rigid.
"That Nueces outlaw? That two
shot ace-of-spades gun-thrower VIII
killed Bland, Alloway-T with NOR
feeling than the apparent circun
stance demanded.
| 'Yes; and Hardin, the best one
the Rim Rock fellows-Buck Duane
Longstreth was so CHASTITY whit
now that his black mustache SCENE
j outlined against chalk. He eyed h
grim lieutenant. They understood
each other without more words.
was enough that Buck Duane VIZ
) there In the Big Bend. Longstret
rose presently and reached for fas
10 from which he drank. then offered
o to Knell. He waved 1t aside.
IN "Knell," began the chief, slowly,
n he wiped his lips, II gathered yc
have some grudge against this BuC
"a Duane"
Iv Eyes"
rv "Well, don't be - fool now ar
ed do what Poggln or almost any of W
men would-don't meet this But
n Duane. I've reason to believe he's