The Oakes times., 1917-03-15
Duane knew them

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 II make the adiutant sick
with JOY. Maybe he won't have II
on the Governor! Well show them
about the ranger service. Duane
how'd you ever do it?"
Nov. 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 l 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.
mo, 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 Il 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 q fight.
That II be easier, perhaps. T.!e boys
are spelling for fight. Out with your
plan. now."
"l'ut one man at each end of this
street, just ut the edge of town. Put
four men up in that room over the
bank-two at each open window. lie,
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
OH the bank officials, send your men
over one by one. No hurry, no ex-
element, 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 had
seemed to be planning and speaking
mechanically. As he was confronted
by the fact it nonplused him sonic
what. and he became thoughtful
with lowered head.
"Where II you wait, Duane?" in.
sisted MacNelly, with keen eyes
speculating.
I'LL 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 fit
over his face.
duane, l 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. I say, as ranger, need
you take more risk than your cap
tain?'
Still Duane remained silent. He
was locked between two forces. And
one, tide that was bursting at its
bounds. seemed about to overwhelm
him. Finally that side of him, the
retreating self, the weaker, found
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
Ill be there!"
MacNelly spread wide his hands,
looked helplessly at his curious and
sympathetic rangers, and shook his
head.
snow you've done your work-laid
the trap-is this strange move of yours
6OAA5 " OC AAlI W VAASS
asked MacNelly, in significant low
voice.
Like a great tree chopped at the
roots Duane vibrated to that. He
looked up as If he had seen 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! I saw it 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 more
sinister, stranger.
Enough. I'm done," he said. som.
berly. 1--WE planned. Do we agree
or shall I meet Poggin and his gang
alone?"
MacNelly cursed and again threw
up his hands. this time in baffled