Nogales international., 1929-01-15
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bunch you rangers ever raced.
"Pogginl that's the hard nut 10
crack I've heard their records sinca
I've been in Val Verde. Where's
Knell? They say he's q boy, but hell
and hlazes.'
"Knell's dead
"Ah!" exclaimed MacNclly softly.
Then he grew businesslike, cool, and
of harder aspect. Duane, its YOU
game today. I'm only . ranger undo
orders. We've absolutely faith i'll yot.
Make your plan, quick, so | can
around and post the boys who're ne:
here"
''Put one man at each end OF this
street just at the edge of town. Le-
him hide there with rifle TO bl;N (
the escape OF any outlaw that Ne
might fail to get. had good lock
at the bank building. It's we'll Sit
uated for Our purpose.
Put four mcn up in that room oYcr
the bailk-four mex, two at each open
window. Let them hide iii! the ga,u.
begins. They want to be there so IN
case these foxy outlaws get wise be
fore they're down. Oh The ground, q
inside the bank The rest OF your men
put inside behind the counters whert:
they'll hide.
!. Now go over to the bank, spring
the thing on the bank officials an,
don't let them shut up the bank. YoG
want their aid. Let them make surc-
of their gold. But the clerks anc.
cashier ought to be at their desks OF
window when Poggin rides up.
Hell glance in before he getJ down.
They make no mistakes, these fellows.
We must be slicker than they are, or
lose. When you get the bank people
wise, send your men over one by one.
No hurry-ro excitemcnt--no Unusual
thing to attract notice i'll the bank.
"All right. That's great. Tell me,
where do you intend to waltz"
"I'll wait in front--iust inside the
door, replied Duane with an effort.
Why" demanded the captain.
"Wcll," began Duane slowly, "Pog-
gin will get down first and start in.
But tl.e others won't be far behind.
They'll not get swift till inside. The
thing is-tlley mustn't get clear inside.
because the instant they do they'll pull
guns. That means death to somebody.
II we can we want 10 stop them just
at the door,"
But will you hide!" asked Mac
Nelly.
Hide" The idea had -,-t occurred
t. Juuit-,
''T:.ere's wide-open doorway.
sort OF round hall, a vestibule, witt
steps leading up to the bank There
a door in the vestibule, too. 1t lead
somewhere, We can put men in there
You can be there"
Duane was silent.
"Sec here, Duane" began MacNell>
nervously. you shan't take any un-
due risk here You'll hide with the
rest OF us?"
MOP The word was wrenchet
from Duane.
MacNelly stared, and then strange
comprehending light seemed to fiji
over his face.
Duane, l can give you no order:
today" he said distinctly. I'm only
offering advice. Need you take an,
more risks? You've done grand joe
for the scrvice-a!rcady. You've paid
me a thousand times for that pardon
You've redeemed yourself. Il
"The Governor, the adjvtant- ger
the whole State will rise zip
honor you The games almost
Wen kill these outlaws or erouglI
them to break forever their power
say, as a ranger, need you take mo-
risk than your captain?
Still Duane remained silent. Fl
was locked between two forces. AMI
one, a tide that was bursting at il
bounds. seemed about to overwhelnl
him Finally that side of him, the re-
treating self, the weaker, found d
voice.
Captain, you want this job to be
sure?" he asked.
Certainly"
"I'vc told you the way. | aIore
know the kind of mon to be met just
what I'll do or where I'll be can't
say yet In meeting lik. this the mo-
nent decides. But I'll be there"
MacNelly spread wide his hands,
looked helplessly at his curious and
sympathetic rangers, and shook his
head.
"Now you've done your work-laid
the trap--is this strange move of yours
going to be fair to Jennie Lee?"
asked MacNelly in deliberate, low
voice.
Like great tree chopped at the
roots Duane vibrated to that. He
looked up as if he had seen a ghost.
Mercilessly the ranger captain went
on
Jennie Lee came to me in Austin.
She was heartbroken. She reproached
me- She begged me- She told me of
your mother. She did all she could to
get me to fetch you back, and if I
hadn't been powerless world have
done so.'
Continued Next Week