How's tricks in the Big Bend?"

Both men stared. It had taken only a close glance for Duane to recognize
a type of ruffian most frequently met along the river. These strangers
had that stamp, and their surprise proved he was right. Here the
innkeeper showed signs of uneasiness, and seconded the surprise of his
customers. No more was said at the instant, and the two rather hurriedly
went out.

"Say, boss, do you know those fellows?" Duane asked the innkeeper.

"Nope."

"Which way did they come?"

"Now I think of it, them fellers rid in from both corners today," he
replied, and he put both hands on the bar and looked at Duane. "They
nooned heah, comin' from Bradford, they said, an' trailed in after the
stage."

When Duane returned to the sitting-room Colonel Longstreth was absent,
also several of the other passengers. Miss Ruth sat in the chair he had
vacated, and across the table from her sat Miss Longstreth. Duane went
directly to them.

"Excuse me," said Duane, addressing them. "I want to tell you there are
a couple of rough-looking men here. I've just seen them. They mean
evil. Tell your father to be careful. Lock your doors--bar your windows
to-night."

"Oh!" cried Ruth, very low. "Ray, do you hear?"

"Thank you; we'll be careful," said Miss Longstreth, gracefully. The
rich color had faded in her cheek. "I saw those men watching you
from that door. They had such bright black eyes. Is there really
danger--here?"

"I think so," was Duane's reply.

Soft swift steps behind him preceded a harsh voice: "Hands up!"

No man quicker than Duane to recognize the intent in those words! His
hands shot up. Miss Ruth uttered a little frightened cry and sank into
her chair. Miss Longstreth turned white, her eyes dilated. Both girls
were staring at some one behind Duane.

"Turn around!" ordered the harsh voice.

The big, dark stranger, the bearded one who had whispered to his comrade
in the bar-room and asked Duane to drink, had him covered with a cocked
gun. He strode forward, his eyes gleaming, pressed the gun against him,
and with his other hand dove into his inside coat pocket and tore out
his roll of bills. Then he reached low at Duane's hip, felt his gun, and
took it. Then he slapped the other hip, evidently in search of another
weapon. That done, he backed away, wearing an expression of fiendish
satisfaction that made Duane think he was only a common thief, a novice
at this kind of game.

His comrade stood