e
west. This west mystified and fascinated Duane as much as the south
beyond Mount Ord. Where were Knell and Poggin? Apparently they were not
at present with the leader on the mountain. After the messenger left
Fletcher grew silent and surly. He had presented a variety of moods to
Duane's observation, and this latest one was provocative of thought.
Fletcher was dangerous. It became clear now that the other outlaws
of the camp feared him, kept out of his way. Duane let him alone, yet
closely watched him.

Perhaps an hour after the messenger had left, not longer, Fletcher
manifestly arrived at some decision, and he called for his horse. Then
he went to his shack and returned. To Duane the outlaw looked in shape
both to ride and to fight. He gave orders for the men in camp to keep
close until he returned. Then he mounted.

"Come here, Dodge," he called.

Duane went up and laid a hand on the pommel of the saddle. Fletcher
walked his horse, with Duane beside him, till they reached the log
bridge, when he halted.

"Dodge, I'm in bad with Knell," he said. "An' it 'pears I'm the cause
of friction between Knell an' Poggy. Knell never had any use fer me, but
Poggy's been square, if not friendly. The boss has a big deal on, an'
here it's been held up because of this scrap. He's waitin' over there on
the mountain to give orders to Knell or Poggy, an' neither one's
showin' up. I've got to stand in the breach, an' I ain't enjoyin' the
prospects."

"What's the trouble about, Jim?" asked Duane.

"Reckon it's a little about you, Dodge," said Fletcher, dryly. "Knell
hadn't any use fer you thet day. He ain't got no use fer a man onless he
can rule him. Some of the boys here hev blabbed before I edged in with
my say, an' there's hell to pay. Knell claims to know somethin' about
you that'll make both the boss an' Poggy sick when he springs it. But
he's keepin' quiet. Hard man to figger, thet Knell. Reckon you'd better
go back to Bradford fer a day or so, then camp out near here till I come
back."

"Why?"

"Wal, because there ain't any use fer you to git in bad, too."

"The gang will ride over here any day. If they're friendly, I'll light a
fire on the hill there, say three nights from to-night. If you don't see
it thet night you hit the trail. I'll do what I can. Jim Fletcher sticks
to his pals. So long, Dodge."

Then he rode away.

He left Duane in a quandary. This news was black. Things had been
working out so well. Here w