e and now.

Meade went to his bureau, took his revolver from the belt where he had
hung it, and came out into the other room. Stark, seeing the weapon,
exclaimed:

"You don't need that; he won't resist you."

"I've decided not to take him," said Burrell.

"Decided not to take him?" shouted the other. "Have you weakened? Don't
you intend to arrest that man?"

"No!" cried the soldier. "I've listened to your lies long enough; now
I'm going to stop them, once for all. You're too dangerous to have
around."

They faced each other silently a moment; then Stark spoke in a very
quiet voice, though his eyes were glittering:

"What's the meaning of this? Are you crazy?"

"Gale was here just before you came, and told me who killed your wife.
I know."

"You do?"

"I do."

"Well?"

"It's pretty late. This place is lonely. This is the simplest way."

The gambler fell to studying his antagonist, and when he did not speak
Burrell continued:

"Come, brace up! I'm giving you a chance."

But Stark shook his head.

"Don't be afraid," insisted the Lieutenant. "There are no witnesses. If
you get me, nobody will know, and your word is good. If not--it's much
simpler than the other." Then, when the gambler still made no move, he
insisted, "You wouldn't have me kill you like a rattlesnake?"

"You couldn't," said the older man. "You're not that kind--and I'm not
the kind to be cheated, either. Listen! I've lived over forty years,
and I never took less than was coming to me. I won't begin to-night."

"You'll get your share--"

"Bah! You don't know what I mean. I don't want you; it's him I'm after,
and when I'm done with him I'll take care of you; but I won't run any
risk right now. I won't take a chance on losing what I've risked so
much to gain, what I've lived these fifteen years to get. You might put
me away--there's the possibility--and I won't let you or any other
man--or woman either, not even my girl--cheat me out of Gale. Put up
your gun."

The soldier hesitated, then did as he was bidden, for this man knew him
better than he knew himself.

"I ought to treat you like a mad dog, but I can't do it while your
hands are up. I'm going to fight for John Gale, however, and you can't
take him."

"I'll have his carcass hung to my ridge-pole before daylight."

"No."

"I say yes!" Stark turned to go, but paused at the door. "And you think
you'll marry Necia, do you?"

"I know it."

"Like hell you will! Suppose yo