o the floor, where they
rolled over and over, and before they stopped thin fingers were locked
about the bull neck of the bandit, and two thumbs driven into the
hollow of his throat. With a tremendous effort he heaved himself from
the floor, his face convulsed.

He beat with both fists against the lowered head of Dan. He tore at
those hands. They were locked as if with iron. Only the laughter, the
low, continual laughter rewarded him.

He screamed, a thick, horrible sound. He flung himself to the floor
again and rolled over and over, striving to crush the slender,
remorseless body. Once more he was on his feet, running hither and
thither, dragging Dan with him. His eyes swelled out; his face
blackened. He beat against the walls. He snapped at the wrists of Dan
like a beast, his lips flecked with a bloody froth.

That bull-dog grip would not unlock. That animal, exultant laughter
ran on in demoniac music. In his great agony the outlaw rolled his
eyes in appeal to the crowd which surrounded the struggling two. Every
man seemed about to spring forward, yet they could not move. Some had
their fingers stiffly extended, as if in the act of gripping with
hands too stiff to close.

Silent slipped to his knees. His head fell back, his discoloured
tongue protruding. Dan wrenched him back to his feet. One more
convulsive effort from the giant, and then his eyes glazed, his body
went limp. The remorseless hands unlocked. Silent fell in a shapeless
heap to the floor.

Still no one moved. There was no sound except the deadly ticking of
the clock. The men stared fascinated at that massive, lifeless figure
on the floor. Even in death he was terrible. Then Dan's hand slid
inside his shirt, fumbled a moment, and came forth again bearing a
little gleaming circle of metal. He dropped it upon the body of Jim
Silent, and turning, walked slowly from the room. Still no one moved
to intercept him. Passing through the door he pushed within a few
inches of two men. They made no effort to seize him, for their eyes
were upon the body of the great lone rider.

The moment Dan was gone the hypnotic silence which held the crowd,
broke suddenly. Someone stirred. Another cursed beneath his breath.
Instantly all was clamour and a running hither and thither. Buck
Daniels caught from the body of Jim Silent the small metal circle
which Dan had dropped. He stood dumbfounded at the sight of it, and
then raised his hand, and shouted in a voice which gat