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"He sure has, unless Creede ca him down"

Kells drew back, manifestly convinced and relieved This action

seenet for Pearce He detached hinificantly on the

shoulder; and whether by design or accident the fact was that he

took a position where Kells was between hi double-crossed here--an' by more 'n one," he

said, deliberately "But if you want un-play"

"Speak up, Red," replied Kells, with a glinting eye "I swear there

won't be a gun pulled"

The other men shifted from one foot to another and there were deep-

drawn breaths Jim Cleve alone seemed quiet and cool But his eyes

were ablaze

"Fust off an' for instance here's one who's double-crossin' you,"

said Pearce, in slow, tantalizing speech, as if he wore out this

suspense to torture Kells And without ever glancing at Joan he

jerked a thuainst the wall, tre and cold all over She

read Pearce's mind He knew her secret and meant to betray her and

Jim He hated Kells and wanted to torture him If only she could

think quickly and speak! But she seemed dumb and powerless