shouted Longstreth.

"I don't need warrants to make arrests. Longstreth, you're ignorant of
the power of Texas Rangers."

"You'll come none of your damned ranger stunts out here. I'll block
you."

That passionate reply of Longstreth's was the signal Duane had
been waiting for. He had helped on the crisis. He wanted to force
Longstreth's hand and show the town his stand.

Duane backed clear of everybody.

"Men! I call on you all!" cried Duane, piercingly. "I call on you to
witness the arrest of a criminal prevented by Longstreth, Mayor of
Fairdale. It will be recorded in the report to the Adjutant-General at
Austin. Longstreth, you'll never prevent another arrest."

Longstreth sat white with working jaw.

"Longstreth, you've shown your hand," said Duane, in a voice that
carried far and held those who heard. "Any honest citizen of Fairdale
can now see what's plain--yours is a damn poor hand! You're going to
hear me call a spade a spade. In the two years you've been Mayor
you've never arrested one rustler. Strange, when Fairdale's a nest for
rustlers! You've never sent a prisoner to Del Rio, let alone to
Austin. You have no jail. There have been nine murders during your
office--innumerable street-fights and holdups. Not one arrest! But you
have ordered arrests for trivial offenses, and have punished these out
of all proportion. There have been lawsuits in your court-suits over
water-rights, cattle deals, property lines. Strange how in these
lawsuits you or Lawson or other men close to you were always involved!
Strange how it seems the law was stretched to favor your interest!"

Duane paused in his cold, ringing speech. In the silence, both outside
and inside the hall, could be heard the deep breathing of agitated men.
Longstreth was indeed a study. Yet did he betray anything but rage at
this interloper?

"Longstreth, here's plain talk for you and Fairdale," went on Duane. "I
don't accuse you and your court of dishonesty. I say STRANGE! Law here
has been a farce. The motive behind all this laxity isn't plain to
me--yet. But I call your hand!"

CHAPTER XVII

Duane left the hall, elbowed his way through the crowd, and went down
the street. He was certain that on the faces of some men he had seen
ill-concealed wonder and satisfaction. He had struck some kind of a hot
trait, and he meant to see where it led. It was by no means unlikely
that Cheseldine might be at the other end. Duane controlled a mounting
ea