Duane reveled in Lawson's condition. The statement might have had the force of a juggernaut. Was Longstreth sincere? What was his game?
Lawson, finding his voice, cursed Ray, cursed the ranger, then Longstreth.
“You damned selfish fool!” cried Longstreth, in deep bitter scorn. “All you think of is yourself—your loss of the girl. Think once of ME—my home—my life!”
Then the connection subtly put out by Longstreth apparently dawned upon the other. Somehow through this girl her father and cousin were to be betrayed. Duane got that impression, though he could not tell how true it was. Certainly Lawson's jealousy was his paramount emotion.
“To hell with you!” burst out Lawson, incoherently. He was frenzied. “I'll have her, or nobody else will!”
“You never will,” returned Longstreth, stridently. “So help me God I'd rather see her the ranger's wife than yours!”
While Lawson absorbed that shock Longstreth leaned toward him, all of hate and menace in his mien.
“Lawson, you made me what I am,” continued Longstreth. “I backed you—shielded you. YOU'RE Cheseldine—if the truth is told! Now it's ended. I quit you. I'm done!”
Their gray passion-corded faces were still as stones.
“GENTLEMEN!” Duane called in far-reaching voice as he stepped out. “YOU'RE BOTH DONE!”