Delaney had hardly entered the barn before Annixter's plan had been formed.

Long since his revolver was in the pocket of his coat, and he fired now through the coat itself, without withdrawing his hands.
Until that moment Annixter had not been sure of himself.

There was no doubt that for the first few moments of the affair he would have welcomed with joy any reasonable excuse for getting out of the situation.

But the sound of his own revolver gave him confidence.

He whipped it from his pocket and fired again.
Abruptly the duel began, report following report, spurts of pale blue smoke jetting like the darts of short spears between the two men, expanding to a haze and drifting overhead in wavering strata.