His face turned paler gray, to ashen.
"What d'ye mean ?" yelled Wright fiercely, shrilly.

It was not in him to obey my command, to see impending death.

All quivering and strung, yet with perfect control, I raised my left hand to turn back a lapel of my open vest.

The silver shield flashed brightly.
"United States deputy marshal in service of Ranger Steele!" Wright howled like a dog.

With barbarous and insane fury, with sheer, impotent folly, he swept a clawing hand for his gun.