In his hand he carried a splendid
repeating rifle, and a brace of pistols were in his belt.
All this the detective was able to note in the brief moment that Duncan
paused at the door, as if looking for some one to whom he could give
orders for the saddling of his horse. Seeing no one about the place,
however, he set his rifle down in a corner by the door, and walked
slowly down the passage until he reached the stall where his pony was
standing.
He was now directly in front of the spot where the detective was
concealed, but with his back toward the operative. As he turned to go
into the stall, Manning stopped quickly forward, with his revolver in
his hand, and grasping Duncan firmly by the shoulder, he said:
"Thomas Duncan, I have caught you at last."
Duncan started as though he had been shot, as these words rang in his
ears, and he felt the grasp of the detective's strong arm. In an instant
he recovered himself, and his hand quickly sought one of the revolvers
in his belt. The detective, however, was too quick for him, and placing
the muzzle of his pistol against the burglar's cheek, he said,
determinedly:
"If you attempt to draw your pistol, I'll blow your brains out!"
[Illustration: "If you attempt to draw your pistol, I'll blow out your
brains!"]
Duncan felt that it was useless to attempt to trifle with the resolute
man before him, and his arms dropped to his side.
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