Jack had met Lord Maltravers.
This gentleman was an English nobleman of high rank and great wealth.
They had met in New York, and both had fallen in love with a young lady named Lena Vanhoosen.
Lena's brother Alfred wished her to marry Jack, but her mother, Mrs. Vanhoosen, wished her to espouse the rich nobleman.
Jack and Lord Maltravers had quarreled about Lena.
The quarrel took place in a well-known up-town resort, and Maltravers had fired a pistol at Jack.
The shot missed its mark, but the cowardly nobleman had to fly to avoid arrest.
He retreated to San Francisco, and Jack, learning where he had gone, followed him.
They met in the gambling-saloon.
His lordship was perfectly collected after the first shock of surprise had passed away, and he did not attempt to escape.