She laughed. “It would seem to point to that conclusion.”
“So you’ve knowed Haydon about a year? I reckon he’s educated?”
“Yes.” She watched him closely, wondering at his meaning—why he had brought Haydon’s name into the discussion. She was marveling at the subtle light in his eyes.
“Your father liked Haydon—he told me Haydon was the only square man in the country—besides himself an’ Sheriff Gage.”
“Father liked Haydon. I’m beginning to believe you really did have a talk with father before he died!”
He smiled. “Goin’ back to Haydon. I had a talk with him a little while ago. I sort of took a shine to him.” He drew from a pocket the section of gold chain he had found on the desert, holding it out to her.
“Here’s a piece of Haydon’s watch chain,” he said slowly, watching her face. “The next time Haydon comes to see you, give it to him, tellin’ him I found it. It’s likely he’ll ask you where I found it. But you can say I wasn’t mentionin’.”
He turned, looking back over his shoulder at her as he walked toward the gate.
She stood, holding the glittering links in the palm of one hand, doubt and suspicion in her eyes.
“Why,” she called after him; “he was just here, and you say you talked with him! Why didn’t you give it to him?”