"You know what Butts done to Jack McQuestion. You ain't forgot how he sneaked Jack's watch!" The incident was historic.
Every eye on Butts. Charlie caught up breath and courage.
"An' t'odder night w'en Maudie treat me like she done"—he shot a blazing glance at the double-dyed traitor—"I fixed it up with Butts. Got him to go soft on 'er and nab 'er ring."
"You didn't!" shouted Maudie.
With a shaking finger Charlie pointed out Jimmie, the cashier.
"Didn't I tell you to weigh me out twenty dollars for Butts that night?"
"Right," says Jimmie.
"It was to square Butts fur gittin' that ring away from Maudie."
"You put up a job like that on me?" To be fooled publicly was worse than being robbed.
Charlie paid no heed to her quivering wrath. The menace of the cotton-wood gallows outrivalled even Maudie and her moods.