For this purpose he kept intact the wad of notes necessary for her passage, and sought Devinne with a view to raising money on an article of great sentimental, and moderate intrinsic, 281 value—the cigarette-case given him by his old chums at Medicine Bow.
Devinne was amazed when the proposition was put to him. He had no idea that his guest was reduced to such plights.
“I’ll loan you the food with pleasure,” he said. “There’s no need to part with something you evidently love.”
Jim shook his head.
“What’s it worth?”
“Difficult to say—at least a thousand dollars.”
“Wal, see here, you loan me five hundred on it with the option of redeeming it within a year. I’ll sure strike gold by then.”
Devinne nodded.
“Very well, if you insist. I’ll be here until next spring. It’ll be waiting for you any time you drop in.”
Jim pocketed the notes and commenced to bargain for several necessaries apart from the anxiously awaited food.