“Kidd must have shown you the gem?”
“No.”
“Did you steal it?”
“No; I don’t mind telling you that if I had the opportunity I should have stolen it. Why, the price I could have got for the stone would have made me rich for life.”
Burt looked sharp at his companion.
It seemed plain to him that the fellow was lying.
“Well,” said Burt, “you were Kidd’s accomplice in the theft, and I propose to arrest you.”
“No, you don’t!”
The voice came from behind the detective. He turned around.
Mike Quick stood near him and the saloon-keeper had a revolver leveled at his head.