He had been rather a friend of Big Bill's—most of them were in Maverick—so he had listened to him longer than he would have to any of the other men, but now he was through with his arguments, he must assert his authority.
"Clear the room; this prisoner goes with me."
There was a movement from the crowd. Bill looked appealingly at Jim. Why would not the boss speak? Just as the crowds had reached the doors Jim said to Bud, who was advancing to formally arrest him:
"Wait a minute. Take the trouble to examine my gun."
Bud lifted Jim's gun and looked at it closely. "Well?" he asked.
"You see it hasn't been discharged."
Bud quickly verified the fact that the gun was completely loaded. He paused a moment irresolute. Then, with a sudden suspicion, he said:
"You've had time to reload it."
The men were eagerly watching the scene between the two men.
"Smell it," Jim said, quietly. "I haven't had time to clean it."