Hotchkiss jumped into the recital, and carried it through quickly. What made the greatest impression on the scout and the gambler was that part of the story which had to do with the ring and the locket.
“I’ll take them, and the letter,” said Gentleman Jim, stretching out his hand.
Billings handed him the locket. At the mere sight of it Gentleman Jim’s face went pallid. Opening it quickly, he stared with glassy eyes at two pictures the locket revealed, a low groan dropped from his lips, and he staggered back.
“What is it, Jim?” asked the scout, stepping toward the gambler.
Gentleman Jim did not reply. Apparently beside himself, he did not wait for the note and the ring, but turned about unsteadily and reeled into the Alcazar.
Those in the buckboard, and around it, stared after him.
“I never seen Gentleman Jim in sich a takin’ as thet afore,” mumbled Chick Billings.
“What ails him, anyways?” asked Pete.
“Mebby the woman was some kin o’ his,” suggested Hotchkiss.
“Possibly,” answered the scout shortly. “Give me the ring and the note; and I’ll take them to him in a few moments.”