"Merle brought them from London," said the woman. "I gave him the commission, which he executed faithfully, and he could not have made a better selection."
As she set the jewel box aside, she continued:
"You promised to tell me about your life in the States. Now is a good time for the story, Mr. Riggs."
Old Broadbrim had been expecting this, and the request did not take him by surprise.
He had made up his story, and had conned it over more than once in the silent hours of the night, in the hut and on guard.
It was well plotted and well told.
Belle Demona listened closely, and did not lose a word.
Old Broadbrim told of life in the far West, of living in Omaha and beyond, but said nothing of the Eastern cities.
"It is strange to me, Mr. Riggs, that you never visited the great cities on the eastern seaboard of the United States," said she.
"I liked the West and its free life too well."