“Rance,” he said solemnly, “you’re a fool.”
Old Rance squinted painfully at Chuckwalla, but said nothing.
“’F I remember rightly, yuh never even seen the seventeen that Angel had in his last hand.”
Rance shook his head slowly.
“Yuh had the king of clubs and the six of hearts, Rance. Look at this.”
Chuckwalla took the deck from his pocket and spread out the club and heart suits. It showed a missing king and a six-spot. Rance lifted his eyes and looked inquiringly at Chuckwalla, who spread the other two suits. The ten of diamonds, trey of spades, and the ace of spades were missing.
“He had the ten of diamonds and the trey of spades in his last hand,” said Chuckwalla angrily.
“What about that ace of spades?” asked old Rance.
“He held that out, you danged fool!” exploded Chuckwalla. “He stole that ace of spades to keep yuh from winnin’ four thousand dollars from him, and he stole it ag’in, t’ use in case he needed it.”
Old Rance shifted his eyes thoughtfully.