“That’s from my mine,” said Teagler, intent on interesting the stranger in something besides the problem he knew the jewel thief was facing.
“⸺,” retorted Kirk. “They look mighty sick beside this.”
He fumbled in an inside pocket and brought out something wrapped in tissue paper. He unwound the paper and held up a glorious necklace. A streak of sunlight, pouring through a tiny window, struck sparkles that dazzled the prospector’s eyes.
“Mighty pretty,” agreed Teagler. “Got any ideas how you’re goin’ to get rid of it?”
“Plenty,” answered Kirk. “That’ll be easy. Curse my luck, though! Think of running into a radio outfit up here.”
His hands trembled as he returned the necklace to its wrappings and then to his pocket.
“I don’t want your ⸺ nuggets,” he said.
His gaze seemed drawn back irresistibly to the cans in the corner.
“Don’t suppose there’s another radio outfit in a hundred miles,” he snarled.
Teagler smiled slightly.