“Malvene said he was so drunk that they loaded him into the stage at the
stable. Let me know if I can help yuh in any way, Brick.”
“Yuh never can tell,” replied Brick. “Much obliged.”
Buck sauntered back to the door, and Brick turned to the girl.
“Was Dale drunk when you saw him last night?”
“No. I did not see him take a drink during the evening.”
Brick scratched his head thoughtfully and nodded.
“Thank yuh, ma’am. I’m sure obliged to yuh, and that’s a fact. _Adios._”
Brick walked straight to a roulette layout, where Tony Lynch was
spinning the wheel for a lone customer, Curley Klein. Klein looked up at
Brick, watched Tony rake in the bet and walked away. Brick watched him
stop at the poker table and then turned to Tony.
“Did you see Grant Dale drunk last night, Tony?”
The gambler thoughtfully rubbed his forehead, but shook his head
quickly.
“No, I didn’t, Brick. I heard—danged if I don’t believe it was——”