"Do you think that would have an effect on Bobby Cole?"
He nodded gravely.
"You and she have something in common: an enemy."
"He has been here tonight? You mean that Hilton is my enemy in the sense that he may imperil the future of the H C?"
"The same, ma'am."
"Reverend, it is likely that you are right. I am beginning to see a connection between factors which have seemed to be unrelated."
He started to speak but a shout checked him. They listened to a confusion of voices.
"Something's wrong," Beal said and stepped to the veranda. "Why ... somebody's hurt!"
Jane ran to the doorway but he had already started up the path. She followed as she saw a close huddle of men about the lighted doorway of the bunk house move slowly in, carrying a burden gently and as she neared the building a rather tragic quiet marked the group.
Nigger, Two-Bits' horse, was standing saddled in the path of light. Inside a man was lying face down on the floor. The Reverend knelt beside him, leaning forward, and others stood close, silent and grave.