Connie had intended to return the handkerchief to the man, but now she thrust it into her pocket, and when she rode alongside a few minutes later, made no mention of finding it.
The girl did not know what to think. It was possible, of course, that Jim had come into possession of another person’s handkerchief and was using it as his own. But that did not seem probable.
“Perhaps Blakeman was right about the man,” Connie reflected. “From the very first he believed that Jim had a past.”
Upon reaching the ranch, Cecil immediately inquired for his father. Learning that Mr. Grimes had not returned from the fishing trip, he disappeared to his room.
Connie changed her own clothing and then went to talk with Forest Blakeman. He had heard the story of the mishap from Helena, a version which strongly favored her brother.
“I take it you’re discharging Lefty?” the foreman inquired.
“No,” Connie replied, “he acted rashly, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. Cecil had the ducking coming to him.”
“If you’ll excuse me for saying it, you’re making a mess of this ranch,” Blakeman told her bluntly. “I was against this dude idea from the first, but since you brought guests here, I don’t believe in cooking up damage suits.”
“Cecil wasn’t hurt.”
“He may claim differently. Miss Connie, the best thing you can do is to sell this ranch before the bank takes it over.”