“Mr. Blakeman, I don’t understand you at all. I came here because I wished to see if Jim Barrows had taken anything from the bunk house. He went off a few minutes ago in the car after we had a rather unpleasant talk together.”
The foreman’s countenance underwent a swift change.
“Barrows has gone for good?” he questioned. “Well, I’m glad you discharged him.”
“Apparently I was wrong about him and you were right,” Connie admitted ruefully. “He stole the ranch car. I don’t know what we’ll do without one.”
“Have you notified the sheriff?”
“Lefty went to Red Gulch to do it.”
“Maybe it’s just as well not to press the matter,” the foreman said thoughtfully. “We’re rid of Barrows and that’s something.”
“That doesn’t bring the car back—or my money if he really did take it. Somehow it’s hard to believe——”
“Now don’t start cooking up sentiment over that worthless fellow,” Blakeman interrupted quickly. “You have enough troubles without worrying over him.”
“You’re quite right there, Mr. Blakeman.”