“It was Jim Barrows,” she told herself. “He didn’t want me to see him—that’s why he ran away.”
CHAPTER XVI
The Roundup
Connie spent a half hour searching the streets for the man, and finally abandoned the hunt. It was early afternoon by the time she reached Rainbow Ranch. Lefty met her by the corral gate.
“Well, how did the guests like the cliff dwellings?” she inquired cheerfully.
“Blakeman never took ’em there,” the cowboy reported. “Instead they went for a ride down to the Rainbow River.”
“But there’s nothing to see on that trail!” Connie exclaimed. “It’s just a tiresome, dusty ride! Why didn’t he take the party to the cliffs as he was supposed to do?”
“Guess he wanted to be contrary,” Lefty replied. “He never has cottoned to this dude idea. Can you stand some more bad news, Connie?”
“I’ve had so much already, I’m getting hardened to it. What is it this time? You didn’t pitch Cecil in the lake again?”
“No, he’s been real decent to me ever since that duckin’.”
“What is the bad news, Lefty?”