The foreman made no reply, but turned and walked swiftly toward the barn. A few minutes later Connie saw him ride away down the road. It occurred to her as she watched the disappearing figure that in the past few days Blakeman had made many unexplained trips.
“I’d like to find out where he’s going,” she decided impulsively. “It may be a sneaking trick to follow, but that’s exactly what I shall do!”
Connie saddled Silvertail and without telling anyone of her purpose, rode in pursuit of Blakeman, taking care to keep a long distance behind him. In a very short time she was convinced that he was on his way to Red Gulch.
“He’s probably going there to buy nails or something of the sort,” the girl thought. “But since I’ve come this far I may as well keep on.”
Connie lagged even farther behind, for she did not wish the foreman to suspect that he was being trailed.
When she finally came into Red Gulch Blakeman was nowhere in sight, but she saw his mare tied up in front of the pool hall. Connie had no errands to occupy her time so she thought she would drop over to the doctor’s office.
“You should never ride in the rodeo,” he said to her after he had examined her shoulder. “But I know it’s no use to tell you that. So go ahead.”
“Thank you, doctor,” laughed Connie.
She left his office feeling in a much better mood. Suddenly she slackened her speed as she saw Forest Blakeman just ahead of her. He was entering the Norton Cafe. Connie was quite certain he had not seen her.
She walked slowly on, wondering whether or not to return to Rainbow Ranch. Although she had tied Silvertail on a side street, the foreman might see the horse. Then of course he would know that she had followed him unless she had a ready excuse for her trip to town.