CHAPTER XI
Wrangling Dudes
“That is a very dangerous statement to make unless you have proof,” Connie replied gravely.
“Jim Barrows’ bank roll is proof enough for me,” the foreman answered gruffly. “He knew you were carrying the prize money home with you, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” admitted Connie reluctantly.
“And where was he last night? No one saw him in town. He came back to the ranch about four o’clock this morning. His horse was just about done up.”
“The idea sounds ridiculous to me,” Connie said scoffingly. “I think you’re inclined to be entirely too suspicious, Mr. Blakeman.”
“All right,” retorted the foreman with a shrug. “I knew you wouldn’t believe me. But don’t say later that I didn’t warn you.”
After Blakeman had walked away, Connie stood for a long while gazing off toward the distant mountains. She knew perfectly well that the foreman bore Jim Barrows a grudge and would enjoy seeing him involved in trouble. For that reason she largely discounted his words.
Yet the accusation he had made served to arouse a certain distrust in her mind. Little things which had seemed insignificant before now took on greater importance.
It was true, as Blakeman had said, that Jim Barrows knew she intended to carry the rodeo prize money on her person. His sudden acquisition of a bank roll did seem rather strange. She was almost sure the man had been without funds when he first came to Rainbow Ranch.