Billie was about to quote Kit’s opinion concerning Singleton’s ranch force, when she was halted by a strange thing––for Billie; it was merely the mild steady gaze of the quiet gentleman of the peaceful league of the neutrals. There was a slight lifting of his brows as she spoke of a warning; and then a slight suggestion of a smile––it might have been a perfectly natural incredulous smile, but Billie felt that it was not. The yellowish brown eyes narrowed until only the pupils were visible, and warm though the day was, Billie felt a swift chill over her, and her words were cautious.
“I can’t say, I don’t know, but Kit Rhodes had no grudge against Papa Phil. He seemed in some way to be sorry for him.”
She noted that Conrad’s gaze was on the face of Mr. James instead of on her.
“Sorry for him?”
“Y-yes, sort of. He tried to explain why, but Papa would not listen, and would not make any engagement with him. Sent his money by Captain Pike and wouldn’t see him. But Kit Rhodes did not make a threat, he did not!”
Her last denial was directly at Conrad, who merely shrugged his shoulders as if to dispose of that awkward phase of the matter.
“It was told me so, but the Mexican men might not have understood the words of Rhodes––he was in a rage––and it may be he did not mean so much as he said.”
“But he didn’t say it!” insisted Billie.
“Very good, he did not, and it is a mistake of mine,” agreed Conrad politely. “For quite awhile I was unconscious after his assault, naturally I know nothing of what was said.”
“And where is this man Rhodes to be found?” asked the coroner, and Conrad smiled meaningly.