Connie Carl at Rainbow Ranch Page 14

  CHAPTER XIV

  A Telltale Handkerchief

  "Good old Jim!" murmured Connie gratefully as she saw the rider comingup the trail. "He's saved our lives."

  Lefty hurried down the path to meet the man and help him with thehorses.

  "Everything all right?" asked Jim as he rode up. "I was worried when Ifound your ponies on the trail. I thought you knew how to tie a rope,Lefty."

  Ignoring the thrust, the cowboy asked quickly:

  "Where did you find the hosses, Jim?"

  "Down the trail about half a mile. Couldn't figure how they all brokeaway."

  "They didn't break loose," Lefty answered grimly. "Someone untied 'ema-purpose. You didn't see anyone on the trail?"

  Jim Barrows shook his head.

  "How did you happen to be over this way yourself?" Lefty askedcuriously. "I thought you were wranglin' steers for Blakeman today."

  Jim Barrow's eyes narrowed.

  "You're not hintin' I turned those horses loose----"

  "Now don't get touchy, Jim," Lefty said quickly. "'Course I wasn'thintin' at anything like that. I just asked a civil question."

  "I came over this way today because I thought something might go wrong."

  "Your bones sort of told you?"

  "Well, I had a feeling. And it turns out I was right."

  Lefty made no reply as he followed Jim up the trail, but he studied theman intently.

  Connie had not heard the talk between the two cowboys. She greeted Jimwarmly.

  "What happened to you, Miss Connie?" he asked in astonishment, observingher bedraggled appearance.

  "Oh, we had a little accident," she answered vaguely. "We're certainlygrateful to you, Jim, for bringing our horses."

  The man dismounted and helped the school teachers into the saddle.Unnoticed by all save Connie, a blue bandanna handkerchief dropped fromhis pocket. She thought that he would pick it up, but after the othermembers of the party had started down the trail, he rode after them,leaving the handkerchief lying on the ground.

  As Connie rode past the spot, she reached low and swept it up. She wouldnot have given it a second glance save that it reminded her of thehandkerchief which the masked bandit had worn the night he robbed her ofher rodeo earnings.

  There was nothing unusual about a blue bandanna, however, for manycowboys carried them. Yet as Connie folded the bit of cloth she noticedthat two initials had been stamped in one corner. But they were not theletters which the girl might have expected to see.

  "'J. R.'," she mused, "that doesn't seem right. Jim's last name doesn'tbegin with an 'R.'"

  Connie carefully examined the letters again to make certain that she hadnot mistaken a "B" for an "R."

  "It's an 'R' all right," she decided. "Why should Jim be carrying ahandkerchief marked like this unless he's passing under an assumedname?"

  Connie had intended to return the handkerchief to the man, but now shethrust it into her pocket, and when she rode alongside a few minuteslater, made no mention of finding it.

  The girl did not know what to think. It was possible, of course, thatJim had come into possession of another person's handkerchief and wasusing it as his own. But that did not seem probable.

  "Perhaps Blakeman was right about the man," Connie reflected. "From thevery first he believed that Jim had a past."

  Upon reaching the ranch, Cecil immediately inquired for his father.Learning that Mr. Grimes had not returned from the fishing trip, hedisappeared to his room.

  Connie changed her own clothing and then went to talk with ForestBlakeman. He had heard the story of the mishap from Helena, a versionwhich strongly favored her brother.

  "I take it you're discharging Lefty?" the foreman inquired.

  "No," Connie replied, "he acted rashly, but it wasn't entirely hisfault. Cecil had the ducking coming to him."

  "If you'll excuse me for saying it, you're making a mess of this ranch,"Blakeman told her bluntly. "I was against this dude idea from the first,but since you brought guests here, I don't believe in cooking up damagesuits."

  "Cecil wasn't hurt."

  "He may claim differently. Miss Connie, the best thing you can do is tosell this ranch before the bank takes it over."

  "I don't know of anyone who would buy it."

  "If your price was right I might be able to find you a buyer," Blakemansaid quickly. "But you couldn't expect any fancy figure."

  "Who is your prospect?"

  "Well, I'm not at liberty to say. But if you'd take, say five thousanddollars, I think I could swing the deal. That would pay off your banknote and give you something clear."

  "This ranch is worth three times that amount at least," Connie replied."I'll never sell unless I'm compelled to do it."

  "If you wait very long you'll miss your chance," Blakeman warned. "Thebank may sell you out, and then you'll get even less."

  Connie made no reply but turned away. She had seen Jim Barrows crossingthe courtyard and wished to talk with him. The foreman followed hergaze.

  "If you'd give me a free hand I'd send that fellow on his way," hedeclared.

  "What do you know about Jim Barrows?" Connie questioned, pausing again.

  "I told you what I thought of him the other day. They're saying in townthat you've taken a fugitive from justice to shelter."

  "Who said a thing like that?" Connie asked sharply.

  "Why, it's common talk. If you weren't so blind you could see foryourself that he's not a square shooter."

  "You don't really have any evidence against him?"

  "I can't prove that he's wanted by the law--no. But I do know he's nohand for us. Why, today, he was supposed to be wrangling steers, and hewalked off from the job."

  "It was lucky for me that he did," Connie said ruefully. "But I thinkI'll have a talk with him."

  "Don't expect him to break down and tell you his life history," Blakemansaid with a trace of sarcasm. "He won't do it. The only thing I'd tellhim would be to get out."

  Connie did not answer. After the foreman had gone to the barn she stoodby the corrals lost in thought. She did not know what she could say toJim Barrows. Perhaps she might return the handkerchief and ask him toexplain the initials.

  Connie had seen the man disappear into the bunk house and she knew thatthe other cowboys were busy elsewhere. This would be her opportunity totalk with him alone.

  She walked slowly toward the bunk house, dreading the interview. Thedoor was half ajar.

  As Connie paused, hesitating to rap, she saw Jim Barrows move across theroom. He had not heard her approach. There was something about hismanner which struck Connie as odd. Instead of rapping on the door, shewaited and watched.

  Barrows glanced out the window toward the barn, and then he crossed overto a battered chest which stood near Blakeman's bunk. The box belongedto the foreman, Connie knew, for she had heard Lefty joking about howBlakeman always kept his love letters locked in it.

  To the girl's amazement, Barrows took a handful of keys from his pocket.He selected one and fitted it into the lock.

  Connie had seen quite enough. She pushed open the door of the bunkhouse.

  Jim Barrows whirled about and his hand went instinctively to his hippocket. Connie noted the gesture and her lips tightened.

  "Oh, it's you, is it?" the man laughed, relaxing.

  "You were afraid it was Blakeman," Connie replied coldly. "Jim Barrows,may I ask what you are doing?"

  "I guess you can see for yourself, Miss. I was trying to open thischest."

  "Forest Blakeman's chest," Connie supplied.

  "I reckon you're right." Jim Barrows grinned arrogantly.

  "Why were you trying to open his chest?"

  "Well, I just had a sudden itch to find out what was inside. Prying intothings is a weakness of mine."

  "It seems to be," Connie answered scornfully. "Jim Barrows, there are anumber of things which you might explain."

  She took the blue handkerchi
ef from her pocket, offering it to him.

  "You dropped this on the trail and I picked it up," she told him. "Is ityours?"

  "It must be if you saw me drop it," he returned amiably.

  "This may seem very amusing to you, but I don't see anything funny aboutit," Connie said, her anger rising. "This handkerchief happens to bemarked with the initials 'J. R.' Perhaps you can explain that."

  The expression of the man's face changed. He took the handkerchief fromConnie, staring at the telltale markings.

  "Barrows isn't your real name, is it?" Connie demanded.

  "No," the man admitted after a long hesitation.

  "Then tell me what it is."

  "I can't do that."

  "You're wanted by the law!" Connie accused.

  "Do I look like a criminal?" the man countered, a faint smile playingover his lips.

  "I believe you've been acting a part ever since you came here!" Conniewent on indignantly. "That day I found you on the trail--I don't believeyou were sick at all. You pretended you were broke and out of work, butI notice you have plenty of money now."

  "You are very observing," the man replied very quickly.

  "I've been very blind."

  "I'll set your mind at rest upon one point. I am not a fugitive from thelaw."

  "Then why are you using a name other than your own?"

  "I have a very good reason--one which I cannot reveal."

  "For all I know you may be the man who held me up at Eagle Pass," Conniecontinued heatedly. "That's what Blakeman tried to tell me----"

  "Oh, so you've been listening to him?"

  "By your own admission you have good reason not to use your true name."

  "And it is a good reason," the man returned with emphasis. "Connie, Iwant you to promise that you'll not say anything to Blakeman aboutthis."

  "Why should I protect you? You've given me no explanation for trying tobreak into his chest. In fact----"

  Connie's voice trailed off for just at that moment Lefty appeared in thedoorway. He looked quickly from one to the other. But he gave noindication that he had overheard the conversation.

  "Connie," he said significantly, "Mr. Grimes has been talking withCecil. He wants to see you right away."

  "I'll come," said the girl wearily.

  She faced Jim Barrows once more. "There are still several things I wishto say to you," she told him gravely. "We'll finish our conversationafter I have seen Mr. Grimes."