One of the Mexicans recalled that Singleton had discharged an American foreman in anger, and that the man had been in a rage about it, and assaulted Mr. Conrad, whereupon Conrad was recalled, and acknowledged the assault with evident intent to kill. Yes, he heard the man Rhodes had threatened Singleton with a nastier accident than his attempt on Conrad. No, he had not heard it personally, as he was unconscious when the threat was made.
"It wasn't a threat!" interrupted Billie, "it was something different, a warning."
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.
"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."
"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.
"Nowhere,--or so I am told! He and a companion are said to have crossed the line into Sonora twenty-four hours before the death of Mr. Singleton."