Like a treadmill, his mind went over and over the meager knowledge he had of the tragedy.

He could not bring himself to believe Aleck Douglas guilty of the murder; yet he could not believe anything else.
Johnny Croft, it had been proven at the inquest, rode out from town alone, bent on mischief, if vague, half-drunken threats meant anything.
He had told more than one that he was going to the Lazy A, but it was certain that no one had followed him from town.

His threats had been for the most part directed against Carl, it is true; but if he had meant to quarrel with Carl, he would have gone to the Bar Nothing instead of the Lazy A.

Probably he had meant to see both Carl and Aleck, and had come here first, since it was the nearest to town.
As to enemies, no one had particularly liked Johnny.

He was not a likeable sort; he was too "mouthy" according to his associates.