"There is no home." The words fell dully from the girl. "He—he broke and destroyed everything before—he went to the Black Cat."
Gaston started.
"But he—did not know you came here? You see it will be in your favour, if they find you there among the ruins. I'll see to it—that they go and find you there. Can you walk now?"
"Yes, but—but you do not understand. The money—it was that I came to tell you about—Jude has a great deal of money—I think Mr. Drew has just sent it. He's going to—get away—with my—father."
Gaston now saw that no time must be wasted. If necessary he must carry Joyce, and set her down near her fallen shrine—then he must stop Jude. The money did not matter; but a frenzy of self-preservation, mingled with his desire to save Joyce, rose within him. The money was his hold on Jude; it was the only salvation for this critical moment.
Now that he faced the grim possibility, he found that he was as eager to preserve a clean future for himself as for her.
He must get her back. He must find Filmer, and he must lay hold of Jude.
"Come, Joyce, trust me, I swear to you that it will be all right."
He took her hand and led her toward the door. Then a confused noise outside stayed them.
There was a crushing of underbrush as if a light wagon was being driven over the narrow path; a mingling of voices rose excitedly.