And now Billy could see through his peephole that Jude started into life.
Jared gurgled assent.
"How is—she?"
"That's it, Jude. Now let's get down to business. Having to hide somewhere after that little unpleasantness down State, I ran up to St. Angé. Knowing the way about, it was a better place than some others, and I could keep from sight and find things out. I stopped at Laval's haunted shack." Billy shivered. "I kept clear of my place."
"Guess you wasn't disturbed none at Laval's," sneered Jude and he gave an unpleasant laugh.
"'Twas blasted cold, and I had the devil's time getting enough at night to keep me going by day; but I learned a heap, and I struck your gold mine all right, sonny."
"What you mean? Spit it out."
Billy crouched closer, and his breath came thick and fast.
"He's—left her!"