"At Granny's. By the way, here's the letter from the school."
He took the letter from an inside pocket and handed it over. Bill Ellis accepted it, but it seemed unimportant.
"If you won't run," he said, "get to Granny's and get your gun while darkness lasts. Don't go anywhere again without it."
"But—"
"Do as I say and—" there was a definite note of fear in Bill Ellis' voice—"don't tell anybody I told you."
He turned and walked swiftly away, as though the peddler had suddenly become an outcast or tainted being with whom he must not have further contact. Jeff stood a moment, completely bewildered. Why this unexpected warning? What had come into the hills since he'd left for Ackerton? Why was Bill Ellis afraid?
Jeff called softly, "Bill."
The constable waited. Jeff trotted to him.
"Tell me some more."
"I've told you enough. Don't go out unless you can protect yourself. I can do nothing for you, and the best thing you can do is run."