Rene had done him good service that day in bringing him there. Never again would he submit to the bully. Never again would he tolerate even the man’s authority. Pideau was just a murderer. Something of which he had no personal fear.
No. In future they would be equals. Equals in council and in the traffic that gave them livelihood. Partners. Yes. He would even be a partner if it suited him. But——
He suddenly dropped on his knees and began to strip the body of the dead policeman.
The half-breed was still watching the entrance to the clearing with thoughts of pursuit troubling him. But at last he became aware of the boy, and the work he was engaged upon.
The Wolf looked up as a harsh laugh jarred the quiet of the summer day.
“You got hell beat a mile, kid,” Pideau cried, as their eyes met. “You certainly have. Of all the cool—— Say, you surely are the Wolf! Gee!”
The boy went on with his work.
“Sure,” he replied indifferently. “That’s how you always said.”
CHAPTER VI
PARTNERSHIP
THE Wolf had eyes only for the distance. He had a profound revolting for his companion, and all that in which he had found himself so amazingly involved. The cleanness of his boyish innocence had been badly fouled, and he would have given all he possessed to be able to forget.