Was he to lose her, after all?
He gave up trying to think, and fled for Stark's saloon, reasoning that where one was the other must be near, and there would surely be some word of Necia.

He burst through the door; a quick glance over the place showed it empty of those he sought, but, spying Poleon Doret, he dragged him outside, inquiring breathlessly: "Have you seen Gale ?" "Have you seen Stark?
Has he been about ?" "Yes, wan hour, mebbe two hour ago.

W'y?
Wat for you ask ?" "There's the devil to pay.

Those two have come together, and Necia is gone." "Necia gone ?" the Canadian jerked out.

"Wat you mean by dat?
Were she's gone to ?" "I don't know--nobody knows.