The Raymer enterprise., 1911-08-10
CHAPTER v. tcon.lnu.d).

CHAPTER v. (contlnusd).
Suddenly Rutton started I'D wheel
ed round. every trace Of excitement
smoothed away. Meeting Amber's
gaze he nodded a. II casually, and
said. "oh. Amber quietly. with an
effect Of faint surprise. Then he
dropped heavily into chair by the
table.
Well" he said slowly, that Is
over"
Amber. without speaking. went to
his side and touched his shoulder with
that pitifully inadequate gesture Of
sympathy which men 20 frequently
employ.
II killed him." said Rutton duly.
YES" replied Amber. He was not
surprised; he had apprehended the
tragedy from the moment that Rutton
had fed him.
After a bit Rutton turned to the
table and drew an automatic pistol
from his pocket, opening the maya
zine. Five cartridges remained in
the clip, showing that two had been
exploded. II was not sure" he said
thoughtfully. ''how many times / had
fired" His curiosity satisfied. he re-
loaded the weapon and returned It to
his pocket. HE died like dog" he
said. "whimpering and blaspheming
In the face of eternity out
there in the cold and the night {.
1t was sickening-the sound Of the
bullets tearing through his flesh. :"
He shuddered.
Didn't he resist7' Amber asked in.
Voluntarily.
He tried to. lot him pop away
With his revolver until It was empty.
Then !"
What made you waltz"
Il didn't care; It didn't matter. Ono
Of US had to die tonight: he should
have known that when refused to
accompany him back 10 I
was hungry for his bullet more than
for bis life: I gave him every chance.
But It had to be a II was. That was
Fate"
With . wrench Amber pulled him.
self together. "Rutton," he demanded
suddenly. without premeditation.
what are you going to do,"
"Dof" Rutton looked up, his eyes
perplexed. why. what Is there to do,
Get away as best l can, I presume
seek another hole to hide In"
"But how about tho lawf''
"The law7 Why need It ever be
known-what has happened tonight?
can count on your silence I have
no need to ask. Doggott would die
rather than betray me. He and can
dispose Oft No one comes here
at this time Of the year save hunting
parties: and their eyes are not upon
the ground. You will go your way in
the morning. Well clear out i'm.
mediately after"
You'd better take no chances"
Suddenly Rutton smote the table
with his ilst. by Indur!" he swore
strangely. his voice quavering with
Joy; II had not thought Of thatl" He
Jumped up and began to move excited.
ly to and fro. n am free! None but
you and know Of the passing Of the
Token and the delivery Of the mes.
sage-none can possibly know for
days. perhaps weeks. For 80 much
time at least am in no danger Of"
He shut his mouth like trap on
words that might have enlightened
Amber.
"of whatr'
let me see: there are still waste
places in the world where . man
may lose himself There's Canada-
the Hudson bay region. Labrador.
A discreet knock sounded on tho
door in the partition, and II was open.
cd gently. Dosgott appeared on the
threshold. pale and careworn. Rut.
ton paused. facing him
4 "Well?"
ANY orders. sir?"
"Yes: begin packing up. We leave
tomorrow"
"very good. SIR"
Rutton replenished the IRE and
stood with his back To It. smiling al.
most happily. All evidence Of remorss
had disappeared "Free!" he cried soft.
~. "And by the simplest Of solutions.
Strange that should never have
thought before tonight Of" He
glanced carelessly toward the win.
dow; and It was q II his lips had
essn wiped clean Of speech.
Amber turned. thrilling. his flesh
creeping with the horror that be had
OWNED in Rutton's transnxed case.
Outside the glass. that was lightly