The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-05-04

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finger to his lips; and with a discre-
ton bred of long knowledge Of his
masters temper, tiptoed through into
the back room and shut the door.
Amber respected the admonition
throughout a wait that seemed end
less.
Suddenly Rutton started and wheel
ed round. every trace OF excitement
smoothed away. Meeting Amber's
gaze he nodded as II casually, and
said, "Oh. Amber" quietly. with an
effect Of faint surprise. Then he
dropped heavily into q chair By the
table.
Well" he said slowly, that ID
over"
Amber, without speaking, went to
his side and touched his shoulder with
that pitifully inadequate gesture OF
sympathy which men SO frequently
employ.
Il 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 en- automatic pistol
from his pocket, opening the maya
zine, Five cartridges remained IN
the clip, showing that two had been
exploded. Il was not sure" he said
thoughtfully, how many times l had
fired" His curiosity satisfied, he re-
loaded the weapon and returned II to
HIS pocket. He died like a dog" he
said, "whimpering and disappearing
In the face Of eternity out
there In the cold and the night. 9.
1t was sickening-the sound OF the
bullets tearing through his flesh. E"
He shuddered.
Didn't he resist7" Amber asked In
voluntarily.
He tried to. I let him pop away
with his revolver until II was empty.
Their ="
What made you waltz"
Il didn't care; It didn't matter. One
OF us had to die tonight, he should
have known hat when ! refused to
accompany him back to /
was hungry for HIS bullet more than
for his life; I gave him every chance.
But It had to be as It was. That was
Fate"
With a wrench Amber pulled him.
self together. "Rutton," he demanded
suddenly, without generalization.
what are you going to dor"
HDo0r Duftop lnolad ~ bto ayaa
perplexed. Why, what is there to dof
Get away as best ! can, l presume
seek another hole to hide IN"
But how about the law"
The law? Why need IL ever be
known-what has happened tonight
I car 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 mt upon
the ground. You will go your way In
the morning. Wen clear out i'm
mediately after"
You'd better take no chances"
Suddenly Rutton smote the table
with his fist. by Induri" he swore
strangely, his voice Quavering with
Joy; Il had not thought Of thati" He
jumped up and began to nov excited
ly TO and fro. y 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 so much
time at least I am in no danger or
He shut his mouth like a trap ON
words that might have enlightened
Amber.
"Of what?"
Let me see: there are still waste
places In the world where a 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.
ed gently. Doggott appeared on the
threshold, pale and Rut'
ton paused, facing him.
"Well?"
ANY orders, sir7"
yes; begin packing up. We leave
tomorrow"
Very good, sir"
Rutton replenished tho Are knd
stood with his back 10 II, smiling al
most happily. All evidence of remorss
had disappeared Free" he cried soft
ly. And by the simplest OF solutions
Strange that I should I'VE have
thought before tonight Of" He
glanced carelessly toward the win
dow; and 1t was as II his lips had
been wiped clean Of speech.
Amber turned, thrilling, his flesh
creeping with the horror that he had
OWNED In Rutton's transfxed gaze.
Outside the glass. that was lightly
silvered with frost, something moved
the spectral shadow of a turbaned
head-moved and wa stationary fol
the space Of 20 hsartbeats. Beneath
the turban Amber seemed TO see two
eyes, wide staring and terribly alight
Cod" cried Rutton thiokly. jerking
forth his pistol.
The shadow vanished.
HYAA --- 49,