The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-05-18
CHAPTER Vl-Continued
loYRlCHT ~ LOUIS OOSEfr kAbcE

AAe NISIAIdu put dSluS Tue pdpol
and offered Doggott the blank cheQue
on Rothschilds'. This" he said.
makes you pretty nearly independent
ly rich, Doggott."
Yes, sir" Doggott took the slip Of
paper in a hand that trembled even as
his voice, and eyed 1t incredulously.
I've never 'ad anything like this be-
fore, sir; l 'ardly know what It
means"
1T MEANS" explained Amber, that,
when you've filed in that blank and
had the money collected from the
Rothschilds, you'll be worth-with
what cash is herein the neighbor.
hood of forty-five thousand pounds
sterling"
Doggott gasped, temporarily mar
ticulate. "Forty-hve thousands pounds!
=. Mr.. Amber" he declared earn
estly, II never looked for nothin' like
this. II never-I-" Quite without
warning he was quiet and composed
again. Might | ask 1t of you as a
favor. sir, to look after this'-he Of
fered to return the cheQue-"for a
while, till I can myke up my mind
what to do with It,"
Certainly" Amber took the paper,
folded 1t and placed It in his card
case. I'D suggest that you deposit
II as 500 as possible in q New York
bank for collection. In the meantime,
these bills are yours; you'd better
take care Of them yourself until you
open the banking account"
It'll keep as well in ere as any
where's" Doggott considered, relock-
ing the box. Il 'aven't 'ardly any use
for money, except, of course, to tide
me w till I find another position"
What" exclaimed Amber In
amaze.
Yes, sir" affirmed Doggott respect
fully. I'm a bit too old to chynge
my w'ys; a valet I've been all my
life and a valet III die, sir. It's too
lyte to think Of anything else"
But with this money, Doggott-'
Beg pardon, sir, but l know; 1
could live easy Ike a gentleman If I
liked-but l wouldn't be a gentleman,
so what's the use of that? So the wye
I look at It, there's naught for nee but
60 on yaleting until I'm too old; after
hat tie moneyn BE- u comfort, I
dares'y. Don't you think so.
SIP"
Il believe you're right, Doggott;
only your c-ommOn-sense surprises me.
Put it makes It easier in a way. :"
Amber fell thoughtful again.
lows that, sir-if l my ask?"
This way" said Amber: Before
he died, Mr.. Rutton asked m to do
him a service. l agreed. He sug-
gested that l take you with me-"
I'm ready, sir" interrupted Dog
gott eagerly, There's no gentleman
I'd like 70 valet for better than your
self"
Put there Will be dangers, Dog
gott-I don't know precisely what.
That's the rub; we'll have to travel
halfway round the world and face I'M
known perils. If Mr.. Rutton were
right about 1t, we'll be lucky to get
away with our lives"
I'll go, sir; It was is wish. I'll
go with you to India, Mr.. Amber"
Very we'll. ." Amber spoke
abstraCtedly, reviewing his plans.
But" he ~enquired suddenly, 81 didn't
mention India. How did you know
WHY suppose I must ave
guessed It, sir. 1t seemed so likely,
knowing what | do about Mr.. Rutton."
Amber sat silent, unable to bring
himself to put a single question In re-
gard TO the dead mans a~ntecedents.
But after a pause the servant contin-
ued voluntarily.
"He always 'ad q deal to do with
persons who anne from India-nig-
gers-I mean, natives. 1t didn't much
matter where we'd be-London or
Paris or Berlin or ROme-they'd unit
i'm up; some ed give money TO and
they'd go aw'y: others ed be locked
up with in is study for hours, talking,
talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the
same one twice. r 'ated EN- all, Mr..
Rutton did. And yet, sir, I always
'ad a suspicion"
DOgSoJL HeSltdte0, lowered MS voice,
his gaze shifting uneasily to the still.
%shrouded figure in the corner.
WHAT" demanded Amber tenEely.
81 alw'ys thought per'aps e was
what we call in England a man Of
color. 'imself, sir"
"Doggott."
81 don't mean no arm, sir; It was
Just their 'ounding him, like, and Is
being a dark-complected man the
syme as them, and speakin' their Ian
guage so ready, that made me think
II. At least e might ave 'ad a little
OF their blood In i'm, sir. Things d
see u~naccountable otherwise" con-
cluded Doggott vaguely.
Its impossible" cried Amber.
Yes. sir; at least, l mean I 'ope so,
sir. Not that It'd myke any difference
to me, the wye felt towards i'm. ID
was a gentleman. white or black. I'd
We died for I'm any d'y."
"Doggott!" The virginian had risen
and was pacing excitedly to VI fro.
"Doggott! don't ever repeat n word