The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-04-06
CHAPTER ".
The Man Perdu.

The Man Pcrdu.
A shadow swept swiftly across one
Of the windows, and the stranger at
the door was aware Of a slight jar
ring, as though some more than ordin-
arily brutal gust of wind had shaken
the house upon its foundation, or an
inner door had been slammed VIC
lently. But otherwise he had so little
evidence that his summons had fallen
on aught but empty walls or deaf ears
that he had begun to debate his right
to enter without permission, when a
chain ratified, a bolt grated, and the
door swung wide. A food Of radiance
together with a gust of heated air
struck him in the face. Dazzled, he
reeled across the threshold.
Three PAGES within the room, Amber
paused, waiting for his eyes TO adjust
themselves to the light. Vaguely con
scious Of a presence behind him, he
faced another-the slight, spare sill
houette of q mans figure between him
and the lamp; and at the same time
felt that he was being subjected to
a close scrutiny-both searching and,
at it's outset, the reverse of hospitable.
But he had no more than become SEN
sitive to this han the man before
stepped quickly forward and with two
strong hands clasped his shoulders.
David Amber!" he heard his name
pronounced in a voice ~singularly
resonant and pleasant. 80 you've
u me to earth at last!"
h-nhorI, Fooo AIa-l -s4L a.
credulity as he recognized the speak
er. "Rutton!" he stammered. "Rut-
ton-why-by all that's strange!"
Guilty" said the other with a quiet
laugh. But sit down" He swung
Amber about, gently guiding him to a
chair. you look pretty well lone up.
How long have you been out in this
internal night? But never mind an
swering; l can wait. Doggott!"
Eyes, sir"
Take Mr.. Amber's coat and boots
and bring him my dressing gown and
slippers"
Eyes, sir"
And a hot toddy and something to
eat-and be quick about It,"
Very good, sir"
Rutton's body-servant moved noise
lessly to Amber's side, deftly helping
him remove his shooting jacket,
whereon snow had caked in thin and
brittle sheets. His eyes, grey and
shallow, fickered recognition and
%softened, but he did not speak In an
~ticipation of Amber's kindly Good
evening. Doggott." To which he re-
sponded quietly: Good evening, Mr..
Amber. It's a pleasure to see you
again. I trust you are we'll"
Quite, thank o And you?"
I'm very fit, thank you, sir"
"And'-Amber sat down again, Dog.
gott kneeling at his feet to unlace and
remove his heavy pigskin hunting
boots--"and your brother?"
For a moment the man did not an
swer. His head was lowered so that
his features were invisible, but a
dull, warm flush overspread his
cheeks.
"And your brother, Doggott?"
I'm sorry. sir, about that; but 1t
was Mr.. Rutton's orders" muttered
the man.
You're talking Of the day you met
Doggott at Nokomis ststion2" inter.
posed his employer from the stand he
had taken at one side of the fireplace.
his back to the broad hearth where
on biased a grateful driftwood fire.
Amber looked up inQuiringly, nod
ding an unspoken Affirmative.
1T was my fault that he-er-pre-
varicated, I'm afraid; az he says, II
was by my order"
Rutton's expression was masked by
the shadows: Amber could make moth
ing OF hts curious ~reticence, and re-
NAMED silent, waiting a further 81.
PLANTATION. 1t came, presently, with IN
eject of embarrassment.
Il had-have peculiar reasons for
not Wishing my refuge here to be dis
covered. told Doggott to be care
hi, should no meet any one We knew.
Although. Of oevrss. neither OF VI an
ttctpatsA
II don't think DoSgott was any
mors d~ambfouadsd than l." said Am
Der. Il eoxiAn't believe he'd left you. |
~ II seemed impossible hat you
0hOVtl b ho9S-0f al Dlaso-in the