Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-08-24
CHAPTER v. (contInued).

OhNoOhAy ASdbIOu btdl C0u anu WutCl-
ed round, every trace of excitement
emoothed away. Meeting Amber's
gaze he nodded as II casually, and
said, ooh. Amber" quietly, with an
effect Of faint surprise. Then he
dropped heavily into a 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 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 fled 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. Il 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 a dog" he
said, "whimpering and disappearing
in the face of eternity out
there in the cold and the night. p.
1t was sickening-the sound Of the
bullets tearing through his flesh. :"
He shuddered.
Didn't he resist?" Amber asked in
voluntarily.
He tried to. / let him pop away
with his revolver until it was empty.
What made you wait?"
II didn't care; 1t didn't matter. One
of US had to die tonight; he should
have known that when | refused to
accompany him back to !
was hungry for his bullet more than
for his life; I gave him every chance.
But 1t had to be as 1t was. That was
Fate"
With a wrench Amber pulled him
self together. "Rutton," he demanded
suddenly, without generalization,
what are you going to do?"
"Do?" Rutton looked up, his eyes
perplexed. why, what is there to do?
Get away as best I can, I presume
seek another hole to hide in"
But how about the law?"
THE law? Why need 1t ever be
known-what has happened tonight?
! a count on your silence I have
no need to ask. Doggott would die
rather than betray me. He and I 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 Inn
mediately after"
You'd better take no chances"
Suddenly Rutton smote the table
with his fist. by Indur!" he swore
strangely, his voice quavering with
Joy; 7 had not thought of that!" He
jumped up and began to move excited
ty to and fro. Il am free! None but
you and ! know Of the passing Of the
Token and the delivery of the mes
sage--none a possibly know for
days, perhaps weeks. For SO much
time at least ! am In no danger Of"
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 the
door in the partition, and IL was open
ed gently. Doggott appeared on the
threshold, pale and caTeworn. Rut-
ton paused, facing him.
We'll"
ANY orders, sir7"
"Yas; begin packing up. We leave
tomorrow"
Very good, sir"
Rut,on repienished the fire and
stood with his back to 1t, smiling al
most happily. All evidence Of remorse
had disappeared "Freei" he cried soft-
~. "And by the simplest OF solutions.
Strange that l should never have
thought before tonight Of He
glanced c~arelessly toward the win
dow; and it was as If his lips had
been wiped clean of speech
Amber turned, thrilling, his flesh
creeping with the horror that he had
OWNED in Rutton's transfixed gaze.
Outside the glass, that was lightly
wilvaraS with frost. something mnvad--