The Huttig news., 1911-06-03


 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- 'pg the box T avent ardly any use for money, except, of course. to tide me over till l find another Tosi iCn." What" exclaimed Amber in amaze.
 Yes. sir affirmed Deggott respect fully I'm a bit too old to cbynge nay w'ys; valet I've been all my life and valet I'll die, sir. It's tco lyte to think Of anything else"
 But with this money Doggott-"
 Beg pardon, sir. but 1 know; I could live easy like a gentleman If liked-but I wouldn't be 8 gentleman, so what's the use of that? So the wye look at it. there's naught for me but go on valeting until I'm too old; after that the money1l be comfort I dares'y. Don't you think SO. sir f''
 T believe you're right. Doggost; only your common-sense surprises me. But it makes 1t easier in way Amber fell thoughtful again.
 'Ow's that, sir-if my ask?'
 This wsy." said Amber: "Eefere he died, Mir. Button asked me to do him a service. l agreed He sng- gested that l take you wi;b me"
 I'm ready, sir" Interrupted Dog gott eagerly. There's no gentleman I'd like to valet for better than yoar- self"
 "But 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 n. known rerils If MT. Rutton were right about 1t. we'll be lucky to get away with our lives
 "Iill go, sir; 1t was IS wi h. I'll go with you to India. MT Amber"
 Very we'll. Amber sro|e abstractedly, reviewing his plars But he enquired suddenly. FI di mt mention India How did you know" "Why-I suppose I must ave guessed it, sir. It seemed so likely. knowing what I do about MT. Rutton.' = Amber sat silent. unable to bring himself to put a single question in re- gard to the dead mans antecedents. But after a pause the servant contin- ued voluntarily.
 He always 'ad a deal to do with persons who came from India-n g gers- mean, natives. It didn't much matter where we'd bs-Loneon ol Paris or Berlin or Rome-they'd 'un i'm up; some ed give money to Sn' they'd go awy; others ed be locked up with in Is study for hours, tallir g talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the same one twice. E 'ated 'em all Nr. Rutton did And yet sir. I always 'ad a suspicion
 Doggott hesitated lowered his voice, his gaze shifting uneasily to the still, shrouded figure in the corner.
 "What?" demanded Amber tensely. 'I alw'ys thought per'aps e was what we call in England man Of color, imself. sir"
 "Doggott,"
 .I don't mean no arm. sir; 1t was just their 'ounding him, like. and is being a dark-complected man tfe syme as them. and speakin' their 'sn- guage so ready that made me thik it. At least e might ave ad lit Q of their blood in i'm. sir. Thing d seem unaccountablo otherwise con cluded Doggott vaguely.
 It's impossble," cried Amber.
 "Yes, sir: at least. I n can I ope SO. sir. Not that it'd myke any differ nc ? to me. the wye felt towards i'm. Fl was a gentleman, white or black. I'd we died for i'm any dy.'
 .'Doggott." The virginian had ri-en and was pacing excjtedy y to and fro "Doggott. don't ever repeat one word of this to man or woman-whi'e you're faithful to the memory of MT. Rutton"
 The servant stared. visibly i'm pressed. Very good. Mr. Amber TM remember. sir I don't ordinarily gcs- sip. sir; but you and him being so thick. and everything 'appenipg to- night so 'orrible, I forgot myself. 'ope yon'll excuse me, sir"
 God in heaven." cried the yourg man hoarsely. It can't be true,a He flung himself into his chair, burving his face in his hands Ut can't!'
 Yet irresistiblv the conviction was being forced uron him that Dcggott had surmlsed arighr. Circumstance S backed mp circumstance within hts, knowledge of or his experience with the man, all seeming 10 prove ineoH- testably the truth of what al the fl st blush had seemed so incredible What did he, Amber, know of Ruttons rar- eDtage or history that would refIte the calm belief of the body-servant of the dead man?
 And then Amber's intelligence was smitten by thought as by club; and he began to tremb.e violently, un- controllably. being weakened by fa- tigue and the strain of that endless, terrible night. A strangled cry es- capped him without his knowledge: "Sophia"
 Sophia Farrell, the woman he had x,rCp,fcad fO utod nov ovap tha urof,, ',