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

posed, aiNlost moD and stepping
TO the table he selected a cigarette
and rolled 1t gently between his slim
brown fingers. I'm sorry to have
alarmed you" he said, his tone a bit
too even not to breed a doubt in the
mind of his nearer. TITS nothing seri-
ous-a little trouble Of the heart, Of
long standing. incurable-I hope"
Perplexed. yes hesitating to press
him further, Amber watched him fur
lively. instinctively assured that he
tween this man and the Farrelis there
existed some extraordinary bond; won.
dering how that could be, convinced
in his soul that somehow the entan-
clement involved the woman he loved.
he still feared to put his supicions to
the question, lest he should learn that
which he had no right to know .
and while he watched was startled by
the change that came over Rutton. AT
ease, one moment, outwardly compos-
ed, If absorbed in thought, the next he
was rigid. every muscle taut, every
nerve tense as a steel spring. His
head terked back suddenly, his gaze
fixing itself first upon the window,
then shifting to the door. And his
fingers, contracting. tore the cigarette
In half.
"Rutton. what the deuce is the mat
teri"
Rutton seemed not to hear; Amber
got his answer from the door, which
uroC NJ uyAn anI ,1o~nr,aa uA,4
blast Of frosty air and a furry OF
snow swept across the room. And
against the door there leaned a man
putting for breath and coughing spas
modically-a gross and monstrous
bulk Of flesh, unclean and unwhole-
some TO the eye. attired in an extrav-
agant array OF colored garments,
tawdry silks and sstins clinging. sod,
den to his ponderous and unwieldy
limbs.
The babu!" cried Amber u~noonsci-
ously; and was rewarded by a fash
of recognition from the coal. black,
beady, evil eyes OF the man.
But for that involuntary exclama.
ton the tableau held unbroken for q
space: Rutton standing transhxed. the
torn halves OF the cigarette between
his fingers, his head we'll up and back,
his stare level. direct, unoompromis-
ing. a steady challenge to the In
truder.
Then, demanding Amber's silence
with an imperative movement of his
hand, Rutton spoke. Well, babuY"
he said quietly, the shadow OF a bitter
and weary smile curving his thin.
hard lips.
The Bengal moved a pace or two
from the door. and plucked neryously
at the throat Of his surtout. finally
managing to insert one hand In the
folds of silk across his bosom.
Il seek" he said distinctly in Urdu,
and not without a definite note OF
menace in his mannsr, the man call
ting himself Rutton Sahib?"
Very deliberately Rutton inclined
his head. Il am he"
"Hazoorl" The babu laboriously
doubled up his body In pro
found obeisance. Having recovered,
he nodded to Amber with the easy fa-
mtliartty Of an old acquaintance. ITO
You, likewise, greeting. Amber Sar
hib."
What" Rutton swung sharply TO
Amber with an exclamation Of amaze
ment. you know this fellow, DavidH"
This babu cut In hastily, stimulated
by a pressing anxiety to clear himself.
"Hazor. I did but err. being mislsd by
his knowledge of cur tongue as we'll
as by that pale look of you he wears.
And. indeed. is It strange that / should
take him for you, who was told to
seek you in this wild land2"
BE silentl" Button told him an
grily.
MY lords will is his slaves" Re
~signedly the babu folded his fat arms.
Tell me about this" Rutton de-
manded Of Amber.
THE asa ran across HE In the
woods south Of the station, the day
/ came down." explained Amber, sum
marizing the episode as succinctly as
he could. He didn't call me by your
name, but I've no debut he's telling
the truth about mistaking me for you.
AT all events he h~azoor-ed me q mum
Der Of times, talked a lot of rot about
some silly Voice. and finally made
me a free gift of a nice little bronze
box that wouldn't open. After which
he took TO his heels. saying he'd call
later for my answer-whatever he
by that. He did call by night
and stole the box. That's about all I
know Of him, thus far. But I'd watch
out for him, If l were you; II he isn't
a raving lunatio. ! miss my guess"
Indeed, my lord, 1t Is all quite as
the sahib says" the babu admitted
graciously, his eyes cleaning with
sardonio amusement. circumstances
c%onspired to mislead me; but that I
was swift to discover. Nor did lose
time In remedying the error, az O
have heard. Moreover"
He shut up suddenly at a sign from