The Raymer enterprise., 1911-07-27
CHAPTER ~.
Iha Man Perdu.

tQ0 QOOr was aware OF q ouSQt JaE'
ring. az though some more than ordin.
arily brutal gust Of wind had shaken
the house upon its foundation. or an
inner door had been slammed vio-
lently. But otherwise he had 30 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. bolt grated. and the
door swung wide. A flood OF radiance
together with 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 a mans figure between him
and the lamp: and at the same time
felt that he was being subjected to
close scrutiny-both searching and,
at It's outset, the reverse OF hospitaole.
But he had no more than become sen.
siuve to this than the man before
stepped quickly forward and with two
strong hands clasped his shoulders.
David Amber!" he heard his name
pronounced In voice singularly
resonant and pleasant. 80 you've
run me to earth at last!"
Amber's face was blank with in.
credulity as he recognized the speak.
or. "Rutton!" no stammered. "Rut.
ton-why-by all that's strange!"
Guilty" said the other with quiet
laugh. But sit down" He swung
Amber about. gently guiding him to .
chair. you look pretty well done up.
How long have you been out In this
Internal nightl But never mind an
swering; | can wait. Doggott!"
"Yes. SIR"
Take Mr.. Amber's coat and boots
and bring him my dressinggown and
slippers"
"Yes. SIR"
And 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. Hickered 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 pleasure TO see you
again. l trust you are we'll"
Quite. thank you. And your"
I'm very nt, thank you. SIR"
"And"-Amber sat down again. Dog.
gott kneellng at his feet to unlace and
remove his heavy pigskin hunting
boots-"and your brother'"
For moment the man did not an.
swer. His head was lowered SO that
his features were invisible. but q
dull. warm flush overspread his
cheeks.
And your brother. Doggott!"
I'm sorry. sir. about that; but II
was Mr.. Rutton's ORDERS" muttered
the man.
You're talking Of the day you met
Dogsott at Nokomis stationl" inter.
posed bis employer from the stand hs
had taken at one side Of the fireplace,
his back to tho broad hearth where
on blaIed a grateful driftwood nre.
Amber looked up inquiringly. nod.
ding an unspoken Affirmative.
1T was my fault that he-er-pre-
varicated. I'm afraid: as he says. It
was by my order"
Rutton's expression was masked BY
the shadows: Amber could mako moth
Ing Of his curious reticence. and re-
mained silent. waiting a further ex.
PLANTATION. 1t came. presently, with an
effect OF embarrassment.
II had-have peculiar reasons for
not wishing my refuge here to be dis
covered. l told Doggott to be care
ful. should he meet any one we know.
Although. Of course. neither Of US an.
ucipated
II don't think Dosgott was any
more dumbiounded than l." said Am.
Der. II couldn't believe he'd left you.
yet II seemed impossible that you
should be hereof all place-in tho
neishborhood Of Nokomis. | mean. As
for that" Amber shook his head eI.
pressively. glancins round the mean
room In which he had found this man
Of such extraordinary qualities. IT'S
altogether inconceivable." be summed
up his bewilderment-
1T does seem so-even to me, at
times"
Then why-in heavens name"
Il sec I must tell you something
"A little; as little as I can help-of
the truth"
I'm afraid you must: though I'm
damned II l can detect a glimmer Of
either rhyme or reason In this pre-
posterous situation"
In three words" Rutton said delib-
erately: Il an hiding"
"Hiding!"
Obviously" ...