The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-12-07
CHAPTER w.,
The Man Perdu.


the door was aware Of slight jar
ring, as though some more than ordin-
arily brutal gust Of wind had shaken
the house upon it's 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 q
chain ratified, bolt grated, and the
door swung wide. A food 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 its outset. the reverse of hpspitaDle.
But he had no more than become sem
sitive 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. $50 you've
run me to earth at last!"
Amber's face was blank with in
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 done up.
How long have you been out in this
Internal night? But never mind an
swering; l can wait. Doggott!"
yes. sir"
Take Mr.. Amber's coat and boots
and bring him my dressing-gown and
slippers"
"Yes. sir"
And hot toddy and something to
eat-and be quick about It,"
Very good, SIR"
buttons body-servant moved noise
lessly to Amber's side. deity helping
him remove his shooting jacket,
wherein snow had caked In thin and
brittle sheets. His. eyes. grey and
shallow, flickered 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 you. 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 station?" inter-
posed his employer from the stand he
had taken at one side of the fireplace,
his back to the broad hearth where
on blazed grateful driftwood fire.
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 make moth
ing Of his curious reticence, and re-
manned silent. waiting further ex-
PLANTATION. It came, presently. with an
effect of embarrassment.
II had-have peculiar reasons for
not wishing my refuge here to be dis
covered. tom Doggott to be care
full. should he meet any one we knew.
Although. Of course. neither of us an
ticipated ;"
Il don't think Doggott was any
more dumbfounded than l." said Am
Der. Il couldn't believe he'd left you.
yet it seemed impossible that you
should be hereof all place-in the
neighborhood of Nokomis, l mean. AS
for that" Amber shook his head ex-
pressively. glancing round the mean
room In which he had found this man
Of such extraordinary qualities. TITS
altogether inconceivable," he summed
up his bewilderment.
1T does seem so-even to me. Mt
times"
"Then Why-in heaven'a NAME
Il see l 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 can detect a glimmer of
either rhyme or reason in this pre-
posterous situation"
In three words" Rutton said DELHI.
erately: Il am hiding"
Hiding"