Gilpin observer., 1911-08-31

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eyes, wide staring and tssyibly aiight
"0oA" cried Ruttnn Eh2dA1y. 3srhng
forth his pistol
The shadow vanished.
with . ginsis thought Amber
sprans upon Rutton, sna4ched the
weapon from his nervelsss fingers.
snd. leaping 10 The door. let himself
out.
The snow had ceased: only the
wind raved with untampsred force.
Cautiously, and. TO b frank, . bit
dismaysd, Amber made q reconnais-
sanoe, oircling the building. but dis
covered nothing to reward his pains.
Only. before The window. through
which he had seen the pssring tur-
bansd head. he found the impressions
Of two feet, rather deep and definite.
toes pointing toward the house. a.
though some ono had fingered there.
looking In. The dght OF them reas-
sured him ridiculously.
AT least" he reflected. -dissmbod-
led spirits leave NO footprintsi"
He found Rutton precisely a. he
had left him. his very attitude an un-
uttered question.
NO" Amber told him. he'd made
a quick getaway. The marks Of his
feet were plain enough, outside the
window. but he was gone. and :.
somehow wasn't overkeen to fol-
low him up"
Right" said the elder man defect
edly. Il might have known Chatter1i
would not have como alone. So my
crime was futile" He spoke without
spirit. as II completely tagged. and
moved slowly to the door.
David. little while ago promised
to ask your aid II ever the time
should come when I might be free to
do 80; / said, That hour will never
strike Yet already 1t Is here; I
need you. VIII you help met"
You know that"
Il know. One moments
patience, David" Rutton glanced at
the clock. Time for my medicine"
he said that heart trouble I men
toned. :"
He drew from . waistcoat pocket .
small silver tube. or phial, and un-
corking this, measured out q certain
number of drops into . silver spoon.
AZ he swallowed the dose the phial
slipped from his fingers and rang
upon the hearthstone, spilling its con-
tents in the ashes. A pungent and
heady odor favored the air.
mo matter" said Rutton indiffer-
emily. Il shan't need It again for some
time" He picked up and restored the
phia to his pocket. Now let me
think a bit" He took q quick turn up
the room and down again.
"A mad Dance" he observed
thoughtfully: this thing We call life.
We meet and whirl asunder-motes In
sunbeam. Tonight Destiny chose to
throw US together for . little space:
tomorrow we shall be irrevocably part
ed. for all time"
Don't say that, Rutton."
TT Is so written. David" The mans
smile was strangely placid. After
this night, we'll never meet In the
morning Doggott will ferry you
| over ="
"Shan't we 60 togetherr
NO" said Rutton serenely: "T must
leave before you"
Without Doggott?"
Without Doggott; wish him to
go with you"
"Where?"
"On the errand I am going to ask
you to do for me. You arc free to
leave this country for several
months?"
Quite. l corrected the final gal
leys Of my Analysis Of Sanskrit Liter
ature' Just before came down. Now
I've nothing on my mind-or hands
Go on"
Wait" Rutton went a second time
to the leather trunk. lifted the lid.
and came back with two small par
cells. The one, which appeared to con-
tain documents Of some sort, he cast
negligently on the fire. with the air
Of one who destroys that which 10 NO
longer Of value to him. It caught i'm
mediately and began to flame and
smoke and shoulder. The other was
several inches square and nat, wrap
ped in plain paper. without q super
scription, and sealed with several
heavy blobs Of red wax.
Rutton drew . chair close to Amber
and sat down. breaking the seals
methodically.
You shall 90 ON . long Journey,
David" he said slowly-"a long Jour
ney. to a far land. whore you shall
brave perils that may not warn you
against. II will put your friendship to
the test"
I'm ready"
The elder man ripped the cover
from the packet exposing the back
Of what seemed to be . photograph.
Holding this to the light its face In
visible to Amber. he studied Il for
several minutes. In silence. . tender
light kindling in his eyes to soften the
almost ascetio austerity Of his express
sion. I'm the end. II you live, you
shall win rich reward" he said at
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