Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-06-21
CHAPTER ~.
The Man Perdu.

shadow swept swiftly across one
OF the windows, and the stranger at
the door was aware of a slight jar
ring, as though some more than ordin-
arily brutal gust of wind had shaken
the house upon its 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 a
chain ratified, a bolt grated. and the
door swung wide. A food Of radiance
together with a 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 If a mans figure between him
and the lamp; and at the same time
felt that he was bei1.g subjected TO
a close scrutiny-both searching and.
az ASG OAAoCAy NlAG AEF CT sc VI AOCttAN1ADACs
But he had no more than become SEN
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 a voice singularly
resonant and pleasant. so 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 nina an
swering; l can wait Doggo.t!"
Yes, sir"
Take Mr. Alnber's coat and boots
and bring him my dressing-gown and
slippers"
Yes, sir"
And a 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, 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. trust you are we'll"
Quite, thank you. And your"
I'm very fit, thank you, sir"
"And" sat down again. Dog.
gott meeling 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 a
dull, warm flush overspread his
| cheeks.
And your brother, Doggott?"
I'm sorry, sir, about that; bu. IL
was Mr. Buttons orders" muttered
the man.
You're talking of the day you met
| Doggott at Nokomis stationY' 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 a 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, II
was ty my order
/ Rutton's expression was masked by
( the shadows; Amber could make moth
/ ing of his curious reticence, and re.
NAMED silent, waiting a further ex
/ PLANTATION. 1t came. presently, with an
effect of embarrassment.
Il had-have peculiar reasons for
not wishing my refuge here to be dis
/ covered. I told 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. 4 couldn't believe he'd left you
/ yet 1t seemed impossible that you
/ should be hereof all place-in the
neighborhood Of Nokomis, I mean. AS
/ for that" Amber shook his head ex
| pressiYely, glancing round the mean
room in which he had found this man
Of such extraordinary qualities. It's
altogether inconceiVable," he summed
up his bewilderment.
1T does seem so-even to me, at
/ times"
Then why-in heavens name"
Il see l must tell you something
"a little; as little as can help-ot
the truth"
I'm afraid you must; though I'm
damned if can detect a glimmer OF
either rhyme or reason in this pre-
posterous situation"
IN three words" Rutton said delib
erately: Il am hiding"
Hiding"
| Obviously"
Amber bent forward, studying the
elder mans face intently. Thin and
dark-not tanned like Amber's. but
with a native darkness of skin like