Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-24

poggott gasped. temporarily mar
uculate "Forty-dve thousands poundsl
Mr.. Amber he declared earn
estly, q never looked for nothin' like
this. III never-I--" Quite without
warning ne was quiet and composed
again. Might ! ask it OF you as a
Favor. sfv, 10 lock after this'-he of
fc~al 70 return the chcque-"for
wh.le, iii can mya Up my mind
what to do with it"
Certainly" Amber took tho parer,
folded it and plec6d II in his card
case. I'D sugg ST that you deposit
it as soon as possible in New York
bank for collection In the meantime.
these bills are yours ycu'd better
tske care OF them yourself until you
open the banking account"
'Ttll keep as well in ere as any
where's, Dcggott considered, relock-
ing the box. Il 'aven't ardly any use
for money. except, Of course, to tide
me over till hnd another position"
what" exclaimed Amber in
amaze.
Yes, sir" affirm Dcggott respect
fully. I'm & bit too old to chyngc
ny v'ys; a valet re been all my
l.fe and valet III dc, sir, It's too
lyte to thiak Of anything else"
"But with this money, Dpggott-"
beg pardon, sir bat | know;
codld live easy ike a gentleman II /
liked but ! wouldn't be & gentleman,
so what's the use of that? So the wye
| look at IT. there's naugat for NE but
90 IN valctinE Will I'm too old; after
that the moneyll be comfort ]
darcs'y. DcE't you think so,
sir2"
Il believe you're right, Doggotti
only your commoH-eense surprises me
But it makes 1t eagier in way. =
Amber fell thoughtful again.
lows that, sir--if ! my ask?'
This way said Amber: Before
he died, Mr.. Rutton asked me to do
him a service. agreed, lie sug
gested that I take you with ms"
I'm ready, sir" interrupted Dog
gott eagerly. There's no gentleman
I'd like TO valet fer better than your
self"
"But there viii be dangers. Dog
gott-I don't know precisely what,
That's the rub; wen have to travel
halfway round the world and face IN
known perils. II Mr.. Rutton were
right about it, we'll be lucky to get
away with our lives
10 10 tr-sah III
go with You to India, Mr. Amber"
Very well, ," Amber SPOKE
abstractedly, reviewing his plans.
But" he enquircd suddenly, 81 didn't
mention India, How did you know?
WHY suppose I must ave
guessed it, sir. It seemed so likely,
knowing what do about Mr. Rutton."
Amber sat silent, unable to bring
himself to put single question in re-
gard to the dead mans antecedents,
But after a pause the servant contin-
ued voluntarily
"fle always I'D deal to do with
persons who came from lndia-nig-
gers-I mean, natives. 1t didn't much
matter where we'd be--London or
Paris or Berlin or Rome-they'd unit
i'm up; some ed give money to and
they'd go ANY; others ed be locked
up with IN is study for hours, talking,
talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the
same one twice E 'ated 'em all, Mr..
Rutton did. And yet, sir, | always
'ad a suspicion"
Doggott hesitated, lowered his voice,
his gaze shifting uneasily to the still,
shrouded figure in the corner.
"What?' demanded Amber tensely.
81 alw'ys thought per'aps e was
what We call in England man of
color, fmself, sir"
"Doggott!"
II don't mean no arm. sir; It was
Just their 'ounding him, like. and is
being a dark-complected man the
syme as them and speakin' their Ian
guage so ready, that made me think
II. At least e might ave 'ad a little
Of their blood in i'm. sir Things d
seem unaccountable otherwise con
eluded Doggott vaguely.
Its impossible" cried Amber.
Yes. sir: at least. mean ope so,
SIR. Not that it'd myke any difference
20 me the wye felt towards i'm. +
was a gentleman. white or black. I'd
We died for i'm any d'y,"
"Doggotti" The virginian had risen
and was pacing excitedly to and fro
"Doggott, don't ever repeat one word
Of this TO man or woman-while
you're faithful 20 the memory of Mr.,
Rutton."
The servant stared. visibly i'm
pressed. Very good. SIR Amber. III
remember. sir don't ordinarily COS
sip, sir; but You and him being &c
thick, and everything appening to
night so 'orribie. I forgot myself.
'ope you'll excuse me, sir"
God in heRveni" cried the youne
man hoarsely 1t ern't be true,' Tic
huug himself into his chair, huryins
his face in HIS hands. 1T eanti"
Yet irresistibly the conviction was
being forced upon him that Dogsoti
had surmised Alright Circumstances
backed up circumstance within his