Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-10
CHAPTER v.
The Goblin Might

Amber whistlsd low. ''Impossiblsi-
be said thoughtfuily.
Rutton had crossed to and was
bending over q small leather trunk
that stood in one corner Of The room
In the act OF opening n, he glanced
over his shoulder. ''What.' he de-
manded sharply.
7 was only thinking. there's same
thing I cant see through In the h&
bus willingness to So"
He was afraid TO stay"
WHY"
Rvttcn, rummaging In the trunk,
made no reply. After a moment Am
Der resumed.
"Ycu know what Bengaiis are: that
feliow'd do anything. brave any or
binary danger, rather than Try TO
cross that sandbar again--if he really
came that way; which ! am iRciined
to doubt. On the other hand. he's In.
telligent enough to know that a night
like this In the dunes would kill hira.
Well, what them
Rutton was not listening As Am
be had been seeking. thrust Il har~
riediy into the breast-pooket OF his
coat. and with a muttered word, unin-
te,ligible, dashed to the door and
flung II open and himself out
with q shrek of demoniac glee the
wind entered into and took possession
Of the room A cloud Of snow swept
across the floor like a veil The door
battered against the wall as II trying
to break II down. The cheap tin kewo-
sers lamp jumped as though caught
Up by hard: its fame leapt high and
blpe above the chitnney-and was not
In darkness but for the fitful fare Of
the fire that had been dying In embsrs
o. the hearth. Amber. seeking the
doorway. fell over chair. blundered
fat into the wall. and stumbled un-
expectedly out OF the house.
His concern was all for Ruttoa; he
had no other thought He ran q litth
way down the hollow. heartstck with
horror and cold with dread. Than hs
paused, bewildered Whittier In that
whiriing world Ruttcn might have
wandered, 1t was impossible TO sur
mise IN despair the virginian turned
back
When be had found his way to the
door Of the cabin, 1t was closed; as
he entered and shut 1t behind him, q
match fared and expired in the mid.
die OF the room. and q man cursed
brokenly.
"Rutton." cried Amber In a flush
Of hope.
rs that you. Mr.. Amber? Thank
dawd! Wyte q minute"
A second match spluttered. It's
fame waxing in the pink cup Of Dog
gott's hands.
He succeeded In setting FIRE to the
wick. The light showed him barefoot
and shivering in shirt and trousers
For PHYS syke. sir, watts 'appsnedf~
IT'S hard to say" replied Amber
vaguely, preoccupied. He went I'm
mediately to a window and stood
there, looking out.
But w'ere's Mr. Rutton. sirf"
"Gone-out there don't know Just
where" Amber moved back to the
table. you see. he had caller"
"A caller. sir--on night like this7"
The man he came here to hide
FROM" said Amber
Il knew o was tryin' TO dodge
somethin', sir: but . never told me
aught about It. What kind Of per
son was e, sir. and what made Mr.
Rutton go aw'y with 1m?"
He didn't; he went after him to :.
Amber caught his tongue on
the verge of an indlscretion; no mat
ter what his fears. they were not yet
become suitable subject for discus
sion with Ratton's servant. II think"
he amended lamely, he had forgotten
something"
And 'e's out there nowl My Gawd.
what night" He hung in hesitation
for little. Did e wear Is topcoat
and at, sir?"
No! he went suddenly. don't
think he intended TO be gone long"
I'D better go after I'm. then. Ell
ave pneumonia. I'll Just jump
into me clothes and" He slipped
into the back room. to reappear with
surprisingly little delay, fsily dressed
and buttoning a long ulster round bis
throat. You didn't appen to no
tice which wy % went, sir?"
AS well as could Judge. TO the
east"
Doggott took down a second ulster
and cap from pegs In the wall "Ill
do my best to find I'm; q might lose
'imseh. you know. with no light nor
nothin"
The door slammed behind him.
Alone, and a prey to misgivings be
scarce dared name 10 himself, Am
Der from the window watched the blot
of light from Doggott's handlamp fade
and vanish in the storm; then, becom-
ing sensible to the cold. went TO the
fireplace. Kicked he embers together
until they blazsd. and piled on more
fuel.
A coy, cracking sound began to
be audible in the room. sibilant Jets Of