Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-17

Amber without speaking, went 20
his side and touched his shoulder with
that pitifuily inadequate gesture Of
sympathy which men go frequently
employ.
y killed him." said Rutton DULY.
Yes" replied Amber lie was not
surprised; he had apprehended the
tragedy from the moment that Ruttou
had fed him.
After a bit Rutton turned to the
table and drew an automatic pistol
from his pocket, opening the maya
zine. Five cartridges remained In
the clip, showing that two had been
exploded Il was not sure" he said
thoughtfully, how many times had
fired" His curiosity satisfied. he re-
loaded the weapon and returned II to
his pocket He died like a dog" he
said, "whimpering and disappearing
in the face of eternity out
there in the cold and the night.
It. was siekening-the sound of the
bullets tearing through his flesh. :"
He shuddered.
Didn't he resist?" Amber asked in
voluntarily.
HE tried to. let him pop away
with HIS revolver until # was empty.
Then !"
What made you waltz"
81 didn't care; It didn't matter, One
of MS had to die tonight; he should
have known that when refused to
accompany him back to I
was hungry for his bullet more than
for his life; l gave him every chance.
But it had to be as it was. That was
Fate"
With a wrench Amber pulled him
self together. "Rutton," he demanded
suddenly, without premeditation,
what are you going to do?"
"Do?" Rutton looked up, his eyes
perplexed. why, what is there TO do?
Get away as best can. presume
seek another hole to hide in"
but how about the law"
THE law? Why need 1T ever be
known-what has happened tonight?
can count on your silence ! have
no need to ask. Doggott would die
rather than betray me. He and l can
dispose Oft. No one comes here
at this time of the year save hunting
parties; and their eyes are not upon
the ground. You viii go your way in
the morning Wen clear out i'm
mediately after"
You'd better take no chances"
Suddenly Rutton smote the table
with his fist. by Tndur!" he swore
strangely, his voice quavering with
Joy; II had not thought of that" He
jumped Zip and began to move excited
ly to and fro. 81 am freei None but
you and I know of the passing Of the
Token and the delivery of the mes
sage-none can possibly know for
days, perhaps weeks. For so much
time at least am in no danger Of"
He shut his mouth like a trap on
words that might have enlightened
Z Amber.
"Of what?"
Let me see: there are still waste
places In the world where a man
may losS himself There's Canada
the Hudson bay region, Labrador.
A discreet knock sounded on the
door in the partition, and It was open
ed gently. Doggott appeared on the
threshold, pale and careworn. Rut-
ton paused, facing him.
'Well?"
( ANY orders, sir?"
4 Yes; begin packing up. We leave
] tomorrow"
VERY good, sir"
Rutton replenished the fire and
stood with his back to it, smiling al
! most happily. All evidence of remorse
had disappeared Free" he cried soft
! ly. And by the simplest of solutions.
Z Strange that I should never have
thought before tonight Of" He
I glanced carelessly toward the win
dow; and it was as IL his lips had
been wiped clean of speech.
Amber turned, thrilling his flesh
creeping with the horror that he had
OWNED in Rutton's transhxed gaze.
Outside the glass. that was lightly
silyered With frost, something moved
the spectral shadow Of turbaned
head-moved and was stationary for
the space of 90 heartbeats. Beneath
the turban Amber seemed to see two
eyes, wide staring and terribly alight.
Cod" cried Rutton thickly, Jerking
forth his pistol
The shadow vanished.
With single thought Amber
sprang upon Rutton, snatched the
weapon from his nerveless fingers.
and. leaping to the door. let himself
out.
The snow had ceased only the
wind raved With untempered force
Cautiously, aud, to be frank, bit
dismayed, amber made a Teeonnais-
1saoe circlipg tho hoihias hut dis
-v7~ei -e'l'Ne 20 -ewara HIS mains.
tt~o RI
which he had seen the peerins tur'
haned head, he found the Impressions
or two feet, rather deep aud definite,
toes pointing toward the house, as
though some one had fingered there.
looking in The -lrhf Of than raaa.