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To-night Destiny chose to throw us together for a little space; to-morrow we shall be irrevocably parted, for all time." "Don't say that, Rutton." "It is so written, David." The man's smile was strangely placid. "After this night, we'll never meet. In the morning Doggott will ferry you over " "Shan't we go together?" "No," said Rutton serenely; "I must leave before you." "Without Doggott?"
The latter a sleepy, surly Eurasian in pyjamas, surveyed them listlessly from the threshold of the station, and without a sign either of interest or contempt turned and locked himself in. Amber sat down on his upturned suit-case and laughed and lit a cigarette. Doggott growled.
"All right, but !" Amber resumed his seat, staring. "You and Doggott are to seek her out, wherever she may be, and rescue her from what may be worse than death. And it shall come to pass that you shall love one another and marry and live happily ever after just as though you were a prince and she an enchanted princess in a fairy tale, David." "I must say you seem pretty damn' sure about it!"
Not that it'd myke any difference to me, the w'y I felt towards 'im. 'E was a gentleman, white or black. I'd've died for 'im any d'y." "Doggott!" 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 to the memory of Mr. Rutton." The servant stared, visibly impressed. "Very good, Mr. Amber.
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; but it was Mr. Rutton's order," muttered the man.
Yet this task, too, must be gone through with. "Mr. Rutton spoke of a despatch-box, Doggott. You know where to find it?" "Yes, sir." The servant brought from Rutton's leather trunk a battered black-japanned tin box, which, upon exploration, proved to contain little that might not have been anticipated.
Doggott exclaimed beneath his breath. "Dead!" he cried in a tone of daze. In two strides he had left Amber and was kneeling by Rutton's side.
Best of all, it leaves no traces; a diagnostician would call it heart-failure.... And thus I escape that." He nodded coolly toward the door. "But this must not be, Rutton!" Amber rose suddenly, pushing back his chair. "Something must be done. Doggott " "Not so loud, please you might alarm him. After it's all over, call him. But now it's useless; the thing is done; there's no known antidote.
Inexorably the voice droned on, repeating the admonition over and over. Mutinous, Amber stirred and grumbled in his sleep; stirred and, grumbling, wakened to another day. Doggott stood over him, doggedly insistent. "Not much time to dress, sir; we're due in less than 'alf an hour." "Oh, all right."
To which he responded quietly: "Good-evening, Mr. Amber. It's a pleasure to see you again. I trust you are well." "Quite, thank you. And you?" "I'm very fit, thank you sir." "And" Amber sat down again, Doggott kneeling at his feet to unlace and remove his heavy pigskin hunting-boots "and your brother?" For a moment the man did not answer.
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