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He was now on the edge of collapse and showed it plainly. But two circumstances aided him to recover his grip upon himself: Quain's compassionate consideration in forbearing to press his story from him, and Doggott's opportune appearance with a pot of coffee, steaming and black. Two cups of this restored Amber to a condition somewhat approaching the normal. He lit a cigarette and began to talk.
When he had found his way to the door of the cabin, it was closed; as he entered and shut it behind him, a match flared and expired in the middle of the room, and a man cursed brokenly. "Rutton?" cried Amber in a flush of hope. "Is that you, Mr. Amber? Thank Gawd! Wyte a minute." A second match spluttered, its flame waxing in the pink cup of Doggott's hands.
Presently Amber rose and quietly exchanged dressing-gown and slippers for his own shooting-jacket and boots which by now were dry, thanks to Doggott's thoughtfulness in placing them near the fire. The shabby tin clock had droned through thirty minutes since Rutton had spoken his last word.
"He's gone ahead.... You're to keep on to Agra.... Change for Badshah Junction, Rajputana Route.... Then tonga to Kuttarpur.... Farrell's there and his daughter.... That's right, my man, throw me out!..." His downfall was spectacular. In his enthusiasm for the part he played, he had erred to the extent of delivering a blow in Doggott's face more forcible, probably, than he had intended it to be.
But I'd better 'urry, 'specially if...." Doggott's color faded a little and his mouth tightened. "But I 'ope you're mistyken, sir. Good-night." The door slammed behind him.
"I'll go," he declared, "no matter what. It's nearly nine, but the Lal Bazaar's not far." In the face of Doggott's unbending disapproval he left the hotel some twenty minutes later, having levied on Doggott's wardrobe for suitable clothing.
Alone, and a prey to misgivings he scarce dared name to himself, Amber from the window watched the blot of light from Doggott's handlamp fade and vanish in the storm; then, becoming sensible to the cold, went to the fireplace, kicked the embers together until they blazed, and piled on more fuel.
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