Part 13 (2/2)

”Yes, I--I--”

”Your hand Mine is cold? No? I fancied it was,” said the man drowsily And later: ”Sophia You will be kind to her, David?”

”On htened cruelly upon his, then relaxed suddenly He began to nod, his chin drooping toward his breast

”The Gatewaythe Bell”

The words were noon lips that stilled as they spoke For a long tiers ihts astray in a black h the hush of death the tin clock ticked on, placidly,broke with a crash and a shower of live cinders

Out of doors soht, stealthy footsteps muffled by the snow: _pad--pad--pad_

In the eer the deathless fire leaped and pulsed

CHAPTER VI

RED DAWN

Presently Aown and slippers for his own shooting-jacket and boots--which by noere dry, thanks to Doggott's thoughtfulness in placing theh thirty minutes since Rutton had spoken his last word In that interval, sitting face to face, and for a little tied his honour, A ways and means; nor did he move until he believed his plans mature and definite

But before he could take one step toward redee his word to Rutton, he had many cares to dispose of In the hut, Rutton lay dead of poison; sost the dunes the babu lay in his blood, shot to death--foully s become known, he would be detained indefinitely in Nokoe

It was, then, with a ott

The rear room proved to be as cheerless as the other Of approximately the saard for anything but the barest conveniences of ca, a table, a rack of shelves, two chairs, and a rickety cot-bed in addition to another trunk On the table a tin kerosene-la the air with its bitter reek

On the cot Doggott sprawled in his clothing, his strained position--half reclining, feet upon the floor--suggesting an unconteue His face was flushed and he was breathing heavily

The Virginian stood over hi hi the man to the news of Rutton's death Aware of that steadfast loyalty which Doggott had borne his h many years of service, he shrank with conceivable reluctance from the duty But necessity drove him with a taut rein; and finally he bent over and shook the sleeper by the shoulder

With a jerk thepardon, sir,” he ishly; ”I didn't mean to fall asleep--I'd only sat down for a one bad, sir?” he added hastily, re with troubled eyes the sympathy and concern in Amber's expression

Aed to say with soott exclaimed beneath his breath ”Dead!” he cried in a tone of daze In two strides he had left A by Rutton's side The most cursory examination, however, sufficed to resolve his every doubt: the hanging head and arhtless eyes, the shrunken figure seeht and unsubstantial in co and virile poise, hopelessly confirmed Amber's statement

”Dead!” whispered the servant He rose and stood swaying, his lips a-treh a ood to me, Mr Amber,” he said brokenly ”It's a bit 'ard, comin' this w'y 'O did it--” He broke down coered away to the wall, there to stand with his head pillowed on his crossed forearms

When he had himself in more control Amber told him as briefly as possible of the head at theand of its sequel--Rutton's despairing suicide

Doggott listened in silence, nodding his comprehension ”I've always looked for it, sir,” he commented ”'E'd warned me never to touch that silver tube; 'e never said poison, but I suspected it, 'e being blue and melancholy-like, by fits and turns--'e never told me why”

Then, reverently, they took up the body and laid it out upon the ha the eyes before spreading a sheet over the rigid form

”And nohat, Mr Amber?” he asked