Rutton drew a chair close to Amber and sat down, breaking the seals methodically.
"You shall go a long journey, David," he said slowly—"a long journey, to a far land, where you shall brave perils that I may not warn you against. It will put your friendship to the test."
"I'm ready."
The elder man ripped the cover from the packet, exposing the back of what seemed to be a photograph. Holding this to the light, its face invisible to Amber, he studied it for several minutes, in silence, a tender light kindling in his eyes to soften the almost ascetic austerity of his expression. "In the end, if you live, you shall win a rich reward," he said at length. He placed the photograph face down upon the table.
"How—a reward?"
"The love of a woman worthy of you, David."
"But——!" In consternation Amber rose, almost knocking over his chair.
"But—Great Scott, man!"
"Bear with me, David, for yet a little while," Rutton begged. "Sit down."
"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."