hungry. And,
another thing, you can stow that bill my friend gave you, but you've got
to give him back what's coming to him."

"Which will be mighty little," said Berwick humorously, "because my
appetite is growing some."

The proprietor's big red neck grew choleric under Jim's remark, but by a
quick transformation he swallowed his wrath, and became a smiling and
complacent host.

"Anydings you vants shentlemen is yours. Just give me de order."

He handed each of them a rather soiled menu in a frame and the two gaunt
travelers regarded the list with a moment's deep interest.

"A Hamburg steak to start with," said the engineer, "and three fried
eggs on the side not to mention some black coffee and hashed brown
potatoes."

"The same here, friend," remarked Jim, "only put me down for two eggs."

"Bless me! what a delicate appetite, James!" exclaimed Berwick.

"I'm looking to something else, John!" replied Jim.

"Wise lad," remarked the engineer, "but do you know, as I can't have my
dress suit on this auspicious occasion--"

"You mean suspicious," cut in Jim with a grin.

"Never mind that now," continued the engineer; "what I was going to say
was that a plain--"

"High neck," interrupted Jim.

"Any old neck wash would be truly acceptable," concluded the engineer.

The proprietor heard and heeded.

"Eh, Anna, come here," he cried in stentorian German. There was a gentle
shuffling sound and a creaking of a board from the direction of the
other car or room and a large figure appeared in the curtained doorway.

"What is it you want, my Fritz?" questioned the placid and housewifely
Anna, taking in the newcomers with a quiet gaze.

"The shentlemen of honorable wealth, Frau Scheff, would like to wash
their esteemed countenances," he explained with ironical deference.

"Ach! that is good," said Mrs. Scheff with a fat good-natured smile;
"trouble yourselves to come with me."

"By the time you shentlemans are washed and improved, the supper will be
ready," said the proprietor.

The engineer was greatly amused by this stout German couple and showed
it by a slight smile, but Jim who always had a native respect for decent
and kindly people no matter who they were, had no intention of joining
his friend in any humorous byplay in regard to the stout house frau.

She led them through the short passageway into the other room. One end
was curtained off for the bedroom, with snowy white curtains tied back
with pink r