thout confidence.

"Milkman didn't come to-night," said Mr. Elright, shuffling off in his
carpet slippers, worn out in spirit with the importunities of the
stranger. There was water on the table, for it had been left there from
supper time. John managed to consume a doughnut and some crackers and
cheese, and then went to his room, carrying the water pitcher with him,
and, after a cigarette or two and a small potation from his flask, to
bed. Before retiring, however, he stripped the bed with the intention of
turning the sheets, but upon inspection thought better of it, and
concluded to leave them as they were. So passed his first night in
Homeville, and, as he fondly promised himself, his last at the Eagle
Hotel.

When Bill and Dick returned to the office after "obligin' Ame," they
stepped with one accord to the counter and looked at the register. "Why,
darn it," exclaimed Bill, "he didn't sign his name, after all."

"No," said Dick, "but I c'n give a putty near guess who he is, all the
same."

"Some drummer?" suggested Bill.

"Naw," said Richard scornfully. "What 'd a drummer be doin' here this
time o' year? That's the feller that's ousted Chet Timson, an' I'll bet
ye the drinks on't. Name's Linx or Lenx, or somethin' like that. Dave
told me."

"So that's the feller, is it?" said Bill. "I guess he won't stay 'round
here long. I guess you'll find he's a little too toney fer these parts,
an' in pertic'ler fer Dave Harum. Dave'll make him feel 'bout as
comf'table as a rooster in a pond. Lord," he exclaimed, slapping his leg
with a guffaw, "'d you notice Ame's face when he said he didn't want
much fer supper, only beefsteak, an' eggs, an' tea, an' coffee, an' a
few little things like that? I thought I'd split."

"Yes," said Dick, laughing, "I guess the' ain't nothin' the matter with
Ame's heart, or he'd 'a' fell down dead.--Hullo, Ame!" he said when the
gentleman in question came back after ministering to his guest, "got the
Prince o' Wales fixed up all right? Did ye cut that pickled el'phant
that come last week?"

"Huh!" grunted Amos, whose sensibilities had been wounded by the events
of the evening, "I didn't cut no el'phant ner no cow, ner rob no hen
roost neither, but I guess he won't starve 'fore mornin'," and with that
he proceeded to fill up the stove and shut the dampers.

"That means 'git,' I reckon," remarked Bill as he watched the operation.

"Wa'al," said Mr. Elright, "if you fellers think you've spe