k I am."

"Oh, well, do just as you please. By the way, it is the rule here to pay
for board in advance."

"How much is it?"

"A dollar and a quarter, please," said this red-haired man, who stood
behind the bar.

Andy paid over the money.

"I thought perhaps you would stay more than one day."

"No, I have little time. I shall have to leave to-morrow. I think, Mr.
Robinson, I will go out and take a walk."

"All right! Supper will be ready in two hours."

Andy nodded.

He had a great mind to go upstairs and get his gripsack. Then he would
be able to go where he pleased. He went out and began to walk about in
the neighborhood of the hotel.

It did not seem to be a very pleasant quarter of the city, and it was
certainly a good distance from the center.

"I sha'n't learn much about Chicago if I stay here," he thought.

Again he execrated his folly in so weakly yielding to the
representations of a man he knew nothing about.

He walked for half an hour and then returned slowly. There didn't seem
to be much to look at, and his walk had no interest for him.

Not far from the hotel he met a well-dressed boy, and was impelled to
speak to him.

"Do you live near by?" he asked.

"No, but I have an uncle living in that house over there. I came to
spend the day with my cousins."

"I am a stranger in this city. I met a man who took me to that brick
house. He recommended it as a cheap boarding place. Do you know anything
about it?"

"I know that it has a bad reputation."

"Will you tell me what you know about it? You will be doing me a favor."

"The bar does a good business in the evening. I have heard of several
cases where men who put up there complained of being robbed."

"Thank you. I am not much surprised to hear it."

"Have you taken a room there?"

"Yes. I am afraid I was foolish."

"I hope you won't be robbed--that's all."

"I should like to get out, but I am afraid if I come downstairs with my
grip they would try to stop my going."

"Where is your room?"

"At the back part of the house, looking out on the lot."

"I'll tell you what you can do," said the other boy, after a moment's
thought. "Have you paid anything for your room?"

"Yes, but I don't mind that."

"Then drop your grip out of the window. I'll catch it."

"I will."

"Then you can take a car and go down into the city."

"Do you know the way to the Sherman House?"

"Certainly."

"If you will go there with me, I'll make it