moment only, before
he said, "Perhaps we may as well room together, then."

"All right! I will go up with you, as the hall boy has gone to bed. I
hardly expected any guests by this late train."

The clerk took the stranger's valise--Fred had only a small paper
parcel in his hand, containing a clean shirt and a collar which he had
bought in Jersey City before taking passage on the train. Up one flight
of stairs the clerk preceded them and paused in front of No. 21, the
back room referred to. He unlocked the door, and entering, lighted the
gas.

It was a room about twelve feet wide by twenty in depth. At each end
was a single bedstead.

"I think you will be comfortable," said the clerk. "Is there anything
you want before retiring?"

"No," answered both.

CHAPTER X.

WHAT TOOK PLACE IN NO. 21.

The clerk closed the door, leaving Fred alone with the stranger.

The latter sat down in one of the two chairs with which the room was
provided.

"I am not sleepy," he said. "Are you?"

"Yes," answered Fred, gaping. "I am not used to late hours. Besides, I
was up early this morning."

"That makes a difference. I didn't get up till eleven. I was about to
propose a game of cards."

"I don't care for playing cards," said Fred. "Besides, I am sleepy."

"All right! You won't object to my sitting up awhile and reading?"

Fred would have preferred to have his companion go to bed, as he was
not used to sleep with a light burning. He did not wish to be
disobliging, however, and answered that he didn't mind.

The stranger took from his hand-bag a paper-covered novel, and seating
himself near the gas jet, began to read.

Fred undressed himself and lay down. He remembered with a little
uneasiness that he had with him the hundred dollars in gold which had
been intrusted to him by the miner. He had had no opportunity as yet to
deposit it in the Union Dime Savings Bank, as he had decided to do, and
had not thought to leave it with his mother. He wished now that he had
done so, for he was about to pass several hours in the company of a man
whom he knew nothing about. Still, the man had plenty of money of his
own, or at least he had said so, and was not likely therefore to be
tempted to steal.

Fred took his place in bed, and looked over toward the stranger with
some uneasiness.

"Are you a good sleeper?" asked his companion carelessly.

"Yes," answered Fred.

"So am I. I don't feel sleepy just at present, but pres