person, first," I suggested.

"Number Six for the gentleman," announced the clerk, returning to me my
change from the bill. I stuffed it into my pocket--the Colonel's singular
eyes followed it with uncomfortable interest. The gnome picked up my bag,
but was interrupted by my new friend.

"The privilege of showing the gentleman to his quarters and putting him at
home shall be mine."

"All right, Colonel," the clerk carelessly consented. "Number Six."

"And my trunk. I have a trunk at the depot," I informed.

"The boy will tend to it."

I gave the gnome my check.

"And my bath?" I pursued.

"You will be notified, sir. There are only five ahead of you, and one
gentleman now in. Your turn will come in about two hours."

"This way, suh. Kindly follow me," bade the Colonel. As he strode before,
slightly listed by the weight of the bag in his left hand, I remarked a
peculiar bulge elevating the portly contour of his right coat-skirt.

We ascended a flight of rude stairs which quivered to our tread, proceeded
down a canvas-lined corridor set at regular intervals on either hand with
numbered deal doors, some open to reveal disorderly interiors; and with
"Here you are, suh," I was importantly bowed into Number Six.

We were not to be alone. There were three double beds: one well rumpled as
if just vacated; one (the middle) tenanted by a frowsy headed, whiskered
man asleep in shirt-sleeves and revolver and boots; the third, at the
other end, recently made up by having its blanket covering hastily thrown
against a distinctly dirty pillow.

"Your bed yonduh, suh, I reckon," prompted the Colonel (whose accents did
not smack of New York at all), depositing my bag with a grunt of relief.
"Now, suh, as you say, you desire to freshen the outer man after your
journey. With your permission I will await your pleasure, suh; and your
toilet being completed we will freshen the inner man also with a glass or
two of rare good likker."

I gazed about, sickened. Item, three beds; item, one kitchen chair; item,
one unpainted board washstand, supporting a tin basin, a cake of soap, a
tin ewer, with a dingy towel hanging from a nail under a cracked mirror
and over a tin slop-bucket; item, three spittoons, one beside each bed;
item, a row of nails in a wooden strip, plainly for wardrobe purposes;
item, one window, with broken pane.

The board floor was bare and creaky, the partition walls were of
once-white, stained muslin through whic