il me," and again the
driver gave way to his mirth.

CHAPTER VII.

NEW LODGINGS.

Dan was so eager to see the new lodgings that he could not wait with any
degree of patience until Seth had fully satisfied himself regarding
certain matters connected with the leasing of them, but insisted on
setting out at once, and his partner felt obliged to accompany him.

Arriving at the address given them by 'Lish Davis, they found affairs
exactly as he had stated.

The room which had been offered at such a low rental was in the attic of
an old-fashioned, pitch-roof house, and although it was not such an
apartment as could readily have been let to adults, to the boys it
appeared as the acme of comfort and even luxury.

Mrs. Hanson, the mistress of the dwelling, had provided a fairly good
bed for the lodgers, and the clothing on it looked so rest-inviting that
Dan declared that it was hard to resist the temptation to "turn in" at
once.

There were two chairs, a rude stand on which were a water-pitcher and a
basin, a small mirror, and an old table.

The window boasted of a curtain; but the floor was carpetless, save for
two well-worn rugs.

Dan, fearing lest Seth might refuse to hire this very swell apartment
because of the suspicion that some of Ninety-four's men had agreed to
pay a certain portion of the rental in order that it might be offered at
an exceedingly low price, promptly announced his willingness to take the
room, and when this had been done it seemed to Master Bartlett as if he
was in duty bound to ratify the bargain.

"We'll pay in advance," he said, as he counted out the required amount,
thereby reducing his cash account to an exceedingly small margin.

"There's no need of your doing anything like that," Mrs. Hanson replied
kindly. "Mr. Davis says he'll guarantee that the rent is paid promptly,
and that should be enough for me, without taking money before it is
due."

"Mr. Davis is mighty good, but there's no reason why he should back a
couple of boys who are able to pay their own way. The rent is so cheap I
was 'fraid he'd been puttin' up money on our account, so's we could
afford to hire it."

"He said you were mighty independent, and I guess he's right; but you
needn't be afraid of getting any more than you pay for. This room
couldn't be let to many people, and those who would be willing to live
in such a place we would not want in the house, except in a case like
yours, where a friend of ou