n at every turn, until the lowness of the western
sun admonished him that he had better begin to look out for supper and
bed.

First he stepped into an area way, and placed his money in an inside
pocket.

"Best to be on the safe side," thought he, as he returned to the
street. "Looks like in these towns they'd steal a man's britches if
they could pull 'em off without his knowing it. Hullo! That must be
the captain's livery stable."

Directly across the street was a large wooden building, on the front of
which, in enormous letters, were these words:

SHARD'S LIVERY STABLE.

While Ralph was debating whether he should again make himself known,
the captain drove forth from the stable in a buggy. His quick eye
lighted upon Ralph at once.

"Come here," he called, beckoning also with his finger. "I see you are
still about," he added as Ralph crossed over.

"Yes, but I ain't posting bills any more."

"Then your job didn't last long?"

Ralph frankly related the cause and manner of his discharge by Mr.
Quigg, whereat the captain laughed heartily.

"Well," said he, "I don't think you missed much, if that is the sort of
a man he is. I'm city auditor, and I will see that Quigg, or whatever
his name is, don't cheat the city. What are you going to do?"

Shard bent his eyes sharply on Ralph, and once more the boy felt
uncomfortable. He replied, however, that he would find something
before long.

"You stay with my foreman tonight," the captain said briskly.
"Emmons!" to some one inside. "This lad will eat and sleep with you.
I want you to take good care of him."

Emmons, without appearing, grunted a distant assent. Ralph ventured a
protest.

"I can find a lodging, captain," he began.

"Hut tut! You're too green yet to be left alone all night in this
town. Not a word. You stay with Emmons. In the morning I will let
you know of a plan I am considering. It may be good for you."

Captain Shard gathered up his reins, nodded carelessly, and went off
down the street in a small cloud of dust.

Ralph went into the stable, not seeing clearly how to refuse, though
hardly at ease in his mind. As he stood in the doorway, looking along
a double line of vehicles of all sorts backed against the wall, a
hoarse voice bade him come into the office.

"Rather a small hole, but large enough for two," remarked Emmons from a
high stool as Ralph entered a box of a place, about eight by ten, with
a desk, a chair, stoo