cted him so
forcibly. "Skip, do you hear?"

And he raised a stick he carried so threateningly that Ralph was glad to
retreat.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

RALPH IN THE CITY.

Hardly knowing what to make of such rough and unexpected treatment, Ralph
staggered toward a large gateway close at hand. He passed through and found
himself on a narrow and dirty street, at the upper end of which were a
number of tenement houses and saloons.

"Where in the world am I?" he murmured to himself, as he passed his hand
over his forehead, from which the bandage had slipped. "What place can this
be?"

The cool night air braced the boy up, and soon he felt stronger. But he was
very thirsty, and was willing enough to stop at a nearby street fountain
for a drink.

He heard a distant bell strike twice, and he knew it must be two o'clock in
the morning. His involuntary ride had lasted over ten or twelve hours at
least--the length depending upon the time spent in the freight yard before
disturbed by the night watchman.

The street was practically deserted, saving for several men who were
staggering along under the influence of liquor. All the stores were closed.

"I must find some place to stay for the rest of the night, no matter what
place I am in," thought Ralph, and he walked on for a dozen blocks or
more, looking for a hotel or lodging-house.

At last he came to a place that was still partly open. Over the doorway was
the sign in gold letters:

ROYAL CROWN HOTEL,
Beds, 25 Cents per Night.

"Certainly not a very expensive place," thought Ralph, and he peered inside
to where a sleepy clerk sat dozing in a chair beside the desk.

Entering, he aroused the clerk, and asked if he could obtain
accommodations.

"Certainly," was the prompt reply. "Single room, one dollar; two beds,
seventy-five cents; six beds, a quarter. Which will you have?"

"Any place will do for me, so long as it's clean," returned the boy, who
was not inclined to be wasteful of his limited capital. The total amount in
his pockets was not over six dollars, part of which belonged to the boatman
for whom he worked.

"All our beds are clean," said the clerk, sharply. "Pay in advance,
please."

Ralph brought out a quarter and passed it over.

"Can I get a bite to eat anywhere before I go to bed?" he asked.

"There's an all-night lunchroom on the corner above."

"Thank you. I'll get something, for I have had no supper. I came in on a
train and went to