sleep. I don't even know what place this is," Ralph went
on.

"Don't, eh? This is Jersey City."

Jersey City! Could it be possible! Then he had indeed taken a long trip.

Ralph knew that Jersey City lay just across the river from New York. A
short ride would take him into the great metropolis. Despite the fact that
he wished himself safe at home, the thought of seeing New York filled him
with pleasure.

"I must send word to mother that I am safe and tell her all of what has
happened, and then spend a day or two in New York before I go back," he
said to himself. "I may not get the chance of seeing the city again for a
long time."

Ralph found the all-night lunchroom without much trouble, and entering, he
sat down at one of the numerous tables. He was a well-read boy, and
therefore did not appear as "green" as he might otherwise have done.

A waiter soon came to serve him.

"What will you have?" he asked.

"What have you got?"

"All kinds of dairy dishes, tea, coffee, and oysters."

"I'll take an oyster stew."

"Anything else?"

"I guess not."

The stew was soon brought. It was a fairly good one, and the hungry boy ate
it with a great relish, consuming all of the crackers that went with it.

While he was eating, a short, stout man, with his arm done up in a sling,
entered the place, and after gazing around sharply, came and sat down close
to Ralph.

"How is the stew, pretty good?" he asked.

"I think so," returned the boy.

"All right, then. Waiter, an oyster stew."

While he was eating his stew the man began to converse with Ralph. He said
his name was Jackson Walters, and that he had just come into the city from
Toledo, Ohio.

"And I feel mighty strange," he added. "Do you know the city pretty well?"

"Not at all. I just got in myself," said Ralph.

"Indeed! Then we are in the same boat. Stopping with friends or at a
hotel?"

"I am going to stop at a hotel over night."

This reply seemed to please Jackson Walters, and he drew up closer,
hurrying to finish his stew at the same time.

"Good enough. Perhaps we can stop together. I feel rather lonely here," he
said.

"I am afraid my hotel wouldn't be good enough for you," replied Ralph,
honestly. "I didn't want to waste my money, and so chose a cheap place."

"Well, I want something cheap, too," said Jackson Walters. He was more
pleased than ever over the idea that Ralph had money even if he did not
care to spend it.

"Where is the hotel