amer
lay quietly at its pier. Almost all the passengers had landed and he was
nearly alone on the great steamer.

Of course Mortimer Fairfax had gone with the rest; in fact, Fairfax was
one of the first to land. He had passed the remainder of the night in
the saloon, anxious, as long as he remained on board, lest Robert should
denounce him for his attempted theft.

Robert was a stranger in New York. He was instantly impressed by what he
could see of the great city from the deck of the steamer. He took his
valise In his hand and walked across the gangplank upon the pier. At the
entrance he was accosted by a hackman.

"Carriage, sir?"

"No," answered Robert.

"I will carry you cheap."

"What do you call cheap?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"Astor House."

This hotel had been suggested by the hermit.

"All right! Jump in!" and the hackman was about to take Robert's
valise.

"Wait a moment," said the lad firmly. "I haven't agreed to ride. What do
you charge?"

"Two dollars."

"Two dollars! How far is it?"

"About five miles!" answered the hackman with unblushing falsehood.

"Is there no stage that goes to that part of the city?"

"No; your only way is to take a carriage."

Though Robert had never before been in New York, he felt convinced that
this was untrue and said quietly:

"Then I will walk."

"It is too far, young man. Nobody walks up there."

"Then I'll be the first one to try it!" said Robert coolly.

"Wait a minute, youngster! I'll take you for a dollar and a half."

Robert did not answer, but crossed the street.

"Carry your bag, sir?" said a boy of about his own age, who seemed to be
waiting for a job.

"Do you know the way to the Astor House?" asked Robert.

"I ought to."

"How far is it?"

"Half a mile."

"That hack driver told me it was five miles."

The boy grinned.

"He thought you were green," he said. "Say, boss, shall I carry that
v'lise?"

"How much do you charge?"

"I'll take it to Broadway for a quarter."

"All right. I'll pay it."

"I see," thought Robert, "I shall have to look out or I shall be
cheated. It seems to cost a good deal of money to travel."

As Robert walked along he asked various questions of his young partner
as to the buildings which they passed. On reaching Broadway he said:

"I don't care about riding. If you will walk along with me and carry the
valise I will pay you a quarter more."

"All right. Only pay me the first quarter now,