er De Royster hurried out, a look of determination on
his face.

CHAPTER XX

IN THE TENEMENT

When Roy awakened, after what seemed like a very long sleep, he found
himself in a poorly furnished room. At first he could not understand
it--everything was so different from his pleasant apartment at the
hotel.

He thought it must be a dream, but when he saw his trunk and valises
near the bed, he knew he was not asleep.

He sat up and looked about him. The room he was in contained, besides
the bed, a table, a few chairs and a small cupboard. As Roy roused a
man, seated in one of the chairs, approached the bed.

"So, you're awake, are you?" he asked.

"What's the matter--what has happened, Mr. Wakely?" asked Roy,
recognizing the man who had treated him to ice cream soda.

"Oh, you're all right. You're just staying here for a few days."

"But what happened? Did the hotel catch fire? Did I get hurt? Did
they bring me here?"

"I brought you here, but the hotel did not catch fire."

"Then why am I not there--in my own room?"

"This is your room for a while."

Something in the man's smile roused Roy's suspicions.

"What do you mean?" he asked quickly.

"Now keep quiet and you'll be all right," spoke Mr. Wakely, in what he
meant to be a soothing tone. "You can't help yourself. You're here,
and you're going to stay."

All of Roy's energies were aroused. He believed he had been brought to
the place for the purposes of robbery. But how had it been done
without his knowledge? He started to leave the bed.

"No you don't!" exclaimed Mr. Wakely. "You stay right there."

"What's that?" cried Roy, a sudden fire coming into his eyes, and his
hands clenching themselves ready for a fray. "I must say you've got
nerve to do this. I'm going to get up, and you and I are going to have
a tussel! I guess I haven't roped wild steers, and ridden bucking
broncos, for nothing!"

He threw off the covers, noting for the first time that he was fully
dressed. But, as he attempted to approach Mr. Wakely a dizziness
overcame him, and he sank back, trembling on the bed.

"You see I am right," went on the plotter with an evil smile. "You had
better stay where you are."

It seemed to Roy as if all his strength had left him. He had never
felt so weak before, save once, when he was recovering from a severe
fever.

"Where am I; and what do you want?" he managed to ask.

"Now if you'll promise to lie quietly, I'l