Baker, rising from
his comfortable chair and looking at Roy.

"I don't know--I think--Yes, I guess I will."

It suddenly occurred to the boy that he might take advantage of the
acquaintance he had formed with the man, and observe just how he ought
to conduct himself in the dining car.

"I shall be glad of your company," spoke Mr. Baker, with a pleasant
smile. "Will you sit at my table?"

"I'm not so very hungry," remarked Roy, thinking that if he found
things too strange he could call for something simple, though the truth
was he had an excellent appetite.

"I am not either," declared Mr. Baker. "I never eat much while
traveling, but I think it best to have my meals regularly. Now, if
you'll come with me, we'll see what they have at this traveling hotel."

He led the way from the parlor to the dining car. If Roy had been
astonished at the magnificence of the first coach he was doubly so at
the scene which now met his eyes.

Arranged along both sides of the dining car, next to the broad, high
windows, were small tables, sparkling with cut-glass and silver. In
the center of each table was a small pot of graceful ferns, while
throughout the car there were fine hangings, beautifully inlaid wood,
and on the floor a soft carpet. It was, indeed, a fine traveling hotel.

At the tables, not all of which were occupied, were seated beautiful
women, some handsomely gowned, and there were men, attired in the
height of fashion. For the first time Roy felt rather ashamed of his
ordinary "store" clothes, which were neither properly cut, nor of good
material.

"Here is a good table," said Mr. Baker, indicating one about the center
of the car.

Roy took his seat opposite his new acquaintance, a queer feeling of
nervousness overcoming him.

"I'd rather ride a bucking bronco any day, than be here," the boy
thought. But he was not going to back out now. He knew he had the
money to pay for whatever he ordered, and, he reflected that if he was
not as stylishly dressed as the others, he was probably more hungry
than any of them, for he had an early breakfast.

As soon as Roy and Mr. Baker were seated, a colored waiter glided
swiftly to their table and filled their glasses from a curiously shaped
vessel, called a "caraffe," which looked something like a bottle or
flask, with a very large body, and a very small neck. Inside was a
solid lump of ice, which made the water cold. Roy looked curiously at
the piece of frozen