Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/147

Rh to put on the book a fictitious name. He hesitated a moment and inscribed: "Thomas Seldon," in a large hand as unlike as possible from his own usual small writing.

"Thomas Seldon, eh?" queried the clerk as he turned the book around once more. "Where you from? That has to go down."

Once more Ned hesitated. What should he answer.

"What's the matter? Forget where you live?" the clerk asked.

"No. It's Perryville, New York," replied Ned, taking a name at random, as he had the one he signed in the book.

The clerk told him to write it down, and after this was done the number 113 was placed after his name.

"Hope you're not superstitious," the clerk remarked.

"Why?" asked Ned.

"There's a thirteen in your room number."

"I don't mind that."

"Some folks do," the clerk continued. "But that's the only dollar room we've got left. Front!"

A boy answered the ring of the bell which the clerk touched, and, taking Ned's grip led the way.