Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/157

Rh the end of the hall, but you have to furnish your own soap and towels."

"That settles the bath question," thought Ned; "that is unless I dry myself on a pocket handkerchief, and I guess I'd better save that."

"Lock your door," the clerk called after him. "We're not responsible for anything stolen from the rooms."

Ned had not expected much for twenty-five cents, and the small room, the little narrow iron cot, and the scanty supply of coverings did not disappoint him. The room was merely separated from the others, in the row of which it was, by partitions that did not extend all the way to the ceiling. Ned sat down on the chair and gazed about him. He could hear men in the next rooms breathing heavily. It was rather chilly for there was no fire in the bedrooms.

"I can use my overcoat for a blanket," Ned inadvertently spoke aloud. The next moment a voice, from the room on his left startled him.

"Hello, in seventeen!" called a man.

"Well?" asked Ned.

"Do you snore?"

"No."

"All right. If you do there'll be trouble. I'm a light sleeper."