Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/158

148 Ned wondered who his unseen questioner was, but he was too tired to care much.

He undressed, and crawled into bed. His overcoat answered well for a blanket, and soon he began to feel warm and drowsy, in spite of his strange surroundings.

He must have slept for several hours when he was suddenly awakened by a pounding on his door.

"What is it? Is the place afire?" he called, sitting up in bed.

"Fire nothing! I want my money you took!" It was the voice of the man who had asked him if he snored.

"I haven't your money," Ned answered, thinking the man might be a lunatic.

"Yes, you have! You sneaked into my room and took it! I woke up just in time! Open the door or I'll break it down!"

Ned sprang from his bed and turned the key. The door flew open and a big man with a red moustache entered.

"Give me my money!" he demanded, striding up to Ned.