Up to his little box of a room he climbed, found his pipe-case and tobacco-pouch, and in five minutes was strolling out to the point once more, when he came suddenly upon the night-watchman,—a personage of whose functions and authority he was entirely ignorant. The man eyed him narrowly, and essayed to speak. Not knowing him, and desiring to be alone, Armitage pushed past, and was surprised to find that a hand was on his shoulder and the man at his side before he had gone a rod.
"Beg pardon, sir," said the watchman, gruffly, "but I don't know you. Are you stopping at the hotel?"
"I am," said Armitage, coolly, taking his pipe from his lips and blowing a cloud over his other shoulder. "And who may you be?"
"I am the watchman; and I do not remember seeing you come to-day."
"Nevertheless I did."
"On what train, sir?"
"This afternoon's up-train."
"You certainly were not on the omnibus when it got here."
"Very true. I walked over from beyond the school-house."
"You must excuse me, sir. I did not think of that; and the manager requires me to know everybody. Is this Major Armitage?"