"They seem to be mostly foreigners over here," was Sam's comment. "I don't know as I would care to come through here alone at night, Tom."
"Oh, you'd be as safe here as on Broadway," was the reply. "These people are poor, but you'll find them just as honest as anybody."
The boys had with them the card that Andy Royce had given to Dora, and it did not take them long to find The Golden Oak House. It was an old-fashioned, frame building located on the corner of a narrow and exceedingly dirty alleyway. Downstairs there were a saloon and a pawnshop. The so-styled office and the sleeping apartments were on the three floors above.
"Not a very inviting place," were Sam's words, as he looked the resort over. "Tom, do you think we had better go in?"
"Oh, I don't think it will hurt us," was the answer. "Come ahead!"
Ascending the narrow and exceedingly dirty stairs, the boys passed through a dingy hall to where a glass door was marked "Office." Inside they found a small counter and rail, behind which a man in shirt-sleeves sat smoking a cigar and reading a sporting paper.
"Is there a man stopping here named Andy Royce?" asked Tom, as the man dropped his paper to look up at the newcomers.
"I think there is, but I don't believe he's in now," was the answer. "Want to leave any word for him?"
Tom thought for a moment. "Yes," he answered. "I will leave a message." And taking out one of his cards, he wrote on it: "I'll call here Tuesday afternoon at about five o'clock to see you."
"Hope you've got work for that fellow. He needs a job the worst way," said the hotel man, as he took the card.