The street was practically deserted, saving for several men who were staggering along under the influence of liquor. All the stores were closed.
"I must find some place to stay for the rest of the night, no matter what place I am in," thought Ralph, and he walked on for a dozen blocks or more, looking for a hotel or lodging-house.
At last he came to a place that was still partly open. Over the doorway was the sign in gold letters:
ROYAL CROWN HOTEL,
Beds, 25 Cents per Night.
"Certainly not a very expensive place," thought Ralph, and he peered inside to where a sleepy clerk sat dozing in a chair beside the desk.
Entering, he aroused the clerk, and asked if he could obtain accommodations.
"Certainly," was the prompt reply. "Single room, one dollar; two beds, seventy-five cents; six beds, a quarter. Which will you have?"
"Any place will do for me, so long as it's clean," returned the boy, who was not inclined to be wasteful of his limited capital. The total amount in his pockets was not over six dollars, part of which belonged to the boatman for whom he worked.
"All our beds are clean," said the clerk, sharply. "Pay in advance, please."
Ralph brought out a quarter and passed it over.