He usually arose at an earlier hour, but thought he deserved a longer rest, considering what he had passed through.
The boy led them up two flights of narrow stairs, and showed them the room, at the same time lighting the gas. He had brought a pitcher of water with him, and placing this on the washstand, he left, closing the door behind him.
The room was plainly but neatly furnished, and although the bed was scratched and old-fashioned, it was clean. It did not take Ralph long to undress and get under the covers.
"Do you sleep with a light?" asked Jackson Walters. "I never do."
"Nor I."
So the gas was put out, and a moment later Ralph's companion retired also. In a few minutes he began to breathe heavily, as though in the soundest of slumbers.
But this was all sham. He was far from being asleep, as the sequel soon showed.
Ten minutes later Ralph fell asleep, to dream of home and all that had been left behind.
In a few minutes after this, Jackson Walters crawled from the bed, and began to don his clothing silently, but in great haste. He put on his stockings, but he placed his shoes in his coat pockets.
This done, he took up Ralph's clothing from where it lay on a chair. With a dexterity worthy of a better cause, he went through the pockets, searching for everything of value.