“And who was in the bath, ten or fifteen minutes ago?”
“My wife, sir; and still there. She has to take her chances like everybody else. No, sir; you’ve been 98 done. You may find your clothes, but I doubt it. You are next upon the bath list.” And he became all business. “The porter will carry up the water and notify you. You are allowed twenty minutes. That is satisfactory?”
A bath, now!
“No, certainly not,” I blurted. “I have no time nor inclination for a bath, at present. And,” I faltered, ashamed, “I’ll have to ask you to refund me the dollar and a half. I haven’t a cent.”
“Under the circumstances I can do that, although it is against our rules,” he replied. “Here it is, sir. We wish to accommodate.”
“And will you advance me twenty dollars, say, until I shall have procured funds from the East?” I ventured.
A mask fell over his face. He slightly smiled.
“No, sir; I cannot. We never advance money.”
“But I’ve got to have money, to tide me over, man,” I pleaded. “This dollar and a half will barely pay for a meal. I can give you references——”
“From Colonel Sunderson, may I ask?” His voice was poised tentatively.