"Valuables?" repeated Nat. "You mean my watch?"
"You may leave it if you wish, and your money too."
"No; I'll keep them on me," answered the boy.
He was conducted to an elevator, and soon found himself on the fifth story of the building. Here was a big room containing twenty cots, ten on each side.
"Here you are; No. 134," said the attendant, and left him.
On several of the cots some men were already sleeping. They were not pleasant-appearing individuals, and a few of them smelt strongly of liquor.
"This isn't so nice," thought Nat. "But it's cheap, and that's something."
Before retiring, he placed his bundle and his clothing under his pillow, and stowed away his watch and money on his person.
Nat's actions were closely watched by a man who occupied the next cot on the left. He was a seedy individual, with a face that was horribly pockmarked.
"Reckon he's got a dollar or two," thought this man, who was known among his associates by the name of Checkers.