"Take the valise inside," said the guest.
Rupert did so, when he was startled by the guest locking the door, making him a prisoner.
"Now, boy," he said, his eyes lighted with an insane gleam, "you must prepare to die!"
"What?" exclaimed Rupert, startled. "What do you mean?"
"I am commanded by God to offer you up as a sacrifice, even as Abraham offered up his son Isaac."
As he spoke he drew a knife from his breast and advanced toward the hapless bell-boy.
CHAPTER X. A BELL-BOY'S EXPERIENCES.
It was evident that the guest whom Rupert had conducted to his room was a maniac of the most dangerous character. The man's face was terrible to look upon. His small, ferret-like eyes seemed to dilate with ferocious cunning. He was a man not perhaps robust or strong, but too strong for a boy of sixteen. And Rupert was alone with him.