Burton went in and reported the shooting to the clerk. Of the missing letter he said nothing.
"Some boys must have been fooling around in the park with a gun," said the clerk, after viewing the scene of the disaster. "They might have hit you, the idiots. I'll bet they are scared stiff by now,--and serve them right."
"I wish you'd give me another room," said Burton abruptly.
"Why? You don't think they'll try to pot you again, do you?" smiled the clerk.
"I prefer to take another room," said Burton stiffly.
"Oh, very well. The adjoining room is vacant, if that will suit you."
"Yes. You may have my things moved in. Or, hold on. I'll move them in now, with your assistance, and you needn't say anything about the change downstairs."
The clerk took some pains to make it evident that he was suppressing a smile, but Burton did not particularly care what opinion the young man might form of his courage. He had other things in view.
His new room looked toward the side of the hotel. A driveway ran below his windows, separating the hotel from a large private house adjoining. Burton took a careful survey of his location, and when he settled down again to read, he was careful to select a position which was not in range with the windows.
He was beginning to take the High Ridge mystery seriously.