“Why, to a hotel, of course. There’s lots of them within a stone’s throw.”
Dave got to his feet and out of the depot. He had unexpectedly received a great deal more money than it would take to get him to Fairfield. He treasured his little hoard, though. The idea of saving the price of a night’s lodging had pleased him.
“What do I care for a bed,” he told himself as he came out of the depot into the starry night. “I can sleep anywhere,” and Dave made for the deep entrance to a store and sat down upon its step. Almost instantly, however, a policeman in uniform stepped out of the deep shadow of a neighboring doorway, on the lookout for stragglers.
“You’ll have to move on, sonny,” he said.
“All right,” assented Dave with a comical smile. “I wouldn’t hurt those iron steps, though.”
Dave walked on till he came to a big building. It bore the sign: “Empire Hotel.” Glancing in at the lobby with its elegant appointments Dave shrugged his shoulders and walked on.
“That’s too rich for my blood, even if I do feel like a millionaire,” he smiled. “Something more modest for me.”
Finally Dave reached a respectable appearing hotel that looked second class and cheap. He entered the lobby and went up to the clerk’s desk.
“How much do you charge for a night’s lodging?” he asked.
“Fifty cents.”