He took the elevated road up town and soon arrived at the hotel.
He found Quackenbush on the lookout, and learned from him that Rouse was endeavoring to catch some fragments of the conversation that was going on in No. 24.
"What!" he exclaimed, "isn't he in the next room?"
"No," was the reply, "there is no chance for that. On one side there is a short hall, a passageway, and on the other a room that is occupied by a gentleman and his wife."
"Hum. Well, there must be a room overhead."
"Lord, yes. I never thought of that."
Old Spicer hurried to the landlord, who happened to be in the office.
After a moment's conversation, he asked:
"What's the number of the room over twenty-four?"
The landlord considered the question for a moment and then said: