Ralph on the Overland Express Part 4

CHAPTER IV

A WARNING

Ralph doffed his working clothes, washed up at the tender spigot, and joined Clark, who stood waiting for him on the platform. Fogg, without tidying up, in a sort of tired, indifferent way was already some distance down the platform. Ralph hurried after him.

"Six-fifteen to-night, Mr. Fogg, isn't it?" spoke Ralph, more to say something than anything else.

"That's right," returned Fogg curtly.

"Griscom directed me to a neat, quiet lodging house," added Ralph.

"Won't you join me?"

"Can't--got some friends waiting for me," responded the fireman.

Ralph followed him seriously and sadly with his eyes. Fogg was making for Railroad Row, with its red saloon signs, and Ralph felt sorry for him.

"See here," spoke Clark, as they walked along together, "headed for a bunk, I suppose?"

"Yes," answered Ralph. "John Griscom, that's our veteran engineer, and a rare good friend of mine, told me about a cheap, comfortable lodging house to put up at. It's some distance from the depot, but I believe I shall go there."

"Good idea," approved Clark. "I've been in some of those railroad men's hotels yonder, and they're not very high toned--nor clean."

"What's your program?" inquired Ralph.

"Got to sleep, I suppose, so, if I'm not too much of a bore and it's pleasing to you, I'll try the place your friend recommends."

"I shall be delighted," answered Ralph.

Within half-an-hour both tired lads tumbled into their beds in rooms adjoining in a private house about half a mile from the depot. Ralph stretched himself luxuriously, as he rested after the turmoil and labor of what he considered the most arduous day in his railroad career.

The young engineer awoke with the bright sun s.h.i.+ning in his face and was out of bed in a jiffy. These lay-over days had always been prized by the young railroader, and he planned to put the present one to good use. He went to the closed door communicating with the next room and tapped on it.

"Hey, there!" he hailed briskly, "time to get up," then, no response coming, he opened the door to find the apartment deserted.

"An early bird, it seems," observed Ralph. "Probably gone for breakfast."

John Griscom had told Ralph all about the house he was in, and the young engineer soon located the bathroom and took a vigorous cold plunge that made him feel equal to the task of running a double-header special. Ralph had just dressed when Marvin Clark came bustling into the room.

"Twenty minutes for breakfast!" hailed the volatile lad. "I've been up an hour."

"You didn't take a two hundred mile run, or you wouldn't be up for four," challenged Ralph.

"Guess that's so," admitted Clark. "Well, here we are. I've been out prospecting."

"What for?" inquired Ralph.

"A good restaurant."

"Found one?"

"A dandy--wheat cakes with honey, prime country sausages and Mocha, all for twenty cents."

"Good," commended Ralph. "We'll take air line for that right away."

Clark chattered like a magpie as they proceeded to the street. It was evident that he had taken a great fancy to Ralph. The latter liked him in return. For the son of a wealthy railroad magnate, Clark was decidedly democratic. The one subject he seemed glad to avoid was any reference to his direct family and friends.

He was full of life, and Ralph found him very entertaining. Some bad breaks in grammar showed, indeed, that he had not amounted to much at school. Some of his adventures also suggested that the presence and power of money had not always been at his command. Ralph noticed some inconsistencies in his stories here and there, but Clark rattled on so fast and jumped so briskly from one subject to another, that it was hard work to check him up.

As they reached the porch of the house Clark gave Ralph a deterring touch with his hand.

"Just wait a minute, will you?" he spoke.

"Why what for?" inquired Ralph in some surprise.

"I want to find out something before we go out into the street," and the speaker glided down the walk to the gate, peered down the street, and then beckoned to his companion.

"Come on," he hailed. "They're still there, though," he added, his tones quite impressive.

"Who is there?" asked Ralph.

"Just dally at the gate here and take a look past the next street corner--near where there's an alley, see?"

"That crowd of boys?" questioned Ralph, following his companion's direction.

"Yes, that gang of hoodlums," responded Clark bluntly, "for that is what they are."

"And how are we interested in them?" inquired Ralph.

"We're not, but they may become interested in us."

"Indeed?"

"Mightily, if I don't mistake my cue," a.s.serted Clark.

"You are pretty mysterious," hinted Ralph, half-smiling.

"Well, I'll explain. Those fellows are laying for you."

"Laying for me?" repeated Ralph vaguely.

"That's it."

"Why? They don't know me, and I don't know them."

"Not much acquainted at Bridgeport, eh?"

"Only casually. I've laid over here several times when I was firing on the fast freight. I know a few railroad men, that's all."