"I sha'n't learn much about Chicago if I stay here," he thought.

Again he execrated his folly in so weakly yielding to the
representations of a man he knew nothing about.

He walked for half an hour and then returned slowly. There didn't seem
to be much to look at, and his walk had no interest for him.

Not far from the hotel he met a well-dressed boy, and was impelled to
speak to him.

"Do you live near by?" he asked.

"No, but I have an uncle living in that house over there. I came to
spend the day with my cousins."

"I am a stranger in this city. I met a man who took me to that brick
house. He recommended it as a cheap boarding place. Do you know anything
about it?"

"I know that it has a bad reputation."

"Will you tell me what you know about it? You will be doing me a favor."

"The bar does a good business in the evening. I have heard of several
cases where men who put up there complained of being robbed."

"Thank you. I am not much surprised to hear it."

"Have you taken a room there?"