"Oh! Dat all is it?" The porter had found it hard to reconcile
Ralph's appearance with any other connection with a guest of the hotel
than a menial one. "Yo' go right up to de office over dar and gin it
to the clerk. He see Cap'n Gary gits um."

"But--but I have to see the captain myself," urged Ralph.

"What yo' reckon a gen'lemun like he wanter sech a boy as you? Huh?"

Ralph felt that his clothes were against him, but he did not propose to
be bullied by a servant and a negro at that.

"Look here," said he. "I want to see Captain Gary and I'm going to see
him, too. I've got business with him--d'ye understand?"

"Well den," replied the porter insolently, "s'posen yo' find where he
is yo'self."

Ralph, without another word, marched straight to the clerk's desk.




CHAPTER X.

The Captain Talks With Ralph.

Ralph's previous diffidence disappeared under the flush of anger
aroused by the porter's words.