could. The sly landlord held out his hand, then suddenly drew it
back again.

"You're acting all fair and aboveboard by me," he said, "and,
before I take your money, I'll do the same by you. Look here;
this is how it stands. You can have a bed all to yourself for
five shillings, but you can't have more than a half share of the
room it stands in. Do you see what I mean, young gentleman?"

"Of course I do," returned Arthur, a little irritably. "You mean
that it is a double-bedded room, and that one of the beds is
occupied?"

The land lord nodded his head, and rubbed his double chin harder
than ever. Arthur hesitated, and mechanically moved back a step
or two toward the door. The idea of sleeping in the same room
with a total stranger did not present an attractive prospect to
him. He felt more than half inclined to drop his five shillings
into his pocket and to go out into the street once more.

"Is it yes or no?" asked the landlord. "Settle it as quick as you
can, because there's lots of people wanting a bed at Doncaster
to-night besides you."

Arthur looked toward the court and heard the rain falling heavily
in the street outside. He thought he would ask a question or two
before he rashly decided on leaving the shelter of The Two
Robins.

"What sort of man is it who has got the other bed?" he inquired.