head toward the room as he spoke.

"It's about full," replied the landlady. "A stormy night like
this drives a good many of the boatmen and the hands under
cover."

"They are a noisy lot," suggested Fred.

"They are a tough crowd," said the woman feelingly. "Sometimes
they go off and don't pay me a cent. That's one reason why I make
everybody pay before I give them a room."

"Do you mean that we'll have to pay before we take the room?"
inquired John.

"Yes, sir, that's just what I say. That's the rule o' this
house."

"Well, I guess we'll see the rooms first then," said George.

Conversation ceased as the woman, who was stout and consequently
slow in her movements, led the way up the creaking stairway and
then through the hall on the second floor. The floor here also
was loose and every step was announced by creakings, while
various other sounds were emitted as the boards resumed their
accustomed places.

"Here you be," said the woman at last as she stopped before the
rooms at the end of the hall-way.