"We're directly over the bar-room, aren't we?" inquired John as
another noisy outburst came from below.

"Yes, but you won't mind that after a bit," explained the
landlady. "You'll get used to it same as I have. I go to sleep
and don't pay no more attention to the noises than I do to the
wind that blows."

By this time she had opened the doors, which were unlocked, and
entered the rooms.

The boys looked ruefully at one another when they became aware in
the dim light of the condition of the rooms to which they had
been shown.

"I don't believe those windows have seen soap and water since the
Erie Canal was built," whispered George to Grant. "When did you
say that was?"

"Keep quiet a minute, Pop," retorted Grant.

The rain was beating against the windows with renewed force. The
storm apparently was at its height. For them to go on in the
Black Growler was almost impossible. There was nothing to be
done, except to make the best of the conditions in which they now
found themselves.

Soon after the withdrawal of their landlady, who had been paid in
advance for the use of the rooms, although breakfast was not
included as the boys explained they might have to leave the