He was an honest-looking man, Ralph thought; may be he would tell him what to do.  He crossed over and went down to where the man stood.

“Please, mister,” he said, “I’d like to find a place to stay all night.”

The man looked down on him wonderingly, but not unkindly.

“Is it a hotel ye’re after?” he asked.

“Well, not hardly.  I ain’t got any money.  I only want a place to stay where I won’t be in the dark an’ cold alone all night.”

“Do ye belong in Pittston, I don’ no’?”

“No, I live in Scranton.”

“Sure, the train jist wint for there.  Why didn’t ye go with it?”

“Well, you see, I didn’t have any ticket, an’ the conductor, he told me to—­to—­he asked me if I wouldn’t jest as lieve git off here.”

The man gave a low whistle.

“Come along with me,” he said, “it’s little I can do for yez, but it’s better nor the strate.”  He led the way up the pavement of the side street a few steps, unlocked a door and entered a building, and Ralph followed him.

They seemed to be in a sort of retiring room for the use of the adjoining offices.  A gas light was burning dimly.  There was a table in the room, and there were some chairs.  Some engineering tools stood in one corner, some mining tools in another; caps were hanging on the wall, and odds and ends of many kinds were scattered about.

The man took down a heavy overcoat, and spread it on the table.

“There,” he said, “ye can slape on that.”

“That’ll be very nice,” said Ralph; “it’ll be a sight better’n stayin’ out in the street all night.”

“Right ye are, me lad!  Compose yoursilf now.  Good-night, an’ swate drames to yez!  I’m the watchman; I’ll be out an’ in; it’s nothing here that’ll hurt ye, sure; good-night!” and the man went out, and locked the door after him.

It was warm in the room, and very comfortable, and it was not long after the boy laid down on the improvised bed before he was sound asleep.  He did not wake until the day began to dawn, and the watchman came in and shook him; and it was some moments after he was roused before he could make out just where he was.  But he remembered the situation, finally, and jumped down on to the floor.

“I’ve had a good sleep,” he said.  “I’m a great deal obliged to you.”

“Don’t shpake of it, lad,” said the man; “don’t shpake of it.  Will ye wash up a bit?”

“Yes, I would like to,” replied Ralph, “very much.”

He was shown the way to the basin and water, and after a few moments he came back fresh and clean.

“Ye wouldn’t like a bit to ate now, would ye?” asked the watchman, who had been busying himself about the room.

“Oh, I can get along very well without it,” replied the boy; “you’ve done enough for me.”

“Whin did ye ate last?”

“Well, it must ‘a’ been some after noon yestaday.”