"Then you are luckier than I am. My father is dead." "That is unfortunate. You are young to have lost a parent." "Can I do anything for you, sir? Have you all that you need?" "Yes," answered the guest, with a look at the washstand. "What I want first is water and towels, for I have just got in from a long railroad journey. Those seem to be provided. If I want anything else I will ring." "Fifty cents!" repeated Rupert. "I wish I could be as well paid every time I carry a valise up stairs. Then I should get rich fast." During the second week a tall, thin man with long hair flowing down over his coat collar registered at the Somerset. "No. 119," said the clerk. "Front!" Rupert answered the summons. "Take this gentleman's valise to No. 119." Rupert thought the stranger a very singular-looking man. His long, unkempt locks were of yellowish hue, and his eyes were shifty and evasive. But of course in a hotel frequented by all sorts of people, no special attention was paid to any particular guest. Rupert met him upstairs and conducted him to his room. "Take the valise inside," said the guest. Rupert did so, when he was startled by the guest locking the door, making him a prisoner. "Now, boy," he said, his eyes lighted with an insane gleam, "you must prepare to die!" "What?" exclaimed Rupert, startled. "What do you mean?" "I am commanded by God to offer you up as a sacrifice, even as Abraham offered up his son Isaac." As he spoke he drew a knife from his breast and advanced toward the hapless bell-boy. CHAPTER X. A BELL-BOY'S EXPERIENCES. It was evident that the guest whom Rupert had conducted to his room was a maniac of the most dangerous character. The man's face was terrible to look upon. His small, ferret-like eyes seemed to dilate with ferocious cunning. He was a man not perhaps robust or strong, but too strong for a boy of sixteen. And Rupert was alone with him. It was terrible to think that he was to become the victim of such a man. Apart from the pain of death, it was made more terrible at the hands of an insane man. What should he do? Rupert had read somewhere that to openly combat an insane person is dangerous. It is advisable to humor his delusions. Fortunately he had read a story recently in which a man had escaped death by this very means. It was a desperate chance, but Rupert resolved to make use of it. Instead of showing the fear he really felt, he forced himself to appear calm. "You are mistaken," he said; "the boy you are to sacrifice is under the bed." The maniac was just about to lunge with his knife, but Rupert's words made him pause. "Look under the bed and you will see him," continued the bell-boy. The bed was at the other end of the room. The maniac went over to it, and, getting on his knees, began to peer underneath.