Cramped by his fourteen hours' journey Ralph had at first
some difficulty in following his conductor through the crowded street,
but the stiffness soon wore off, and after ten minutes walking he
arrived at the inn.
The guard had already paid the porter, having received the money for
that purpose from Mrs. Conway; and the latter setting down the box in
the passage at once went off. Ralph felt a little forlorn, and
wondered what he was to do next. But a minute later the landlady came
out from the bar.
"Do you want a bed?" she asked. "The porter should have rung the bell.
I am afraid we are full, unless it has been taken beforehand. However,
I will see if I can make shift somehow."
"I should be very much obliged if you can," Ralph said; "for I don't
know anything about London, and am going on by the Weymouth coach in
the morning."
"Oh, might your name be Conway?"
"Yes, that is my name," Ralph said, surprised.
"Ah, then there is a bedroom taken for you. A gentleman came three
days ago and took it, saying it was for a young gent who is going
through to Weymouth. Tom," she called, "take this box up to number 12.
Supper is ready for you, sir. I dare say you would like a wash first?"
"That I should," Ralph replied, following the boots upstairs.
In a few minutes he returned, and a waiter directed him to the
coffee-room.
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