Arnold Bennett

The Grand Babylon Hotel Arnold Bennett

NEVERTHELESS, there are men with a confirmed habit of getting their own way, even asguests in an exclusive hotel: and Theodore Racksole had long since fallen into that useful practice-except when his only daughter Helen, motherless but high-spirited girl, chose to think that his waycrossed hers, in which case Theodore capitulated and fell back. But when Theodore and hisdaughter happened to be going one and the same road, which was pretty often, then Heaven alonemight help any obstacle that was so ill-advised as to stand in their path. Jules, great and observantman though he was, had not noticed the terrible projecting chins of both father and daughter, otherwise it is possible he would have reconsidered the question of the steak and Bass. Theodore Racksole went direct to the entrance-hall of the hotel, and entered Miss Spencer'ssanctum.'I want to see Mr Babylon, ' he said, 'without the delay of an instant.'Miss Spencer leisurely raised her flaxen head.'I am afraid-, ' she began the usual formula. It was part of her daily duty to discourage guestswho desired to see Mr Babylon.'No, no, ' said Racksole quickly, 'I don't want any "I'm afraids." This is business. If you had beenthe ordinary hotel clerk I should have slipped you a couple of sovereigns into your hand, and thething would have been done. As you are not-as you are obviously above bribes-I merely say to you, I must see Mr Babylonat once on an affair of the utmost urgency. My name is Racksole-Theodore Racksole.''Of New York?' questioned a voice at the door, with a slight foreign accent. The millionaire turned sharply, and saw a rather short, French-looking man, with a bald head, agrey beard, a long and perfectly-built frock coat, eye-glasses attached to a minute silver chain, andblue eyes that seemed to have the transparent innocence of a maid's.'There is only one, ' said Theodore Racksole succinctly.'You wish to see me?' the new-comer suggested.'You are Mr Felix Babylon?'The man bowed.'At this moment I wish to see you more than anyone else in the world, ' said Racksole. 'I amconsumed and burnt up with a desire to see you, Mr Ba