Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1912 — The Grand Babylon Hotel [ARTICLE]

The Grand Babylon Hotel

(Copyright The Frank A. Munsey Co.) CHAPTER IL How Racksole Obtained His Dinner. Nevertheless, there are men with a confirmed habit of getting their own way. even as guests 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 way crossed her’s; in which case Theodore capitulated and fell back. But when Theodore and his daughter happened to be going one and the same road, which was pretty often, then Heaven alone might help any obstacle that was so ill-advised as to stand in their path. Jules, great and observant man though he was, had not noticed the terrible projective chins of both father and daughter; otherwise 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’s sactum. “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 guests who desired to see Mr. Babylon. “No, no,” said Racksole quickly. “I don’t want any ‘l’m afraids.’ This Is business. If you had been the ordinary hotel clerk I should have slipped a couple of sovereigns into your hand and the thing would have been done. As you are not, as you are obviously above bribes, I merely say to you— X must see Mr. Babylon at 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 shortly and saw a rather short, French looking man, with a bald head, a gray beard, a long and perfectly built frock coat, eyeglasses attached to a minute silver chain and blue eyes that seemed to have the transparent innocency of a maid’s. “There is only one,” said Theodore Racksole succinctly. “You wish to see me?” the newcomer 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 am consumed and burnt up" with u desire to-see yon, Mr. Babylon. I want a few minutes’ quiet chat. I fancy I can settle my business in that time.” With a gesture Mr. Babylon invited the millionaire down a side corridor, at the end of which was Mr. Babylon’s private roomfa miracle of Louie XI furniture and tapestry; like most unmarried men with large incomes, Mr. Babylon had “tastes” of a highly expensive sort <

The landlord and his guest sat down opposite each other. Theodore Racksole had met with toe usual millionaire’s luck in this adventure! for Mr. Babylon made a practice of not allowing himself to be interviewed by his guests, however distinguished, however wealthy, however pertinacious. If he had not chanced to enter Miss Spencer’s office at that precise moment, and if he had not been interested in a somewhat, peculiar way by the physiognomy of the millionaire, not all Mr. Racksole’s American energy and ingenuity would have availed for a confabulation with the owner of the Qrand Babylon Hotel that night -- Theodore Racksole, however, was ignorant that a mere accident had served Mm. Hb took all the credit la himself. “I read in the New York papers some months ago," Theodore started, without even a clearing of toe throat “that this hotel of yours, Mr. Babylon, was to be sold to a limited company, but it appears that the sale was not carried out.” “It was not” answed Mr. Babylon, frankly. “And toe reason was that the middlemen between toe proposed company and myself wished to make a large secret profit and I declined to be a party to such a profit They were firm; I was firm; and so toe affair came to nothing.” “The agreed price was satisfactory f “Quite.”.- V*> “May I ask what the price-was ” —“Are you a buyer, Mr. Racksole?” “Are yon a seller, Mr. Babylon r *1 bbl” said Babylon, “on terms. TBe price was £400,000, including toe leasehold and the goodwill But I sell only on toe condition that the buyer does not transfer toe pnjp-

erty to a limited company at a higher figure.” ■ “I will put one question to you,” Mr. Babylon,” said the millionaire. “What have your profits averaged during the last four year*?” ‘Thirty-four thousand pounds per annum.” “I buy,” said Theodore Racksole, smiling contentedly. “And we will, if you please, exchange contract letters on the spot.” “You come quickly to a resolution, Mr. Racksole. But perhaps you have been considering this (or a long time. “On the contrary”—Racksole looked at his watch —“I have been considering is for just six minutes.” .Felix Babylon bowed, as one thoroughly accustomed to every eccentricity of wealth.”

“The beauty of being well known,’ Racksole continued, “is that you need not trouble about preliminary explana tions. You, Mr. Babylon, (probably know all about me. I know a good' deal about you. We can take each other for granted without reference. Really, it is as simple to buy a hotel or a railroad as it is to buy a watch, provided one is equal ‘to the transaction.” “Precisely,” agreed Mr. Babylon, smiling. “‘Shall we draw up the little informal contract? There are details to be thought of. But it occurs to me that you cannot have dined yet, and might prefer to deal with minor questions after dinner.” “I have not dined,” said the millionaire, with emphasis. “And in that connection will you do me a favor? Will you send for Mr. Rocco?” “You wish to see him, naturally” “I do/’ said the millionaire, and added: “About my dinner.” “Rocco is a great man,” murmured Mr. Babylon, as he touched the bell, ignoring the last words. “My compliments to Mr. Rocco,” he said to the page who answered his summons, “and if it is quite convenient I should be glad to see him here for a moment” What do you give Rocco?” Racksole inquired. (To be continued