Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1912 — The Grand Babylon Hotel [ARTICLE]

The Grand Babylon Hotel

(Copyright The Frank A. Munsey Co.) CHAPTER IT. The Entrance of the Prince. 2 Nevertheless, sundry small things weighed on Racksole’s mind. First, there was Jules’ wink. Then there was the ribbon on the door handle and Jules’ visit to No. 111, and the broken window—broken from the outside. Racksole did . not forget that the time was 3 a. m. He slept but little that night, but he was glad that he had bought the Grand Babylon Hotel. It was an acquisition which seemed to promise fun and diversion. The next morning he came across Mr. Babylon early. “I have emptied my private room of all personal papers,” said Babylon, ‘ and it is now at your disposal. I purpose, if agreeable to yoursdlf, to stay on in the hotel as a guest for the present. We have much to setjje with regard td the completion of the purchase, and also there are things which you might want to ask me. Also, to tell the truth, I am not anxious to leave the old place with too much suddenness.” “I shall be delighted if you will stay,” said the millionaire, ‘‘but it must be as my guest, not as a guest of the hotel.” “You are very kind.” “As for wishing to consult you, no doubt I shall have need to do so, but I must say that the show seems to run itself,” “Ah!” said Babylon, thoughtfully, “I have heard of hotels that run themselves. If they do, you may be sure that they obey the laws of gravity and run downward. You will have your hands full. For example, have you not yet heard about Miss Spencer?” '‘No,” said Racksole. “What of her?” “She has mysteriously vanished during the night, and nobody appears to be able to throw any light on the affair. Her room is empty, her boxes gone. You will want some one to take Tier place, and that some one will not be very easy to get.” “H’m!” Racksole said, after a pause. “Hers is not the only post that falls vacant today.” A little later the millionaire installed himself in the late owner’s private room and rang the bell. “I want Jules,” he said to the page. While waiting for Jules, Racksole considered the question of Miss Spencer’s disappearance. “Good morning, Jules,” was his cheerful greeting when the imperturbable waiter arrived. “Gbod morning, sir.” “Take a chair.” “Thank you, sir.” “We have met before this morning, Jules.” “Yes, sir; at 3 ft. in.” “Rather strange about Miss Spencer’s departure—is it not?” suggested Racksole. “It is remarkable, sir.” “You are aware, of course, that Mr.,. Babylon has transferred all his interests in this hotel to me?” “I have been informed to that effect, sir.” “I suppose you know everything that goes on in the hotel, Jules T’ “As head waiter, sir, it is my business to keep a general eye on things.” “You speak very good English for a foreigner, Jules.” “For a foreigner, sir! I am an Englishman, a Hertfordshire man, born and bred. Perhaps my name has misled you, sir. I am only, called Jules because the head waiter of any really high class hotel must have either a French or an Italian name." “I see,” said Racksole- “I think you must be rather a clever person,” “That Is not for me to say, sir.” “How long has the, hotel enjoyed the advantage of your services?” “A little over 20 years.” “That is a long time to be in one place. Don’t you think it’s time you got out of the rut? You are still young and might make a reputation for yourself in another and wider sphere.” Racksolft'looked steadily at the man, and his glance was as steadily returned. “You aren’t satisfied with me, sir?” “To be frank, Jules, I think —I think you—er —wink too much. And I think that it is regrettable when a head waiter falls into a habit of taking white ribbons from the handles of bed doors at t o’clock in the morning.” “I see how it is, sir. You wish me to go and one pretext, if I may use the term, is as good as another. Very, well, I can't say Chat I am surprised. It sometimes happens that there is incompatability of temper between a hotel proprietor sad his head waiter, and then, unless one of them goes,.

the hotel is likely to suffer. I will go, Mr. - Racksole. In fact. I had already thought of giving notice.” The-millionaire smiled appreciatively. “What wages do you require in lieu of notice? It is my intention that you leave the hotel within an hour.” “I require no wages in lieu of notice, sir. I Would scorn to accept anything, And I will leave immediately.” “Good day, then. Ybu have my best wishes and my admiration so long as you keep out of my hotel.” Racksole got up. “Gbod day, sir and thank you.” “By the way, Jules, It will be useless for you to apply to any other first rate European hotel for a post, because I shall take measures which will insure the rejection of any such application.” “Without discussing the question whether or not there aren’t at least half a dozen hbtels in London alone that would jump /or joy at the chance at getting me,” answered Jules, “I may tell you, sir, that I shall retire from my profession.” “Really! You will turn your brain to a different channel?” “No, sir. I shall take rooms in Albemarle or Jermyn street, and just be content to be a man about town. I have saved some £20,000 — a mere trifle, but sufficient for my needs —and I shall now proceed to enjoy it Pardon me for troubling you with my personal.affairs. And good day again.” That Afternoon Racksole went with Felix Babylon first to* a firm of solicitors In the city and then to a stock broken in order to carry out the practical details of the purchase of the hotel. “Talking of money,” said Racksole on their way back, “how much do you think Jules flas contrived to amass while he has been with you?” “Oh!” Babylon smiled. “I should not like to guess. He has had Unique opportunities*” ; “Should you consider £20,000 an extraordinary sum under the circumstances?” "Not at all. Has he been confiding lnSou?”» -« •‘Somewhat,-4 have dismissed him.” “You have dismissed him?” "Why norr p •There is” no reason why not. felt I have felt inclined to dismiss him for the last 10 years, and never found courage to do It” * 7 “It was a perfectly staple proceeding, I assure yon. Before I had done with him i rather liked the fellow.”. . . “Miss Spencer and—Jules—both

gone in one day!” mused Felix Babylon; “And no one to take their places,” said Racksole. “And yet the hotel continues its way!” But when Racksole reached the Grand Babylon he found that Miss Spencer’s chair in the bureau was occupied by a stately and imperious girl dressed becomingly in black. "Heavens, Nella!” he cried. “What are you doing here?’7_ - "I am taking Miss Spencer’s place. I want to help you with your hotel, dad. I fancy I shall make an excellent hotel clerk. I have arranged with a Miss Selina Smith, one of the typewriter girls in the office, to put me up to all the tips and tricks, and I shall do very well.” “But look here, Helen Racksole. We shall have the whole of London talking about this thing—the greatest of all American heiresses a hotel clerk! And I came here for quiet and rest!” “I suppose it was for the sake of quiet and rest that you bought the hotel, papa?” “You would insist on the steak,” he retorted. “Get out of this on the instant!” “Here I am, here I stay,” said Nella, and she deliberately laughed at her parent. Just then tbe face of a fair-haired man of about 30 years appeared at the bureau window. .7 ! He was very well dressed, very aristocratic in his pose, and he seemed angry. He looked fixedly at Nella and started back. “Ach!” he exclaimed. “You!” “Yes, your highness, it Is indeed 1. Father, this Is his serene highness Prince Aribert of Pt/sen —one of qur most esteemed customers.” “You know my name, fraulein?” the newcomer murmered in German. “Certainly, Prince,” Nella replied sweetly. “You were plain Count Steenbock last spring in Paris—doubtle|9 traveling incognito”— “Silence,” he entreated with a wave 0? the hand, and his forehead went as white as paper.