Racksole shrugged his shoulders. 'It is a change from railroads,' he
laughed.

'Ah, my friend, you little know what you have bought.'

'Oh! yes I do,' returned Racksole; 'I have bought just the first hotel
in the world.'

'That is true, that is true,' Babylon admitted, gazing meditatively at
the antique Persian carpet. 'There is nothing, anywhere, like my
hotel. But you will regret the purchase, Mr Racksole. It is no
business of mine, of course, but I cannot help repeating that you
will regret the purchase.'

'I never regret.'

'Then you will begin very soon - perhaps to-night.'

'Why do you say that?'

'Because the Grand Babylon is the Grand Babylon. You think
because you control a railroad, or an iron-works, or a line of
steamers, therefore you can control anything. But no. Not the
Grand Babylon. There is something about the Grand Babylon - ' He
threw up his hands.

'Servants rob you, of course.'

'Of course. I suppose I lose a hundred pounds a week in that way.
But it is not that I mean. It is the guests. The guests are too - too