Chapter Four ENTRANCE OF THE PRINCE

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 yourself, to stay on in the hotel as a guest
for the present. We have much to settle with regard to 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. It will be a wrench
to me.'

'I shall be delighted if you will stay,' said the millionaire, 'but it
must be as my guest, not as the 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.'