"'No," replied the manager, and, in the same breath, the budding
diplomat demanded:

"What are you up to, Average? Why should he?"

Average Jones turned to him. "To what other hotels would the
Turkish Embassy be likely to send its men?"

"Sometimes their charge d'affaires goes to the Nederstrom."

"Go up there and find out whether a room has been reserved for
Telfik Bey, and if so--"

"They wouldn't reserve at two hotels, would they?"

"By whom," concluded Average Jones, shaking his head at the
interruption. "Find out who occupied or reserved the apartments on
either side."

Mr. Thomas Colvin McIntyre lifted a wrinkling eyebrow. "Really,
Jones," he observed, "you seem to be employing me rather in the
capacity of a messenger boy."

"If you think a messenger boy could do it as well, ring for one,"
drawled Average Jones, in his mildest voice. "Meantime, I'll be in
the Turk's room here."

Numbers 335 and 336, which the manager opened, after the prompt if
somewhat sulky departure of Mr. McIntyre, proved to consist of a
small sitting room, a bedroom and a bath, each with a large window