Отель «Гранд Вавилон» / The Grand Babylon hotel

�By a series of accidents I am,’ he said. �My equerry was to have met me at Charing Cross, but he failed to do so—I cannot imagine why.’

�Mr Dimmock?’ questioned Racksole.

�Yes, Dimmock. I do not remember that he ever missed an appointment before. You know him? He has been here?’

�He dined with us last night—’ said Racksole,�on Nella’s invitation,’ he added maliciously; �but to-day we have seen nothing of him. I know, however, that he has engaged the State apartments, and also a suite adjoining the State apartments—No.

�Yes, Papa,’ she said, having first demurely examined a ledger. �Your Highness would doubtless like to be conducted to your room—apartments I mean.’ Then Nella laughed deliberately at the Prince, and said, �I don’t know who is the proper person to conduct you, and that’s a fact. The truth is that Papa and I are rather raw yet in the hotel line. You see, we only bought the place last night.

�You have bought the hotel!’ exclaimed the Prince.

�That’s so,’ said Racksole.

�And Felix Babylon has gone?’

�He is going, if he has not already gone.’

�Ah! I see,’ said the Prince; �this is one of your American “strokes”. You have bought to sell again, is that not it? You are on your holidays, but you cannot resist making a few thousands by way of relaxation. I have heard of such things.’

�We sha’n’t sell again, Prince, until we are tired of our bargain.

Racksole broke off suddenly to attend to a servant in livery who had quietly entered the bureau and was making urgent mysterious signs to him.

�If you please, sir,’ the man by frantic gestures implored Mr Theodore Racksole to come out.

�Pray don’t let me detain you, Mr Racksole,’ said the Prince, and therefore the proprietor of the Grand Babylon departed after the servant, with a queer, curt little bow to Prince Aribert.

�Mayn’t I come inside?’ said the Prince to Nella immediately the millionaire had gone.

�Impossible, Prince,’ Nella laughed. �The rule against visitors entering this bureau is frightfully strict.’

�How do you know the rule is so strict if you only came into possession last night?’

�I know because I made the rule myself this morning, your Highness.