The Washington times., 1911-09-04
CHAPTER XII Continued.

H@ TRAIGHT?" asked Mr.. Samp-
son Levi, using his own pic
- turesque language.
Straight" said Racksole,
Smiling.
There was gent present at my ball
that didn't ask. I've got a wonderful
memory for faces, and 1 know. Several
fellows asked me afterward what he
was doing there. l was told by some
one that he was one of your walters,
but l didn't believe that.
Il know nothing of the Grand Baby
!ohTts not quite my style OF tavern;
but / don't think YOU'D send one OF
Your own walters to watch my guests
unless, OF course, you sent him as
waiter; and this chap didn't do any
drinking
Perhaps l can throw some light on
thls mystery said Racksoie. Il may
tell you that l was already aware that
ed" '0N- OA'' oiA' IL
How did you get to know
by pure chhnce, Mr.. Levi, and not
by inquiry. That man was a former
waiter at this hoteI-the mead waiter,
IN tact-Jules. No doubt you have heard
Not l." said Mr.. Levi positively.
Ali" said Mr.. Racksole. Y was in
formed that every one knew Jules, but
y.
previously to the night OF your ball. i
had dismissed Jules. l had ordered him
never to enter the Babylon again. But
on that evening l encountered him here
itself
asked him to explain his presence,
aho he stated he was your guest. That
Is all l know OF the matter, Mr.. Levi,
and l am extremely sorry that you
should have thought me ca pable Of tina
enormity of placing a private detective
among your guests"
This is perfectly satisfactory TO me-"
Mr. sampson Levi said after a pause
only wanted an explanation and I've
got It.
Il was told by some pals of mine In
the city that / might rely on Mr.. Tneo-
oore Racks9le going straight to the
point, and I'm glad they were right.
Now, as to that fellow Jules, / shall
make my own inquiries as to him Might
] ask you why you dismissed himy'
Il don't know why l dismissed him."
You don't know-oh, come now! I'm
only asking because l thought you might
be able to give me hint why he turned
up unlimited at my ball. Sorry IL I'm
too inQuisitive."
Not at all, Mr.. Levi. But l really
don't know. 1 only sort of felt that ne
was suspicious character. / dismissed
him on instinct, IS it were. Seer
Without answering that question, Mr.
Sampson Levi asked another
III this Jules is such a well-known
person. he said, "how could the fellow
hope to come to my ball without being
recognized?'
Give it up" said Racksole promptly.
We'll, I'll be moving on was Mr..
sampson Lewis next remark. Good
day, and thank ye. ] suppose you aren't
doing anything in Kaffrs?"
Mr.. Racksole smiled a negative
Il thought not" said Levi. well,
/ never touch American rails myseir'
and so I reckon we sha'nt come across
each other. Good-day."
'Good-day,'' said Racksole politely
Following Mr.: Sampson Levi to the door
With his fingers on the handle, Mr.
Levi stopped, and. gazing at Theodore
Racksole with a shrewd, quizzical ex-
Strange things been going on here
lately, eh?''
The two men looked very hard at
each other for. several seconds.
Yes" Racksole assented. Know
ANYTHING about them?"
"Well-no, not exactly" said Mr.
Levi. But I had a fancy you and I
might be useful to each other I had
q kind of fancy to that effect.
Come back and sit down again. Mr.
Lew Racksole said, attracted by the
evident stratghtforwardness Of the man.
NOW, how can We be Of service to each
other? ! fatter myself I'm something
cial character, and I tell you-if you'll
put your cards on the table I'll do ditto
with mine"
Agreed said Mr.. Sampson Levi.
your hotel. "
have been expecting to receive a
summons from certain Prince Eugen
OF Posen to attend him here. and that
summons sum hasn't arrived. 1t appears
that Prince Eugen hasn't come to Lon
don at all. Now, could have taken
my dying davy that he would have
been here Yesterday at the latest"
Why were you so sure?"
Let's clear the ground first Mr.. Rack
sole. Why did you buy this hoteI7
That's a conundrum that's been puz-
cling lot Of fellows in the city for
some days past Why did you buy the
Grand Babylon? And what is the next
move to be?"
There is no next move" answered
Racksole candidly. and I will tell you
why I bought the hotel; there need be
Of a whim."
And then Theodore Racksole gave this
little Jew, whom he had begun to re-
spect. a faithful account of the transac-
ton with Mr.. Felix Babylon.
II suppose, he added. you find a
difficulty in appreciating my state Of
mind when I did the deal"
Not a Bit" said Mr.. Levi "I once
Thames in very similar way, and II
turned out to be one Of the most salts
faotory purchases ever made. Then
it's a simple accident that you own this
hotel at the present moment?"
"A simple ACCIDENTAL because of a
beefsteak and a bottle of Bass"
''Um!' grunted Mr.. Sampson Levi,
stroling his triple chin.
"Te return to Prince Eugen," Rack
sole resumed. "I was expecting his
highness here. The state apartments
had been prepared for him. He was
due on the very afternoon that young
Dimmock died.
But he never came, and / have not
heard why he has failed to arrive; nor
|, have / seen his name in the papers.
What his business was in London
don't know"
81 will tell you," said Mr.. Sampson
Levi. HE was coming to arrange a
loan"
a. state loan?
mo, a private loan"
From whom?