The San Francisco call., 1913-11-22

, not be a day older than IT. and
might he a good deal less He cast
critical eye on Philips clothing,
and saw that. while it was good, it
was not the gloss of We're de We're
He would paralyze him at one fell
blow. little dreaming that the other
read his glance and knew the exact
mental process of his reasoning.
There is a good suite vacant on
the first floor. but it contains a
dressing room and bathroom" he said,
smiling the smile of a very knowing
person
That sounds all right. I will take
it."
"Ah yes. It costs pounds a day.
Each of the six words in that por-
tentous sentence contained note of
admiration that swelled out into a
magnificent crescendo. 1t was verbal
avalanche. beneath which this queer
youth should be crushed into the very
dust
Five pounds a day. observed
Philip. calmly Il suppose there
would be a reduction if taken by the
month";
Well-er-during the season it is
not-er-usual to
oh. very well. l can easily arrange
for permanency later if l think fit.
What number is the suite. please. and
viii you kindly have my luggage sent
there at once?"
The clerk was demoralized, but he
managed to say:
DO you quite understand the terms
80 pounds a week?"
Yes" said Philip. ''Shall / pay you
a week In advance? I can give you
notes. but it will oblige me if you
take check, as | may want the ready
money in my possession.
Receiving a faint indication that
under the circumstances a check
would be esteemed a favor. Philip
whipped out his check book filled in
a check to the hotel and did not forget
TO cross it ''ac. payee."
The clerk watched him with an
amazement too acute for words He
produced the register and Philip
signed his name. He was given a re-
celpt for the payment on account, and
then asked to be shown to his rooms.
boy smaller, but not younger, than
himself-a smart page. who listened
to the foregoing with deep interest
asked timidly whether the guest
would go by the stairs or use the ele-
vator.
i will walk" said Philip, who liked
to ascertain his bearings.
The palatiaf nature of the apart
n1ents took him by surprise when he
reached them. Although far from
being the most expensive suite in the
hotel. the surroundings were of ma
ture vastly removed from anything
hitherto known to him.
Even the charming house he in
habited as a child in Dieppe contained
no such luxury. His portmanteau
followed quickly. and valet entered.
Philips quick ears caught the accent
of a Frenchman. and the boy spoke
to the man in the language of his
country. pure and undefiled by the
barbarisms of John Bull
They were chatting about the
weather, which. by the way, ever
since the 18th of March had been ex-
traordinarily fine. when there was a
knock at the door and the manager
entered
The clerk found the situation too
much for him. He had appealed to a
higher authority
Even the suave and diplomatic
Monsieur Foret could not conceal the
astonishment that leaped to his ewes
when he saw the occupant of suite r.
Il think you will find these rooms
very comfortable" he said, for lack of
aught better. commissionaire was
already on his way to the bank to ask
II the check was all right.
Are You them anager?" said Philip
who was washing his hands.
Yes"
Il am glad you called. One of
your clerks seemed to be taken abaclr
because a youngster like me engaged
an expensive suite / suppose the
proceeding is unusual, but there is
no reason why IL should create ex-
citement- It need not be commented
on. for instance?'
No, no. OF course mott
Thank you very much. have a
special reason for wishing to live at
this hotel Indeed. / have given this
address for certain important docu-
ments. Will you kindly arrange that
| may be treated like any ordinary
person?''s
7 hope the clerk was not rude to
your"
Not in the least. I am only
anxious TO prevent special notice be-
ing taken OF me. You see. IL Others
will be pointed out as curiosity.
and that will not be pleasant"
The request was eminently reason
able. The manager assured him that
strict orders would be given on the
point instantly. though he was quite
certain, in his own mind, that inquiry
would soon be made for this remark
able youth, perhaps by the police.
You can leave u.s." said Philip to
the valet in French.
Now, the chance use of that lam
guage. no less than his perfect ac-
cent, went a long way toward remov-
ing the managers suspicious A boy
who was SO well educated must be
quite out of the common Perhaps
some eccentric parent or guardian en-
couraged him to act independently
thus early in life. He might be the
son of a rich man coming to London
for a special course of study. The
name. Anson, was an aristocratic one.
But his clothes-they were odd. Good
enough, but not the right thing.
..Will you oblige me by recommends
ing a good taflor?" said Philip. II
need a complete outfit of wearing ap-
pare1. and 1t will save me a lot of
trouble If somebody will tell me ex-
actly what TO buy and where to buy
it,