Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1902-09-27 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SYINOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.  Mr Theodor-e-li-a-cle-so-le-,-American millionaire, buys the Grand Babylon Hotel in order to gratify a freak of his daughter Nella. No sooner has he done so than his troubles begin. The dismissal of the head waiter, Jules, whose insolence was really the cause of Racksole's purchase, is the signal for a series of mysterious dcings which threaten to baffle even the power of geld. At dinner on the first evening a Mr Reginald Dimmock Soins the party, having made Nella' a acquaintance abroad. .Next day Nella is entertaining Prince Aribert, uncle of the Grand Duke of Posen, when Dimmock's dead body is brought in. Jules continues to haunt the hotel, though warned off tl e premises, and when the ' time °eines for the removal (if Dianniock's body it has disappeared. Nella discovers that Prince Aribert is worried about something. He confides in her that his nephew, who was expected at the Grand Babylon, has mysteriously disappeared. Nella volunteers her help in solving the mystery, and in pursuance of a clue goes to Ostend. Thero she is kidnapped by Jules, and carried off in a yacht, but Prince Aribert arrives opportunely, and they return together to Ostend. Racksole, meanwhile, has been making observations of the behaviour of the chef, Rocco, whom .he suspects of being in the plot against him. Happening to visit a particular suite ef teems in the hotel, situated just over the State apartments Rackeole discovers a secret passage connecting the two floors. He descends and sees Rocco in the act of embalming the corpse of Dirnmeck. Entering the room he receives an explanation trom the chef, in which he states that be will give up the game, having disapproved of • the methods adopted by IS colleagee, Jules, for some time past. By a simple trick, however, the chef gots clear away, and next day Raeksole receives a summons from Nella to proceed to Ostend direct. Incidents of a strange character follow, Pnnee Eugen is fount!), and, after a sharp attack of brain fever, in whioh he is nursed by Nella, her father and Prince Aribert, he is brought to the Grand Babylon, having given no clear account of the reason for his abduction. A loan the Prince had been negotiating with an 14.lnglieh financier falls through because of his failure to keep an appointment. Raciesole has an idea that Jules and his fellow-conspirators should be brought to justice, and still pursues the matter, without, however, calling in the aid of the police. He encounters Felix Babylon, and tells him the whole story, hearing from him that Jules is again in London. Apprehensive of a second attempt on Prince Eugen'e life or liberty, the two men proceed to the wine-cellars to examine them, aiu while there disoover that Nella has also obtained acoees to the carefullyguarded vaults. She satisfaetorily explains her entrance, and Babylon and herself remain to watch Jules at his murderous work of tampering with the wine intended for the Prince. Racksole is just too late to effect his capture, so once ega.in he outwits the millionaire. By Raeksole's desire, in order to ascertain if Jules has accomplices in the hotel, the wine is allowed to appear at the Prince's table. He is prevented by Prince Aribert from drinking it, but in spite of this falls back unconscious. Rack sole finds that Jules made good his escape by means of a steam launch. He, therefore takes steps to find this vessel, and ;e so far successful that by a stroke of luck be has Juice safely in his hotel, a prisoner.