Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Project
Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
I. ROOM No. 317
XXXIX. WORKING The Oracle
XL. The Oracle SPEAKS
I laid my papers down upon the broad mahogany counter, and exchangedgreetings with the tall frock-coated reception clerk who came smilingtowards me.
"I should like a single room on the third floor east, about the middlecorridor," I said. "Can you manage that for me? 317 I had last time."
He shook his head at once. "I am very sorry, Mr. Courage," he said, "butall the rooms in that corridor are engaged. We will give you one on thesecond floor at the same price."
I was about to close with his offer, when, with a word of excuse, hehurried away to intercept some one who was passing through the hall. Ajunior clerk took his place, and consulted the plan for a momentdoubtfully.
"There are several rooms exactly in the locality you asked for," heremarked, "which are simply being held over. If you would prefer 317, youcan have it, and I will give 217 to our other client."
"Thank you," I answered, "I should prefer 317 if you can manage it."
He scribbled the number upon a ticket and handed it to the porter, whostood behind with my dressing-case. A page caught up the key, and Ifollowed them to the lift. In the light of things which happenedafterwards, I have sometimes wondered what became of t