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’A ain ’Be careful,’ he said ’He’s the world’s ive you all the low - down on him if you want it, but that would be strictly between us!
’I certainly owe him no favours,’ said Abel ’I may well be in touch with you, Mr Osborne I have a score to settle with young Mr Kane for his treatment of Davis Leroy’
’Well, you can count on me to help in any way I can if Willia from behind his desk ’But that is strictly between us And if the court shows that Desmond Pacey burnt the Richmond and no one else was involved, the company will pay up the same day Then perhaps we can do some more business with all your other hotels’
’Perhaps,’said Abel
He walked back to the Stevens and decided to have lunch and find out for hi rooe at the desk for him A Mr David Maxton wondered if Abel was free to join him for lunch at one
’David Maxton,’ Abel said out loud, and the receptionist looked up ’Why do I know that nairl
’He owns this hotel, Mr Rosnovski’
’Ah, yes Please let Mr Maxton know that I shall be delighted to have lunch with hilanced at his watch ’And would you tell him that I may be a few irl
Abel went quickly up to his roo what David Maxton could possibly want
The dining room was already packed when Abel arrived Ile head waiter showed him to a private table in an alcove where the owner of the Stevens was sitting alone He rose to greet Abel
’Abel Rosnovski, sir’
’Yes, I know you,’ said Maxton, ’or, to be more accurate, I know you by reputation Do sit down and let’s order lunch’
Abel was compelled to adn - &e the Stevens The food and the service were every bit as good as those at the Plaza If he were to have the best hotel in Chicago, he kneould have to be better than this one
The head waiter reappeared with the menus Abel studied his carefully, politely declined a first course and selected the beef, the quickest way to tell if a restaurant is dealing with the right butcher David Maxton did not look at his menu and simply ordered the salmon Ile head waiter scurried away
’Youwhy I invited you to join me for lunch, Mr
Rosnovski’