Page 106 (2/2)

’I assu to ask me to take over the Stevens for you’

’You’re absolutely right, Mr Rosnovski’

It was Maxton’s turn to laugh Abel was speechless Even the arrival of their waiter wheeling a trolley of the finest beef did not help The carver waited Maxton squeezed some lemon over his salmon and continued

’My manaler is due to retire in five months’ time after twenty - two years of loyal service and the assistant er is also due for retire for a new broom’

’Place looks pretty clean toto i still,’ said Maxton ’I’ve been watching your activities carefully It wasn’t until you took the Richmond over that it could even be classified as a hotel It was a huge flop, house before that In another two or three years, you would have been a rival to the Stevens if soiven the chance’

’Potatoes, sir?’

Abel looked up at a very attractive junior waitress She smiled at him

’No, thank you,’ he said to her ’Well, I’m very flattared, Mr Maxton, both by your comments and the offer’

’I think you’d be happy here, Mr Rosnovski The Stevens is a well - run hotel, and I would be willing to start you off at fifty dollars a weA and two per cent of the profits You could start as soon as you like’

’I’ll need a few days to think over your generous offer, Mr Maxton,’

said Abel, ’but I confess I am very tempted Nevertheless, I still have a few proble beans, sir?’ Ile same waitress, and the same smile

The face looked familiar Abel felt sure he had seen her somewhere before Perhaps she had once worked at the Richmond

"Yes, please!

He watched her walk away There was so about her

’Why don’t you stay on at the hotel as uest for a few days,’ Maxton asked, ’and see hoe run the place? It may help you make your decision’