The Master Key


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Pausing at length above the imposing structure of the Hotel Anglais, Rob  
noticed at one of the upper floors an open window, before which was a  
small iron balcony. Alighting upon this he proceeded to enter, without  
hesitation, the open window. He heard a shriek and a cry of "AU  
VOLEUR!" and caught sight of a woman's figure as she dashed into an  
adjoining room, slamming and locking the door behind her.  
"
I don't know as I blame her," observed Rob, with a smile at the panic he  
had created. "I s'pose she takes me for a burglar, and thinks I've climbed  
up the lightning rod."  
He soon found the door leading into the hallway and walked down  
several flights of stairs until he reached the office of the hotel.  
"
How much do you charge a day?" he inquired, addressing a fat and  
pompous-looking gentlemen behind the desk.  
The man looked at him in a surprised way, for he had not heard the boy  
enter the room. But he said something in French to a waiter who was  
passing, and the latter came to Rob and made a low bow.  
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I speak ze Eengliss ver' fine," he said. "What desire have you?"  
What are your rates by the day?" asked the boy.  
Ten francs, M'sieur."  
How many dollars is that?"  
Dollar Americaine?"  
Yes; United States money."  
Ah, OUI! Eet is ze two dollar, M'sieur."  
All right; I can stay about a day before I go bankrupt. Give me a room."  
CERTAINEMENT, M'sieur. Have you ze luggage?"  
No; but I'll pay in advance," said Rob, and began counting out his dimes  
and nickles and pennies, to the unbounded amazement of the waiter,  
who looked as if he had never seen such coins before.  
He carried the money to the fat gentleman, who examined the pieces  
curiously, and there was a long conference between them before it was  
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Page
58 59 60 61 62

Quick Jump
1 27 54 81 108