Entering the hotel office he
asked to look at the register.
"Room 324," he said to himself. "That is on the third floor, I suppose,
since they generally start a new hundred for every floor. Wonder if
I can get up without being noticed?"
He watched his chance, and slipping past the bell boys, made his way
up the stairs, which, on account of the elevators, were but little
used. In a few minutes he was in front of the door to Room 324. He
tried it cautiously, to find it locked.
"Now if only the keys will work," he muttered, breathing hard, and
taking a bunch of keys from his pocket he tried them, one after another.
He had tried four keys without success, when he saw a waiter approaching
with a trayful of good things for a late supper in a nearby apartment.
At once he moved away down the hallway and did not return until the
servant had disappeared from view.
He had five other keys and the third fitted the lock, although rather
crudely; so crudely in fact that once the lock bolt was turned the
key could not be withdrawn.
"That's bad," he thought. "But as it cannot be helped I'll have to
make the best of it. I mustn't stay here too long," and going into
the room he closed the door after him.
There was a faint light burning at one of the gas jets and this he
turned up, and pulled down the shades of the windows. Then he gazed
swiftly around the large room, noting the boys' trunks and traveling
bags and several articles of wearing apparel scattered about.
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