The fat hotel man drew up his shoulders. “Personally, I like you very much, Mr. Pennington,” he said. “But I am powerless in this manner. Times are not what they should be—our whole city is much upset. I cannot harbor anybody who defends the Japanese as you have done. M. Sandrek owns this hotel and also owns some of the houses in which the Japanese dwelt. You perhaps can put the tail on the horse.”

“Which means that M. Sandrek, through his rent gatherer, has ordered me from this hotel,” said Gilbert bitterly. “Very well, I will go and at once. How much is my bill?”

The hotel proprietor consulted his books. “Sixteen rubles and twenty-five kopecks,” he said. “But you will dine first, yes?”

“No, I’ll take my orders and go instantly,” returned[Pg 40] Gilbert grimly. His temper was beginning to rise, and he controlled himself with difficulty.

[Pg 40]

“I am powerless, Mr. Pennington. If I went against the order——”

“Oh, I can understand your situation,” answered the young American, and continued with sarcasm: “I don’t expect every Russian to have a backbone of his own.”

“We have all the backbone we need!” cried the hotel man, and swept into his cash drawer the money Gilbert threw on the counter. “What about your luggage?”

“I will take the bag, and send for the trunk later.”

Once on the street Gilbert did not know which way to turn. There was another hotel close by, but the accommodations there were very poor. A third hotel was several squares away. He determined to try this and hurried in its direction.

“Have you just arrived in the city?” was the first question put.

“No, I have been stopping here for some time,” and the young American passed over his card.

“At what place?” and when he mentioned the name of the hotel he was asked why he had left.

“They did not wish me to stay any longer.”

“Is it possible? Wait, and we will see if we can accommodate you.”

[Pg 41]

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