I'm a stockbroker, that's what I am, and I don't care who
knows it. The other night I had a ball in this hotel. It cost me a
couple of thousand and odd pounds, and, by the way, I wrote out a
cheque for your bill this morning. I don't like balls, but they're
useful to me, and my little wife likes 'em, and so we give 'em.
Now, I've nothing to say against the hotel management as regards
that ball: it was very decently done, very decently, but what I want
to know is this - Why did you have a private detective among my
guests?'
'A private detective?' exclaimed Racksole, somewhat surprised at
this charge.
'Yes,' Mr Sampson Levi said firmly, fanning himself in his chair,
and gazing at Theodore Racksole with the direct earnest
expression of a man having a grievance. 'Yes; a private detective.
It's a small matter, I know, and I dare say you think you've got a
right, as proprietor of the show, to do what you like in that line;
but I've just called to tell you that I object. I've called as a matter of
principle. I'm not angry; it's the principle of the thing.'
'My dear Mr Levi,' said Racksole, 'I assure you that, having let the
Gold Room to a private individual for a private entertainment, I
should never dream of doing what you suggest.'
'Straight?' asked Mr Sampson Levi, using his own picturesque
language.
'Straight,' said Racksole smiling.
'There was a gent present at my ball that I didn't ask.
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