standing 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 some fool hadn't burned the place down before you were given 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 problems left over from the Richmond!
'String 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 something about her.
'Why don't you stay on at the hotel as my guest for a few days,' Maxton asked, 'and see how we run the place? It may help you make your decision.'
'That won't be necessary, Mr. Maxton. After only one day as a guest here I knew how well the hotel is run. My problem is that I own the Richmond Group.'
David Maxton's face registered surprise. 'I had no idea,' he said. 'I assumed old Davis Leroy's daughter would now be the owner.'
'It's a long story,' said Abel, and he explained to Maxton how he had come into the ownership of the group's stock.
'Ile problem is a simple one, Mr. Maxton. What I really want to do is find the two million dollars myself and build that group up into something worthwhile. Something that would even give you a good run for your money!
'I see,' said Maxton, looking quizzically at his empty plate. A waiter removed it.
'Would you like some coffee?' The same waitress. The same familiar look. It was beginning to worry Abel.
'And you say Curtis Fenton of Continental Trust is looking for a buyer on your behalf ?'
'Yes, he has been for nearly a month,' said Abel. 'In fact, I shall know later this afternoon if they've had any success, but I'm not optin - Aistic.'
'Well, that's most interesting. I had no idea the Richmond Group was looking for a buyer. Will you please keep me informed either way?'
'Certainly,' said Abel.
'How much more time is the Boston bank giving you to find the two million?'
'Only a few more days, so it won't be long before I can let you know my decision.'
'Thank you,' said Maxton. 'It's been a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rosnovski.
I feel sure I'd enjoy working with you.' He shook Abel warmly by the hand.
'Thank you, sir,'said Abel.
The waitress smiled at him again as he passed her on his way out of the dining room. When Abel reached the head waiter, he stopped and enquired what her name was.
'I'm sorry, sir, we're not allowed to give the names of any of our staff to the customers; it's stridtly against company policy. If you have a complaint, perhaps you'd be kind enough to make it to me, sir.'
'No complaint,' said Abel. 'On the contrary, an excellent lunch.'
With a job offer under his belt, Abel felt more confident about facing Curtis Fenton. He was certain the banker would not have found a buyer, but none the less, he strolled over to the Continental Trust with a spring in his heels. He liked the idea of being the manager of the best hotel in Chicago: Perhaps he could make it the best hotel in America. As soon as he arrived at the bank, he was ushered directly into Curtis Fenton's office. Ile tall, thin banker - did he wear the same suit every day or did he have three identical ones? - offered Abel a seat, and a large smile appeared across his usually solemn face.
'Mr. Rosnovski, how good to see you again. If you had come this morning, I would have had no news to give you, but only a few moments ago I received a call from an interested party." Abel's heart leaped with surprise and pleasure.