The Great Secret

Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Project
Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
I. ROOM No. 317
XXXIX. WORKING The Oracle
XL. The Oracle SPEAKS
I laid my papers down upon the broad mahogany counter, and exchanged greetings with the tall frock-coated reception clerk who came smiling towards me.
I should like a single room on the third floor east, about the middle corridor, I said. Can you manage that for me? 317 I had last time.
He shook his head at once. I am very sorry, Mr. Courage, he said, but all the rooms in that corridor are engaged. We will give you one on the second floor at the same price.
I was about to close with his offer, when, with a word of excuse, he hurried away to intercept some one who was passing through the hall. A junior clerk took his place, and consulted the plan for a moment doubtfully.
There are several rooms exactly in the locality you asked for, he remarked, which are simply being held over. If you would prefer 317, you can have it, and I will give 217 to our other client.
Thank you, I answered, I should prefer 317 if you can manage it.
He scribbled the number upon a ticket and handed it to the porter, who stood behind with my dressing-case. A page caught up the key, and I followed them to the lift. In the light of things which happened afterwards, I have sometimes wondered what became of the unfortunate junior clerk who gave me room number 317.