“Ahem! Sorry, but I cannot let you have it any longer.”
“Can you give me another just as good?”
“I cannot give you any room at all.”
Gilbert looked at the hotel proprietor, who dropped his eyes in confusion. There was an awkward pause.
“This means, I suppose, that you do not want me here any longer?”
“Hardly that, Mr. Pennington. I—ahem!—I cannot let you have any room; that is all there is to it.”
“But there must be some reason for this.”
“I am sorry, but I cannot offer any explanations. Your luggage has been packed for you and stands at the lower end of the hall. As soon as you have settled up, you may remove it to any place you please, or I will send it for you.”
“Do you think you are treating me fairly, M. Raspan?”
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.”