The two women walked up to the desk.
“I am Mrs. Everett Leeds,” the one with the dog announced a trifle too loudly. “I have a reservation.”
“Just a minute please,” the clerk requested.
It seemed to Penny that he looked disturbed as he thumbed through his cards.
“There is no occasion for delay,” Mrs. Leeds declared blandly. “My daughter and I always engage the same room—305.”
“Why, that was the number of one of the rooms assigned to my party,” Mr. Nichols observed.
“There’s been some mix-up,” the clerk said in distress. He turned again to the two women. “Your reservation isn’t on file, Mrs. Leeds. When did you send the wire?”
“I reserved the room by letter,” the woman informed him coldly.
“It was never received here I am sure.”
“No doubt the letter was lost.”