CHAPTER XII.
A Surprising Announcement.
Harry Beaufort entered the Metropolitan Hotel with the confidence of a city boy who knew that hotels are places of general resort, and that his entrance would not attract attention. He walked slowly through to the rear, looking about him guardedly to see if he could discover anybody who answered to his idea of Philip Grafton. Had he seen Ben, he would doubtless have supposed that he was the cousin of whom he was in search; but Ben had come in about five o'clock and had gone out again with his friend, the reporter, who had called for him.
Thus Harry looked in vain, and was disposed to think that he would have to leave the hotel with his errand unaccomplished. This he didn't like to do. He concluded, therefore, to go up to the desk and inquire of the clerk.
"Is there a boy staying here named Philip Grafton?" asked Harry.
"Yes, my boy. Do you want to see him?" returned the clerk.
"Yes, sir, if you please."
"He went out half an hour since," said a bell-boy, who chanced to be near.