"You astonish me! Let me see----" Mr. Cone whirled the register around and looked at it. He read aloud: "Helene Spenceley--Prouty, Wyoming."
Mr. Cone lowered his voice discreetly: "What was her explanation?"
"She accused me of snoring!" declared Mr. Penrose, furiously. "I heard the clock strike every hour until morning! Not a wink have I slept--not a wink, Mr. Cone!"
"We can arrange this satisfactorily, Mr. Penrose," Mr. Cone smiled conciliatingly. "I have no doubt that Miss--er--Spenceley will gladly change her room if I ask her. I shall place one equally good at her disposal---- Ah, I presume this is she--let me introduce you."
Although he would not admit it, Mr. Penrose was quite as astonished as Wallie at the appearance of the person who stepped from the elevator and walked to the desk briskly. She was young and good looking and wore suitable clothes that fitted her; also, while not aggressive, she had a self-reliant manner which proclaimed the fact that she was accustomed to looking after her own interests. While she was as far removed as possible from the person Mr. Penrose had expected to see, still she was the "female" who had "sassed" him as he had not been "sassed" since he could remember, and he eyed her belligerently as he curtly acknowledged the introduction.
"Mr. Penrose, one of our oldest guests in point of residence, tells me that you have had some little--er--difference----" began Mr. Cone, affably.
"I had a hellish night!" Mr. Penrose interrupted, savagely. "I hope never to put in such another."
"I join you in that," replied Miss Spenceley, calmly. "I've never heard any one snore so horribly--I'd know your snore among a thousand."
"Never mind--we can adjust this matter amicably, I will change your room to-day, Miss Spenceley," Mr. Cone interposed, hastily. "It hasn't quite the view, but the furnishings are more luxurious."
"But I don't want to change," Miss Spenceley coolly replied. "It suits me perfectly."
"I came for quiet and I can't stand that hammering," declared Mr. Penrose, glaring at her.
"So did I--my nerves--and your snoring bothers me. But perhaps," with aggravating sweetness, "I can break you of the habit."
"I wouldn't lose another night's sleep for a thousand dollars!"
"It will be cheaper to change your room, for I don't mean to change mine."
The millionaire turned to the proprietor. "Either this person goes or I do--that's my ultimatum!"