Would that Drouet were only away! While he was thinking thus elatedly, he remembered that he wanted some clean linen in the morning.
This he purchased, together with a half-dozen ties, and went to the Palmer House.

As he entered he thought he saw Drouet ascending the stairs with a key.

Surely not Drouet! Then he thought, perhaps they had changed their abode temporarily.

He went straight up to the desk.
"Is Mr.Drouet stopping here ?" he asked of the clerk.
"I think he is," said the latter, consulting his private registry list.
"Yes." "Is that so ?" exclaimed Hurstwood, otherwise concealing his astonishment.

"Alone ?" he added.
"Yes," said the clerk.
Hurstwood turned away and set his lips so as best to express and conceal his feelings.
"How's that ?" he thought.