Then, casually, he asked, "Did you ever hear of a person by the name of Meleese ?" "Meleese--Meleese--Meleese--" repeated the hotel man, running a hand through his hair.

"It seems to me that the name is familiar--and yet I can't remember--" He caught himself in sudden triumph.

"Ah, I have it! Two years ago I had a kitchen woman named Meleese." Howland shrugged his shoulders.
"This was a young woman," he said.
"The Meleese we had is dead," replied the proprietor cheerfully, rising to go.

"I'll send up for your tray in half an hour or so, Mr.Howland." Several hours later Howland crawled from his bed and bathed his head in cold water.

After that he felt better, dressed himself, and went below.
His head pained him considerably, but beyond that and an occasional nauseous sensation the injury he had received in the fight caused him no very great distress.