Listen to this, Loring: 'Surmounting the twentieth story of the magnificent new structure there will be a combined roof garden, cafe and theater, running continuous vaudeville--'" "This agreement, entered into this twenty-fifth day of April," began the discordantly hurried voice of Loring.

He was dictating to his stenographer a much more comprehensive agreement than a mere power of attorney; and as soon, as it was ready Johnny signed it without a question.
"Get this, Ashley ?" he remarked, handing back Loring's pen and reading gleefully from another paper: "'A subway entrance into the new terminal station is being negotiated--'" "All right," said Loring, putting on his hat.

"Good-by!"-- and he was gone.
If Loring professed but slight interest in the flamboyant plans for the new hotel, there were others who were painfully absorbed in the news of the project.

Gresham, for one, read the account with contracted brows at his late breakfast; and at noon, inspired by a virtuous sense of duty, he sauntered over to Courtney's club.
"I see you're involved in another hotel proposition," he ventured.
"I hope involved is not the word," returned Courtney with rather a wry smile.
"Is your company fully organized ?" asked Gresham with a trace of more than polite interest.
"I think not," answered Courtney.

"I'm not in a position to state, however, as the matter is out of my hands.