The grand babylon hotel

A novel by arnold bennett, published in january 1902, about the mysterious disappearance of a german prince

Arnold Bennett

262 pages, parution le 04/02/2026

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Résumé

The American millionaire Theodore Racksole impulsively purchases the luxurious Grand Babylon Hotel in London, quickly finding himself and his spirited daughter, Nella, embroiled in a complex web of mystery and international intrigue. Bizarre events unfold: a defiant head waiter, a vanished clerk, a broken window, and the sudden death and disappearance of Mr. Dimmock, companion to Prince Aribert of Posen. Nella, taking on a hotel clerk role, uncovers hints of a wider conspiracy involving European royalty and state secrets. Her investigation leads her to Ostend, where she confronts Miss Spencer, an accomplice of Jules (the former head waiter, Mr. Thomas Jackson). Nella is subsequently kidnapped by Jules on his yacht but is dramatically rescued by Prince Aribert. Meanwhile, Theodore investigates strange occurrences at his London hotel, discovering a secret passage and confronting Rocco, the master chef, who is found embalming Dimmock's body. Rocco, an American masquerading as an Italian, reveals parts of a grand scheme before trapping Racksole and escaping.Racksole then joins Nella and Prince Aribert in Ostend, where they rescue Prince Eugen of Posen, suffering from brain fever, from Jules's kidnapping. Aribert reveals the abduction was a political plot to prevent Eugen's marriage to Princess Anna, allowing the King of Bosnia to marry her instead. Back in London, Eugen convalesces at the Grand Babylon Hotel and attempts to secure a crucial loan from financier Sampson Levi, but is denied due to the missed appointment caused by his abduction. Racksole, feeling the criminals are still at large, reunites with Félix Babylon, the hotel's former owner, and learns Jules is back in London. Together with Nella, they discover Jules has poisoned a bottle of Prince Eugen's favorite wine in the hotel's cellars, but Jules escapes before Racksole can apprehend him.Theodore Racksole, aided by Customs officer Hazell, successfully pursues and captures Jules across the River Thames. Concurrently, Prince Eugen attempts suicide due to overwhelming debts preventing his marriage. Nella intervenes, persuading her father to provide the necessary funds, thereby saving Eugen's life and enabling his marriage. This pivotal event leads to Prince Aribert, Eugen's uncle and Nella's love interest, renouncing his royal titles to marry Nella. Jules, after confessing his role in a political conspiracy involving the King of Bosnia, dies during an escape attempt from the hotel. The narrative concludes with Racksole navigating the police investigation into Jules's death, the engagement of Nella and Aribert, and Racksole selling the Grand Babylon Hotel back to Félix Babylon, bringing the thrilling adventure to a satisfying close.