内容简介：
I laid my papers down upon the broad mahogany counter, and exchanged greetings with the tall frock-coated reception clerk who came smiling towards me. "I should like a single room on the third floor east, about the middle corridor," I said. "Can you manage that for me? 317 I had last time." He shook his head at once. "I am very sorry, Mr. Courage," he said, "but all the rooms in that corridor are engaged. We will give you one on the second floor at the same price." I was about to close with his offer, when, with a word of excuse, he hurried away to intercept some one who was passing through the hall. A junior clerk took his place, and consulted the plan for a moment doubtfully.
作者简介：
爱德华•菲利普•奥本海默（Edward Phillips Oppenheim，1866.10.22—1946.2.3），英国著名小说家，以写间谍小说和惊悚小说著称于世。他是世界上最早写作“间谍小说”的作家之一，独创了冒险惊悚文学中的“痞侠派”。
奥本海默一生写出了一百五十多部长篇小说，其中大部分为悬疑类小说，也有一些浪漫传奇、喜剧等，这些作品广受读者追捧。因成就卓著，影响巨大，他还在1927年9月荣登美国《时代》杂志的封面。作品的畅销给他带来了滚滚财源，他用版税先在法国买下一栋别墅和一艘游艇，又在英吉利海峡根西岛买下了另一栋别墅。
奥本海默的作品曾三十多次被改编为电影，其名作《化装大师》更是前后四次被搬上银幕。其作品在二十世纪前期风靡西方影坛的程度堪与当代的007系列、史蒂芬•金的作品相提并论。