and the Duchess could save herself. Herbie Chandler, the bell captain, is permanently paralyzed and never works again. Keycase escapes unharmed and runs away with all his money, vowing to go straight. Warren Trent is happy that he could retain his hotel as its chairman. Aloysius Royce leaves the hotel to study law but not before he and McDermott have a drink together. Structure of novel The novel features multiple unfolding plot lines which take place over a period of five weekdays, Monday through Friday. Some days feature self-contained episodes exploring particular elements of the routine of a large hotel in detail. Meg Yetmein, the cleaning lady, "gets hers back" by smuggling out steaks under her clothing toward the end of her shift; Tom Earlshore, the fired bartender, does much the same by "skimming" liquor. Other brief episodes explain techniques used by prostitutes in entering and exiting the hotel undetected, and the various methods used by the hotel thief. Background to writing Hailey worked on the novel for two and a half years, finishing in June 1964. He says his wife Sheila was of great assistance with the research. The book clubs, essential for sales of Hailey's book, originally rejected the novel. However, when the book was read in galleys three studios bid on the movie rights and it was sold to Warner Bros who wanted Hailey to write the screenplay. The book became a best seller, Hailey's most successful to date. References 1965 British novels Novels by Arthur Hailey Canadian novels adapted into films Canadian novels adapted into television shows 1965 Canadian novels Novels set in hotels Novels set in New Orleans Doubleday (publisher) books British novels adapted into films British novels adapted into television shows