Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/142

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130
STRANLEIGH'S MILLIONS

failing such production forthwith to remove the edifices you have erected.

I have the honour to be, my lord, your obedient servant,

Paul Timmins,
Clerk to the Muddlebury District Council"

"Well, I'll be hanged," said Stranleigh, and he might have added "drawn and quartered" also.

"Just get Mr. Wilson on the telephone," he said to the man who was waiting on him, "and ask him to favour me by coming here at once."

When Wilson arrived, his lordship did not invite him to take the vacant chair at the breakfast table.

"Just cast your eye over that," he said, handing him the letter. Wilson read it in silence.

"I suppose," said he, when the perusal was concluded, "Binns, the architect, neglected to send in his plans to the council."

"Oh, you knew that was the law, did you?"

"Certainly, my lord."

"Then why didn't you see that Binns complied with it?"

"It wasn't my place to do so, my lord. Binns is a very celebrated and very busy man, and he rather resents interference. I took it for granted he would comply with building regulations and all that sort of thing."

"Quite so, but you are engaged to look after my