"You don't recollect that I wrote about this matter two months ago? I had to go to the office to get an answer. You were deep in affairs, Mr. Daggett. I found you and two others playing cards."
"Was I?" asked Daggett.
"When was this harbour line established, anyway? Wasn't it about two weeks ago?"
"Certainly," Mr. Daggett answered. "That has nothing to do with it. But what did we tell you at the office—I can't remember your coming."
"I wasn't there long enough to make much impression," said Mather. "One of your friends told me that all fools knew there was no harbour line here, and I didn't need your permission."
"Hm!" remarked Daggett doubtfully. Then he brightened. "Did we give you that in writing?"
"I didn't ask you for it. You seemed so anxious to go on with your game that I didn't trouble you further."
"Then you have no permission," stated Daggett. "And now that there is a harbour line, what will you do about it?"
"I learned all I wanted of you," said Mather. He had not yet risen from his desk, but now he did so, and going over to his safe, he threw it open. "I asked nothing further because, there being no harbour line, a permit wouldn't have been worth the paper it was written on. I wrote to the Secretary of the Navy." Mather drew a document from a drawer of the safe. "Do you care to see his answer?"
"Whew!" whistled Daggett. "Well, I suppose I might as well."