“I’m going to build a veritable mansion of the skies,” he said, “I have chosen the site. It is just this side of where Ursula Ardfern has her cottage. The only rising ground in the country.”
“I know the only hill in that part of the world,” said Tab with sudden interest, “but unfortunately you have been forestalled, Rex.”
“You mean by Yeh Ling,” said the other carelessly, “I’ll buy him off. After all, it is only a freak on his part to put up a house there.”
Tab shook his head.
“You will have some difficulty in persuading him to sell,” he said quietly, “I happen to know that he is almost as keen on his house as you are on yours.”
“Stuff,” laughed Rex. “You seem to forget that I am made of money!”
Tab shook his head.
“I didn’t forget that,” he said, “but I repeat I know Yeh Ling.”
Rex scratched his head irritably.
“It will be a shame if I can’t get it,” he said. “Could you persuade him—I’ve rather set my heart on that site. I saw it once in the old days, long before I ever knew that Ursula Ardfern lived near by and I said to myself: ‘One of these days I’ll build a house on that hill.’ How is my adored one, by-the-way?”