"I haven't the least idea, and I am not in the slightest degree curious."
"Aren't you? Well, you should be, since it concerns you. We mean to buy up the whole of Kingsway!"
"And later on, of course, the whole of Regent Street!"
"You are satirical. You are not alarmed at the prospect of having me for a landlord!"
"I don't understand you! The Hall in Kingsway is my father's own property."
"If that is so then you have nothing to fear," Hamar laughed, "but I think it just possible you are mistaken. At any rate, I've been in communication with some one styling himself the landlord."
"My father would have an agreement, anyhow!" Gladys said.
"Of course," Hamar replied, "and I've a pretty shrewd idea of the terms of it. But enough of this—let me come to the point. I intend buying the property, and I shall refuse to renew your father's lease, unless he agrees to give me what I want!"
"Of course a preposterous price?"
"No, you—only you!"