"Why, we own it, of course—Easton and I. You see, this whole place was once a farm and some men bought it and laid out and platted Tamawaca Park. They incorporated under the laws of Michigan as a summer resort company, and so they kept the control of all the streets and public grounds in their own hands. It's a private settlement, you understand, and when a man buys one of our lots he acquires the right to walk over our streets as much as he likes—as long as he behaves himself."
"And if he doesn't?"
"If he doesn't we can order him off."
"Was the original plat recorded?" asked Jarrod.
"Yes; of course."
"With the streets and public grounds laid out in detail?"
"Certainly."
"Then," said the lawyer, "the first man that bought a lot here acquired a title to all your public streets and grounds, and you lost the control of them forever."
"Nonsense!" cried Wilder.
"I've read law a bit," said Jarrod, "and I know."