He called on them as a possible tenant, with a desire to purchase the property outright if his proposal could be entertained.
Mr. Sharp, the partner who dealt with the estate, became very suave when the suggestion reached his ears.
“You will understand, Mr. Bruce, that your request requires some consideration. The rent my client asks is comparatively low, because the house is old-fashioned, but the splendid riparian position of the property, a free-hold acre on the banks of the Thames at Putney, gives it a highly increased future value. Any figure you may have based on a rental calculation would therefore—”
“Not meet the case at all,” said the barrister, repressing a smile at the familiar opening move in the game of bargaining.
“Precisely.”
“May I ask who the present owner is?”
“Certainly, the lady’s name is Small. In fact, she is my partner’s wife. Her father, the late Rev. Septimus Childe, purchased the estate some years ago, largely because the house suited his requirements as the head of a successful private school.”
“Has the estate changed hands frequently then?”
“Oh, dear, no. Indeed, it is well understood that the Rev. Mr. Childe acquired it more as a friendly transaction than otherwise. The estate is a portion of the separate estate of the late Lady Helen Montgomery, who married Sir William Dyke, father of the present baronet, who perhaps—good gracious, my dear sir, what is the matter?”