"DEAR SIR,--
"On my return from America I found a notice to quit served on behalf of
your employer. My lease being well defined, I regard the service of
such a notice as constituting a breach of contract, and must
respectfully decline to pay any further rental for the premises I now
occupy, until my position in regard to this property is determined.
"Yours truly,
"DE MONTVILLIER."
"Outrageous!" blazed the knight.
"Monstrous!" echoed the faithful Rake.
"What a rotten piece of cheek!" said Hal.
Mr. Smith wagged a fat forefinger.
"The lore is," he said, "that the question of lease is between Sir Harry
and the tenant. No tenant's got a right to take the lore into his own
hands. If there's a breach of contract the tenant may take action
through the lore: if he won't pay his rent----"
"Smith," said Sir Harry impressively. "We will humiliate this fellow; we
will show these foolish people of Brockley, who have no conception of
true nobility, how this trickster may be treated."
"Governor," said Hal suddenly and excitedly, "why not show 'em the
genuine article."
"Eh?"
"What about Tuppy? He's under an obligation to you? Why not bring him
here. You've got an empty house--62, by jove! Next to the Duke's; the
tenants left yesterday...."
"An excellent idea--a most worthy idea," said Sir Harry.