vanishing.'
'Mr
Redmayne understands building.'
'He
came with the highest recommendation.'
'It
was justified.'
'I
am glad that you and he have such an affinity, Mr Littlejohn.'
'It
makes all the difference, Sir Ambrose. When an
architect
and builder do not work happily together, it shows in the finished structure.
The opposite is also true,' he added with a chuckle. 'Bricks and mortar glow.
Stonework gleams. Windows seem to glitter. When your house is built by men who
are in accord, it will have a broad smile on its face.'
'So
will I, if it is ready on the date agreed.'
'You
have my word, Sir Ambrose.'
'That
is good enough for me, Mr Littlejohn.'
The
builder was diverted by the arrival of a boat-load of timber and he excused
himself to supervise the unloading. Northcott surveyed the site with a deep
satisfaction then walked slowly around its perimeter. He could almost see the
finished house rising before his eyes. The omens were good. Everything was
proceeding exactly as he wished. He strolled across to the trestle table on
which Christopher Redmayne had spread out his drawings so that the builders
could work from them. Like his employer, the architect was on site every day.
'Do
you foresee any problems, Christopher?' asked Northcott.
'Not
at the moment, Sir Ambrose,' said the other, looking up. 'We seem to have it
all under control. Mr Littlejohn's men work hard.'
'I
look to him to keep them at it.'
'He
will most certainly do so. You could not have engaged a more experienced
builder. In the short time we have been acquainted, I have learned a great deal
from him. He has my admiration.'
'You
have certainly earned his.'
'Then
I am profoundly flattered.' He glanced towards the river. 'You have selected an
excellent site here, Sir Ambrose, and the fact that you have a private jetty is
a huge bonus. Materials which would otherwise have to be delivered to some busy
wharf upstream can be brought to the very bottom of your garden.'
'It
was a feature which attracted me to the property.'
'An
appealing situation for a merchant.'
'Trade
is only a small part of my life,' said Northcott with a frown. 'I could never
be described as a mere merchant.'
'Quite
so,' agreed Christopher, anxious not to offend him. 'You have many other arrows
to your bow, Sir Ambrose, I know. There must be few men of consequence in
London with a quiver as full as yours.'
'Very
few.'
'Your
talents are so copious. Henry is astounded by your vigour.'
A
sly smile. 'Your brother has his occasional bursts of energy.'
'But
nothing like your staying-power, Sir Ambrose. He is in awe of you, believe me.
Henry has his gifts but he could not do half the things which you contrive to
do.'
Northcott
was mollified. Christopher had a winning politeness and a readiness to please
his employer. Northcott was growing to like him. For his part, Christopher was
still too grateful to his companion to have any reservations about his
character. Northcott could be peremptory at times and downright rude if there was
the slightest questioning of his decisions but the architect took all that in
his stride, constantly aware that he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Christopher was more than content to play it for him and, in Samuel Littlejohn,
he had an ideal musical ally. The two of them worked together in perfect
harmony.
'This
will be my last visit for a little while,' said Northcott.
'Oh?
I am sorry to hear that.'
'I
will be away on business for a fortnight or more. When I come back, I hope to
see that substantial progress has been made.'
'We
will not disappoint you, Sir Ambrose.'
'During
my absence, Mr Creech will be in charge of my affairs.'
'Mr
Creech?'
'Solomon
Creech is my lawyer,' explained the other.
'All
monies due to you or to Mr Littlejohn will be released through him. I have also
asked him to keep a close eye on developments here so you will very soon be
making his acquaintance.'
'I
look forward to that. Away for a fortnight, you
'Mr
Redmayne understands building.'
'He
came with the highest recommendation.'
'It
was justified.'
'I
am glad that you and he have such an affinity, Mr Littlejohn.'
'It
makes all the difference, Sir Ambrose. When an
architect
and builder do not work happily together, it shows in the finished structure.
The opposite is also true,' he added with a chuckle. 'Bricks and mortar glow.
Stonework gleams. Windows seem to glitter. When your house is built by men who
are in accord, it will have a broad smile on its face.'
'So
will I, if it is ready on the date agreed.'
'You
have my word, Sir Ambrose.'
'That
is good enough for me, Mr Littlejohn.'
The
builder was diverted by the arrival of a boat-load of timber and he excused
himself to supervise the unloading. Northcott surveyed the site with a deep
satisfaction then walked slowly around its perimeter. He could almost see the
finished house rising before his eyes. The omens were good. Everything was
proceeding exactly as he wished. He strolled across to the trestle table on
which Christopher Redmayne had spread out his drawings so that the builders
could work from them. Like his employer, the architect was on site every day.
'Do
you foresee any problems, Christopher?' asked Northcott.
'Not
at the moment, Sir Ambrose,' said the other, looking up. 'We seem to have it
all under control. Mr Littlejohn's men work hard.'
'I
look to him to keep them at it.'
'He
will most certainly do so. You could not have engaged a more experienced
builder. In the short time we have been acquainted, I have learned a great deal
from him. He has my admiration.'
'You
have certainly earned his.'
'Then
I am profoundly flattered.' He glanced towards the river. 'You have selected an
excellent site here, Sir Ambrose, and the fact that you have a private jetty is
a huge bonus. Materials which would otherwise have to be delivered to some busy
wharf upstream can be brought to the very bottom of your garden.'
'It
was a feature which attracted me to the property.'
'An
appealing situation for a merchant.'
'Trade
is only a small part of my life,' said Northcott with a frown. 'I could never
be described as a mere merchant.'
'Quite
so,' agreed Christopher, anxious not to offend him. 'You have many other arrows
to your bow, Sir Ambrose, I know. There must be few men of consequence in
London with a quiver as full as yours.'
'Very
few.'
'Your
talents are so copious. Henry is astounded by your vigour.'
A
sly smile. 'Your brother has his occasional bursts of energy.'
'But
nothing like your staying-power, Sir Ambrose. He is in awe of you, believe me.
Henry has his gifts but he could not do half the things which you contrive to
do.'
Northcott
was mollified. Christopher had a winning politeness and a readiness to please
his employer. Northcott was growing to like him. For his part, Christopher was
still too grateful to his companion to have any reservations about his
character. Northcott could be peremptory at times and downright rude if there was
the slightest questioning of his decisions but the architect took all that in
his stride, constantly aware that he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Christopher was more than content to play it for him and, in Samuel Littlejohn,
he had an ideal musical ally. The two of them worked together in perfect
harmony.
'This
will be my last visit for a little while,' said Northcott.
'Oh?
I am sorry to hear that.'
'I
will be away on business for a fortnight or more. When I come back, I hope to
see that substantial progress has been made.'
'We
will not disappoint you, Sir Ambrose.'
'During
my absence, Mr Creech will be in charge of my affairs.'
'Mr
Creech?'
'Solomon
Creech is my lawyer,' explained the other.
'All
monies due to you or to Mr Littlejohn will be released through him. I have also
asked him to keep a close eye on developments here so you will very soon be
making his acquaintance.'
'I
look forward to that. Away for a fortnight, you
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