THE LEASE The morning was bright after heavy rain, and when Osborn looked out of the library window a warm, south-west breeze shook the larches about Tarnside Hall.

Now and then a shadow sped across the tarn, darkening the ripples that sparkled like silver when the cloud drove on.

Osborn frowned, for he had meant to go fishing and it was a morning when the big, shy trout would rise.

His game-keeper was waiting at the boathouse, but the postman had brought some letters that made him put off his sport.
This was annoying, because Osborn hated to be balked and seldom allowed anything to interfere with his amusements.

One letter, from a housemaster at a famous public school, covered a number of bills, which, the writer stated somewhat curtly, ought to have been paid.