The Honeywood Files by H.B. Creswell

cupidity and funk, and Mr. Potch may be depended upon to make things as awkward for Spinlove as opportunity safely allows.
    BRASH TO SPINLOVE
    Dear Mr. Spinlove,10.10.24.
    I made a détour to-day and diverged to Honeywood for a brief period after the workmen had vacated the site. It will be necessary for you to immediately return to the makers the bricks, of which a vast quantity are already on the site.
    It was clearly demonstrated, I must remind you, that the mansion was to be constructed of red bricks. Have you, may I inquire, seen what the builder is purposing to use? They are yellow, green, and all colours, and seem to be partly composed of cinders. I observed many to be broken and am at a loss to comprehend how Mr. Grigblay could suppose that I would tolerate such abominable rubbish. Has it not been explained to him that this is to be a gentleman’s residence? I must request you to give this matter your immediate attention.
    Yours sincerely,
    SPINLOVE TO BRASH
    Dear Sir Leslie Brash,11.10.24.
    The bricks you saw are not the outside or “facing bricks,” but the rough bricks of which the inner thickness of the walls, and where covered with plaster, will be formed. None of the facing bricks has yet been delivered, but I have chosen them. They are, of course, red bricks and are of the best make. No wonder you objected to the bricks you saw if you supposed they were for the outside face.
    Yours sincerely,
     
     

THE AFFAIR OF THE SPRING
    BRASH TO SPINLOVE
    Dear Mr. Spinlove,13.10.24.
    I enclose copy of a communication I have received from the solicitors of the proprietor of the estate on the other side of the road at the bottom of my property, and from whom I acquired Honeywood.
    I have conferred with my own solicitors, who approved the conveyance of the land, and these gentlemen confirm that the spring must not be interfered with.
    I trust that there will be no trouble anent this. I understood from you that the well was to be sunk previously to the other work being commenced, so that the builder could supply himself with water.
    Yours sincerely,
    (ENCLOSURE)
SPOONBILL & WELLSTAFT ,
SOLICITORS , TO SIR LESLIE BRASH
    Dear Sir,10.10.24.
    Mr. Gregory Witspanner, who is the tenant of Honeywood Farm, adjoining the property lately conveyed to you by our client, Mr. Rallingbourne, has written to our client complaining that the water supply to Honeywood Farm, which flows from a spring in Honeywood Spinney and along the watercourse on the land conveyed to you, has been recently, and now is, badly discoloured with clay, marl, vegetable soil or other foul matter, causing pollution of the water flowing from the said spring on to the said land in Mr. Witspanner’s tenancy.
    Our client understands that building operations are being carried out on your property and supposes that the pollution is due to the action of the men employed by you in those operations.
    We have to remind you that it was expressly laid down in the conveyance to you of Honeywood Spinney that our client’s user in the water flowing from the said spring should be maintained unimpaired and that there should be no interference with the flow of pure spring water on to his Honeywood Farm property as heretofore.
    We have to call upon you to take immediate steps effectively to abate the pollution and shall be glad to hear that the matter has your attention.
    Yours faithfully,
     
    In other words, “The spring at Honeywood is being fouled contrary to the terms of the conveyance. Stop it!”
    SPINLOVE TO BRASH
    Dear Sir Leslie Brash,14.10.24.
    I have written to Grigblay and told him the spring must not be fouled. I will let you know what can be done. I shall be on the site on Friday. I had intended getting the well sunk, but when I noticed the spring I deemed it not necessary to take that step.
    Yours sincerely,
    SPINLOVE TO GRIGBLAY
    Dear Sir,14.10.24.
    The owner of the property lying below Honeywood has written complaining that the water delivered on to his land