fe and I were invited
last week. I do not wish to trouble you by writing at any undue
length on this subject, but I think it right and only fair to tell
you that owing to the actual noise of the cowl, and perhaps even
more (as our doctor says) to the mental strain of listening to hear
whether it is going to begin again, my wife is on the verge of a
complete nervous collapse, which seems likely to necessitate some
weeks' rest cure in a nursing home, and possibly a trip to the
Canaries. I am advised by my lawyer that these are contingent
liabilities, the burden of which would fall upon you as the owner
of the cowl. In these circumstances I feel sure you will favour the
immediate removal of this nuisance.

_Messrs. Fairley and Willing_ to _Murdoch McWhannel_.

_January 27, 191-._

Your letter of 24th curt. will receive immediate attention at the
hands of our solicitors. Messrs. Samson and Samuel, 114, North
Regent Street, to whom perhaps you will kindly address any further
communications you may think necessary _re_ cowl.

_Gilbert Macdonald, 5, Poynings Avenue, Glasgow, N.W._, to _George
Willing, house factor_.

_February 3, 191-._

DEAR WILLING,--For Heaven's sake, as an old friend, spike or remove
the chimney cowl that McWhannel at No. 3 has written you about. He
has called on me twice and written three long letters, "to enlist
my sympathy and support." He is the most poisonous kind of bore,
and I'll gladly pay for the removal of the cowl, if that's the only
way of muzzling him.

_Reply by telephone, summarised._ _Willing_ to _Macdonald_.

_February 4, 191-._

I would do so, for friendship's sake, but I've just sold the property. I
preferred that to having any more letters from him.

_Messrs. Fairley and Willing_ to _Murdoch McWhannel_.

_February 14, 191-._

_Re_ your letters to Messrs. Samson and Samuel of January 29th and
31st, and February 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, and your telegrams of 12th
and 13th, we have now pleasure in advising you that we have sold
the property at 15, Poynings Road, including the cowl, to the
Corporation. We understand that the Corporation propose to use the
premises as a reception house in connection with their Home for
Lost Dogs, and we trust that this arrangement will be satisfactory
to you.