The Empire of Notting Hill
out of the high collar of Bond Street. Except for a grey patch on each temple, it was totally unchanged.
"Your Majesty," said Barker, "this is a meeting nobly retrospective, a meeting that has about it a certain October gold. I drink to old days;" and he finished his sal-volatile with simple feeling.
"I am delighted to see you again, Barker," said the King. "It is, indeed, long since we met. What with my travels in Asia Minor, and my book having to be written (you have read my 'Life of Prince Albert for Children,' of course), we have scarcely met twice since the Great War. That is twenty years ago."
"I wonder," said Barker, thoughtfully, "if I might speak freely to your Majesty."
"Well," said Auberon, "it's rather late in the day to start speaking respectfully. Flap away, my bird of freedom."
"Well, your Majesty," replied Barker, lowering his voice, "I don't think it will be so long to the next war."
"What do you mean?" asked Auberon.
"We will stand this insolence no longer," burst out Barker, fiercely. "We are not slaves because Adam Wayne twenty years ago cheated us with a water-pipe. Notting Hill is Notting
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