Sherlock Holmes story serialised in Strand (Magazine), thanks William for part 2, speculates on development of plot; now looking for houses nearby, [Bingo] has been looking on his behalf; recovering from recent ill-health.

Decision to buy 3 acres of land for £500 at Broadstone, Dorset, and build there, giving detailed descriptions of locality, soil, trees in old orchard, and views of Poole harbour and the Purbeck hills, enclosing a sketch plan (not present - possiblyWP1/1/118, 121 or 123); former Broadstone resident Miss Broughton has recommended a gardener and labourer; plans to build a road and wire fence, begin a garden immediately and start building in spring; promises to send plans of house soon.

Insurance, with instructions for applying for a birth certificate; enclosing ground plan of property (at Broadstone) - not present, possibly WP1/1/120; describing plans to build a house including 5 bedrooms and a study, larger than needed but for the future benefit of William and his sister Violet, description of other rooms, proposed gabling and windows, use of perforated zinc over hollow walls and site of hot water storage tank; proposes a picnic in the grounds at Christmas if William can visit; has been surveying the land; reckons cost of house at £1000; discusses possibility of selling "Nutwood Cottage" (at Godalming) to current tenant vs. selling Parkstone house; asks for comments on plans as working drawings soon to be made; sorry William's séance did not go well; asks him to bring an air-rifle to shoot rabbits or stray pheasants at Christmas, ordinary rifle might attract game-keepers.

Near completion of purchase of (Broadstone) property, road making, fencing and gardening can now begin; Carter's head builder to draw up preliminary house plans; ARW expects definite offer for "Nutwood" (Cottage, Godalming) next week and will also put up "For Sale" sign at Parkstone house; has designed two gates on proper mechanical principles; if work slack at William's firm after Christmas he might take leave and supervise "Ellerslie" [proposed name for new house]; Sends tracing of upper floor plan (not present) and rough tracing of Ordnance map showing ground and access from Poole road.

Alteration of a closet [in the newly purchased property "Old Orchard"] to create a deep window sill for plants, enclosing tracing, alterations to ground-plan of house with details; inspection of "Old Orchard" with aunt Flora; details of garden; engagement of a gardener and men to make road and fence; builder Mr Curtis, Carter's head manager, lent to advise on design and building; hopes working drawings ready by Christmas; details of plans for sub-contracting, payment, and suppliers of materials.

Water supply and surveying road to cottage, possible purchase of more land adjoining, enclosing tracings of Mr Donkin's building plans (not present).

Adoption of William's suggested alterations to house plans, architect Mr Donkin recommends a cheaper substitute for plaster; wooden ceilings; plan and elevations to be ready before Christmas; letter from Mac written from ship bound for South Africa; ARW recovering from bronchitis; plans to sink a well as connection to mains water expensive; over one thousand trees and shrubs including roses, filberts, cherries, apples and rhododendrons bought at nursery sale, some for as little as 3 pence.

Musical alarm clock for William, water supply to house, architect's plans; Christmas gifts.

Progress of house building; garden plans; payment for Nutwood (Cottage).

Progress of house building [at "Old Orchard", Broadstone], workmen's shop put up in grounds by Percy Curtis who will mark foundations next week and begin excavating; Mr Donkin says plans ready to send to Mr Barnes and building committee; water mains laid to main road; greenhouse ordered from Cooper; plans to put stove under house to warm both it and greenhouse; William to remember acetylene and fire-brick; sending books Kim and one on Anglo-Saxon history, opinions of both.

House-building, work about to begin.

Progress of house building and garden preparation, problems with water supply.

Progress of house building, planting trees.

Progress of house building; the W C Reader (probably ARW, The Wonderful Century: Its Successes and Failures, 1898) has been adopted by the London School Board.

Thanking him for information about acetylene gas supply, asks for address of "Dargue" system London offices; Well Fireplace Co at Newcastle; progress of digging of foundations and making garden (at "Old Orchard", Broadstone), rain likely to flood cellar excavations, plans for drainage; details of cement and brick supply; "Well" "Rational" and "Teal" fires; altered plans for study; William's increase in salary; definition of and immorality of gambling.

Progress of house building at "Old Orchard" (Broadstone); collapse of cellar excavations after wet weather but cellar walls now going up, plans for drainage of cellar, concrete footings for outer walls well advanced, three bricklayers and six labourers working, Mr Donkin's drawings for windows done; horses and cows from adjacent fields have eaten some garden plants, fencing now improved; ARW has recommenced work on new edition of his New Century and finished chapter on Astronomy; request for information on the "Dargue" system of acetylene gas.

House-building and garden.

Recommended treatment if William contracts small-pox; progress of house-building; beginning autobiography; writing Astronomy chapter for new edition of Wond. Cent (ARW, The Wonderful Century: Its Successes and Failures, 1898); Macmillan request for reprint of Malay Archipelago.

Progress of garden and house-building, sending William a report on Acetylene generators.

Progress of house-building; gift of garden plants from Italy from Sir Thomas Hanbury.