Ambrose Lavendale, Diplomat by E. Phillips Oppenheim

The two young men stood side by side before the window of the Milan smoke-room -- Ambrose Lavendale, the American, and his friend Captain Merrill from the War Office. Directly opposite to them was a narrow street running down to the Embankment, at the foot of which they could catch a glimpse of the river. A little to the left was a dark and melancholy building with a number of sightless windows.

'Wonder what sort of people live in that place? ' Merrill asked curiously. 'Milan Mansions they call it, don't they?'