When I encountered Crofter in the morning, I requested him, with a knowing look of intelligence, to give me an exeat into the town to do some shopping. It was probably the first recognition he had received of his temporary authority as head of the house, and he made no difficulty in granting my request.
I made my way first of all to Marple’s.
“Oh, about that bill you gave me. How much was it?”
“Two pounds and sixpence, young gentleman.”
“I said I’d see it paid for you, didn’t I?”
“You did. I don’t want to show up—”
“All right, you needn’t. Here’s the money; give me the change, please, and a receipt.”
Mr Marple opened his eyes very wide at the sight of a five-pound note within three days of the end of term. “I—I hope it’s all right,” said he, hesitatingly. “You needn’t have it if you don’t want,” said I, mounting my high horse.
“I’m sure I’m much obliged to you, young gentleman,” said the tradesman, giving the note a professional twitch, and proceeding to count out the change from his till. “I shall always be pleased to attend to any little orders from Mr Tempest or you.”
“You can make out the receipt to Tempest,” said I; “I expect he won’t get much more here.”