I found a marker in attendance, a little rabbity-faced man with an unpleasant habit of potting the black from every conceivable angle. He beat me handsomely in both the games we played, and, having paid tribute to his skill in the shape of a large tankard of beer, I set out in a chastened mood on my return journey.
It must have been close on six o'clock by the time I reached the harbour. For once in a way there was no sign of Jimmy, so, going up to where my boat was moored, I began to unfasten the painter. I was engaged on this task when he suddenly appeared from the back door of the inn, and came hurrying up the jetty wiping his mouth on his sleeve.
"Sorry I weren't 'ere, guv'nor," he began. "I'd just gorn inside to 'ave me tea."
As though in proof of this assertion, he gulped down what seemed to be a large portion of the interrupted banquet.
"Quite right," I said. "One can't do really good work without plenty of nourishment." I handed him his usual retaining fee, and stepped down into the boat. "I have got a little job for you, Jimmy," I added. "I suppose you're the sort of boy who can keep his mouth shut?"
A reassuring nod was the prompt answer.
"Do you know Miss de Roda by sight?" I asked him. "The young lady who has come to live at 'The Laurels'?"
There was a brief pause.
"Wot, 'er with the pretty faice?" he enquired.
"That's the one," I said. "Well, some day she may give you a note for me. If she does, will you bring it over to the island at once?"