He nodded again. "You'll get it all right, guv'nor; you can trust me for that."
"And don't talk about it to anybody, will you, Jimmy?" I added. "Not even to your own pals?"
"Not me," he said stoutly. "There ain't no one who can keep a secret better'n wot I can."
There was a ring of pride in his voice which inspired confidence, and, under the comforting impression that I had established a reliable line of communication, I pulled off down the creek.
When I got back to the house I found a letter for me lying on the hall table. As I picked it up the green baize door which led down to the pantry opened quietly, and Bascomb came in with a plate basket on his arm.
"The postman brought that letter this afternoon, sir. 'E 'ad to call about some registration papers 'e wanted filled in."
I turned the envelope over, and saw the name of Wilmot and Drayton stamped on the flap.
"How about this evening?" I asked him. "Have you managed to get us a decent meal?"
He nodded ungraciously. "I reckon it's good enough—considerin' the party wot's expected. I'm just settin' about laying the table now."
"Well, let me know when the doctor arrives," I said. "I am going upstairs to change, and I don't want him wandering round the house by himself."