There was one special matter in which his help might prove to be invaluable. He was just the sort of man who would probably be able to unearth a lot of interesting facts with regard to the past career of Dr. Manning, and if I could only persuade him to undertake the job without any inconvenient questions, my journey to town would certainly not be wasted.
Meditating in this fashion, I proceeded to array myself in a loose-fitting suit of tweeds, which was the style of evening dress I usually patronised on the island.
I was on the point of completing my toilet when the front door bell rang loudly, and, after a short interval, I heard Bascomb ascending the stairs.
As he advanced along the passage I opened my door.
"'E's come," observed my retainer, jerking his thumb towards the banisters.
"And what have you done with him?" I enquired.
"Left 'im in the 'all," was the answer. "'E's sittin' there nice and comf'table—long o' Satan."
CHAPTER TEN
I have an idea that Bascomb's reply was intended to be ironical, but it certainly summed up the tableau that met my eyes as I came down the staircase.