"God knows," returned Ross, "but on that point at least my sympathies are with the doctor." He turned away from the water, and we strolled back side by side towards the house. "Do you think there's anything in this yarn of his about the natives? If so, it looks to me as if you were up against a pretty breezy proposition." "I'm not worrying myself," I replied placidly. "Somebody wants to assassinate me already--that's quite plain--and a few extra hands on the job won't make much difference. After all, one can only die once." "That's the spirit, my lad," observed Ross, slapping me on the shoulder. "All the same, I don't like to think of you stuck down here on your little lonesome. I've half a mind to chuck my sister and come and keep you company." "No you won't," I said firmly. "You trot off to Bath like a good boy. If things get too hot I'll rout out somebody else to share the racket." We reached the front door just as I spoke, and almost simultaneously Bascomb came into view round a corner of the shrubbery, with Satan still at his heels. I hesitated for a moment, wondering what was the best thing to do. Should I take him to task there and then, or would it be better to wait until I returned to the island and was properly settled into the house? I decided on the latter course, and, leaving Ross, walked forward to where he was standing. "We shall be off in a few minutes, Bascomb," I said "I must leave the rest of the island until I come back." He met my gaze quite steadily, though the same sullen expression still lingered in his eyes. "Very well, sir," he said. "When shall I expect you?" "I don't know for certain," I replied. "About Wednesday or Thursday, I expect, but I'll send a line and let you know." I paused. "Is there anything you want for the house--anything I can have sent down from London?" He shook his head. "There's no trouble about gettin' food," he answered. "All the Shalston tradesmen deliver at Pen Mill, and, as far as liquor goes the cellar's just full up with it." My opinion of Uncle Richard underwent a slight improvement. "That's good news," I said. "How are you off for money?" "I've got enough to go on with. Mr. Drayton gave me twenty pound last time 'e was down 'ere." He hesitated for a moment, and then added gruffly: "Beggin' your pardon, sir, but might I ask what arrangements you're thinkin' o' makin'?" "How do you mean?" I asked. "Well, I was wonderin' if you wanted me. Mebbe you'll be bringin' your own folk along with you." "You looked after my uncle while he was alive, didn't you?" I asked. "Yes," he said bluntly, "I reckon 'e was satisfied, but it don't foller you won't 'ave different ideas." "That depends on you," I said. "If you make me comfortable I shall be quite contented with the arrangement--at all events for the present." He was evidently rather surprised, but the satisfaction in his face was unmistakable.