"Delighted to meet you," he said. "I was a ship's surgeon myself at
one time." He turned back to me. "I should have run down to look
you up at the docks, only I couldn't quite fit things in. Besides, I
thought we were certain to come across each other here before long."
"Suppose we go up to the house and have a drink," I suggested.
"That's not a bad idea," he returned cheerfully. "I must just fasten
up the boat first, though."
He bent down, and with a couple of quick turns hitched the painter to
the ring. I was on the verge of speaking rather sharply to Bascomb,
who, still standing sullenly in the background, had made no effort to
come forward and assist him. For the moment, however, I thought it
best to let the matter pass, and side by side we all three started up
the path towards the front door.
"There's no need for ceremony," I said, as I led the way into the
hall. "You probably know the house better than I do."
"Well, I was here for several days," he answered, "but most of the
time I was up in your uncle's bedroom."