"
"You wish to wait here till your ship returns?" he enquired.
"I thought perhaps you might know of some lodging where I might
remain quietly."
He smiled slightly.
"You had better stay here. There is no other lodging."
I began to thank him, but he cut me short.
"It is Hobson's choice," said he, "and my house is not overcrowded at
present. Have you lunched?"
"I am afraid I haven't."
"Come and join us. My daughter and I had just sat down."
He moved towards the door.
"I have no luggage," I said.
"I can lend you what you want."
I thanked him again, and said brazenly,
"May I ask for the loan of a coat. I am anxious not to exhibit my uniform
coat in the island if I can help it."
I thought he looked a trifle surprised (it must be remembered that all
this time I was in a buttoned-up oilskin), but he merely nodded again and
led me upstairs to a pleasant bed-room with a low ceiling and some heavy
old-fashioned mahogany furniture. There he left me and in a moment
returned with a brush and comb and a tweed coat.
I had noticed that in one of the drawers there was a key, and as I took
the coat I said,
"I hope you won't think me unduly cautious if I lock my uniform coat up
in one of these drawers. There are certain papers in the pockets which I
am bound to be careful of.
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