“I have already attended to the matter, sir.”
“You have?”
“Yes, sir. I had scarcely left you when the solution of the affair presented itself to me. It was a remark of Mr. Filmer’s that gave me the idea.”
“Jeeves, you’re a marvel!”
“Thank you very much, sir.”
“What was the solution?”
“I conceived the notion of going to Mr. Filmer and saying that it was you who had stolen his boat, sir.”
The man flickered before me. I clutched a sock in a feverish grip.
“Saying—what?”
“At first Mr. Filmer was reluctant to credit my statement. But I pointed out to him that you had certainly known that he was on the island—a fact which he agreed was highly significant. I pointed out, furthermore, that you were a lighthearted young gentleman, sir, who might well do such a thing as a practical joke. I left him quite convinced, and there is now no danger of his attributing the action to Master Thomas.”
I gazed at the blighter spellbound.
“And that’s what you consider a neat solution?” I said.
“Yes, sir. Mr. Little will now retain his position as desired.”
“And what about me?”
“You are also benefited, sir.”
“Oh, I am, am I?”