Mr. Madgin stopped with his son till summoned by the whistle of the last steamer.  The two bade each other an affectionate farewell.  When next they met it would be as strangers.

Mr. Cleon and the landlord were enjoying the cool of the evening and their cigars outside the house as Mr. Deedes walked up to The Jolly Fishers.  He stopped for a moment to speak to them.

“I had a note this morning from my friend Mr. Madgin, of Deepley Walls,” he said, “in which that gentleman informs me that the young man, James Jasmin, will be with you in the course of the day after to-morrow at the latest.  He hopes that Jasmin will suit you, and he is evidently much pleased that a position has been offered him in an establishment in every way so unexceptionable as that of Bon Repos.”

The mulatto’s white teeth glistened in the twilight.  Evidently he was pleased.  He muttered a few words in reply.  Mr. Deedes bowed courteously, wished him and the landlord a very good night, and withdrew.

Late in the afternoon of the day but one following that of his visit to Newby Bridge, as Mr. Deedes was busy with a London newspaper three or four days old, the landlord ushered a young man into his room, who, with a bow and a carrying of the forefinger to his forehead, announced himself as James Jasmin, from Deepley Walls.

“Don’t you go, landlord,” said Mr. Deedes; “I may want you.”  Then he deliberately put on his gold-rimmed glasses, and proceeded to take a leisurely survey of the new corner, who was dressed in a neat (but not new) suit of black, and was standing in a respectful attitude, and slowly brushing his hat with one sleeve of his coat.

“So you are James Jasmin, from Deepley Walls, are you?” asked Mr. Deedes, looking him slowly down from head to feet.

“Yes, sir, I am the party, sir,” answered James.

“Well, Jasmin, and how did you leave my friend Mr. Madgin? and what is the latest news from Deepley Walls?”

“Master and family all pretty well, sir, thank you.  Master has got a tenant for the old house, and the family will all start for the Continong next week.”

“Well, Jasmin, I hope you will contrive to suit your new employer as well as you appear to have suited my friend.  Landlord, let him have some dinner, and he had better perhaps wait here till Mr. Cleon comes down this evening.”

When Mr. Cleon arrived a couple of hours later, Jasmin was duly presented to him.  The mulatto scrutinised him keenly and seemed pleased with his appearance, which was decidedly superior to that of the ordinary run of Jeameses.  He finished by asking him for his testimonials.

“I have none with me, sir,” answered Jasmin, discreetly emphasising the sir.  “I can only refer you to my late master, Mr. Madgin, of Deepley Walls, who will gladly speak as to my qualifications and integrity.”

“That being the case, I will take you for the present on the recommendation of Mr. Deedes, and will write Mr. Madgin in the course of a post or two.  You can go up to Bon Repos at once, and I will induct you into your new duties to-morrow.”