The little dinner at which Sylvia made her appearance and at which Walter Hine was carefully primed with drink; the little round game of cards which Garratt Skinner was so reluctant to allow in his house on a Sunday evening, and from which, being an early riser, he retired to bed, leaving Hine in the hands of Captain Barstow and Archie Parminter; the quiet secluded house in the country; the new gardener who appeared for one day and shot with so surprising an accuracy, when Barstow backed him against Walter Hine, that Hine lost a thousand pounds; the incidents were related to Mr.Jarvice in their proper succession, and he interpreted them by his own experience.
Captain Barstow, who was always to the fore, counted for nothing in the story as Jarvice understood it.

He was the mere creature, the servant.
Garratt Skinner, who was always in the background, prepared the swindle and pocketed the profits.
"You are staying at the quiet house in Dorsetshire now, I suppose.

Just you and Garratt Skinner and the pretty daughter, with occasional visits from Barstow ?" "Yes," answered Hine.

"Garratt Skinner does not care to see much company." Once more the smile of amusement played upon Mr.Jarvice's face.
"No, I suppose not," he said, quietly.

There were certain definite reasons of which he was aware, to account for Garratt Skinner's reluctance to appear in a general company.