In short, in the brief time it took me to dress, I had worked myself up into a state of enthusiasm on the subject of Crofter.
As to the mystery of Mr Marple's letter having got into the doctor's hands, no doubt I had been careless and dropped the compromising envelope, which some foolish but honest person (it did not occur to me at the time it might have been Crofter himself) had picked up and dropped in the head master's letter-box, supposing he was doing a very clever thing.

Tempest would not be likely to allow me to explain, which was hard on me, and made it all the more virtuous on my part to assist now in putting things right for him.

Luckily for him, he had friends at Low Heath in spite of himself.
When I encountered Crofter in the morning, I requested him, with a knowing look of intelligence, to give me an _exeat_ into the town to do some shopping.

It was probably the first recognition he had received of his temporary authority as head of the house, and he made no difficulty in granting my request.
I made my way first of all to Marple's.
"Oh, about that bill you gave me.

How much was it ?" "Two pounds and sixpence, young gentleman." "I said I'd see it paid for you, didn't I ?" "You did.