Mr. Leathern was a tall, fair, dyspeptic-looking
man with a somewhat mournful expression.
Mr. Pointz and Mr. Stein were turning away
from the darts. Mr. Pointz was chuckling and Mr.
Stein was looking somewhat rueful.
"It's all a matter of luck," he was saying.
Mr. Pointz slapped his pocket cheerfully. "Took a river off you all right. Skill, my boy,
skill. My old Dad was a first class dart player.
Well, folks, let's be getting along. Had your fortune
told, Eve? Did they tell you to beware of a
dark man?"
"A dark woman," corrected Eve. "She's got a
THE REGATTA MYSTERY
7
cast in her eye and she'll be real mean to me if I
give her a chance. And I'm to be married by the
time I'm seventeen..."
She ran on happily as the party steered its way
to the Royal George.
Dinner had been ordered beforehand by the
forethought of Mr. Pointz and a bowing waiter
led them upstairs and into a private room on the
first floor. Here a round table was ready laid. The
big bulging bow-window opened on the harbor
square and was open. The noise of the fair came
up to them, and the raucous squeal of three
roundabouts each blaring a different tune.
"Best shut that if we're to hear ourselves
speak," observed Mr. Pointz drily, and suited the
action to the word.