a few
minutes before nine o'clock
To tell the truth , I have not given much thought to it since . '' Royson was convinced that Mrs. Haxton , finding the game was up , had flown . But Tagg 's version of the lady 's sudden departure did not lend color to this view . He stated that a shore boat came alongside a few minutes before nine o'clock , and an Arab , who was its sole passenger , stood up and said clearly : `` Me Abdullah . See Madame Haxton . '' That , seemingly , was the full extent of the man 's English . He repeated the sentence until Tagg sent Miss Fenshawe 's maid to tell Mrs. Haxton that an Arab named Abdullah was asking for her .