The chap left a note (3)

I believe the answer is:

lad

'the chap' is the definition.
('lad' can be a synonym of 'chap')

'left a note' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'note' becomes 'd' (musical note).
'l'+'a'+'d'='LAD'

(Other definitions for lad that I've seen before include "Shaver" , "A young chap into ballads" , "Boy, familiar" , "(Housman's Shropshire) boy" , "Youngster" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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