Chapter I: The documents in the case are these

_Him to Me_

"Come and play golf on Thursday. What is your handicap? I expect you will be too good for me."

_Me to Him_

"MY GOOD THOMAS,--Don't be silly. I will play you at cricket, tennis, lawn tennis, football (both codes), croquet, poker-patience, high diving and here-we-go-round-the-mulberry-bush. If you insist, I will take you on at prisoners' base and billiards. Moreover I can dance the _pavane_. Yours ever,

"ADOLPHUS

"_P.S._--Anyhow, I haven't any clubs."

_Him to Me_

"MY DEAR ASS,--I gather that you aren't a golfer; well, why not begin on Thursday? There will be nobody else playing probably. Meet me at Victoria eleven-five. My brother is away, and I will lend you his clubs."

_Me to Him_

(Telegram)

"Is your brother out of England? Wire reply."

_Him to Me_

"Yes. Sicily."

_Me to Him_

"Right you are then."