"I think I'd better," the colonel said. "I don't believe I could land
anything after what happened. The fish must have thought it was a
thunderbolt, from the way that ball landed."

"I did drive rather hard," admitted Garrigan. "But we can cut this out
of our game, take a stroke apiece and go on with the play. That is,
I'm willing. I don't feel very keen for the game to-day. How about
you, Tom?"

"I'm ready to quit, and I think the least we can do, considering that we
have spoiled Colonel Ashley's day, is to ask him if he won't share with
usthe bottle I won from you on the water hazard."

"Done!" exclaimed Garrigan. "There were eleven million, four hundred
and ten thousand six hundred and six dollars' worth of soya beans
imported into the United States in 1917," he added, "which, of course,
has nothing to do with the number of cold bottles of champagne the
steward, at the nineteenth hole, has on the ice for us. So I suggest
that we adjourn and - "

"I will, on one condition," said Sharwell.

"What is it ?" asked his companion.

"That you kindly refrain from telling us how many spools of thread were
sent to the cannibals of the Friendly Islands for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1884."

"Done!" cried Garrigan with a laugh. "I'll never hint of it. Colonel,
will you accept our hospitality? I believe you are already put up at