t," replied Trevanion. "And I propose that we play
for a box of balls into the bargain."

"How many of you are going?" asked Bob quietly.

Several hands went up, including that of the Admiral, who had become
enthusiastic about forming what he called "a gallery."

"Good, Admiral. I'm glad you are going. That'll make twelve
altogether. No, Trevanion, we won't play for the balls. The tea will
be enough for you to pay for. I am told that the Army pays junior
officers very badly."

"That's why I want to play for a box of balls. My stock is running
low, and I want to get some on the cheap."

"Come, let's be off!" cried Dick. "I'll tell the men to bring out the
cars, and we'll start right away. Where are your clubs, Bob?"

"They are in my locker at the Club. I haven't seen them since the
Easter Vac."

"But you've played at Oxford?"

"No; been too busy."

Dick held up his hands in mock horror, at which several of the party
laughed.

"Trevanion will wipe the floor with you," he said woefully. "He's on
the links at least three days a week, and he plays a good scratch game."

"Aren't you in practice, Bob?" asked Nancy, when they had a few seconds
alone together.

"Scarcely played for a year."

"Then why did you challenge Captain Trevanion?"

"Because I was mad," replied Bob. "He's been trying to raise a laugh
against me all the morning and so--well, there it is."

"But he'll be sure to beat you?"

"No, he won't," and there was a confident ring in his voice.

Half an hour later they had reached the Club House, and much laughter
and many pleasantries were exchanged as they teed their balls. Captain
Trevanion's clubs were shining, while Bob's were rusty through disuse.

"They 'a'an't a bin clained for months," said the caddy, who was
vigorously rubbing them with emery paper.

Captain Trevanion won the toss, and took the honour. He was a tall,
athletic fellow, and showed by his practice swing that he was master of
his tools. He hit his ball straight and clean, and it fell a few yards
behind the great grass mound which guards the first green. Bob, on the
other hand, felt nervous and awkward. He was out of practice, and knew
his disadvantage. He played the ball badly, and while it cleared the
rough, he had an awkward stance for his second. In playing the odd,
too, he miscalculated the distance, and found himself in the rough, on
the offside of the green. Captain Trevanion holed out in four and