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PREFACE

Before you begin this volume of fourteen short stories, as in the past I would like to acknowledge that several of thee you will find these indicated by an asterisk ()

In nette which ht have a life of its own, I came across ‘Death Speaks’, and was soof the book

It was originally translated from the Arabic, and despite extensive research, the author reham’s play Sheppey, and later as a preface to John O’Hara’s Appointment in Samarra

I have rarely co A gift that truly lacks any prejudice, it is bestoithout regard to birth, upbringing or education You only have to consider the contrasting upbringings of Joseph Conrad and Walter Scott, of John Buchan and O Henry, of H H Munro and Hans Christian Andersen, to prove my point

In this, my fourth volume of stories, I have atteenre: ‘The Letter’ and ‘Love at First Sight’

But first, ‘Death Speaks’:

DEATH SPEAKS

THERE WAS a dad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant ca, and said, Master, just nohen I was in the market-place I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saas death that jostled esture; now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away froo to Samarra and there death will not find me The merchant lent hi his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went Then thein the crowd and he caesture to ? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise I was astonished to see hiht in Samarra

THE EXPERT WITNESS

‘DAMN GOOD DRIVE,’ said Toby, as he watched his opponent’s ball sail through the air ‘Must be every inch of 230, perhaps even 250 yards,’ he added, as he held up his hand to his forehead to shield his eyes fro down the middle of the fairway

‘Thank you,’ said Harry

‘What did you have for breakfast this , Harry?’ Toby asked when the ball finally came to a halt

‘A roith my wife,’ cao shopping with her this ’

‘I’d be teolf that much,’ said Toby as he addressed his ball ‘Damn,’ he added a moment later, as he watched his feeble effort squirt towards the heavy rough no more than a hundred yards from where he stood

Toby’s game did not improve on the back nine, and when they headed for the clubhouse just before lunch, he warned his opponent, ‘I shall have to take e in court next week’

‘I do hope not,’ said Harry, with a laugh

‘Why’s that?’ asked Toby as they entered the clubhouse