We may cross off the boating at once. Simpkins wouldn't go in
a boat voluntarily, even on the finest day. We may also exclude
cricket; because there's no cricket within fifty miles of Ballymoy in
any direction. There only remains tennis; so we may take it as certain
that it is lawn tennis which Simpkins has gone to play. You follow me
so far, I suppose, Doyle."
"It might be what they call golf."
"No, it couldn't. You don't understand these things, Doyle; but, as a
matter of fact, no one plays golf in white trousers. It wouldn't be
considered proper, and so we may be perfectly certain that Simpkins
wouldn't do it."
"I wouldn't say," said Doyle, "that you're much nearer knowing where
he's gone to."
"Not much, but I am a little. I happen to know--Sabina's red-haired
cousin told me--that he has taken a packet of sandwiches with him and
doesn't expect to be home till late. It follows from that that he's
not playing tennis in this immediate neighbourhood. It also follows
that he isn't going to any friend's house. Nobody ever brings
sandwiches to a private tennis party. Therefore Simpkins must have
gone to play at some sort of club.
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