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But the driver doubles up as the caddy – he’s still on duty throughout.”
    â€œThat being the case, General, do you reimburse the caddies for the extra work?”
    â€œReimburse? I don’t follow what you mean. These soldiers are simply carrying out their duty.”
    â€œBut what they actually
do
for you is over and above their duty, surely?”
    â€œCertainly not – and why should I pay them? After all, playing golf is an integral part of fulfilling my social obligations in Germany. I do have a certain position to maintain here, commanding the British Army of the Rhine.”
    â€œI see.”
    An undertone of sarcasm had crept into Clibbery’s tone.
    â€œSo, serving his commander-in-chief
in any capacity
should always be regarded by a soldier as a singular honour, in your view. Despite that privilege, did you ever thank them for doing it?”
    The General looked nonplussed.
    â€œGenerals are not in the habit of thanking private soldiers.”
    â€œSo the answer to my question must be
no
. Indeed, Private Merse’s case is that you never once thanked him, even though being a golf enthusiast himself, he was very good at the job and caddied more than anyone else as a result.”
    â€œThere was no need for me to thank him – whether he was a good caddy or not.”
    â€œReally? Well now let’s turn to the occasion of the tournament at the Gut Larchenhof Club – shortly before Private Merse went absent. He wasn’t able to drive a car that day, so you must have had another driver?”
    The General frowned.
    â€œIf you say so – I can’t really remember.”
    â€œIn fact, Private Merse had been disqualified from driving by his commanding officer for a drink-driving offence some days before but was still ordered to attend. You were determined to have him with you as your caddy, weren’t you?”
    â€œI don’t recall the details...”
    â€œWell, Private Merse actually asked Colonel Kayward if he could travel in the same vehicle as you that day, General – were you aware of his request?”
    Hudibrass glared across the court.
    â€œA General Officer Commanding cannot be seen sharing his vehicle with a private soldier – it’s quite unthinkable!”
    â€œThat’s what Merse was told – so he travelled by train instead. Anyway, he duly arrived at the club on time and, as it happened, the tournament continued well into the evening, didn’t it?”
    â€œThere was a play-off which didn’t involve me and by then I had returned to the clubhouse anyway.”
    â€œWere you aware that just after you left, Merse was involved in an accident whilst taking your clubs back there?”
    The General thought for a moment.
    â€œSomebody may have mentioned it...”
    â€œIn fact, he tripped up and fell into a bunker injuring his leg. Did it ever cross your mind
how
he was going to travel back to the garrison?”
    â€œNot really – I had to leave for Brockendorf rather quickly in order not to be late for an official function.”
    â€œSo poor Private Merse didn’t even have time to stow your clubs in the back of the official car, did he? With an injured leg and lugging your clubs, he was expected to make his own way back to the garrison – all on a Sunday evening!”
    â€œIndeed, I am not responsible for the movements of private soldiers whilst on duty.”
    â€œMr Clibbery,” I felt it was time to intervene, “clearly, the purpose of these questions is to establish that your client may well have harboured a grievance against the General. Can I take it that he doesn’t dispute that he actually
kept
the club?”
    â€œOh, no. My client has always admitted that after returning the golf bag he went absent without leave, taking that club with him.”
    â€œIn that case,” I observed, “what did he ultimately intend to do with it? We will hear that he