Thank you for your email. I must say, you have a rather unusual modus operandi. Mr Welsby, my lawyer of choice for over ten years, always signs documents with me before the payment of any fees. This seems to me to be a far more equitable and suitable arrangement, and as far as I am aware, is standard practice in legal circles worldwide.

I am sorry, Mr Adekunle, but I simply cannot accept this. I must insist that I receive a signed and dated copy of the financial agreement form from you before I release your fee. As I believe I have told you before, I am a stickler for detail, and feel that it is important to do things correctly. I did not expect you to continue until you had received my signature on the form, so I think it rather unfair that you expect me to proceed without having received yours.

I look forward to receiving the signed and dated form from you by return.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: The completed financial agreement form

Sent: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 11:52:38 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

Sir, I must be simple and straight in this mail to you. Since your mail was read, what you requested to me was impossible, but after deliberation with my colleagues and staff in the office, it was agreed to meet up with your demands due to the long time relationship that you have held with this chamber.

Though it is not inline with the ethic of the law industry in my country, but a staff of my chamber decided that we should carry on with you as our relationship with each other is really solid, since your understanding about the law field is within the UK. To this regard, we have gone beyond limited boundary to satisfy you as one of our precious clients, and when we say our motion is to serve you in the way no other will be prepare to do, we really keep to our promise, well this is just a leading example.

With every rancour clear, you can be rest assured of our swift action towards the effect of your fund.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

NB. I have been trying to contact Mr Wale William for some time now to brief him of developments about this transaction, since I have not heard from him after questioning me over the abusive language used against your personality, which I did apologise to if you remember.

It just came to our notice that his boy is very sick as they went to spend holidays with their grandmother and the boy needs a blood transfusion, so the father was given some days work to attend to this issue. The interesting part of it, we learned that the boy is getting better and Mr Wale William will be back on Sunday to resume office Monday morning. In case you hear from him, please send my greetings to him that our chamber wish the boy a speedy recovery.

The completed form, signed by Vincent
(Click to enlarge)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Thank you

Sent: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 10:52:43

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email, and for sending me a copy of the signed form for my records so promptly. You are a gem among attorneys. In fact, I would not be surprised if there was a celestial body up there in the heavens called Vincent Adekunle, for you are an absolute star.

I was most concerned to hear about Mr Williams' son. That is dreadful news, although I am most heartened to hear that he is recovering. I shall contact Mr Williams at once and send my best wishes to him and his family. I shall, of course, pass on your regards too.

Beaker sends his regards to you. He is having ever so much fun with Erlyn and says that she is the finest bitch he has ever laid his eyes on. The dog, of course. Not your daughter. Mind you, from what Beaker tells me, I get the impression that they are getting on rather well too.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams

Subject: My best wishes to your son

Sent: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 11:00:07

Dear Mr Williams,

Mr Adekunle has just told me that your son has been ill. I had to sit down when I heard the news, I was so shocked. Tell me, was it little Wilson, or dear Kingslead who has been struck down?

However, Mr Adekunle also tells me that thankfully your son is recovering well, which is excellent news.

I would like to pass on my best regards to your ailing son, and to you and the rest of your family. Beaker sends his best wishes too. And Mr Adekunle asked me to pass on his regards as well. We care about you, Mr Williams.

I thought you had been a bit quiet recently, and was becoming concerned. However, Mr Adekunle tells me that you will be back at work on Monday. This too is excellent news. I am delighted to report that we are now steaming ahead with the transaction, and I predict that we will be able to bring it to a successful conclusion in the very near future.

Bad news on the permanent glue front, by the way. The adhesive company contacted me the other day and informed me that they will not be proceeding with my formula. Apparently the Operations Manager (who Beaker managed to glue to his chair) had an adverse reaction against the glue, and the skin peeled off his legs in large swathes. Subsequent tests revealed that the glue was highly toxic. Never mind. Onwards and upwards, as they say.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: The completed financial agreement form

Sent: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 07:44:29 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

We really appreciate your compliment and a big thank you for being our client. We wait on you as expected so that we can commence on your request properly.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Erlyn Adekunle

To: Beaker

Subject: Re: Waggy tail doggy style love

Sent: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 08:58:01 -0700 (PDT)

Sweetheart,

I don't have much to say other than to say I LOVE YOU.

I will be sending you cards and some for little doggy.

Say me hi to doggy.

Your beloved.

From: Erlyn Adekunle

To: Beaker

Subject: You received a PassionUp Greeting Page!

Sent: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 12:27:57 -0400

You were sent a PassionUp greeting page from ERLYN ADEKUNLE.

"Yourself"

Have you ever spent a day with yourself, appreciating yourself, loving yourself for who you are?

Have you ever lived for yourself and simply enjoyed being alive?

Do you remember who you used to be before you became the person that you are now?

Stare into the mirror.

Look hard and you'll see that the stranger there has loved you, has carried you, all along, this one who is yourself but is now cloaked by the shadows of your life, and the shadows of another.

Celebrate this one, bring your deeper self out, sit down together, and feast long on who you are, and who you yet can be.

Erlyn's second online card to Beaker
(Click to enlarge)

From: Beaker

To: Erlyn Adekunle

Subject: Thank you for your card

Sent: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 18:15:52

Hi,

Thanks for the card you sent me over the internet. It was really nice of you. I'm not sure I understood it, and the picture was a bit weird, but thanks anyway.

Erlyn has been very good today. I have taken her out for a long walk. She is still pooing on the carpet though. Erlyn wags her tail and sends her love to you, and so do I.

Well I would shake my tail if I had a tail. I'll shake something else while I think of you a bit later, like I do most nights.

How are your studies going, my little bundle of fun? Are you learning lots and lots of things? Don't worry about your studies too much. If we end up getting married you won't need a degree to do all my cooking and washing and cleaning.

Love Beaker xx

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Please explain

Sent: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 18:46:36

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. I have sent an email to Mr Williams sending best wishes from myself and Beaker to his sick son. I also passed on your best regards, as you requested.

It has been a busy weekend here in Gypping in the Marsh. Beaker is still busy training Erlyn, in between prolonged bouts of carpet cleaning. As for myself, I have been busy at my desk, drawing up plans for my latest venture. A good inventor never sits still, you know. After my experience of the little "parcels" that Erlyn is prone to leaving on the carpet, I have been inspired to invent an automatic carpet cleaner - a small robotic device that will sit in the corner of a room, and, using a variety of sensors, will automatically detect when a carpet is soiled. It will then leap into action, move over to the site of the soiling, and wash, scrub, clean, shampoo and dry the carpet automatically. My initial plans are nearly complete, and I plan to start work on a prototype tomorrow morning.

One thing - you said in your last email that you were "waiting on me as expected" before we moved forward. Sorry, but could you explain what it is that you are waiting for me to do please? My mind is full of automatic carpet cleaners and I am apt to be forgetful when in the middle of designing a prototype. You must forgive me.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: COMPLETED FINANCIAL AGREEMENT FORM

Sent: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 00:56:41 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

We expect you to make payment for the handling fee so that we can commence on your request, as this issue should not be further delayed since we have satisfied your concerns over the form. Also, the chamber has given you the mode of payment and how it should be done.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Payment of the handling fee

Sent: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 12:35:28

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. Of course - the handling fee. I will see to this straight away. The money is ready and waiting in my account. Now, you say that you accept payment via "Western Union money transfer" or "MoneyGram". I have not come across either of these payment methods before and am unsure as to how they work. Is "Western Union" specific to Nigeria, or do they have offices elsewhere? Could you provide me with some more information on this please? Alternatively, if either of your preferred methods is too awkward, would travellers' cheques be acceptable?

Still no news from Mr Williams. I hope the man is alright. He probably has a pile of emails to go through. I am sure we will hear from him before too long.

On a somewhat perturbing note, I received another email this morning from Helen Earth, the Personnel Manager at C. U. Jimmy PLC, informing me that Madoon and McCavity have now been formally notified as missing persons, and that the Scottish constabulary are looking into the matter. She said that it was possible that the police would be contacting me in the near future for help in their search.

Don't worry though - I am sure that this is all routine and that they do not suspect anything untoward. Just to be on the safe side, I have instructed Beaker to bleach and scrub the dining room floor, and I will be burning the clothes we were both wearing last Tuesday night in the furnace.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Payment of the handling fee

Sent: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 07:43:11 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

Western Union money transfer is well known all over the world and you can get the nearest agent of this union close to you by checking their web site, www.westernunion.com. I will find out about Mr William.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Payment of your handling fee

Sent: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 17:32:55

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. As ever, you have explained the matter admirably. I checked the Western Union website as soon as I read your email, and it seems like a marvellous way of sending money around the world. Unfortunately, it appears that the nearest Western Union agent is over 40 miles away from me. To get there and back I would have to take a whole half day off from my inventing table, and disruptions like that are not conducive to good results. This would be most inconvenient, especially at the moment, when I feel that I may be close to cracking the problem of how to make my automatic carpet cleaner detect the presence of dog mess on a carpet (I'm thinking of a combination of odour detectors, specially tuned to react to excrement, by the way). There are certain disadvantages to living in such a remote and isolated area of the country.

However, not to worry. I have had an excellent idea. I suggest that Mr Williams pays your upfront fee, and that I settle up with him once we have completed our transaction. This would be easier all round - as he is in the same country, indeed the same town as you, Mr Williams could simply pop round with the money one day this week. No doubt you would also both welcome the opportunity to have a nice chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Mr Williams and myself have built up quite a considerable personal friendship over the past few weeks, so I am sure this will not be a problem for him. After all, what's a mere $1,550 between friends?

I shall contact him immediately and put the idea to him. I know that he is as keen for this transaction to be completed as I am, so I am expecting a positive response.

I will let you know when you can expect Mr Williams to pop round with the money as soon as I hear back from him.

Meanwhile, back to work perfecting my ideas for the odour detectors. Although Beaker will not let me experiment on his new dog in any way whatsoever after the incident with the Petpower project, I am sure that Erlyn will prove invaluable when it comes to testing my new machine: the little bitch produces excrement at an incredible rate.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams

Subject: Payment of Mr Adekunle's handling fee

Sent: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 17:35:16

Dear Mr Williams,

How are you, my fine fellow? Beaker and myself and praying nightly that your afflicted son makes a full recovery as soon as possible.

You will presumably have read my last email to Mr Adekunle, which I copied to you, regarding the payment of his handling fee. As I explained in my email, my nearest Western Union agent is over 40 miles away, so making payment to Mr Adekunle in this fashion would necessitate a trip into town, which would disrupt my inventing activities. I am working on the prototype of an automatic carpet cleaner at the moment, and any interruption could prove most unfortunate.

So, I have suggested to Mr Adekunle that you settle his handling fee, and that I settle up with you once all this business is over and done with and you are over here in Britain discussing what to invest your newly-found millions in. I am sure you will agree, this is a much simpler solution than bothering with money transfers and all that palaver.

Mr Adekunle's fee comes to $1,550. Assuming that this is all satisfactory, could you let me know when you will be popping around to Adekunle's offices with the money, just so that I maintain a handle on what's going on?

All the best to you and your sick child.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Wale Williams

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Payment of Mr Adekunle's handling fee

Sent: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 01:44:10 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Brother,

How are you today, and I hope the invention plan is going on very well as planned. You will agree with me that it is quite a long time now since you heard from me. Thank God the reason has been brought to your notice, though I met so much of your mails and I could understand all with, but I will quickly respond to this very pressing issue.

I only came to the office to ask for two things: longer days to attend to my son's ailments as it has now grown worse, and financial assistance as the doctors told me he must be flown abroad to be attended to, otherwise I might lose him.

Already they are talking with one hospital in the UK and I was told I will be needing at least 695,000 British Pounds Sterling (six hundred and ninety-five thousand) for the total expenses. Hearing this made my heart skip because God knows I cannot afford such money, and I was made to realise that everything must be done fast, otherwise I might lose my boy KINGSLEAD. I am not prepared to lose my boy, my favourite. For this reason, I rushed to the management of my office for longer vacation from office and if I could get a loan. Of course, they assisted in their own little way. First, I was granted longer days, and the bank agreed to give me just 30% when they are sure am with the 70% of the total fund. As you can see now I have nowhere to go than to fall back to my transaction at hand, as this will not only solve my problem, it will also put my family in the perfect way it used to be.

If travelling 100 miles to get the lawyer's fee paid is all you can do for me to save my boy's life, you know it will go a long way as things are now at the moment; it is only when you have this fund in your possession that I can be sure of getting money. More so, immediately I am on my with the boy you can even help handling some things.

I know how busy you are. Please, am talking about a life here. Make sure we get this transaction completed this week or next week so that investing will just be on our agenda.

Presently I am very flat and not myself, so I beg you to do what is right now by going immediately to make this payment and keep the hope of my son living alive.

From me Wale

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams

Subject: Poor dear little Kingslead

Sent: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 12:32:55

Dear Mr Williams,

Thank you for your email. My dear man, you must be in a terrible state, worrying over your favourite son. What on earth is wrong with poor dear little Kingslead? If his treatment will cost 695,000, it must be something dreadfully serious. I never knew any treatment could be that expensive.

You must let me know what is wrong with him. Beaker has an A-Z Guide to Disfiguring Diseases on his bookshelf (one of his more eccentric interests) and is keen to find out if what Kingslead has got is in the book. Is it Ebola, perhaps?

Here's a tip that my mother passed on to me. Castor oil. Give him a spoonful of that a day and he'll be as right as rain in no time.

I can appreciate your points regarding the payment of Mr Adekunle's fee. I agree that we must get this transaction completed as soon as possible. However, you must also appreciate the position I am in - my automatic carpet cleaner project is coming along extremely well right now, and any lengthy interruption to my thought processes could be disastrous.

As your bank has given you time off work, surely it would not be too much trouble to pop round to Mr Adekunle's with his fee, my dear chap? If you are worried about leaving dear little Kingslead on his own, could you not strap the little fellow into a wheelchair and push him round there with you? The fresh air might well do him some good.

Give little Kingslead a kiss on the cheek from his Uncle Gilbert.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Wale Williams

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Why are you doing this to me?

Sent: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 11:17:36 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Brother,

I am in a tight situation right now. I expect you to make the payment, or I will see you as up to something else. Considering my situation and the level of this transaction, there should not be any delay from you any longer.

Paying the hospital bills has taken all I have, so I cannot come up with such money now. Moreover, I might not be here to respond to your mail all the time. You know what is right and what you stand to gain in this transaction. Go ahead and make the payment, brother.

Wale

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams

Subject: Calm yourself, Mr Williams

Sent: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 20:14:47

Dear Mr Williams,

Thank you for your email. I have to say, I was rather confused by its content. I understand that you are in a difficult situation at the moment - I did not realise that dear little Kingslead's hospital bills had left you so short of money. However, regardless of the situation in which we may find ourselves from time to time, I always feel that things are never so bad that we can be excused for forgetting our manners. Things have not gone particularly well for me over the past couple of weeks - and (if only you knew the full horror of what has happened to Beaker and I recently) that is something of an understatement - yet throughout I have maintained a calm head and a composed, polite manner.

I am as keen as you to see this transaction through to its conclusion - I need the money as badly as you do. You need the money to save your son's life. I need the money to build Icarus IV. As you are not in a position to pay Mr Adekunle's fee for me, I shall contact the man myself forthwith and arrange to make payment. I trust that this will be satisfactory.

Once more, Beaker and I send our best wishes to you and your sick son.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Payment of your handling fee

Sent: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 20:21:45

Dear Mr Adekunle,

I have been in touch with Mr Williams, and unfortunately it appears that he is not in a position to pay your financial handling fee on my behalf. No matter. I shall therefore arrange to make the payment to you myself. In order to save me any inconvenience, are you sure that you cannot accept travellers' cheques? This really would be easier for me.

Please let me know.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Wale Williams

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Calm yourself, Mr Williams

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 01:20:13 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Brother,

I am really confused, I must admit as things are not at the moment working in my favour. Please, I beg you to help me out. Remember, it is for the benefit of you and I.

Wale

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Payment of your handling fee

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 01:38:54 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

We are in receipt of your mail; it is unfortunate that we do not accept travellers cheques for payments of this nature. Mainly Western Union money transfer or MoneyGram.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Disturbing news

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 12:10:19

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. I have disturbing news to report. I was sitting at the breakfast table this morning, enjoying a bit of crumpet, when I heard a car pulling up outside. We do not get many visitors here, especially so early in the morning. I went to the window and saw a police car on the driveway, the early morning sea fog curling around its headlights. I had been expecting something like this to happen. I called for Beaker, who had just got out of the shower and had just started to get dressed. As there was no response, I called louder for Beaker to come downstairs immediately. Beaker heard me this time, and promptly came in his pants. I pointed out of the window at the police car. Beaker started whimpering. I muttered a warning to him under my breath not to worry, and to leave the talking to me. I then instructed him to get dressed immediately, and went outside to greet the police officers.

As I walked towards the police car, two uniformed police officers got out of the car and introduced themselves as Detective Inspector Ben Nevis and Inspector Molly Kintyre, from the Strathclyde police force. After exchanging a few pleasantries - Molly Kintyre commented on the mist rolling in from the sea - they informed us that they were here to interview us on the disappearance of Ben Madoon and Phil McCavity. I invited them inside, showed them to the newly-scrubbed and bleached dining room, and sent the newly-dressed and trembling Beaker to make a pot of tea.

When Beaker returned with the tea, Detective Inspector Ben Nevis, a tall, craggy fellow with a granite jaw, led the questioning, while Inspector Kintyre silently took notes. It was all rather unnerving. Beaker was extremely nervous, and stammered and stuttered throughout. However, I remained calm, and I believe that I managed to convince them that Madoon and McCavity had never arrived at Gypping in the Marsh.

And then Detective Inspector Nevis bowled us a googly. Completely out of the blue, he mentioned the disappearance of Beaker's probation officer in similarly suspicious circumstances a couple of years ago. I had not expected them to bring up that subject. Beaker, like a fool, blurted out "But nothing was ever proved, and they never found the body". I kicked Beaker under the table and he shut up immediately. However, I fear that their suspicions were raised.

After about half and hour's further questioning, the two officers left, informing us that they would be staying in a local hotel for a few days pursuing their enquiries. They told us that they might be back with some more questions. As I showed them the door, Detective Inspector Nevis trod in one of Erlyn's little "parcels" that Beaker had forgotten to clean up. He was not amused.

I am now more keen than ever to get this transaction completed as soon as possible. If the worst comes to the worst, Beaker and I may have to move again in the near future, possibly at very short notice. The money from this transaction may be vital.

I am most perturbed, and am finding it difficult to concentrate on my work. However, I shall send Beaker into town first thing tomorrow morning to arrange the transfer of your fees to you via Western Union. I trust that this will be acceptable to you. Could you kindly remind me of the details I need to arrange the payment?

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Beaker

To: Erlyn Adekunle

Subject: I am worried

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 12:11:30

Hi,

I am really worried. The police called this morning. I think they might suspect something. They mentioned my old probation officer who went missing. I thought everybody had forgotten about that. Mr Murray tells me not to worry but I can't help it. I don't want to go back to prison. It was horrible in there. They can't take me away. They can't make me go. Mr Murray says he won't let them take me away but I don't know how he can stop them.

I am worried my lovely little cupcake. I want to be with you. I don't want to go back. Not there.

Write to me my sweet powderpuff. I love you.

Beaker xx

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Disturbing news

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 08:13:44 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

Sir, am really surprised of the development of the police. I just pray you handle things very carefully and make sure you are calm all through with the police, and I pray you clean up all as you told me you will do, because if all that is done am sure there will not be any cause for alarm.

However, I will expect you to handle things maturely, as that is the way I see you at least from the content of every mail you send to me. There is not a trace otherwise.

In regard to the method of payment, it should be done in the name of the secretary to this chamber, as directed below:

Receiver's name: Osanyintusi Oluwagbenga Daniel

Receiver's home address, as this is very necessary: 2, Oyelola Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Test question: Relationship?

Answer: Legal

Once the fee is paid, please ensure to send to us the sender's name and address with the information above so that the pick up can be very easy for the secretary and we can go ahead and start the processing of your fund without further delay.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: What's going on here?

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 17:22:19

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. I have to say, I am still rather shaken by the events of this morning, and I am extremely anxious to move forward with this transaction with all speed. However, having read the contents of your last email, I am rather confused as to what is going on here.

I was planning to send Beaker into town first thing tomorrow morning to arrange the Western Union money transfer. I wrote down the details you sent me on a piece of paper and gave them to Beaker so that he would be able to make the transfer. However, when Beaker read the details, he looked extremely surprised, and told me that the address you have given me as the home address of the secretary of your chamber is the same as the home address that your daughter gave to him. Beaker was rather surprised, and so was I.

What does this mean? I assume that your daughter Erlyn lives with you. So does the secretary of your chamber live with you as well? What is going on here? Are he and your daughter having a relationship, or are the three of you living in some strange sort of incestuous menage a trois?

I have to tell you, Beaker is distraught - he had thought that he was building up a strong, promising relationship with your daughter. Now he is worried that she is just stringing him along as a bit on the side, while cavorting with another man, this "Osanyintusi Oluwagbenga Daniel", behind his back. This information has done nothing at all for his state of mind, which is teetering on a knife edge at the moment, with all that is going on.

Please, Mr Adekunle, you must clear up this matter before we go any further. Who exactly is this shady "Osanyintusi Oluwagbenga Daniel", and what precisely is the relationship between him and your daughter?

I have to say, in over ten years, my relationship with the eminent Mr Welsby has never been overshadowed by events such as these.

I need things to move forwards quickly at this moment in time. I do not need any more hold-ups like this right now. Please respond urgently.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Beaker

To: Erlyn Adekunle

Subject: Are you cheating on me?

Sent: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 17:26:57

Hi,

Who is this Obiwantusi Oluwanbenda Daniel who you are living with? Are you seeing another man behind my back? What kind of a floozy are you? Are you trying to play me for a fool? I thought you were pure and saving yourself for me! But no! You are probably lying in bed right now being pleasured by this blackguard while I sit here cuckolded! And I had bought you a really nice necklace in town on Monday which I was going to send to you! But I'm not going to now, you slattern! Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry?

My life is not worth living now.

Beaker

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: The net is closing in

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 07:23:01

Dear Mr Adekunle,

I am surprised that you have not yet responded to my last email. Time is now of the essence.

Beaker and I had another surprise visit from Nevis and Kintyre last night. They questioned myself, and Beaker in particular, at some length. They also informed us that they were re-opening the case on Beaker's probation officer, who went missing some years ago, and questioned us on this matter very thoroughly too. This is not good news. They left after more than three hours, telling us that they would be back. I think they suspect something.

Beaker is now at his wits' end, and I am growing more and more worried by the hour.

I feel that we must move fast. Tell me, Mr Adekunle, what is Nigeria like as a place to live? I understand that the climate is rather hot, but would you recommend it? If I could pick your lawyer's brain for a moment, do you happen to know if there is an extradition treaty in place between the United Kingdom and Nigeria?

Please respond urgently.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: PAYMENT FOR FINANCIAL AGREEMENT FORM

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 02:46:00 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

I am in receipt of your mail. Quite sorry for the delay in response. I have to put some few things in place for my other clients. However, I will take your questions one after the other.

First, the man in question is not an issue you and Beaker should worry about. Rather, if Beaker wants to get closer to my daughter he had better communicate with Daniel, because they are very close. If you are not told, you will not realise that the man in question is the first son of my elder sister. After the death of my wife it was my elder sister that made sure the child and I were not left alone. It was a very tough one for me and till now and till I will die I will never forget all her effort towards me and my lovely baby.

So I took the responsibility of sending her son to the university and fortunately for him he is learned in the law field with his honours. With this, there was need for him to work in any other chamber when I have a big and recognised chamber, and to make sure I appreciated what his mum did for me and my baby, I made him the secretary, though he is qualified for it anyway. To add to it, he is staying with me and makes use of the other wing of our house. I think with this I have cleared the innocent boy.

Well for the police issue, I am sure all will be well if you can compose yourself anytime they are around. Coming down here will totally depend on you.

I will expect your mail so that we can move and solve this issue once and for all.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: I am arranging the money transfer immediately

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 12:22:31

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. As ever, you have cleared up the confusion admirably. I completely understand that what seemed like a shadowy, illicit relationship between your daughter and the secretary of your chamber in fact is probably nothing of the sort. I have explained this to Beaker, but he still seemed rather dubious. May I suggest that your daughter emails Beaker as soon as possible and explains matters to him personally? Otherwise she is in danger of losing the affections of the man.

A word of advice, man to man. You say that your daughter is "very close" to this man. I fear that your daughter may be spreading herself rather too wide for her own good. Does she have a habit of keeping two men on the go at the same time? I do not think it is wise to let her get too close to this other man - if he is your sister's son, would that not make it incest? If I were you, I would have a stern word with your daughter, and place a stiff lock on her bedroom door at nights.

Thankfully, we have heard nothing from Detective Inspector Nevis and Inspector Kintyre so far today. However, I am afraid that another visit is just around the corner and I feel that we now have no time to lose. I have therefore just sent Beaker into town to arrange the Western Union money transfer. I will send you an email to confirm the details as soon as he returns from town. I only hope that Beaker can remain calm - he is still in a frightful state.

Could you please explain to me how we progress from here, once you have received your fee? Is there paperwork to arrange? Documents to sign? Most importantly, when can I expect to receive the money into my bank account? The sooner the better, I am sure you understand.

Given the extra urgency that is now attached to this transaction, I trust that we will be able to proceed from this point onwards without any of the delays and cock-ups that have been such a feature of this transaction from the very beginning. I would appreciate it if you could make sure that your staff are fully aware of the urgency and importance of this transaction, to avoid any further hold-ups.

I am so shaken up by all this affair that I have had to place my inventing on hold. I simply cannot concentrate on it, with everything else that is going on.

I must go. I have matters to arrange and loose ends to tidy up.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: The Western Union money transfer has been made

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 17:05:47

Dear Mr Adekunle,

You will be pleased to hear that Beaker has made the Western Union money transfer. He has just returned from town.

Unfortunately, in his present agitated state of mind, Beaker got rather confused and lost the piece of paper on which I had written the details that he needed to make the transfer at the Western Union office.

Not to worry though - although he could not remember the name of the secretary of your chamber, or the test question that you suggested, he remembered your daughter's address, and Beaker has therefore made the money transfer in your daughter's name, and made up his own test question. I trust that this is acceptable to you - I assume it will be no problem for you to get your daughter to go to the nearest Western Union office and collect the money on your behalf. The details are as follows:

Receiver's name: Erlyn Adekunle

Test question: What is the name of my dead dog?

Answer: Rolf

Please note that as Beaker arranged the money transfer, the money transfer will be from Mr William Clarence Beaker, not from myself. You are already aware of our address. Please accept my apologies for the nature of the test question, by the way. I do sometimes wonder how Beaker's mind works, and he is not at his best at the moment, for obvious reasons.

Unfortunately, while he was leaving the Western Union agent, Beaker noticed a police car over the road, and saw Detective Inspector Nevis and Inspector Kintyre stopping people in the street to question them. Beaker kept his distance, but managed to find out from a passer-by that they were handing out leaflets with pictures of Ben Madoon and Phil McCavity, and of Beaker's old probation officer, Jack O'Norry, entitled "Have you seen these men?". This put poor Beaker into a bit of a panic, and he also managed to mislay the receipt from the Western Union office containing the money transfer reference number. He thinks he may have thrown it away with the leaflet he managed to pick up off a passer-by. I scolded Beaker thoroughly for this. However, I have checked the Western Union website, and luckily it appears that your daughter will not need the reference number to collect the money; she will merely need the information I have provided above, and valid ID.

Please confirm by email as soon as your daughter has collected your fee from the Western Union office. Then we can hopefully move forward with haste.

These latest developments with Nevis and Kintyre are unsettling in the extreme. We must move fast. Not to worry. I have a plan, which I am putting into action. Probably the less you know about it, the better at the moment.

You mentioned that the secretary of your chamber was residing in "the other wing" of your house. Am I therefore right in thinking that you live in quite a spacious residence? I take it you have a number of guest rooms, Mr Adekunle?

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. You did not answer my question about the existence of an extradition treaty between the UK and Nigeria. Do you know if there is one or not? This is very important.

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: The Western Union money transfer has been made

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 09:32:09 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

We have been in this profession for years and we do not make provisions for difficulty of such idea. There is no way my daughter can pick up the fund. First, she does not have an international passport. In this regard, she is disqualified from being an eligible receiver of such funds. Moreover, without the control number the payment will not effected.

For effective professionalism, you do not expect my daughter to pick up the fee that is meant for my office. Please note that the office is run by collective idea of respected staff, while my office is not a family affair, so I do not plan to hurt my staff by allowing my daughter to overrule the affairs of the office when it is not supposed to be so.

I will expect us to be very keen on getting this transaction done rather than all this avoidable waste of time.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: What on earth are you on about?

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 22:52:32

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. But what on earth are you on about? Beaker has made the money transfer in payment of your financial handling fee. Fair enough, the payment was not made to the secretary of your chamber using the details you provided, but this was unfortunately as a result of Beaker's state of mind, and I have to say, this is largely down to the man's confusion over your daughter's affections.

I have double-checked the Western Union website. It is unfortunate that Beaker lost the control number, but this is not required to collect the money. Your daughter simply has to go to the local office, present valid identification (which does not necessarily have to be a passport), and collect the money using the information I have provided to you.

You say that your office is "not a family affair". This is in blatant contradiction to your previous email, in which you stated that you gave your son-in-law the role of secretary of your chamber. Seeing as your son-in-law lives with you and your daughter (in rather dubious circumstances, I must say), why is it any more difficult for your daughter to pop down the road to the local Western Union office than it is for your son-in-law to do so? I would not be surprised if it turned out that you have other family members working for you. Who does your cleaning? Your mother-in-law?

Beaker travelled a total of eighty miles to and from town today especially to make this payment for you. We have gone out of our way for you. Now collect the fee and stop whining, man.

You still have not answered my questions regarding the status of extradition between Nigeria and the UK. You are my lawyer, for god's sake. Will you kindly start working for your money. If not, I shall have to find myself a lawyer who is more capable of satisfying my requirements.

I am in no doubt that Mr Williams will be most displeased by your unhelpful attitude. I suggest that you pull your socks up.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams

Subject: Adekunle's incompetence

Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 23:05:12

Dear Mr Williams,

I am sorry to bother you with such a matter at what must surely be a difficult time for you and your family.

However, if you have been keeping on top of your emails, I have no doubt that you will be aware of Mr Adekunle's incompetence over the matter of the payment of his financial handling fee. I have never come across such a bumbling fool in the legal profession in my life.

I am sorry to have to say it, but if we had moved forward with the eminent Mr Welsby, as I urged from the start, I believe we would have completed this transaction weeks ago. I simply do not believe that Adekunle is up to the job. The man comes across as an incompetent idiot, who has consistently placed one obstacle after another in the way of this transaction.

For reasons that need not concern you, I need this transaction to be completed as soon as possible. Please sir, let me contact Mr Welsby and put the matter in his capable hands. You would not regret such a move, believe me.

Please pass on my love and regards to little Kingslead.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: COMPLICATIONS OVER NOTHING

Sent: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 03:09:28 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

We have gone out of our way to satisfy you, yet you still make issues complicating when it is not supposed to be so. Every chamber has its guidelines, which we gave to you over and over again.

Here in my country, if you do not have an international passport or driving licence, you are not eligible to pick up Western Union money transfers, and to make it worse, this morning I went with her to ask if something can be done, but we were rejected outright when we told them we do not have a control number. You really made me look a fool at the Western Union office, so make sure you put things right then we can move ahead.

I have also checked through their order status, but there is nothing like you said was done, so how do you explain this please?

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: We must make our move now

Sent: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:10:43

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Oh, so it's my fault that your daughter cannot drive a car, is it?

I assume it's also my fault that she doesn't have a passport?

You are her father, man. Surely these are things you should have sorted out yourself?

This entire transaction has seemingly consisted of mistake after mistake, delay after delay, technical fault after technical fault. I have never known such a simple matter as this to take so long. The eminent Mr Welsby moves through legal affairs with the speed and smoothness of a hot knife through butter. You could do with taking a leaf out of his book, Mr Adekunle.

No matter. Events have now rather overtaken us, and Beaker and I now have no time to go into town to sort out the money transfer. Things have reached crisis point here at Hemlock Cottage. We had another early morning visit from Detective Inspector Nevis and Inspector Kintyre today. They informed us that their investigations were progressing very well and once again questioned both of us at length on the disappearance of Ben Madoon and Phil McCavity. I am now convinced that they know something and are trying to break us. Ben Nevis even mentioned the possibility of searching the marsh. As they left, Inspector Molly Kintyre warned us not to plan any trips away in the near future, as she was sure that they would be needing our help again.

Beaker is now at the end of his tether, and to be perfectly honest, so am I. We cannot put off this moment any longer. We have to make a move now, before it is too late.

Consequently, Beaker and I have decided to relocate ourselves, immediately. We have packed the essentials that we need into six large suitcases (we cannot fit any more into Icarus III), and we after some final pre-flight checks, we will be taking off shortly. I have been in touch with Welsby over the past few days and have placed Hemlock Cottage and the rest of my affairs in his more than capable hands.

Unfortunately, there is no room for Erlyn in the plane. Aside from the issue of space, as she is not yet house-trained, it would not be fair on her, or on us, to take her with us. Having discussed this matter with Beaker, I therefore took the dog outside this morning and shot her in the head. It was for the best. I will buy him a new one when we reach our destination.

You will be pleased to know that we will be heading for your neck of the woods - I am plotting a course for Lagos. I estimate that it should take us five or six days to fly from here to Nigeria - we will be flying non-stop as much as possible, taking it in turns to pilot the plane while the other sleeps. We should be flying over the English Channel tonight, passing over France and Spain, then heading over the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco. From Morocco we plan to follow the African coast all the way down to Lagos. Not the quickest route, but far safer than flying over the Sahara.

I have rigged up a gyroscopic self-tracking satellite dish to the fuselage of Icarus III, which will enable us to maintain email contact while we are airborne. I will therefore be able to keep you informed of our progress.

When we arrive in Lagos, we will be able to sort out this matter of your fee once and for all, and progress with the transaction. Of course, it would be easier for all concerned if your daughter could pick up the fee between now and then. Surely there must be a way?

Now then, if all goes well and we have a fair wind, I am planning to arrive in Lagos next Thursday. Could you please make ready a guest room for me? Don't worry about Beaker - I am sure he will be content to share a room with your daughter. It might be best to make sure that your nephew is out of the way for a few days - Beaker is not feeling particularly charitable towards him (or anyone) at the moment. Kindly ensure that my bed is fully equipped with mosquito nets and that my room is air-conditioned, or at the very least contains a fan. One more thing - I am allergic to man-made fibres, so I must have cotton sheets on the bed.

I am sorry to impose on you in this way, but we can hardly stay with Mr Williams at the moment, with little Kingslead being ill. It might be something contagious, and Beaker and I have no intention of picking up some hideous flesh-eating tropical disease.

I must go. I have to make a number of last-minute checks before we take to the skies.

I look forward to seeing you in Lagos, Mr Adekunle, where we will be able to conclude our business in person.

Onwards and upwards.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: COMPLICATIONS OVER NOTHING

Sent: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 08:42:17 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

It is not a matter to argue on. Very simply, first you call the innocent boy my son-in-law after telling you that he is the son of my elder sister, but you surprise me by changing what you believe now, and back to the fee issue, brother, you did not send anything, it is evident and clear. Please check the order status of the information you gave to me again on the Western Union website. So why all the stress in the world? Let us save each other time.

Please prove it, in my last mail I told you that it is not on the order status of the Western Union site, but you never responded to it, because even if you sent it through my daughter's name, it will be there.

We should handle things maturely. I am cool despite all the insinuation from you. Also remember that I have given you how to make this payment more than four times just to come out with something like this. Did you think about the way you have handled what you call your money, or is it the way you will handle this transaction when your claim is presented to the management of IBTC? Sir, we have given you procedures that will suit you and I then do what we ask you to do and then see the result of our performance.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: No need to worry, my good man

Sent: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 17:30:26

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. I have to admit that I found its content rather confusing. Perhaps you could put some thought into making your emails a little easier to understand? I am not a lawyer, you know, and your dense and punctilious legal verbiage can sometimes be rather impenetrable to those of us without the benefit of an education in the field of jurisprudence.

Nor am I an expert in computers, in websites, or in the working procedures and policies of the Western Union organisation. I have already told you that I have not used their services before. Beaker assures me that he made the money transfer as I instructed him to do so. I am not about to doubt his word on this matter, and I do not expect you to either. Technical difficulties have dogged this project from the start, and I would not be at all surprised if another one was causing you problems in this instance.

I apologise for calling your nephew your "son in law". This was an honest mistake. As you will appreciate, I have a lot on my mind at the moment.

No matter. As I write to you, Beaker is at the controls and is piloting us expertly across the English Channel towards France. The weather is perfect, and the sight of the early evening sun reflecting off the water below is one that fills my heart with joy. I have to say, both our moods have improved a great deal since we took off from Gypping in the Marsh. I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

Icarus III is moving through the air like a graceful bird, and after a few initial problems, the satellite internet connection appears to be working well. I am full of confidence for the future.

True, we have had to leave behind most of our possessions, but they are merely things. One's liberty is far more important than any corporeal object. The eminent Mr Welsby has been instructed to discreetly tie up my affairs back in Britain, and sell Hemlock Cottage on my behalf. And, importantly, I still have access to my various bank accounts. We certainly will not starve; not by any means.

Mr Adekunle, I sense from the tone of your email that you are somewhat uneasy about the prospect of Beaker and I coming to stay with you. Perhaps you are concerned that your humble abode will not be up to the high standards that Beaker and I are accustomed to. Please, you must not worry yourself. Let me reassure you, Beaker and I both take people as we find them. I am sure that we will be able to put up with whatever inconveniences we may come across while staying with you without too much complaint. I am sure you and your daughter will make excellent hosts. Tell me, does your guest room have an en-suite bathroom, or will you be giving up your own bathroom for my personal use?

Turning to a rather delicate matter, Beaker has remembered that in the rush to leave, he forgot to pack any prophylactic devices. Could you please ensure that your daughter has a good supply available for when we arrive? We don't want any little accidents, now do we?

I see France ahead! I must go now and take over the controls from Beaker. I shall keep you updated on our progress.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Progress update

Sent: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 07:51:49

Dear Mr Adekunle,

A brief email to keep you informed of our progress. We touched down in a field and rested for a few hours last night, before taking off again at daybreak. We are currently flying high above the Loire Valley and making steady progress, with a fair wind. The view over the vineyards is quite breathtaking. I expect us to be crossing over into Spanish airspace sometime this afternoon if all goes well.

Beaker says that he is looking forward to meeting you, and your delightful daughter, at long last.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Beaker

To: Erlyn Adekunle

Subject: I will be with you soon my lovely

Sent: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 09:26:33

Hi,

I am sorry for my last email when I accused you of cheating on me and of being a floozy and a slattern. Mr Murray explained everything to me and I know now that this Osandrawusi Olywaybingo Daniel, or whatever his name is, is not your lover but is your cousin or something. That's alright then. Sorry for calling you all those names I see now that you are not a two-timing harlot.

Your dad has probably told you that me and Mr Murray are flying down to see you. Things got really bad in Gypping in the Marsh and we had to leave in a hurry. Everything will be alright now. I can't wait to see you. Mr Murray has told your dad not to bother getting a room ready for me because I can stay with you. At last we can consummate our love.

I don't know how easy it is to get hold of it in Nigeria but can you do me a really big favour and get me some powder for my athletes foot? I forgot to pack mine.

See you soon my little sweet pea.

Beaker xx

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Payment of your handling fee

Sent: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 20:13:31

Dear Mr Adekunle,

I am afraid I have some bad news. Beaker and I have been talking at some length - there is not much else to do while we are stuck in the plane together - and I mentioned that you had told me that you could not find any trace of the Western Union payment he had made. Beaker was silent for a moment, then confessed to me that he had not actually made the payment as I had instructed him to do.

I could not believe my ears. When I asked him why, he told me that he was still very angry about the situation between your daughter and your nephew (or the situation as he saw it), and he did not make the payment out of spite. It turns out that he never withdrew the money from my account as I instructed him to do. That would explain why you have been unable to find any trace of the payment through the Western Union website.

I can only offer my most sincere apologies. I am most embarrassed, and would ask you to find it in your heart to forgive me. In Beaker's defence, I think you know that he was not in the best state of mind at the time, and Beaker can do some strange things when he is angry and confused.

However, as we are now on our way to you, I will be able to pay your handling fee in cash. I trust that this will be acceptable.

You will be pleased to hear that our flight continues without any problems. We passed over into Spain midway through the afternoon, and having passed over acre upon acre of orange groves, are currently heading towards Madrid, the moon illuminating our flight in a cloudless sky. Icarus III is behaving herself beautifully. I will be proud to show her off to you when we meet next week.

Please pass on my kindest regards to your daughter. We both look forward to meeting you.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. Would it be possible for you to provide fresh flowers in my room each morning?

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Progress update

Sent: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:10:52

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Beaker and I passed over Madrid earlier today, and are now making straight for Gibraltar. We should be flying over the Med at around sunset, and hope to find a suitable field to put down in when we get over Morocco. Africa, here we come.

Still no technical problems with the plane, you'll be pleased to hear. That's good engineering for you.

We are making good time, so if all goes to plan, we should be touching down in Lagos sometime on Thursday. I'll keep you informed as to our progress.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. Any news on the fresh flower situation? Let me know, there's a good chap.

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Casablanca

Sent: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 12:29:39

Dear Mr Adekunle,

I am pleased to announce that we passed over the pillars of Hercules last night as planned, and the African coast hove into view beneath the setting sun.

We enjoyed a brief stop in Casablanca this morning, during which we wandered around the souks and bazaars. We entered a bar for some light refreshment, and to my amazement, I realised that I had once known the barman, Rick, during a brief stay in Paris many years ago.

"Gilbert!" cried Rick, "Good to see you! Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, you walk into mine!". We had a long chat and reminisced about the good old days in Paris. Eventually, however, we had to leave. It was a sad moment.

"Gilbert," said Rick, shaking my hand, "We'll always have Paris."

I have to say, Beaker was rather taken with the place. At one point, he expressed an interest in staying in Casablanca and not going any further towards Lagos.

"Beaker," I told him, "If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with it, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." Beaker relented and re-boarded the plane, and we are now headed towards the Tropic of Cancer.

I am so looking forward to meeting you and your daughter on Thursday. Mr Adekunle, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Here's looking at you kid.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Wale Williams

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Casablanca

Sent: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 12:03:52 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Gilbert,

I just read all your mail and was very surprised of the developments at hand when we are supposed to have made tremendous progress. Please remember that if my son dies you are one of the reasons for his death.

I even tried to reach the attorney. He was just blunt with me saying he is not too sure of the seriousness of me and my partner even when he has tried his best to give us all the time in the world. Why on earth could you give him information that was not true, saying you sent him the payment for the fee and you did not even do it the way you were told, to add to the problem you never did it, or you do not realise what it means for man to speak and what he said is not exactly what he did?

Think of this please. Who is making use of the money? You or Beaker? So why are you allowing him to skim things at the expense of others? I have concluded here on my part, but I will wait for the outcome from your side on this transaction.

Wale

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams; Cc: Vincent Adekunle

Subject: Regarding your last email

Sent: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 21:29:46

Dear Mr Williams,

Thank you for your email. It is wonderful to hear from you after so many days' silence. How is dear little Kingslead? Does he show any sign of improvement? You must be distraught, my dear fellow.

I can understand your surprise and dismay at the way things have developed over the past week or so. Believe me, things are far from ideal. Without going into too much unnecessary detail, circumstances have dictated that Beaker and I have had to make a swift exit from Britain. This is unfortunately unavoidable. We have boarded Icarus III and are currently making good progress on our way to Lagos. I am hoping that Mr Adekunle will be able to accommodate Beaker and I for a few days, until we are able to find ourselves a permanent lodging in the town. We too are desperate, in our own way.

You mentioned the fact that my Western Union payment to Mr Adekunle did not go through as I thought. I can only offer my sincere apologies for this. I sent him into town to make the payment, he returned and told me that he had made the payment, and yet, as Mr Adekunle discovered, he did not actually make the payment at all. As I have already explained to Mr Adekunle, this was all down to Beaker's state of mind at the time - he has been cultivating a strong personal relationship with Mr Adekunle's daughter, Erlyn, and due to a misunderstanding, was under the impression that Erlyn was cheating on him. As a result of this, I regrettably told Mr Adekunle that the payment had been made, when in fact it had not been. I am most embarrassed by this - as an Englishman, my word is my bond - and I feel disgust that Beaker has brought my reputation into disrepute.

Mr Williams, I pride myself on my honesty and integrity, and the thought that anyone might place my integrity under doubt fills me with horror. Given the state of things at the moment, I trust you can appreciate that I need this transaction to work as much as you do. Your son's life is on the line. My future is on the line. We are both in need.

Please, Mr Williams, be assured that as soon as we land in Lagos, I will pay Mr Adekunle's handling fee in cash. This is my first priority. Given the amount of trouble that my recent situation has caused to Mr Adekunle, I am even willing to make an additional payment towards Mr Adekunle's office, as a token of goodwill. I would suggest an extra payment of five hundred dollars.

Beaker and I are expecting to land in Lagos late on Thursday. However, I have not yet had confirmation from Mr Adekunle that he will be able to accommodate Beaker and I. This is somewhat troubling. I would be grateful if you could give Mr Adekunle a push in the right direction on my behalf.

Beaker and I look forward to meeting you at last when we finally arrive in Lagos.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. You still have not told me what is wrong with dear little Kingslead. If it is something contagious, I would appreciate it if you could leave him at home when we meet. I am sure you understand.

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: We are making good progress

Sent: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 08:59:41

Dear Mr Adekunle,

You will be pleased to hear that having flown non-stop since leaving Casablanca, we are making excellent forward progress towards Lagos. I predict that we will have reached Gambia by nightfall.

I am concerned that I have not heard from you for the past few days. Doubtless you are busying yourself with preparing your home for our arrival on Thursday. This is excellent.

As we will be arriving late on Thursday, will you be available to conclude our business on Friday? I would suggest late on Friday morning, or Friday afternoon, giving Beaker and I a chance to have a bit of a lie in after our long journey. I trust this will be acceptable to you. Please let me know.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. Beaker emailed your daughter regarding some powder for his athlete's foot, but has not had a response from her yet. Do you know if she has been able to obtain some for him? The situation between his toes is getting rather critical.

From: Detective Inspector Benjamin Nevis

To: Vincent Adekunle; Wale Williams; Erlyn Adekunle

Subject: REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON GILBERT MURRAY & WILLIAM BEAKER

Sent: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 12:05:55

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Detective Inspector Benjamin Nevis of the Strathclyde Police Force. I am currently investigating the recent disappearance of two individuals, Ben Madoon and Phil McCavity, both Engineers working for the Scottish aerospace company C. U. Jimmy PLC, and the disappearance of Jack O'Norry, a Probation Officer, some two years ago. These three men are missing, presumed dead.

My investigations have centred on two individuals, a Mr Gilbert Arnold Murray and a Mr William Clarence Beaker, who themselves disappeared a few days ago. I am most anxious to contact Mr Murray and Mr Beaker in relation to this very important matter, as I believe they may hold vital information on the whereabouts of the missing individuals.

I have obtained your email addresses from a notebook that was found during a search of the home that Mr Murray and Mr Beaker shared. On entering Mr Beaker's bedroom, we found a series of emails from Ms Adekunle that Mr Beaker had printed out and pinned to the wall, along with a picture, presumably of Ms Adekunle, that had been printed out approximately 100 times and pinned to another wall, forming a rather unnerving collage. From reading these emails, we have ascertained that you are engaged in some sort of business relationship with Mr Murray and Mr Beaker, and that Ms Adekunle is also romantically involved with Mr Beaker.

The nature of your relationship with Mr Murray and Mr Beaker is irrelevant to this investigation, but do you know where these men are? If you have any idea, this information could be invaluable to me.

You may be interested to know that Mr Glen Coe, the Chairman of C. U. Jimmy PLC, has put up a reward of 500,000 for anyone who provides information leading to the discovery of Ben Madoon and Phil McCavity, or leading to the successful conviction of those responsible for their disappearance. Any help you can provide will be most appreciated.

If either man contacts you, please let me know immediately.

I anticipate your prompt response.

Detective Inspector Benjamin Nevis

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Arrangements for meeting up

Sent: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 14:03:37

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thanks to fortuitous winds, we have made much better progress than we anticipated, and I now expect to be touching down in Lagos sometime tomorrow morning, rather than tomorrow evening.

Shall we make our way to your place of work or directly to your house? We have a detailed map of Lagos, so we should have no difficulty in finding you.

I am planning to stop off at a bank on the way in order to withdraw your handling fee in cash. I am dreadfully sorry for the mix-up we had over this earlier. Beaker can be rather unpredictable sometimes. Never mind. Now that we are going to be in Nigeria in person, we will be able to complete this transaction with the minimum of fuss. I will be able to nip any more problems that might occur at your end in the bud before they delay us any further.

I take it that everything will be ready for us at your house? I do hope that your nephew will not be around - Beaker is rather tetchy at the moment, having spent so long cooped up in a small aeroplane, and it would definitely be for the best if your nephew made himself scarce for a few days.

We both look forward to meeting you, your daughter, and Mr Williams in person, and to concluding this transaction as soon as possible. I am sure you will make an excellent host for us both. I would imagine your daughter is itching with excitement at the prospect of meeting her love for the first time. Although hopefully she is not itching with anything else - you did say that she was free of diseases, did you not? Beaker is slightly anxious.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Arrangements for meeting up

Sent: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 06:49:41 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

I am in receipt of your mail. Following some mails I received from you and whoever, it will be better if we handle this issue with safety, provided all you have been saying and doing is exactly what it is.

For the safety of all involved in this transaction, please be informed that when you arrive in Lagos, the first thing you should do is go to LAGOS HILTON HOTEL AND TOWERS, OFF ALLEN AVENUE, IKEJA. Any cab driver will locate it quickly.

When you have checked in to the hotel, call me on this mobile number: 2348033299533 that you are there and I will come over to pick you up.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Arrangements for meeting up - please clarify

Sent: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 17:31:42

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. It is refreshing to hear from you after so long a silence. No doubt you have been busy in court.

May I ask why you want Beaker and I to check in at the Lagos Hilton? I thought we would be staying with you. Is there a problem with this? Would it not be easier to come straight to your house? Or do you mean that you will pick us up at the Lagos Hilton as it will be easier for us to find, and then we may come and stay as guests at your house? Please clarify.

You will be pleased to hear that Beaker and I are still making excellent progress, and fully expect to be in Lagos at some point tomorrow during the day.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. You have not mentioned the foot powder. Beaker is having terrible trouble with his feet at the moment. He really would appreciate it if you could do your level best to obtain some for him.

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Arrangements for meeting up - please clarify

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 00:59:14 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

I am in receipt of your mail. Just go to the Hilton Hotel and Towers I told you about. When you get there, give me a call and I will be there to take you guys to my home just for security reasons.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Today's arrangements

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 09:02:55

Dear Mr Adekunle,

A quick update on our progress. After flying through the night, I estimate that we are now approximately an hour and a half from Lagos.

I intend to land Icarus III, then head into town with Beaker and go directly to a bank, where I will withdraw your handling fee in cash.

Beaker and I will then make our way directly to the Lagos Hilton, from where we will contact you.

My heart fills with joy to know that we are nearing our goal. Beaker and I are extremely weary after so many days cooped up in such a small plane, and things have become rather fractious. Never mind. We are both looking forward to meeting you, your daughter and Mr Williams, and bringing this transaction to a fruitful and profitable close.

I will contact you later.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: We have arrived safely at the hotel

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 12:10:45

Dear Mr Adekunle,

I am pleased to report that after a safe landing in a field on the outskirts of Lagos, Beaker and I are now safely ensconced in the lounge bar of the hotel. We managed to hire a taxi without any problems, and made our way here via a bank, at which I have withdrawn your financial agreement handling fee. There was a bit of a language barrier between us and the taxi driver - I am surprised to see that not everyone here speaks English well - but we managed to get through to the man in the end. I am not convinced that he took us by the most direct route, but then taxi drivers are the same the world over.

I have tried to call you using the telephone number you gave me, but unfortunately I have not been able to get through. Not having a telephone myself, I am rather unfamiliar with their use. Perhaps I am using the wrong international dialling code. No matter. If the hotel did not have internet access, I would have found it difficult to get through to you.

Beaker and I will be waiting here in the bar for you. We should be able to recognise each other from the photographs we exchanged a while ago. To help you identify us, I am wearing a taupe safari suit and will be drinking a pink gin, and Beaker is wearing a Kylie Minogue t-shirt, shorts and sandals and will be drinking orange juice. Beaker's shock of bright red hair and the peeling skin on his feet may also be aids to identification.

I am so looking forward to meeting you, Mr Adekunle. I feel that over the past few weeks, our business relationship has started to develop into a true friendship. Yes, we have had our ups and downs, but what friends don't? As a token of my friendship and respect, I have brought you a small gift that I picked up in a bazaar during our brief stop in Casablanca - an original tribal penis gourd. I hope you do not have one already. This one looks most excellent, and I had to haggle hard to get a good price for it. Beaker has also bought your daughter a small gift. Personally, I am not quite sure that his gift is quite appropriate for a young lady, but Beaker insists that it is. As long as the girl has an open mind and is not easily shocked, things should be fine.

Will your daughter be coming to the hotel with you, or will she be waiting for us back at your house with the kettle on? Beaker is so excited at the prospect of meeting her. He has asked if we could leave the two of them to their own devices while you and I conclude our business. He is so keen to show Erlyn the true depth of his feelings. I am sure I need go into no further details. It is so wonderful to see young love blossom like this.

We await your arrival, my dear fellow. Please don't leave it too long - if I have too many gin and tonics while I am waiting, they are sure to go to my head.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Where are you?

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 13:58:11

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Beaker and I are still sitting here in the hotel bar waiting for you. I have tried several more times to call you, but have still not been able to get through. I fear that my knowledge of the Nigerian telephone system is rather limited.

I did think that I had spotted you about half an hour ago when a short, swarthy looking gentleman in sunglasses walked into the bar as if he was looking for someone, but it turned out not to be you.

I am now on my fourth pink gin. Please give me some idea of when we can expect to see you, and come as soon as you can. To be perfectly frank, we are getting rather bored. And Beaker does tend to start playing up when he gets restless.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: Where are you?

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 08:14:58 -0700 (PDT)

VINCENT ADEKUNLE CHAMBERS,
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR AT LAW,
4B, GERRALD LAWSON AVENUE,
IKOYI, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Dear Gilbert Murray,

We are in receipt of your mail. Just dial my number 8033299533. Once I hear from you I will be on my way.

Yours faithfully,

Barrister Vincent Adekunle (SAN)

Head of Chamber (HOC)

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: I am at the hotel now. Come and pick me up immediately

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:47:21

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. I have just tried to call your number once again, and once again I have failed to get through. I have now used up all my loose change.

Frankly, I am losing my patience with you. Beaker and I are sitting here in the hotel lounge right at this minute, with your handling fee, in cash, in a briefcase. We have been sitting here for over four hours now, waiting for you to turn up.

I have had enough of all this messing around with the Nigerian telephone network. I am hot, I am tired, and I have had more pink gins than I can stomach.

Do you want to proceed with this transaction or not? From where we are sitting, it seems that you do not. I appreciate that your chamber is working. But I am one of your clients, for god's sake.

In my opinion, it is precisely this sort of lackadaisical attitude that has resulted in our transaction being delayed for so long, when we should have been able to complete it weeks ago.

If you are not here within the hour to pick us up, Beaker and I will be taking our business, and your financial handling fee, elsewhere.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: Where the hell are you, man?

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 19:31:08

Dear Mr Adekunle,

This is ridiculous. Where the hell are you, man? Is this some kind of a joke to you? Beaker and I have flown halfway across Europe and Africa to come and see you, and you seemingly cannot manage to get from one side of town to the other. I have to tell you that Beaker is most displeased with you. This is not good.

Beaker and I have booked ourselves into the hotel for the night. I am prepared to give you one last chance tomorrow morning to redeem yourself. We will be in the hotel lounge tomorrow morning. After that, you can forget it. Judging from the business that other people are transacting in this hotel, Lagos appears to be a city of great opportunity for people with a bit of initiative and some ready cash. If we do not see you tomorrow morning, we will take advantage of this and find ourselves another local attorney to manage our affairs.

Can you not see that now is the time to put an end to these interminable delays and get moving, man?

You have one last chance.

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams; Cc: Vincent Adekunle

Subject: Things are falling apart because of Adekunle once more

Sent: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 19:37:36

Dear Mr Williams,

I assume that you have been keeping up to date with the emails that have been passing between myself and Mr Adekunle. Can you not see what an incompetent buffoon this man is turning out to be?

The man has been nothing but trouble ever since the beginning of this transaction, placing one delay after another in front of us. At times, I am left wondering whether he actually wants this transaction to succeed.

Now that we are finally in Nigeria, the man cannot even organise himself enough to come and meet us.

Mr Williams, can you rescue this situation? We both need this transaction to work out. I beg you, either kick Adekunle's arse and get him moving, or find another lawyer who can manage this situation rather than simply to come up with one cock-up after another, like Mr Adekunle has done.

I have to say, Nigeria seems to be a country teeming with business opportunities. I got talking to a Mr Abacha in the hotel bar this lunchtime who put forward a most intriguing opportunity. Apparently he is the son of Nigeria's ex-leader. I told him that I was already engaged in one piece of business that will take up all my time while I am here. However, I am telling you now, Mr Williams, if Adekunle does not get off his fat lawyer's backside, I will contact this Abacha fellow and move forward with his proposition.

I have given Adekunle until tomorrow lunchtime to redeem himself. If he has not showed up by then, I am afraid that I will have no alternative to put a halt to our transaction and to start working with Mr Abacha.

For now, Beaker and I have booked ourselves into the hotel for the night. We expect progress tomorrow morning, or you can forget it.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

PS. Please send my love to dear little Kingslead. I hope that he is not dead yet. If Adekunle gets his act together, we may still be able to save him.

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: This is your last chance

Sent: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 08:46:28

Dear Mr Adekunle,

After yesterday's fiasco, today is your last chance to redeem yourself, my man. Beaker and I have just enjoyed a surprisingly good breakfast - the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers does a fine poached egg, I must say - and are now waiting in the hotel lounge for your appearance.

My heart leaped about fifteen minutes ago when I thought I saw you entering the hotel lounge. However, it turned out to be an itinerant goatherd, and not you at all.

As I mentioned in an email to my good friend Mr Williams last night, Beaker and I got talking to a very nice man called Abacha yesterday, who put forward a most interesting business proposition. It appears that the man is the son of your country's ex leader.

We will be waiting in the hotel lounge all morning. If you do not show up by lunchtime, I will contact this Abacha fellow and move forward with his proposal.

I look forward to seeing you.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Vincent Adekunle

To: Gilbert Murray

Subject: Re: This is your last chance

Sent: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 01:50:27 -0700 (PDT)

Gilbert,

You are really acting, right, or do you think I believe you? I have sent my staff to check on you there but all your game is up. Wale knew this that you were a prank from the mails you where sending to him, but he was not able to write you due to the issue of his son.

It is good news for Wale as he has got a financier assisting him in this transaction and your help he said will not be necessary anymore due to your panky games. Please ensure to stop writing me, as it is very glaring that you can not handle an opportunity like this. Beside, I have so many jobs to attend to.

Vincent

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Vincent Adekunle; Cc: Wale Williams

Subject: You have blown it, Mr Adekunle

Sent: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:05:59

Dear Mr Adekunle,

Thank you for your email. You say you sent your staff to collect Beaker and I? I am afraid I simply do not believe you. We spent all yesterday afternoon in the bar of the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers, and all this morning sitting in the lounge, and at no point did anyone approach us, apart from Mr Abacha.

I did notice some rather unsavoury-looking fellows at one stage who seemed to be looking for someone, but as I was expecting to see you personally and they looked nothing like your photograph, I did not make myself known to them.

I am sad to say that you have now blown your last chance of working with me. I will be contacting Mr Abacha this afternoon and investing my considerable resources in the transaction he outlined yesterday.

I simply do not know what you have been playing at. You have wasted my time, Beaker's time, and Mr Williams' time. I have never come across a more incompetent attorney in all my life. On top of this, your daughter has played most shamefully with the affections of my assistant.

No matter. Beaker and I are putting this whole sorry episode behind us. Mr Abacha presents himself in a much more professional light than you, and I feel confident that the business relationship we are building between ourselves will prove to be extremely profitable. And Beaker is getting on rather well with one of the hotel's chambermaids.

May I respectfully suggest that seeing as you make a very poor attorney, a change in career might be a good idea? There are scores of goats out there that are crying out for a goatherd.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray

From: Gilbert Murray

To: Wale Williams

Subject: I am sorry, but I cannot help you any more

Sent: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 12:07:21

Dear Mr Williams,

I am sorry to have to say that as a result of Adekunle's incompetence, I am no longer willing to move forward in this transaction. The constant delays have just become too much for me to bear. I am therefore going to be contacting Mr Abacha forthwith and going ahead with the business proposition he put forward to me yesterday.

I am sorry that this transaction did not work out as planned. I had hoped to be in a position to be able to help you, especially with dear little Kingslead falling ill and requiring such astronomically expensive medical treatment. But it was not to be. I have to say, if we had engaged the services of the eminent Mr Welsby, as I suggested right from the start, I think the outcome would have been very different.

I fear that you may live to regret your poor choice of attorney, Mr Williams. When the name "Gilbert Murray" is being celebrated worldwide as the father of self-powered flight, you will undoubtedly stop and wonder how differently things could have turned out - your name could have been up there in lights with mine.

No matter. Such is life. I bear no grudge towards you. Please pass on my sincerest regards to your wife and your sons.

Best regards,

Gilbert Murray