"Jaffery" by William John Locke is a novel written during the early 20th century, specifically around the time of World War I. The story centers on the charismatic and adventurous character, Jaffery Chayne, who has recently returned from the Balkans, where he worked as a war correspondent. The narrative is relayed by his friend Hilary Freeth, exploring themes of friendship, love, and the intersection of personal lives against the backdrop of war. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Hilary and his wife, Barbara, who discuss Jaffery and their rich history with their group of Cambridge friends, which includes the recently successful author Adrian Boldero. The dynamics shift when Jaffery writes to Hilary, revealing a whirlwind of emotions as he hints at a romantic entanglement with an unnamed woman and discusses his adventures since they last connected. This creates a sense of anticipation for what has transpired during his time abroad. The opening sets the stage for the exploration of friendship, love, and the complexities of human relationships amidst the uncertainties of war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)