SageChimpSageChimp
by H. C. McNeile
Book #1 of Bulldog Drummond "His Four Rounds with Carl Peterson" series.
A demobilised officer of the first World War finds post-war life boring and seeks excitement with an advertisement: ... 'finding peace incredibly tedious, would welcome diversion. Legitimate, if possible; but crime, if of a comparatively humorous description, no objection. Excitement essential...'