To whoever you are in the Twentieth Century, we of the Thirtieth Century send greetings. We hope this epistle will be understandable; our knowledge of the language of English is maybe not as good as might be. Our studies of your time are somewhat hampered by lack of records, and it for this reason is that we contact you.
In order for the Time Transfer Field to work, it must be entirely surrounded by thick metal. Also a piece of similar material must be in place so that transfer can be effected, in accordance with the Vorish Equations.
If you wish to co-operate in this history-seeking venture, please place a note to such effect in your metal box.
Rolath Guelph
Terrestrial Bureau of Historical Investigation
Peter frowned and read the thing again. Who would write such silliness? Could it be another joke by Quiggs? No, it couldn't be; he, Peter Merton, had put that five-dollar-bill back into the safe, and he hadn't left the room while it was in there.
He looked up at the open safe. It was still empty. Well, by golly, he'd see whether this was a hoax or not.
He pulled his gold-plated desk pen out of its crystal holder, took a piece of office stationery, and wrote:
Dear Mr. Guelph:
I'm very much interested in your proposition, but I would like to have you explain a little bit more about it.