"Be seated, madam, and I will let you know why I wrote. I am acting for Mr. John Graves, who has a large claim against you."
"I thought as much. He did me the honor to call yesterday and make a most preposterous claim against my husband's estate."
"Why preposterous?"
"It is very clear that he is trying to swindle me!"
"The claim is genuine."
"Let him prove it then!"
"He is prepared to do so."
"How?" she asked, a little startled.
"On your husband's testimony."
"My husband is dead."