"I do."
"Then question him."
Mr. Townsend, in a singularly firm voice, considering the circumstances, said:
"My good friend, you must forgive me. I lost your letter, but I have held the trust sacred, and I am prepared to surrender it to you with accumulated interest; but tell me why did you wait all these years and not come and claim the money?"
In a perfectly natural voice the strange "appearance" said:
"I left a letter with you."
"It is true; I tell you I lost the letter, but now I will gladly surrender the fortune."
"Then you recognize me?"
"Beyond all question?"