"The people who have adopted him, Simon, are Cosset, Thring and Noble. A not very emotional firm, I think you'll agree. If there had been the faintest doubt of his being Patrick, Cosset, Thring and Noble would have discovered it during those weeks. They have left no part of his life since he left England unaccounted for."
"Of course whoever it is has had a life that can be checked! What did they expect? But what possible reason can they have for believing that he is Patrick?"
"Well, for one thing, he is your double."
This was clearly unexpected. "My double?" he said vaguely.
"Yes. He is even more like you than when he went away."
The colour had come back to Simon's face and the stuff on the bones had begun to look like flesh again; but now he looked stupid, like a boxer who is taking too much punishment.
"Believe me, Simon dear," she said, "it is Patrick!"
"It isn't. I know it isn't. You are all being fooled!"
"But, Simon!" Eleanor said. "Why should you think that? I know it won't be easy for you to have Patrick back-it won't be easy for any of us-but there's no use making a fuss about it. The thing is there and we just have to accept it. You are only making things worse by trying to push it away."
"How did this-this creature who says he is Patrick, how did he get to Mexico? How did he leave England? And when? And where?"