1637,

of of who you were, anyway."
"Yes, I understand, but can you just tell me whether he's alive or dead?"
"Well ... that wouldn't be confidential. Unfortunately, I can't tell you anyway, because I don't
know."
"What?"
"The money comes from a family trust. He left instructions to pay it until he told me to stop. 1
haven't heard from him from that day to this. What it boils down to is that he's... well, I suppose
he's vanished. That's why I can't answer your question."
"Vanished? Just... lost?"
"It's a matter of public record, actually. Look, why don't you come into the office and—"
"I can't. I'm going to Nottingham."
"Well, write to me, or get your mother to write, and I'll let you know what I can. But you must
understand, I can't do very much over the phone."
"Yes, I suppose so. All right. But can you tell me where he disappeared?"
"As I say, it's a matter of public record. There were several newspaper stories at the time. You
know he was an explorer?"
"My mother's told me some things, yes."
"Well, he was leading an expedition, and it just disappeared. About ten years ago. Maybe more."
"Where?"
"The far north. Alaska, I think. You can look it up in the public library. Why don't you—"
But at that point Will's money ran out, and he didn't have any more change. The dial tone purred
in his ear. He put the phone down and looked around.
What he wanted above all was to speak to his mother. He had to stop himself from dialing Mrs.
Cooper's number, because if he heard his mother's voice, it would be very hard not to go back to
her, and that would put both of them in danger. But he could send her a postcard.
He chose a view of the city, and wrote: "DEAR MUM, I AM SAFE AND WELL, AND I WILL SEE YOU
AGAIN SOON. I HOPE EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT. I LOVE YOU. WlLL." Then he addressed it and
bought a stamp and held the card close to him for a minute before dropping it in the mailbox.
It was midmorning, and he was in the main shopping street, where buses shouldered their way
through crowds of pedest