"When she got back to him and explained that there is always 'a catch
somewhere' in the insurance business, he took alarm. A prosecution
might be awkward, and at any cost must be evaded. He therefore
played a masterly card by writing the company a personal letter of
explanation, which he pretended was despatched before his wife's
return. The original is in Chinese, but I have an English translation
in my pocket-book."

The pursuit of odd examples of the epistolary art being one of the
principal occupations of my life, I secured a copy of the document,
which in English runs thus:--

"_To the ---- Insurance Company_, _Shanghai_.

"DEAR SIR,--When I died of a disease that came on suddenly an
intelligent doctor was at once asked for. He forced some fluid
into my mouth and made some injection on my body. He thus
succeeded in bringing me to life again.

"The beneficiary came to your place yesterday. What did she say?
Everything will be discussed after her return.

"Kindly give me your valuable assistance and reply by post.

"Yours faithfully, TSIN KOH."

* * * * *

JOSHUA.