At last he took courage.
"Frankly, Madam, I have come to discharge a moral duty, and I will speak plainly.

I am informed on credible authority that you are engaged to marry a gentleman, calling himself Dr.Claudius--a--a tall man--fair beard ?" "Your information is correct, Mr.Screw," said Margaret haughtily, "I am engaged to be married to Dr.Claudius." "As one of the executors of the late Mr.Gustavus Lindstrand, deceased," proceeded Mr.Screw slowly, "I feel it my duty, as an honest man, to inform you that there are serious doubts as to whether the gentleman who calls himself Dr.Claudius is Dr.Claudius at all.

The person in question disappeared two months ago, and has not been heard of since, as far as I can make out.

I have no interest in the matter as far as it concerns yourself, as you may well imagine, but I have thought it right to warn you that the gentleman whom you have honoured with a promise of marriage has not established his claim to be the person he represents himself." Margaret, who, after the first words, had foreseen what Mr.Screw had come to say, and who believed that very respectable and honest man to be concerned in the plot against Claudius, was naturally angry, but she had the good sense to do the right thing.
"Mr.Screw," she said in her commanding voice, icily, "I am deeply indebted to you for your interference.

Nevertheless, I am persuaded that the gentleman to whom I am engaged is very really and truly the person he represents himself to be.