Preface: A Man Alone

An Unfinished Fiction Is the man alone the hero of this story? Does he perhaps double as the villain? It would not be difficult for him to play both roles. On the surface both characters are elegant in clothing and conversation, both pay a generous tithe to Mother Church, both promise a full accounting to the Office of Taxation, both alternately stand out in a crowd, or sink into into anonymity if required. One says: We are masters of disguise and deceit." He speaks in a loud firm voice. The other cringes. They found it: the tiny detail that makes each unique. We can go home now. There's no more Mystery....