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THE STATEMENT OF FRANCIS RATTRAY.
In the year 1858 I received a bulky packet bearing the stamp of the Argentine Republic, a realm in which, to the best of my belief, I had not a solitary acquaintance.

The superscription told me nothing.

In my relations with Rattray his handwriting had never come under my observation.

Judge then of my feelings when the first thing I read was his signature at the foot of the last page.
For five years I had been uncertain whether he was alive or dead.