Publisher's Synopsis
The full truth of this odd matter is what the world has long been looking for, and publiccuriosity is sure to welcome. It so befell that I was intimately mingled with the last yearsand history of the house; and there does not live one man so able as myself to makethese matters plain, or so desirous to narrate them faithfully. I knew the Master; onmany secret steps of his career I have an authentic memoir in my hand; I sailed with himon his last voyage almost alone; I made one upon that winter's journey of which somany tales have gone abroad; and I was there at the man's death.
