Today, esteemed sir, I met a young man whose name, I dare say, is well known to you. His surname is Shnekker. As far as I know, he has lived next door to you for not the first decade and was a schoolmate of your brother who has been missing. But there’s more. From today, I know that you have been waiting for even the smallest bit of news from your brother for the fifth year in vain. The only information you were given about his fate was the ordinary, official lie: “he’s missing,” and that’s it. So Shnekker could very well clarify that lie. Only two people in the world can save you from this fateful uncertainty: Shnekker, and me. I was silent. When you read my report, you will understand why I couldn’t just show up and, so to speak, lay everything out. Forgive me, but I will have to tell you something that cannot be softened or embellished. Your brother is dead.