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KINGS LAND,
SHIPLEY,
HORSHAM

February 3rd., 1914.

My dear John Buchan,

As you will perhaps have seen by this time in the papers,
or have heard from friends, I lost my beloved wife after the
unexpected grave turn of an illness which had not hitherto
been anxious. I lost her in the course of last night. Under
these circumstances you will understand that I cannot be certain
at all of what my powers of work may be in the next few weeks or
even months, for I am very severely affected.

It may be that I shall recover the full use of my pen
promptly; it may be that I shall never recover it.

Under the circumstances there seem to be two honourable
issues to the great delay I have already caused you, and to this
further uncertainty.

Either I must find your firm the money that they have
advanced and then, no longer feeling that I am in their debt,
complete my contract as best I can if my invention holds out;
or, I must say that for the further delay that will now be involved
a penalty should attach, in which case the most convenient thing
would be to give up the extra £250, which would otherwise be due