MAN OF MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20508, 8 March 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

MAN OF MYSTERY.

PROCLAIMS HIMSELF LOST.

A COMPOSER OF ANTHEMS

There is a young man of mystery in a Reigate (Surrey) institution, well educated, well-spoken, and well-dressed he has forgotten everything about himself and nobody. seeins to know him. He composes music and verse, plays the organ, and speaks French. This young man walked into Reigate police station- recently and proclaimed himself lost. He apologised for his forgetfulness, but said that all he knew was that ho had been wandering about for, "perhaps, three or four days. The police asked the man every question they could think of, but all they could discover was that he was a charming young man, 25 years of ago (apparently), sft. 6in in height, with a fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, cleanshaven, and wearing a blue serge suit, a brown tie, a purple-striped shirt, with collar to match. His possession of an Assistartj-Scoutmaster's badge and a tab bearingn.he address of a Leicester firm of tailors, provided the only clues to his identity. So the polico ; sent tho man to the guardians. " I think it is a genuine case of loss of memory," Mr. S. A. Vallance, the master of the institution, -remarked. "The man says he has visited Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon." The unknown man said: I remember seeing two signposts, one to Reigate and one to Croydon. I went to Reigate. I have a vivid recollection of standing up in a largo hall full of people,, but I cannot think where it could have been. While I have been here I have composed a church anthem and n foxtrot."