Hallo, sir or madam. This is Franklin F. Farnsby from The Village Journal calling. We’re seeking confirmation that you are Arthur Hanover’s heir apparent, and that you’ve already arrived and taken up residence in the manor. … If you receive this message and are in fact that person, would you kindly get in touch with us. … We are prepared to offer quite a handsome sum for an exclusive interview—ah, but on second thought, if you are who we think you are, I don’t suppose money would matter much, would it? And if not, I seriously doubt we’d be prepared to pay anything. … Oh, dear me, I’ll have to sort all this out and call you back! Sorry to be a nuisance. (from Chapter 5)

Good evening. Evan Aesheed here. Terribly sorry to call so late, but we’re in a bit of a panic. I’m an associate editor of Burke’s Peerage. … In preparing an entry for you in our next edition we’ve drawn a complete blank concerning your background, I’m afraid. … To be perfectly candid, we don’t even know your name, where you’re from, your ethnicity, your age, whether you’re a he or a she, and therefore whether we should list you as a marquis or a marchioness. And we’ve absolutely no idea of any deeds you’ve done. … It’s vital that you inform us on these matters if you can. Our deadline is fast approaching, and the court records in your case are sealed for the time being. … I’ll try to reach you again later. Thank you for your help. (from Chapter 5)

Hello. Are you there yet? My name is Cynthia Rollinsby. My brother Roland and I urgently wish to speak with you on a matter of utmost importance. … Our father, Dennis Rollinsby, was your uncle’s best friend. We already know that no one can call out from where you are. We’ll continue to try and reach you. In the meantime, for your own safety, we caution against experimenting with any of our father’s devices should you run across them. At least not until we’ve had a chance to speak with you. Good day. (from Chapter 6)

Yes, hello. It’s Roland Rollinsby here. My sister and I must warn you about a beige-colored, hard-shell controlling device with a prominent green button that we believe our father was experimenting with in Arthur Hanover’s lab. You see, about two years ago, our father became convinced that the security forces of several foreign nations were plotting to abduct him. … Or worse. Fearing this was imminent, he arranged for all his notes and prototypes to go to Lord Hanover. We haven’t seen father since. … We’ll continue to try to get in touch. In the meantime, for your own safety, please, I beg of you, do not turn on the device should you locate it. If the road reopens, Cynthia and I will come up to assist as soon as we can. So long. (from Chapter 6)

Hallo there. This is Harold Hornsby from The Genealogical Society. Sorry to bother, but I’m afraid we’re a bit stuck this morning and could do with some help. … We’re trying to reconstruct the Hanover family tree, so to speak, and find we cannot continue until we learn if one of your parents was Lord Hanover’s brother or sister, or if he was in fact your father. Or your brother—and if so, forgive me, but are you half or whole? If you could possibly shed some light on these matters, I would be most grateful. I’ll call again. Thank you. (from Chapter 8)

It’s Savannah. Listen, I can’t talk long. The road’s still closed, but I think I can get through on one of the bikes. Can’t risk taking you along, though, so just slip the docs to Reggie and he’ll get them to me. I’ll deliver them to the solicitor’s office. I should leave within the hour so I can be back while its still daylight. (from Chapter 12)

Good morning, Farnsworth here. I am preparing to move my office back to its former location in the annex, as I’m sure you’ll need a comfortable place to attend to the estate matters sure to come your way. We have reset the code on the door to 123456 and await your instructions about whether to remove the alarm altogether. I wish you a pleasant day. (from Chapter 14)

Hello, this is Adrienne Van Scoy calling. Miss Stratton and I are being deluged with enquiries, and we’re wondering if you would care to speak to the press or issue a general statement. I recommend you let me continue to handle them. Until you’ve had a chance to sort matters out. Later, I’d like an opportunity to outline some options for you. Also, I would just like to say how sincerely sorry I am for all the confusion and unpleasantness we may have caused during the early part of your stay. … And, well, I’d also like to tell you I’ve been composing a short musical piece, and would like to play it this evening in your honor. … So, naturally, it would mean a great deal to me if you could attend. Thank you. (from Chapter 14)

Bon jour, I am Arnaud Le Clercq. I hope you rested well. I have this a.m. been able to revise the number to enregistrer the computer. It is 12345678. … But, je regrette, we haven’t discovered the location of the password for the Internet. (from Chapter 14)

Good day. My name is Professor Garfield Gatsby. I’m a member of The Royal Society, U.K. Academy of Science. We have just come into possession of a most extraordinary account detailing the late Lord Hanover’s research. In it he asserts that if you’ve been legally certified as heir to his title and estate, it will prove that a final experiment he performed on himself has succeeded. So my question is simply this: Do you in fact exist? If not, please disregard this message. I’ll ring back later to confirm. Goodbye. (from Chapter 15)

Good evening, this is Dennis Rollinsby. … If you know who I am, I beg you not to be alarmed. Your Uncle Arthur condones this call. In keeping with the spirit of tonight’s magic show, I have arranged to make that device you have fully operational now—that is, if you’re interested in having a go. If all that Arthur says about you is true, then I’m certain you are curious about experiencing, shall we say, a new mode of transportation. … As to its safety, we’re reasonably sure you’ll experience no ill effects, but one can never be sure, so of course the final decision is yours. … Good night and Godspeed. (from Chapter 21)