Two weeks ago Algenon Collingsworth, who died seven years ago from a severe case of wheezing wartrot, is reported to have casually strolled into the home he once shared with his wife and children. Bearing no signs of the affliction that claimed his life, he has crossed the great divide between the land of the dead and the waking, living world!
OR HAS HE?
Sources near to the Collingsworth family, specifically one Mrs. Cynthia Walters, insists this is an errant fraud and the alleged Algenon Collingsworth is in fact Bernard Bullworth, Algenon's second cousin, twice removed. "They've always had a remarkable resemblence, and Bernard was twice as clever as Algenon, so he's certainly capable of the necessary charms to pull of this charade," says Mrs. Walters. "And on top of that, he claims he has no memory after the age of thirty, which is when everyone knows that Algenon was practically exiled from his family for marrying Twilda Banger, whose family the Collingsworths have been feuding with for generations. Of course he wouldn't! No one from his family had anything to do with him after that, so naturally Bernard would have to cover up for this lack of information." Other friends of Twilda Collingsworth nee Banger have made mention of the family's dire financial situation, which may be restored should "Algenon" be able to claim his fortune back from his miserly partner who took full control of their joint cauldron and housewares manufacturing business upon Algenon Collingsworth's death. The destitute widow and her three children were unavailable for comment regarding what some have called an obvious, if novel, approach to financial fraud. Local authorities, however, seemed oblivious to this quagmire; and remarkably unconcerned when contacted by the Quibbler for comment. Just how far does this conspiracy run? How long must we wait for the public outcry to see this matter addressed?