To save embarrassment to people still living I have given to the persons who play a part in this story names of my own contriving and I have in other ways taken pains to make sure that no one should recognise them The man I am writing about is not famous It may be that he never will be It may be that when his life at last comes to an end he will leave no more trace of his sojourn on earth than a stone thrown into a river leaves on the surface of the water Then my book if it is read at all will be read only for what intrinsic interest it may possess But it may be that the way of life that he has chosen for himself and the peculiar strength and sweetness of his character may have an evergrowing influence over his fellow men so that long after his death perhaps it may be realised that there lived in this age a very remarkable creature Then it will be quite clear of whom I write in this book and those who want to know at least a little about his early life may find in it something to their purpose I think my book within its acknowledged limitations will be a useful source of information to my friends biographers