Here’s an email that came in a few days ago from an unknown (to me) sender:

Some time back while I was in Antigua, Guatemala I ran into a retired U.S. Air Force, West Point graduate who when sent to Columbia University to get his Doctorate in Economics told me that he knew you and had spent drunken weekends in New Jersey with you and others.  His name was (he is now deceased) William.  Last name forgotten.  Is there any truth to this?

And my reply:

Doesn’t ring a bell. And if he’s dead, and we don’t know his last name, who cares?