The unnamed narrator relates the story in the first person. Fanshawe, a childhood friend, is the central person in his life. They grew up together but have lost touch. The narrator is an article writer for magazines. Seven years ago, the narrator received a strange letter from Sophie, Fanshawe’s wife, saying that Fanshawe had disappeared and asking to meet the narrator to discuss an important matter.

The rest of the story is an extended flashback. After receiving Sophie’s letter, the narrator meets Sophie and Fanshawe’s three-month-old son, Ben, at her apartment in Chelsea. Sophie explains the story of his disappearance. Fanshawe was a difficult man but they loved each other. A while before the birth of their son, he left to see his mother in New Jersey and never returned. Ultimately, the police suggested that she hire a private detective. Sophie hired a man named Quinn, but the investigation was fruitless. She is convinced Fanshawe is dead. She doesn’t know much about his past. She taught music at a school but Fanshawe didn’t have a stable job. The narrator asks if he became a writer. Sophie says he did but that he never tried to publish his work.

Before Fanshawe disappeared, he asked Sophie to give his manuscripts to the narrator, as he is “the guardian of his work” (207).