“Then how come I’m not still there?”

“The family sold the house,” he said. “It changed hands a couple of times, as a matter of fact. The most recent tenant was doing some remodeling, and had reason to take up the tile floor in the basement instead of just laying new tile on top of it. And in the course of it they discovered the trapdoor, and went to see where it led.”

“They were probably expecting buried treasure,” I said, “and found me instead. But how did they know to call someone who would know what to do?”

“There was a notice posted,” he said. “Hand lettered in block capitals. I don’t recall the wording, but the point of it was that the unit contained a living human being in a frozen state, and that it should not be opened or the power shut off except under the supervision of qualified medical personnel.”

“And that’s where the two of you come in.”

“Not immediately, but soon enough.”

“And you brought me here, or someone did, anyway. Where’s here, anyway? Where are we?”

“ New York University Medical Center.”

“On First Avenue?”

“Yes.”

“And you thawed me out. I suppose it took awhile.”

“It was a very gradual process.”

“When you asked me my name,” I said, “it was the same as asking me who was the president. You already knew the answer.”

“Your name is Evan Michael Tanner. And there is a government file on you. I’ve seen parts of it, but only parts of it.”

“How was I identified? Fingerprints?”

He shook his head. “There was a small suitcase found next to the chamber in which you were frozen. In it were clothes, which I presume were yours.”

“I was wearing a striped shirt with a button-down collar,” I said, “and a pair of khaki pants, and a tweed jacket with elbow patches. And don’t look so surprised, Doctor. Can’t you remember what you were wearing yesterday?”

“I can’t,” he said, “but I know that most people can. Those are in fact the clothes that were in the suitcase, along with shoes and socks and underwear. There were also a watch and wallet, and the wallet held identification, along with membership cards in a variety of organizations. Are you really a member of the Flat Earth Society?”