Timothy R Lazarus called Sam Spade's office at approximately 11:30 AM. Lazarus says "This this may sound like a poor sort of jest, Mr. Spade, but my name is Lazarus and I want you to bring me back from the dead". Sam says "Well, sounds interesting. Why did you die, when did you die, and how did you die?" Lazarus says "I was declared dead by the Appellate Court of the State of California, August 28th, last year by reason of seven years absence". Sam asks "Who took it to court?" Lazarus says "My wife, Emma". Sam asks "Insurance?" Lazarus says "Yes my wife and I agreed between ourselves to ensure my life in the amount of 100,000 dollars that she would collect on legal presumption of death after my disappearance and continued absence for seven years. That's the law Mr. Spade". Sam says "Yeah, it's been tried a lot of times. What went wrong in your case? Did your wife double cross you?" Lazarus says "If that's your attitude, I'm afraid I've come to the wrong man". Sam says "Uh-huh, you're still in love with her. Well, that makes it tough. You know they'll nail her for perjury if you prove you're still alive". Lazarus says "That's why I didn't go to the police. Even though we'd planned the deception together, she had reason to believe that I was actually dead". Sam says "Suppose you cover the whole thing from the beginning, Mr. Lazarus". He says "Yes, I married her back in 1940, and for a while we were happy. Then, she became restless". Sam says "You mean you were not able to support her in the manner to which she was accustomed. She was young, lovely, and you wanted her to have wanted her to have nice things, but on your meager salary, it was impossible". Lazarus says "Oh, I know it's an old story, but life is like that". Sam says "Well, you said it". Lazarus says "Yeah, well there you are".