What is meant by: "it had been described to me in advance by the friend in england to whom I owed?

Defenite information as to their possession of the papers" (from: The Asperen Papers, Henry James)and what the word friend refer to? or:Defenite infor

Defenite information as to their possession of the papers" (from: The Asperen Papers, Henry James)and what the word friend refer to?

or:Defenite information as to their possession of the papers\" (from: The Asperen Papers, Henry James)and what the word friend refer to?

Tags:information,