BOSTON (AP) – The mystery of Gov. Deval Patrick’s two “personal business” days last week has been solved.

The governor was in New York City last Thursday and Friday, shopping his autobiography, according to a report on WBZ-TV.

The first day the governor was out of the office, the casino gambling plan that was a cornerstone of his economic recovery effort for the state suffered a bitter defeat in the House of Representatives.

A day later, gubernatorial aides still refused to divulge his whereabouts, except to say Patrick was in New York on “personal business.”

On Thursday, they refused to deny the autobiography report and said only they’re not commenting on it.

AP-ES-03-27-08 1818EDT