THE STATEMENT OF THE CASE.
25
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in all the papers. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father. He came home with his heart full of hope, to find some peace, some comfort, and instead——'
She put her hand to her throat, and a choking sob cut short the sentence.
'The date?' asked Holmes, opening his note-book.
'He disappeared upon the 3rd of December, 1878—nearly ten years ago.'
'His luggage?'
'Remained at the hotel. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue—some clothes, some books, and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands. He had been one of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there.'
'Had he any friends in town?'
'Only one that we know of—Major
