Chapter 2 - Page 2

not returned. I waited all day without news of him. That night, on the advice of the manager of the hotel, I communicated with the police, and next morning we advertised 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 notebook.

"He disappeared upon the third 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 Sholto, of his own regi- ment, the Thirty-fourth Bombay Infantry. The major had retired some little time before and lived at Upper Norwood. We com- municated with him, of course, but he did not even know that his brother officer was in England."

"A singular case," remarked Holmes.

"I have not yet described to you the most singular part. About six years ago -- to be exact, upon the fourth of May, 1882 -- an advertisement appeared in the Times asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan, and stating that it would be to her advan- tage to come forward. There was no name or address appended. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. By her advice I published my address in the advertisement column. The same day there arrived through the post a small cardboard box addressed to me, which I found to contain a very large and lustrous pearl. No word of writing was enclosed. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box, containing a similar pearl, without any clue as to the sender. They have been pro- nounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. You can see for yourself that they are very hanasome."

She opened a flat box as she spoke and showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever seen.

"Your statement is most interesting," said Sherlock Holmes. "Has anything else occurred to you?"

"Yes, and no later than to-day. That is why I have come to you. This morning I received this letter, which you will perhaps read for yourself."

"Thank you," said Holmes. "The envelope, too, please. Post-mark, London, S. W. Date, July 7. Hum! Man's thumb- mark on corner -- probably postman. Best quality paper. Enve- lopes at sixpence a packet. Particular man in his stationery. No address.

"Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum

Theatre to-night at seven o'clock. If you are distrustful