He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived all safe and directed me to come down at once, giving the Langham Hotel as his address.
His message, as I remember, was full of kindness and love.
On reaching London I drove to the Langham and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there, but that he had gone out the night before and had 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."