"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 regiment, the Thirty-fourth Bombay Infantry. The major had retired some little time before and lived at Upper Norwood. We communicated 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 advantage 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.