A Mysterious Disappearance

e had di

tion, this handsome and well-known leader of Society had vanished utterly from the moment when Clau

some extraordinary tissue of events had contributed to the

nd there was no trac

sible direction suggested by this comparatively restricted field showed conclusively that not only had Lady Dyke n

not owe a penny in the world. She was a rich woman in he

r family, and those who knew her best scouted the notion of any petty intr

friend Bruce. He brokenly admitted that he had not su

f sympathy with her, and laughed at her notions. But, believe me, we never had the shadow of a serious dispute. Perhaps I went my own way a l

e is dead." The barrister was certain tha

. I shall never see

remarkable occurrences have be

ter so well. She would die a hundred times if it were possible rather than cause the misery to her pe

." This good-natured friend was

ident or design it is impossible to say. The police will cling to the belie

heory. Are your serv

been with us some y

o be inserted in the fashionable intelligence columns that Lady Dyke has gone to visit some frien

thing to you. Make such arr

softened with pity as he loo

ance. No one who was acquainted with him in the past would

sual class. But in this case, partly, I suspect, because I myself am the last person who, to our common knowledge, saw Lady Dyke alive on Tuesday night, I am faced by a dead wall of impenetra

uce allow his words to

ations of the moment, and they were positive

hite, of Sco

on stout, well-moulded legs. His bullet head, with close-cropped hair, gave a suggestion of strength to his ro

ardly be brought together in the same room. People who are fond of tracing resemblances

policeman direct, pertinacious, self-confident. Bruce lost all interest in a case when the hidden trail was

ofessional colleague, and had already met Sir C

clue," he said, smi

as for the moment aroused f

not go to Richmond

ut the barrister nodded with the air of one who kn

f the ticket, we traced it at once in the clearing office. It was given

stinately silent, so the dete

iry is narrowed to a lo

arrister, turning

was displeasing to his clever rival.

f a Richmond ticket was unusual at this station. She passed straig

r. White?"

ng to have localized her move

ered a glass of wine, which she hardly touched, sat down, and waited some fifteen minutes. Then she quitted the ro

rs were a

did you learn all th

o call at every station until I found the place where she left the train. The railway clearing officer was too slow, Mr. White. Naturally, the hou

e police are now searching fo

y, Mr. White, let me see the details of my appearance a

urther indiscretions by Sir Ch

ell me these thing

your wife's disappearance. Victoria, Sloane Square, or Richmond-does it matter which? My belief is that she intended to go to Rich

, Raleigh Mansion

o separate inquiries into the history and attributes of a vastly larger number of persons, in order to find some possible connection with Lady Dyke and her purposely concealed visit. She may h

n unnecessary institution, Mr.

l to me once I have discovered

ou to keep me informed in future of developments in your search. The kn

yourself for many disappointments. Even a highly skilled detective like Inspe

ned to work the new vein of Raleigh Mansions thoroughly before even his s

here was silence for some tim

of theory, even a wildly s

ence of motive is the most puzzli

wn at Raleigh Mansions? Wh

bsence of elevators and doorkeepers cheapens the

hy

vidual, each butcher's boy an accomplice, each tenant a principal in the abduction of your wife. If I have a theory of any sort, it is

you should prove to be r

ootman, this time the bearer of a te

opened it

Are you ill? I cert

ce, crumpling up the message

g one at such a

wards Bruc

ral times. Although, in accordance with his instructions, he never mentioned Lady Dyke's name, he so pestered the occupants with questions concerning a lady of her g

, particularly when they insinuate questions concerning

nd even Claude Bruce confessed that his more car

ts. The body of a woman, terribly disfigured from long immersion

er beneath the surface was moved by reason of some sanitary alterations, and the workme

death was not drowning. The woman had been murdered beyond a shadow of a doubt. A sharp iron spike was dr

nt, there were other conv

uld only be worn by some one who paid as much for a single under-garment as most w

fashionable boot-maker in the West End. Among a list of customers to whom the trad

g Sir Charles to the Putney mortuary in the endeavor

he utter

istorted humanity wholly unlike Lady Alice

thes were not Lady Dyke's-was so upset at the repulsive nature of her task that she wen

onsider the fact that a great many ladies give a helping hand to Na

nearly los

d none of these vanities. I am sure this is not she. The mere thought t

en verdict, and the poor unknow

ugh the iron spike planted in the skull afforded good material for a t

tective, was quite sure in his own mind th

the scant attention given the matter by the authorities, and he swore solemnly that he woul