A Mysterious Disappearance

ted by Lady Dyke herself. To a man of his quick perception, sharpened and clarified by his legal training, it was easy t

ed her to set out. She had resolved upon a secret visit to some one who lived in Raleigh Mansions, Sloane Square-some person whom she knew so

nts, nor had she thought fit to consult him, beyond the mere polite

an of assured position in society to be suddenly spirited out of the world without leaving trace or sign. He approached his inquiry with less certainty, owing

ad-murdered, and that her body had been lodged by

utiful, high-minded, and charming woman, whose whole life was know

ns, but Bruce decided that this branch of his quest cou

their operations the day before the barrister reached the spot where the body had been found-that is to say, som

e drawing-room windows to the river. Down the right side of the grounds the boundary was sharply marked by a narro

age work, and Bruce did not glance at the point where the pipe

o had carried out the alterations. An elde

iness. Just an outlet for rain from the road. An old-fashioned affair; been t

epairs effected

ere young gents were prepared for the army. It was closed about a year ago, and it isn't

people have no

, s

e the name of t

one a lot of carpenter's work for him

name, and next sought t

atter, in reply to a query conc

are soon lost sight of

y how a matter gets cleared up after years. Of course we keep all the reco

object of my visit. A small piece of iro

miled as he adm

r the loan of it for a brie

policema

ing you that you a

e! How t

cotland Yard for the

that the Putney incident required more a

a visit to the surgeon who

been murdered before being placed in the water, the s

le that she was put to dea

solutely wedged into the brain thro

re of the injuries

the lowest part, and injured the cerebellum, damaging

th ensue i

a high voltage electric current. Complete p

at great force mus

ound seems to imply; but considerable-suffici

, you say? Was

sign, I should imagine. But it snapped off ins

rson to be killed in such a m

e effective means taken to destroy the identity, I should have inclined to the belief that some strange accident had happened.

s forcibly plac

's description le

he tide have

impossible for the tide at Putney to pack a body beneath a jutting drain-pipe in such a manner

that this particular drain should need repairs a

e you interested in the case? Have you r

eel convinced that I shall ultimately establish her identity. You, doctor, c

of life. Notwithstanding the disfiguring effects of the water and rough usage, any medical man can rapidly appreciate the caste of his subject.

his Victoria-street chambers when the detective was announced. He soon made known his wishes. "I want you to give me that sm

of annoyance. "It is against the rules,"

ke direct application

nce with orders, I will make an exception in your case." And the dete

es that puzzled his slower brain. He was in nowise anxious to help the barrister in his inquiries, though keenly w

first take the

ce in this inquiry? Are you going to hinder me or help me? It will s

ed at times when you have overreached me; but I regret it immediately. It is foolish of me to try and solve pro

hat c

f Lady Dyke's

in some way connected with

ome of her ladyship's clothes. When we have ascertained the means and the manner of the death

u identified

uest. She, of course, is quite positive that the body was not that of her mistress

es it that more did not transp

n. They know as well as we do that Lady Dyke is buried at Putney. We have failed to establish her identity by the evidence of the husband and servants. The linen and clo

perhaps pardon me for saying that some of your co

ompliment. "I am learning you

entered with a note

and even the imperturbable barrister could not

e thing came to my ears owing to gossip amongst the servants. There is something maddening abou

t have been spirited away a few hours after I saw her. Maybe, M

-in the n

arrister's belief that Al