According to Mary, in December 1878, her father had telegraphed her upon his safe return from India
and requested her to meet him at the Langham Hotel in London. When Mary arrived at the hotel, she
was told her father had gone out the previous night and not returned. Despite all efforts, no trace was
ever found of him. Mary contacted her father's only friend who was in the same regiment and had
since retired to England, one Major John Sholto, but he denied knowing her fat ...