MISSING AUTHORESS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1926, Page 9

MISSING AUTHORESS

FOUND AT HARROGATE ORDINARY GUEST AT HYDRO MEMORY COMPLETELY LOST By Telegraph—Preaa Assn.—Copyright. Received Dee. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Dee. 14. Mrs. Christie arrived at a hotel m Harrogate on the night of her disappearance, and has since lived the life of an ordinary guest. The maid servants yesterday drew attention to Mrs. Christie’s similarity to the published portraits, and the manageress informed the police. The Daily Mail says the discovery of Mrs. Christie was as dramatic as her disappearance. Following up clues to Harrogate, Colonel Christie and the police hid near the hotel lift overlooking the staircase Jeading to the dining room. When his wife appeared in an evening gown Col. Christie nodded to the police, who informed her that her husband- had arrived. She was perfectly composed and walked quietly to the lounge, her husband following, and there an affecting reunion took place. Mrs. Taylor, manager of the Hydro, says that Mrs. Christie mixed freely with the other guests, singing and dancing and disarming suspicion by her apparent frankness. She took her meals in the dining room, but often breakfasted in her bedroom. She was by no means excited when she read the newspapers. Mr. Taylor’s wife suspected she was the missing novelist last Wednesday, but he dismissed the idea as absurd. Yesterday, however, his wife insisted, and Mr. Taylor then telephoned the police. On arrival at the hotel Mrs. Christie gave the name of Teresa Neele, of Capetown. She spent her time doing crossword puzzles, shopping, reading and singing in the music room. She appeared to the other guests to be quite normal, but Mr. Christie says his wife has. completely lost her memory and does not know him. Ho hopes quiet will restore her health. Received Dec. 15, 11.5 p.m. London, Dec. 15. It appears that Mrs. Christie, after abandoning her car at Newlands corner where she was last seen, walked to Clandon station and caught a train to London. She then proceeded to King’s Cross station where she caught a train to Harrogate.