onto. In some instances the
constables would point out that no resemblance existed; but the
invariable reply was that the object of suspicion was disguised.

All these false scents were duly reported to headquarters through the
local police-stations, with no other result than to increase the
sultriness of the atmosphere at Scotland Yard.

An elaborate description of John Dene was sent to every coroner and
mortuary-attendant in the country. The river police were advised to
keep a sharp look-out for floating bodies. In its heart of hearts
Scotland Yard yearned to discover proof of the death of John Dene,
whilst all the time it worked steadily through the deluge of
correspondence, and listened patiently to the testimonies of the
avaricious optimists who were convinced that they, and they alone,
could supply the necessary information that would lead to the discovery
of the whereabouts of John Dene, and transfer to themselves the not
inconsiderable sum of L20,000.

"If ever another blighter comes from Toronto," remarked
Detective-Inspector Crabbett, as he mopped his brow, "it would be worth
while for the Yard to subscribe L20,000 for him to disappear quietly."
Having thus relieved his feelings he plunged once more into the opening
of letters, letters that convinced him that the whole population of
Great Britain and Ireland had gone suddenly mad.

Articles appeared in many of the German newspapers upon the subject of
the mysterious disappearance of John Dene. A great point was made of
the fact that he was an inventor, and was known to be in close touch
with the British war chiefs. Emphasis was laid upon the extraordinary
efforts being made to discover his whereabouts. "It is inconceivable,"
said the _Koelnische Zeitung_, "that the anxiety of the relatives of
the missing man could have prompted them to offer a reward of 400,000
marks for news of his whereabouts, and that _within two days of his
disappearance_. Imagine a private citizen in Germany being absent from
home for two days, and his friends offering this colossal reward for
news of him. What would be said?" The writer went on to point out
that behind this almost hysterical anxiety of the English to find John
Dene lay a mystery that, whatever its solution might be, _was certainly
not detrimental to German interests_.

The _Vorwaerts_ hinted darkly at something more than John Dene having
disappeared, a something that was so embarrassing the British
authori