The police were doing their best.

The gentleman was so well known in Brighton--as he had been a resident two years--that it was not difficult to firmly establish the one fact that he had not left the city, since no one saw him in the station on the morning of the 17th, nor at any time since then.

Mild excitement prevailed throughout the town.

At first the newspapers took the matter somewhat jocosely.

'Where is Mr.Morton ?' was the usual placard on the evening's contents bills, but after three days had gone by and the worthy Brighton resident was still missing, while Mrs.Morton was seen to look more haggard and careworn every day, mild excitement gave place to anxiety.
"There were vague hints now as to foul play.