Each owned himself more puzzled than ever.
As it turned out, their discoveries led them straight away from the true explanation.

The Chief Constable, when they interviewed him, was disposed for a brief while to suspect the press-gang.

There had, in fact, on the night before last, been a "hot press," as it was called.

At least a score of bodies of the Royal Marines, in parties of twelve and fourteen, each accompanied by a marine and a naval officer, had boarded the colliers off the new quay, the ships in Cattewater and the Pool, and had swept the streets and gin-shops.
A gang of seamen, too, had entered the theatre and cleared the whole gallery except the women; had even descended upon the stage and carried off practically the whole company of actors, including the famous Mr.Sturge.

(This Mr.Basket could confirm.) The whole town was in a ferment.