He had already received at least seventy visits from inquirers after missing relatives.
But the discoveries in the fish-pond led him clean off the scent.
No press-gang would enter a private house or a private garden such as Mr.Basket's.

Even supposing that their friend had fallen a victim to the press while walking the streets, they must admit it to be inconceivable that he should return and cast a latchkey and a snuff-box into Mr.Basket's fish-pond.
"_Cui bono ?_" asked the Chief Constable.
"I beg your pardon ?" said Mr.Basket.
"Well, in other words, what do you suggest he did it for?
It's an expression we use in these cases." The Doctor granted the force of the Chief Constable's reasoning, but suggested that there could be no harm in rowing round the Fleet and making inquiries.
The Chief Constable answered again that the squadron--it was no more than a squadron--had taken precious good care to time the press for the eve of sailing; had in fact weighed anchor in the small hours of the morning, and by this time had probably joined Admiral Cornwallis's fleet off Brest.
What was to be done?
"In my belief," said the Chief Constable, "it's a case of foul play.
Mind, I'm not accusing anyone," he went on; "but this person disappeared from your house, Mr.Basket, and in your place I'd put myself right with the public by getting out a handbill at once." This dreadful possibility of coming under public suspicion had never occurred to Mr.Basket.

He begged to be supplied at once with pen, ink and paper.
"'Lost, stolen or strayed'-- is that how you begin ?" "If you ask me," said the Chief Constable, "I'd put him down as 'Missing.' It's more usual." "'Missing,' then.

'On the night of May 2nd--'" "From your house." "Must that go in ?" Mr.Basket pleaded.
"If you want to put yourself right with the public." "Yes, yes--'from The Retreat, East Hoe, the residence of E.Basket, Esq., on the night of May 2nd, between the hours of 7 and 11 p.m., a Gentleman--'" Mr.Basket paused.
"We must describe him," said the Doctor.
"I am coming to that.

'A Gentleman, answering to the name of Hymen--'" "Why 'answering' ?" Mr.Basket ran his pen through the word.