“A perusal of the newspapers of that date will show that the young man’s family caused every possible inquiry to be made, but without success; and it was the general opinion that Louis Lacombe⁠—who was known as an original and visionary youth⁠—had quietly left for parts unknown.

“Let us accept that theory⁠—improbable, though it be⁠—and let us consider another question, which is a most important one for our country: What has become of the plans of the submarine? Did Louis Lacombe carry them away? Are they destroyed?