And though the thousands of men belonging to the Metropolitan Police--to say nothing of the smaller, more alert body of detectives attached to the Force-- were keenly on the alert, not one but had begun to feel that there was nothing to be alert about.

Familiarity, even with horror, breeds contempt.
But with the public it was far otherwise.

Each day something happened to revive and keep alive the mingled horror and interest this strange, enigmatic series of crimes had evoked.

Even the more sober organs of the Press went on attacking, with gathering severity and indignation, the Commissioner of Police; and at the huge demonstration held in Victoria Park two days before violent speeches had also been made against the Home Secretary.
But just now Joe Chandler wanted to forget all that.

The little house in the Marylebone Road had become to him an enchanted isle of dreams, to which his thoughts were ever turning when he had a moment to spare from what had grown to be a wearisome, because an unsatisfactory, job.