J. H. Bornington Lost in London:
Four Months' Fruitless Search:
"The Times" of May 3 contained the following advertisement: Bonington, J. H., who was a passenger on s.s, Andre Lebon from Shanghai to London, arrived at Hotel Belgravia, Victoria, §.W., on December 13, 1921, and mysteriously disappeared from the hotel on December 27, leaving all his luggage behind. Anyone knowing the fate or whereabouts of the above are requested to communicate immediately with the Mai ger, Hotel Belgravia, Vict
copy."
5.W. Shanghai papers, please Mr. Bonnington came to Shanghai last year in the service of the Tramway Ca., but was only here for about four months, when he had to go into hospital and at the end of the year was sent Home. -The London "Evening News" tells his story as follows:
Mr. Bonnington, the "Evening News" was told to-day, was not seen again after he had walked out of the hotel on the day after Boxing Day. In his luggage, a considerable quantity of which he left behind him, have been found 10 Chinese idols, carved in a rich black wood like ebony and inlaid with very thin silver wire. These idols, which are. thought to be of considerable value, stand about 12 inches high.
The manager of the hotel expressed the opinion that Mr. Bonington had either met with foul play or had had an accident. What has become of this man, who carried about with him Chinese idols, and who is thought to have met with foul play? There is not the slightest trace as to his whereabouts. His description has been circulated by Scotland Yard, but without result. He is described as being 32 years old, tall, with dark hair, going bald on the forehead, and comparatively well dressed. He appeared to have no friends, and during his fortnight's stay at the hotel was always alone.
On arrival at the hotel he filled in his name on the registration form in the usual manner, and described himself as a secretary. He mis-spelled the word as ''secertary."" As his home and business addresses he gave a name which might be taken for Consulate, but which was spelt "Conustale." The address where he lived before coming to England was given as 12a Quinsan Gardens, Shanghai. His luggage and the contents would more than cover the amount of his hotel bill, which he left without settling.
About a week before he left he received a telegram handed in at a post office at Victoria, which read:—"Transaction complete, £95.—Senator." Had this anything.to do with his disappearance? Was it a code? This is the mystery that has to be solved.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.