intensified.

The cat, owned by Bermuda oil magnate Mr. John Deuss and his fiancee Miss Suzanne Ericsson, went missing on July 18.

It was apparently struck by a car on Harrington Sound Road near Deep Water, Mr. Deuss' luxury home.

The wealthy businessman has paid for extensive television and radio advertising to encourage the cat's return. A reward has been offered although he denied rumours that it was as much as $10,000.

However, greed may have prompted someone to snatch a cat yesterday from the Admiralty House Community Centre at Spanish Point, said Mr. Chan McIvor.

The long-haired, light-coloured Persian with dark paws and facial markings had been hanging around Admiralty House for about a month, he said. Kids befriended the cat and were feeding it.

There were similarities to Sylvester's description -- a long-haired light brown Siamese-looking male with dark brown legs and head and clear blue eyes.

But, "it's clearly not the same cat,'' Mr. McIvor said.

It appeared someone took the cat in hopes of collecting a reward, he said.

"It's pretty disgusting, quite frankly.'' Mrs. Sue White, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said yesterday she knew of a couple of false sightings of Sylvester, but had not heard of any catnappings.

Miss Ericcson said there were "a couple of false alarms'' in the search for Sylvester. Cats were found yesterday and Monday, but in both cases they were not the right ones, she said.

Mrs. White said dogs were used to search the area of thick undergrowth around Bailey's Bay and the fact a body had not been found was positive. Cats had a tendency to hide and recover their strength after an injury, she said.