New developments--Tidings of Newton Edwards--Suspicions strengthening
against Eugene Pearson--Mr. Silby's confidence.
In extending their investigations in and around Geneva, operatives
Manning and Jackson had discovered numerous items of intelligence
corroborative of their previous suspicions. A salesman, connected with a
large mercantile house from one of the large cities, furnished the
information that on Monday, the day on which the robbery occurred, he
had traveled with Edwards as far as Newtonsville, and as he did not see
him after leaving that place, he concluded that he must have stopped
there. He also stated that Edwards appeared to be unusually cold and
reserved, and that he was accompanied by a companion whom he did not
introduce to his friends. At Newtonsville it was learned that a man,
fully answering the description of Edwards' companion, had visited both
of the livery stables in that town, and had attempted to hire a team of
horses and a carriage. He had been refused in both instances, for the
reasons that he was a stranger, and appeared to be under the influence
of liquor. Several people both in Geneva and Newtonsville were found who
remembered seeing Edwards, whom they knew--and a companion who was a
stranger to them--about these towns on the day of the robbery, and they
described their actions as being very peculiar. They had disappeared
immediately after that and had not been seen since. If further proofs of
the complicity of Edwards were required they could have been procured by
the score, and as all traces of their route from Geneva had been lost,
William resolved to commence a thorough and systematic process of
espionage, which he believed would eventually lead to the discovery of
his hiding-place. He thoroughly canvassed the situation and his
conclusions were soon found. Newton Edwards had a father and mother--he
had brothers and sisters; and in addition to these he had a lovely young
wife, from whom he had parted in anger. It was not possible that he
could shake himself loose from all these ties of kindred and affection
at one blow, and it was reasonably sure that sooner or later he would
attempt to correspond with them in some manner. Again, it might be the
case that some of his relatives were already aware of his crime, and of
the fact that he was hiding from the officers of the law, and it could
not be expected that they would voluntarily give information that would
lead to his discovery. However grieved and disappointed they might be,
however angry they must naturally feel, they could not be expected at
such a time as this to turn his accusers, and aid in his capture.
I have known cases in the course of my professional practice, however,
when fathers, actuated by what they considered the highest motives, have
delivered up their sons to the law, and, though the ordeal was an
exceedingly trying and distressing one, they never faltered for a
moment in what they considered the performance of their duty. I need not
say that such evidences of self-sacrifice were painful to me, and that
my feelings were always deeply touched by the mental sufferings of the
poor criminals, who in the hour of their sorest need, found themselves
deserted by the only friends upon whom they believed they could rely in
an emergency which threatened disgrace and servitude.
While this is true, it is equally certain that I have yet to record a
single case in which a female relative ever assisted, in any manner,
toward the apprehension of a criminal. No power seemed able to force
from her a word that would tend to work him injury, and though her heart
was breaking, and her love for the lost one had passed away, yet, with a
persistence worthy of all admiration, she refused to do aught that would
add to the misery of the fallen one; and, if occasion offered,
invariably rendered her assistance to secure his escape.
Taking these ideas into consideration, therefore, it would not do to
rely at all upon any assistance from the relatives of Edwards, and to
advise them of our suspicions and search, would naturally only tend to
place both him and them upon their guard.
A slower and more laborious operation was therefore necessary. Fully in
earnest in his determination to capture these men, and firmly supported
by the officials of the bank, who were as resolute as he in their
resolve to apprehend the robbers, William at once put this plan into
execution.
Operatives were posted to watch the residences of the relatives of
Edwards in the city, and instructed to carefully note their actions,
particularly in the matter of receiving or posting of any letters.
Another operative was despatched to Woodford to note the movements of
Mrs. Edwards, the wife of the suspected thief, and to endeavor to obtain
some information that would assist us in the chase. It might be possible
that this reported quarrel was a mere ruse, to blind the detectives, and
to throw them off the scent; and it was important that the truthfulness
of this story should be substantiated. At the same time, William decided
on no account to lose sight of young Pearson, and directed the
operatives at Geneva to maintain a strict watch over his movements, and
by no means to permit him to leave town unaccompanied by some one who
could note his every action. The young bank clerk, however, gave no
cause for any new suspicion. He performed his duties at the bank with
unflagging industry and evinced the greatest desire that the thieves
might soon be captured. His solicitude for Miss Patton was apparently
sincere and unceasing, and he frequently reproached himself for not
having acted in a more manly manner at the time the assault was made. So
humiliated did he appear at the loss the bank had sustained, and so
earnest was he in everything that approached a vigorous and determined
chase after the robbers, that he soon became an object of profound
sympathy and higher regard to the bank officers and his numerous
friends in Geneva. After fully considering this matter of young
Pearson, William deemed it his duty to acquaint Mr. Silby with his
suspicions. It was due to that gentleman, he argued, that he should be
thus informed, and then if results should justify the suspicion he would
be prepared for what would follow, while if the contrary should prove
true he would have all the more reason for his high estimation of his
young assistant cashier.
He did not have long to wait before making this revelation, for in a few
days after he had put his plans into operation and posted his men,
William received a call from Mr. Silby, who desired to be informed of
the progress that was being made. After fully detailing to the honest
old banker all that we had thus far learned, and the steps which had
been taken to ascertain the whereabouts of Newton Edwards, all of which
met with his hearty approval, William delicately broached the unpleasant
subject.
"Mr. Silby," said he, "there is another matter which I desire to speak
of, and one which I fear may occasion you some pain, or may meet with
your opposition."
"Let me know what it is, by all means," responded Mr. Silby, with a
smile. "I am satisfied that what you have to say is for the best
interests of the bank, and it would be absurd in me to offer opposition
to that."
"Well," said William, "there have been certain developments made in this
case which, I regret to say, lead me to believe that Eugene Pearson is
not entirely blameless in this robbery."
"What do you mean?" exclaimed Mr. Silby, starting to his feet, and with
a tremor in his voice, which told of inward agitation; "you do not mean
that you suspect Eugene?"
"I must confess that I do," said William solemnly, "and I regret it
sincerely, both on your account and his own."
"But this will not do," suddenly interrupted the old gentleman, "this
cannot be. Why, I have known that boy ever since his childhood, and I
have loved him as my own son. No, no, Mr. Pinkerton, you must be
mistaken about this."
"Mr. Silby," said my son, "let us look at this matter calmly and
dispassionately. You have employed us to ferret out the thieves, and to
recover, if possible, the money of which you have been robbed. We have
therefore but one duty to perform, and that is to find the men. I have
looked into this case carefully; I have noted every point thus far
attained; I have weighed every item philosophically, and I tell you now,
that I am convinced that Eugene Pearson knows more about this robbery
than has yet been revealed."
[Illustration: "I tell you, Mr. Silby, I am convinced that Eugene
Pearson knows more about this robbery than has yet been revealed."]
William then slowly and concisely detailed the various points upon which
he founded his suspicions. The fact that Eugene Pearson had been seen in
intimate conversation with the suspected man, his presence at the bank
on the afternoon of the robbery, his actions, cowardly at best, when the
assault was made upon the helpless girl, his peculiar statements since,
and then the manner of his release by the aid of the ten-cent silver
piece. Taking a coin from his pocket, he requested Mr. Silby to attempt
the feat upon the slight lock upon the office door, which he tried, and
though he labored strenuously, he was unable to move it. He also
informed him that Manning had attempted the same thing upon the lock of
the vault door, and that he could not budge a screw. All these facts he
pointed out to the old gentleman as strong proofs of the young man's
guilt.
Mr. Silby sat during this recital with a dazed and stricken look upon
his face, and when William had finished, he sat for a time in speechless
amazement. Recovering himself at length, he said:
"Mr. Pinkerton, this may all prove to be true; but at present, you must
excuse me, I cannot believe it--it is too terrible."
True and trustful old man! he could not be brought to believe that one
so dearly loved and highly trusted could prove so base and undeserving.
"Now, Mr. Silby," said William, "I have only this to ask--I may be
wrong, or I may be right; but until definite results are achieved, I
must request you to keep this matter a profound secret, and to keep a
close watch upon young Pearson without exciting his suspicion; will you
do this?"
"I will do what you request," responded Mr. Silby; "but believe me, you
will find that you are mistaken."
"Another thing," continued William. "If at any time I should telegraph
to you these words--'_Look out for that package_!' please remember that
'that package' means Pearson, and he must not be allowed to go away."
"All this I will do, because I know you are doing what you think best;
but I am confident all will be made right for the boy in good time."
"For your sake, Mr. Silby, I hope so, too, but I am not so sanguine of
that: and we cannot afford to take any risks."
Mr. Silby arose to his feet, and grasping my son's hand, withdrew
without a word. As he passed out, William looked after him with a
feeling of compassion he rarely experienced.
"It is a great pity," he murmured to himself, "that so much strong,
manly faith should be so sadly misplaced, and I fear very much that
before we are through with this case, Mr. Silby's trust in human nature
will be badly shattered. But we must do our duty, and the right must
triumph at last--we must await the result."