A Plan to Intercept Correspondence--Edwards Fully Identified--A pretty
Servant Girl and a Visit to Church.
While these events were transpiring at Woodford, William had not been
idle in the city. A constant watch had been maintained upon the several
premises occupied by the relatives of Newton Edwards, in the hope of
detecting some attempt upon their part to communicate with the suspected
thief. This at all times is rather a difficult object to achieve, but we
have frequently been obliged to resort to this mode of acquiring
information from lack of definite knowledge on which to base intelligent
action. In order that one of the many of these expedients may be fully
understood, a few words in detail may not be out of place. As is well
known, the mail of an individual is so sacredly guarded by the laws of
the country which govern the postal service, that an attempt to
interfere with the letters of another is regarded as a felony and
punished with severity. Of course, therefore, no efforts of ours would
be directed to the obtaining or opening of any letters which might be
mailed to the suspected individual. Our object was simply to obtain the
addresses upon the envelopes, if possible, and then to search out the
parties to whom they had been consigned. In this instance our manner of
proceeding was quite simple, but it required that it should be managed
with great care and without exciting the suspicion of any one. For this
purpose each of the operatives, detailed for this duty, was provided
with a number of envelopes of a peculiar size and color, and all
addressed to fictitious persons. Our plan was, that if any one of
Edward's relatives deposited a letter in any of the street boxes, the
operative should be on hand and be prepared to drop his letter into the
box immediately on the top of it. Another operative was then to await
the visit of the postman on his round for collection, when he would
step up to him and making a pretense of a mistake in the address of a
letter which he had mailed, would from its position be enabled to obtain
a glimpse of the suspected letters below, and their addresses.
This watch was maintained unceasingly for several days without result,
and it appeared either that the family were unaware of Edwards'
hiding-place, or else that they were fearful of being watched, and
avoided communicating with him on that account.
In the meantime, William received another visit from Mr. Silby, the
president of the despoiled bank, who stated very reluctantly, that he
and Mr. Welton, the cashier, during the absence of Eugene Pearson from
the bank, had attempted the feat of loosening the screws upon the lock
of the vault, and had been unable to do so. They had exerted their
strength to the utmost, and the screws had sturdily resisted their
efforts. He was therefore compelled to admit that thus far the
suspicions against young Pearson appeared to be well founded, and that
the screws had evidently been loosened before the prisoners were
confined in the vault, in order to allow them to escape, should the
atmosphere prove too oppressive for their safety. Mr. Silby also stated,
that he had obtained an interview with a Mr. Crampton, the president of
the bank at Independence, where it was learned that the parents of
Newton Edwards resided, and that without divulging any of our plans
regarding that young man, he had acquired considerable information
concerning him. It was learned that Edwards had for some time been
regarded as a very fast young man, and several episodes were related of
him, in which he had figured in no very enviable light.
His parents were elderly people of eminent respectability, and were much
distressed at the actions of their son, from whom they had expected so
much. He had begun life with bright prospects, had entered into business
with his own capital, but had failed after a short career, owing to his
extravagant habits and his inattention to business. After this he had
traveled for several firms, and while it was believed he received a
large salary, there were many who shook their heads at the stories of
his dissipation which reached their ears from time to time.
This was information which was of some value, and opened up the way to
accomplish an object which William had long desired. He therefore
requested Mr. Silby to introduce John Manning to Mr. Crampton, and
directed Manning to accompany that gentleman to Independence, and by
their joint efforts endeavor to obtain a photograph of Edwards. This was
attended to at once, and in a few days, through the assistance of the
sheriff at Independence, we were enabled to secure an admirable likeness
of the absconding burglar, although the same had been taken nearly two
years prior to this. A number of copies of this photograph were at once
printed, and they were furnished to the various operatives who were at
work upon the case. Hitherto we had been compelled to rely upon the
rather unsatisfactory method of identifying him by description only, and
in many cases, except where persons are trained to the work of
accurately describing individuals whom they meet, there is danger of not
being able to identify any one who has no very prominent distinguishing
marks about him.
The first use to which this photograph was put was to exhibit it to Miss
Patton, the young lady who had been assaulted in the bank, and she
instantly recognized it as the picture of one of the men who had
committed the robbery, and the one who had attacked Eugene Pearson,
while the other intruder was engaged in the attempt to gag and bind her.
This was very important, and no further efforts were now needed to
establish the identity of Newton Edwards, or to connect him with the
robbery as an active participant.
After several days of unproductive watchfulness at the city residences
of Edwards' relatives, it became apparent that something more decisive
would have to be attempted. From the reports of the operatives who had
been detailed upon this part of the investigation, it seemed evident
that the inmates had become suspicious of the fact that their movements
were being made the subject of espionage, and it was resolved to adapt
another system of operation, and endeavor to have one of my men enter
the family, and by some means establish a friendly footing with its
members. By this means he would be enabled, while unsuspected, to learn
of the movements of the people whom he was watching.
I did not have far to seek for a man who would fully answer the purpose
I had in view, and one who would succeed if success were possible. I had
tried him in several operations where this kind of work was necessary,
and he had invariably accomplished what had been delegated to him to
perform. I therefore called Harry Vinton into my office, and stated to
him the nature of the mission upon which he was to be sent. He was a
handsome, jolly, quick-witted and intelligent young fellow, who had been
with me for a long time. Entering my employment as an office boy, and
evincing a decided task and talent for the profession of a detective, he
had continued in my service, until at this time he was quite an adept in
his particular line, and many a successful operation had been largely
due to his intelligent efforts, while far removed from the directing eye
of myself or my superintending assistants. His manners were frank and
easy, and among the ladies he was a general favorite, therefore, I
concluded to intrust him with the task of obtaining admission into the
residence of the sister of Edwards, on Logan Place.
Our operatives had reported that at this house there was employed, in
the capacity of domestic, a young and handsome girl, whose conduct as
far as could be judged was exemplary in the highest degree, and
informing Vinton of this fact, William inquired if he thought he could
manage it successfully.
A merry twinkle shone in Vinton's eyes for a moment and then he
answered:
"I think I can, sir; and I am willing to make the attempt."
"Very well," replied William, laughing. "Only look out for yourself. I
hear she is a very charming young girl, and you may find yourself in
earnest before you are aware of it."
"Perhaps I may," said Vinton, "and perhaps I might not do better than
that if I tried."
"All right," said William; "I will not burden you with instructions at
present, and you will proceed according to your own judgment, only
remember what we want to discover, and succeed if you can."
With these words Vinton took his departure.
A few days passed uneventfully by and no report came from Vinton. He was
evidently looking over the ground, and as undue haste would avail
nothing in a matter of this kind William forbore to push him.
Vinton, however, had not been idle, and his inquiries had developed the
fact that the young servant of Mrs. Andrews was a regular attendant at
church on Sunday afternoon, when she was allowed her liberty from her
domestic duties.
The following Sunday, therefore, found him wending his way toward the
church. The day was bright and balmy, and the streets were thronged with
pedestrians all bedecked in their Sunday attire, and apparently enjoying
to the full their day of rest.
Vinton reached the church, a magnificent structure, with its many spires
glistening in the rays of the sun, and its chime of bells which were
ringing out their harmonious cadences upon the air. He had been
fortunate to find among his acquaintances a young man who also attended
this church, and in his company he repaired to the sacred edifice, and
joined in the services of the hour. When the last hymn had been sung and
the congregation had been dismissed, Vinton and his companion hurried
out to the sidewalk, where they could observe all who came out.
Soon the doors were filled with little groups of men and women, all
exchanging friendly greetings, and indulging in pleasant gossip before
seeking their homes, and to the intense delight of Vinton, he noticed
among a company of young ladies, the face and form of Mary Crilly, the
pretty servant of the sister of Newton Edwards.
Finding his gaze riveted upon this group, his companion lightly pulled
him by the arm, exclaiming:
"What's the matter, Vinton. Has Mary Crilly captivated your senses?"
"I don't know who you allude to, but there is one of the prettiest girls
I have seen for a long time."
"I know who _you_ mean, though," said his companion laughingly, "and she
is one of the nicest girls I know. Although she is simply a servant, she
is both pretty, intelligent and industrious."
"Do you know her?" asked Vinton, both delighted and surprised.
"Certainly I do," answered his companion; "her name is Mary Crilly, and
she is living with a family on Logan Place."
"Can't you introduce me?" inquired Vinton anxiously.
"Yes, if you want me to; that's my sister she is talking to now, they
are fast friends, and Mary will probably spend the evening at our house.
Come along, and perhaps you will lose your heart."
The apples had certainly fallen right into his lap, and fortune had
favored him this time, if never before.
Stepping up with his friend, Vinton was soon made acquainted with the
pretty young domestic, and in a short time afterward was walking by her
side in the direction of his friend's house, where Mary was to spend the
afternoon and evening.
Strange as it may appear, young Vinton, when not on duty, associated
freely with his companions, not one of whom suspected the business in
which he was engaged. They only knew that he was employed in an office
"down town," and that frequently he was required to be absent from the
city for weeks. In a large city, however, there is not the same
inclination to inquire about the private affairs of one's neighbors, and
hence he had been able, for prudential reasons, to avoid announcing his
real occupation, and was not compelled to make a social hermit of
himself because of his profession.
Being pressed to remain at the house of his friend, Vinton cordially
accepted the situation, and devoted himself to the fair Miss Crilly so
assiduously that he soon was in high favor with that young lady. After
an enjoyable afternoon, he had the pleasure of escorting Miss Crilly to
her home, and when he left her at her door, he was gratified to receive
an invitation to call again, which he joyfully accepted, and resolved to
take advantage of at an early date.
Thus far we had been successful; we had obtained a photograph of
Edwards, which had been promptly recognized. We had learned from his
wife that he was hiding in the state of New York; and we had reliable
men carefully posted in such a manner that in a very short time definite
information must assuredly be obtained.