o that
place, and, to his surprise, he found Edwards, in company with a
strange young man, lingering around the public house in Geneva,
apparently having nothing whatever to do. He noticed also, that Edwards
was somewhat under the influence of liquor, and that he had effected a
complete change in his apparel. A few hours after this he heard of the
robbery, and instantly his mind reverted to the strange appearance and
actions of Newton Edwards. He endeavored to find him, but, as if in
confirmation of his suspicions, both Edwards and his companion had
disappeared.

Mr. Bartman gave a full description of Edwards as he appeared that day;
and in substantiation of his suspicions, it was found to agree perfectly
with that given by both Eugene Pearson and Miss Grace Patton.

Mr. Perry stated that within two hours after the robbery had been
discovered, men had been sent out in all directions, in search of the
fleeing robbers, but without success. They had only been enabled to
learn that two men, carrying a valise between them, had been seen
walking along the railroad track in a north-westerly direction from
Geneva, but that was all. In the darkness of the night, they had
succeeded in eluding their pursuers, and on the following day all traces
of them were obscured.

Two things were now to be done at once; to ascertain the antecedents of
Eugene Pearson, and to seek the whereabouts of Newton Edwards. To these
tasks William applied himself immediately, and with what result will be
shown hereafter.

CHAPTER IV.

The work progresses--Eugene Pearson's early life--On the trail of
Newton Edwards.

In the meantime operatives Manning and Jackson had been untiring in
their efforts to obtain some traces of the robbers. They had found a
number of people who recollected seeing two men, answering the
description of the suspected thieves, who carried a valise between them,
but beyond a certain point all traces of them stopped. It seemed that
the ground had opened and swallowed them up, so effectual had been their
disappearance.

While thus engaged, operative Manning received instructions to keep a
watchful eye upon young Pearson, and also to make quiet and judicious
inquiries as to his habits and associates in Geneva.

The result of these inquiries was most favorable to the young man, and
under ordinary circumstances would have disarmed suspicion at once.
During the progress of this search after truth, operative Manning had