ing 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."

CHAPTER VI.

The Detective at Woodford.--An Interview with the Discarded Wife of
Newton Edwards.

It was on a hot sultry morning in August, about ten days after the
robbery at Geneva, that William Everman arrived at the picturesque
little city of Woodford. Woodford was the home of the brother of Mrs.
Newton Edwards, with whom that lady was supposed to have taken refuge
after her quarrel with her husband. Everman proceeded directly to the
hotel upon his arrival, and quickly announced himself as a traveling
salesman from a neighboring city. In a casual conversation with the
clerk, he ascertained that Edwards and his wi