The result of these inquiries were not calculated to strengthen the
doubts which had been formed of young Pearson's participation in this
robbery, and yet the suspicion remained unchanged, and we determined to
await developments before yielding our opinions to what seemed to be a
pressure of circumstances.

In the meantime, William had not been idle in the city. Ascertaining the
name of the firm for which Newton Edwards was traveling, and determined
to satisfy his mind upon this point, he dispatched an operative to the
business house to which he had been referred. The result of this inquiry
was that Mowbray, Morton & Co., the firm with which Edwards had at one
time been engaged, stated that he had severed his connection with them a
short time before, and since then had done nothing for them, but had
been traveling for another house on the same street, and they believed
he was the junior partner of the firm. Inquiry at this house elicited
the information that Edwards had retired from this firm, and had
connected himself with a large eastern house, which dealt extensively in
fruits and a general line of groceries. At this place, however, several
items of information were gleaned which were of importance. The
gentlemen connected with this establishment were very well acquainted
with Newton Edwards, of whom they spoke in the highest terms. He had
been in Chicago during all of the week previous to the robbery, but had
left the city on Saturday, stating that he intended to travel through
Wisconsin and Minnesota in the interest of the new firm which he
represented. He had not been seen since, nor had they heard from him.

Finding that the gentleman who furnished this information was an
intimate acquaintance of Edwards, the operative next inquired as to his
family connections and his place of residence. On these points he was