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