The Burglars Fate and The Detectives | Page 7

very roughly on the occasion of
this last visit, and had evidently changed his clothes for the purpose of
escaping detection or recognition."
"Which one of the men attacked you?" now asked the detective.
"The one who left the valise in the afternoon. While the tallest of the
two was struggling with Miss Patton, who was screaming loudly, the
other one came behind the counter and struck me upon the head with
the butt end of his revolver. I became insensible after this, and knew
nothing until I found myself in the vault."
"How did you extricate yourself from this dilemma?" inquired
Manning.
"Well, sir," began Pearson; and the detective imagined that he noticed a
hesitancy in his manner, which was not apparent before, "when I
recovered consciousness, I found myself locked up in the vault, with
Miss Patton lying beside me. When she recovered, we both shouted
loudly for help, and beat with our hands upon the iron doors, in the
hope of attracting attention. This failed, and we were nearly desperate.
Just then, however, my foot came in contact with some loose silver
upon the floor, and on stooping to pick them up, I found that they were
ten-cent pieces. Instantly, the idea occurred to me, to attempt to remove
the screws which fastened the lock to the inside of the door, and of
using one of these coins for the purpose. To my intense joy the screws
yielded to my efforts, and in a short time the heavy door swung open,
and we were free. I have told you already what followed."
As John Manning jotted these recitals down in his note-book, he could
not repress nor account for, a feeling of doubtfulness which crept over
him at this point. He looked up into the young man's face, but there he
saw only the evidence of serious truthfulness, and honest frankness; but
still that lingering doubt was upon him and he could not shake it off.

At his request, young Pearson then furnished him with a description of
the two men, as nearly as his memory would serve him, and these the
detective noted down for future use.
At length, finding that he had obtained all the information which could
be afforded him here, he thanked the gentlemen for their assistance, and
promised to call again in the course of the day.
"Remember, Mr. Manning," said Mr. Silby, "we rely entirely upon the
resources of Mr. Pinkerton's agency, and that we are confident that you
will succeed."
"I cannot promise that," returned Manning, "but you may be assured
that if success is possible, we will accomplish it."
So saying, he shook hands with the gentlemen, and left the bank. He
betook himself at once to the hotel to prepare himself for further action
in this investigation.
CHAPTER III.
An Interview with Miss Patton--Important Revelations--Doubts
Strengthened--Mr. Bartman's Story--William Resolves to Seek Newton
Edwards.
As the morning was not yet very far advanced, John Manning
concluded to pay a visit to Miss Patton, the other eye-witness to, and
active participant in the robbery.
Ascertaining the locality of her residence, he walked along the pleasant
shaded street, revolving in his mind the various points upon which he
had been enlightened during the interview just concluded. Arriving at
his destination, he found a neat, cosy little cottage, set in the midst of a
bright garden of blooming flowers, the perfume of which filled the
morning air. There was an appearance of neatness and beauty and
comfort about the place, which at once gave evidence of the refinement
of those who dwelt within, and as the detective walked along the
graveled path that led to the front door, he found himself involuntarily

arranging his shirt-collar, and calling up his best manner for the
occasion.
His knock was responded to by a kindly-faced, matronly looking lady,
whom he instinctively felt was the mother of the young lady. Making
his business known, and requesting an interview with Miss Patton, he
was ushered into a cool, well-furnished parlor, to await the conveyance
of his message and to learn the disposition of the invalid.
In a few minutes the lady reappeared, and stated that although her
daughter was still very weak and nervous from the shock she had
sustained, she would see him, and requested him to step into her room.
Entering a neatly furnished little chamber, he beheld the young lady
reclining upon a couch, looking very pale, but with a pleasant smile of
welcome upon her face that at once gave him the courage to proceed
with the unpleasant business he had in hand.
Bidding her a polite good morning, he took the seat, which had been
placed for him near the bed, and as delicately as possible, stated his
business and the reason for his