“Eugene Pearson declares,” added Mr. Silby, the bank president, “that he has given up everything, and is positive that you took away from the bank nearly fifteen thousand dollars in currency and coin.”

Again, as in the case of Edwards, the valise was brought out, and the amount of money which was supposed to have been taken at the time of the robbery, less five thousand dollars in gold, was handed to Duncan to lift.  Duncan raised it in his hand, and at once pronounced it lighter than when they carried it away from the bank.  A sack containing five thousand dollars in gold was then added, and when he again took it in his hands, he exclaimed: 

“That’s more like it; when we left the bank the valise was fully that heavy.”

“Now, Mr. Duncan,” said Mr. Silby, “this test satisfies me that Eugene Pearson is innocent of having taken more money than he has restored to us, and that when you left the bank, you carried away the amount he states.”

While Mr. Silby was speaking, Duncan had been recalling all the events which had transpired during their flight, and endeavoring to trace, step by step, all that they had done.

“I remember now,” he said slowly, after a few moments, “that before we concluded to throw away the valise, we sat down by the railroad track to rest.  We then opened the valise, to see what it contained.  Among the contents, I noticed a small, dingy sack, which was marked ‘silver—­$100,’ and that being pretty heavy, and only a small amount, I took it and hid it in the weeds that were growing around us.  I suppose it is there yet, provided no one has found and removed it.”

At this juncture, Mr. Welton, the cashier, who had been listening quietly, jumped to his feet and excitedly exclaimed: 

“That solves the mystery!  I remember distinctly having placed that gold in a sack marked silver, as it was the only one we could find at the time.”  Then turning to Duncan, he added:  “You, therefore, instead of throwing away one hundred dollars in silver, as you supposed, actually disposed of five thousand dollars in as good gold as ever came from the mint.”

This explanation appeared to be as plain as the sun at noonday, and it was evident that, mistaking the contents of the sack to be silver, and of a small amount, Duncan had thrown it away, not deeming it worth the trouble of taking.

“Can you tell the spot where you disposed of this sack?” asked William, who still indulged in the hope of recovering the missing money.

“I think I could find it,” answered Duncan.  “And if you gentlemen will accompany me, I think I can point it out to you.”

Without delay, a carriage was procured, and Mr. Silby, Mr. Welton, Duncan and my son William, started off.  They proceeded in the direction which Duncan said they had traveled after leaving the bank, and without difficulty he found the spot where he said they had stopped to rest.