This was a corroboration of the first suspicion regarding Newton Edwards, and was convincing of the fact that he had not done as he had informed his friends that he would do.  William was convinced, therefore, that he was upon the right track, and impatiently awaited the return of the operative who had been sent to the residences of Edwards’ relatives.

The detective delegated for that purpose proceeded to the locality to which he had been directed, where he found a comfortable-looking, well-kept brick dwelling-house, and upon a metal plate upon the door, he noticed the name he was in search of.  Ascending the steps, he rang the bell, and shortly afterward was ushered into a handsomely furnished parlor, where he was greeted by a pleasant-faced lady, who announced herself as the sister of Mr. Newton Edwards.

“Is Mr. Edwards residing with you?” inquired the detective.

“Not now,” answered the lady, “he was here until Saturday last, when he left, saying that he was going to Milwaukee upon business.  I have heard however, that he was in town on Sunday last, but that I am not sure of.”

“Did his wife go with him?” now asked the operative, hoping to obtain an interview with her, if possible.

“No, sir,” replied Mrs. Andrews, with an air of sudden coldness and reserve, which was not lost upon the watchful man before her.  “Mrs. Edwards left on the same day, in company with her brother, who has taken her to his home; I do not wish to allude to this matter, but I am afraid my brother and his wife do not live happily together.”

“Have they separated?” asked the detective, in a tone of solicitude.

After a momentary hesitation, the woman replied:  “I am inclined to think they have.  Newton has not been himself lately, and has, I am sorry to say, been drinking a great deal.  This naturally led to harsh treatment of his wife, and I presume she wrote to her brother, and on last Saturday he came and took her away.”

Finding the lady indisposed to furnish further information, the detective took his leave.

At the second place he received much the same information, and concluding that he had exhausted this matter, he started to return to the agency.  At this latter place, however, he had casually inquired for the name and residence of Mrs. Edwards’ brother, and on learning that, had concluded his visit.

Everything thus far had favored a belief that Edwards was concerned in this robbery.  His leaving home a day or two before the act was committed, his quarrel with his wife, his statement made to friends that he was going upon a business trip, which it was evident he had not done, his strange appearance at Newtonsville and Geneva on the day the robbery took place, the fact that his personal appearance agreed perfectly with that given of the robber, by eye-witnesses to that event, and his mysterious disappearance since, all went to prove beyond question that Newton Edwards was the thief, and that decided steps should be taken to discover his whereabouts.