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 calling upon her. At this point Mrs.
Patton excused herself, and retired, with the evident intention of
leaving them alone.

Manning quietly and delicately made his inquiries, and the girl answered
them in a plain, straightforward manner. Her story corroborated all that
had previously been related by young Pearson, and left no doubt in the
mind of the detective that the occurrences of the eventful afternoon had
been correctly detailed. He could not, however, control the doubtfulness
that was impressing him with regard to Eugene Pearson.

"I cannot forbear the thought," said he, when Miss Patton had concluded
her story, "that if Mr. Pearson had displayed a reasonable amount of
manly bravery, this robbery could not have taken place."

"There is something very strange to me," said the girl, musingly, "about
the manner in which Eugene acted; and--there are some things that I
cannot understand."

"Would you object to telling me what they are?" said the detective.
"Perhaps I can enlighten you."

"Well," responded the girl reluctantly, "I fear that Eugene has not told
the entire truth in this matter."

"In what respect?" inquired the detective.

"I would not do anything to injure Mr. Pearson for the world, Mr.
Manning, and he may have forgotten the circumstance altogether, but I am
sure that I saw one of those robbers on two occasions before this
occurred, in the bank and talking to Mr. Pearson."

"Why should he seek to conceal this?" asked the operative.

"That is just what I cannot understand," answered the lady.

"Tell me just what you know, and perhaps I can help you in coming to a
correct conclusion."

"I don't like to say anything about this, but still I think it is my
duty to do so