After taking it in his hand, he immediately exclaimed: "Why, that isn't nearly as heavy as it was when we left the bank!" Mr.Silby then brought out a sack containing five thousand dollars in gold, and placed it in the satchel.

Again Edwards lifted it, and this time he at once said: "That is more like it!" This experience strengthened me in the belief of Eugene Pearson's innocence, and that Edwards and his companion had either lost the gold in some manner, or had disposed of it in some other way.
Acting upon this theory, the ground in the vicinity of the spot where the valise was found was thoroughly searched by both the bank officials and my operatives.

All in vain, however; no trace was obtained of the missing sack of gold, and the matter of its loss was as much a mystery as ever.
After the preliminary hearing had been held, the prisoners were removed to the county town, some miles distant, where they were placed in confinement, awaiting the day of trial, which would not take place for some time to come.
While these events were transpiring, we had by no means been idle.

Our primary success in arresting the three men thus far secured, had been most gratifying to the officers of the bank as well as to ourselves.

Of course I was anxious to continue the search for the missing robber, but no one possessed a better knowledge than myself of the expense and delay that would be contingent upon such an undertaking.