CHAPTER II.
The Investigation Begun--John Manning's Visit to Geneva--Eugene Pearson's Story--The Detective's Incredulity--A Miraculous Deliverance With a Ten-Cent Coin.
On the evening of the same day on which this daring robbery occurred, and as I was preparing to leave my agency for the day, a telegram was handed to me by the superintendent of my Chicago office, Mr.Frank Warner.

The message read as follows: "GENEVA, August -- , 18--.
"Bank robbed to-day.

Twenty thousand dollars taken.

Please send or come at once.
"(Signed,) HENRY SILBY, President." This was all.

There was no detail of particulars, no statement of the means employed, only a simple, concise and urgent appeal for my services.