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I wonder if the story might have been on the verge of revealing that. The first quarter/third was lead in, after which Drood disappears. Now we had hit the halfway mark and I think it was due for the next "spark", and a revelation one way or another about Drood would seem appropriate at this point. The spark might have been Princess Puffer, but somehow I see her a more long term project, something intended for nearer the ending - maybe visiting Jasper in gaol or some such.
I had been firmly on the side of Edwin Drood is dead, and I'm still inclined to think that was Dickens' intention up to this point. However Bookworm_Girl's post has me wondering whether Dickens might have been keeping his options open. Maybe he really was watching out for public opinion before deciding which way to go. If it looked like the public wanted Drood to survive, then Dickens would produce him, if not, then evidence of his death would soon be forthcoming ... and I still think the latter was more likely.
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