tation of this association with relentless and
cunning pursuit, and began to wonder how any normal human being could
adopt a profession which embraced all these cheerless handicaps when
there were so many occupations into which a little sunlight and
geniality penetrated now and then.

He had about decided that such industry was the manifestation of a
disease, and that his silent companion was a desperate incurable, when
his diagnosis was suddenly interrupted.

The detective pressed the shoulders of his companion, communicating a
slight impulse toward the opposite end of the cellar, and Robert, in
obedience to its intimation, turned and beheld an approaching light.

It had the unreal appearance of a detached eye of some malignant
Cyclops, glancing in a ghastly, bodiless way, from object to object, and
concentrating itself at last in a definite course along the floor.

To witness the approach of this stealthy, gleam, without visible means
of support or guidance, caused the young man's flesh to creep and his
heart to throb almost to the point of suffocation.

If it requires experience to become a successful narrator, Robert was
certainly in a way to accumulate a budget of startling data.

Nothing, hitherto, in his life could explain the marvel, but Gratz, with
trained certainty, knew that he gazed upon the disk of a dark lantern
which, exposing all else to view, shielded, with its distracting flash,
the object of this midnight quest.

With an assurance that indicated a definite purpose, the figure at last
stood within the door of the coal bin.

At once the searching gleam began to dance hither and thither upon the
floor, and finally, with unerring pause, fell directly upon the heap of
glittering coin.

"Ah!" exclaimed a voice.

In its concentrated emphasis there was the unmistakable accent of
certitude, of expectation gratified.

The next instant the light was placed upon the floor with a tilt that
sent its rays upon the treasure, and the unknown began to collect the
gold with oblivious haste and bestow it in some receptacle near-by.

Suddenly Robert felt his companion move forward noiselessly, at the same
time he recognized the intimation of a detaining hand; and then he
stood alone.

Scarcely had he adjusted himself to these startling conditions when he
heard a sharp, metallic snap, and beheld a sudden flood of light
directed upon the kneeling figure.

There was a cry of desperate amazement, the quick cl