them.

Fearing that Henry Waring might have remained away from home later
than was his wont, they waited until they felt reasonably sure of a
freedom from interruption in their labor, and then, having finally
concluded that all was safe, they proceeded quietly to the barn,
whose doors were wide open, and offered no bar to their entrance.

Lighting their lantern, they thoroughly searched the interior, in
order to discover if any tramps had taken refuge under its roof. All
was quiet as the grave. The moonbeams shone through the open door,
lighting up the barn with its rays, and almost revealing the figures
of the men who were within. They were afraid to close the doors,
which they had found open, lest some one looking from the windows of
the farm-house should suspect its being occupied and be tempted to
make an examination.

The spot designated by Bucholz was easily discovered, but, to the
dismay of the visitors, they found that a large quantity of bark had
been piled upon that particular corner of the barn, and that upon the
top of this were thrown several sheets of tin, which had evidently
been taken from the roof of some building.

There was no help for it, however; the bark and tin must be removed,
and Edward Sommers, throwing off his coat and vest, went to work with
a will. Robert held the lantern, while Paul Schmoeck stood by, with
his hands in his pockets, eagerly awaiting developments.

The rattling of the tin, as it was being removed, was so loud that it
was feared the sleepers in the farm-house would be awakened by the
noise. They stopped and listened. Evidently their slumbers were
profound, for not a sound came from its enclosing walls.

The bark was soon disposed of, and then Edward Sommers grasped the
spade and struck it into the ground. The clock in the distant town
struck midnight as he commenced the task. Eagerly he worked and
eagerly watched the two men beside him. Their eyes seemed to pierce
through the damp mold, and every spadeful of dirt, as it was thrown
up, seemed to increase their anxiety. Steadily worked the detective,
and the new earth lay piled around him, but as yet no indication of
the treasure they sought. The perspiration rolled from the face of
the anxious Sommers, and a doubt began to creep slowly into his mind.
Robert, too, partook of the anxiety of his companion, while Paul
Schmoeck, who scarcely understood the object of their visit, looked
doubtfully upon the proceedings and indu