lged in frequent mutterings
of disappointment.

Could it be possible that they had been deceived--that they were
seeking for something which had no existence? Could Bucholz have
imposed upon the credulity of Sommers and sent him upon this fool's
errand? Or could the detective have made a mistake in the location
designated? One or the other seemed to be the case. But hark! the
spade strikes a hard substance; it must be the stone mentioned by
Bucholz. With redoubled energy the detective wields his implement,
and, at last, as he withdraws it from the ground, something glitters
in the ray of the lantern. A closer examination disclosed several
bright gold pieces, mingled with the dark lumps of dirt which had
been lifted by the spade.

[Illustration: "_With a joyful cry he exultingly held up a large
wallet before his excited companions._"]

An audible sigh of relief escaped them all as they looked. Robert
took out his pocket-handkerchief, and the coins, dirt and all, were
deposited within it. Surely success was certain now--and soon, by
carefully digging away the surrounding earth, the detective was
enabled to place his hands beneath the stone. Then, with a joyful
cry, he withdrew a large wallet, and held it up exultingly before his
excited companions.

Ah, yes, victory was assured now, and, after carefully searching
around the stone to discover if anything else had been hidden there,
the wallet was placed in the handkerchief along with the coins, and
they prepared to leave the place.

The earth was replaced, the bark and tin were piled upon the top of
it, and after they had finished, nothing in the appearance of things
would indicate that midnight workers had been there, or that the
murdered man's treasure had been discovered and removed.

The overwrought nerves of the worker and watchers were strengthened
by a long draught of prime "Eau de vie," which had been brought along
by the considerate Paul, and after making sure that everything was as
they had found it, they left the barn and proceeded toward the
railroad.

It was necessary now to get rid of the lantern and the spade. To
retain them would be hazardous--they might be stopped upon the road,
and the possession of a dark lantern and a wallet of money would be
strong evidences of something else than a detective operation, and
besides this, secrecy was all-important at the present time.

Passing a ravine some distance from the scene of their operations,
Robert