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 indulged 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.