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.