ho now seemed greatly relieved at the prospect of saving
this treasure for which he had sacrificed so much, and which now
seemed in such imminent danger.

With mingled emotions of pride and satisfaction, Sommers left the
jail and proceeded on his way to his lodgings.

After a long struggle he had been successful. "The falcon, after many
airy circlings, had made its swoop at last," and its polished talons
had done their work not unsuccessfully. The stricken quarry might
flutter for a while, but the end would be soon and sure.

CHAPTER XXVII.

_A Midnight Visit to the Barn._--_The Detective wields a Shovel to
some Advantage._--_Fifty Thousand Dollars found in the Earth._--_A
good Night's Work._

The day following the revelations made in the preceding chapter,
Edward Sommers returned to the agency and communicated the
information which he had received the day before, and awaited
instructions before proceeding further in the matter.

My son Robert A. Pinkerton determined to accompany him upon this
visit to the barn, and he also requested the German Consul to
delegate some one from his office to be one of the party. To this
proposition the German Consul at once assented, and Paul Schmoeck, an
attache of the Consulate, was selected to accompany them upon their
visit to the Schulte estate.

Procuring a dark lantern and a garden spade, the party left New York
about nine o'clock in the evening, and, without accident or delay,
arrived at South Norwalk. On leaving the train, they separated, and
Sommers, being acquainted with the road, walked on in advance. In
order to avoid attracting attention, they walked up the main street
of the town a short distance, and then, changing their course, they
reached the railroad, along which they traveled until they arrived at
the strip of woods in which Henry Schulte had met his death. They
traveled along the narrow pathway and reached the stone wall, from
which the house and barn stood in full view.

The evening was beautiful indeed--a bright moon illuminated the
landscape almost with the luminous light of day. The air was still,
and not a breath rustled among the leaves of the trees overhead. A
silence profound and impressive reigned over all. From afar the
rumbling of the train which they had left was borne upon the air.
Involuntarily the three men who had come to this place upon a far
different errand stood in silent admiration of the natural beauty
that was spread before