But the coroner's duty held him to the house and he decided not to accompany them. Knapp and Abel, however, yielded to the curiosity which had been aroused by these extraordinary promises, and presently the four men mentioned started on their small expedition up the hill.
Sweetwater headed the procession. He had admonished silence, and his wish in this regard was so well carried out that they looked more like a group of spectres moving up the moon-lighted road, than a party of eager and impatient men. Not till they turned into the main thoroughfare did anyone speak. Then Abel could no longer restrain himself and he cried out:
"We are going to Mr. Sutherland's."
But Sweetwater quickly undeceived him.
"No," said he, "only into the woods opposite his house."
But at this Mr. Fenton drew him back.
"Are you sure of yourself?" he said. "Have you really seen this money and is it concealed in this forest?"
"I have seen the money," Sweetwater solemnly declared, "and it is hidden in these woods."
Mr. Fenton dropped his arm, and they moved on till their way was blocked by the huge trunk of a fallen tree.
"It is here we are to look," cried Sweetwater, pausing and motioning
Knapp to turn his lantern on the spot where the shadows lay thickest.
"Now, what do you see?" he asked.