CHAPTER XXIX
THE DISCOVERY
"The trouble is, those rascals have a twenty-four hours' start of us," remarked Jack. "For all we know they may be miles away by this time."
"It's too bad Uncle Barney didn't take our advice and either have those deeds recorded, or else place them in some bank vault," said Fred.
"The thing now is to see if we can trail those fellows, whoever they were," put in Randy.
"That's the talk!" cried his twin. "No use of crying over spilt milk, as the cat said when she tipped the pan over into the well," and at this remark there was a faint smile.
The Rovers had drawn to one side to talk over the situation while Barney Stevenson was preparing to accompany them from the cave. The old man was both excited and worried. He cared little about the wound he had received on the head. All he wanted to do was to get back his treasure box, as he called it.
The little party soon reached the point where all had left their snowshoes. They looked around with care, and presently made out a trail leading toward the lake shore.
"If they went down to the lake, they most likely skated away," remarked Fred.
It was an easy matter to follow the trail through the snow. It led up to the vicinity of some rough rocks, and here turned southward.