He fumbled about in the dirt for a time, and then succeeded in resurrecting an iron ring.
Lifting this, he raised a square slab of stone.
A deep hole was revealed.
Harding glanced into it, and a cry of despair and anger escaped his lips.
It was empty.
“Gone!” he cried, wildly. “What devilish plot is this? They have stolen away my treasure! Curses on them!”
For a moment he seemed a literal madman.
Then gradually he calmed down.
“Have courage,” said Frank, encouragingly; “we may overtake the thieves.”
“Ah, I have no hopes of that!”